NBA

Mitchell motivated to keep ship afloat as Cavs duo Garland, Mobley out indefinitely

Donovan Mitchell of the Cleveland Cavaliers walks back up court after his team was called on a foul against the Boston Celtics during the second half...

Cleveland find themselves without two of their key starters in Darius Garland (jaw) and Evan Mobley (knee) likely until February and naturally, the microscope will focus on four-time All-Star shooting guard Donovan Mitchell – whose long-term future with the franchise isn’t certain. How will they fare? Continue reading “Mitchell motivated to keep ship afloat as Cavs duo Garland, Mobley out indefinitely”

NBA, Specials

Rewind: As the new NBA season tips off tonight, a look back – Denver ended last term on top in five-game Finals series

Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets is awarded the Bill Russell MVP trophy after winning Game Five of the 2023 NBA Finals on June 12, 2023 at Ball...

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”

NBA

Nuggets 109-94 Heat: Jokic-Murray do it all again as Malone’s men take Game 3

Jamal Murray of the Denver Nuggets dribbles past a screen set by Nikola Jokic against Caleb Martin of the Miami Heat during the fourth quarter in...

Nikola Jokic’s 12-point third quarter saw the wheels turn in motion for a determined Denver side, who surged ahead to a 19-point lead before the end of the third quarter and didn’t relinquish it this time around as they silenced Kaseya Center with a series-altering away victory against Miami overnight. Continue reading “Nuggets 109-94 Heat: Jokic-Murray do it all again as Malone’s men take Game 3”

NBA

Heat 111-108 Nuggets: Adebayo leads by example on both ends, Miami steal Game 2

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”

NBA

Nuggets 104-93 Heat: Jokic’s triple-double on Finals debut sees Denver win Game 1

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”

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

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”