NBA

Miami set up Denver showdown in the Finals after Game 7 drubbing of Celtics

Conference Finals MVP Jimmy Butler posted 28 points, seven rebounds, six assists and a trio of steals – but small forward Caleb Martin shone with his third 20-plus point showing in the series. Erik Spoelstra’s Miami Heat ended Boston’s hopes of an improbable comeback, in TD Garden no less, setting up their second NBA Finals trip in four seasons as the Nuggets finally found out their opponent. Continue reading “Miami set up Denver showdown in the Finals after Game 7 drubbing of Celtics”

NBA

Vincent vanquishes Celtics as Miami join Denver with commanding 3-0 series lead

Erik Spoelstra’s Heat team joined the Denver Nuggets in earning a 3-0 Conference Finals series lead after blasting the Celtics into submission on their Miami return, having snatched the initiative in Boston. Point guard Gabe Vincent led the way with a new career-high 29 points, as their role players stepped up in style as they’re now one game away from another NBA Finals trip.
Continue reading “Vincent vanquishes Celtics as Miami join Denver with commanding 3-0 series lead”

NBA

Heat 123-116 Celtics: Jimmy Butler burns bright as Mazzulla’s men stumble late on

Jimmy Butler of the Miami Heat is defended by Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics during the third quarter of game one of the Eastern Conference...

Jimmy Butler had 35 points, seven assists, six steals and five rebounds – armed with clutch plays late on – as the Miami Heat swiftly erased a nine-point half-time deficit en route to a surging Game 1 East Finals victory on the road against Boston, who began well but finished with a whimper at TD Garden overnight.
Continue reading “Heat 123-116 Celtics: Jimmy Butler burns bright as Mazzulla’s men stumble late on”

NBA

Jayson Tatum hails winning plays, as Celtics eliminate Hawks in cagey Game 6

In Thursday’s lone playoff game, the Boston Celtics went on a 18-7 run in the final five minutes to eliminate a plucky but patchy Atlanta Hawks display on their home floor. How did they do it, Jayson Tatum was asked postgame. Consistently making winning plays in the fourth quarter, doing whatever it takes – with a well-rested Philadelphia 76ers side awaiting them this weekend.
Continue reading “Jayson Tatum hails winning plays, as Celtics eliminate Hawks in cagey Game 6”

NBA

Houston’s Ime Udoka hire only boosts their standing as a budding contender again

The Houston Rockets introduce Ime Udoka as the next head coach during a press conference on April 26, 2023 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas....

Houston have longed for a leader with championship credentials and after the news broke they were hiring Ime Udoka earlier tonight, it’s a timely update for fans to get excited about – someone to build around for multiple years to come. Continue reading “Houston’s Ime Udoka hire only boosts their standing as a budding contender again”

NBA

Hawks 116-105 Heat: Young silences trade noise as Snyder’s men stun Miami to secure playoff berth

Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks handles the ball during the 2023 Play-In Tournament against the Miami Heat on April 11, 2023 at Kaseya Center in...

Trae Young led the way with 25 points, eight rebounds and seven assists as the Atlanta Hawks started fast and finished assertively en route to a double-digit road win in Miami during the league’s maiden play-in tournament matchup of the season overnight. The result secures their standing as the Eastern Conference’s seventh seed, and Boston [2] await them in Game 1 this weekend. Continue reading “Hawks 116-105 Heat: Young silences trade noise as Snyder’s men stun Miami to secure playoff berth”

NBA

NBA: Clippers linked with VanVleet, Kings monitoring Thybulle, two teams want Olynyk reunion and more

Fred VanVleet of the Toronto Raptors drives to the basket against the LA Clippers on December 27, 2022 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario,...

The February 9 trade deadline is just a week away, and Rui Hachimura’s surprise trade move to the LA Lakers last month – January 23 – hasn’t exactly caught fire as far as opening the floodgates for moves across the league. That much should change though before long, so here’s a round-up of the latest news and chatter, including the Clippers’ search for a guard. Continue reading “NBA: Clippers linked with VanVleet, Kings monitoring Thybulle, two teams want Olynyk reunion and more”

NBA

Curry, Tatum-Brown tandem reinforce belief all is well during season-opening victories

Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors checks out his ring on ring night prior to the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on October 18, 2022 at...

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”

NBA

After falling short in the Finals, Boston Celtics look to go one further as Udoka scandal looms

BOSTON, MA - JUNE 10:  Jayson Tatum #0 and Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics walk off the court against the Golden State Warriors during Game Four of the 2022 NBA Finals on June 10, 2022 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)

Having recovered from a sluggish start prompting fake trades aplenty, agitated fans and criticism, the Boston Celtics were two wins from their first NBA title in 14 years under first-year head coach Ime Udoka. He’s been given a year-long suspension after news of an inappropriate relationship broke last month, and now there are more doubts. How will they manage now?
Continue reading “After falling short in the Finals, Boston Celtics look to go one further as Udoka scandal looms”

NBA

No excuses, Miami Heat looking to pick up where they left off as preseason inbound

Bam Adebayo and Jimmy Butler of the Miami Heat talk during the second quarter against the Boston Celtics in Game Two of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Eastern...

After finishing the top seed in last season’s Eastern Conference and finding themselves a missed three-pointer away from a second NBA Finals trip in three years – losing a seven-game series against the Boston Celtics – Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo and co are raring to go ahead of the new campaign, one which poses many questions as far as their long-term future is concerned. Continue reading “No excuses, Miami Heat looking to pick up where they left off as preseason inbound”

NBA

NBA news round-up: Zion progressing, Williams’ knee surgery, Wembanyama’s draft caution and more

Victoir WEMBANYAMA of ASVEL during the Turkish Airlines Euroleague match between ASVEL LDLC and Olimpia Milan at The Astroballe on April 7, 2022 in...

As the domestic campaign gets underway this weekend in France, projected 2023 top draft pick and teenage center Victor Wembanyama spoke with understandable caution about preferring team fit as well as a favourable environment rather than just being the No. 1 selection. Zion Williamson’s strength-and-conditioning coach provided an encouraging endorsement, Robert Williams III (knee) will miss the start of the season and more besides. Read the round-up here. Continue reading “NBA news round-up: Zion progressing, Williams’ knee surgery, Wembanyama’s draft caution and more”

NBA

NBA injury update: Danilo Gallinari diagnosed with torn ACL, Lonzo Ball’s knee issues persist and more

Lonzo Ball of the Chicago Bulls during the game against the Detroit Pistons at United Center on January 11, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER:...

With training camp ahead of the new campaign fast approaching, here’s a look at a few recent injury updates that are set to impact multiple title-contending teams across both conferences as they look for a formidable return to action this month – including Celtics’ offseason acquisition Danilo Gallinari and Lonzo Ball, whose knee issues after surgery in January remain. Continue reading “NBA injury update: Danilo Gallinari diagnosed with torn ACL, Lonzo Ball’s knee issues persist and more”