Lead Briefing
The anonymous poll is too flimsy to define Alperen Sengun. The real issue for Houston is colder and more expensive: what kind of playoff offense can the Rockets afford to build around him?
Is the 'most overrated' label just disrespect, or does it reveal a real Rockets roster question around Sengun?
Hot topics
Fresh coverage
Team Pulse
Embiid's status is the headline, but Game 3 turns on the whole center chain: whether Philadelphia can keep size on the floor, avoid cheap fouls, and stop Karl-Anthony Towns from picking the matchup he wants late.
Debate
San Antonio's 133-95 Game 2 answer killed the lazy 'too young' verdict. It did not settle the harder Game 3 question: what happens if Anthony Edwards gets his normal grip on the series?
Explainer
The Magic's coaching search should be judged by the floor it creates: cleaner Banchero catches, earlier Wagner lanes, real Desmond Bane gravity, and a Jalen Suggs role that keeps pressure without shrinking the half court.
Team Pulse
Toronto can prefer Brandon Ingram next to Scottie Barnes without pretending the core is finished. The fan read now runs through Ingram's foot, RJ Barrett's contract clock, and whether Gradey Dick can become cheap spacing again.
Team Pulse
The Game 1 double-double matters, but the series clue is simpler: do Duren's dives, putbacks, dunks and back-line blocks force Cleveland to protect the rim before Detroit even needs a second action?
Team Pulse
After Oklahoma City's 108-90 Game 1 win, Lakers fans should track whether Los Angeles can steady Thunder runs without emergency timeouts, find non-LeBron creation, and keep Chet Holmgren from owning the possession battle.
Team Pulse
Edwards' fourth-quarter burst won Minnesota real possessions, but Wolves fans should judge the return by Game 2 workload, shift length, and who gets the ball late.