NBA

Nuggets 118-113 Raptors: Jokic jolt, Murray momentum see Denver earn comeback win

Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets is defended by O.G. Anunoby of the Toronto Raptors in a game at Ball Arena on March 6, 2023 in Denver, Colorado....

They were down eight against an imposing Raptors side for large stretches of an exciting fourth quarter, but Denver refused to decelerate in their attempts to secure a morale-boosting comeback win and did just that. When you have a two-time MVP in full flow, games are rarely over until the final buzzer sounds. Continue reading “Nuggets 118-113 Raptors: Jokic jolt, Murray momentum see Denver earn comeback win”

NBA

NBA trade deadline day – a week on: A look at moves, winners and losers plus new season projections

New Nets players Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson watch from the crowd after being traded for Kevin Durant during the game against the Chicago Bulls at...

February 9 is now in the rearview mirror, with All-Star weekend almost upon us. After the Kyrie Irving move to Dallas opened up a series of trades – both small and significant – I take a look at them in this piece, assessing where that leaves some ball clubs as well as specific players who’ll find themselves in differing situations over the coming months – like the pair above in Brooklyn. Continue reading “NBA trade deadline day – a week on: A look at moves, winners and losers plus new season projections”

NBA

NBA: Clippers linked with VanVleet, Kings monitoring Thybulle, two teams want Olynyk reunion and more

Fred VanVleet of the Toronto Raptors drives to the basket against the LA Clippers on December 27, 2022 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario,...

The February 9 trade deadline is just a week away, and Rui Hachimura’s surprise trade move to the LA Lakers last month – January 23 – hasn’t exactly caught fire as far as opening the floodgates for moves across the league. That much should change though before long, so here’s a round-up of the latest news and chatter, including the Clippers’ search for a guard. Continue reading “NBA: Clippers linked with VanVleet, Kings monitoring Thybulle, two teams want Olynyk reunion and more”

NBA

NBA news round-up: Anunoby, Bogdanovic, Crowder and more as trade season hots up

Bojan Bogdanovic of the Detroit Pistons drives to the basket against Zach LaVine of the Chicago Bulls during the first half at United Center on...

It’s NBA trade season, so speculation is predictably in full flow as teams – whether championship contenders, pretenders or rebuilding teams – are all involved between now and the Feb. 9 deadline. Will any team satisfy Toronto’s big expectations in an OG Anunoby trade? What about Bojan Bogdanovic in Detroit, or the silence coming from the Suns about wantaway wing Jae Crowder? Read about all of that and more, with some free agent chatter to finish. Continue reading “NBA news round-up: Anunoby, Bogdanovic, Crowder and more as trade season hots up”

NBA

Ambitious Siakam and reigning Rookie of the Year Barnes poised to charge for tenacious Toronto

Scottie Barnes of the Toronto Raptors and Pascal Siakam celebrate during the first half of their NBA game against the Boston Celtics at Scotiabank...

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 “Ambitious Siakam and reigning Rookie of the Year Barnes poised to charge for tenacious Toronto”

NBA

Atlanta, Chicago among reported suitors for Jazz’s Rudy Gobert as speculation returns

Two Eastern Conference playoff contenders are among the teams targeting a noticeable upgrade at center this coming offseason and so Utah Jazz big man Rudy Gobert returns to the rumour mill once again as uncertainty shrouds the franchise after Quin Snyder’s resignation. Continue reading “Atlanta, Chicago among reported suitors for Jazz’s Rudy Gobert as speculation returns”

NBA

After his 23-point gamewinning display vs. Atlanta, is Victor Oladipo an x-factor in Miami?

Victor Oladipo of the Miami Heat celebrates after defeating the Atlanta Hawks 97-94 in Game Five of the Eastern Conference First Round to advance to...

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?”

NBA

NBA trade speculation: Dragic, Holmes and more including mooted Randle-Fox showcase

Bogdan Bogdanovic of the Atlanta Hawks is defended by Richaun Holmes and Buddy Hield of the Sacramento Kings during the second half at State Farm...

Ahead of the February 10 trade deadline, NBA teams in both conferences are looking to trade players and improve their rosters – whether that be in an effort to bolster themselves with the playoffs in mind, finding long-term solutions for existing conundrums or opening up cap space with the summer offseason a consideration. As such, here’s a list of those prominent names…
Continue reading “NBA trade speculation: Dragic, Holmes and more including mooted Randle-Fox showcase”

Archives, Specials

Tyrese Haliburton’s recent surge shows Sacramento have long-term puzzle to consider

Tyrese Haliburton of the Sacramento Kings celebrates with teammates Terence Davis and Maurice Harkless after a play in the second quarter against the...

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 “Tyrese Haliburton’s recent surge shows Sacramento have long-term puzzle to consider”

Archives

Even after everything, 76ers’ high asking price for Ben Simmons isn’t a surprise

Ben Simmons of the Philadelphia 76ers handles the ball against the Atlanta Hawks during Round 2, Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Playoffs on June...

Even after everything – including a forgettable postseason – the 76ers have a high asking price for any interested suitors looking to take advantage of Ben Simmons’ situation in Philadelphia. Considering he’s a three-time All-Star, two-time All-Defensive team selection and only turned 25 last week, this latest news update on his future shouldn’t be surprising despite his struggles. Continue reading “Even after everything, 76ers’ high asking price for Ben Simmons isn’t a surprise”

Archives

Lonzo Ball, Dennis Schroder among Chicago Bulls’ free agency guard targets

Zach LaVine of the Chicago Bulls looks to pass under pressure from Lonzo Ball of the New Orleans Pelicans at the United Center on February 10, 2021...

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”

Archives

Detroit Pistons win top pick in draft lottery, Cade Cunningham expected

Cade Cunningham of the Oklahoma State Cowboys looks on as they play the Oregon State Beavers during the first half in the second round game of the...

You couldn’t wipe the grin from Ben Wallace’s face, as if he knew something we all didn’t, but the future Hall of Famer proved Detroit’s lucky charm overnight as they won this year’s draft lottery and will likely select star guard Cade Cunningham out of Oklahoma State next month. Continue reading “Detroit Pistons win top pick in draft lottery, Cade Cunningham expected”