INSIDER
Suns' Kevin Durant out after injuring ankle in pregame slip
Read full article: Suns' Kevin Durant out after injuring ankle in pregame slipPhoenix Suns star Kevin Durant slipped on the floor during pregame warmups and was ruled out Wednesday night against the Oklahoma City Thunder because of left ankle soreness.
Suns push past Warriors for 134-105 win, Thompson ejected
Read full article: Suns push past Warriors for 134-105 win, Thompson ejectedDevin Booker scored 34 points, Deandre Ayton added 16 points and 14 rebounds and the Phoenix Suns beat the Golden State Warriors 134-105 on Tuesday night in a game that featured Klay Thompson’s first career ejection and seven technical fouls.
Suns rally from 22 points down to beat Mavericks 107-105
Read full article: Suns rally from 22 points down to beat Mavericks 107-105Devin Booker scored 28 points, Damion Lee made a go-ahead baseline jumper with 9.7 seconds left and the Phoenix Suns rallied from 22 points down in the third quarter to beat the Dallas Mavericks 107-105 on Wednesday in the season opener for both teams.
Doncic, Mavs beat foul-plagued Paul, Suns to even series 2-2
Read full article: Doncic, Mavs beat foul-plagued Paul, Suns to even series 2-2Luka Doncic scored 26 points and the Dallas Mavericks took advantage of foul trouble for Chris Paul to beat the Phoenix Suns 111-101 on Sunday, evening the Western Conference semifinal series at 2-2.
Mavs get defensive, top Suns 103-94 for 2-1 series deficit
Read full article: Mavs get defensive, top Suns 103-94 for 2-1 series deficitLuka Doncic had 26 points and 13 rebounds, and the Dallas Mavericks turned up the defensive pressure to get back in their Western Conference semifinal series with Phoenix, beating the Suns 103-94.
Paul has another stellar 4th, Suns blow past Mavs 129-109
Read full article: Paul has another stellar 4th, Suns blow past Mavs 129-109Chris Paul scored 28 points, including 14 in another spectacular fourth quarter, to lead the Phoenix Suns over the Dallas Mavericks 129-109 for a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference semifinals.
Ayton, Booker lead top-seeded Suns past Mavericks 121-114
Read full article: Ayton, Booker lead top-seeded Suns past Mavericks 121-114Deandre Ayton scored 25 points, Devin Booker added 23 and the top-seeded Phoenix Suns rolled to a 121-114 win over the Dallas Mavericks in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals.
Paul, Ayton help Booker-less Suns beat Pelicans 114-111
Read full article: Paul, Ayton help Booker-less Suns beat Pelicans 114-111Chris Paul scored 19 of his 28 points in the fourth quarter and the Phoenix Suns overcame Devin Booker’s absence to beat the New Orleans Pelicans 114-111 on Friday night in Game 3 of the first-round series.
Powell returns, Clippers beat Suns for 3rd straight win
Read full article: Powell returns, Clippers beat Suns for 3rd straight winNorman Powell scored 24 points after being out two months, Paul George added 19 points in three quarters to go over 15,000 in his career, and the Los Angeles Clippers edged the NBA-leading Phoenix Suns 113-109.
Booker scores 32, Suns eliminate Lakers from playoff race
Read full article: Booker scores 32, Suns eliminate Lakers from playoff raceDevin Booker scored 32 points and the Phoenix Suns won their franchise-record 63rd game of the season, beating a Lakers team minus LeBron James 121-110 to eliminate Los Angeles from the playoff race.
Booker, Paul deliver at end, Suns hold off Warriors 107-103
Read full article: Booker, Paul deliver at end, Suns hold off Warriors 107-103Devin Booker’s two free throws with 34.2 seconds left put Phoenix ahead, Draymond Green traveled to turn it over before Chris Paul made a short jumper, and the NBA-best Phoenix Suns held off the Golden State Warriors 107-103 in a furious finish between Western Conference rivals.
Shamet hits key 3-pointer in OT, Suns rally to beat Kings
Read full article: Shamet hits key 3-pointer in OT, Suns rally to beat KingsLandry Shamet made a 3-pointer with 31 seconds left in overtime moments after missing an open look beyond the arc and the NBA-leading Phoenix Suns beat the Sacramento Kings 127-124 on Sunday.
