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Two-time league MVP Nikola Jokic broke more records with a 30-point triple-double, as the Denver Nuggets erased a 15-point half-time deficit and crucially made some big defensive plays late to fend off a persistent Lakers display in Los Angeles, en route to securing their first NBA Finals berth in franchise history.
Continue reading “Denver down Lakers to complete series sweep, reach the NBA Finals for first time”
Despite struggling with his shot and some scrambled decision-making early on, Jamal Murray had 23 of his 37 points in the fourth quarter. It proved decisive as Denver executed better down the stretch to increase their West Finals series lead to 2-0 as they’re Los Angeles-bound for Game 3 on Saturday night.
Continue reading “Nuggets 108-103 Lakers: Murray’s fourth quarter explosion gives Denver 2-0 lead”
Third-year power forward Xavier Tillman registered a new career-high 22 points on 10-of-13 shooting, alongside a game-high 13 rebounds in 32 minutes as Memphis utilised a fast start to outscore the Lakers and tie their first-round series at a game apiece before venturing to Los Angeles for Game 3 on Saturday.
Continue reading “Grizzlies 103-93 Lakers: Tillman’s career-high lifts Memphis without injured Morant”
Lakers star forward LeBron James made history in the early hours on Wednesday, breaking Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s 38-year record as the league’s highest points scorer of all-time. A recurring foot issue saw him sidelined late on but didn’t dampen the mood on a celebratory night, despite what proved a narrow 133-130 home defeat against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Continue reading “Lakers 130-133 Thunder: OKC hold firm away as LeBron breaks Kareem’s 38-year scoring record”
It’s NBA trade season, so speculation is predictably in full flow as teams – whether championship contenders, pretenders or rebuilding teams – are all involved between now and the Feb. 9 deadline. Will any team satisfy Toronto’s big expectations in an OG Anunoby trade? What about Bojan Bogdanovic in Detroit, or the silence coming from the Suns about wantaway wing Jae Crowder? Read about all of that and more, with some free agent chatter to finish. Continue reading “NBA news round-up: Anunoby, Bogdanovic, Crowder and more as trade season hots up”
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown both scored 35 points as the Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics got off to a winning start at home to the Philadelphia 76ers, before reigning Finals MVP Stephen Curry crowned ring night for the Golden State Warriors with a 33-point outing – alongside seven assists, six rebounds and four steals – to beat the troubling LA Lakers.
Continue reading “Curry, Tatum-Brown tandem reinforce belief all is well during season-opening victories”
A 12-game slate overnight kickstarts a manic week across the league, as teams and their star players look to solidify strong playoff seeding. Phoenix have long tied up top spot in the West, but what about the other contenders? In a rapidly-changing East, which of the top four teams will ultimately rule the roost? Which teams will avoid the play-in, going straight to the playoffs?
Continue reading “NBA: Storylines intensify as playoff permutations remain for multiple teams in final week”
After sustaining a foot sprain that has sidelined him since February 16, Lakers’ All-Star big man Anthony Davis is progressing in his rehab and will be re-evaluated this coming week. The franchise are optimistic the eight-time All-Star, who turned 29 on Friday, is back to 100% before the playoffs begin – where they’re expected to be involved in the play-in tournament again. Continue reading “Lakers’ big man Anthony Davis recovering, hopeful of playoff return after foot issue”
LeBron James scored 14 of his 30 points during a whirlwind third quarter, while also recording 11 rebounds and 10 assists to complete a productive triple-double, as the Los Angeles Lakers ultimately eased into a comfortable victory over the youthful yet struggling Orlando Magic. Continue reading “Lakers 106-94 Magic: LeBron levitates as Orlando blasted into submission”
The Stan Van Gundy era in New Orleans has endured an underwhelming start this season, with some reported tension between the veteran head coach and his players – merely seven months after agreeing a four-year deal to succeed Alvin Gentry. How long will things continue like this? Continue reading “Time ticking: Stan Van Gundy has work to do, as Pelicans players unhappy”
He capped another historic season with 46 points against the Memphis Grizzlies in a must-win matchup overnight, thus securing his status as the NBA’s oldest scoring champion since Michael Jordan (age 35 in 1998). Now, MVP frontrunner Stephen Curry has sealed the Golden State Warriors’ play-in fate vs. LeBron James and the defending champion Lakers later this week. Continue reading “Play-in awaits: Stephen Curry continues to make the Warriors believe”
After news confirmed perennial All-Star Anthony Davis (tendinosis, calf strain) would miss at least the next fortnight as he continues to recover from troubling injuries, his star teammate LeBron James is bracing himself to also miss a large chunk of what remains in the regular season after sustaining a right ankle sprain in their loss by the Atlanta Hawks over the weekend.
Continue reading “Lakers’ LeBron James sidelined for 3-4 weeks with right ankle sprain”
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