Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown both scored 35 points as the Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics got off to a winning start at home to the Philadelphia 76ers, before reigning Finals MVP Stephen Curry crowned ring night for the Golden State Warriors with a 33-point outing – alongside seven assists, six rebounds and four steals – to beat the troubling LA Lakers.
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Tag: Philadelphia 76ers
Now or never? Big things expected from Embiid, Harden and Maxey in big upcoming season for 76ers
After a forgettable end to their postseason campaign last season, the Philadelphia 76ers have improved over the offseason and are again nicely positioned to right the wrongs of previous years. Joel Embiid is a top-three MVP candidate, James Harden a perennial All-Star and Tyrese Maxey their burgeoning young star. So how are their fortunes going to change this term?
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Ambitious Siakam and reigning Rookie of the Year Barnes poised to charge for tenacious Toronto
When they’re not battling one another for rebounds, one-time All-Star forward Pascal Siakam and reigning Rookie of the Year Scottie Barnes appear primed to share the responsibility as a key part of a sneakily good Toronto Raptors side this coming season – which features Fred VanVleet and Gary Trent Jr – keen to learn from past errors while improving their core unit. Continue reading
After agreeing reduced $68.6m deal, will 76ers and Harden hum along into true title contention?
Details of James Harden’s two-year contract extension with the Philadelphia 76ers emerged overnight, confirming what was first reported: the 10-time All-Star guard agreed a reduced deal to help the franchise sign more quality players in their attempt to go all-out for a NBA championship charge this coming season. Will his bullish comments prove prophetic or not? Continue reading
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
NBA: Storylines intensify as playoff permutations remain for multiple teams in final week
A 12-game slate overnight kickstarts a manic week across the league, as teams and their star players look to solidify strong playoff seeding. Phoenix have long tied up top spot in the West, but what about the other contenders? In a rapidly-changing East, which of the top four teams will ultimately rule the roost? Which teams will avoid the play-in, going straight to the playoffs?
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NBA Q&A: Big questions answered, predictions made as 21-22 season into business months
A few weeks removed from the All-Star break and now into the home straight for another eventful NBA season, I spoke to LA Clippers fan and NBA expert Jack Brown earlier this month – discussing multiple topics including: under-the-radar players, intriguing offseason storylines, the MVP race as well as why he has a surprise team emerging from the West come playoff time. Continue reading
Nuggets to extend DeMarcus Cousins’ contract, 76ers sign Cauley-Stein to 10-day deal
DeMarcus Cousins, who has split time with Milwaukee and Denver this term, is poised to have his contract fully guaranteed for the rest of the campaign. Meanwhile free agent center Willie Cauley-Stein, a former teammate of Cousins in Sacramento, has a golden opportunity to settle himself into a big man role with a championship-contending team out East in Philadelphia. Continue reading
Joel Embiid’s masterful Milwaukee night reinforces his MVP credentials, with Harden to come
Leading the league in points per game and posting a monstrous 42-point double-double against the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks overnight, Joel Embiid is a clear MVP favourite before this All-Star break. With James Harden still to integrate after last week’s big trade, how will the dynamics shift as the big man hopes to end years of playoff frustration? Continue reading
Tyrese Haliburton’s recent surge shows Sacramento have long-term puzzle to consider
Tyrese Haliburton has now recorded six games with 20+ points this season — five have come since December 17, with franchise guard De’Aaron Fox missing four outings during that stretch after entering the league’s health and safety protocols. Given the startling statistics with and without his backcourt partner, do Sacramento have a potential long-term issue on their hands? Continue reading
NBA news round-up: Shock Timberwolves sacking, Bulls contract extensions and more
With NBA practices starting next week ahead of the new season on October 3, there has been brief news updates aplenty across the league’s 30 teams. Players, coaching staff and front offices are making moves hoping to get incrementally better in a field of fine margins…
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Veteran sharpshooter JJ Redick to bypass training camp, assessing options
After an abrupt and messy departure from New Orleans saw him traded to the Dallas Mavericks at the trade deadline last season, veteran shooting guard JJ Redick revealed he wouldn’t be participating in training camp on his own podcast – so will likely bide his time waiting for the right opportunity before agreeing terms with a team at some stage for the 2021-22 season. Continue reading
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