INSIDER
Antetokounmpo, Lillard combine for 65, and Bucks earn quarterfinal berth by topping Heat 131-124
Read full article: Antetokounmpo, Lillard combine for 65, and Bucks earn quarterfinal berth by topping Heat 131-124Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 33 points, Damian Lillard added 32 and the Milwaukee Bucks rallied in the fourth quarter to beat the Miami Heat 131-124 on Tuesday night and clinch a home quarterfinal game in the NBA In-Season Tournament.
Nuggets' 2-man game of Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murral is setting new pick-and-roll standard in NBA
Read full article: Nuggets' 2-man game of Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murral is setting new pick-and-roll standard in NBAThe Denver Nuggets' playoff run has been fueled by the two-man game of Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray.
Stevens: Mazzulla will be back as Celtics coach, team 'without a doubt' wants Brown to return
Read full article: Stevens: Mazzulla will be back as Celtics coach, team 'without a doubt' wants Brown to returnCeltics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens sees a team in need of small tweaks, not massive disruption to leadership or its core.
Heat to start Lowry for injured Vincent in Game 5 of East finals vs. Celtics
Read full article: Heat to start Lowry for injured Vincent in Game 5 of East finals vs. CelticsThe Miami Heat will start Kyle Lowry at point guard against the Celtics in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals after starter Gabe Vincent was ruled out with a sprained left ankle.
Butler scores 35, Heat rally to beat Celtics 123-116 in East finals opener
Read full article: Butler scores 35, Heat rally to beat Celtics 123-116 in East finals openerJimmy Butler scored 35 points, including 20 after halftime, and the Miami Heat rallied in the second half to beat the Boston Celtics 123-116 in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals.
Heat back to the NBA's final four, top Knicks 96-92 for 4-2 series win
Read full article: Heat back to the NBA's final four, top Knicks 96-92 for 4-2 series winJimmy Butler scored 24 points, Bam Adebayo added 23 and the Miami Heat are headed back to the Eastern Conference finals after topping the New York Knicks 96-92.
Heat take 3-1 lead, hold off Knicks 109-101 for Game 4 win
Read full article: Heat take 3-1 lead, hold off Knicks 109-101 for Game 4 winJimmy Butler scored 27 points and added 10 assists, Bam Adebayo finished with 23 points and 13 rebounds and the Miami Heat moved a win away from their third trip to the Eastern Conference finals in the last four years by topping the New York Knicks 109-101.
Butler scores 28, Heat top Knicks 105-86 for 2-1 series lead
Read full article: Butler scores 28, Heat top Knicks 105-86 for 2-1 series leadJimmy Butler returned from his sprained ankle to score 28 points, Max Strus added 19 and the Miami Heat topped the New York Knicks 105-86 to take a 2-1 lead in their Eastern Conference semifinal series.
Brunson, Randle help Knicks beat Heat 111-105 to even series
Read full article: Brunson, Randle help Knicks beat Heat 111-105 to even seriesJalen Brunson scored 30 points and keyed the run the New York Knicks needed just in time to get by a Miami Heat team playing without Jimmy Butler, evening the Eastern Conference semifinals at a game apiece with a 111-105 victory.
Butler scores 30, Heat top Giannis-less Bucks 121-99
Read full article: Butler scores 30, Heat top Giannis-less Bucks 121-99Jimmy Butler scored 30 points before leaving with back soreness following a hard fall, and the eighth-seeded Miami Heat beat the top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks 121-99 on Saturday night for a 2-1 lead in their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series.
Hawks grab No. 7 seed in East, hold off Heat 116-105
Read full article: Hawks grab No. 7 seed in East, hold off Heat 116-105Trae Young scored 25 points, Clint Capela grabbed 21 rebounds and the Atlanta Hawks grabbed the No. 7 in the Eastern Conference playoffs by beating the Miami Heat 116-105 in a play-in tournament game Tuesday night.
Adebayo scores 30, Heat storm back to stun Suns 113-112
Read full article: Adebayo scores 30, Heat storm back to stun Suns 113-112Bam Adebayo scored 30 points, including a pair of free throws to put Miami up for good with 35 seconds left, and the Heat rallied from a 13-point fourth quarter deficit to beat the Phoenix Suns 113-112.
