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Having recovered back to full strength after foot surgery in late June, Boston Celtics big man Kristaps Porzingis produced a 16-point, 6-rebound outing with a pair of assists and blocks during the defending champions’ 126-94 win over the LA Clippers overnight. While the overall result was pleasing, they’ll be happier welcoming this sight back into the fold – hoping he can finally stay healthy. Continue reading “Porzingis produces 16-point outing in long-awaited return from foot surgery”
Payton Pritchard’s long-term future looked uncertain as he grappled with the prospect of venturing elsewhere to establish his big breakthrough. Yet here in Year 5, coming off a championship year in Boston with a deep roster, the 26-year-old shooting guard is making his presence felt and people are taking note. Continue reading “Pritchard making welcome strides to get 6MOTY consideration, in Boston no less”
Luka Doncic produced a 32-point triple double during Sunday’s Game 2 showing for Dallas, though coughed up eight turnovers – Boston had 10 as a team – and missed four of eight free-throw attempts, pointing to those two factors as a key reason behind their 105-98 defeat. While it’s natural for their franchise centrepiece to absorb blame, their shortcomings are much deeper than that.
Continue reading “NBA Finals: Doncic’s triple-double not enough as Dallas dented again in Game 2”
Kristaps Porzingis had 20 points and three blocks in 21 minutes on a memorable return from injury, Conference Finals MVP Jaylen Brown had a 22-point, three-steal and block game as Boston eventually eased beyond a careless Mavericks side struggling with their distance shooting. Jayson Tatum was honest postgame, and that doesn’t bode well for Dallas’ chances going forward…
Continue reading “NBA Finals: Tatum calm as Boston cruise past Dallas on Porzingis’ return in Game 1”
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”
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”
After the Golden State Warriors’ fourth quarter collapse in Game 1 of this year’s NBA Finals, Draymond Green wasted no time making his impact felt against the Boston Celtics on Sunday night. He played aggressively, was close to an ejection – as per – but was a key reason for their blowout 107-88 win in Game 2. With the series set for Boston on Wednesday night, what’s next? Continue reading “Draymond Green’s aggressive ‘attitude adjustment’ works wonders in Game 2”
During Monday’s NBA Finals media conference, the Phoenix Suns’ star shooting guard was bullish when asked about what many believe has been a fortunate run to the league’s showpiece event – profiting against three Western Conference teams suffering pivotal injuries.
Continue reading “Devin Booker unapologetic on criticism of Suns’ injury-impacted NBA Finals run”
Miami Heat president Pat Riley praised the Lakers’ title win but equally used the word “asterisk” when describing their six-game Finals victory – wondering what would have happened, had they been fortunate enough to utilise an injury-free roster during the series. Bam Adebayo (shoulder, neck) and Goran Dragic (torn plantar fascia) were sidelined, missing key minutes. Continue reading “Pat Riley on Lakers’ NBA Finals win: There will always be that asterisk”
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