NBA Power Rankings: Pelicans climb up West behind Trey Murphy III and SGA takes OKC to No. 1
Orlando Magic surprises by climbing to the No. 5 seed in the East, trailing the New York Knicks closely.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads the Oklahoma City Thunder to overtake the top spot in the Western Conference, with Zion Williamson's New Orleans Pelicans also rising.
Can the Celtics still advance to the knockout stage of the in-season tournament?
The Boston Celtics suffered a significant loss to the Orlando Magic, hurting their chances of clinching the No. 1 spot in the Eastern Conference Group C standings.
To still have a chance of winning Group C, the Celtics need to beat the Chicago Bulls by at least 23 points, while also relying on the Brooklyn Nets to beat the Toronto Raptors and having a better point differential than the Nets.
The Celtics' loss to the Magic has made it highly unlikely for them to win Group C, but they may still have a chance depending on other game results and point differentials.
3 lottery teams that are planning to steal Boston Celtics restricted free agent
According to Heavy's Sean Deveney, there is a handful of NBA lottery teams looking to poach Grant Williams from the Boston Celtics in restricted free agency this summer: the Orlando Magic, Utah Jazz, and Indiana Pacers."Orlando is the one that keeps coming up because that team is trying to turn a corner," the executive said to Deveney (h/t Heavy's Mark Nilon).
Raptors free agency: 3 teams who could steal Fred VanVleet away
The Toronto Raptors face the very distinct possibility of losing Fred VanVleet in free agency.While they will likely bend over backward to appease him and keep him in town, the firing of Nick Nurse and his likely exorbitant price tag create some serious obstacles that could come in the way of him achieving his full potential.
Wizards vs. Magic prediction and odds for Tuesday, March 21 (Can Wizards bounce back?)
The Washington Wizards are in danger of missing the play-in tournament in the Eastern Conference, falling to the No. 11 spot, two games behind the No. 10 seed Chicago Bulls.Washington is just 3-7 in its last 10 games, and it won't have Kyle Kuzma available for Tuesday night's game against the Orlando Magic.
The Washington Wizards play the Orlando Magic tomorrow night.Here is the preview.Game Info When: Tuesday, Mar.21 at 7 p.m. ET Where: Amway Center How to watch: NBC Sports Washington Injuries: For the Wizards, Kyle Kuzma is out due to an ankle injury.For the Magic, Jalen Suggs (concussion) and Jonathan Issac (hamstring) What to watch for The Washington Wizards (32-39) are 12th in the Eastern Conference after suffering a loss to the Sacramento Kings (43-27) last Saturday.
Miami Heat blues gets Jimmy Butler a personal invite to rock with Nickelback
The Miami Heat continue to have an interesting test before them across the next few games.After missing another direct opportunity to influence their standings in the Eastern Conference on Saturday in a losing comeback bid to the Bulls, the Miami Heat will face off against the Detroit Pistons, the New York Knicks, and the Brooklyn Nets across the next three contests.
The New York Knicks have a four-game stretch ahead of them, with three home games followed by a game in Toronto.
The Knicks will face the Orlando Magic, who they lost to in their previous match, and the Houston Rockets, who have a strong defense but a struggling offense.
Raptors news: Surprise team eyeing Gary Trent Jr, conflicting HC reports
The Toronto Raptors are eyeing some big changes in the offseason, and that might include Fred VanVleet or Gary Trent Jr. being discarded.The Raptors will likely try everything to bring at least one of them back, but this seems like a nearly impossible task.Trent has a skillset that is in demand around the NBA, and he could use that to parlay himself into a deal that makes him one of the most well-compensated young guards in the league.
Lowe: Did the Boston Celtics actually figure something out in Game 4? Does it matter?
Zach Lowe, ESPN Senior WriterMay 25, 2023, 07:00 AM ET
At some point, it will happen.An NBA team will lose the first three games of a playoff series and win the next four.Such teams are 0-150, but someone sometime will do it.On paper -- and paper buys you precisely zero wins -- the Boston Celtics are the best candidate in history to pull off the improbable.
Boston Celtics fall to lottery teams: Cause for concern?
The Boston Celtics are one of the best teams in the NBA, yet they continuously seem to run into a wall when they play below-.500teams.Are the Celtics struggles a cause for concern?Or is this just a very fixable bump on the road to the NBA finals?The Cs have fallen short on multiple occasions this year against rebuilding teams.