Suns rout Bulls, move closer to wrapping up top spot in NBA
Read full article: Suns rout Bulls, move closer to wrapping up top spot in NBADevin Booker scored 28 points and the Phoenix Suns moved closer to wrapping up the NBA’s best regular-season record, routing the Chicago Bulls 129-102 on Friday night.
Booker has 36 points, NBA-leading Suns beat Rockets 129-112
Read full article: Booker has 36 points, NBA-leading Suns beat Rockets 129-112Devin Booker scored 36 points,ikal Bridges added 26 and the NBA-leading Phoenix Suns beat the Houston Rockets 129-112 on Wednesday night for their third straight victory.
Booker has 23 points in return, Suns roll past Heat 111-90
Read full article: Booker has 23 points in return, Suns roll past Heat 111-90Devin Booker scored 23 points, Mikal Bridges added 21 and the Phoenix Suns shook off a slow start to beat the Miami Heat 111-90 on Wednesday night in a matchup of the NBA’s conference leaders.
Khris Middleton scores 44 points, Bucks rally to beat Suns
Read full article: Khris Middleton scores 44 points, Bucks rally to beat SunsKhris Middleton scored a season-high 44 points, Jrue Holiday had 17 of his 24 points in the fourth quarter and the Milwaukee Bucks rallied to beat the short-handed Phoenix Suns 132-122 on Sunday.
Booker has 25 points, Suns beat Thunder for 8th straight win
Read full article: Booker has 25 points, Suns beat Thunder for 8th straight winDevin Booker had 25 points, 12 assists and a career-high six steals to help the NBA-leading Phoenix Suns beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 124-104 on Thursday night.
NBA-best Suns rally for 10th straight win, top Spurs 115-110
Read full article: NBA-best Suns rally for 10th straight win, top Spurs 115-110Devin Booker scored 28 points, Mikal Bridges added a season-high 26 and the Phoenix Suns overcame a 12-point deficit in the fourth quarter to win their 10th straight game, beating the San Antonio Spurs 115-110 on Sunday night.
Paul, Booker help NBA-best Suns roll to 9th straight win
Read full article: Paul, Booker help NBA-best Suns roll to 9th straight winDevin Booker scored 29 points, Chris Paul had a triple-double with 21 points, 14 assists and 10 rebounds and the NBA-leading Phoenix Suns won their ninth straight game, beating the Minnesota Timberwolves 134-124 on Friday night.
Booker, Paul lead Suns past depleted Jazz, 115-109
Read full article: Booker, Paul lead Suns past depleted Jazz, 115-109Devin Booker scored 33 points, Chris Paul had 15 of his a season-high 27 points in the fourth quarter, and the Phoenix Suns rallied for a 115-109 win over the short-handed Utah Jazz.
Booker, McGee help Suns rout Pistons in Michigan homecoming
Read full article: Booker, McGee help Suns rout Pistons in Michigan homecomingDevin Booker scored 30 points and JaVale McGee added 20 in their Michigan homecomings to help the NBA-leading Phoenix Suns rout the Detroit Pistons 135-108 on Sunday.
Paul has triple-double, NBA-leading Suns top Clippers 106-89
Read full article: Paul has triple-double, NBA-leading Suns top Clippers 106-89Chris Paul had a triple-double with 14 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists to help the short-handed Phoenix Suns beat the Los Angeles Clippers 106-89 on Thursday night.
Booker scores 24 points, depleted Suns rout Hornets 133-99
Read full article: Booker scores 24 points, depleted Suns rout Hornets 133-99Devin Booker scored 24 points, Jalen Smith tied a career high with 19 points and 12 rebounds and the short-handed Phoenix Suns hammered the Charlotte Hornets 133-99.
Booker, Ayton push Suns past Lakers 108-90
Read full article: Booker, Ayton push Suns past Lakers 108-90Devin Booker continued to distance himself from a hamstring injury that cost him seven games, scoring 24 points with nine rebounds and seven assists as the Phoenix Suns earned a 108-90 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.
Devin Booker returns, NBA-leading Suns rout Hornets 137-106
Read full article: Devin Booker returns, NBA-leading Suns rout Hornets 137-106Devin Booker had 16 points in his return to Phoenix’s lineup and the NBA-leading Suns set a season-scoring high in a 137-106 victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday night.
Suns win 12th straight with ease, roll past Nuggets 126-97
Read full article: Suns win 12th straight with ease, roll past Nuggets 126-97Cam Johnson scored a career-high 22 points, Deandre Ayton added 21 and the fast-starting Phoenix Suns ran their winning streak to 12, routing the short-handed Denver Nuggets 126-97 on Sunday night.
Suns rally in 4th, beat Mavs 112-104 for 11th straight win
Read full article: Suns rally in 4th, beat Mavs 112-104 for 11th straight winMikal Bridges and Devin Booker each scored 19 points, Chris Paul added 18 points and 14 assists and the Phoenix Suns ran their winning streak to 11, rallying to beat the Dallas Mavericks 112-104 on Friday night.
CP3 hits milestone, leads Suns past shaky Lakers, 115-105
Read full article: CP3 hits milestone, leads Suns past shaky Lakers, 115-105Chris Paul scored his 20,000th career point on the way to 23 points and 14 assists, and Devin Booker added 22 points in the Phoenix Suns’ 115-105 victory over the winless Los Angeles Lakers.
Frustrating fourth quarter, fouls derail Devin Booker, Suns
Read full article: Frustrating fourth quarter, fouls derail Devin Booker, SunsDevin Booker put on spectacular shooting performance through the first three quarters of Game 4 of the NBA Finals and seemed poised to help the Phoenix Suns take a commanding lead in the NBA series.
Bucks' Antetokounmpo has been dominant, now he needs help
Read full article: Bucks' Antetokounmpo has been dominant, now he needs helpGiannis Antetokounmpo and his bum left knee bulldozed through the Phoenix Suns defense for most of Game 2, once again giving the Milwaukee Bucks more than they could have dreamed in these NBA Finals.
Chris Paul leads Suns past Clippers 130-103, into NBA Finals
Read full article: Chris Paul leads Suns past Clippers 130-103, into NBA FinalsThe Phoenix Suns are headed to the NBA Finals for the first time in 28 years, defeating the Los Angeles Clippers 130-103 to close out the Western Conference finals in six games.
George leads Clippers over Paul and Suns, 106-92 in Game 3
Read full article: George leads Clippers over Paul and Suns, 106-92 in Game 3Paul George scored 27 points and the Los Angeles Clippers pulled away in a dominant third quarter, beating newly returned Chris Paul and the Phoenix Suns 106-92 in Game 3 of the Western Conference finals.
Suns' Chris Paul returns to start in Game 3 vs. Clippers
Read full article: Suns' Chris Paul returns to start in Game 3 vs. ClippersChris Paul started for Phoenix Suns on Thursday night in Game 3 against the Los Angeles Clippers after missing the first two games of the Western Conference finals while in the NBA’s health and safety protocols.
EXPLAINER: Why was Deandre Ayton's dunk a legal NBA play?
Read full article: EXPLAINER: Why was Deandre Ayton's dunk a legal NBA play?When Phoenix’s Deandre Ayton reached over the rim to dunk Jae Crowder’s pass for what became the winning points of the Suns’ 104-103 win over the Los Angeles Clippers, several players immediately argued that the play was illegal.
Ayton soars for last second alley-oop, Suns beat Clippers
Read full article: Ayton soars for last second alley-oop, Suns beat ClippersDeandre Ayton jammed an alley-oop pass from Jae Crowder with 0.7 seconds left, giving the Phoenix Suns a thrilling 104-103 win over the Los Angeles Clippers in Game 2 of the Western Conference finals.
Missing men? Suns, Clips deal with uncertain status of stars
Read full article: Missing men? Suns, Clips deal with uncertain status of starsThe Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Clippers are still playing basketball deep into these NBA playoffs partly because they’ve learned to persevere in clutch moments without their biggest stars.
Chris Paul has another big night, Suns rout Nuggets 123-98
Read full article: Chris Paul has another big night, Suns rout Nuggets 123-98Chris Paul had 17 points and 15 assists without a turnover, Devin Booker added 18 points and 10 rebounds and the Phoenix Suns routed the Denver Nuggets 123-98 on Wednesday night to take a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference semifinals.
Booker scores 47, Suns eliminate champion Lakers, 113-100
Read full article: Booker scores 47, Suns eliminate champion Lakers, 113-100Devin Booker scored 22 of his 47 points in a phenomenal first quarter, and the Phoenix Suns won their first playoff series since 2010, eliminating the defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers with a 113-100 victory in Game 6.
