INSIDER
No. 2 UConn beats No. 10 Marquette 73-57 to win 1st Big East Tournament title since 2011
Read full article: No. 2 UConn beats No. 10 Marquette 73-57 to win 1st Big East Tournament title since 2011Donovan Clingan had 22 points and a career-best 16 rebounds, Jaylin Stewart gave No. 2 UConn an unexpected boost with three second-half 3-pointers during a decisive surge and the Huskies beat No. 10 Marquette 73-57 to win the Big East Tournament championship.
Newton leads No. 2 UConn past St. John's 95-90 and into first Big East title game since 2011
Read full article: Newton leads No. 2 UConn past St. John's 95-90 and into first Big East title game since 2011Tristen Newton had 25 points and nine assists as No. 2 UConn advanced to the Big East championship game with a rollicking 95-90 victory over St. John’s at Madison Square Garden.
Raptors overcome 45-point game from Miles Bridges to beat Hornets 123-117
Read full article: Raptors overcome 45-point game from Miles Bridges to beat Hornets 123-117RJ Barrett scored 23 points, Jakob Poeltl had two big plays in the 90 seconds and the Toronto Raptors overcame a career-high 45 points from Miles Bridges to beat Charlotte 123-117 and hand the Hornets their ninth straight loss.
Mavs unclear on timeline for Walker as 4-time All-Star signs
Read full article: Mavs unclear on timeline for Walker as 4-time All-Star signsThe timeline for Kemba Walker to contribute for the Dallas Mavericks is uncertain as the four-time All-Star joins a roster in need of playmaking help behind superstar Luka Doncic.
Ime's way: Celtics' Finals run a product of coach's vision
Read full article: Ime's way: Celtics' Finals run a product of coach's visionThe Celtics’ transition from a team that has gone from just outside the top tier of the Eastern Conference to one that's four wins way from the franchise’s 18th NBA championship began the moment Ime Udoka took the microphone at his introductory news conference.
Knicks end Mavericks' 6-game win streak with 108-85 victory
Read full article: Knicks end Mavericks' 6-game win streak with 108-85 victoryRJ Barrett scored 32 points, Mitchell Robinson had a season-high 19 and the New York Knicks snapped the Dallas Mavericks’ six-game winning streak with a 108-85 victory.
Walker's triple-double leads Knicks over Hawks, 101-87
Read full article: Walker's triple-double leads Knicks over Hawks, 101-87Kemba Walker became the seventh NBA player with a triple-double on Christmas, and the New York Knicks beat the depleted Atlanta Hawks 101-87 for their first win on the holiday in a decade.
Booker, Suns extend win streak to 15, beat Knicks 118-97
Read full article: Booker, Suns extend win streak to 15, beat Knicks 118-97Devin Booker scored 32 points and the Phoenix Suns beat the New York Knicks 118-97 for their 15th straight victory, matching the second-longest winning streak in franchise history.
Walker scores 19, Knicks romp to end 15-game skid vs 76ers
Read full article: Walker scores 19, Knicks romp to end 15-game skid vs 76ersKemba Walker scored 19 points in his best game with his hometown team and the New York Knicks snapped a 15-game losing streak against the Philadelphia 76ers with a 112-99 victory.
Knicks withstand Brown's 46, outlast Celtics 138-134 in 2 OT
Read full article: Knicks withstand Brown's 46, outlast Celtics 138-134 in 2 OTJulius Randle scored 35 points, Evan Fournier made the go-ahead 3-pointer in the second overtime and the New York Knicks outlasted Jaylen Brown and the Boston Celtics 138-134.
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.
Nets head to second round, beat Celtics 123-109 in Game 5
Read full article: Nets head to second round, beat Celtics 123-109 in Game 5James Harden had 34 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists for his first postseason triple-double with Brooklyn, leading the Nets into the Eastern Conference semifinals with a 123-109 victory over the Boston Celtics in Game 5.
Nets rout Celtics, Boston fan hits Kyrie Irving with bottle
Read full article: Nets rout Celtics, Boston fan hits Kyrie Irving with bottleKyrie Irving had 39 points and 11 rebounds to quiet the first post-pandemic full house at the TD Garden, and Kevin Durant scored 42 to give the Brooklyn Nets a 141-126 victory over Boston and a 3-1 lead in the first-round playoff series.
Nets get 7 3s from Harris, rout Celtics 130-108 for 2-0 lead
Read full article: Nets get 7 3s from Harris, rout Celtics 130-108 for 2-0 leadJoe Harris tied a franchise playoff record with seven 3-pointers, Kevin Durant scored 26 points and the Brooklyn Nets routed the Boston Celtics 130-108 for a 2-0 lead in their first-round playoff series.
