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hoping leading scorer Kevin Durant is in the lineup against the Lakers, who used vintage LeBron James to take Game 1, 107-98 on Saturday.

Rockets (-4.5) at Lakers, 10:30 p.m. ET

No sympathy cards were sent from the Lakers when Durant (knee) was scratched for Game 1. Los Angeles is playing without MVP candidate and NBA leading scorer Luka Doncic (hamstring) and Austin Reeves (oblique), but James did more than his part to bag the opening game of the series on Saturday. He had 19 points and 13 assists.

Without Durant, Houston had 27 more shot attempts than the Lakers. But efficiency and consistency expected of Durant were sorely lacking. The Rockets shot 37.6% from the field, 33.3% from 3-point range and 68% from the free-throw line.

Durant is a multiplier in the playoffs because of his ability to function and force decisions from the defense in half-court sets. The Rockets are more than willing to roll the dice that Luke Kennard, who produced a playoff career-high 27 points and went 5-of-5 from 3-point range Saturday, won’t produce a similar encore effort.

Our pick: Rockets (-4.5, -114 at FanDuel), over 206.5 total points (-114)

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Portland Trail Blazers at San Antonio Spurs (-11.5), 8 p.m. ET

We plan to continue the suggestion these playoffs will morph into one massive Victor Wembanyama celebration/coming-out party and Game 1 underscored most of our thesis.

The Blazers have no answer for Wemby (who does?!) on either end of the floor. When the supporting cast of the Spurs brings juice, the delta between San Antonio and Portland grows exponentially. Wembanyama had 35 in Game 1.

But he was scoreless in the third quarter, and when a two-point lead ballooned to a 21-point edge two minutes into the final period, it was all about the co-stars. Stephon Castle and De’Aaron Fox scored 17 points apiece for San Antonio and Devin Vassell scored 15.

San Antonio naturally forces teams to the perimeter with size and shot-blocking ability. The Blazers were only a hair better than 25 percent on their 38 tries from 3-point range in Game 1. Without a lights-out night from deep, this series continues to trend toward a sweep.

Our pick: Spurs alternate spread (-9.5, -154 at FanDuel) plus Wembanyama double-double (-200) and Jrue Holiday 6+ assists (-115), +298 parlayed at FanDuel

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#NBA #Playoff #Picks #Rockets #Lakers #Spurs #Blazers #Bets #Deadspin.com"> NBA Playoff Picks: Rockets vs Lakers & Spurs vs Blazers Best Bets | Deadspin.com  Apr 10, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) during the first half against the Dallas Mavericks at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images   The Knicks got wrapped up in emotion-fueled, lockdown defense in a testy playoff environment and wound up blowing Game 2 on Monday.While that series and the Nuggets-Wolves in the West are even at 1-1, a few teams with designs on doing the same take the court Tuesday night.The Rockets are hoping leading scorer Kevin Durant is in the lineup against the Lakers, who used vintage LeBron James to take Game 1, 107-98 on Saturday.Rockets (-4.5) at Lakers, 10:30 p.m. ETNo sympathy cards were sent from the Lakers when Durant (knee) was scratched for Game 1. Los Angeles is playing without MVP candidate and NBA leading scorer Luka Doncic (hamstring) and Austin Reeves (oblique), but James did more than his part to bag the opening game of the series on Saturday. He had 19 points and 13 assists.Without Durant, Houston had 27 more shot attempts than the Lakers. But efficiency and consistency expected of Durant were sorely lacking. The Rockets shot 37.6% from the field, 33.3% from 3-point range and 68% from the free-throw line.Durant is a multiplier in the playoffs because of his ability to function and force decisions from the defense in half-court sets. The Rockets are more than willing to roll the dice that Luke Kennard, who produced a playoff career-high 27 points and went 5-of-5 from 3-point range Saturday, won’t produce a similar encore effort.Our pick: Rockets (-4.5, -114 at FanDuel), over 206.5 total points (-114) Our Current Best Offers1UnderdogClaim your Special Pick via Code + First Time Deposit up to 0 in bonus!T&Cs apply, 18+2ParlayPlay100% up to 0T&Cs apply, 18+3OwnersBox100% up to 0T&Cs apply, 18+4FanDuel Fantasy value with just a + depositT&Cs apply, 18+  Portland Trail Blazers at San Antonio Spurs (-11.5), 8 p.m. ETWe plan to continue the suggestion these playoffs will morph into one massive Victor Wembanyama celebration/coming-out party and Game 1 underscored most of our thesis.The Blazers have no answer for Wemby (who does?!) on either end of the floor. When the supporting cast of the Spurs brings juice, the delta between San Antonio and Portland grows exponentially. Wembanyama had 35 in Game 1.But he was scoreless in the third quarter, and when a two-point lead ballooned to a 21-point edge two minutes into the final period, it was all about the co-stars. Stephon Castle and De’Aaron Fox scored 17 points apiece for San Antonio and Devin Vassell scored 15.San Antonio naturally forces teams to the perimeter with size and shot-blocking ability. The Blazers were only a hair better than 25 percent on their 38 tries from 3-point range in Game 1. Without a lights-out night from deep, this series continues to trend toward a sweep.Our pick: Spurs alternate spread (-9.5, -154 at FanDuel) plus Wembanyama double-double (-200) and Jrue Holiday 6+ assists (-115), +298 parlayed at FanDuel Our Current Best Offers1UnderdogClaim your Special Pick via Code + First Time Deposit up to 0 in bonus!T&Cs apply, 18+2ParlayPlay100% up to 0T&Cs apply, 18+3OwnersBox100% up to 0T&Cs apply, 18+4FanDuel Fantasy value with just a + depositT&Cs apply, 18+   #NBA #Playoff #Picks #Rockets #Lakers #Spurs #Blazers #Bets #Deadspin.com
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hoping leading scorer Kevin Durant is in the lineup against the Lakers, who used vintage LeBron James to take Game 1, 107-98 on Saturday.

Rockets (-4.5) at Lakers, 10:30 p.m. ET

No sympathy cards were sent from the Lakers when Durant (knee) was scratched for Game 1. Los Angeles is playing without MVP candidate and NBA leading scorer Luka Doncic (hamstring) and Austin Reeves (oblique), but James did more than his part to bag the opening game of the series on Saturday. He had 19 points and 13 assists.

Without Durant, Houston had 27 more shot attempts than the Lakers. But efficiency and consistency expected of Durant were sorely lacking. The Rockets shot 37.6% from the field, 33.3% from 3-point range and 68% from the free-throw line.

Durant is a multiplier in the playoffs because of his ability to function and force decisions from the defense in half-court sets. The Rockets are more than willing to roll the dice that Luke Kennard, who produced a playoff career-high 27 points and went 5-of-5 from 3-point range Saturday, won’t produce a similar encore effort.

Our pick: Rockets (-4.5, -114 at FanDuel), over 206.5 total points (-114)

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Portland Trail Blazers at San Antonio Spurs (-11.5), 8 p.m. ET

We plan to continue the suggestion these playoffs will morph into one massive Victor Wembanyama celebration/coming-out party and Game 1 underscored most of our thesis.

The Blazers have no answer for Wemby (who does?!) on either end of the floor. When the supporting cast of the Spurs brings juice, the delta between San Antonio and Portland grows exponentially. Wembanyama had 35 in Game 1.

But he was scoreless in the third quarter, and when a two-point lead ballooned to a 21-point edge two minutes into the final period, it was all about the co-stars. Stephon Castle and De’Aaron Fox scored 17 points apiece for San Antonio and Devin Vassell scored 15.

San Antonio naturally forces teams to the perimeter with size and shot-blocking ability. The Blazers were only a hair better than 25 percent on their 38 tries from 3-point range in Game 1. Without a lights-out night from deep, this series continues to trend toward a sweep.

