The Ringer NBA Show

Logan Murdock and Raja Bell get into the Lakers' Game 2 win against Houston and the role Russell Westbrook plays in swinging Rockets games (2:48), whether Giannis can lead a championship charge on his own in a league of fearsome twosomes, which other star in the NBA would be the best pairing for him (39:33), and playoff predictions (59:18).Hosts: Logan Murdock and Raja Bell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor dive into the Raptors’ huge one-point victory over the Boston Celtics to stay in their second-round series (1:51), beg Mike Budenholzer to play Giannis and Middleton for 40 minutes (19:40), mourn the exhausted Denver Nuggets after their blowout loss against the Clippers (40:23), debate what could constitute a “small” Lakers lineup against the Rockets in their Round 2 matchup (45:40), and finally discuss the hiring of Steve Nash as the new Brooklyn Nets head coach (1:02:26).Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O'Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Logan Murdock and Raja Bell share their reactions to the Brooklyn Nets signing Steve Nash to a four-year head-coaching deal and keeping interim head coach Jaque Vaughn as lead assistant coach (00:48). Then they discuss the dramatic ending to Game 7 between the Rockets and Thunder (31:05). Hosts: Logan Murdock and Raja Bell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin, Jonathan, and Rob are joined by The Athletic's Wosny Lambre to discuss the drag-out battle between the Nuggets and the Jazz in Game 7 and what ultimately made the difference for the Nuggets (02:23). They also talk about the Raptors' failure to hold off the Celtics and how Toronto can improve in this first playoff outing without Kawhi Leonard (36:17). Then Jonathan takes us to Nerd Corner to break down how players with big wins can be difficult to build a team around (55:43).Hosts: Justin Verrier, Rob Mahoney, and Jonathan TjarksGuest: Wosny Lambre Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Verno and KOC turn yet another contentious page in their ongoing Houston Rockets debate after the Rockets' embarrassing Game 6 collapse against the Oklahoma City Thunder (1:38) before discussing the predictably competitive Bucks-Heat matchup as well as the other series in the NBA playoffs (32:27).Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Logan and Raja discuss the incredible back-and-forth guard play between Donovan Mitchell and Jamal Murray in the Jazz-Nuggets series (5:22), what moves the homeward-bound Trail Blazers need to make in order to be a real title contender (32:35), Kawhi’s outstanding play and Marcus Morris’s dirty play to send the Mavericks home (45:39), and finally The Ringer’s Jason Gallagher joins the show to pour a little liquor out for his Mavericks (49:35).Hosts: Logan Murdock and Raja BellGuest: Jason Gallagher Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Verno and KOC are joined by Cleveland Cavaliers head coach J.B. Bickerstaff to discuss the NBA players’ strike and how professional sports can lead the pursuit of racial justice for Black Americans.Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’ConnorGuest: J.B. Bickerstaff Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Logan Murdock, Rob Mahoney, and Van Lathan share their real-time reactions to the NBA postponing Wednesday's games as a result of the player strike led by the Milwaukee Bucks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin, Jon, and Rob are joined by NBC Sports' Tom Haberstroh to talk about Tuesday's blowout between the Clippers and the Mavs, including the drama surrounding Luka Doncic and Marcus Morris (15:15). They also discuss the Nuggets' latest victory over the Jazz and the Pacers' decision to fire Nate McMillan just after announcing his extension (26:18).Hosts: Justin Verrier, Rob Mahoney, Jonathan TjarksGuest: Tom Haberstroh Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Verno and KOC discuss the competitive first-round matchups (1:16), teams that are figuratively on the ropes (28:37), and the already-concluded series (52:52).Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’Connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices