After the Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Brooklyn Nets to take a 2-0 lead in their first-round playoff series, Joel Embiid flirted with a triple-double (20 points, 19 rebounds, and seven assists). However, he expressed disappointment in his three blocks, saying, "I need the Memphis scorekeeper." It appears that Embiid was taking a shot at Jaren Jackson Jr. and the Memphis Grizzlies' scorekeeper, who were involved in a controversy earlier this season for allegedly padding Jackson's defensive stats. Specifically, his blocks on home court were questioned in comparison to his blocks during away games. Embiid's comments add to the recent trolling he's been doing during post-game interviews, including his jabs at the Nets after they called out the referees following Game 1. While Embiid continues to play at an MVP level, his off-court antics might draw increasing attention in the playoffs.

Tobias Harris has been a key player for the Philadelphia 76ers in their first-round series against the Brooklyn Nets. The Sixers are up 2-0 and Harris has played a significant role in their success so far. In the first two games, he has averaged 20.5 points on 60.7/66.7/100 shooting splits, eight rebounds, and three assists per game. Harris has been effective both on and off the ball, taking advantage of opportunities presented to him, and remaining focused when needed. He has shown a new level of confidence and aggressiveness in his game, which has helped the team immensely.

While James Harden and Joel Embiid are the stars of the show, Harris has played an important third wheel to their success. The Sixers will need Harris to continue to step up and provide scoring and shooting alongside his teammates if they hope to make it far in the playoffs. Harris has been coachable and versatile, taking on the roles that the team needs from him. If he can maintain his level of play, the Sixers will have a better chance of going deep into the playoffs.

Philadelphia 76ers' Jalen McDaniels is uncertain to play in Thursday's Game 3 matchup against the Brooklyn Nets due to a non-COVID related illness, according to the recent NBA injury report. While the Sixers swept the first two games of the series in Philadelphia, McDaniels' absence could impact their line up for Game 3 at The Barclays Center. The team may decide to give more minutes to starter P.J. Tucker or explore other possibilities like Danuel House or Georges Niang if McDaniels is sidelined. McDaniels, a 6-10 forward, was acquired by the Sixers at the deadline in a deal with the Charlotte Hornets, playing 24 games so far this season, averaging 6.7 points and 3.2 rebounds while hitting 40% from the three-point range in 17.5 minutes per game. In Game 2, McDaniels played for 22 minutes but failed to land any of his three shot attempts. Nevertheless, McDaniels gives the team more length on the defensive end of the floor and the ability to shoot beyond the arc on the offensive end.

Mikal Bridges recently opened up about his disappointment when the 76ers traded his rights to the Phoenix Suns during the 2018 NBA Draft. Against his expectations, Bridges was selected in the top 10, but he was still thrilled because he had grown up in the Philly suburbs and his mother worked for the Sixers. So, when the trade went through 15 minutes later, he was, in his own words, “pissed off” and “couldn’t control [his] emotions”. Not only did Philly lose out on his skills, but all plans for creating the feel-good story of the evening, that of a son uniting with a mother in the same professional league, were tossed aside. Since then, Tyneeha Rivers, Bridges’ mother, has gone on to work as the Chief People Officer at Cureleaf in NY.

Now, after being traded to the Nets, Bridges and Rivers will get the chance to take on the 76ers in the NBA Playoffs on Sunday. Bridges has played the 76ers 11 times during his career, averaging 12.6 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.1 steals. In the Nets’ only game versus the 76ers this season, Bridges scored 23 points in his debut.

As the NBA playoffs continue, all eyes are on Tyrese Maxey and Stephen Curry to lead their respective teams to victories in their upcoming games. Maxey’s Philadelphia 76ers aim to level with the Brooklyn Nets while Curry’s Golden State Warriors face the Sacramento Kings. With much of the pregame attention focused on these two players, it is worth considering some of the options for prop bets.

A strong option for Maxey would be betting on him to make over 2.5 threes. While he was relatively quiet in game one of the playoffs, Maxey has shown that he can score from beyond the arc and is averaging 14.5 field goal attempts since the all-star break. Against a Nets team that allows opponents to shoot over 36% from deep, Maxey may be poised for a breakout performance.