Our pick: Spurs alternate spread (-9.5, -154 at FanDuel) plus Wembanyama double-double (-200) and Jrue Holiday 6+ assists (-115), +298 parlayed at FanDuel

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#NBA #Playoff #Picks #Rockets #Lakers #Spurs #Blazers #Bets #Deadspin.com">NBA Playoff Picks: Rockets vs Lakers & Spurs vs Blazers Best Bets | Deadspin.com
NBA Playoff Picks: Rockets vs Lakers & Spurs vs Blazers Best Bets | Deadspin.com  Apr 10, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) during the first half against the Dallas Mavericks at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images   The Knicks got wrapped up in emotion-fueled, lockdown defense in a testy playoff environment and wound up blowing Game 2 on Monday.While that series and the Nuggets-Wolves in the West are even at 1-1, a few teams with designs on doing the same take the court Tuesday night.The Rockets are hoping leading scorer Kevin Durant is in the lineup against the Lakers, who used vintage LeBron James to take Game 1, 107-98 on Saturday.Rockets (-4.5) at Lakers, 10:30 p.m. ETNo sympathy cards were sent from the Lakers when Durant (knee) was scratched for Game 1. Los Angeles is playing without MVP candidate and NBA leading scorer Luka Doncic (hamstring) and Austin Reeves (oblique), but James did more than his part to bag the opening game of the series on Saturday. He had 19 points and 13 assists.Without Durant, Houston had 27 more shot attempts than the Lakers. But efficiency and consistency expected of Durant were sorely lacking. The Rockets shot 37.6% from the field, 33.3% from 3-point range and 68% from the free-throw line.Durant is a multiplier in the playoffs because of his ability to function and force decisions from the defense in half-court sets. The Rockets are more than willing to roll the dice that Luke Kennard, who produced a playoff career-high 27 points and went 5-of-5 from 3-point range Saturday, won’t produce a similar encore effort.Our pick: Rockets (-4.5, -114 at FanDuel), over 206.5 total points (-114) Our Current Best Offers1UnderdogClaim your Special Pick via Code + First Time Deposit up to 0 in bonus!T&Cs apply, 18+2ParlayPlay100% up to 0T&Cs apply, 18+3OwnersBox100% up to 0T&Cs apply, 18+4FanDuel Fantasy value with just a + depositT&Cs apply, 18+  Portland Trail Blazers at San Antonio Spurs (-11.5), 8 p.m. ETWe plan to continue the suggestion these playoffs will morph into one massive Victor Wembanyama celebration/coming-out party and Game 1 underscored most of our thesis.The Blazers have no answer for Wemby (who does?!) on either end of the floor. When the supporting cast of the Spurs brings juice, the delta between San Antonio and Portland grows exponentially. Wembanyama had 35 in Game 1.But he was scoreless in the third quarter, and when a two-point lead ballooned to a 21-point edge two minutes into the final period, it was all about the co-stars. Stephon Castle and De’Aaron Fox scored 17 points apiece for San Antonio and Devin Vassell scored 15.San Antonio naturally forces teams to the perimeter with size and shot-blocking ability. The Blazers were only a hair better than 25 percent on their 38 tries from 3-point range in Game 1. Without a lights-out night from deep, this series continues to trend toward a sweep.Our pick: Spurs alternate spread (-9.5, -154 at FanDuel) plus Wembanyama double-double (-200) and Jrue Holiday 6+ assists (-115), +298 parlayed at FanDuel Our Current Best Offers1UnderdogClaim your Special Pick via Code + First Time Deposit up to 0 in bonus!T&Cs apply, 18+2ParlayPlay100% up to 0T&Cs apply, 18+3OwnersBox100% up to 0T&Cs apply, 18+4FanDuel Fantasy value with just a + depositT&Cs apply, 18+   #NBA #Playoff #Picks #Rockets #Lakers #Spurs #Blazers #Bets #Deadspin.comApr 10, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) during the first half against the Dallas Mavericks at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

The Knicks got wrapped up in emotion-fueled, lockdown defense in a testy playoff environment and wound up blowing Game 2 on Monday.

