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

Spurs win draft lottery, as Wembanyama lauds Texas in celebratory interview

May16 Victor Wembanyama and fans of Metropolitan92 during the LNB Pro A Betclic Elite basketball match between Boulogne-Levallois v Paris Basket at...

Often in recent years, there has been a sense of intrigue surrounding the no. 1 draft pick and who will be selected, with conceivably as many as four teenagers touted to go #1. Not this year: French teenage phenom Victor Wembanyama appears San Antonio-bound after the Spurs won the draft lottery overnight.
Continue reading “Spurs win draft lottery, as Wembanyama lauds Texas in celebratory interview”

NBA

Jimmy Butler battles through pain barrier as Heat start East semis with road win

Jimmy Butler recorded 25 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and two steals in 43 minutes – playing through a rolled ankle late – as Miami Heat profited from turnovers, overcoming a sluggish start to overwhelm the New York Knicks 108-101 in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference semi-final matchup on Sunday night. Continue reading “Jimmy Butler battles through pain barrier as Heat start East semis with road win”

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

Heat 102-91 Bulls: Butler, Strus combine for 62 points as Miami lock up No. 8 seed

Max Strus and Jimmy Butler of the Miami Heat high five during the game against the Chicago Bulls during the 2023 Play-In Tournament on April 14, 2023...

Having both endured an inefficient night as Atlanta bested them on Tuesday, Jimmy Butler and Chicago’s own Max Strus combined for 61 points with clutch moments galore to help Miami overcome a six-point fourth quarter deficit against a reactive Bulls team, punching their postseason ticket. Top seed Milwaukee await them on Sunday night in Game 1, to finish a whirlwind week.
Continue reading “Heat 102-91 Bulls: Butler, Strus combine for 62 points as Miami lock up No. 8 seed”

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

As playoffs near, multiple dominos waiting to fall in NBA’s head coaching carousel

Head coach Dwane Casey of the Toronto Raptors listens to assistant coaches Rex Kalamian and Nick Nurse against the Portland Trail Blazers during NBA...

As is often the case come playoff time, there are many storylines and prospective scenarios that can play out a variety of ways over the postseason – with subsequent front office decisions often riding on the success or failure of a franchise or specific players in certain areas. This year is no different. Continue reading “As playoffs near, multiple dominos waiting to fall in NBA’s head coaching carousel”

NBA

Bucks lament voter fatigue in MVP race, after another big Giannis showing

Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks stands on the sideline during the second half of a game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Fiserv Forum...

Two-time regular season MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo produced 33 points on 13-of-17 shooting, alongside 14 rebounds and six assists in a dominant display against Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday, taking them closer to securing the East’s #1 seed. Yet the franchise feel voter fatigue is stopping their star from getting the MVP recognition he deserves, yet again. Continue reading “Bucks lament voter fatigue in MVP race, after another big Giannis showing”

NBA

Mikal Bridges exceeding expectations in Brooklyn is refreshing, as Nets plot rebuild

Mikal Bridges of the Brooklyn Nets arrives to the arena before the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on March 23, 2023 at Barclays Center in...

Absorbing knowledge from Chris Paul and Devin Booker in Phoenix, a stunning trade has offered Mikal Bridges the opportunity to show what he’s learned offensively – accompanying his brilliant defensive skills – and he’s flourished thus far among new teammates in Brooklyn. Given recent uncertainty surrounding the franchise, that bodes well for the Nets’ long-term future. Continue reading “Mikal Bridges exceeding expectations in Brooklyn is refreshing, as Nets plot rebuild”

NBA

Karl-Anthony Towns relishes big impact on his return as Timberwolves beat Hawks

Karl-Anthony Towns of the Minnesota Timberwolves celebrates during the game against the Atlanta Hawks on March 22, 2023 at Target Center in...

After a 52-game absence through injury, Minnesota Timberwolves star big man Karl-Anthony Towns marked his return with a storybook ending: scoring 22 points, including the go-ahead free throws in the final seconds, helping them overwhelm the Atlanta Hawks with a 125-124 victory last night. Continue reading “Karl-Anthony Towns relishes big impact on his return as Timberwolves beat Hawks”