Friendly Bounce RTOE: Damian Lillard dropped 50 on us too
How many more times does Damian Lillard score 50 this season?
Ryne Prinz (@ryneprinz): I’m going to go with three. He might have to will the Blazers into keeping a playoff spot.
Dan Favale (@danfavale): Saying zero is the opposite of fun, so I’ll go with once. There is no reasonable rationale behind this, just a gut feeling.
Taylor Smith (@TaylorBojangles): They have 18 games left this season, so I’ll say…18.
Matt Cianfrone (@Matt_Cianfrone): Scoring 50 is really hard but the way Dame is playing since the All-Star break it doesn’t seem like it. So I will say once, though I won’t be surprised by anything less than five times.
Point Giannis. Yes or no?
Prinz: YES! YES! YES!
Favale: Yes, times infinity. And if Point Giannis ever becomes Point Giannis with a relatively reliable three-point stroke, I’ll swoon regularly.
Smith: The Bulls kinda pulled the rug out on Point Giannis a bit by sagging off of him last night, but I remain all-in on it. Who else are the Bucks gonna use at point guard? Jerryd Bayless? Come on. Point Giannis has always been his destiny.
Cianfrone: Yes. Giannis looks more and more comfortable in the role every night and most importantly it is a ton of fun. Stardom is right in his grasp and it isn’t long before he grabs it and dishes it to someone else for a dunk.
Who is the MSG rim’s next victim?
Prinz: The Bulls are in town late on March 24, so it’ll definitely be Pau Gasol.
Favale: Carmelo Anthony has the lift of a man trying to fly with cinder blocks attached to his feet. So, him. Again.
Smith: I’m hoping James Dolan tries to follow in the footsteps of Steve Ballmer and Brad Stevens by trying a trampoline dunk. I’d pay top dollar to see him get rim checked.
Cianfrone: The Sacramento Kings come to MSG in late March. Rajon Rondo doesn’t try to dunk often but the Knicks made him angry earlier this year. He will try to get some revenge with a monster slam and end up on his back.
Who gets the 8 seed in the East?
Prinz: The Bulls just got Jimmy Butler back, so I think they’ll be able to hold onto the 8th seed.
Favale: Is it wrong that I still kinda-sorta believe in the Wizards?
Smith: I get the feeling the Pistons are going to figure it out at some point and go on a mini-run. The world needs Playoff Andre Drummond.
Cianfrone: I think the Bulls hold on as long as Jimmy Butler plays the majority of the remaining games. If not give me the Pistons because I trust Stan Van Gundy more than Randy Wittman.
Who gets the 8 seed in the West?
Prinz: The Rockets have been the biggest disappointment of the season, but I think they can hang on down the stretch and inevitably be swept by the Warriors in the first round.
Favale: The Jazz are in an exclusive relationship with Giving Up Leads Because We Apparently Hate Winning, so the Rockets.
Smith: Should anyone even want this playoff spot? I’ll say the Rockets, as well. They’ll probably lose to Philly and then beat Boston on Friday because Rockets.
Cianfrone: The Rockets but mostly by default.