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Good morning! Wear your nicest jeans today.
Tony Gutierrez / AP Photo
While You Were Sleeping: Mavericks, Kyrie 📉 OKC, SGA 📈
- First, Kyrie Irving exited the Mavericks’ loss to the Kings in the first quarter with a sprained knee. Oof. Sitting 10th in the West, 32-30 Dallas is already without Anthony Davis, Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford due to injuries. (Earlier in the day, the Mavericks confirmed they are raising season ticket prices. Bold.)
- Meanwhile, Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander bolstered his MVP case with a remarkable fourth 50-point performance of the season , posting 51 against the Rockets. He led OKC to its 50th win while no other team in the West has 40. Sheesh. Watch the NBA Daily crew react here.
I was struck by the stark juxtaposition of these franchises seemingly heading in completely opposite directions in real time. Moving on:
This Is March: Time to catch up on college hoops
Since this is March, we’re near that moment when your co-workers look to you, the ball-knower, and ask you to tell them everything that has been happening in the sport that will soon be their three-week…