CP3, Suns beat Lakers 100-92, even series after Davis hurt
Read full article: CP3, Suns beat Lakers 100-92, even series after Davis hurtChris Paul had 18 points and nine assists, Devin Booker and Jae Crowder added 17 points apiece and the Phoenix Suns evened their first-round series with a 100-92 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 4.
Lakers celebrate playoff homecoming in 109-95 win over Suns
Read full article: Lakers celebrate playoff homecoming in 109-95 win over SunsAnthony Davis had 34 points and 11 rebounds, LeBron James added 21 points and nine assists, and the Los Angeles Lakers celebrated their first home playoff game in more than eight years with a 109-95 victory over the Phoenix Suns.
Davis, Lakers bounce back to beat Suns 109-102 in Game 2
Read full article: Davis, Lakers bounce back to beat Suns 109-102 in Game 2Anthony Davis scored 34 points, Dennis Schroder added 24 and the Los Angeles Lakers held on for a hard-fought 109-102 win over the Phoenix Suns in Game 2 of the first-round playoff series on Tuesday night.
Suns win in return to playoffs, beating Lakers 99-90
Read full article: Suns win in return to playoffs, beating Lakers 99-90Devin Booker scored 34 points, Deandre Ayton had 21 points and 16 rebounds and the Phoenix Suns won their first playoff game in 11 years, beating the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers 99-90 in Game 1 on Sunday.
Capela, Hawks pull away late to take 135-103 win over Suns
Read full article: Capela, Hawks pull away late to take 135-103 win over SunsClint Capela scored 18 points to lead seven scorers in double figures and the Atlanta Hawks pulled away late to overcome Devin Booker’s 30 points and beat the Phoenix Suns 135-103.
Booker scores 31, Suns dominate OT to beat Cavs 134-118
Read full article: Booker scores 31, Suns dominate OT to beat Cavs 134-118Devin Booker scored 31 points, Chris Paul had 23 and 16 assists and the Phoenix Suns stayed in step with Utah atop the Western Conference by outlasting the under-manned Cleveland Cavaliers 134-118 in overtime on for their fifth straight win.
Suns beat Jazz 121-100, now tied for NBA's best record
Read full article: Suns beat Jazz 121-100, now tied for NBA's best recordDevin Booker scored 31 points, Mikal Bridges added 18 and the Phoenix Suns pulled into a tie for the top spot in the Western Conference by beating the Utah Jazz 121-100 on Friday night.
Suns beat Clippers, clinch first playoff spot in 11 years
Read full article: Suns beat Clippers, clinch first playoff spot in 11 yearsChris Paul scored 28 points, Devin Booker added 21 and the Phoenix Suns beat the Los Angeles Clippers 109-101 in a matchup of two of the Western Conference’s top teams.
Durant scores 33 points in return, Nets beat Suns 128-119
Read full article: Durant scores 33 points in return, Nets beat Suns 128-119Kevin Durant scored 33 points in his latest return from injury, Kyrie Irving had 34 and the Brooklyn Nets beat the Phoenix Suns 128-119 in a matchup of two of the NBA’s top teams.
Booker, Paul lead Suns to 117-113 OT win over Jazz
Read full article: Booker, Paul lead Suns to 117-113 OT win over JazzDevin Booker scored 35 points, Chris Paul added 29 and the Phoenix Suns beat the Utah Jazz 117-113 in overtime Wednesday night in an entertaining matchup between the top two teams in the NBA.
Suns turn away late Hawks rally for a 117-110 victory
Read full article: Suns turn away late Hawks rally for a 117-110 victoryAtlanta Hawks forward Danilo Gallinari (8) fouls Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton during the second half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 30, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)PHOENIX – Devin Booker scored 21 points, Dario Saric added 20 and the Phoenix Suns held on in the final minutes to beat the Atlanta Hawks 117-110 on Tuesday night. The Suns have won six of their past seven games, while the Hawks have dropped four of five. “We got a rhythm, got some stops and got back into the game,” Hawks coach Nate McMillan said. Saric added a perfect baseline bounce pass to a cutting Torrey Craig, who dunked to put the Suns ahead 98-90 a few minutes later.
