The big question is how quickly will Los Angeles be able to shake off the effects of its prize fight against San Antonio and if Houston is still hot after sitting at home for nearly a week. MORE: Wizards, Warriors open with wins | Curry to get MVP honor | PHOTOS: Second round of playoffs Schedule/TV (All times Eastern) Game 1 — May 4, at Houston, 9:30 PM, TNT Game 2 — May 6, at Houston, 9:30 PM, TNT Game 3 — May 8, at L....
The Bucks beat the Celtics 123-116 at TD Garden in Game 3, claiming a 2-1 lead in the series. Giannis Antetokounmpo had a statement game, recording 32 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists for Milwaukee. He also protected the paint and recorded three blocks on the night. Kyrie Irving scored a team-high 29 for the Celtics following Boston’s Game 2 loss, but the Celtics’ bench lost the points battle to Milwaukee by 26....
The NBA reached out to the Canadian rapper and asked him not to travel to Oakland due to “security concerns,” according to a report from TMZ, which cited multiple unidentified sources. Drake’s dad, Dennis Graham, told TMZ that he thought some of the “security issues” might be from Warriors fans who hold a grudge for how Drake acted on the sideline during the finals. “When people see you in Toronto and you’re making sideline things like that you have to be careful,” Graham said....
Despite leading the Warriors to an NBA-best 17-0 start, Walton is currently ineligible as an interim coach to win the award. Instead, Steve Kerr, who is out while rehabilitating persistent back problems, is technically 17-0. MORE: Bold predictions for Warriors | Report: Jahlil Okafor threatened with gun in October However, Walton is unconcerned with the unfortunate technicality. Kerr is awarded the wins because he still participates in practices and is available for most halftimes....
Earlier this year, Roberson revealed that he would return ‘pretty soon’, although, with more than a month of the season now played, the 27-year-old’s status remains a mystery. While Roberson could still make his return for the Thunder this season, Olivia Panchal of the Daily Thunder believes that his days at the team are numbered: In case you didn’t know… After being selected by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the 2013 draft, Roberson was traded to the Thunder on draft night....
In case you didn’t know… Harrell was selected 32nd overall by the Houston Rockets back in 2015 but was sent to the Clippers just two years later as part of the trade for Chris Paul. Harrell’s impact was limited during his first season in LA, although his role increased last season as he averaged a career-high 16.6 points per contest. Harrell’s individual performances have also taken a further huge jump since the summer arrival of Paul George and Kawhi Leonard, and through 41 appearances this season, Harrell is averaging 19....
In case you didn’t know… Beal was drafted with the third overall pick in the 2013 draft by the Wizards, and he has spent his entire career with the franchise. During his time in Washington, the 25-year-old has formed an All-Star pairing with John Wall, and during the 18/19 season, he averaged career highs in points (25.6), rebounds (5.0), and assists (5.5). The heart of the matter Beal has repeatedly spoken of his desire to stay with the Wizards, although a number of reports over the past 12 months have claimed that the franchise is open to trading him....
Despite the LA Lakers’ collection of stars, the Brooklyn Nets are still favored to win the 2022 NBA championship, according to every oddsmaker in Vegas. LeBron and co. want to leave no stone unturned in their quest for the 2022 title and recent reports suggest that they are in the market for another big man to fill the center role. LA Lakers want to add depth to the center position The LA Lakers have Marc Gasol returning for the final year of his contract next season....
In case you didn’t know… Leonard joined the Raptors from the San Antonio Spurs last summer, and during his debut season in Toronto, the 27-year-old led the franchise to its first-ever championship. During a historic postseason run, Leonard averaged 30.5 points, 9.1 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game, and his performances resulted in a second Finals MVP award. The heart of the matter Leonard could still decide to remain in Toronto with the Raptors, although the Clippers are increasingly looking like his most likely destination....
MORE: Kevin Durant’s mother trolls Thunder fans with cupcake shirt The name change is part of a multiyear partnership between the NBA and Gatorade, according to Sports Illustrated. From SI’s report: “This is the first deal between a U.S. professional sports league and an entitlement partner. As part of the deal, a new NBA G-League logo will be featured on new game balls, team jerseys, on-court signage and digital properties....
