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🏀 Good morning to all, however particularly to …

THE PHILADELPHIA 76ERS

It might have been a small victory, however at this level, the 76ers will take any win they’ll get. Joel Embiid returned from a 15-game absence attributable to foot and knee points and had a triple-double (29 factors, 11 rebounds, 10 assists) in a 118-116 win over the Mavericks.

• Embiid scored a go-ahead layup with 22 seconds left and “appeared snug, assured and lightweight on his ft,” James Herbert writes.
• Tyrese Maxey had 33 factors for Philadelphia, which, at 20-29 this season, is eleventh within the East and one spot out of the play-in match. Paul George (finger) missed his fifth straight sport.
• Dallas was with out just lately acquired Anthony Davis, however Max Christie scored 15 factors off the bench in his crew debut, an encouraging signal.

This wasn’t the groups’ solely interplay Tuesday: The Mavericks despatched Quentin Grimes and Philadelphia’s personal 2025 second-round decide to the 76ers for Caleb Martin as Dallas’ roster overhaul continued. Sam Quinn graded the commerce and gave Philadelphia strong marks.

• Quinn: “This swap will get Philadelphia again beneath the primary apron. Now, they’re inside vary of ducking the posh tax altogether with one other transfer, so shedding that further wage this season does maintain some worth for them. However getting youthful additionally means an ideal deal as nicely. … The 76ers did nicely to snag a fairly good second-round select of a deal that made loads of sense for them with out one.”

😁 Honorable mentions

🏈 And never such a very good morning for …

SPRING GAMES

Keep in mind spring video games? These video games that supplied enjoyable for followers and perception for groups with the season nonetheless months away?

Nicely, they’re possible going the way in which of the dodo: extinct. Final 12 months, Lane Kiffin turned Ole Miss‘ spring sport into just about every little thing aside from soccer. Matt Rhule does not plan to have Nebraska play a spring sport this 12 months, even with Cornhusker followers among the many most trustworthy (and rabid) fan bases, definitely anxious to get any style of what is to return from their crew.

Why? Blame NIL and the switch portal, John Talty writes.

• Talty: “Texas discovered the onerous approach in spring 2023 when Maalik Murphy‘s robust exhibiting within the Longhorns’ scrimmage led to tampering from SEC applications. They managed to maintain him with NIL {dollars}, however he nonetheless transferred to Duke after the season. … Kiffin, ever the innovator, did not simply keep away from the issue — he embraced an answer which may quickly develop into the brand new regular. Coaches may not go full Kiffin and roll out Joey Chestnut to dominate a scorching dog-eating contest, however many will take steps to keep away from exposing their rosters in the way in which spring video games historically have.”

This was an insightful have a look at an rising pattern, one which’s a serious bummer.

😕 Not so honorable mentions

🏀 NBA commerce deadline: Daring predictions for Kevin Durant, others

It is already been probably the most dramatic commerce deadline in NBA historical past, and there may very well be extra to return: Kevin Durant‘s and Jimmy Butler‘s futures stay very a lot up within the air with the deadline at some point away, and we’re retaining monitor of all the newest developments proper right here.

With rumors flying all over, our NBA writers made daring predictions on what is going to occur between now and tomorrow afternoon, and that features Brad Botkin predicting Durant’s future …

• Botkin: “Warriors reunite with Kevin Durant — He can be becoming a member of the membership beneath fully completely different circumstances this time. In 2016, he was overkill. Now he will be the savior. The Warriors undoubtedly wanted him earlier than, however this time they want him. Like oxygen. … Golden State is determined and reportedly one of many groups scorching after Durant. There’s smoke. With somewhat effort, perhaps we are able to will this factor right into a full-on bonfire.”

Here is extra:

🏈 Tremendous Bowl 59 preview: The place Patrick Mahomes-Andy Reid duo ranks all-time

In right this moment’s NFL, no nice coach is full with no nice quarterback, and no nice quarterback can thrive with no nice head coach. Nobody has exemplified it higher than Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid. They’re an ideal match and one of many best duos of all time. How nice? Jordan Dajani ranked the prime QB/coach duos of all time, and whereas I will not give away the place Mahomes and Reid rank, I feel Jordan is spot-on in his evaluation.

(Oh yeah, and the duo is not ending any time quickly. Reid confirmed he’ll return subsequent season.)

However even the perfect QB/coach duos want extra. And I cherished Jared Dubin’s have a look at how Kansas Metropolis continues to reload its secondary by the draft.

• Dubin: “Kansas Metropolis had 10 draft picks in 2022, and used FIVE of them on defensive backs: first-round cornerback Trent McDuffie, second-round security Bryan Cook dinner, fourth-round nook Joshua Williams and seventh-round corners Jaylen Watson and Nazeeh Johnson. … Three years later, McDuffie is among the small handful of the NFL’s finest corners. Cook dinner is a starter subsequent to Justin Reid at security. Watson had the perfect 12 months of his profession when he wasn’t out with an harm, and his return coincided with Kansas Metropolis’s protection exhibiting late-season enchancment after a mid-year lull towards the move.”

Here is extra:

📺 What we’re watching Wednesday

🏀 Oregon at No. 24 Michigan (M), 6:30 p.m. on BTN
🏀 Spurs at Hawks, 7 p.m. on ESPN
🏀 No. 2 Duke at Syracuse (M), 7 p.m. on ESPN2
🏀 No. 15 Missouri at No. 4 Tennessee (M), 7 p.m. on SEC Community
🏒 Bruins at Rangers, 7 p.m. on TNT/truTV
🏀 No. 23 Illinois at Rutgers (M), 8:30 p.m. on BTN
🏀 Suns at Thunder, 9:30 p.m. on ESPN
🏀 No. 8 Ohio State at No. 1 UCLA (W), 9:30 p.m. on Peacock
🏒 Oilers at Blackhawks, 9:30 p.m. on TNT/truTV