Jrue Holiday signed a new four-year, $135 million deal with Boston
Jrue Holiday thrives defensively and has seamlessly fit into the Celtics' culture, contributing to their success.
Despite a reduced offensive role, Holiday's defensive skills have been crucial in his career and have earned him a significant contract extension. [ more ]
Holiday lands 4-year, $135M extension from Celtics
Jrue Holiday signs a $135 million contract extension with the Boston Celtics through 2027-28, helping the team financially.
Holiday joins an elite group of players with guaranteed deals over $100 million at 33 or older, signing a contract reflecting his importance to the Celtics. [ more ]
Potential Wizards pick Cason Wallace is a reach at no.8
The 2023 NBA Draft is less than two weeks away and there still is no clear indication of who the Washington Wizards are going to select with their no.8 pick.New team president Michael Winger and general manager Will Dawkins didn't provide any clues regarding how the front office is leaning leading up to the draft.
Washington Wizards: deep dive into Kristaps Porzingis' play this season
While he may be having the best season of his career, Kristaps Porzingis has been going unappreciated by the larger NBA community this season.This is proven by the fact that he was not named an All-Star.He missed the All-Star game despite averaging monster numbers across the board.He is posting the ridiculous stat line of 23.2 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.5 blocks, and 0.8 steals per game.
Wizards at Bucks final score: Washington can't contain Giannis in 123-113 loss
The Washington Wizards saw their five-game winning streak snapped by the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday night in a 123-113 defeat.When Giannis Antetokounmpo drops a career-high 55 points on your defense, that's not a surprising result.The Wizards were able to keep the game close to start.The first quarter saw both teams trading jabs as the lead mostly hovered around a one-possession game throughout.
Bucks vs. Raptors prediction and odds for Wednesday, January 4 (Line says Giannis OUT)
The Toronto Raptors are trying to get on track still, just 16-21 on the season, and have a stiff test in the Milwaukee Bucks at home, but can they get a positive scheduling spot?The Bucks are fresh off a 123-113 win over the Washington Wizards behind a monster 55-point outing from Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The Washington Wizards put their four-game winning streak on the line to start the calendar year against Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks.Game Time: Sunday, January 1 at 8 p.m. ET Where: Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee How to watch: NBC Sports Washington WIZARDS - Taj Gibson, QUESTIONABLE (groin); Bradley Beal, QUESTIONABLE (hamstring) BUCKS - George Hill, QUESTIONABLE (non-COVID illness); Jrue Holiday, QUESTIONABLE (non-COVID illness); Khris Middleton, QUESTIONABLE (knee) The Wizards were gifted a gimme in their last game as they took on a severely undermanned Orlando Magic side that had half their roster serving suspensions.
Will 'Playoff Jimmy' Butler make an appearance in the NBA Finals?
Jimmy Butler has long pushed back on the notion of "Playoff Jimmy," and he reemphasized that on Tuesday when asked about his modest scoring output during these NBA Finals."This Playoff Jimmy narrative is not a thing," Butler said."I'm not a scorer.I don't press to score.I only press to win." Butler is averaging 17 points on 39.4% shooting through the first two games of the Miami Heat's Finals matchup against the Denver Nuggets and hasn't scored 30 points since Game 1 of the East finals.
Bam Adebayo says Jimmy Butler 'is gonna come out in that mode tonight' vs Knicks
The Miami Heat host the New York Knicks tonight with a 3-2 lead and a chance to end the series and advance to the Eastern Conference finals.Here are three burning questions that could determine the Game 6 outcome.Will "Playoff Jimmy" return?Late in the fourth quarter, Miami Heat down six with under two minutes left to play, Jimmy Butler with the ball in his hands saw an opportunity to take advantage of a Knicks weakness.
Heat's Bam Adebayo named All-Defensive second team
Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo was named to the 2022-23 NBA All-Defensive second team, the league announced Tuesday.It marks Adebayo's fourth consecutive All-Defensive team selection.Adebayo, who finished fifth in Defensive Player of the Year voting this season, helped anchor a defense that ranked ninth in the league in defensive rating.
15 thoughts on the Heat's stunning win to eliminate the Bucks
The Miami Heat beat the Milwaukee Bucks in overtime to eliminate the No. 1 seed in the East and advance to the second round.Here are 15 thoughts from a stunning Heat win: 1. Amazing. 2. The Heat came back from 16 points down in the fourth quarter and Jimmy Butler uncorked another classic performance to beat the No. 1 seed Milwaukee Bucks in overtime, 128-126.
Bucks demolish Heat, 128-99, in first game after All-Star break
The much-maligned Miami Heat 3-point shooting didn't look any better tonight, as they got blasted in their first game back from the All-Star break by the Milwaukee Bucks, 128-99.Even without Giannis Antetokounmpo for all but 6:28, the Bucks played with pace, cohesion and knocked down every conceivable attempt from the floor - open or otherwise.
