DO NOT CONGRATULATE the Rockets for ending the Blazers' streak

Whew, what a game between the hot Houston Rockets and hotter Portland Trail Blazers. James Harden, the MVP in waiting, cooked the Blazers to just the right temperature (42 and 7) to end Portland’s 13-game winning streak.

The odds of these teams meeting in the playoffs -- which would be awesome -- rely on the Blazers ejecting the Warriors in Round 2 (after surviving a tough Round 1) or the Blazers sliding a spot or two in the standings, which shouldn’t happen. But they do have one more regular season match left on April 5; let’s hope both teams play for the win again.

Speaking of the Rockets, check out Seerat Sohi’s smart piece on the revival of iso-ball in Houston.

The Rockets are 31-5 since New Year’s. They are 27-3 over their last 30 games and have won 23 of 24. Global warming is caused by the Houston Rockets because they are so hot.

Playoff Picture Update

Timberwolves sure are frisky. Huge night in the Eastern and Western races on Wednesday.

Scores Galore ...

TOR 93, ORL 86
OKC 99, BOS 100
LAC 109, MIN 123
DAL 105, NOP 115
ATL 99, UTA 94
DET 115, PHX 88
HOU 115, POR 111

... And So Much More

Paul Flannery on the centrality of LeBron James and the balance Tyronn Lue must find.

Are the Warriors still the presumptive title favorite despite all these injuries? For what it’s worth, Stephen Curry is back this week.

The Sixers might not have enough good isolation action, in part because they don’t have enough good isolation playmakers. Is Markelle Fultz fixed yet?

Uh oh: Kyrie Irving is getting a second opinion on his ailing knee.

Another sweet little scouting report, this one on Jaren Jackson’s excellent defensive potential.

The NBA and USA Basketball, who are trying to get more influence in youth basketball, laid out some guidelines that include lowering rims for younger players where possible, using smaller balls, and eliminating the three-pointer under age 12. Some youth leagues already do these things, though lower rims is a tough logistical and cost issue. But the three-pointer elimination is an eyebrow-raiser.

CONTRACT YEAR DERRICK FAVORS!

Blake Griffin is still glowing about the Pistons, even though the team has been bad and sometimes looks bored out of its skull. Reggie Jackson returning is a big deal, but reliability has been an issue for him over the years. Perhaps the most dangerous thing that can happen is for the Pistons to go on a little run to end the season and talk themselves into running it back completely next year.

Even New Zealand is trying to recruit LeBron. To do what? I don’t know. We know Kevin Durant would sign with the Wellington Saints if he went down there AM I RIGHT?

A beautiful essay from Jalen Moore on how anxiety and mental health made him temporarily give up his dream of making the NBA last summer.

Dan Devine talked to Royce White about the NBA’s seeming embrace of public discourse and openness about mental health. White is a complicated, difficult character because of legal issues and the particulars of his spell in the NBA. But it’s an important corrective to the current discourse, and I’m glad a writer as thoughtful as Dan talked to him.

And finally: Joey Fatone claims that N*SYNC would beat the Backstreet Boys in a 5-on-5 game. The internet has receipts, though. BSB already beat the Timberlake Five in 1997, according to a multi-part YouTube rip. The next step in the media cycle is for someone from O-Town to claim that BSB ain’t played nobody.

Be excellent to each other.

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