INSIDER
Celtics hand Cavaliers first loss of season, winning 120-117 to end Cleveland's 15-game win streak
Read full article: Celtics hand Cavaliers first loss of season, winning 120-117 to end Cleveland's 15-game win streakThe defending NBA champions held off the league’s hottest team, with Jayson Tatum scoring 33 points and adding 12 rebounds to lead the Boston Celtics to a 120-117 victory over Cleveland and hand the Cavaliers their first loss after 15 straight wins to open the season.
Porzingis available for Celtics as they try to wrap up sweep of NBA Finals against Mavericks
Read full article: Porzingis available for Celtics as they try to wrap up sweep of NBA Finals against MavericksKristaps Porzingis will be in uniform and available to play in a limited role when the Boston Celtics try to wrap up a sweep of the NBA Finals in Game 4 against the Dallas Mavericks.
Celtics rally late again to close out Pacers for 4-0 sweep in Eastern Conference finals
Read full article: Celtics rally late again to close out Pacers for 4-0 sweep in Eastern Conference finalsDerrick White’s tiebreaking 3-pointer with 43 seconds left gave Boston the lead and the Celtics closed out a four-game sweep of the Indiana Pacers 105-102 to reach the NBA Finals for the second time in three years.
Jrue Holiday's finishing flurry helps Celtics beat Pacers 114-111 for 3-0 lead in East finals
Read full article: Jrue Holiday's finishing flurry helps Celtics beat Pacers 114-111 for 3-0 lead in East finalsJrue Holiday overcame an illness to convert the go-ahead three-point play with 38 seconds left, then make the game-saving steal to help the Boston Celtics rally from an 18-point deficit to beat the Indiana Pacers 114-111 on Saturday night for a 3-0 lead in the Eastern Conference finals.
The Celtics are in a good headspace as they head to a 3rd consecutive Eastern Conference finals
Read full article: The Celtics are in a good headspace as they head to a 3rd consecutive Eastern Conference finalsThe Celtics are back in the Eastern Conference finals for the third consecutive season following their 4-1 series victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Jayson Tatum scores 25 to lead Celtics past Cavaliers 113-98 and into 3rd consecutive East finals
Read full article: Jayson Tatum scores 25 to lead Celtics past Cavaliers 113-98 and into 3rd consecutive East finalsJayson Tatum had 25 points and 10 rebounds, and the Boston Celtics beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 113-98 on to advance to the Eastern Conference finals for the third straight season.
Celtics' Porzingis leaves playoff game in Miami with right calf tightness
Read full article: Celtics' Porzingis leaves playoff game in Miami with right calf tightnessBoston center Kristaps Porzingis left the Celtics’ playoff game in Miami on Monday night late in the first half with what the team said was right calf tightness.
Hawks rally from 30 points down to stun NBA-leading Celtics 120-118
Read full article: Hawks rally from 30 points down to stun NBA-leading Celtics 120-118De’Andre Hunter scored 24 points, including a clinching 3-pointer with 9.2 seconds remaining, and the patched-together Atlanta Hawks rallied from a 30-point deficit for a stunning 120-118 victory over the NBA-leading Boston Celtics.
Tatum scores 33, Celtics stave off elimination by topping Heat 116-99 in Game 4
Read full article: Tatum scores 33, Celtics stave off elimination by topping Heat 116-99 in Game 4Jayson Tatum scored 33 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, Jaylen Brown added 17 points and the Boston Celtics staved off elimination in the Eastern Conference finals by running away in the second half to beat the Miami Heat 116-99 in Game 4 on Tuesday night.
Celtics look to pull off the impossible, as Heat stand on brink of making NBA Finals
Read full article: Celtics look to pull off the impossible, as Heat stand on brink of making NBA FinalsBlown out in Game 3, facing elimination in Game 4, tasked with engineering the sort of comeback that no team in their league has ever pulled off before.
