The Mismatch

Verno and Jacoby return to react to Monday’s playoff matchup, including the Magic taking a 3-1 lead over the Pistons and the Thunder advancing to the 2nd round. Then, they discuss how the Nuggets force a game 7, the Knicks looking to take a 3-2 lead, and the confusion of the Raptors-Cavs and Rockets-Lakers matchups.

Welcome to The Mismatch!

(0:23) Pistons-Magic: Jamal Cain’s dunk is one of the best in Playoff History

(1:57) Magic beat the Pistons, Pistons on the ropes down 3-1

(8:47) Jamal Cain makes a name for himself with a "forever dunk”

(13:49) Thunder sweep Suns, 12-0 over the past 3 seasons in the first round.

(20:30) Wolves-Nuggets: Injuries will make it tough for Wolves to win series

(26:56) 76ers-Celtics: Boston leads series 3-1, Joel Embiid back, Tatum in elite form

(34:27) Hawks-Knicks: Series tied 2-2, KAT is the ‘Missing Piece’ for success  

(39:11) Blazers-spurs: SA leads series 3-1, Wemby good to go after concussion

(45:41) Raptors-Cavs: Series tied 2-2, the NBA is really going to make us watch this matchup

(51:26) Rockets-Lakers: LA leads series 3-1, Matchup is bad basketball

(57:28) Cooper Flagg wins ‘Rookie of the Year’ Award over Kon Knueppel.

Leave us a message on our Mismatch Voicemail line! (323) 389-5091

Hosts: Chris Vernon and David Jacoby

Producers: Stefan Anderson and Jeff Shearin

Social: Keith Fujimoto

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Clichés are clichés for a reason. Jacoby and Verno fire up the mics after all three home teams won on Thursday night.

(:00) Welcome to The Mismatch!

(0:24) Three Game 3s before Wolves-Nuggets Finish

(1:55) McDaniels 9-of-13 Shooting, Jokic Hasn't Looked Like The Best Player

(10:54) Knicks-Hawks: Is the Sky Falling for NY Knicks Fans?

(16:32) Clutch Collapse: Brunson Turnover, Bridges’s Vanishing Act, and Supporting Cast Drought

(27:11) Raptors-Cavs: Barnes and Barrett 33 Points Each in Blowout

(32:04) Lakers-Rockets: Must-Win For Rockets Against Short-Handed Lakers

(39:00) Celtics-76ers: Tatum-Brown Vs. Maxey-Edgecombe in Philly

( 45:22) Spurs-Blazers: Wemby Likely Out With Concussion, Blazers Looking to Upset

(56:41) Predictions and Weekend Slate of Games: Pistons-Magic, Thunder-Suns

(1:04:03) Devin Booker Fined $35k For Criticizing Refs

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Leave us a message on our Mismatch Voicemail line! (323) 389-5091

Hosts: Chris Vernon and David Jacoby

Producers: Brian Waters and Jeff Shearin

Social: Keith Fujimoto

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Verno and Jacoby return to react to Monday night’s thrillers in Denver and New York, the Cavs dominance, and preview Tuesday night’s playoff matchups. Plus, they discuss Billy Donovan stepping down as the Bulls head coach.

Welcome to The Mismatch!

(0:45) Knicks game 2 collapse turns Hawks' CJ McCollum into a villain

(21:28) Wolves-Nuggets: Timberwolves steal game 2 in Denver

(32:10) Weekend Play-in finals were terrible

(34:28) Raptors-Cavs: Cleveland handles Toronto in game 2

(42:53) 76ers-Celtics: Sixers' horrendous start, 4-23 from three

(48:53) Blazers-Spurs: Spurs aim to take 2-0 lead on Portland

(53:55) Blazers owner being cheap, no T-shirts and two-ways allowed

(59:56) Rockets-Lakers: Two non-playoff teams in the playoffs

(1:03:31) Magic-Pistons: Detroit faces must-win after game 1 upset

(1:08:37) Breaking News: Billy Donovan steps down as Bulls coach after six seasons

(1:12:01) Jacoby takes on the red carpet of 'The Devil Wears Prada 2'

The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available.

