Scott Rafferty | Sporting News

MORE FROM Scott Rafferty

Tatum takes over in impressive Game 2 victory

Tatum was the star of Game 2, exploding for 34 points, eight rebounds and six assists. He received help from Marcus Smart and Kemba Walker, both of whom hit big-time shots for the Celtics in the fourth quarter.

Scott Rafferty

The unguardable duo nobody saw coming

Miami's Bam Adebayo and Duncan Robinson have quietly been one of the NBA's scariest duos this season thanks to one simple play. Here's how they do it — and why nobody has an answer for it.

Scott Rafferty

Previewing Monday's games

There are three games to look forward to on Sunday: Game 1 of Raptors-Celtics, followed by Game 6 of Clippers-Mavericks and Game 6 of Nuggets-Jazz.

Scott Rafferty

Rockets or Thunder more of a threat to Lakers?

The Lakers are moving on to the second round, where they await either the Rockets or Thunder. Which team should the Lakers be hoping to see? Two members of our NBA.com Staff discuss whether the Rockets or Thunder would have a better chance of upsetting the Lakers.

Scott Rafferty

Preview: Is Boston Toronto's kryptonite?

The Raptors lost three of their four games against the Celtics in the regular season. Toronto being short-handed in a couple of those meetings had something to do with that, but Boston has proven to be a tough matchup for the defending champions.

Scott Rafferty

What Westbrook's return means for Rockets

Westbrook will play in Game 5 after missing the first four games of Houston's first-round matchup with Oklahoma City due to a strained right quadriceps. Can he help the Rockets regain control of the series?

Scott Rafferty

Dort is proving to be a thorn in Harden's side

Nobody can stop James Harden all by themselves, but Luguentz Dort has been able to make life more difficult for the former MVP than he is used to in Houston's first-round series with Oklahoma City. Here's how.

Scott Rafferty

Ranking best players in Raptors-Celtics series

Jayson Tatum or Pascal Siakam? Kyle Lowry or Jaylen Brown? Fred VanVleet or Kemba Walker? Ahead of the Raptors and Celtics facing off in the second round of the playoffs, our NBA.com Staff ranks the best players in the series.

Scott Rafferty

Pacers part ways with head coach

According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the Pacers will target Houston Rockets head coach Mike D'Antoni to replace McMillan if he becomes available.

Scott Rafferty

Four stats that could determine Raptors-Celtics outcome

The key to Jayson Tatum's development into a star, where the Raptors might have the edge in the series, where the Celtics might have the edge and the impact of Gordon Hayward's injury on both ends of the court.

Scott Rafferty

Giannis named Defensive Player of the Year

Antetokounmpo is only the fifth player in NBA history to win MVP and Defensive Player of the Year in their careers, joining Michael Jordan, Hakeem Olajuwon, David Robinson and Kevin Garnett.

Scott Rafferty

Giannis dominates as Bucks regain control of series

Giannis Antetokounmpo put on a show with 35 points, 11 rebounds, seven assists, two steals and one block. For more on the game, here are some reactions at the buzzer.

Scott Rafferty

Nurse named Coach of the Year

Now in his second season as head coach, Nurse led the Raptors to a 53-19 record despite being one of the most injury-ridden teams in the league. That earned Toronto the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference, trailing only the Milwaukee Bucks in the standings.

Scott Rafferty

Walker steps up to give Celtics 3-0 lead

Jayson Tatum's early foul trouble put pressure on the Celtics, but All-Star guard Kemba Walker reminded everyone how important he is to Boston. Another monster double-double effort from Joel Embiid came up just short as the Celtics put themselves one game away from advancing in the playoffs.

Scott Rafferty

Conley's return sparks impressive Jazz win

After missing Games 1 and 2, Mike Conley Jr. returned to the Jazz's lineup with a vengeance. The veteran guard scored a game-high 27 points with seven 3-pointers, pairing well with a dominating double-double from Rudy Gobert to help Utah take a 2-1 series lead over the Nuggets.

Scott Rafferty

VanVleet's double-double powers Raptors in Game 2

VanVleet shot only 8-for-22 from the field, but he carried the Raptors in the second half when they staged their comeback. The Raptors now lead 2-0 in their first-round series with the Nets.

Scott Rafferty

Raptors vs. Nets preview: Can LeVert scare the Raps?

Despite being short-handed, the Nets have been able to surprise some teams in Orlando. Can they continue that strong play in the playoffs or will the Raptors simply be too much for them to handle?

Scott Rafferty

Clippers vs. Mavericks preview: Will Luka shine in playoff debut?

Led by Kawhi Leonard, the Clippers swept the Mavericks in the regular season. Will LA's success against Dallas carry over into the playoffs or will Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis make magic happen in their postseason debuts?

Scott Rafferty

McCollum ends Grizzlies' season with big-time shots

With the win, the Blazers secure the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference. They'll take on the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the 2020 NBA Playoffs.

Scott Rafferty

Are LeBron's clutch numbers cause for concern?

Here's something that might catch you by surprise: LeBron James has been one of the league's worst scorers in those situations this season. How much of it is noise and how much of it is real? Let's take a closer look.

Scott Rafferty

The NBA's best lineup isn't what you'd expect

The short answer: no. Although Oklahoma City's first-round matchup with the Houston Rockets — a team that plays small themselves — in the 2020 NBA Playoffs will be a fascinating test case.

Scott Rafferty

Booker is launching LeBron passes now

Devin Booker has earned the reputation of being one of the NBA's best scorers, but he's quietly developed into an elite passer as well. There was one particular assist he had in Phoenix's must-win game against the 76ers that was LeBron-esque. Let's take a closer look.

Scott Rafferty

Report: Simmons to undergo surgery on injured knee

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski added that the Philadelphia 76ers haven't ruled out Simmons for the season, but it would take a deep postseason run to "keep the door open" for a possible return.

Scott Rafferty

Finalists revealed for end-of-season awards

Among the finalists: Giannis Antetokounmpo is up for MVP and DPOY, LeBron James is up for MVP and Nick Nurse is up for COY.

Scott Rafferty

Did the Celtics expose the Raptors?

Led by Jaylen Brown's play on both ends of the court, the Celtics handed the Raptors their first loss of the season restart with a wire-to-wire victory. What can the Raptors learn from the game?

Scott Rafferty

Impact of Saturday's results on playoff picture

12 teams took to the courts at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando with a lot to play for on Saturday. Here's how each game impacted the playoff picture.

Scott Rafferty

Simmons out indefinitely, treatment options being considered

Simmons suffered the injury in Philadelphia's win over the Washington Wizards, showing some discomfort in his leg after coming up with an offensive rebound in the middle of the third quarter.

Scott Rafferty

Is Bam the Giannis stopper?

According to the numbers, Adebayo has had more success guarding Antetokounmpo than almost every player in the league this season. How much of that is real and how much is noise?

Scott Rafferty

Who's scarier on offence: Harden or Lillard?

They're two of the best guards in the NBA, but which one is better? NBA.com's Carlan Gay and Scott Rafferty hit the debate corner to figure out the answer.

Scott Rafferty

Best centres in free agency

Marc Gasol and Serge Ibaka are two of the best centres available in free agency this year. Who else should teams in need of a big man target?

Scott Rafferty

How Sunday's games impacted the playoff race

The Miami Heat closed the gap between them and the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference while the Utah Jazz, Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston Rockets find themselves in a tight battle for the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference.

Scott Rafferty

Lowry delivers masterful performance in win over Lakers

33 points, 14 rebounds, 6 assists. Kyle Lowry delivered the goods as the Raptors got the season restart off to a strong start with a 107-92 win over the Lakers. Here are some instant reactions from an impressive win for the Raptors.

Scott Rafferty

LeBron's defensive genius in one play

James helped the Lakers defeat the Clippers on opening night with a near triple-double, but it was his defence that stood out the most. Let's take a look at one particular possession in which he put his basketball genius on that end of the floor on full display.

Scott Rafferty

Davis gives Clippers nightmare fuel in latest LA Battle

Davis scored 34 points in what was another wild game between the Lakers and Clippers. Here are some quick observations from a potential playoff preview between the two-best teams in the Western Conference.

Scott Rafferty

Sights and sounds from opening day of season restart

The NBA is back! Take a behind-the-scenes look at the season restart with the best sights and sounds from the day's double-header.

Scott Rafferty

Players react to return of NBA

Trae Young, Jamal Crawford, Isaiah Thomas and Ja Morant are among the players to take to social media to react to the return of the NBA season.

Scott Rafferty

Let's talk about Zion's defence

As dominant as Williamson has been on offence, he's had a steeper learning curve on defence to start his NBA career, so much so that it's brought his potential on that end of the floor into the spotlight.

Scott Rafferty

Casting doubt on LeBron and the Lakers

LeBron James in the clutch. A lack of playoff experience for Anthony Davis. The supporting cast. Plenty of obstacles stand in the way of the Lakers hoisting the Larry O'Brien Trophy when the season resumes, but how much of it will ultimately matter in the end?

Scott Rafferty

Kawhi's only weakness is now a strength

Kawhi Leonard has proven to be a capable facilitator several times in his career, but it's never been as big a part of his game as it could be. This season is a different story. The result? He's turned his only remaining weakness into a legitimate strength.