Miami Heat show a rare 'attack mode' in Milwaukee Bucks mini-series sweep
The Miami Heat are coming off two pretty good wins for them.Always looking to stack up victories, they just beat the Milwaukee Bucks in consecutive matchups Thursday and Saturday.And yes, though the Bucks didn't have Giannis Antetokounmpo or Khris Middleton going for them, you take the wins you can get them.
NBA rumors: Knicks again eyeing Raptors' OG Anunoby via trade
The New York Knicks' run to the second round of the NBA postseason might prompt the front office to be even more aggressive in acquiring a star.The Toronto Raptors, a team who is expected to change the fundamental shape of their roster, might be able to help them out with an OG Anunoby trade.Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report mentioned that many around the league expect Karl Anthony-Towns, a New Jersey native and CAA client who could be jettisoned by a Timberwolves team looking to build around Anthony Edwards, to eventually end up in New York via a trade.
Raptors renew hostilities with the Bucks in Milwaukee: Preview, start time and more
Are the Toronto Raptors to the Milwaukee Bucks what the Detroit Pistons are to the Raptors?For several seasons, Milwaukee has fielded a better team than Toronto.During the championship year, the Bucks won three of four in the regular season and finished atop the East.But they lost four of six when it mattered.
Toronto Raptors vs. Milwaukee Bucks Matchup: Fatigued foes face off at Fiserv Forum
For the second time this season, the Raptors will be nationally televised (in the US; they're always nationally televised here).For the second time, it will be against the Bucks.For the second time, Americans will be baffled by this Raptors roster.Giannis Antetokounmpo, Serge Ibaka, and Khris Middleton are all out tonight, but that probably won't stop Nick Nurse from throwing out funky schemes at Milwaukee.
1 stud and 1 dud as Gary Trent Jr, Raptors lose wild one to Bucks
Gary Trent Jr. and the Toronto Raptors would have surprised absolutely no one if they came out and laid an egg against the Milwaukee Bucks.Even without Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton not suiting up, Toronto was at a disadvantage after playing the Knicks in an exhausting overtime win on Monday.
Raptors stumble in second half, fall to Bucks 130-122
The Toronto Raptors played one of their better offensive games of the season tonight against the Milwaukee Bucks, scoring 119 points on 46% shooting from the floor.Unfortunately the Bucks played even better offense, shooting 53.5%, and came away with the 130-122 victory.The game was nothing like the last time these two teams met, when the Raptors erased a 21-point deficit in the proverbial blink of an eye (OK, about four minutes) to send the game to OT.
Raptors Game Tonight: Raptors vs Bucks Odds, Starting Lineup, Injury Report, Predictions, TV Channel for Jan. 4
Despite the fact that the Toronto Raptors ended 2022 well with a victory over the Suns, a road loss against the Pacers to begin 2023 has once again ruined some of the good vibes that this team has had going for them.The latest Raptors odds, despite all the commotion, are projecting a Toronto victory.
Jimmy Butler says he's ready to play 48 minutes in Game 6: 'I'll be suited and booted'
Game 6 isn't a must-win, but the Miami Heat would prefer to avoid a Game 7 scenario in New York if they can help it.So while this team isn't desperate to close out the Knicks on Friday at Kaseya Center, it could be a game in which they exhaust all of their options, including playing Jimmy Butler for the full 48 minutes.
5 Heat-Knicks questions that will determine the second-round series
By record, the New York Knicks owned the Miami Heat this season, winning three of the four games.It only takes a little bit of drilling down, however, to realize this matchup is much closer.The final point differential for the regular-season series?Knicks by a measly six points.Two of the four games came down to a game-winning (Julius Randle's improbable 3-pointer in Miami) or potential game-winning basket (Tyler Herro's missed 3-pointer at Madison Square Garden).
Former Raptors coach Nick Nurse favorite for vacant Bucks job
While the Toronto Raptors search for their next coach after the firing of Nick Nurse, the Milwaukee Bucks find themselves in a similar situation.Mike Budenhozler (who the Raptors may end up considering) was let go after the No. 1 seed Bucks lost in the first round of the playoffs.With the Detroit Pistons excluding him from their final three candidates and the Houston Rockets moving quickly to snatch up Ime Udoka, Nurse is running out of options if he wants to get right back in the coaching game.
It would be hard for these teams to repeat the roller coaster game we witnessed on January 4th.In their first meeting this season, the Raptors missed their first 15 shots.Both teams combined for 25 points in the first quarter, only for Toronto to make an incredible 28-7 run in the final 3:08 of regulation down 90-69 to send the game to overtime.