Tatum and Brown combine for 57, Celtics top Heat 111-104
Read full article: Tatum and Brown combine for 57, Celtics top Heat 111-104Jayson Tatum scored 29 points, Jaylen Brown added 28 and the Boston Celtics topped the Miami Heat 111-104 on Friday night in a rematch of last season’s Eastern Conference finals.
Wilson's double-double leads Aces to 67-64 win over Sun
Read full article: Wilson's double-double leads Aces to 67-64 win over SunA’ja Wilson had 24 points and 11 rebounds and the Las Vegas Aces defeated the Connecticut Sun 67-64 on Sunday in Game 1 of the WNBA Finals The Aces staved off a late run by the Sun, who erased a seven-point deficit with 1:24 left when Alyssa Thomas hit back-to-back shots to pull Connecticut within three.
Celtics reach NBA Finals, hold off Heat 100-96 in Game 7
Read full article: Celtics reach NBA Finals, hold off Heat 100-96 in Game 7Jayson Tatum scored 26 points, Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart each added 24 and the Boston Celtics held off a frantic rally in the final seconds to beat the Miami Heat 100-96 to reach the NBA Finals for the first time since 2010.
Butler scores 47 points, Heat beat Celtics to force Game 7
Read full article: Butler scores 47 points, Heat beat Celtics to force Game 7Jimmy Butler had 47 points, nine rebounds and eight assists and the Miami Heat forced the Eastern Conference finals to a decisive seventh game by beating the Boston Celtics 111-103 on Friday night.
Celtics run past Heat 93-80, move a win from NBA Finals
Read full article: Celtics run past Heat 93-80, move a win from NBA FinalsJaylen Brown scored 25 points, Jayson Tatum added 22 and the Boston Celtics moved to the brink of a berth in the NBA Finals, running away after halftime to beat the Miami Heat 93-80 and take a 3-2 lead in the Eastern Conference title series.
Celtics' Williams out, Heat's Lowry, Tucker warming up
Read full article: Celtics' Williams out, Heat's Lowry, Tucker warming upThe Celtics will be without center Robert Williams III will be out for Game 3 of their Eastern Conference finals matchup with the Heat due to soreness and swelling in his left knee.
Celtics roll past Heat 127-102, tie Eastern finals at 1-1
Read full article: Celtics roll past Heat 127-102, tie Eastern finals at 1-1Jayson Tatum scored 27 points, Marcus Smart and Jaylen Brown each scored 24 and the Boston Celtics dominated the first half to roll past the Miami Heat 127-102 and tie the Eastern Conference finals at a game apiece.
Celtics rule Smart, Horford out for Game 1 against Heat
Read full article: Celtics rule Smart, Horford out for Game 1 against HeatBoston will be without two starters for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals, with Al Horford entering the NBA’s health and safety protocols and Marcus Smart unable to play because of a mid-foot sprain.
Spoelstra, Udoka have Heat and Celtics ready for East finals
Read full article: Spoelstra, Udoka have Heat and Celtics ready for East finalsBoston Celtics coach Ime Udoka and Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra have enormous respect for each other and a bond that stems from their shared history in the sport.
Heat beat 76ers 99-90 in Game 6 to advance to East finals
Read full article: Heat beat 76ers 99-90 in Game 6 to advance to East finalsJimmy Butler scored 32 points and waved “bye bye” to the Philly crowd as he sent the Miami Heat into the Eastern Conference finals with a 99-90 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday night in Game 6.
Embiid returns from injury, 76ers beat Heat 99-79 in Game 3
Read full article: Embiid returns from injury, 76ers beat Heat 99-79 in Game 3Joel Embiid inspired the Philadelphia 76ers with his return from a facial injury, Danny Green and Tyrese Maxey each scored 21 points and the Philadelphia 76ers beat the Miami Heat 99-79 in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Embiid returns for 76ers in Game 3 with protective mask
Read full article: Embiid returns for 76ers in Game 3 with protective maskPhiladelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid returned for Game 3 of the playoff series against Miami after sitting out the first two games with a right orbital fracture and a mild concussion.
Herro scores 25, Heat take Game 1 over 76ers 106-92
Read full article: Herro scores 25, Heat take Game 1 over 76ers 106-92Tyler Herro scored 25 points, Bam Adebayo finished with 24 points and 12 rebounds, and the Miami Heat topped the shorthanded Philadelphia 76ers 106-92 on Monday night in the opener of their Eastern Conference semifinal series.
Bubble Jimmy, or a new version, back at right time for Heat
Read full article: Bubble Jimmy, or a new version, back at right time for HeatThese are Jimmy Butler’s three highest-scoring games in a Miami uniform: 40 points against Milwaukee, 40 points against the Los Angeles Lakers, 45 points against Atlanta.
Robinson makes eight 3s, Heat top Hawks 115-91 in Game 1
Read full article: Robinson makes eight 3s, Heat top Hawks 115-91 in Game 1Duncan Robinson set a Miami playoff record with eight 3-pointers, and the Miami Heat forced Trae Young into matching the worst-shooting game of his career on the way to a 115-91 win over the Atlanta Hawks in Game 1 of an Eastern Conference first-round series Sunday.
Jimmy Butler scores 24 to help Heat fend off Celtics 106-98
Read full article: Jimmy Butler scores 24 to help Heat fend off Celtics 106-98Jimmy Butler had 24 points, Kyle Lowry added 23 and the Miami Heat rallied in the fourth quarter to hold off the Boston Celtics 106-98 to stay atop a tight race for the Eastern Conference’s top seed.
Maxey scores 28 as 76ers, without Harden, Embiid, beat Heat
Read full article: Maxey scores 28 as 76ers, without Harden, Embiid, beat HeatTyrese Maxey scored 13 of his game-high 28 points in the fourth quarter, including nine in a row during a crucial stretch, to lead the short-handed Philadelphia 76ers to a 113-106 victory over the Eastern Conference-leading Miami Heat.
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.
Oladipo returns, Herro scores 31, Heat top Rockets 123-106
Read full article: Oladipo returns, Herro scores 31, Heat top Rockets 123-106Victor Oladipo scored 11 points in in his first game in nearly a year, Tyler Herro scored 21 of his 31 points in the second quarter and the Miami Heat beat the Houston Rockets 123-106.
Durant has 31 points in return, but Heat rally to beat Nets
Read full article: Durant has 31 points in return, but Heat rally to beat NetsKevin Durant’s return couldn’t stop the Brooklyn Nets’ slide, as Bam Adebayo had 30 points, 11 rebounds and six assists to lead the Miami Heat to a 113-107 victory.
Holiday's basket caps huge rally as Bucks stun Heat 120-119
Read full article: Holiday's basket caps huge rally as Bucks stun Heat 120-119Jrue Holiday banked in a driving layup with 1.9 seconds left and the Milwaukee Bucks rallied from a 14-point deficit in the final six minutes to beat the Miami Heat 120-119.
Robinson scores 25 to lead Heat to 110-96 win over Knicks
Read full article: Robinson scores 25 to lead Heat to 110-96 win over KnicksDuncan Robinson scored 25 points while shooting 7 of 11 from 3-point range to lead four Miami players with 20 or more points in the Heat’s 110-96 victory over the New York Knicks.
NBA reschedules postponed games, makes other adjustments
Read full article: NBA reschedules postponed games, makes other adjustmentsThe NBA has rescheduled all 11 games that were postponed in December for virus-related reasons and either shifted the times or dates of 10 other games to help accommodate those changes.
Lakers rally late in regulation, hold off Heat 120-117 in OT
Read full article: Lakers rally late in regulation, hold off Heat 120-117 in OTMalik Monk scored five of his season-high 27 points in overtime, and the Los Angeles Lakers rallied from a big deficit in the final minutes of regulation before surging in overtime for a 120-117 victory over the Miami Heat.
Herro scores 27 points, Heat rout Bucks 137-95 in opener
Read full article: Herro scores 27 points, Heat rout Bucks 137-95 in openerTyler Herro scored 27 points in 24 minutes off the bench, Jimmy Butler added 21 and the Miami Heat opened their season with an easy 137-95 victory over the NBA champion Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday night.
Kyle Lowry, Chris Paul move quickly in NBA free agency
Read full article: Kyle Lowry, Chris Paul move quickly in NBA free agencyPoint guards were the immediate focus when the NBA’s free agency window opened Monday night, with Kyle Lowry headed to the Miami Heat, Lonzo Ball on his way to the Chicago Bulls while Chris Paul and Mike Conley landed lucrative deals to remain with their current teams.
