INSIDER
Andre Iguodala takes over as acting executive director of NBA players' union
Read full article: Andre Iguodala takes over as acting executive director of NBA players' unionAndre Iguodala is taking over as the acting executive director of the National Basketball Players Association after the resignation of Tamika Tremaglio, the union announced Thursday.
Bridges leads undermanned Suns past Curry, Warriors 125-113
Read full article: Bridges leads undermanned Suns past Curry, Warriors 125-113Mikal Bridges had 26 points, nine rebounds and five assists and the undermanned Suns dominated in Stephen Curry’s return from injury as Phoenix beat the Golden State Warriors for a third time this season, 125-113 on Tuesday night to snap a season-worst six-game skid.
Banchero, Franz Wagner lead Magic past undermanned Warriors
Read full article: Banchero, Franz Wagner lead Magic past undermanned WarriorsPaolo Banchero scored 25 points, Franz Wagner added 24 points and the Orlando Magic beat the Golden State Warriors 115-101 on Saturday night as the defending NBA champions dropped consecutive home games for the first time this season.
Nikola Jokic notches triple-double as Nuggets top Warriors
Read full article: Nikola Jokic notches triple-double as Nuggets top WarriorsNikola Jokic had a triple-double of 26 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists playing with a sore right wrist he had taped, and the Denver Nuggets beat Golden State 128-123 in a rematch of the teams’ first-round playoff series won by the Warriors in five games on their way to the title.
Stephen Curry, Warriors celebrate championship, beat Lakers
Read full article: Stephen Curry, Warriors celebrate championship, beat LakersStephen Curry opened the season with 33 points, seven assists and six rebounds, and the Golden State Warriors beat LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers 123-109 after receiving their championship rings in a pregame ceremony.
Curry, Wiggins lead Warriors to 126-95 victory over Magic
Read full article: Curry, Wiggins lead Warriors to 126-95 victory over MagicStephen Curry had 31 points and eight assists, Andrew Wiggins made a career-high eight 3-pointers on the way to 28 points, and the Golden State Warriors beat the Orlando Magic 126-95.
Curry scores 20 of 40 points in 4th, Warriors beat Cavs
Read full article: Curry scores 20 of 40 points in 4th, Warriors beat CavsStephen Curry scored 20 of his 40 points in the fourth quarter, hitting three straight 3-pointers, and the NBA-leading Golden State Warriors overcame a 13-point deficit to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 104-89 on Thursday night.
Stephen Curry scores 45, Warriors hold off Clippers 115-113
Read full article: Stephen Curry scores 45, Warriors hold off Clippers 115-113Stephen Curry hit a go-ahead 3-pointer with 56.8 seconds remaining to follow up a 30-footer less than a minute earlier, and his 45-point home opener lifted the Golden State Warriors over the Los Angeles Clippers 115-113.
Heat trade Meyers Leonard to Thunder for Trevor Ariza
Read full article: Heat trade Meyers Leonard to Thunder for Trevor ArizaFILE - Miami Heat forward Meyers Leonard, center, greets his teammates before an NBA basketball game against the Milwaukee Bucks, Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2020, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, file)MIAMI – The Miami Heat have turned Meyers Leonard's contract into an opportunity to see if Trevor Ariza can help them for the rest of this season. AdThe Heat also said they wish Leonard and his wife Elle “the best of luck in the future.”“He's going to do everything that he possibly can to grow and get better from everything this week," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. Ariza has not played an NBA game since March 10, 2020, but the Heat clearly felt he was worth the low-risk gamble. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver fined Leonard $50,000 and barred him from being around the Heat for one week.
Butler, Dragic carry Heat past NBA-best Jazz, 124-116
Read full article: Butler, Dragic carry Heat past NBA-best Jazz, 124-116Miami Heat forward Kelly Olynyk (9) goes to the basket as Utah Jazz forward Royce O'Neale defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Feb. 26, 2021, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)MIAMI – The Miami Heat don't believe in statement wins. “A high-level game," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said, “and we had some big plays down the stretch." Duncan Robinson scored 15 and Kendrick Nunn added 12 for the Heat, who held Utah to 29% shooting in the fourth quarter. It was the sixth game in Heat history in which both teams had at least 94 points through three quarters.
Heat avenge embarrassment, rally to top Bucks 119-108
Read full article: Heat avenge embarrassment, rally to top Bucks 119-108Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, bottom, and Miami Heat forward Precious Achiuwa go for a loose ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2020, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)MIAMI – The Miami Heat engineered a 58-point turnaround against the Milwaukee Bucks in 24 hours. Milwaukee’s lead was 72-58 early in the second half, 84-73 with 3:44 left in the third. Milwaukee had 21 points after four minutes Tuesday; the Bucks were held to four in the first four minutes Wednesday. Miami finished 2020 at 36-29 (22-22 regular season, 14-7 playoffs).
Spoelstra stays perfect on Christmas, Heat beat Pels 111-98
Read full article: Spoelstra stays perfect on Christmas, Heat beat Pels 111-98New Orleans Pelicans guard Eric Bledsoe (5) dribbles against Miami Heat guard Goran Dragic (7) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Dec. 25, 2020, in Miami. (AP Photo/Joel Auerbach)MIAMI – Erik Spoelstra remained perfect on Christmas, and a record-tying show from Duncan Robinson helped him stay that way. Robinson made seven 3-pointers — tying the Christmas single-game mark — and scored 23 points, helping the Heat beat the New Orleans Pelicans 111-98 to start the NBA’s holiday quintupleheader Friday. Goran Dragic scored 18 points, Bam Adebayo had 17 and Avery Bradley finished with 12 for Miami, and Spoelstra improved his Christmas record as Heat coach to 8-0. COMING HOMEVeteran ref John Goble was crew chief and got to be home for Christmas; he’s a Miami native.