While that series and the Nuggets-Wolves in the West are even at 1-1, a few teams with designs on doing the same take the court Tuesday night.

The Rockets are hoping leading scorer Kevin Durant is in the lineup against the Lakers, who used vintage LeBron James to take Game 1, 107-98 on Saturday.

Rockets (-4.5) at Lakers, 10:30 p.m. ET

No sympathy cards were sent from the Lakers when Durant (knee) was scratched for Game 1. Los Angeles is playing without MVP candidate and NBA leading scorer Luka Doncic (hamstring) and Austin Reeves (oblique), but James did more than his part to bag the opening game of the series on Saturday. He had 19 points and 13 assists.

Without Durant, Houston had 27 more shot attempts than the Lakers. But efficiency and consistency expected of Durant were sorely lacking. The Rockets shot 37.6% from the field, 33.3% from 3-point range and 68% from the free-throw line.

Durant is a multiplier in the playoffs because of his ability to function and force decisions from the defense in half-court sets. The Rockets are more than willing to roll the dice that Luke Kennard, who produced a playoff career-high 27 points and went 5-of-5 from 3-point range Saturday, won’t produce a similar encore effort.

Our pick: Rockets (-4.5, -114 at FanDuel), over 206.5 total points (-114)

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Portland Trail Blazers at San Antonio Spurs (-11.5), 8 p.m. ET

We plan to continue the suggestion these playoffs will morph into one massive Victor Wembanyama celebration/coming-out party and Game 1 underscored most of our thesis.

The Blazers have no answer for Wemby (who does?!) on either end of the floor. When the supporting cast of the Spurs brings juice, the delta between San Antonio and Portland grows exponentially. Wembanyama had 35 in Game 1.

But he was scoreless in the third quarter, and when a two-point lead ballooned to a 21-point edge two minutes into the final period, it was all about the co-stars. Stephon Castle and De’Aaron Fox scored 17 points apiece for San Antonio and Devin Vassell scored 15.

San Antonio naturally forces teams to the perimeter with size and shot-blocking ability. The Blazers were only a hair better than 25 percent on their 38 tries from 3-point range in Game 1. Without a lights-out night from deep, this series continues to trend toward a sweep.

Our pick: Spurs alternate spread (-9.5, -154 at FanDuel) plus Wembanyama double-double (-200) and Jrue Holiday 6+ assists (-115), +298 parlayed at FanDuel

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#NBA #Playoff #Picks #Rockets #Lakers #Spurs #Blazers #Bets #Deadspin.com

Apr 10, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) during…

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Knicks guard Josh Hart said. “In the playoffs, we can’t give away games.”

Be that as it may, the Knicks did just that against the Atlanta Hawks. They controlled the outcome for much of the night and took a 12-point edge into the fourth quarter after leading by as many as 14.

Then New York shot 5-for-22 from the floor in the final 12 minutes compared to 10-for-15 for Atlanta. Fighting through vulgar chants from the Madison Square Garden faithful, Hawks star CJ McCullom scored six straight points down the stretch during one key sequence on the way to a game-high 32.

“In that fourth quarter, you could tell [the Hawks] were playing with a level of desperation,” Knicks coach Mike Brown said. “There were four 50-50 balls, and they got three of the four. We always use that stat to gauge the level of aggression in a game. In that fourth quarter, their aggression stepped up.”

New York’s melted at the same time. How many late possessions saw the Knicks pass or hold the ball around the perimeter before settling for subpar looks from 3-point range? The Knicks went 3-for-11 from deep as part of their flop.

Denver led the Minnesota Timberwolves by 19 points early in the second quarter before crumbling. The Nuggets still were ahead by three points to start the fourth quarter but a combined 2-for-12 shooting effort from pillars Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray in the final 12 minutes took a toll.

“I feel like we had the game in hand, and then we just didn’t make our shots,” Murray said.

As with the Knicks and Hawks, the reversal of fortunes stemmed both from the hosts’ miscues and an outstanding effort from a visiting player, as Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards had 30 points.

“Great leadership, positive,” Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said. “He recognized he needed to get into attack mode and get downhill a little bit more. He did that.”

The Knicks and Nuggets no doubt sensed the need to amp up their own urgency as things started slipping away Monday.

That neither could act upon it didn’t signal the end for either New York or Denver, of course. But now there’s unnecessary added weight for the climb back to the top.

#Knicks #Nuggets #Blow #Big #Leads #Wrong #Game #Deadspin.com"> Knicks and Nuggets Blow Big Leads: What Went Wrong in Game 2? | Deadspin.com   Roughly 5,000 feet of elevation separate Denver and New York City.Still, gravity works the same regardless of where one stands. Just ask the NBA teams in both towns.“You get too high, and you get, I don’t want to say cocky, but feeling yourself,” Nuggets guard Tim Hardaway Jr. said.That sensation went south on either side of the country Monday night.After squandering sizable leads that would have cemented commanding 2-0 advantages in their respective first-round playoff series, the Nuggets and Knicks now find themselves bracing for a fight.Should their opponents ultimately have their number, Denver and New York will look back with disdain on 19 and 14. Those were the Game 2 cushions the teams coughed up as the No. 3 seeds in the Eastern and Western Conference.“It’s a game we should’ve won,” Knicks guard Josh Hart said. “In the playoffs, we can’t give away games.”Be that as it may, the Knicks did just that against the Atlanta Hawks. They controlled the outcome for much of the night and took a 12-point edge into the fourth quarter after leading by as many as 14.Then New York shot 5-for-22 from the floor in the final 12 minutes compared to 10-for-15 for Atlanta. Fighting through vulgar chants from the Madison Square Garden faithful, Hawks star CJ McCullom scored six straight points down the stretch during one key sequence on the way to a game-high 32.“In that fourth quarter, you could tell [the Hawks] were playing with a level of desperation,” Knicks coach Mike Brown said. “There were four 50-50 balls, and they got three of the four. We always use that stat to gauge the level of aggression in a game. In that fourth quarter, their aggression stepped up.”New York’s melted at the same time. How many late possessions saw the Knicks pass or hold the ball around the perimeter before settling for subpar looks from 3-point range? The Knicks went 3-for-11 from deep as part of their flop.Denver led the Minnesota Timberwolves by 19 points early in the second quarter before crumbling. The Nuggets still were ahead by three points to start the fourth quarter but a combined 2-for-12 shooting effort from pillars Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray in the final 12 minutes took a toll.“I feel like we had the game in hand, and then we just didn’t make our shots,” Murray said.As with the Knicks and Hawks, the reversal of fortunes stemmed both from the hosts’ miscues and an outstanding effort from a visiting player, as Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards had 30 points.“Great leadership, positive,” Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said. “He recognized he needed to get into attack mode and get downhill a little bit more. He did that.”The Knicks and Nuggets no doubt sensed the need to amp up their own urgency as things started slipping away Monday.That neither could act upon it didn’t signal the end for either New York or Denver, of course. But now there’s unnecessary added weight for the climb back to the top.   #Knicks #Nuggets #Blow #Big #Leads #Wrong #Game #Deadspin.com
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Knicks guard Josh Hart said. “In the playoffs, we can’t give away games.”

Be that as it may, the Knicks did just that against the Atlanta Hawks. They controlled the outcome for much of the night and took a 12-point edge into the fourth quarter after leading by as many as 14.

Then New York shot 5-for-22 from the floor in the final 12 minutes compared to 10-for-15 for Atlanta. Fighting through vulgar chants from the Madison Square Garden faithful, Hawks star CJ McCullom scored six straight points down the stretch during one key sequence on the way to a game-high 32.

“In that fourth quarter, you could tell [the Hawks] were playing with a level of desperation,” Knicks coach Mike Brown said. “There were four 50-50 balls, and they got three of the four. We always use that stat to gauge the level of aggression in a game. In that fourth quarter, their aggression stepped up.”

