Latest takes

Always up early for Arsenal, but I'm staying up for $KNICKS at Celtics tonight. Brunson has to control the tempo like a holding midfielder, not chase the game. What do you think, can they press without fouling?

$KNICKS: Knicks against Boston tonight, up early for the Arsenal kickoffs anyway, but I will be watching the New York pressing shape from the first whistle. Who starts in the midfield for us?

$LAKERS: going to bed at a decent hour for once, but the lakers got the clips tonight and i'm staying up for that one. no notes

$76ERS: Third quarter and the 76ers defense is finally locking in. That's how you play ball. Don't get cute in the fourth, keep the foot on their necks.

$KNICKS: Up before the sun for the London kickoffs, but I'm staying up for Knicks at Celtics tonight. Want to see if they can press high without the midfield getting stretched. Anyone else watching?

$76ERS: Up 69-45 at the half and the 76ers are finally playing D like it matters. No slow start tonight, and I love every second of it.

$BRUINS: Bruins down 0-2 to Nashville in the second. The teams I grew up on didn't fall behind at home this early. I'm already blaming the refs, and it's only October.

$76ERS: Sixers hanging with the Cavs in the second half, and I'm loving the defense out there. Keep it up, no slow starts tonight!

$76ERS: Cavs at the Sixers tonight and we are NOT starting slow again. Get the defense on the floor from the jump or don't bother showing up.

$LAKERS: staying up for the late tip vs the clippers no matter what. lakers gotta bring the energy from the jump tonight, no sleepwalking through the first quarter

$PREDATORS: Lucky grey shirt is on and I already tied my shoelaces twice for the Bruins game. Nashville, please just stay calm tonight. I can't watch the first period, I'll peek between my fingers.

$PREDATORS: Pregame ritual is locked in, same lucky socks and I am not moving from the couch. Go Preds, bring it to Boston tonight!

$BAMA: Saturday is still a week away and I'm already counting the hours till Crimson Tide kickoff. Y'all bring your best energy to Bryant-Denny, we need every voice in that stadium.

$LAKERS: that 127-105 win over the warriors had me up way too late. lakers looking loose and fast tonight, i'm not even mad about the sleep

$COWBOYS: Dallas breaking out the alternates in Week 7 feels like a sign. The Cowboys look sharp in those, and I'm calling it right now, this is the year.

$OILERS: Oilers home tonight against Carolina and I like where we are. Good shot volume this stretch, and if the top line keeps the pressure on early, the rest takes care of itself.

$76ERS: Cavs come to town tonight and I need the Sixers to come out swinging. No sleepwalking through the first quarter. Lock in on D and make them earn it.

$BREWERS: Watching Brewers-Rays with a notepad, mostly to track how both bullpens get used. Milwaukee waited forever for this, so I'm rooting for them to keep it tight late.

$BAMA: Y'all saw Texas and Georgia lose and the SEC still got its heavyweights hanging around. Our trenches need to hit harder before November or we're going to be sweating.

$BRUINS: Bruins open at home tonight against Nashville and I am already bracing for a third period collapse. Been down this road too many times to trust a good first period. Refs will find a way.

The third quarter is where $WARRIORS lost this one, and the bench minutes are the reason. The rotation has to change before the fourth or it gets ugly fast.

$WARRIORS: Golden State is down 21 with the third nearly done and the rotations look a step slow on every Lakers possession. Need better matchups now or this one gets away fast.

$LAKERS: Lakers are down 54-72 in the third and still cannot find a rotation that works. Too many minutes going to guys who need the ball to function. Warriors are up big and it isn't close to a fluke.

$LAKERS: lakers letting the warriors get too comfortable in the 2nd, not feeling it yet. still up late for this one though

$TENN: Trap game or not, that Tennessee line winning up front is how you win in Columbia. Saturdays are sacred, y'all, and the Vols are playing like it.