Tatum, Brown spark Celtics past 76ers 114-102 in Game 3
Read full article: Tatum, Brown spark Celtics past 76ers 114-102 in Game 3Jayson Tatum scored 27 points, Jaylen Brown had 23 and the Boston Celtics spoiled Joel Embiid’s MVP coronation, beating the Philadelphia 76ers 114-102 Friday night to take a 2-1 lead in the Eastern Conference semifinal series.
Harden scores 45, hits late 3 as 76ers down Celtics 119-115
Read full article: Harden scores 45, hits late 3 as 76ers down Celtics 119-115James Harden matched his playoff career high with 45 points and hit a go-ahead, step-back 3-pointer over Al Horford with 8.7 seconds left as the Philadelphia 76ers rallied without Joel Embiid to beat the Boston Celtics 119-115 in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference semifinal.
Bucks edge Celtics 131-125 in OT for 11th straight win
Read full article: Bucks edge Celtics 131-125 in OT for 11th straight winJrue 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.
Celtics beat Warriors in OT, win NBA Finals rematch 121-118
Read full article: Celtics beat Warriors in OT, win NBA Finals rematch 121-118Jayson Tatum scored 34 points with a career-high 19 rebounds to help the Celtics pull away from Golden State in an NBA Finals rematch and beat the Warriors 121-118.
Brown scores season-high 41 points, Celtics beat Pelicans
Read full article: Brown scores season-high 41 points, Celtics beat PelicansJaylen Brown scored a season-high 41 points and had 12 rebounds and the Boston Celtics won their fourth straight game, holding off the New Orleans Pelicans 125-114 on Wednesday night.
Celtics claim 8th straight win, beat Hawks 126-101
Read full article: Celtics claim 8th straight win, beat Hawks 126-101Jaylen Brown scored 22 points to lead a balanced Boston attack and the East-leading Celtics stretched their winning streak to eight with a 126-101 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday night.
MVP Nikola Jokic enters protocols, ruled out for Wednesday
Read full article: MVP Nikola Jokic enters protocols, ruled out for WednesdayReigning back-to-back NBA MVP Nikola Jokic has entered the league’s health and safety protocols and has been ruled out of Denver’s game against New York on Wednesday.
Tatum gets no help, Celtics routed in Game 2 of NBA Finals
Read full article: Tatum gets no help, Celtics routed in Game 2 of NBA FinalsJayson Tatum found his scoring touch after a rare poor shooting night in Game 1 of the NBA Finals but it was the rest of his Boston Celtics teammates who went missing.
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 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.
Celtics' Robert Williams remains out for Game 6 vs. Bucks
Read full article: Celtics' Robert Williams remains out for Game 6 vs. BucksBoston forward/center Robert Williams missed his third straight game with an injured left knee as the Celtics tried to keep their season alive Friday night in Game 6 against the Milwaukee Bucks.
Horford, Tatum help Celtics even series with 116-108 victory
Read full article: Horford, Tatum help Celtics even series with 116-108 victoryAl Horford and Jayson Tatum scored 30 points each and led the Boston Celtics’ fourth-quarter comeback in a 116-108 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks that tied their Eastern Conference semifinal at two games apiece.
Giannis triple-double helps Bucks beat Celtics 101-89
Read full article: Giannis triple-double helps Bucks beat Celtics 101-89Giannis Antetokounmpo had his second career postseason triple-double to lead the Milwaukee Bucks to a 101-89 victory over the Boston Celtics in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series.
Celtics rally in 2nd half, beat Nets 114-107 for 2-0 lead
Read full article: Celtics rally in 2nd half, beat Nets 114-107 for 2-0 leadJaylen Brown scored 22 points, including 10 in the fourth quarter, and the Boston Celtics rallied from 17 points down to beat the Brooklyn Nets 114-107 and take a 2-0 lead in their first-round series.
