0:00 ... Ross says hello and introduces co-hosts Bruce Bernstein & Michael "World B" Freer.

0:34 ... Ross recognizes this week's show (episode #135) as it falls on the second anniversary of our very first show. We've never missed a week since we started, so we consider ourselves "Ironmen" of sorts, not unlike the great AC Green, formerly of the Lakers who played in an NBA record 1192 straight games.

1:51 ... Ross does the live read for Bet Online

2:23 ... Ross tees up the NBA Cup Special and begins with the Atlanta Hawks, who battled Milwaukee in one of Saturday's semifinal games and seem poised to make a nice run during the remainder of the NBA season. Trae Young has improved his playmaking and players like Dyson Daniels and DeAndre Hunter are really stepping it ip.

9:19 ... Our focus shifts to the Milwaukee Bucks, who rode the stellar play of Giannis Antetokounmpo to a win over the Hawks and a spot in the championship game on Tuesday. Giannis has gotten a lot of help in recent weeks with the return of Khris Middleton and some more production from Damian Lillard. Age and health remain concerns for the Bucks.

24:32 ... Ross tees up a discussion of the Houston Rockets, a young team that battled the Thunder but has major offensive struggles. The Rockets are dynamic on defense but they struggle to score in the halfcourt and that holds them back against great teams like the Thunder.

30:05 ... Our conversation switches to the OKC Thunder, a team with championship aspirations that will battle the Bucks in Tuesday's championship final. Bruce feels like Shai Gilgeous Alexander plays the game as a guard like Nikola Jokic does at center. He plays at his own speed, he will not let defenses speed him up, and he gets to spots on the floor at just the right time and has a knack for always being where he should be. Ross feels that defensive wizard Lu Dort of the Thunder will actually guard Giannis frequently on Tuesday night.

38:23 .... Bruce, "World B," and Ross all make their predictions for the Bucks/Thunder matchup on Tuesday night. Bruce doesn't feel OKC can stop Giannis, "World B" also likes the Bucks, but Ross is picking the Thunder. Bruce "accuses" Ross of using reverse psychology since he is our resident Bucks fan but Ross insists he is concerned about Damian Lillard's ability to score on OKC's perimeter defenders.

44:27 ... Bruce's final thought concerns his desire to see Jimmy Butler traded from Miami to Houston.

45:39 ... The final thought from "World B" concerns the suddenly healthy Memphis Grizzlies and how Ja Morant needs to clean up his act and grow up.

46:56 ... Ross's final thought is on the two early trades that took place this week. Dennis Schroeder to Golden State and Thomas Bryant to Indiana.

47:57 ... Ross says goodbye

TRT 48:10

0:00 Intro

1:27 Ross introduces tonight’s special guest Zaza Pachulia

4:07 Drafted in 2003, a lot of international big men at the time were considered soft entering the NBA, but not Zaza!

7:18 Coming into the league at 19 years old, what were the biggest challenges he faced as a rookie?

9:46 Was there any kind of language barrier for Zaza at the start of his career?

12:52 Has Orlando Magic center Goga Bitadze asked for him for advice throughout his young career in the NBA?

16:11 Being from the same NBA Draft class as LeBron James, Zaza provides his thoughts on how LeBron James continues to impress

19:48 Zaza reflects on the 2008 Hawks/Celtics Playoff Series & his battle with Kevin Garnett

26:31 Zaza shares some stories on his former teammate & close friend Al Horford

29:01 Zaza on what he remembers from his 2015-2016 season with the Mavericks when he nearly made the NBA All-Star team

33:01 Was the Golden State Warriors Dynasty Team is the best NBA team ever?

40:21 The unfortunate Kawhi Leonard closeout became known as “The Zaza Rule” does it bother him that an NBA rule is named after him?

43:07 Being close friends with Klay Thompson, Zaza talks about him joining the Mavericks & his recent return to the Bay for the first time

46:38 Zaza shares some memories out at sea with Captain Klay

48:31 Word Association with Zaza!

