INSIDER
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.
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.
Durant, Nets rout 76ers in Simmons' return to Philadelphia
Read full article: Durant, Nets rout 76ers in Simmons' return to PhiladelphiaKevin Durant scored 18 of his 25 points in Brooklyn’s dominating first half in the Nets’ 129-100 blowout victory over the 76ers on Thursday night in Ben Simmons’ much-hyped return to Philadelphia.
Embiid has 43 points, 14 rebounds; 76ers thump Bulls 121-106
Read full article: Embiid has 43 points, 14 rebounds; 76ers thump Bulls 121-106Joel Embiid had 43 points and 14 rebounds, and the Philadelphia 76ers beat the Chicago Bulls 121-106 in a showdown between two of the Eastern Conference’s top teams headed in opposite directions.
Durant carries Nets past 76ers for another short-handed win
Read full article: Durant carries Nets past 76ers for another short-handed winKevin Durant scored 34 points, making a four-point play with the game tied and 1:46 left, and the Brooklyn Nets beat the Philadelphia 76ers 114-105 for another short-handed victory.
Nets without 5 players for NBA's health and safety protocols
Read full article: Nets without 5 players for NBA's health and safety protocolsThe Brooklyn Nets will be without five players, including starters LaMarcus Aldridge and DeAndre’ Bembry, on Tuesday night because of the NBA’s health and safety protocols.
Chris Paul has another big night, Suns rout Nuggets 123-98
Read full article: Chris Paul has another big night, Suns rout Nuggets 123-98Chris Paul had 17 points and 15 assists without a turnover, Devin Booker added 18 points and 10 rebounds and the Phoenix Suns routed the Denver Nuggets 123-98 on Wednesday night to take a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference semifinals.
Jazz say they will investigate allegation of bigoted comment
Read full article: Jazz say they will investigate allegation of bigoted comment(AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)The Utah Jazz said they will “thoroughly investigate” an allegation from former NBA player Elijah Millsap that longtime team executive Dennis Lindsey directed a bigoted statement toward him during an end-of-season exit interview in 2015. Millsap, the brother of former Jazz standout and current Denver forward Paul Millsap, made the allegation in a tweet Wednesday. “The Jazz organization has zero tolerance for discriminatory behavior of any kind,” the team said in a statement Thursday night. We have proactively engaged outside counsel to work in coordination with the NBA to thoroughly investigate this matter. We seek a comprehensive and unbiased review of the situation.”AdMillsap did not immediately respond to a message seeking reaction to the Jazz statement and the opening of an investigation.
Murray scores historic 50 as Nuggets down crumbling Cavs
Read full article: Murray scores historic 50 as Nuggets down crumbling CavsDenver Nuggets' Jamal Murray (27) drives to the basket against Cleveland Cavaliers' Cedi Osman (16) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Feb. 19, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)CLEVELAND – Not himself of late, Jamal Murray got a lecture from Nuggets coach Michael Malone about being more aggressive and not passing up open shots. Following the game, Murray was unaware that he had done something unique. “With the exception of Murray, we took some steps in the right direction,” Cavs coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. They made their first 12 shots, opened a 22-point lead in the second half and then let Murray close out the Cavs.
Cavaliers sitting Drummond while pursuing trade for center
Read full article: Cavaliers sitting Drummond while pursuing trade for centerDenver Nuggets forward Paul Millsap, left, fights for position for a rebound with Cleveland Cavaliers center Andre Drummond in the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)CLEVELAND – Andre Drummond is on the trade block — and the bench. Coach J.B. Bickerstaff said the decision to sit Drummond, one of the NBA's leading rebounders at 13.5 per game, was difficult. Drummond will continue to stay on the sideline while the team tries to find a trade partner. But with the NBA's focus on shooting 3-pointers, a player like Drummond — a prototypical center — can be viewed as a liability.
Jokic powers Nuggets by Lakers, Davis re-aggravates Achilles
Read full article: Jokic powers Nuggets by Lakers, Davis re-aggravates Achilles(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)DENVER – The sight of Anthony Davis limping off the court was hard for the Los Angeles Lakers to shake. Nikola Jokic recorded his sixth triple-double of the season and the Denver Nuggets beat the Lakers 122-105 on Sunday night in a game in which Davis re-aggravated his sore right Achilles. Now, the only thought for the Lakers is the result of Davis' MRI on Monday for what the team called a strain. For his big game, Jokic credited a new mindset. Entering the game, Davis was questionable with what was described as right Achilles tendinosis.
Middleton, Antetokounmpo lead Bucks past Nuggets 125-112
Read full article: Middleton, Antetokounmpo lead Bucks past Nuggets 125-112Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, right, moves to the rim as Denver Nuggets forward JaMychal Green defends in the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Feb. 8, 2021, in Denver. Middleton had 29 points and a career-high 12 assists, Antetokounmpo scored 30 points and the Milwaukee Bucks won their fifth straight game by beating the Denver Nuggets 125-112 on Monday night. “We still find ourselves trying to figure out how to be a team that plays a lot better in the second half,” Malone said. “We’ve lost three in a row because we haven’t defended anybody.”TIP-INSBucks: The Bucks outrebounded the Nuggets 50-38. “Hope that he's going to be well.”MAIN ATTRACTIONAsked about the marquee matchup between Jokic and Antetokounmpo, Malone feigned hurt feelings.
Chris Paul helps Suns hold off Nuggets, improve to 5-1
Read full article: Chris Paul helps Suns hold off Nuggets, improve to 5-1Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul, right, looks for a shot over Denver Nuggets guard Facundo Campazzo during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 1, 2021, in Denver. Moments like this are precisely why the Suns acquired Paul in a deal with Oklahoma City. “Him being able to knock down shots, and the ability and will to take those shots, is huge for us,” Suns coach Monty Williams said. But on the advice of Paul, Williams decided to challenge the play. The Denver big man is posting big numbers but his production isn’t translating into wins as the Nuggets fell to 1-4.
Davis, Lakers beat Nuggets to take 3-1 lead in West finals
Read full article: Davis, Lakers beat Nuggets to take 3-1 lead in West finalsAnthony Davis scored 34 points, LeBron James had 26 and the Lakers beat the Nuggets 114-108 on Thursday night in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals. James added nine rebounds and eight assists, and the Lakers had 12 offensive rebounds for a whopping 25-6 advantage in second-chance points. We had too many empty possessions tonight.”Game 5 is Saturday night, when the Lakers can reach the NBA Finals for the first time in a decade. With an array of short jumpers, Davis made his first six shots before anyone else on the Lakers made a basket. The Nuggets shot 59% in the first half but the Lakers had an 18-2 advantage in second-chance points.
Murray, Nuggets hang on in Game 3, cut Lakers' lead to 2-1
Read full article: Murray, Nuggets hang on in Game 3, cut Lakers' lead to 2-1With Denver's lead down to four, Murray made a 3-pointer with 2:16 remaining. It would grow to 18 and could have been worse if not for Davis, who scored nine straight Lakers points. The Lakers got the first five points of the third to cut the lead in half, but Denver regained control and led 93-75 after three. Nuggets: Denver's last halftime lead had been a 59-57 edge over the Clippers in Game 3 of the West semifinals. THE AIR UP THEREThe Lakers came into the game 4-0 in the playoffs as the designated road team.
Lakers roll past Nuggets 126-114 in West finals opener
Read full article: Lakers roll past Nuggets 126-114 in West finals openerThe top-seeded Lakers opened a double-digit lead in the first half that they easily extended in the third quarter. The Lakers quickly knocked off any rust for another long layoff in the bubble against a Denver team that's had things much tougher. Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray each scored 21 points for the Nuggets, playing in the conference finals for the first time since the Lakers beat them in 2009. The Nuggets fell to 7-22 against the Lakers in the postseason. ... Denver's 16 fouls in the second quarter tied the most by any team in a quarter this season.
Clippers set to try, again, to reach the conference finals
Read full article: Clippers set to try, again, to reach the conference finals“Just winning a game in the NBA is hard,” the Los Angeles Clippers’ coach said. For the Clippers, winning a game at this point in the season has been impossible — forever. Game 6 is Sunday, when the Clippers will once again try to get to a level of the playoffs that they’ve never reached before. — KEEP AN EYE ON: How the Clippers finish. There will be an absolute urgency from the Clippers to finish the job on Sunday.
Millsap helps Nuggets rally, stun Clippers 111-105 in Game 5
Read full article: Millsap helps Nuggets rally, stun Clippers 111-105 in Game 5Denver — down 16 in the first half — trailed 61-46 with 9:42 remaining in the third before rallying behind the 35-year-old Millsap. The Nuggets took their first lead on Nikola Jokic's 3-pointer with 7:06 left and extended it to eight. After the Clippers pulled within a basket, Porter hit a deep 3-pointer with 1:11 remaining to all but wrap it up. Jamal Murray finished with 26 points, and Jokic added 22 points and 14 rebounds to help the Nuggets pull to 3-2 in the best-of-seven series. 9/11 MEMORIESClippers coach Doc Rivers and Nuggets coach Michael Malone reflected on their memories on the 19th anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001.
George, Leonard lead Clippers to 113-107 win over Nuggets
Read full article: George, Leonard lead Clippers to 113-107 win over NuggetsClippers coach Doc Rivers called a timeout to calm down the Clippers with 8:29 left and trailing 97-90. Denver was cruising along in the second quarter, leading by 12 points with 3:34 left before halftime, before the Clippers roared back. ... F Marcus Morris had 12 points. Nuggets: Denver outscored the Clippers by a 58-42 margin in points in the paint. He played a little more than 12 minutes in Game 1 and 15 minutes in Game 2.
Nuggets lead wire-to-wire, top Clippers to tie series at 1
Read full article: Nuggets lead wire-to-wire, top Clippers to tie series at 1Gary Harris and Paul Millsap each added 13 points to help Denver knot the series at a game apiece. Paul George scored 22 points for the Clippers, who got 15 from Ivica Zubac and endured a rare off night offensively from Kawhi Leonard. The Clippers trailed by 23 and got as close as five in the fourth quarter, but no closer. The Clippers' best run eventually came in the fourth, with George going on a personal 7-0 spurt to get the Clippers within 91-86 the smallest lead for the Nuggets since it was 7-2. It was the second-best scoring quarter in Nuggets NBA playoff history, after scoring 47 in the fourth against the Los Angeles Lakers on May 14, 1985.