When is the NBA Draft Lottery? Date, Time, Odds, How to Watch
The Toronto Raptors are one of many teams that will be looking forward to the 2023 NBA Draft, as they will have a premium pick they can use to add a young player who will be a part of the furniture with their respective clubs for the next decade (if they hit on the pick).The winner of this lottery is going to be doing cartwheels down Atlantic Avenue on draft night, as Victor Wembanyama is widely regarded as one of the best prospects in NBA history.
The New York Knicks don't have a 2023 NBA Draft pick-whether that's a first- or a second-rounder-but that has not prevented them from working out some talents.On Friday, June 16, Fairmont State wing Isiah Sanders posted a story on IG announcing his upcoming visit to the Knickerbockers later on the same day via ACD Agency, which legally represents him.
Should the Washington Wizards target this former All-Star free agent?
The future of the Washington Wizards is in a constant state of unknown, but it has never been so shrouded in mystery as it is right now.There's new leadership in town and the plan going forward hasn't been made clear just yet.Assuming the Wizards draft a point guard with the eighth pick in the draft, the biggest weakness on the roster would end up being the center position, even if Kyle Kuzma walks in free agency.
Celebrity Hairstylist and Brunch Restaurateur Gocha Hawkins Opens a South Fulton Tapas Bar
Celebrity hairstylist Gocha Hawkins, the owner behind popular all-day brunch restaurant Gocha's Breakfast Bar, just opened her latest venture - a tapas restaurant in the city of South Fulton.Located in the new Publix Shopping Center at Sandtown Crossing on Campbellton Road, Gocha's Tapas Bar features dishes like a duo of grilled lamb chops, shrimp ceviche served in a coupe glass, mini salmon cakes, and shrimp scampi that comes in a personal-sized cast iron skillet.
Odds of Bulls keeping first-round pick may be worse than expected
Next up on the offseason checklist for the Chicago Bulls is the NBA Draft Lottery, which is set to take place in just a few days on May 16.This is where the winner of the Victor Wembanyama Sweepstakes will be named.Teams have coveted the 19-year-old, who is constantly growing and is now reportedly 7'5″.
Report: Raptors to interview Denver assistant coach David Adelman
We momentarily interrupt your Raptor-less playoff programming with a Raptors coaching search update.The Athletic's Shams Charania reported that the Toronto Raptors are interviewing Denver Nuggets lead assistant coach David Adelman this upcoming week.The Toronto Raptors are interviewing Denver Nuggets assistant David Adelman for their head coaching job this upcoming week, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
After disappointing season, Bulls should prioritize the young building blocks
Sports fans, much like politicians, like to put things into binary terms.We don't often work across the aisle; a coach is either a genius or has a seat hotter than a skillet.Your favorite player is a stone-cold killer or Mongolian league-bound bench rider.A fanbase's team is tough as nails or, as Patrick Beverley might agree, Charmin soft.
Raptors targeting elite shooter, should they fall in NBA Draft
The Toronto Raptors might be talking a big game about using their first-round pick in the 2023 NBA Draft on a player that fits in with the versatility and switching they have traditionally sought out, but the need for shooting is so desperate that the club might forgo that mindset and draft the best offensive player available.
Jama Mahlalela returns to Raptors on Darko Rajakovic's staff
The Toronto Raptors may have found their new head coach in former Memphis Grizzlies assistant Darko Rajakovic, but that doesn't mean their coaching staff is finalized just yet.Rakajovic, who gained a reputation as someone who can develop talent, likely needs to add a few coaches who understand how to mold young players into contributors.
Fred VanVleet-Magic links get stronger after latest quotes
The Toronto Raptors know that they need to come out swinging in free agency, as they have many key players currently in positions to bolt Canada for greener pastures elsewhere.Fred VanVleet, the team's starting point guard and vocal leader, is among those players.VanVleet has become one of the more radioactive names in basketball, as his defenders and enemies are as diametrically opposed as possible.
The summer is a busy time in the FIBA calendar, especially in a World Cup year.The FIBA U16 Americas Championship, which runs from June 5 -11, 2023 is the first event this summer for Canada's men's national teams.Canada draws into Group B along with Uruguay, Dominican Republic and Brazil.All teams qualify for the quarter finals, with the 4 semi finalists clinching berths to the FIBA U17 World Cup in 2024.
Dial 905: Lakeland Magic pushes Raptors 905 to the brink of playoff elimination
The Raptors 905 entered the Lakeland Magic series knowing the weight of this series.They were in the 6th and final playoff spot, with five games remaining.The Magic are one of the teams that the Raptors 905 are trying to fend off, and with how close the teams are in the middle of the pack, a bad showing can kick them out of the playoff picture.
NBA Cribs: The Magnificent Mile-High Homes of the Denver Nuggets
Realtor.com / Ethan Mito/Clarkson Creative / Dustin Bradford / Getty Images Ever since LeBron James famously took his talents to South Beach in 2010, the NBA has been obsessed with the concept of superteams.The thinking goes that if one superstar is great, two superstars are even better.And three superstars?
Wizards hoping for a little magic in the NBA draft lottery
Wizards Coach Wes Unseld Jr. has some practice at the NBA draft lottery.(Charles Rex Arbogast/AP)Comment Gift Article For the second year in a row, Wizards Coach Wes Unseld Jr. will don a suit, climb the stage at Chicago's McCormick Place and hope for the best as he serves as Washington's representative in Tuesday's NBA draft lottery.
Beal under investigation after verbal dispute in Orlando
Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal is under investigation in Orlando, Fla. for battery charges after Washington's 122-112 loss to the Orlando Magic on Mar. 21.According to TMZ, Beal got into an argument with two fans at the Amway Center after the loss.One of the fans yelled, "You fucked me [out of] $1,300, you f***!" Beal then walked toward the fans and allegedly knocked of the hat out of one of the fans' head and responded that bets aren't why he plays the game.
After losing four in a row, the Wizards took advantage of a classic NBA "get well" game and beat the San Antonio Spurs by a comfortable enough margin that big man Kristaps Porzingis didn't need to play in the fourth quarter.The lineup that blew the game open: Delon Wright, Jordan Goodwin, Corey Kispert, Anthony Gill and Daniel Gafford.
Raptors interview NBA veteran JJ Redick for vacant head coaching position: report | CBC Sports
The Toronto Raptors interviewed 15-year NBA veteran and current ESPN analyst JJ Redick for their coaching vacancy, ESPN reported Wednesday.Redick, 38, met with franchise leaders in Toronto recently during the club's initial round of interviews to replace Nick Nurse, who was dismissed after a 41-41 season.
How does the NBA Draft Lottery work? Bulls need luck on their side
Now that they've been eliminated from the play-in tournament and their 2022-23 season is officially in the books, the Chicago Bulls must now turn toward planning for the offseason if they want to experience a better fate next time around.With the draft set to take place first, now is the time to cross our fingers and pray the Bulls luck on lottery night.
Preview: Wizards take on the Magic to end month of March
When: Friday, March 31 at 7 p.m. ET Where: Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C. How to watch: NBC Sports Washington, League Pass WIZARDS - Kyle Kuzma, OUT (ankle); Bradley Beal, OUT (knee); Daniel Gafford, QUESTIONABLE (foot) MAGIC - Kevon Harris, OUT (elbow); Jonathan Isaac, OUT (hamstring) The Washington Wizards are in 11th place in the Eastern Conference meaning if the season ended today so would theirs.
After many bad losses in the post All-Star Break, the Washington Wizards somehow, someway pulled off a big win against the Boston Celtics on Tuesday night, 130-111.No Bradley Beal?No Kyle Kuzma?No problem.Kristaps Porzingis and Deni Avdija made up for the deficit.They scored a combined 57 points with Porzingis scoring 32 and Avdija adding 25.
Wow, this is a bad loss.The Washington Wizards lost to the Orlando Magic on Tuesday night, 122-112.It ends a seven-game win streak that they had against their Southeast Division foes.And it puts another nail in the coffin toward a lottery-bound season.Neither team had dominant control of this game.The Wizards led by as many as 8 points in the first half while the Magic also led by as many as 8 in the third quarter after going on a run.
Feels like I could almost cut and paste the article from the last game because for a third time in the last four games, the Washington Wizards took the court against a team bound for a top four seed in the playoffs.And for a third time, they got demolished.Once again, it was clear from early on that the Wizards were out of their class.
The Washington Wizards lost to the Sacramento Kings on Saturday night, 132-118.Washington took an early lead that was by as many as 10 points int eg first quarter.But from there, the Kings were able to take control by the second quarter and led by double digits for most of the rest of the game.Domantas Sabonis scored 30 points to lead the Kings.