Lowry leads depleted Raptors past Lakers; LeBron exits early
Read full article: Lowry leads depleted Raptors past Lakers; LeBron exits earlyKyle Lowry had 37 points and 11 assists, Pascal Siakam had 39 points and 13 rebounds and the short-handed Toronto Raptors defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 121-114.
Knicks extend winning streak to 9, beat Raptors 120-103
Read full article: Knicks extend winning streak to 9, beat Raptors 120-103Julius Randle had 31 points and 10 rebounds, RJ Barrett had 25 points and 12 boards, and the New York Knicks beat the Toronto Raptors 120-103 for their ninth straight victory.
Trade deadline passes, and Kyle Lowry remains with Raptors
Read full article: Trade deadline passes, and Kyle Lowry remains with RaptorsToronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) celebrates a three-point basket during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Denver Nuggets Wednesday, March 24, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)Kyle Lowry wound up staying with Toronto after all. The trade deadline has come and gone. “Anytime you trade a player like Nikola, it is a tough decision to make," Magic President Jeff Weltman said. But Lowry — a free-agent-to-be and considered perhaps the biggest prize on this year's trade market — did not get traded, the Raptors apparently unable to find enough assets to their liking. Questions swirled around Lowry all the way to the 3 p.m. EST deadline, and there were signs that the Raptors were positioning themselves to make the move.
Rockets end skid at 20, Wall has 1st triple-double since ’16
Read full article: Rockets end skid at 20, Wall has 1st triple-double since ’16Houston Rockets' John Wall (1) drives on Toronto Raptors' Fred VanVleet (23) during the third quarter of an NBA basketball game Monday, March 22, 2021, in Houston. But Wall had 19 points, 10 assists and 11 rebounds, his first triple-double since March 17, 2016. The Rockets closed out the third quarter with an 88-86 lead and opened the fourth quarter on a 9-1 run to pull away. AdThe Raptors led 28-27 at the end of the first quarter. In their losing streak, Houston led after the first quarter only three times, including on Feb. 26 when they led the Raptors 31-30.
USA Basketball picks 57 players for men's Tokyo Games pool
Read full article: USA Basketball picks 57 players for men's Tokyo Games poolUSA Basketball is a step closer to choosing the team that will play in this summer’s rescheduled Tokyo Olympics, releasing the names Thursday of 57 players who are part of the pool to fill the squad. It’s also already drawing major interest from some NBA stars who have yet to taste Olympic gold. USA Basketball will pare the list to a 12-person Olympic team by early summer. Jordan, who now plays for Brooklyn, is also a newcomer to the pool even though he was on the 2016 Olympic team. “But for USA Basketball to receive the commitment of so many outstanding players remains an indicator of the great honor of representing your country means to these men.”
Depleted Raptors hand Rockets 10th straight loss
Read full article: Depleted Raptors hand Rockets 10th straight loss(AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)TAMPA, Fla. – Norman Powell scored 30 points, Kyle Lowry had a triple-double and the depleted Toronto Raptors beat the Houston Rockets 122-111 on Friday night. AdLowry had 20 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists to help the Raptors hand the Rockets their 10th straight loss. Victor Oladipo led the Rockets with 27 points, and John Wall had 21 points and 12 assists. TIP-INSRockets: The last time the Rockets lost 10 straight games was Nov. 23-Dec. 20, 2001 during a 15-game losing streak. Raptors: The Raptors have not been involved in any of the NBA's 29 coronavirus postponements so far this season.
NBA chooses All-Star reserves, with Zion among first-timers
Read full article: NBA chooses All-Star reserves, with Zion among first-timersNew Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) goes to the basket in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Boston Celtics in New Orleans, Sunday, Feb. 21, 2021. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)New Orleans forward Zion Williamson now can be called an NBA All-Star, and only three others in the game’s 70-year history have gotten there at a younger age. Phoenix’s Chris Paul is an All-Star for the 11th time, and Brooklyn’s James Harden is one for the ninth consecutive year. The rest of the reserves include Philadelphia’s Ben Simmons, Boston’s Jayson Tatum and Orlando’s Nikola Vucevic from the Eastern Conference, along with the Los Angeles Lakers’ Anthony Davis, the Los Angeles Clippers’ Paul George, Utah teammates Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert, and Portland’s Damian Lillard from the Western Conference. But this will be his first time in the All-Star Game itself.
VanVleet sets Raptors mark with 54 in 123-108 win at Orlando
Read full article: VanVleet sets Raptors mark with 54 in 123-108 win at OrlandoToronto Raptors guard Fred VanVleet, left, drives around Orlando Magic guard Cole Anthony (50) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)ORLANDO, Fla. – Fred VanVleet set a franchise record with 54 points and hit a career-best 11 3-pointers as the Toronto Raptors beat the short-handed Orlando Magic 123-108 on Tuesday night. AdNorman Powell had 23 points for Toronto, and Kyle Lowry posted a triple-double with 14 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. Orlando, which has lost 12 of 14, tried almost every guard on its roster against the 6-foot-1 VanVleet with little to no success. AdMagic: Orlando was without Gordon, who severely sprained his left ankle later in Sunday’s game against Toronto. Magic: Orlando hosts Chicago on Friday and Saturday in a two-game set.
Irving leads rout of Celtics in return to Boston Garden
Read full article: Irving leads rout of Celtics in return to Boston GardenBrooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving (11) drives against Boston Celtics center Robert Williams III (44) during the first half of an NBA preseason basketball game, Friday, Dec. 18, 2020, in Boston. Irving scored 17 points on 7-of-15 shooting and had seven rebounds, five assists and two steals helping the Nets rout the Celtics 113-89 Friday night in the final preseason game for both teams. There were no fans in the new Boston Garden on Friday night, and his introduction was greeted with a faint, fake cheer. Precious Achiuwa scored 13 points and grabbed 15 rebounds for the Heat, while Bam Adebayo scored 13 points and Tyler Herro scored 10. McCollum led the Blazers with 26 points on 8-of-20 shooting and Gary Trent Jr. added 18 points in the loss.
Celtics oust Raptors in Game 7, head to East finals vs. Heat
Read full article: Celtics oust Raptors in Game 7, head to East finals vs. HeatTatum scored 29 points, Jaylen Brown had 21 and the Celtics topped the Toronto Raptors 92-87 on Friday night in Game 7 of the East semifinal series. The Raptors were bidding to become the seventh franchise in NBA history to win four consecutive Game 7's. Boston pushed the lead to nine, Toronto scored the next eight, eventually took the lead before the Celtics claimed it back. Raptors: Toronto was eliminated 456 days after winning the preceding season’s title, obviously the longest such run for a team that didn’t win consecutive championships. 2 seed in the East will make the conference finals since the NBA went to the 16-team playoff format in 1984; this one will feature No.
On to Game 7: Raptors survive Celtics in double-OT thriller
Read full article: On to Game 7: Raptors survive Celtics in double-OT thrillerFred VanVleet scored 21 points for the Raptors, who needed the win to extend their season, and Anunoby had 13 points and 13 rebounds. And tempers flared when it was over, everyone getting a few extra words in before Game 7 on Friday. Celtics: Brown took 18 shots in the first half, the most by a Celtics player in the first 24 minutes of a game since Antoine Walker took 18 on Nov. 29, 2002 also against Toronto. GAME 7 HISTORYThe Celtics will be in a Game 7 for the 33rd time; theyre 23-9 all-time but have lost four of their last seven ultimate games. Game 7 will be considered a Toronto home game.
Celtics roll in Game 5, take 3-2 series lead on Raptors
Read full article: Celtics roll in Game 5, take 3-2 series lead on RaptorsJaylen Brown scored 27 points and the Celtics never trailed, rolling past the Toronto Raptors 111-89 in Game 5 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series on Monday night. Boston now leads the series 3-2 and can earn a trip to the East finals on Wednesday. Toronto outscored Boston 28-25 in the third and it already didn't matter; the Celtics' lead was 87-63 going into the fourth. The Celtics scored more points in the second quarter (37) than they allowed in the first half (35). The Raptors went 1-0 last season in win-or-else games, that being the Game 7 triumph over Philadelphia in the East semifinals.
Raptors beat Celtics 100-93 to even East semifinals at 2-2
Read full article: Raptors beat Celtics 100-93 to even East semifinals at 2-2Two days after winning Game 3 on OG Anunobys 3-pointer as time expired, the Raptors didnt need any big shots. Jayson Tatum had 24 points and 10 rebounds for the Celtics. 7-UPWhen Lowry and Brown fouled each other, it caused some headaches for the public address announcer, who mixed up his No. When Brown fouled Lowry in the first quarter, he announced the foul was on Lowry, saying my bad after a moment of confusion. Lowry hacked Brown in the second and it was announced as a foul on the Celtics player.
OG for 3: Anunoby beats buzzer to lift Raptors over Celtics
Read full article: OG for 3: Anunoby beats buzzer to lift Raptors over Celtics(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. Facing the absolute brink, the Toronto Raptors suddenly have life. OG Anunoby caught a crosscourt inbounds pass from Kyle Lowry and hit a 3-pointer with no time remaining, and the Raptors beat the Boston Celtics 104-103 in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinal series Thursday night. The Celtics took a two-point lead when Kemba Walker found Daniel Theis for a dunk with a half-second left. Theis score left Toronto needing a miracle. When Siakam took a seat for the rest of the half, Toronto trailed 38-37.
Raptors-Celtics prep for Game 4, Nuggets-Clippers for Game 2
Read full article: Raptors-Celtics prep for Game 4, Nuggets-Clippers for Game 2Game 4 of Celtics-Raptors is Saturday night, followed by Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinal matchup between the Denver Nuggets and the Los Angeles Clippers. Leonards shot became iconic because the Raptors won it all. He played most of the first quarter and then the entirety of the final three quarters of Game 3 without a rest. The 46:29 of court time was the most by any player in a non-overtime game this season. INJURY WATCH: It was a good sign for the Clippers that Patrick Beverley (calf) not only returned to the lineup in Game 1 but reported after the game that he felt fine.
Tatum, Smart lift Boston past Toronto, Celtics take 2-0 lead
Read full article: Tatum, Smart lift Boston past Toronto, Celtics take 2-0 leadBoston topped Toronto 102-99 on Monday night, taking a 2-0 lead in their Eastern Conference semifinal matchup. Youve got to win four.Smart scored 19 points, Walker had 17 and Jaylen Brown scored 16 for the Celtics. OG Anunoby had 20 points for Toronto, which got 19 from Fred VanVleet who missed a 28-footer as time expired. The Raptors scored only nine points in the next 10:39, and missed 23 of their final 28 shots overall. FIRST-HALF ANOMALIESThere were a pair of unexpected shooting notes from the first half: Toronto didnt take a free throw and Walker went 0 for 8 from the field.
Celtics roll past Raptors 112-94, take 1-0 East semis lead
Read full article: Celtics roll past Raptors 112-94, take 1-0 East semis leadToronto has lost four games by more than 15 points this season three of them against Boston. The Celtics won by 22 on Aug. 7, 18 on Sunday and 16 on Christmas Day. Tatum hit a baseline jumper as time expired, and the lead was 88-73 going into the final 12 minutes. Raptors: Toronto trailed 39-23 after one quarter, the sixth-worst point differential in a span of 547 quarters including playoffs played by the Raptors going back to Jan. 16, 2019. The Raptors and Celtics knelt for that moment and the playings of The Star-Spangled Banner and O Canada that immediately followed.
Doncic and Mitchell reaching new heights in the postseason
Read full article: Doncic and Mitchell reaching new heights in the postseasonThe dynamic Doncic made sure of that with a buzzer-beating, 3-pointer in overtime Sunday to cap another triple-double. Not to be outdone in the nightcap, Mitchell erupted for 51 points in Game 4 to give the sixth-seeded Utah Jazz a 3-1 lead over Denver. Mitchell is playing out of this world right now, Nuggets coach Michael Malone said. Both Doncic and Mitchell are accomplishing rarely seen postseason feats inside the bubble. Whats more, his 28-foot buzzer-beat to win was the second-longest in postseason history, the Mavericks announced on social media.
VanVleet, Powell lead Raptors past Nets 104-99 for 2-0 lead
Read full article: VanVleet, Powell lead Raptors past Nets 104-99 for 2-0 leadThe victory gave the Raptors a 2-0 lead in the first round plyoff series. Kyle Lowry had 21 points, nine rebounds and forced a big turnover in the closing seconds for the second seeded Raptors. But this game was much closer as the Nets built a 14-point lead in the first quarter. Toronto was in control after that, stretching the lead to eight on Powell's drive and dunk from the right wing. Caris LeVert had 16 points and 11 rebounds, Jarrett Allen and Joe Harris each had 14 points and 15 rebounds for the Nets.