Three years ago, DeRozan was coming off a season in which he seemed to regress, with his scoring slipping from 17.2 to 16.7 points per game and his shooting percentage plummeting from 46.7 percent to 42.2. When he talked with the Raptors about coming to an agreement on an extension to his rookie deal, he snapped up Toronto’s compromise offer of four years and $40 million. The deal was criticized as too rich for the Raptors to give to such a shaky commodity....
Nonetheless, the game still had to be played and the Spurs never let go of a first quarter eight point lead to eventually seal the game. LaMarcus Aldridge has been getting more comfortable with each passing game. He had 31 points and 15 rebounds on 12 of 18 shooting. The below stat is a clear indication that Aldridge is beginning to thrive in the Spurs system: Reigning Defensive Player of the Year Kawhi Leonard filled the stat sheet with his 33 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists and 3 steals....
Basketball fans didn’t get to see the entire season schedule Wednesday afternoon, but the league did share the schedules for Opening Night/Week, Christmas Day and Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Which teams got primetime placement? NBA POWER RANKINGS: Lakers make big jump NBA Opening Night schedule — Oct. 16 NBA Opening Week schedule — Oct. 16-21 NBA Christmas Day schedule — Dec. 25 NBA MLK Day schedule — Jan. 21
This past weekend, Bryant was invited to the exclusive Gentlemen’s Supper Club held every season at the All-Star break by Dwyane Wade, Chris Paul and Carmelo Anthony. There Bryant was shown plenty of respect, and his fellow superstars had a bit of fun at the 37-year-old’s expense. MORE: How to ensure every dunk contest is as good as 2016 | Watch all of Aaron Gordon’s Zach LaVine’s dunks According to The Associated Press, Wade prepared the 18-time All-Star for retirement with a customized robe and a one-year subscription to Netflix, while Paul outfitted Bryant with dental adhesive, reading glasses, compression socks and a cane....
Despite a full season of scouting and data accumulation, all of the above pre-draft events are continuing to shape what NBA teams and draftniks around the web think of this year’s crop of prospects as shooting forms, ball-handling skills and so on are tweaked by offseason development programs. One of the beneficiaries of the combine — and seemingly a postseason retrospective of, “oh, hey, he was pretty good this year!...
On Thursday, the 2022 NBA Draft will commence, with 58 amateur basketball players officially joining the professional ranks. The draft is slated to begin on Thursday, June 23, at 8 p.m. ET, and will consist of two rounds. ESPN and ABC will carry the first round of the coverage before ESPN handles the entirety of the second round. There will be many viewers that choose to stream the NBA Draft or have cut the cord on cable....
At the last minute, Paolo Banchero ended up being the No. 1 overall pick to the Orlando Magic. Chet Holmgren went to the Thunder and Jabari Smith who was the odds-on favorite to be the first off the board fell to the Rockets at No. 3. The Kings opted for Iowa standout Keegan Murray and Detroit landed a perfect backcourt mate for Cade Cunningham with Jaden Ivey at No. 5....
The Purple and Gold moved within one win of a record-equalling 17th title after defeating the Miami Heat 102-96 in Game 4 on Tuesday night, taking a 3-1 lead in the series. In the history of the NBA Finals, 35 teams have held a 3-1 series and only the 2016 Cleveland Cavaliers managed to overcome such a deficit to win the title, defeating the Golden State Warriors 4-3. James was the inspiration behind the Cavs’ memorable comeback four years ago, earning a third NBA Finals MVP crown after receiving the accolade in 2012 and 2013, when he helped the Heat to back-to-back titles over a stretch of four consecutive NBA Finals appearances....
While there were claims that the Cavs were leaning one way or another, a source indicated to Sporting News that there was still an open competition for the top spot. That all may change — Embiid suffered a foot injury this week, and the problem with the foot combined with the back injury that ended Embiid’s season at Kasnas has raised significant red flags. Embiid suffered a stress fracture in his right foot and needs surgery, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo!...
The annual NBA draft is also just six weeks away, and all eyes are on Zion Williamson – who many experts have labeled as the most promising teenager to enter the NBA since LeBron James back in 2003. The futures of upcoming free-agents such as Kyrie Irving, and Kevin Durant are also constant topics for speculation, so, here are all the latest news and rumors you need to know for May 7th....
