Posts

Fans face their own challenges: figuring out his or her team’s chances of making the NBA playoffs or where the team will be seeded in the first round. MORE: Complete NBA standings | Best active player from age 19 to 39 Fortunately, we’ve done the numbers work for you. You’re welcome. Here is the current seeding information for all confirmed or potential NBA playoff teams (teams in CAPS have clinched the seed in which they’re listed):...

INDIANAPOLIS — Atlanta's Mike Scott hit Indiana with the first 3-point barrage Monday night. The Hawks' defense staggered the Pacers with some late stops. Now Atlanta is heading home with a chance to deliver the knockout punch to the Eastern Conference's top seed. MORE: Pacers fan embarrasses Paul George | Images Scott scored all 17 of his points during the Hawks' incredible second-quarter run, and the defense fended off the Pacers' frantic fourth-quarter charge to hold on for a 107-97 victory and a stunning 3-2 lead in the first-round series....

If you have been more than just an average NBA viewer over the past few years, you would have noticed how the Portland Trail Blazers have been one of the most consistent teams in the league. In fact, they have been the 3rd seed in an incredibly tough conference for 2 years in a row now and have made it to the playoffs for 6 consecutive years. During this time, Lillard has been their best player by far and he has been improving over the years too....

From on-court spats between foes to epic post-game rants from players and coaches to in-game trash talk with celebrities, the NBA playoffs are as much a reality show as they are an athletic spectacle. MORE: NBA scoreboard | Playoff schedule They’re the height of competition. So tempers, emotions and words flare every night. Let’s take a look back at some of the most entertaining moments of the first round. (Shoutout to @World_Wide_Wob for bringing #PettyWarz into the national lexicon....

Regardless of what tipped him off (perhaps it was his coach, Tyronn Lue, telling reporters he needed to be more assertive), James appeared to enter Wednesday’s Game 2 matchup with the full intention of reminding everyone of his greatness. It’s quite astounding how, after 15 seasons in the NBA, James can still reach new heights. He finished with 20 points in the period; if he can maintain the pace, fans might see one of the greatest postseason performances....

After going into the half down 13 in Game 3 on Saturday, Golden State outscored Portland 29-13 in the third quarter to take a lead into the final frame it would never relinquish. The Warriors won the game 110-99 and now lead the series 3-0. Over the last two games Golden State has outscored Portland 68-39 and erased double-digit deficits in each of those outings. The Trail Blazers’ free-throw shooting absolutely destroyed their chances down the stretch as they missed 13 free throws in the game....

Stevens has made use of his four guards — Isaiah Thomas, Avery Bradley, Evan Turner and Marcus Smart — and plays them in interesting combinations. He’ll sometimes use three of them on the court at once. MORE: 8 teams that could win it all | T’Wolves have edge in draft lottery | Westbrook doesn’t care about scoring title While you shouldn’t count the Celtics out, it’s important to note just how strong the Cavaliers are....

James came out on the offensive after his team dropped Game 1 to the Bulls on Monday. The four-time MVP finished with 33 points, eight rebounds and five assists as the Cavs evened the series at one game apiece. MORE: Shaq takes a tumble | Butler to win Most Improved PHOTOS: Must-see shots of Round 2 The Rockets also got a lift from their superstar as they tied their series with the Clippers....

Boston fell to Milwaukee 116-91 to lose its Eastern Conference semifinal series in five games. The Bucks won the final four games of the series by an average of 16.3 points, and in all honesty, the games weren’t even that close. Giannis Antetokounmpo wasn’t his usual spectacular self in Game 5, but he delivered a steady and balanced performance in the win, tallying 20 points, eight rebounds and eight assists in the victory....

Due to the contracts of Russell Westbrook and Paul George, the team has limited cap space, and they will need to trade away players before thinking of new additions. Due to this, Bleacher Report’s Dan Favale is reporting that Dennis Schroder could be a necessary sacrifice: In case you didn’t know… Schroder was acquired by the Thunder last summer as part of the trade that took Carmelo Anthony to Atlanta....