NBA lays out plan for player guests to enter Disney bubble
Read full article: NBA lays out plan for player guests to enter Disney bubbleLAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. NBA players could have some family members or close friends inside the season-restart bubble with them by the end of the month. Players have made no secret about how difficult it is to be away from their families and close friends inside the bubble. The video was trending Tuesday when the Suns released a copy on their social media channels, and many NBA players such as James and Torontos Kyle Lowry raved about the gesture. Guests would also have to remain in the bubble, meaning the adjacent Disney World theme parks would be off-limits. Teams will also be allowed to add staff to the bubble, with a requirement being an on-campus person to serve as a liaison between the guests, teams and NBA league office.
Celtics build 40-point lead, roll past Raptors 122-100
Read full article: Celtics build 40-point lead, roll past Raptors 122-100And Celtics coach Brad Stevens is already making it clear if that happens, a blowout win over the Raptors now won't mean anything then. Jaylen Brown scored 20 points, Jayson Tatum added 18 and the Celtics never trailed on the way to an emphatic 122-100 win over the Raptors on Friday night. It was 91-57 entering the fourth, and the Raptors went with subs the rest of the way. Raptors: Toronto needs one win in its final four games for a fifth consecutive 50-win season. The Raptors missed nine of their first 10 shots on the way to a 12-2 early deficit, setting the tone.
Analysis: Early returns say so far, so good for NBA bubble
Read full article: Analysis: Early returns say so far, so good for NBA bubbleIf that wasnt enough, the quality of play is so good that its almost like the NBA hadnt stopped playing for 4-1/2 months. In all honestly, its better than I was expecting ... talking about all the teams in general, San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich said. So, you see some of the talents these guys have are coming out.The numbers inside the bubble are ridiculous. Try 36 points again, 18 rebounds and eight assists in the Bucks loss to Houston on Sunday night. The Rockets beat the Mavs 153-149 in overtime Friday and then tried 61 3-pointers to tie an NBA regulation-game record Sunday.
VanVleet scores career-best 36, Raptors top Heat 107-103
Read full article: VanVleet scores career-best 36, Raptors top Heat 107-103Miami Heat's Goran Dragic (7) greets Toronto Raptors' Fred VanVleet (23) after an NBA basketball game Monday, Aug. 3, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, Pool)LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. Fred VanVleet scored a career-high 36 points and made seven 3-pointers, and the defending NBA champion Toronto Raptors added to their strong restart with a 107-103 victory over the Miami Heat on Monday. Jae Crowder hit a 3 and Dragic drew a charge on VanVleet to give the Heat a chance. Heat: The Heat made just 5 of 23 3-pointers in the first half, but trailed only by four. Heat: Play Celtics on Tuesday.
Lowry scores 33 to lead Raptors to 11th straight over Lakers
Read full article: Lowry scores 33 to lead Raptors to 11th straight over LakersThey havent lost to Los Angeles since the 2014-2015 season. Lowry had a strong second half to help turn back a surge by the Lakers, the Western Conference leaders who are 1-1 in the restart. With James and Davis struggling, the Raptors jumped to a 13-0 lead behind Anunoby and Lowry before the Lakers got back into it behind their bench. The Lakers reserves outscored the Raptors 13-2 in the first quarter and 31-6 in the first half to help Los Angeles to a 44-41 halftime lead. Raptors: Torontos last regular-season game was March 9 at Utah, when it completed a five-game Western Conference road trip.
James' layup late lifts Lakers past Clippers, 103-101
Read full article: James' layup late lifts Lakers past Clippers, 103-101Anthony Davis scored 34 points, James had the go-ahead basket with 12.8 seconds left and the Lakers moved closer to clinching the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference playoffs by topping the Los Angeles Clippers 103-101 on Thursday night in the second game of the NBAs re-opening doubleheader. James had 16 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists to help the Lakers move 6 1/2 games ahead of the Clippers in the West with seven games remaining. The Clippers got that lead after a 26-5 run; the Lakers immediately rebutted with a 36-14 run to reclaim control. It was a good game," Leonard said.