Booker, Suns roll to 6th straight win, beating Magic 109-90
Read full article: Booker, Suns roll to 6th straight win, beating Magic 109-90(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)PHOENIX – Devin Booker scored 27 points, Mikal Bridges added 21 and the Phoenix Suns cruised to their sixth straight victory, beating the Orlando Magic 109-90 on Sunday night. Booker scored 17 points in the first quarter on 8-of-10 shooting, including a 30-foot 3-pointer, and the Suns took a 28-16 lead. Phoenix scored the first six points of the second half and pushed ahead 80-55 after Jae Crowder hit back-to-back 3-pointers. Chris Paul added 12 points, nine assists and six rebounds. Suns: Booker is averaged 28.3 points and shooting 54.7% during the seven-game homestand that ends Tuesday.
Suns keep rolling, top 76ers 120-111 for 5th straight win
Read full article: Suns keep rolling, top 76ers 120-111 for 5th straight winPhoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) shoots against Philadelphia 76ers during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Feb. 13, 2021, in Phoenix. Booker scored 36 points, Chris Paul added 18 points and 10 assists and the rising Phoenix Suns beat the Philadelphia 76ers 120-111 on Saturday for their fifth straight victory. Saric and Jae Crowder each hit 3-pointers to open the fourth quarter and extend the Suns' lead to 92-81. The Suns had an 11-2 run which gave them a 113-99 lead with 3:15 left to close out the win. E’Twaun Moore had 11 points on 5-of-6 shooting, Cam Johnson had nine points and Crowder added eight points and four rebounds.
Wizards return to court, Grizzlies see 6th game postponed
Read full article: Wizards return to court, Grizzlies see 6th game postponedWashington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) shoots against Phoenix Suns forward Jae Crowder (99) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 11, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)The Washington Wizards are finally back. The Grizzlies won’t play until at least Saturday, after the NBA called off yet another game -- the 20th since Jan. 10 and the 21st postponement this season. Those were called off late last week and now, the Grizzlies’ home game against Chicago that was scheduled for Wednesday is off as well. In all, 23 teams have seen at least one game called off so far this season.
Bubble Kings: Lakers run past Heat for 17th NBA championship
Read full article: Bubble Kings: Lakers run past Heat for 17th NBA championshipFor the first time since Kobe Bryant's fifth and final title a decade ago, the Lakers are NBA champions. James had 28 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists, and the Lakers beat the Miami Heat 106-93 on Sunday night to win the NBA Finals in six games. James (Miami, Cleveland) and Danny Green (San Antonio, Toronto) added their names to that list with this title. HEAT SEASONMiami led the NBA with 94 games played this season — 30 more than Minnesota, which played the fewest in the NBA. The Heat finished with 1,247 3-pointers this season, including playoffs, 290 more than any other year in team history.
NBA Finals get intense, and Game 6 of Lakers-Heat looms
Read full article: NBA Finals get intense, and Game 6 of Lakers-Heat loomsThe Heat have talked since the NBA Finals started about a need to play almost perfect basketball against the Lakers. “One thing about this team that we are playing, they make you pay for every mistake,” James said after Game 5. So, we have to understand that.”James is about to set the record for NBA playoff game appearances. Nobody has had more 40-point NBA Finals games in a loss than he has — the record-setting fifth entry on that list coming Friday in Miami’s 111-108 win. “We’re motivated to win Game 6 and they are motivated to win Game 6,” Davis said.
Heat force Game 6, top Lakers to stave off elimination
Read full article: Heat force Game 6, top Lakers to stave off elimination“That’s Jimmy Butler," Heat center Bam Adebayo said. Butler got fouled with 46.7 seconds left, then slumped over the baseline video boards, clearly exhausted. He made both foul shots for a one-point lead; Davis’ putback with 21.8 seconds left got the Lakers back on top. Butler drove the lane, drew contact and made both with 16.8 seconds left for a 109-108 lead. Lakers: James and Davis were a combined 24 for 36.
Lakers top Heat 102-96, take 3-1 lead in NBA Finals
Read full article: Lakers top Heat 102-96, take 3-1 lead in NBA FinalsJames and the Lakers are back in control of these NBA Finals, one win away from the franchise's 17th championship. James finished with 28 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists, Anthony Davis' 3-pointer with 39.5 seconds left finally settled matters and the Lakers beat the Miami Heat 102-96 in Game 4. The Lakers lead 3-1 and can win the title when the series resumes Friday. 3-1 LEADSThis is the 36th time that a team has held a 3-1 lead in the NBA Finals. It was just the third time in the last 26 NBA Finals games that neither team reached 50 points in the first 24 minutes.
Butler's big night helps Heat cut Lakers' Finals lead to 2-1
Read full article: Butler's big night helps Heat cut Lakers' Finals lead to 2-1A triple-double later, he joined NBA Finals lore — and the short-handed Miami Heat might have made this title matchup a series after all. A 13-point Heat lead in the early going? But the rest of the way was all Miami, Butler simply unwilling to let his team go down 3-0. ... Nick Aquilino, the son of Heat neuromuscular therapist Vinny Aquilino, performed the anthem -- a recording from a Heat game with fans in Miami. BUTLER’S TRIPLE-DOUBLEButler became the 21st player to have a triple-double in the NBA Finals — and four of the 21 were part of Sunday’s game.
Heat rule Dragic, Adebayo out of Game 3 of NBA Finals
Read full article: Heat rule Dragic, Adebayo out of Game 3 of NBA FinalsMiami Heat's Bam Adebayo, watches play against the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals, Friday, Oct. 2, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Bam Adebayo headed out to the court a couple hours before Game 3 of the NBA Finals, getting some shots up in his typical pregame routine. The Heat remained depleted for Game 3 of the title series against the Los Angeles Lakers, with Adebayo out again with a neck injury and Goran Dragic still sidelined with a torn left plantar fascia. “I can see the anguish literally in the eyes, both of them," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. Miami hasn't addressed the severity of the neck issue, but the fact that its best defender is being held out of multiple games of the NBA Finals because of that injury speaks volumes. In the playoffs, both raised their numbers: Dragic became the starting point guard and has averaged 19.9 points while Adebayo is averaging 17.8 points and 10.9 rebounds in the postseason.
Halfway home: Lakers top Heat 124-114 for 2-0 Finals lead
Read full article: Halfway home: Lakers top Heat 124-114 for 2-0 Finals leadThe NBA Finals are halfway to a coronation. And the last time the Lakers’ franchise has wasted a 2-0 lead was in the 1969 finals against Boston. The Heat have rallied from a 2-0 series hole only once in eight previous tries, that one being the 2006 NBA Finals. ... James, in his 10th NBA Finals, has a 2-0 lead in the title series for the first time. YOUNGEST STARTERHerro, at 20 years, 256 days, became the youngest player to start an NBA Finals game.
Lakers, LeBron roll in Game 1 of finals, top Heat 116-98
Read full article: Lakers, LeBron roll in Game 1 of finals, top Heat 116-98Anthony Davis scored 34 points, James had 25 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists and the Los Angeles Lakers rolled past the Miami Heat 116-98 on Wednesday night. The Heat left beaten and battered. James’ teams had been 1-8 in Game 1 of past finals, with losses in each of the last seven openers. Lakers: The Lakers improved to 17-15 in Game 1s of title series. JAMES’ RECORDSThe NBA Finals record book is basically a James scrapbook of career achievements, and he raised his spot on some of those lists Wednesday.
The Finals are set: LeBron, Lakers will meet Butler, Heat
Read full article: The Finals are set: LeBron, Lakers will meet Butler, HeatGet ready for the NBA Finals — a title series like none other, to end a season like none other. The Heat won the Eastern Conference title Sunday night, finishing off Boston a day after the Lakers won the Western Conference crown. So, for the first time — well, excluding the league’s inaugural season — two franchises that missed the playoffs the previous season will meet in the NBA Finals. “We know why I came here,” said Lakers All-Star forward Anthony Davis, whose first finals trip comes in his first L.A. season. The last Lakers’ championship was in 2010, when Bryant got his fifth and last title.
Celtics control second half, top Heat to win Game 5 in East
Read full article: Celtics control second half, top Heat to win Game 5 in EastTatum had 31 points and 10 rebounds, Jaylen Brown added 28 points and the Celtics shook off a slow first half to top the Miami Heat 121-108 in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals and stave off elimination. “Our deal was to come out and play, come out and compete, give it our best shot and I thought we played pretty well in the second half," Stevens said. Kemba Walker scored 15 points, Marcus Smart had a 12-point, eight-rebound, eight-assist night and Gordon Hayward scored 10 for the Celtics. “Boston played great in that second half," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. The Heat scored the first basket of the third quarter.