Butler strong down stretch, Heat hold off Celtics 130-124
Read full article: Butler strong down stretch, Heat hold off Celtics 130-124Jimmy Butler had 26 points and 11 assists to help the Miami Heat hold off the Boston Celtics 130-124 as they fight for position in the tight Eastern Conference playoff race.
Celtics rally from 32-point deficit, top Spurs 143-140 in OT
Read full article: Celtics rally from 32-point deficit, top Spurs 143-140 in OTJaylen Brown hit a 3-pointer with 16.7 seconds remaining in overtime, Jayson Tatum scored a career-high 60 points and the Boston Celtics rallied from a 32-point deficit to beat the San Antonio Spurs 143-140.
Nets back atop East after beating Celtics 109-104
Read full article: Nets back atop East after beating Celtics 109-104Kyrie Irving just missed a triple-double despite an awful shooting night, Joe Harris scored 20 points and the Brooklyn Nets regained first place in the Eastern Conference with a 109-104 victory over the Boston Celtics.
Tatum (44) bests Curry (47), Celtics beat Warriors 119-114
Read full article: Tatum (44) bests Curry (47), Celtics beat Warriors 119-114Jayson Tatum scored 44 points to win a shootout with Stephen Curry, who had 47, and Kemba Walker made a 3-pointer with 24 seconds left to lead the Boston Celtics to their sixth straight win, 119-114 over the Golden State Warriors.
USA Basketball picks 57 players for men's Tokyo Games pool
Read full article: USA Basketball picks 57 players for men's Tokyo Games poolUSA Basketball is a step closer to choosing the team that will play in this summer’s rescheduled Tokyo Olympics, releasing the names Thursday of 57 players who are part of the pool to fill the squad. It’s also already drawing major interest from some NBA stars who have yet to taste Olympic gold. USA Basketball will pare the list to a 12-person Olympic team by early summer. Jordan, who now plays for Brooklyn, is also a newcomer to the pool even though he was on the 2016 Olympic team. “But for USA Basketball to receive the commitment of so many outstanding players remains an indicator of the great honor of representing your country means to these men.”
NBA chooses All-Star reserves, with Zion among first-timers
Read full article: NBA chooses All-Star reserves, with Zion among first-timersNew Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) goes to the basket in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Boston Celtics in New Orleans, Sunday, Feb. 21, 2021. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)New Orleans forward Zion Williamson now can be called an NBA All-Star, and only three others in the game’s 70-year history have gotten there at a younger age. Phoenix’s Chris Paul is an All-Star for the 11th time, and Brooklyn’s James Harden is one for the ninth consecutive year. The rest of the reserves include Philadelphia’s Ben Simmons, Boston’s Jayson Tatum and Orlando’s Nikola Vucevic from the Eastern Conference, along with the Los Angeles Lakers’ Anthony Davis, the Los Angeles Clippers’ Paul George, Utah teammates Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert, and Portland’s Damian Lillard from the Western Conference. But this will be his first time in the All-Star Game itself.
Anthony Davis scores 27, Lakers hold off Celtics 96-95
Read full article: Anthony Davis scores 27, Lakers hold off Celtics 96-95Los Angeles Lakers' Anthony Davis (3) shoots between Boston Celtics' Jaylen Brown (7) and Jayson Tatum during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)BOSTON – The Lakers started off their season-high, seven-game road trip by winning three of four before Anthony Davis was sidelined with an injury. Davis had 27 points and 14 rebounds in his return to the lineup and Los Angeles hung on to beat the Boston Celtics 96-95 on Saturday night when Daniel Theis missed a follow shot at the buzzer. Montrezl Harrell added 16 points for the Lakers, who lost in Detroit on Thursday when Davis rested a bruised right quadriceps. Walker missed the first 12 games of the season recovering from a procedure on his left knee and Tatum missed multiple games earlier this month with COVID-19.
Kemba Walker returns, but Knicks blow out Celtics 105-75
Read full article: Kemba Walker returns, but Knicks blow out Celtics 105-75Boston Celtics' Kemba Walker (8) shoots against New York Knicks' Mitchell Robinson (23) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)BOSTON – Julius Randle scored 20 points with 12 rebounds and RJ Barrett had 19 and 11 on Sunday to help the New York Knicks snap a five-game losing streak and beat the Boston Celtics 105-75. All-Star point guard Kemba Walker made his season debut after missing the first 11 games with a left knee injury but left in the third quarter after hurting his ribs. Robinson needed help getting up and limped off the court, but he returned in the second quarter. Celtics: The 35 points was the Celtics' lowest-scoring half of the season.