Nets late rally vs. Rockets both concerning and promising for team with playoff hopes
The Nets secured a must-win victory in come-from-behind fashion Wednesday to snap a skid of six losses in seven games.The circumstances behind their comeback, however, leaves an important question that could determine their Eastern Conference playoff odds.Did the Nets - who have statistically struggled in the clutch ever since the trade deadline - somehow get better in crunch time overnight?
Turnovers and double-digit deficits have plagued Knicks in recent losing streak
One area the New York Knicks have done a great job in this season is limiting turnovers.Looking at the season, the Knicks average the fourth fewest turnovers per game.In Tom Thibodeau's three years coaching the Knicks, not turning it over is an area they've succeeded in:
2020-21: Sixth-fewest turnovers per game 2021-22: Tied for tenth in fewest turnovers per game 2022-23 (current): Fourth-fewest turnovers per game
Point guard Jalen Brunson has been a spotlight for the Knicks' consistency with the ball.
Miami Heat big man rotation being stretched too thin without Cody Zeller
The Miami Heat had their doors blown off by the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday night.And while the same could be said of the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday night when it comes to their affair against the Orlando Magic, losing that game by a score of 119 to 106, that doesn't wipe away the terrible taste of what was the Nets' defeat over the Miami Heat on Saturday.
A couple weeks ago, I wrote an article here with the headline, "Do the Heat have a chance at the sixth seed?"The Brooklyn Nets hadn't collapsed since trading Kevin Durant at the deadline, so the Heat needed to make up ground.I said the Heat couldn't afford a loss to the Orlando Magic.That happened, prompting Jimmy Butler to blast Nickelback music in the locker room afterward.
What to make of Miami Heat going away from Omer Yurtseven later?
The Miami Heat added depth around buyout time, bringing in Kevin Love from the Cleveland Cavaliers and adding Cody Zeller off the free agent market.With both coming in to have a good impact for the Miami Heat, they immediately began to acclimate themselves to what the Miami Heat want to do on a night-to-night basis.
A missed Cody Zeller set to return to Miami Heat lineup
Being a pretty good rebounding team for most of the year and definitely taking it to teams on the glass since the All-Star break with the help of their new acquisitions, Kevin Love and Cody Zeller, the Miami Heat have looked a bit pedestrian on the glass as of late.In the last three contests, a defeat to the Orlando Magic and wins over the Utah Jazz and Memphis Grizzlies, the Miami Heat have been outdone on the glass by the opposing teams.
Jimmy Butler blasted Nickelback. The Heat won two straight.
In the closing seconds of the Miami Heat's March 11 overtime loss to the Orlando Magic, Jimmy Butler walked off the court.Butler had scored 38 points, including a buzzer-beating 3 to score the extra period.But he got no help to defeat a team headed for the lottery.A referee whistled the Heat for a technical foul because Butler's exit left Miami with only four players on the court.
'He's too small': Patrick Beverley on his antics with LeBron James
(Marcio Jose Sanchez / Associated Press)
Patrick Beverley scored with a baby hook over LeBron James late in the fourth quarter Sunday and then crouched and lowered his hand, the universal sign that "he's too small" for NBA players.Keep in mind that Beverley, a former Laker, is 6-foot-2 and James is 6-9.
UCLA vs. Gonzaga in NCAA tournament: Betting odds and how to watch
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
In 2021, Jalen Suggs, who now plays for the Orlando Magic, banked in a shot from just about half court to give Gonzaga a Final Four win over UCLA at the buzzer.The Bruins will be looking for revenge, and that's not something you can take lightly.There are quite a few players on this UCLA team who contributed to the Bruins' Final Four run, with Tyger Campbell and Jaime Jaquez Jr. among them.
Nets snap losing skid in style by blowing out the Heat in Miami in must-win for playoff seeding
It was a game the Nets had to have.And they flew down to South Beach and took it.The stakes were greater Saturday night at FTX Arena than they've been at any point this season: Win and leapfrog the Miami Heat in the standings for sole ownership of the Eastern Conference's final guaranteed playoff seed.
Austin Reaves' free-throw rate isn't some new phenomenon
Lakers guard Austin Reaves is having the best stretch of his career, setting a career-high in points vs the Orlando Magic and a career-high in assists vs. the Phoenix Suns in successive games.In those two games, he's also averaged over 15 free-throw attempts per game, roughly 13 free-throw attempts per game over his last four games, and a free-throw rate (.545) that is among the highest for any player since the All-Star break.
