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Three-and-a-half years removed from being the big acquisition in a bold trade from Chicago for All-Star big man Nikola Vucevic, Wendell Carter Jr enters Year 7 with a shiny $59m contract extension set to kick in next season as part of a youthful Orlando core hoping they can bridge the gap among their Eastern Conference rivals from plucky overachievers to genuine title contenders. Continue reading “Orlando lock up their immediate future after Carter Jr gets three-year, $59m deal”
On the night he received his third MVP award from league commissioner Adam Silver, Nikola Jokic again showed why he’s the NBA’s best player – slicing through the Minnesota Timberwolves’ various defensive schemes to slow him down, producing an inspiring masterclass as the defending champion Denver Nuggets now stand on the brink of a return to the Western Conference Finals. Continue reading “After collecting his third MVP, Jokic does it all as Denver skilfully erase series deficit”
The defending NBA champion Denver Nuggets open play in the new 2023-24 regular season overnight against LeBron James and the Lakers, in one of two intriguing Western Conference matchups primed for television viewing. Before then, I rewind back and reflect upon some fond memories for Denver as they clinched their first NBA title on home soil four months ago beyond a Miami team who fell short after exceeding expectations en route to an unlikely Finals trip. Continue reading “Rewind: As the new NBA season tips off tonight, a look back – Denver ended last term on top in five-game Finals series”
After hitting six of their 13 total three-pointers in the final quarter to threaten a late Game 1 comeback, that sequence foreshadowed a fiery start three days later as the Heat tied the NBA Finals. Miami began hot from deep before finishing with staunch defence down the stretch as Bam Adebayo and Gabe Vincent were key en route to a road win, despite Nikola Jokic’s 41-point outing. Continue reading “Heat 111-108 Nuggets: Adebayo leads by example on both ends, Miami steal Game 2”
Fresh from their comeback win over the Los Angeles Lakers over the weekend, Damian Lillard and a masterful Anfernee Simons display helped Portland (4-0) maintain their unbeaten start to the new campaign. As for Denver, the manner of this latest defeat against a Western Conference rival reinforces the belief this term is all about patience as things settle into rhythm. Continue reading “Lopsided 135-110 road loss to Portland proves this season centres around patience for Jokic and co”
After a disappointing playoff campaign, the Lakers have again been bold as they try to return top of the NBA food chain once more with this trade. But amid questions over the perennial All-Star guard’s fit in Southern California, is Russell Westbrook the answer to their problems? Continue reading “Lakers agree trade deal for Wizards’ Russell Westbrook, featuring three-player package”
Helped as they raced to a 22-6 first quarter run, Anthony Davis and the Lakers earned an impressive 123-110 win over the Phoenix Suns – limiting their leading scorer Devin Booker’s efficiency as Mikal Bridges and Cameron Payne were key in keeping things competitive. Continue reading “Lakers 123-110 Suns: Anthony Davis sparkles as LA ease to important win”
After spoiling the Lakers’ championship coronation party in Game 5, Miami Heat hope to level the series at 3-3 during another elimination game here. LA are 48 minutes from their first NBA title since 2010 and a frenetic end to Friday’s loss will have posed questions – can they conclude the year here against a determined side hamstrung by injuries? Can LeBron James elevate his teammates again en route to a historic victory? Will Jimmy Butler and co take this to a Game 7? Continue reading “NBA Finals Preview: Miami Heat vs Los Angeles Lakers – Title still in sight”
Mo and Sports 