The Finals are set as Steph Curry and the Warriors will face Jayson Tatum and the Celtics. Verno and KOC discuss the Warriors' return to the big stage and how the Celtics battled all season long to get there (01:03). Rest will be key in the Finals as the Celtics are still trying to get healthy while the Warriors will have a full week’s rest once the Finals begin (17:38). Outside of Steph and Tatum, which players on both teams are most important to winning it all (31:18)? The guys agree that the Finals will be competitive because of the styles the two teams play. Next, the guys discuss Tatum’s maturity and how he plays older than his 24 years (36:27). Despite the Warriors having home-court advantage, the guys discuss why the Celtics ultimately have the upper hand when it comes to their home court (44:26). Lastly, KOC reviews 'Top Gun: Maverick' and Verno shares his experience watching Hugh Jackman on Broadway (53:47).Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’ConnorProducer: Jessie Lopez Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After the Celtics beat the Heat to take a 3-2 series lead, Verno finally admits to KOC that the Celtics are Finals contenders (00:45). With the Celtics playing defense at an elite level and their role players stepping up, the guys doubt the Heat have enough to turn the series around. As long as the Mavs have Luka Doncic, they have a chance to extend their series against the Warriors, but the rest of the Mavs will need to play like they did in Game 4 (28:13). The guys give their thoughts on this year's All-NBA teams before discussing the latest drama in Brooklyn with the Nets (41:51).Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’ConnorProducer: Jessie Lopez Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Verno and KOC begin the show discussing the abnormal number of blowout playoff games this season (01:00). After the Heat were physical in their Game 3 win, they got blown out in Game 4 as the Celtics tied the series at 2-2 (17:20). KOC explains why having Robert Williams on the floor is more important than having Marcus Smart. After pushing the Suns to seven games, the Mavs are now down 0-3 to the Warriors and the guys are starting to reconsider choosing the Mavs in this series (24:12). One thing is certain when it comes to the Mavs: They need help. Lastly, they discuss Tim Connelly leaving the Nuggets to join the Timberwolves and some of the notable performances from the NBA combine (47:54).Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’ConnorProducer: Jessie Lopez Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hey, it's Kevin with a surprise podcast! I'll be discussing the NBA conference finals on Tuesday’s episode of The MisMatch, but today I’ll be going through the entire first round of the 2022 NBA draft with my latest mock. This was originally posted as a video on our YouTube channel, but we decided to publish the whole thing here as a podcast.(02:35) - Pick 1(05:11) - Pick 2(08:38) - Pick 3(11:30) - Picks 4-9(27:46) - Picks 10-14(35:07) - Picks 15-19(42:05) - Picks 20-24(47:07) - Picks 25-30Host: Kevin O'ConnorProducers: Jessie Lopez, Dylan Berkey, and Ronak Nair Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hey, it’s Kevin, thank you for listening to 'The Void'. In this episode I briefly go over Game 3 between the Heat and Celtics before being joined by editor-in-chief of Mavs Moneyball, Kirk Henderson, and co-host of the 'Light Years' podcast, Sam Esfandiari, to recap Game 3 between the Mavs and Warriors. The Ringer’s Mirin Fader also joins the show to discuss her recent profile on prospect Keegan Murray. Here are today's timestamps:Kirk Henderson and Sam Esfandiari(04:25) - Kevon Looney’s impact(06:15) - What happened to the Mavs?(14:07) - On Jason Kidd not calling a timeout in the third quarter(19:31) - Warriors seem like a different team against the Mavs(25:32) - Warriors' depth outmatches the Mavs' depthMirin Fader(36:51) - On Keegan Murray(48:59) - Murray will be ready compete in the NBA(01:03:35) - On Jabari Smith Jr. and what he learned from being a part of an NBA family(01:13:26) - Smith’s projection as an NBA playerHost: Kevin O'ConnorGuest: Kirk Henderson, Sam Esfandiari, and Mirin FaderProducers: Jessie Lopez and Benjamin Cruz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Verno and KOC recap last night’s Game 1 victory for the Warriors and focus their attention on Andrew Wiggins (00:45). Luka and the Mavs are going to have a hard time if the Warriors are playing this well on defense. They also give high praise to Kevon Looney for his massive rebounding game (20:53). The guys turn their focus on the Kings franchise: If they want to change their culture, it begins with Mike Brown (31:11). Next, why the Thunder are the most likely team to trade down in the draft and Chet Holmgren’s NBA potential (36:19). KOC highlights some of his favorite prospects in the draft (48:36) before the guys dive into the Heat-Celtics series (58:20).Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’ConnorProducer: Jessie Lopez Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals between the Heat and Celtics is tonight as KOC and Verno preview the series between the top two teams in the East (02:15). The guys debate who will step up alongside Jimmy Butler for the Heat. Next, they discuss their disbelief about the Suns getting blown out in a Game 7 at home to the Mavs (28:03). What's next for Phoenix? The guys are in agreement that Luka Doncic will continue to go off in his series against the Warriors (37:39). Lastly, they briefly go through tonight’s NBA draft lottery (57:50).Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’ConnorProducer: Jessie Lopez Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hey, it’s Kevin. What a night of basketball with the Celtics beating the Bucks to force a Game 7 and the Warriors finishing the Grizzlies with a huge run to close the game. Bill Simmons joins to talk Celtics-Bucks, and then The Athletic's Mo Dakhil joins to break down every series. Here are today's timestamps:Bill Simmons(01:41) - Thoughts after Game 6(08:47) - The East runs through Giannis(15:29) - Bucks fans back to blaming Mike BudenholzerMo Dakhil(29:07) - Turning point for Warriors in Game 6(39:29) - Klay Thompson's play and Andrew Wiggins's improvement(46:42) - Why the Warriors should root for the Suns(01:02:56) - What's next for the Grizzlies?Host: Kevin O'ConnorGuest: Bill Simmons and Mo DakhilProducers: Jessie Lopez & Ben Cruz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Verno and KOC begin the show discussing Game 5 between the Bucks and Celtics (01:59). They debate if the Bucks win was a comeback or a collapse by the Celtics before discussing what happened in the fourth quarter. The Warriors missed their chance to close out their series against the Grizzlies after getting blown out by nearly 40 points, as the guys discuss what went wrong for Steph and crew (25:01). Also, they go through tonight’s Game 6 action between the Heat-76ers and Mavs-Suns (56:43).Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’ConnorProducer: Jessie Lopez Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Verno and KOC recap Monday night’s slate of playoff action, beginning with the Celtics' resilient win to tie their series against the Bucks (01:56). They also break down the Bucks' struggles and what Giannis needs to do differently. The Grizzlies drop Game 4 and are in a 3-1 hole in the series against the Warriors, and the guys break down what happened with the Griz (21:53). They last go though Tuesday night’s games between the Heat-76ers and Mavs-Suns. With Joel Embiid back, the Heat will have a tough battle to win the series (44:27). The Mavs won two in a row and tied up their series with the Suns, and the guys give major credit to Jason Kidd for the adjustments he's made since dropping the first two games (58:08).Hosts: Chris Vernon and Kevin O’ConnorProducer: Jessie Lopez Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices