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A strained calf and toe sprain have sidelined Jimmy Butler for eight games and counting, but the Miami Heat star remains optimistic about the immediate future and is encouraged he’s feeling less pain now than has been the case across two issues in a month. Just don’t ask him about his unavailability through injury deeming him ineligible to win end-of-season awards, mind. Continue reading “Jimmy Butler happy to close in on injury return, unbothered by awards ineligibility”
Jalen Brunson led the way with 38 points as the New York Knicks earned a 129-122 win over Milwaukee, while Denver were victorious behind their Jamal Murray-Nikola Jokic tandem once more against the unpredictable Golden State Warriors. Now then, follow the rest of the Christmas Day schedule with me live! Continue reading “Relive the action as Luka Doncic’s 50-point showing caps Christmas Day slate in NBA”
All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton has begun Year 4 like a man on a mission, averaging career-highs in points, FG%, 3P% and assists per game to lead the Indiana Pacers by example. He notched a new career-high 44 against Miami on Thursday night, yet Rick Carlisle’s men conceded 142 points – including 45 in the final quarter – to lose the first of a back-to-back slate. Tyrese clearly needs help. Continue reading “Memes aside, Miami loss reinforces belief Tyrese Haliburton needs help in Indiana”
20 months after his most recent multiyear contract extension, the NBA champion Denver Nuggets have officially agreed a lucrative deal with title-winning head coach Mike Malone that will place him among the league’s highest-paid bosses per reports in ESPN and The Athletic which broke today. Continue reading “Denver reward title-winning head coach Michael Malone with contract extension”
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”
Under-the-radar teams often swoop in with a surprise, and that was the case last week when news emerged announcing the Philadelphia 76ers had agreed a one-year deal with free agent forward Kelly Oubre Jr. The deal was made official yesterday, and the championship contenders will hope the 27-year-old can produce more efficiently than a commendable year in Charlotte last term. Continue reading “Kelly Oubre Jr’s one-year 76ers deal now made official – a shrewd move for both”
During a recent podcast appearance, Brooklyn Nets guard Spencer Dinwiddie conceded uncertainty remains around the franchise, and leaguewide, until the respective futures of All-Star duo Damian Lillard and James Harden are resolved. Both made trade requests public in July and with a few weeks before training camp begins, multiple ball clubs are involved in potential scenarios. Continue reading “Nets’ Dinwiddie: Harden and Lillard’s unclear futures mean offseason isn’t over”
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s insistence he won’t agree terms on another multiyear extension in Milwaukee next summer, unless he feels everyone’s on the same page and still in championship contention, is another timely reminder that star players’ title window can quickly be rendered finite. The franchises and fans they play for, are more than aware of that – but navigating this is a tricky task. Continue reading “Giannis’ honesty sheds light on an insatiable goal NBA stars continue battling”
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”
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”
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”
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”
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