Should Raptors consider trade for veteran wing Jae Crowder?
The Toronto Raptors may have finalized their training camp roster after signing Josh Jackson for all we know, but it is very unlike Masai Ujiri to turn down the opportunity to add a versatile wing with shooting skill.
Jaylen Brown would be 'ideal fit' next to 2x MVP if he leaves Boston Celtics
Should Jaylen Brown leave the Boston Celtics during 2024 free agency - or if he asks for a trade out sometime before then, something that is now seemingly on the table given his recent interview with The Ringer -, Heavy's Sean Deveney sees him as an ideal fit next to 2x MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo in Milwaukee.
Lowe's 10 things: Diagnosing Boston, Giannis dishing early and the two-way superstardom of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
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Zach LoweESPN Senior Writer
In this week's 10 things, we highlight trends at the top of the East, two MVP favorites, a true-blue superstar in Oklahoma City, a rising top pick and much more.The Indiana Pacers somehow blew out Milwaukee Thursday, but the most important general trend lines are pointing up.
Analyst: Boston Celtics wouldn't have beaten Bucks with healthy 3x All-Star in 2022 playoffs
According to CBS Sports' Brad Botkin, the Boston Celtics wouldn't have been Eastern Conference champions in 2022 had it not been for the absence of the Bucks' 3x All-Star forward Khris Middleton."A potential Boston-Milwaukee conference finals would be a war, and though I've favored Boston in most of my analysis throughout the season, I am leaning Milwaukee now," Botkin prefaced before saying, "They've just been so great over the last six weeks, and I can't ignore that Milwaukee likely wins last season with a healthy Middleton."
Curry, Warriors close win with 'championship stuff'
SAN FRANCISCO -- Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry brought the ball over midcourt with Jevon Carter of the Milwaukee Bucks right in his face.Curry accelerated, and then quickly stopped at the top of the 3-point arc, making Carter skid a few feet away.Curry had just enough space to launch a three.
Extremely shorthanded, post-deadline Lakers fall, 115-106, vs. Bucks
In a schedule loss to end all schedule losses, the Lakers - depleted by both LeBron James' injury absence and an extremely active NBA trade deadline - fell to Milwaukee on Thursday night, 115-106.L.A.did their best to keep up with Milwaukee, but in the second half, the Bucks' talent was too much to handle, as Giannis Antetokounpo went off with 38 points on the night and Jrue Holiday picked up steam in the second half to give Milwaukee their ninth win in a row and drop the Lakers to 25-31.
Report: Lakers 'increasingly unlikely' to trade Russell Westbrook after turnaround as sixth man
It's been a wild ride for Russell Westbrook through his two seasons in Los Angeles.Alternating between homecoming hero to villain to homecoming hero (kind of) once again, Westbrook has hardly had smooth sailing with the Lakers.His latest upswing could hardly have come at a better time.With the situation long, long past the breaking point and Westbrook's departure feeling inevitable, his change to a sixth man has perhaps saved him from being traded.
Celtics MILWAUKEE (AP) - Jrue Holiday scored a season-high 40 points and made a go-ahead 3-pointer with 25.2 seconds left in overtime as the Milwaukee Bucks edged the short-handed Boston Celtics 131-125 on Tuesday for their 11th consecutive victory.Giannis Antetokounmpo added 36 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists as the Bucks (40-17) moved within a half-game of the Celtics (41-17) in the Eastern Conference standings.
Bucks 111, Knicks 107: " That was really enjoyable for a little while"
A Jalen Brunson masterpiece was overshadowed by another late meltdown by the Knicks as the Milwaukee Bucks came from 17 points down to defeat New York 111-107 on Monday night at Madison Square Garden.Brunson led the way for the Knicks with 44 points, seven rebounds and four assists in one of his best performances at any level of his basketball career.
NBA on TNT Preview: Two notable matchups are slated for Tuesday Night
Tuesday's TNT doubleheader is less than 24 hours away.There are two excellent games on the docket with the NBA champion Golden State Warriors (14-13) taking on the Milwaukee Bucks (19-7), and then the red hot Boston Celtics (21-7) challenging the Los Angeles Lakers (11-15).These double-headers are always a star-studded affair, and tonight's no exception.
Grayson Allen helps Bucks hang on to edge Knicks 109-103 | amNewYork
Giannis Antetokounmpo had 37 points, 13 rebounds, and seven assists, then Grayson Allen made the tiebreaking 3-pointer with 30 seconds left after his superstar teammate fouled out to lead the Milwaukee Bucks to a 109-103 victory over the New York Knicks on Wednesday night.Allen made only one 3-pointer - a game after going 7 for 7 behind the arc in the first half of a victory over Dallas.
Bucks 109, Knicks 103: Scenes from a dagger from a Ted Cruz lookalike
The Knicks have now lost their last three home games by a combined 12 points.What can you even say at this point?Was Wednesday night's 109-103 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks the worst of the bunch?Let me put it this way: I've had kidney stones three times in my life.I could rank them by the amount of pain I was in at the time, but why would I? Let's just stick with the ending.
The Knicks have hovered around mediocrity all season as they have never been more than two games over or under .500.Coming off of a huge feel-good blowout win against a Pistons team missing it's two young back court stars, they'll once again look to get back to .500 at home against a 14-5 Milwaukee Bucks team that has won its last two games.
Coming off of a perfect homestand, the Knicks (3-1) take a three-game winning streak with them to Milwaukee to try and hand the 3-0 Bucks their first loss of the season on Friday night.New York was able to take a Western Conference favorite to overtime on opening night in Memphis and now will try to get an early marquee win against an Eastern Conference favorite.
Turns out, having Giannis Antetokounmpo on the floor makes a big difference.When the Wizards took on the Milwaukee Bucks Sunday, Milwaukee was missing Antetokounmpo, Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton.The Wizards won by 23.Last night, Milwaukee got back Antetokounmpo and Holiday, and Antetokounmpo laid waste to the Wizards.
Wizards dominate Giannis Antetokounmpo-less Bucks for fifth straight win
The Wizards' Kristaps Porzingis blocks a shot by the Bucks' Jevon Carter in the first half Sunday in Milwaukee.(Aaron Gash/AP) MILWAUKEE - With his surging team moving closer to a spot in the Eastern Conference play-in tournament, Washington Wizards Coach Wes Unseld Jr. spoke over the past few days of the need to play with urgency, to make up for lost ground quickly.
Here's a complete list of things I learned about the Washington Wizards in their 118-95 stomping of the Milwaukee Bucks: End of list.The empty list is because garbage time began almost at tipoff when the Bucks took the court without Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton.For those unfamiliar, Antetokounmpo is one of the five best players on the planet, Middleton is a three-time All-Star, and Holiday was All-Defense four times, including first team twice.
Washington Wizards: Rui Hachimura and Kyle Kuzma show off in dominating win over Bucks
In their New Year's Day game against the Milwaukee Bucks, the Washington Wizards popped off across the board.There wasn't a single aspect of the game that was not controlled by the Wizards throughout the entire 48 minutes of action.This win is their fifth straight victory and sixth win in their last seven games.
Anthony Davis' monster game leads Lakers to win over Bucks
They handed him cigars, gave him giant hugs and greeted him with smiles.Good luck walking the back hallways of Fiserv Forum looking for someone to say something bad about Lakers coach Darvin Ham because here, where he won a championship as an assistant on coach Mike Budenholzer's staff, he's beloved.
Bucks use lopsided run after Nash ejected, beat Nets 110-99 | amNewYork
MILWAUKEE (AP) - Brooklyn coach Steve Nash wasn't around to watch Giannis Antetokounmpo finish picking the Nets apart.Nash was ejected for the first time in his coaching career after arguing that Antetokounmpo should have been called for an offensive foul against Patty Mills while bringing the ball up the court in the third quarter.
Celtics knock champion Bucks out of NBA playoffs after Game 7 victory
Grant Williams scored a career-high 27 points and hit seven three-pointers, Jayson Tatum added 23 and the Boston Celtics set a Game 7 record with 22 three-pointers to eliminate the NBA champion Milwaukee Bucks 109-81 on Sunday in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Watch: Grant Williams sneaks up on Bucks' huddle in Game 7
If the Bucks weren't already sick of Grant Williams through playing six games in a matter of weeks, the Celtics forward found a new way to annoy them in Game 7.
Boston Celtics: 1 stud and 1 dud from C's gut punch loss in Game 5
Through three quarters of play Wednesday night, we saw a stellar showing from the Boston Celtics, as they showcased the specific attributes and style of play that made them one of the most lethal teams during the second half of the season and why they finished the year off as the second seed in the Eastern Conference standings.
It's remarkable that the Boston Celtics found themselves in a position where one of a couple very good tip-in attempts at the buzzer could've sent Game 3 to overtime.
Magic Johnson: Boston Celtics will be swept if they lose vs. Bucks tonight
Los Angeles Lakers on-court legend and front office failure Magic Johnson chimed in on the Boston Celtics-Milwaukee Bucks series on Tuesday, saying the Cs would be swept if they can't wrestle the series lead away from Giannis Antetokounmpo and co. in Game 2.
Boston Celtics: B/R not high on C's chances of advancing against Bucks
The Boston Celtics stormed by the Brooklyn Nets in round one of the 2022 playoffs, downing their divisional rivals in sweep fashion, and were flying high into their second-round matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks.