Welcome to USA TODAY Sports' NBA Click & Roll newsletter.
This is where we bring you exclusive content from USA TODAY's NBA reporters Sam Amick and Jeff Zillgitt, including updates on all their exploits on the NBA beat. Plus, we catch you up on the *biggest* moments, quotes and news from the week.
QUICK DISH: THINGS YOU MAY HAVE MISSED
To quote Indiana's breakout superstar Victor Oladipo: "No disrespect to Christmas," he said on Wednesday. "But this is the most wonderful time of the year."
He's talking about the playoffs, and he's right.
Oladipo's Pacers snapped LeBron James' 21-game first-round winning streak, giving him the first first-round loss he's suffered since 2012. Though it was just one game, the Cavs are one of three teams on upset alert heading into Wednesday's Game 2s. That means Lance Stephenson vs. LeBron. Round 21.
And Victor Oladipo-Dan Gilbert round 2. The Cavs owner couldn't help but chide the Pacers for what they got in return for trading Paul George, and Oladipo remembered.
Before Saturday, the top-seeded Toronto Raptors had one of the more dubious streaks in sports; they'd lost 10 consecutive Game 1s in the playoffs. That streak ended at the feet of the slumping Wizards. The Raptors won again on Tuesday to take their first-ever 2-0 lead in a series.
Good luck finding a funnier press conference than this one with BFF Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan.
Rookie of the Year favorite Ben Simmons nearly matched Magic Johnson in his playoff debut, but vintage Dwyane Wade snapped back in Game 2 to make it a series, while talking trash to Allen Iverson and Kevin Hart. The Process is happening, and the 76ers know who deserves credit. Philadelphia's owners pulled back the curtain in an exclusive interview with Jeff.
Philly center Joel Embiid (orbital fracture) is itching to get back for Game 3, as made clear by his NSFW Instagram story.
Off the court, nothing has made more headlines than the uncharacteristic drama in San Antonio. The Spurs are one of the most buttoned up organizations in sports, which is why Kawhi Leonard's estranged relationship is so perplexing. There's massive money involved, longterm health to consider and postseason stakes at play. Leonard's quadriceps tendinopathy has lingered most of the season, and coach Gregg Popovich said that when he plays again is ultimately up to "his group."
Spurs star LaMarcus Aldridge offered a strange "no comment" when Sam asked him about the saga.
The Warriors are dominating the Spurs on the court. Popovich's plan? Make his players taller.
Bucks guard Eric Bledsoe claims he doesn't know who Celtics guard Terry Rozier is. The Celtics are up 2-0, and he better get to know him unless he wants his season to end early.
Bucks coach Joe Prunty was once a beer salesman. Fall back gig in case this whole head coaching thing doesn't work out?
If you were Kobe Bryant, how would you sell free agents (cough, cough, LeBron James and Paul George) on the Lakers? Sam asked him.
Check back next week for everything in the Association as the playoffs roll on.