Meanwhile, Curry’s consistent scoring ability makes picking him for over 29.5 points a safe bet. Despite the Kings’ recent woes, Curry should be able to continue to put up impressive scoring numbers. He has already cleared this line in three of his five games against the Kings this season, including the playoffs.

As always, these prop bets are up for grabs and could go either way. But if Maxey and Curry play as expected, they could very well provide a significant payout for those who bet on them.

The United States men's national team roster for next week's friendly against Mexico in Glendale, Arizona, has been announced. The match is not being played during a FIFA international window, so the team is made up primarily of domestic players from MLS or USL Championship. Among the 23 players called up are eight veterans of the World Cup team, including LAFC's Aaron Long and Kellyn Acosta. The squad also features nine players with fewer than five USMNT caps. Defender Sergino Dest of Italy's AC Milan and midfielder Alan Sonora of Mexico's FC Juarez are the only players on the roster from outside MLS or the USL Championship. Interim U.S. coach Anthony Hudson said he was delighted with the group of players assembled. The match between the U.S. and Mexico will be played on April 19 and kickoff is at 10 p.m. ET.

The US Men's National Team (USMNT) and Mexico will face off in their first meeting of 2023 as they renew their rivalry in the Continental Clasico friendly, taking place in Glendale, Arizona on April 19. The new annual event will feature the USMNT playing a top-tier team from North, Central, or South America. Organizers set up a big splash for the inaugural event, featuring the border rivals in the metro area with a large Mexican heritage population that has traditionally turned out in droves for any game involving Mexico, despite the match being played on American soil.

Although the game falls outside of FIFA's international window, it is set to be hotly contested. The match is notable for the rivalry between the teams that have both secured four wins apiece, with two draws in the last 10 meetings. The USMNT has the more positive recent history having secured three wins in a calendar year against Mexico in 2021, and a draw in World Cup qualifying in 2022. It is unlikely either team's most notable players will participate in this fixture, with both squads largely comprised of domestic-based players.

The United States and Mexico have revealed their plans to co-host the FIFA Women's World Cup in 2027. The announcement was made on U.S. Soccer's Twitter page, and both nations are expected to release more information about their bid in the coming weeks. The proposal will add to the competitive presence of Concacaf, which will host the Men's World Cup next year, with Canada joining the US and Mexico as hosts. The FIFA Women's World Cup is a massive international sporting event, attracting millions of viewers worldwide, and the joint bid will further boost the growth of the game in the Concacaf region. The U.S has already hosted the tournament twice in the past, with Mexico seeing the event for the first time if their bid is accepted. South Africa, Brazil, and a joint bid from Belgium, Germany, and Netherlands have also announced their intention to bid for this year's tournament. Australia and New Zealand will jointly host this year's tournament from July 20 to August 20.

Memphis Grizzlies star guard, Desmond Bane, is going against the team's unwritten rule of not wearing opponents' signature shoes as he faces off against Los Angeles Lakers star, LeBron James, in the play-offs. Bane, who has suffered from a Grade 2 sprain in his right big toe since November 2022, found that James' Nike "LeBron XX" sneakers provided him with the support he needed, much to his chagrin. As a Nike athlete, Bane had no other choice but to wear the LeBron XXs as his previous Kyrie Irving and Paul George's sneakers did not give him the support he required.

James and Bane have a history that has seen them exchange trash-talk and small shoves on the court. Despite this, James commended Bane for wearing his sneakers, calling it "super dope." He also offered to send more pairs of the sneakers to Bane, showing cordiality despite the rivalry between the two teams in the play-offs. LeBron's Lakers currently lead 1-0 in the series, but it remains to be seen whether James' kind gesture off the court will be reflected in the rivalry on the court.

The Los Angeles Lakers have had a rocky season but have managed to secure a spot in the NBA playoffs after their victory against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Play-In tournament. Rui Hachimura, a fourth-year pro, has been a crucial addition to the team, playing well off the bench and putting up crucial points in crucial moments. Hachimura has shown potential and willingness to work hard to earn his spot on the team with his continuous improvement in offensive production. LeBron James praised Hachimura's work ethic, calling him a "super competitor" who is always looking to improve his performance. Hachimura’s consistent on-court contributions, including 12 points with a 5-14 shooting performance from the field and 0-6 from behind the arc against the Utah Jazz, were also praised by James. Against Minnesota Timberwolves, Hachimura scored 12 points, mixed up some key defensive plays, and made some timely shots, closing out the game in overtime. Overall, Hachimura has shown he is a valuable asset to the Lakers and is eager to contribute in any way possible. With Hachimura's continued improvement, the Lakers are hoping for a strong push in the playoffs.

According to an unnamed NBA scout, it would be "crazy" for Miami Heat guard Victor Oladipo to not pick up his player option for next season. Oladipo holds a player option worth just under $9.5 million for the next season, which seems like the best scenario for him as he would not get much money as a free agent. During the regular season, Oladipo recorded 10.7 points, 3.0 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game on 39.7 percent shooting from the field and 33.0 percent shooting from beyond the arc. Despite being a former two-time All-Star, he didn't play regularly for the Heat towards the end of the regular season and didn't even play in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series against the Milwaukee Bucks due to Tyler Herro's injury. Although Oladipo seems unhappy with his inconsistent playing time, if he were to sign elsewhere, he'd likely have to take a pay cut. If he exercises the option, the Heat would be in a difficult position to re-sign players like Max Strus and Gabe Vincent, two crucial players this season. If Oladipo decides to opt-out, he would likely join several other players in the free agency market this summer.

Milwaukee Bucks' star Giannis Antetokounmpo left Game 1 of the first-round playoff series against the Miami Heat with a lower back contusion and did not return. The injury occurred in the first quarter after taking a swing pass from Joe Ingles and driving hard to the basket. Kevin Love slid underneath in an attempt to take a charge, resulting in Antetokounmpo crashing hard on his lower back. Although the Bucks ruled the play to be a blocking foul on Love, Antetokounmpo left the game to shoot his free throws, then continued playing for a few more minutes before retreating to the locker room.

The Bucks' power forward checked back into the game with 9:56 remaining in the second quarter, but he only lasted a little over a minute before moving gingerly towards the locker room. Antetokounmpo had to exit the game early before the end of the first half. Budenholzer, the Bucks' head coach, confirmed that x-rays on Antetokounmpo's back contusion came back "clear", but the team will continue to monitor his health.

Moreover, Tyler Herro, the shooting guard for the Miami Heat, will also miss the rest of the game due to a broken right hand. The Bucks won 118-95 against the Miami Heat in the first game of the playoff series. However, with key players' injuries, the rest of Milwaukee's playoff run may be uncertain.

Former Laker Lamar Odom is confident that LeBron James, whom he calls "God James, the god of basketball," can lead the Los Angeles Lakers to another championship as long as the team stays healthy. The Lakers are set to face the Memphis Grizzlies in the opening round of the playoffs, and they have the advantage of experience over the younger Grizzlies team. Odom also praised the addition of Tristan Thompson to the team, a player who has experience playing with LeBron and has won a championship before. Alongside James, Anthony Davis has also been performing at a high level, averaging 25.9 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks per game during the regular season. Despite this, some skepticism remains around the Lakers' championship chances, with FanDuel giving them the eighth-best championship odds. However, the team has shown improvement since the roster reshuffle earlier in the season, and if they can maintain their health, they could make a deep playoff run.

Memphis Grizzlies' Dillon Brooks expressed his desire to take on LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers in a seven-game playoffs series. Brooks believes that it would test their team and also give them an opportunity to knock James out in the first round, given his legacy. The Grizzlies are likely to take on the Lakers in the first round if they win the play-in tournament, and Brooks will get his wish. However, Brooks' callout for LeBron could be ill-advised as the Lakers star is known to have a relentless competitive spirit and has performed well in playoff games throughout his career. James has made ten Finals appearances and holds several individual playoff records. While Brooks' confidence in his team is admirable, the Grizzlies will face a tough challenge against the defending champions with or without James at full strength. Nevertheless, the upcoming playoffs are set to be an exciting affair, with the play-in tournament adding an extra edge to the postseason this year.