Iguodala now finds himself on an out-of-contention Memphis Grizzlies team, and the 2015 Finals MVP is believed to be keen on playing on a contending team. A buyout remains possible, and the New York Post is reporting that the Los Angeles Lakers would jump at the chance to sign Iguodala: In case you didn’t know… Iguodala was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers with the 9th overall pick in the 2004 draft and went on to spend eight seasons with the team....

The arrival of Tom Thibodeau has kickstarted a new era for the New York Knicks, who are currently seeded fourth in the Eastern Conference. As per NY Times’ Marc Stein, the Knicks’ resurgence has caught the eye of NBA stars who may be willing to give the franchise a shot in free agency. Stein wrote: The prospect of playing for the New York Knicks was previously very enticing. The big market, coupled with the allure of Madison Square Garden, was usually enough to convince stars to make the jump....

Forget All-Star appearances, ring counts, or career accomplishments, we’re looking squarely at on-court ability in a player’s absolute prime. In other words, If you could pick any player in history, with the hopes of winning the title immediately, not knowing the era, rules, coach, or teammates — who would you choose? In case you missed it, Part 1 of our countdown spanned the NBA’s entire 75-year history, bridging the gap from George Mikan and Bob Cousy to Joel Embiid and Derrick Rose....

While James’ Miami Heat jerseys hit the clearance racks, sales of his Cavaliers jerseys went through the roof. In fact, sales were so rampant that the NBA store no longer has James’ Cavaliers replica jersey in stock, according to Darren Rovell of ESPN.com. MORE: LeBron asks for input on jersey number | Wiggins, Bennett sit out Summer League finale This is quite the departure from the treatment given to James in his last go-around with free agency, when Cavaliers fans burned his jerseys in the street after he chose the Heat in ‘The Decision....

After seeing what Chet Holmgren and Keegan Murray did in the Salt Lake City Summer League and California Classic, Banchero and Smith Jr. will look to make a statement. If you are a bettor or hoops fan, you’ll not only get a chance to wager on the actual game but also player props for Banchero and Smith. Below, we’ll look at a few of the best bets for each rookie in tonight’s Vegas summer league opener....

A week after star Zion Williamson, R.J. Barrett and Cam Reddish declared, junior big men Marques Bolden and Javin DeLaurier announced through Duke that they will test the waters. “Javin DeLaurier & Marques Bolden will enter the NBA Draft process. The rising seniors will gather feedback from NBA personnel over the coming weeks, but will maintain their collegiate eligibility, leaving open the possibility of returning to Duke,” the school said....

The Pacers now sport a better look than they did last season. With a couple of shrewd acquisitions in Tyreke Evans and Kyle O’Quinn, they are now about as well-tooled at every roster position as one could expect them to be, given their current cap situation, the owner’s aversion to the luxury tax and the Eastern Conference playoff picture post-LeBron. The following were the biggest deals to go down on July 6th, with an unreported deal from the 4th making the cut here:...

#1 Giannis Antetokounmpo - Sore back - 50/50 to return on Monday Giannis Antetokounmpo has missed the Milwaukee Bucks’ past two wins due to a sore back, and head coach Mike Budenholzer last week revealed that the injury is something the Bucks will keep on eye on. NBC Chicago is reporting that the MVP is questionable for Milwaukee’s game against Chicago on Monday evening, although the injury is not believed to be serious, and the 25-year-old should return at some point this week....

The All-Star event will serve as a much-needed break for a number of injury-struck teams around the league, and as we enter the final stretch of the 18/19 campaign, here are the latest injury updates on some of the NBA’s biggest stars. Clint Capela - Thumb Injury - February 21st After undergoing surgery to repair ligament damage in his thumb back in mid-January, Clint Capela has missed the last 10 Houston games....

According to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, which cited a police report, the alleged incident occurred at Buddha Sky Bar in Delray Beach, Fla., on May 17 when Rodman was celebrating his 58th birthday. Jeff Soulouque, 30, of Miami, was “talking to someone who was standing behind Rodman when Rodman turned around and hit him” suddenly. “I was like, ‘What is your problem?’" Soulouque told the South Florida Sun Sentinel on Thursday....