Fournier has late surge, helps Magic beat Heat 113-107
Read full article: Fournier has late surge, helps Magic beat Heat 113-107Oddly, the two rivals have started their seasons in Orlando four times in the past five years. Bam Adebayo led Miami with 25 points and 11 rebounds, Goran Dragic added 20 points, and Jimmy Butler had 19 points and seven assists. The Heat turned the ball over 22 times, leading to 24 Magic points. Gordon is confident that the Magic can open some eyes with their play this season. ``I don’t think they think that we’re going to become potential contenders or even have a playoff slot and I don’t think that’s true.
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.
Finals notebook: Around the world, fans are watching
Read full article: Finals notebook: Around the world, fans are watchingThey’re huge LeBron James fans there as well, as evidenced by where the clicks are coming from. When James turned 35 this past December, the NBA did a video of the top 35 plays of his career. That’s the first time since 2014 that there were no sweeps in the conference semifinals, conference finals or NBA Finals. JAMES’ NUMBERSLeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers entered Game 5 of the NBA Finals just 25 points away from matching Karl Malone for No. GAME 5 REFSMarc Davis, Kane Fitzgerald and Eric Lewis got the officiating assignment for Game 5 of the NBA Finals.
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.
Back to the Finals: Heat oust Celtics, move to title series
Read full article: Back to the Finals: Heat oust Celtics, move to title seriesBam Adebayo scored a season-high 32 points and grabbed 14 rebounds, Butler scored 22 points and the Heat won the Eastern Conference finals for the sixth time by topping the Boston Celtics 125-113 on Sunday night. The Heat won the series 4-2 — and now, they’ll see LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers for the title. Boston took the lead twice more, with Adebayo answering both times, first with a dunk, then a go-ahead three-point play with 6:16 left. Heat: The Heat are now guaranteed no less than $4,399,686 for their playoff share, and that number would rise to $5,791,041 if they win the title. CROSS-SPORT SUPPORTThe Celtics and Heat were getting some support from afar before Game 6.
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.
Bucks' Antetokounmpo leaves Game 4 with ankle injury
Read full article: Bucks' Antetokounmpo leaves Game 4 with ankle injuryThe Bucks went into Sunday down 3-0 in the series and facing elimination. Antetokounmpo scored 18 of Milwaukees first 26 points in Game 4, shooting 8 for 10 from the field before getting hurt. Antetokounmpo originally turned the ankle inward on a drive in the first quarter of Game 3 of the series on Friday night. Antetokounmpo insisted after Game 3 that the ankle did not bother him during the game. He averaged 22.7 points, 13.3 rebounds and seven assists shooting only 45% from the field and 15% from beyond the 3-point arc.
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.
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.
The West play-in race may be decided by slimmest of margins
Read full article: The West play-in race may be decided by slimmest of marginsPhoenix Suns' Devin Booker (1) goes to the basket over Miami Heat's Andre Iguodala, left, and Tyler Herro, right, during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Aug. 8, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The suns won 119-112. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, Pool)
The West play-in race may be decided by slimmest of margins
Read full article: The West play-in race may be decided by slimmest of margins(AP Photo/Ashley Landis, Pool)LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – The race in the Western Conference for two play-in game spots will go down to the wire. Memphis, Portland, San Antonio and Phoenix — the still-unbeaten-in-the-bubble, 6-0 at Disney Suns — are the last four teams standing in the race for the last West spot. Otherwise, the race goes to Thursday, when it’ll have to be known who the two clubs are that will be headed to the best-of-two play-in series. Win two, they’ll finish eighth and hold the upper hand in the play-in series. 8 seed with a 2-0 finish, and there’s also a way for the Spurs to miss the play-in series entirely — also with a 2-0 finish.
Bucks clinch top see in East with 130-116 win over Heat
Read full article: Bucks clinch top see in East with 130-116 win over HeatMiami cooled off after the break and the Bucks took the lead in the third quarter but were down by 6 to start the fourth. Antetokounmpo sat out about five minutes of the fourth quarter after collecting his fifth foul with 11 minutes to go. Duncan Robinson had 21 points for the Heat, who lost to Milwaukee for the first time this season after winning the first two meetings. But the Heat wrapped up the quarter with a 5-2 spurt to take a 98-92 lead into the fourth. Bucks: Bledsoe had nine points and five assists in his second game back after missing the first two games in the bubble after testing positive for the coronavirus.
Welcome back: The NBA sets the schedule for season restart
Read full article: Welcome back: The NBA sets the schedule for season restartNew Orleans will be in the first game of the resumed NBA season on July 30, taking on Utah at the Disney World complex near Orlando, Florida in the opener of a doubleheader. Theres no question this season and frankly this year has been one which none of us will soon forget, NBPA executive director Michele Roberts said. The NBA will be using three arenas at Disney, and other than the two-game slate on the opening night there will be somewhere between four and seven games played each day. 8 seed in either conference is needed by the ninth-place team finishing within four games of the team in eighth, those games in a best-of-two series that the No. The NBA playoffs will begin Aug. 17, and the NBA Finals are set to begin Sept. 30 with a possible Game 7 on Oct. 13.