New York’s melted at the same time. How many late possessions saw the Knicks pass or hold the ball around the perimeter before settling for subpar looks from 3-point range? The Knicks went 3-for-11 from deep as part of their flop.

Denver led the Minnesota Timberwolves by 19 points early in the second quarter before crumbling. The Nuggets still were ahead by three points to start the fourth quarter but a combined 2-for-12 shooting effort from pillars Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray in the final 12 minutes took a toll.

“I feel like we had the game in hand, and then we just didn’t make our shots,” Murray said.

As with the Knicks and Hawks, the reversal of fortunes stemmed both from the hosts’ miscues and an outstanding effort from a visiting player, as Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards had 30 points.

“Great leadership, positive,” Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said. “He recognized he needed to get into attack mode and get downhill a little bit more. He did that.”

The Knicks and Nuggets no doubt sensed the need to amp up their own urgency as things started slipping away Monday.

That neither could act upon it didn’t signal the end for either New York or Denver, of course. But now there’s unnecessary added weight for the climb back to the top.

#Knicks #Nuggets #Blow #Big #Leads #Wrong #Game #Deadspin.com">Knicks and Nuggets Blow Big Leads: What Went Wrong in Game 2? | Deadspin.com

Roughly 5,000 feet of elevation separate Denver and New York City.

Still, gravity works the same regardless of where one stands. Just ask the NBA teams in both towns.

“You get too high, and you get, I don’t want to say cocky, but feeling yourself,” Nuggets guard Tim Hardaway Jr. said.

That sensation went south on either side of the country Monday night.

After squandering sizable leads that would have cemented commanding 2-0 advantages in their respective first-round playoff series, the Nuggets and Knicks now find themselves bracing for a fight.

Should their opponents ultimately have their number, Denver and New York will look back with disdain on 19 and 14. Those were the Game 2 cushions the teams coughed up as the No. 3 seeds in the Eastern and Western Conference.

“It’s a game we should’ve won,” Knicks guard Josh Hart said. “In the playoffs, we can’t give away games.”

Be that as it may, the Knicks did just that against the Atlanta Hawks. They controlled the outcome for much of the night and took a 12-point edge into the fourth quarter after leading by as many as 14.

Then New York shot 5-for-22 from the floor in the final 12 minutes compared to 10-for-15 for Atlanta. Fighting through vulgar chants from the Madison Square Garden faithful, Hawks star CJ McCullom scored six straight points down the stretch during one key sequence on the way to a game-high 32.

“In that fourth quarter, you could tell [the Hawks] were playing with a level of desperation,” Knicks coach Mike Brown said. “There were four 50-50 balls, and they got three of the four. We always use that stat to gauge the level of aggression in a game. In that fourth quarter, their aggression stepped up.”

New York’s melted at the same time. How many late possessions saw the Knicks pass or hold the ball around the perimeter before settling for subpar looks from 3-point range? The Knicks went 3-for-11 from deep as part of their flop.

Denver led the Minnesota Timberwolves by 19 points early in the second quarter before crumbling. The Nuggets still were ahead by three points to start the fourth quarter but a combined 2-for-12 shooting effort from pillars Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray in the final 12 minutes took a toll.

“I feel like we had the game in hand, and then we just didn’t make our shots,” Murray said.

As with the Knicks and Hawks, the reversal of fortunes stemmed both from the hosts’ miscues and an outstanding effort from a visiting player, as Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards had 30 points.

“Great leadership, positive,” Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said. “He recognized he needed to get into attack mode and get downhill a little bit more. He did that.”

The Knicks and Nuggets no doubt sensed the need to amp up their own urgency as things started slipping away Monday.

That neither could act upon it didn’t signal the end for either New York or Denver, of course. But now there’s unnecessary added weight for the climb back to the top.

#Knicks #Nuggets #Blow #Big #Leads #Wrong #Game #Deadspin.com

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