Celtics would be without Tatum, Brown for coronavirus rules
Read full article: Celtics would be without Tatum, Brown for coronavirus rulesBoston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) drives against Washington Wizards' Davis Bertans and center Moritz Wagner (21) in the second half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Jan. 8, 2021, in Boston. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)BOSTON – The Boston Celtics could be without stars Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and a number of other players because of coronavirus safety protocols when they face Miami on Sunday. The Celtics are listing Tatum as doubtful and Brown as questionable for the rematch of the Eastern Conference finals. With Kemba Walker and Romeo Langford unavailable because of injuries, the Celtics could have the minimum eight players required to start a game. Beset by its own coronavirus problems, Philadelphia dressed an injured player Saturday so it could field a team to play against Denver.
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.
Back to the Finals: Heat oust Celtics, move to title series
Read full article: Back to the Finals: Heat oust Celtics, move to title seriesThe Heat are going to the NBA Finals — surprising many, perhaps, but not themselves. Extremely well-coached and well-put together and we are just honored to be a part of that type of series in the conference finals, and then we get an opportunity for the next stage. The Heat won the series 4-2 — and now, waiting on that next stage to decide the NBA title, are LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers. The Celtics scored 10 of the first 12 points of the fourth, going up 96-90. 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.
Celtics control second half, top Heat to win Game 5 in East
Read full article: Celtics control second half, top Heat to win Game 5 in EastTatum had 31 points and 10 rebounds, Jaylen Brown added 28 points and the Celtics shook off a slow first half to top the Miami Heat 121-108 in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals and stave off elimination. “Our deal was to come out and play, come out and compete, give it our best shot and I thought we played pretty well in the second half," Stevens said. Kemba Walker scored 15 points, Marcus Smart had a 12-point, eight-rebound, eight-assist night and Gordon Hayward scored 10 for the Celtics. “Boston played great in that second half," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. The Heat scored the first basket of the third quarter.
He's a Herro: Heat top Celtics, move a game from NBA Finals
Read full article: He's a Herro: Heat top Celtics, move a game from NBA FinalsTyler Herro — still just 20 years old — scored a Heat rookie-record 37 points, Jimmy Butler had 24 and Miami beat the Boston Celtics 112-109 on Wednesday night in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals. They erased a double-digit deficit to take a one-point lead in the fourth — then saw the Heat run away again. The other: Magic Johnson, who had 42 in Game 6 of the 1980 NBA Finals for the Los Angeles Lakers. And the Heat rookie playoff record was 27 by Dwyane Wade in 2004; it now belongs to Herro, who scored 17 points in the fourth alone. The biggest Heat lead in the first three games had been eight points.
Celtics top Heat 117-106, cut East finals deficit to 2-1
Read full article: Celtics top Heat 117-106, cut East finals deficit to 2-1Jaylen Brown scored 26 points, Jayson Tatum added 25 and the Celtics got right back into the East finals with a 117-106 victory over the Miami Heat in Game 3 on Saturday night. Kemba Walker added 21 to help Boston pull to 2-1 in the best-of-seven series. Marcus Smart scored 20 points for Boston, going 9 for 9 from the foul line in the fourth quarter. “This is the conference finals, playing against a really good team," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. RARE BREAKPartly to allow the Western Conference finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and Denver Nuggets to catch up, the Heat and Celtics won’t play Game 4 until Wednesday.
Comeback Heat do it again, rally past Celtics for 2-0 lead
Read full article: Comeback Heat do it again, rally past Celtics for 2-0 leadAnd after making the Boston Celtics lose another big lead on the court — as well as their cool in the postgame locker room — the unheralded Heat are two wins away from the NBA Finals. Goran Dragic scored 25 points, Bam Adebayo led a big third-quarter rally to finish with 21, and the Heat pulled off another comeback to beat the Celtics 106-101 and take a 2-0 lead in the Eastern Conference finals. The Celtics went on a 15-2 run, silencing the Heat for nearly seven minutes and going up 94-89 on a 3-pointer by Walker with 4:25 left. ... Miami’s 20-point differential in the third quarter was a Heat record for that quarter in the playoffs, and the sixth time in Heat playoff history they outscored an opponent by at least 20 in any quarter. 3’S ARE WILDCrowder’s 3-pointer with 5:43 left in the third quarter was — fittingly — the 33,333rd in NBA playoff history.
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.
Celtics oust Raptors in Game 7, head to East finals vs. Heat
Read full article: Celtics oust Raptors in Game 7, head to East finals vs. HeatTatum scored 29 points, Jaylen Brown had 21 and the Celtics topped the Toronto Raptors 92-87 on Friday night in Game 7 of the East semifinal series. The Raptors were bidding to become the seventh franchise in NBA history to win four consecutive Game 7's. Boston pushed the lead to nine, Toronto scored the next eight, eventually took the lead before the Celtics claimed it back. Raptors: Toronto was eliminated 456 days after winning the preceding season’s title, obviously the longest such run for a team that didn’t win consecutive championships. 2 seed in the East will make the conference finals since the NBA went to the 16-team playoff format in 1984; this one will feature No.