Celtics beat T'Wolves 134-112, take over top spot in East
Read full article: Celtics beat T'Wolves 134-112, take over top spot in EastJayson Tatum scored 34 points and Jaylen Brown had 31 points and 10 rebounds to help the Boston Celtics coast to a 134-112 over the Minnesota Timberwolves and take over the top spot in the Eastern Conference.
AP source: All-Star Randle agrees to extension with Knicks
Read full article: AP source: All-Star Randle agrees to extension with KnicksA person with knowledge of the deal tells The Associated Press that All-Star forward Julius Randle has agreed to a $117 million, four-year extension to remain with the New York Knicks.
Rockets lose team-record 20th straight game, fall to Thunder
Read full article: Rockets lose team-record 20th straight game, fall to Thunder(AP Photo/Michael Wyke)HOUSTON – Mired in a long losing streak, the Houston Rockets twice put the ball in John Wall's hands in the waning moments. The Rockets lost their team-record 20th straight game, falling to the Oklahoma City Thunder 114-112 Sunday when Wall missed two shots in the final 10 seconds. This one hurts.”Dort scored 23 points and Isaiah Roby had 18 for the Thunder, who led by as many as 13 points. They shot a sizzling 14 of 21 on 3s in the second quarter, however, and Oklahoma City led 66-62 at halftime. The Rockets hit a franchise-record 28 3s in a win against the Thunder on Feb. 1, just three days before their last win.
AP Interview: Morey embraces challenges of leading 76ers
Read full article: AP Interview: Morey embraces challenges of leading 76ersMorey hasn't had to make any major moves in his first season running the Philadelphia 76ers. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)PHILADELPHIA – Like any top NBA executive this time of the season, Daryl Morey is trying to better his roster. “I just grabbed all the Sixers,” Morey said. “Younger fans want to feel like they’re part of something,” Morey told The Associated Press in an interview this week. “Well, we happen to have the best inside players in the NBA,” Morey said.
LeBron leads Lakers past Thunder again in OT, 114-113
Read full article: LeBron leads Lakers past Thunder again in OT, 114-113Los Angeles Lakers guard Talen Horton-Tucker (5) takes the ball from Oklahoma City Thunder forward Darius Bazley (7) during the third quarter of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)LOS ANGELES – LeBron James hit the tying 3-pointer late in regulation and then broke up the Thunder's final possession in overtime to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to their sixth consecutive victory, 114-113 over Oklahoma City on Wednesday night. James had 25 points, seven assists and six rebounds for the defending NBA champions, who survived their third consecutive overtime game. OVERTIME FEATSThe Lakers became the seventh team in NBA history to win three consecutive overtime games. AdLos Angeles hadn't played three straight overtime games since 1991.
Gilgeous-Alexander leads Thunder past Donovan, Bulls in OT
Read full article: Gilgeous-Alexander leads Thunder past Donovan, Bulls in OTOklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) shoots between Chicago Bulls guard Garrett Temple (17) and forward Lauri Markkanen during overtime of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 15, 2021, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)OKLAHOMA CITY – Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had a career-high 33 points and 10 assists to help Oklahoma City beat the Chicago Bulls and former Thunder coach Billy Donovan 127-125 in overtime Friday night. Donovan knew all too well how good Oklahoma City can be under challenging circumstances. ... Oklahoma City scored 19 points off Chicago's nine turnovers in the third quarter. ... Oklahoma City shot 56% in the third quarter and outscored the Bulls 37-27.
LeBron James scores 26 points, Lakers roll past Thunder
Read full article: LeBron James scores 26 points, Lakers roll past ThunderLos Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, left, moves around Oklahoma City Thunder forward Isaiah Roby (22) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)OKLAHOMA CITY – LeBron James scored 26 points and the Los Angeles Lakers routed the Oklahoma City Thunder 128-99 on Wednesday night for their franchise-record seventh straight road victory to start the season. James scored 15 points in the half. James made 4 of 6 shots and scored 11 points in the third quarter to help the Lakers take a 93-71 lead. Thunder: Host Chicago and former Oklahoma City coach Billy Donovan on Friday night.
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.
James, Davis back on court for Lakers as season draws near
Read full article: James, Davis back on court for Lakers as season draws nearThe Lakers, who beat Miami to win the championship Oct. 11, start the new season against the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday night. Also on Wednesday, Chicago beat Oklahoma City 124-103, and Portland played at Denver. BULLS 124, THUNDER 103At Oklahoma City, the Bulls took control in the second quarter and didn’t let up. LaVine scored 16 points on 6-for-7 shooting in the first quarter while Gilgeous-Alexander scored 11 for Oklahoma City. Oklahoma City couldn’t get into a flow, but part of that was because first-year coach Mark Daigneault gave minutes to 13 players.
Ben Simmons all in on 76ers’ new buzzword: accountability
Read full article: Ben Simmons all in on 76ers’ new buzzword: accountabilitySimmons says hes 100% healthy following surgery on his left knee in August that kept him from playing in the postseason. “I mean, you can’t just come into a situation like the bubble if you guys aren’t ready and don’t have that chemistry and accountability already,” Simmons said Friday. The same team Rivers coached last season that blew a 3-1 playoff series lead in the Western Conference semis and led him to leaving Los Angeles? Simmons said accountability -- the new buzzword in Philly - starts with the players. I think Doc would say the same thing, I go out there and make plays.”___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
New 76ers president Morey: Embiid, Simmons can work together
Read full article: New 76ers president Morey: Embiid, Simmons can work togetherPressed on Embiid and Simmons, Morey quipped he was low on the tenure board. “I think they absolutely can work together,” Morey said, “but Doc’s been here a little longer than me. “Whatever my role needs to be, I accept that role,” Brand said. “The goal is not to shoot 3-pointers, the goal is to win,” Morey said. Or Morey and Rivers, who bring decades of sustained winning to Philly and will demand players do it their way?
Doc is in: 76ers expect Rivers to lead them to NBA title
Read full article: Doc is in: 76ers expect Rivers to lead them to NBA titlePHILADELPHIA – Doc Rivers takes over a team tasked not with leading a Process-type rebuild or massaging the egos of two talented — yet frustrating — All-Stars. Enter Rivers, the 58-year-old former NBA guard who coached the Boston Celtics to the championship in 2008 and another NBA Finals appearance in 2010. Just two days after he split with the Los Angeles Clippers, Rivers was in Philadelphia with ownership and general manager Elton Brand, and on Thursday he accepted the job to succeed Brett Brown. If good things are going to happen in Philadelphia, Rivers needs more than social media support out of the talented 7-footer who has battled injuries and struggled with conditioning. “Embiid is a better scorer, obviously, and does things, and size, you can’t plan for that,” Rivers said at the time.
Sixers GM Brand says Embiid, Simmons won't be traded
Read full article: Sixers GM Brand says Embiid, Simmons won't be tradedPHILADELPHIA The next coach of the Philadelphia 76ers can count on having Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons. I would love to see this group with Ben Simmons, but I dont want to make any excuses. The new coach also has got to find that balance on how to push these All-Star players to that next stage. You have a great mix of veteran players, young players learning how to win in this game. Ive grown as a leader and Ive grown as a general manager, Brand said.
Booker's 35 points help streaking Suns beat 76ers 130-117
Read full article: Booker's 35 points help streaking Suns beat 76ers 130-117Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) drives past Philadelphia 76ers forward Glenn Robinson III (40) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, Pool)
Booker's 35 points help streaking Suns beat 76ers 130-117
Read full article: Booker's 35 points help streaking Suns beat 76ers 130-117Booker became the Suns' career leader with his 91st 30-point game, breaking a tie with Walter Davis. Phoenix pulled away late after leading only 105-102 following back-to-back baskets by Alec Burks, who led the 76ers with 23 points. The Suns continued their high-scoring play in the bubble after averaging 120 points in the first six games. The 76ers also were without Joel Embiid (left ankle), Tobias Harris (sore right ankle) and Al Horford (sore left knee). 76ers: Play the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday night.
Lillard drops 51 as Trail Blazers top 76ers; Embiid injured
Read full article: Lillard drops 51 as Trail Blazers top 76ers; Embiid injuredOn Saturday, he missed a pair of free throws with 18.6 seconds to go and a 3-pointer with 9.5 seconds left in a 122-117 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers. The Trail Blazers increased their chances of qualifying for the play-in series, which will start Saturday. Richardson missed a 3-pointer for Philadelphia, and the 76ers couldn't get another shot off after a scramble for the rebound. Trail Blazers: Lillard scored a basket in the first quarter when he drove to the hoop and his pass bounced off Philadelphia's Tobias Harris, off the backboard and into the basket. Trail Blazers: Play the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday.
Game on: NBA finally set to see games that count again
Read full article: Game on: NBA finally set to see games that count againFILE - In this Feb. 22, 2020, file photo, Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo dunks during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Philadelphia 76ers in Milwaukee. But after 20 weeks of waiting, wondering and worrying, the 2019-20 NBA season is ready to hit the restart button with a champion scheduled to be crowned in October. For the front-runners like the NBA-leading Milwaukee Bucks and West-leading Lakers, the eight remaining games before the playoffs are about tuning up their games. The biggest names are here: reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Bucks, LeBron James of the Lakers, scoring champion James Harden of Houston, plus the reigning Finals MVP and All-Star Game MVP in Leonard. The intensity is going to start to pick up with the games just meaning much more, Philadelphia forward Al Horford said.
Down in Disney, Bucks hope to finish the job this season
Read full article: Down in Disney, Bucks hope to finish the job this seasonFILE - In this a Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo reacts to his shot the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Philadelphia 76ers in Milwaukee. If Antetokounmpo can shoot like that in real games, maybe the Milwaukee Bucks can finish the job and win the title this season. The Bucks are too, bringing the NBAs best record into the resumption of the season next week at Walt Disney World. The Toronto Raptors exploited that last season, with versatile, big defenders such as Kawhi Leonard, Pascal Siakam and Serge Ibaka who could keep Antetokounmpo from the rim and make him shoot outside. The Bucks believe this season they have enough to go all the way, even without getting to use the home-court advantage they likely would have earned.
Booker scores 40 as Suns hand 76ers 1st loss, 114-109
Read full article: Booker scores 40 as Suns hand 76ers 1st loss, 114-109Phoenix Suns head coach Monty Williams, left, talks with Suns forward Kelly Oubre Jr. (3) during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Philadelphia 76ers, Monday, Nov. 4, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)PHOENIX, AZ Devin Booker scored 40 points, Ricky Rubio added 21 points and 10 assists, and the Phoenix Suns beat the NBA's final undefeated team by knocking off the Philadelphia 76ers 114-109 on Monday night. The surprising Suns are on a three-game winning streak and off to their best seven-game start since 2013. Booker, serenaded with MVP chants from the home crowd in the fourth quarter, has 6,003 points in his career. ... Booker scored the Suns' first 11 points of the third quarter and 16 in the period.
Pistons burned by former player, lose 117-111 to 76ers
Read full article: Pistons burned by former player, lose 117-111 to 76ersDETROIT - Tobias Harris scored 29 points against his former team in the Philadelphia 76ers' 117-111 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Saturday night. Al Horford added 23 points and Ben Simmons had 13 points and 10 assists to help the 76ers improve to 2-0. Derrick Rose led Detroit with 31 points in 27 minutes, but the Pistons missed 15 free throws in a game that was close until the closing moments. After a Pistons miss, Horford hit a 3-pointer, then made it 107-97 with a three-point play after a Detroit turnover. TIP INS76ers: Horford scored 15 points in the first 10 minutes of the third quarter.