Back to work: Celtics, Heat start getting ready for Game 4
Read full article: Back to work: Celtics, Heat start getting ready for Game 4That lead is down to 2-1 now, the Celtics playing brilliantly in Game 3 and leading wire-to-wire to take a bunch of newfound momentum into Game 4 of the series on Wednesday night. “Our spirit is right, our head is right, our energy is there, so I think we’re responding the right way,” Miami wing Jae Crowder said. But it’s Miami still leading the series, which is why the Celtics are seeking to show up for Game 4 with the same aggression that carried them in Game 3. “We know we’re going to have to play the best game that we’ve played in Game 4 of this series to have a chance to win. That’s just the way series work.
Celtics top Heat 117-106, cut East finals deficit to 2-1
Read full article: Celtics top Heat 117-106, cut East finals deficit to 2-1Jaylen Brown scored 26 points, Jayson Tatum added 25 and the Celtics got right back into the East finals with a 117-106 victory over the Miami Heat in Game 3 on Saturday night. Marcus Smart scored 20 points for Boston, going 9 for 9 from the foul line in the fourth quarter. The road-designated team has won the last 12 games in which Boston has played — and in the playoffs, road teams are now 39-31. The road winning percentage this postseason (.557 right now) would also be an NBA record; the current mark is .519, set in 1966 when road teams went 14-13. RARE BREAKPartly to allow the Western Conference finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and Denver Nuggets to catch up, the Heat and Celtics won’t play Game 4 until Wednesday.
Comeback Heat do it again, rally past Celtics for 2-0 lead
Read full article: Comeback Heat do it again, rally past Celtics for 2-0 leadAnd after making the Boston Celtics lose another big lead on the court — as well as their cool in the postgame locker room — the unheralded Heat are two wins away from the NBA Finals. Goran Dragic scored 25 points, Bam Adebayo led a big third-quarter rally to finish with 21, and the Heat pulled off another comeback to beat the Celtics 106-101 and take a 2-0 lead in the Eastern Conference finals. The Celtics went on a 15-2 run, silencing the Heat for nearly seven minutes and going up 94-89 on a 3-pointer by Walker with 4:25 left. ... Miami’s 20-point differential in the third quarter was a Heat record for that quarter in the playoffs, and the sixth time in Heat playoff history they outscored an opponent by at least 20 in any quarter. 3’S ARE WILDCrowder’s 3-pointer with 5:43 left in the third quarter was — fittingly — the 33,333rd in NBA playoff history.
Bam! Adebayo's block helps Heat win Game 1 over Celtics
Read full article: Bam! Adebayo's block helps Heat win Game 1 over CelticsHe put the Heat ahead again in overtime — and then Bam Adebayo finished it off with the biggest block of his career. The Celtics went to Tatum on the ensuing possession, only to watch him get denied by Adebayo. Tatum scored 30 points for the Celtics, Marcus Smart had 26 points, Walker had 19 and Jaylen Brown added 17. Goran Dragic had 29 points, Jae Crowder scored 22, Jimmy Butler scored 20 and Adebayo had 18 for the Heat. MIAMI VS. BOSTONTuesday was the 141st meeting all-time between the Celtics and Heat.
Heat reach the East finals, top Bucks to win series 4-1
Read full article: Heat reach the East finals, top Bucks to win series 4-1Butler and Goran Dragic each scored 17 points for the Heat, who won the series 4-1 and will face either Boston or Toronto when the NBAs final four gets underway next week. It's Miami's first time in the East finals since 2014, and the first time Butler has gotten to the NBA's final four. Jae Crowder scored 16, Tyler Herro scored 14, Bam Adebayo had 13 and Kelly Olynyk had 12 apiece for the Heat. Donte DiVincenzo scored 17, Wesley Matthews and Marvin Williams each had 11 and Eric Bledsoe had nine assists for the Bucks. UP NEXTHeat: Game 1 of the East finals vs. Toronto or Boston, TBD.
No Giannis, no problem: Bucks top Heat in OT, force Game 5
Read full article: No Giannis, no problem: Bucks top Heat in OT, force Game 5Even with Giannis Antetokounmpo missing most of the game with a sprained right ankle, the Bucks extended their season to a Game 5 on Tuesday. The Heat gave up 12 straight points in the final period Sunday, wasting what was an eight-point lead in a closeout game. Antetokounmpo scored 19 points for the Bucks in only 11 minutes, while Brook Lopez and George Hill each had 14 for Milwaukee. TIP-INSBucks: Milwaukee missed 19 consecutive 3-pointers its last 12 of Game 3 and first seven of Game 4 before Antetokounmpo connected late in the first quarter. Heat: Miami was looking to become the first No.
Heat use big 4th quarter to take 3-0 series lead over Bucks
Read full article: Heat use big 4th quarter to take 3-0 series lead over BucksThe Heat outscored Milwaukee 40-13 in the fourth quarter the biggest such final-quarter margin in NBA playoff history to take a 3-0 series lead. Adebayo had 20 points and 16 rebounds, and Jae Crowder had 17 points to help the Heat improve to 7-0 in this postseason. Butler had 17 of his points in the fourth, and the Heat pulled off their biggest fourth-quarter playoff comeback ever. Butler had the next nine Miami points as the Heat went back on top, and he set Adebayo up for a short basket with 4:20 remaining to restore a 100-99 lead. ...GIANNIS 1KA dunk in the fourth quarter gave Antetokounmpo 19 points on the night and 1,000 in his 42-game playoff career.
Butler makes FTs with no time left, lifts Heat past Bucks
Read full article: Butler makes FTs with no time left, lifts Heat past BucksThis was just a free throw, no time on the clock, nobody else from the Miami Heat or Milwaukee Bucks standing along the lane. That got Milwaukee within two, and Butler made one free throw with 7.7 seconds left to get the lead back to three. Bam Adebayo scored 15 points, Butler and Duncan Robinson each had 13 and Kelly Olynyk added 11 for Miami which is 6-0 in this postseason. Middleton scored 23 points for Milwaukee, which got 16 apiece from Lopez and Eric Bledsoe and 14 from George Hill. FOULING ON 3SThe Heat fouled the Bucks five times on 3-point tries in the game, including twice against Lopez in a 26-second span of the first quarter.
Heat have Bucks in serious trouble going into Game 3
Read full article: Heat have Bucks in serious trouble going into Game 3Milwaukee Bucks' Khris Middleton (22) goes down during the second half of an NBA conference semifinal playoff basketball game against the Miami Heat Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. Having the NBA's best record during the regular season shows the obvious potential of the Milwaukee Bucks. They are now, facing a pivotal Game 3 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series against the rolling Miami Heat on Friday night. We're not focused on anything after Game 3," Bucks center Brook Lopez said. We're not looking back on anything from Game 2 or Game 1.
Grizzlies' Ja Morant wins NBA's rookie of the year award
Read full article: Grizzlies' Ja Morant wins NBA's rookie of the year award(AP Photo/Mike Ehrmann, Pool, File)LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. The first three baskets of Memphis season set the tone for Ja Morants rookie year. Morant was announced Thursday as the runaway winner of the rookie of the year award for 2019-20, the first Grizzlies player to win the award since Pau Gasol in 2001-02. Morant averaged 17.8 points and 7.3 assists this season, picking up three Western Conference rookie of the month awards along the way. 1 pick in the 2019 draft missed much of his rookie season while dealing with injury. Memphis lost the first and only game of that series to Portland, meaning the Grizzlies were just two wins shy of the postseason.
Bucks, Heat set to open Eastern Conference semifinal series
Read full article: Bucks, Heat set to open Eastern Conference semifinal seriesGame 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinal matchup between the top-seeded Bucks and fifth-seeded Heat is Monday night in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. Milwaukee needed five games to dispatch Orlando in a series that ended Saturday; the Heat swept Indiana in the first round. Were not reinventing the whole wheel on how we prepare for a game, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. Its going to be a great series, Bucks center Brook Lopez said. REGULAR-SEASON SERIESMiami won the season series 2-1.
Butler, Dragic help Heat pull away to beat Pacers in Game 1
Read full article: Butler, Dragic help Heat pull away to beat Pacers in Game 1The Heat pulled away in the closing minutes, long after the Pacers had lost star guard Victor Oladipo to an eye injury. 4 and 5 seeds, who were separated by a game in the standings in this pandemic-shortened season. Indiana went 6-2 in the seeding games and Miami was 3-5, with the teams splitting a pair of meetings. Warren and Malcolm Brogdon scored 22 points apiece for the Pacers, who will try to even the series on Thursday. Pacers: Oladipo's loss came after coach Nate McMillan said the guard was no longer playing with a minutes restriction.