On to Game 7: Raptors survive Celtics in double-OT thriller
Read full article: On to Game 7: Raptors survive Celtics in double-OT thrillerFred VanVleet scored 21 points for the Raptors, who needed the win to extend their season, and Anunoby had 13 points and 13 rebounds. And tempers flared when it was over, everyone getting a few extra words in before Game 7 on Friday. Celtics: Brown took 18 shots in the first half, the most by a Celtics player in the first 24 minutes of a game since Antoine Walker took 18 on Nov. 29, 2002 also against Toronto. GAME 7 HISTORYThe Celtics will be in a Game 7 for the 33rd time; theyre 23-9 all-time but have lost four of their last seven ultimate games. Game 7 will be considered a Toronto home game.
Celtics roll in Game 5, take 3-2 series lead on Raptors
Read full article: Celtics roll in Game 5, take 3-2 series lead on RaptorsJaylen Brown scored 27 points and the Celtics never trailed, rolling past the Toronto Raptors 111-89 in Game 5 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series on Monday night. Boston now leads the series 3-2 and can earn a trip to the East finals on Wednesday. Toronto outscored Boston 28-25 in the third and it already didn't matter; the Celtics' lead was 87-63 going into the fourth. The Celtics scored more points in the second quarter (37) than they allowed in the first half (35). The Raptors went 1-0 last season in win-or-else games, that being the Game 7 triumph over Philadelphia in the East semifinals.
Raptors beat Celtics 100-93 to even East semifinals at 2-2
Read full article: Raptors beat Celtics 100-93 to even East semifinals at 2-2Two days after winning Game 3 on OG Anunobys 3-pointer as time expired, the Raptors didnt need any big shots. Jayson Tatum had 24 points and 10 rebounds for the Celtics. 7-UPWhen Lowry and Brown fouled each other, it caused some headaches for the public address announcer, who mixed up his No. When Brown fouled Lowry in the first quarter, he announced the foul was on Lowry, saying my bad after a moment of confusion. Lowry hacked Brown in the second and it was announced as a foul on the Celtics player.
Celtics roll past Raptors 112-94, take 1-0 East semis lead
Read full article: Celtics roll past Raptors 112-94, take 1-0 East semis leadToronto has lost four games by more than 15 points this season three of them against Boston. The Celtics won by 22 on Aug. 7, 18 on Sunday and 16 on Christmas Day. Tatum hit a baseline jumper as time expired, and the lead was 88-73 going into the final 12 minutes. Raptors: Toronto trailed 39-23 after one quarter, the sixth-worst point differential in a span of 547 quarters including playoffs played by the Raptors going back to Jan. 16, 2019. The Raptors and Celtics knelt for that moment and the playings of The Star-Spangled Banner and O Canada that immediately followed.
Celtics build 40-point lead, roll past Raptors 122-100
Read full article: Celtics build 40-point lead, roll past Raptors 122-100And Celtics coach Brad Stevens is already making it clear if that happens, a blowout win over the Raptors now won't mean anything then. Jaylen Brown scored 20 points, Jayson Tatum added 18 and the Celtics never trailed on the way to an emphatic 122-100 win over the Raptors on Friday night. It was 91-57 entering the fourth, and the Raptors went with subs the rest of the way. Raptors: Toronto needs one win in its final four games for a fifth consecutive 50-win season. The Raptors missed nine of their first 10 shots on the way to a 12-2 early deficit, setting the tone.
Tatum has 34 as Celtics beat Trail Blazers 128-124
Read full article: Tatum has 34 as Celtics beat Trail Blazers 128-124That was a playoff-level energy that we had to play with at the end of the game, Boston coach Brad Stevens said. Jaylen was open and those were the right reads.Damian Lillard had 30 points and 16 assists for Portland. Jusuf Nurkic added 30 points in his second official game back after breaking his leg in March 2019. UP NEXTTrail Blazers: Play Houston on Tuesday night. Celtics: Play the Heat on Tuesday night.
Antetokounmpo, Bucks return with 119-112 win over Celtics
Read full article: Antetokounmpo, Bucks return with 119-112 win over CelticsA replay overturned what would have been the NBA's MVP sixth foul with 1:28 left and he made the most of his second chance, helping the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Boston Celtics 119-112 on Friday night. Antetokounmpo had 36 points, 15 rebounds and seven assists in the Bucks first game in the restart. I felt like he was moving on the last play but either way if it was a charge, if it was not a charge, Im happy that we got the win and Ill learn from the play, Antetokounmpo said. Smart scored 23 points for the Celtics and Jaylen Brown had 22, but star forward Jayson Tatum had a nightmarish restart. Bucks: Play Houston on Sunday.
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.