Friendly Bounce Open Run: National TV Isaiah Thomas, the Grizzlies make a statement, and watch out for LeBron

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Mar 4, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph (50) smiles before a game against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Welcome back to Friendly Bounce’s Open Run. 

National TV Isaiah Thomas: Jack Maloney (@jackhaveitall)

A few months ago no one could have predicted that an early April Celtics-Pistons matchup would get flexed onto national TV. But then the Celtics zoomed into the playoff picture, where the Pistons lingered as well due to the fact that they are a professional basketball team that plays in the Eastern Conference.

Which brings us to last night. Over the last few years, Rajon Rondo had built a legend on epic performances whenever the Celtics played on national TV. Now that Rondo’s in Dallas, however, someone on the Celtics had to step up and fill his shoes. And in the team’s first national TV game without Rondo running the show, Isaiah Thomas made sure they wouldn’t have to wait long.

The spirited lefty came off the bench to lead the Celtics to a huge win, dropping 34 points and handing out 6 assists in 30 minutes. Whether it was from behind-the-arc or at the line, Thomas set the Palace at Auburn Hills ablaze last night. The 113-103 win moved the Celtics up to the seventh seed in the East thanks to the Nets’ lost. (The Celtics hold the tiebreaker.)

If Thomas and the Cs can hold onto their playoff position over these last four games, we’ll get to see at least four more games of national TV Isaiah Thomas, and that’s going to be a lot of fun.

 

That was a statement: Matt Cianfrone (@Matt_Cianfrone)

Considering the Pelicans had just beaten the best team in the NBA on Tuesday and the fact that they controlled their own playoff destiny, I figured they would have enough energy to hang with Memphis last night even if it was a road game on the second night of a back-to-back.

Boy, was I wrong.

It wasn’t even the fact that Memphis was up 40 at one point that was the most impressive thing. It was the fact that they found a way to not just end any Pelicans run but to destroy it. Any time the Pelicans started to make a move, Memphis answered with a three or an offensive rebound. Not a simple play but a backbreaking one. It wasn’t just an easy win it was a statement.

The Grizzlies still have that gear in them where they can just take a team out into the mud and pound them into submission. It may have been hiding recently, but it is there. The Pelicans were unfortunately made aware of that last night.

 

LeBron James is picking up steam: Wes Goldberg (@wcgoldberg)

If you would bear with me and the sports cliche of a roller coaster, LeBron James’ season is on the 50 foot drop. You know, that one you know is coming but look forward to with the most possible anticipation. Maybe you fear it. Maybe it excites you. Either way, you know it’s coming and, boy, will you have feelings.

We left the station with LeBron’s return to Cleveland. There was a rough start, a two week hiatus followed by a LeBrenaissance of putting up his usual regular season, MVP numbers.

But you know what’s better than regular season LeBron?

Playoff mode LeBron.

When he hit this shot against the Milwaukee Bucks Wednesday, he sent a message. A message enveloped in a gutsy shot, a stomping celebration and a “you’re ouuuuuuuta herrrrrre.”

Kyrie Irving can be magical. Somewhere in Kevin Love is a very good player. Timofey Mozgov is a neck with limbs. But bridges between torsos and cranium aside, what makes the Cavs great is LeBron. Irving will win them games in the playoffs, and their depth will help them go the distance, but LeBron can win this team a championship.

This game against the Bucks didn’t mean much, but that’s not the point. Winners don’t win games because they have to or because it mathematically clinches them a playoff spot. Winners win games (two cliches! Sue me!).

We’re cresting the peak of the roller coaster, LeBron is picking up steam and, boy, is this exciting.