Lakers roll past the Suns behind a balanced attack
With just ten games left in the regular season heading into Wednesday night, the Lakers started off their final stretch on the right foot, taking care of the Phoenix Suns 122-111.The Lakers are now 36-37, and back in play-in positioning in a Western Conference race that's as tight as ever.Prior to the game, Darvin Ham hinted he had "something up his sleeve" regarding the starting lineup.
Behind Austin Reaves' career high, Lakers bounce back and beat the Magic
After a pair of disappointing losses, the Lakers found themselves back in the win column beating the Orlando Magic 111-105on Sunday night.With the Lakers needing a win to wash out the bad taste left in their mouths from their letdown against Dallas, it was the bench players who stepped up and helped secure the victory.
Austin Reaves get the 'MVP! MVP!' treatment with 35-point game in Lakers' win
LeBron James sat back in the far chair on the Lakers' bench, dressed in all black with sunglasses to match when a tight grin crossed his face.The crowd was suddenly at its most alive, chanting "M-V-P, M-V-P."It wasn't for James - the NBA's all-time leading scorer - who was sidelined and forced to watch with his hands folded and legs crossed.
The Lakers suffer crushing loss against Dallas in the final seconds
With the Pelicans, Warriors and Timberwolves all losing tonight, the Lakers once again had a golden opportunity to gain ground in an air-tight Western Conference.Unfortunately, the team instead suffered arguably their most gut-wrenching defeat of the season as a Maxi Kleber game-winner handed the Lakers a 111-110 loss to Dallas Mavericks.
Tom Thibodeau after Knicks' third consecutive loss: "We have to do everything a lot better"
The Knicks left Florida on Thursday night with a supreme 0-2 record in their bags on their Disneyland trip.New York (42-33) fell 106-111 to the Orlando Magic (31-43) on the road at the Amway Center and completed their trip down the East coast with their second loss in as many games on the end of a back-to-back that started Wednesday at Miami.
Nets lose 5th in a row, blow 10-point lead late vs Cavs
Every fan in attendance at Barclays Center rose to their feet for the most pivotal possession in Thursday's encore matchup between the Nets and Cleveland Cavaliers: Game on the line, single-possession game, who takes the last shot?This time it was Spencer Dinwiddie, who sized up his man with a flurry of crossovers before driving the lane for a high-arching layup that should have been the nail in the coffin.
After losing to the Heat last night, the New York Knicks (42-32) remain in Florida to battle the Orlando Magic (30-43) tonight.The Knicks may be without the services of lead guard Jalen Brunson (doubtful, sprained right hand) and center Mitchell Robinson (doubtful, right knee contusion), and the Magic are a feisty bunch.
On the second night of a back-to-back, the New York Knicks are still in Florida, this time to face the Orlando Magic.The Knicks find themselves in what has become a much too familiar situation, one in which the team has a pseudo-must-win game following a loss that many would describe as disappointing and frustrating.
Tom Thibodeau after loss at Miami: "I want to make sure that I'm seeing what I'm seeing."
The New York Knicks (42-32) dropped an important game for the future of their season losing 127-120 to the Miami Heat (40-34) on the road on Wednesday.It was the first game played by the Knicks after the passing of New York Legend Willis Reed, who died Tuesday.NYK players donned black ribbons on the side of their jerseys, and the Heat paid homage with a pre-game tribute to the Knicks Captain.
The Nets have 10 games to hold on to an automatic bid to an Eastern Conference playoff series.Perhaps none more important than Thursday night's matchup with the Cleveland Cavaliers at Downtown's Barclays Center.After suffering its fourth consecutive loss and third in a row on this thus-far fruitless homestand here vs. Cleveland Tuesday night, Brooklyn (39-33) finds itself in a virtual tie with Miami (40-34) for the sixth spot in the postseason race.
Kurtenbach: The Warriors stink, but it might not matter
The streak is over.Eleven road losses in a row did not become 12.Ending the streak which lasted nearly two months is a reason for celebration for the Dubs.That was gross, Klay Thompson said of the losing streak.But so was the Warriors' win over the Rockets.The Warriors didn't win the game so much as the young Rockets lost it.
Nets get pummeled on glass again, lose 3rd in a row to Denver, 108-102
If the Nets hope to avoid the Play-In Tournament and retain their standing as an uncontested playoff team, they're going to have to solve their rebounding issue.It's the Achilles heel for a team still clinging to postseason aspirations in the aftermath of the Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving trades.The Nets can get stops and, at times, generate quality offense - but their lack of true depth at the five and true size in the front court leaves them susceptible to being outworked on the glass.