Leave us a message on our Mismatch Voicemail line! (323) 389-5091

Hosts: Chris Vernon and David Jacoby

Producers: Stefan Anderson and Jeff Shearin

Social: Keith Fujimoto

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Verno and Jacoby return to react to the opening games of the play-in tournament and preview the final games on Friday. Then, they discuss the things they care about heading into the opening round of the NBA playoffs.

Welcome to The Mismatch!

(0:30) Play-in tournament recap

(2:03) Hornets-Heat: The game was wildly entertaining

(7:06) Magic-76ers: Magic fans would rather watch Hornets-Pistons

(11:29) Warriors-Clippers: Vintage masterpiece by Steph and Green

(24:15) Blazers-Suns: Devin Booker will be front and center vs. the Warriors

(28:48) Things we care about going into the playoffs

(29:09) Things we care about: Wings vs. bigs in the Cavs-Toronto matchup

(32:34) Things we care about: What if the Cavs lose?

(38:11) Things we care about: Last run for this iteration of the Wolves

(43:05) Things we care about: Nuggets must close quick

(47:48) Things we care about: Can the Knicks run with the Hawks?

(49:43) Things we care about: The Knicks' transition defense

(53:28) Things we care about: Mitchell Robinson’s free throw shooting

(1:00:06) Things we care about: Can the Celtics' regular-season success carry into the playoffs?

(1:03:19) Things we care about: Is effort the Moneyball of the NBA?

(1:06:08) Things we care about: Who doesn’t love Tyrese Maxey?

(1:12:29) Things we care about: Small-market energy

(1:16:05) Things we care about: Battle scars

The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available.

Leave us a message on our Mismatch voicemail line! (323) 389-5091

Hosts: Chris Vernon and David Jacoby

Producers: Stefan Anderson and Jeff Shearin

Social: Keith Fujimoto

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Verno and Jacoby return to react to the final weekend of the NBA regular season, take a look at the 2026 Play-in Tournament, and break down the playoff matchups. Then, they give their biggest surprises and disappointments from the regular season.

Welcome to The Mismatch!

01:45 Previewing the Play-in Tournament

02:28 Heat-Hornets: Heat are a tough out, Hornets are young

8:40 Blazers-Suns: Next round vs. Spurs favors the Trail Blazers

14:47 Magic-76ers: Will this be a revenge game for Philly?

18:35 Warriors-Clippers: Warriors stumbling into matchup

25:12 Knicks-Hawks: Initial thoughts for the matchup

29:06 Rockets-Lakers: Luka has to be available to beat the Rockets

34:18 Wolves-Nuggets: The underdog has been a problem for Denver in the past

39:35 Verno’s Surprises: The Spurs' huge leap from the lottery

43:10 Jacoby’s Surprises: How much better the Celtics were going into the season

46:54 Verno’s Disappointments: How reckless tanking has become in the NBA

48:39 Jacoby’s Disappointments: The NBA turning into a law firm

51:56 Verno’s Surprises: The statistical greatness of Nikola Jokić

57:55 Jacoby’s Surprises: 2025 draft class was really impactful

59:32 Verno’s Disappointments: Doc Rivers and the disaster of the Bucks

1:01:37 Jacoby’s Disappointments: NBC selling us Michael Jordan and not delivering

1:03:45 Verno’s Surprises: The Clippers recovering from their bad start

1:06:07 Jacoby’s Surprises: Clippers sending CP3 into retirement

1:13:34 Jacoby’s Disappointments: Chauncey Billups in a federal indictment

The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available. (only needed when baked-in FanDuel ad read is in episode)

Leave us a message on our Mismatch Voicemail line! (323) 389-5091

Hosts: Chris Vernon and David Jacoby

Producers: Stefan Anderson and Jeff Shearin

Social: Keith Fujimoto

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices