How would the Denver Nuggets fare physically after a nine-day break between games? Refreshed and racing out of the blocks, as Aaron Gordon had 12 points in the first quarter and that infectious energy set the tone en route to a welcome series-opening win at home against a Miami Heat side struggling quite badly with their three-point shooting but defiantly still lingered dangerously late on.
Continue reading “Nuggets 104-93 Heat: Jokic’s triple-double on Finals debut sees Denver win Game 1”
Tag: Kyle Lowry
Heat 123-116 Celtics: Jimmy Butler burns bright as Mazzulla’s men stumble late on
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”
Heat 102-91 Bulls: Butler, Strus combine for 62 points as Miami lock up No. 8 seed
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”
Hawks 116-105 Heat: Young silences trade noise as Snyder’s men stun Miami to secure playoff berth
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”
After his 23-point gamewinning display vs. Atlanta, is Victor Oladipo an x-factor in Miami?
After posting his second-highest scoring total since eventually joining Miami in a trade from Houston 13 months ago, is two-time All-Star shooting guard Victor Oladipo now ready to be their x-factor as the postseason deepens, with questions over Kyle Lowry and Jimmy Butler? Continue reading “After his 23-point gamewinning display vs. Atlanta, is Victor Oladipo an x-factor in Miami?”
Bam Adebayo’s surgery-requiring thumb injury an untimely blow for hectic Heat
Miami suffered their third loss in a six-game stretch overnight against Nikola Jokic and the undermanned Denver Nuggets, without an injured Jimmy Butler and a rough night for sharpshooter Duncan Robinson. However, it has since emerged they have bigger problems to deal with after news broke earlier this evening about Bam Adebayo’s year-ending thumb injury. Continue reading “Bam Adebayo’s surgery-requiring thumb injury an untimely blow for hectic Heat”
Necessary or excessive? Lonzo Ball, Alex Caruso and DeMar DeRozan join Chicago
A young playmaking point guard continuing to quietly improve his three-point shot, an under-appreciated spark plug from the bench in Los Angeles and a four-time All-Star shooting guard who is routinely disrespected despite his leaguewide pedigree. How much have these three acquisitions raised Chicago’s ceiling in an Eastern Conference with two clear frontrunners? Continue reading “Necessary or excessive? Lonzo Ball, Alex Caruso and DeMar DeRozan join Chicago”
Lonzo Ball, Dennis Schroder among Chicago Bulls’ free agency guard targets
After falling two games shy of the postseason play-in tournament, reports claim Chicago want a starting point guards in the upcoming free agency period to bolster their offensive repertoire alongside All-Star duo Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic. Pelicans’ RFA Lonzo Ball and Lakers guard Dennis Schroder are linked, while Kyle Lowry and Spencer Dinwiddie are also named.
Continue reading “Lonzo Ball, Dennis Schroder among Chicago Bulls’ free agency guard targets”
All-Star break over, what now? NBA Q+A: Rookie watch, trade targets and surging Suns
Midway through an unprecedented season hampered by COVID-19 protocols, troublesome injuries and more too, I spoke to LA Clippers fan and NBA expert Jack Brown shortly after the All-Star game – discussing multiple topics including: standout rookies, possible moves between now and the March 25 trade deadline while assessing true contenders from the pretenders. Continue reading “All-Star break over, what now? NBA Q+A: Rookie watch, trade targets and surging Suns”
Philadelphia 76ers among NBA teams eyeing Kyle Lowry trade before deadline
Reports claim Toronto Raptors PG Kyle Lowry is attracting interest from many title-contending teams – including the Los Angeles Clippers and Philadelphia 76ers – with the six-time All-Star said to be more interested in a move back home to Philly, should the right trade scenario unfold between now and the March 25 deadline. His agent Mark Bartelstein has denied these claims. Continue reading “Philadelphia 76ers among NBA teams eyeing Kyle Lowry trade before deadline”
NBA free agency Q&A: Giannis’ future, potential movers and 2020-21 season
With the new 2020-21 season set to start on December 22, I spoke to LA Clippers fan and NBA expert Jack Brown after a whirlwind finish to the previous campaign from the Orlando bubble – discussing topics including: free agency options, various head coaching moves and more too.
Continue reading “NBA free agency Q&A: Giannis’ future, potential movers and 2020-21 season”
Playoff Preview: Boston Celtics vs Toronto Raptors – A decisive Game 6 awaits
Jaylen Brown led the game in scoring with 27 points as the Boston Celtics edged closer to clinching their third Eastern Conference Final in the last four years. They’re just 48 minutes from an intriguing showdown with the Miami Heat, who stunned Milwaukee in a five-game series to seal their progression overnight. Will they join them, or can the defending champions take this to a Game 7? Continue reading “Playoff Preview: Boston Celtics vs Toronto Raptors – A decisive Game 6 awaits”