48:47 Draymond Green

51:22 Steve Kerr

55:56 Giannis Antetokounmpo

57:49 Dirk Nowitzki

59:48 Stephen Curry

1:03:36 Zaza shares a special message to his fellow Georgians

0:00 ... Ross hello, welcome, and introduces the panel.

0:37 ... Ross dedicates episode #133 to Toumani Camara of the Portland Trailblazers, who happens to wear jersey #33.

1:04 ... Bet Online Live Commercial Read

1:41 ... The show begins with a recap of the strong week by the up and coming Atlanta Hawks. Head coach Quin Snyder is in his second full season and really seems to be getting his program established with a young team.

6:29 ... The Cavaliers beat the Celtics on Sunday to remain on top of the eastern conference with a 17-3 record. It appeared to be a "statement win," but was it really? Bruce has his doubts. Ross expressed concern over the recent struggles of Jrue Holiday.

12:50 ... Boston may have lost to the Cavs on Sunday but they've been bolstered by the return of Kristaps Porzingis, who missed the first 17 games of the season after having off-season surgery. The guys discuss what his presence means for the Celtics. Bruce feels Neemias Queta did a great job while Porzingis was out and his presence should help Al Horford stay fresh for the playoffs. Ross loves KP as a "first basket" betting option for those who like to wager.

15:46 ... Sunday night's battle between the OKC Thunder and Houston Rockets featured a gritty win by the Rockets, who are playing tremendous defense under coach Ime Udoka. OKC misses Chet Holmgren and even with the return of Isaiah Hartenstein, the Thunder are struggling to rebound effectively. World B reminds everyone that Jalen Green of the Rockets needs to shoot a higher percentage from the floor if the Rockets are to make noise in the playoffs.

23:01 ... Our NBA Cup breakdown begins with Group A in the East ... Will the Knicks get past Orlando on Tuesday night and clinch a spot in the knockout round? The crew is split on who will emerge. World B concludes with a very bold prediction about the Magic.

28:49 ... Group B in the east comes down to the winner of Detroit vs. Milwaukee on Tuesday night. Our crew likes the Bucks but the Pistons can clinch the wild card even if they lose ... as long as they don't lose by more than 5 points.

32:48 ... Group C in the east has already been clinched by the Hawks. The Celtics could emerge from the bracket as the wild card team, but they'll need help from Orlando and a large margin of victory (7 points or more) between the Pistons and Bucks regardless of which team wins.

33:55 ... Group A in the west has already been clinched by the Rockets so the Blazers and Clippers have a shot at the wild card, but both teams will need help from elsewhere in order to advance. The Clippers have a slightly better chance than Portland.

38:03 ... Group B in the west has the most intrigue on Tuesday. The Thunder clinch at least a wild card if they beat Utah on Tuesday. The Spurs clinch the group with a win over Phoenix but if San Antonio loses, there's no path to the wild card and it opens the door for Phoenix to possibly grab the wild card if Dallas lays an egg against Memphis.

40:42 ... Group C in the west has been clinched by Golden State. Dallas grabs the wild card with a win over Memphis. If the Grizz beat the Mavs and the Nuggets beat the Warriors, both Memphis and Denver could theoretically advance to the wild card, but there are many scenarios that would have to take place for that to happen.

43:22 ... Final Thoughts: Bruce feels there could be a new "Batman" in Memphis with Jaren Jackson Jr emerging as Ja Morant's virtual equal.

45:08 ... World B's final thought is on the Magic and how they'll become a real threat to do damage in the playoffs if they regain their health. They may even be Boston's toughest matchup in the playoffs.

46:18 .... In Ross's final thought, he surprisingly sees a good future for the Toronto Raptors if Scottie Barnes and Immanuel Quickley get themselves rolling to go along with RJ Barrett, who has played well.

47:23 ... Ross says goodbye

TRT 47:40