Scott Rafferty

Best point guards in free agency

It's a list headlined by Fred VanVleet and includes veterans like Goran Dragic and Mike Conley.

Scott Rafferty

Ranking the best players in season restart

Is Kawhi Leonard still the best player in the NBA? Which one of Pascal Siakam and Jayson Tatum made the top 10? Who are the biggest risers and fallers? Who are the best players who didn't make it? All that and more in our latest player rankings.

Scott Rafferty

Odds for the West's No. 8 seed

The Memphis Grizzlies currently have the eighth-best record in the Western Conference, but there are only 3.5 games separating them from the Portland Trail Blazers, New Orleans Pelicans and Sacramento Kings in the standings. Can Memphis hold on or will one of those teams overtake them?

Scott Rafferty

What we learned from first Raptors scrimmage

Figuring out the end of the rotation. Serge Ibaka picking up from where he left off. Kyle Lowry drawing charges in his sleep. Here's what we learned from Toronto's first scrimmage at the Orlando bubble.

Scott Rafferty

Best shooters in free agency

If teams are looking for 3-point shooting this offseason, they'll have plenty of options at different positions, ranging from Fred VanVleet at point guard to Aron Baynes at centre.

Scott Rafferty

Free agent destinations for DeRozan

DeRozan hasn't indicated whether or not he intends to pick up his player option for next season, but there's a chance he will be a free agent this offseason. If he does decide to leave San Antonio, which teams make sense for him?

Scott Rafferty

Who would you rather have: Tatum or Siakam?

NBA.com's Carlan Gay and Scott Rafferty step into the court room and debate the case for who'd they rather have between Toronto Raptors All-Star Pascal Siakam or Boston Celtics All-Star Jayson Tatum.

Scott Rafferty

The next Nash and Dirk or the next Heatles?

The next Steve Nash and Dirk Nowitzki or the next Heatles? NBA.com's Scott Rafferty and Juan Estévez discuss which route the Mavericks should go down to build a contender around their one-two punch of Doncic and Porzingis.

Scott Rafferty

Doncic's clutch numbers are worrying

32.3 percent from the field. 17.1 percent from the 3-point line. 65.2 percent from the free throw line. What in the world is going on with Luka Doncic in the clutch this season?

Scott Rafferty

What if LeBron chose the Bulls in 2010?

It's July 8, 2010. LeBron James is sitting across from Jim Gray on an ESPN special titled "The Decision." Gray asks LeBron what his decision is. His response: "I'm going to take my talents to the Windy City and join the Chicago Bulls."

Scott Rafferty

Can Raptors hold off Celtics for No. 2 seed?

The Raptors currently have a three game lead on the Celtics in the Eastern Conference standings. That's a big gap for Boston to make up in only eight games, but the Raptors have one of the hardest remaining schedules whereas the Celtics have one of the easiest. Do the Raptors have cause for concern?

Scott Rafferty

NBA community reacts to Carter's retirement

Over a remarkable 22-year career, Carter played alongside 261 teammates and squared off against a whopping 1,668 players. It's no surprise then that players, coaches and teams were quick to congratulate the NBA legend following his retirement announcement.

Scott Rafferty

Vince Carter announces his retirement

"I am officially done playing basketball professionally," the eight-time All-Star said on the "Winging It" podcast. Carter retires with career averages of 16.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game.

Scott Rafferty

Ranking the 22 starting centres in season return

Ahead of the NBA season resuming in Disney World, we're ranking the starters on all 22 teams that will take part in the "eight seeding" games ahead of the playoffs. First up is centre, which is a harder position to rank than you may think.

Scott Rafferty

DeRozan doubling down on what he does best

As the rest of the league trends away from the midrange, the four-time All-Star is doubling down and feasting on those same shots like never before. But while it's helped DeRozan turn in one of the best seasons of his career, has it actually had a positive impact on the Spurs?

Scott Rafferty

True or False: Curry deserved Finals MVP over Iguodala

Two members of our NBA.com Staff reignite the heated debate over the 2015 Finals MVP award that ultimately went to Andre Iguodala. Did voters get it right? Should Stephen Curry have gotten it over Iguodala? What does it mean for Curry's legacy?

Scott Rafferty

How Doncic defied the odds as a finisher

One of Doncic's supposed weaknesses entering the NBA? His athleticism. It was expected to be the reason he couldn't develop into a big-time finisher at the rim and yet that's exactly what he's become. Here's how the 21-year-old superstar has proven the skeptics wrong.

Scott Rafferty

Why Toppin is 'bust-proof'

Obi Toppin doesn't have as high of a ceiling as some other prospects in the 2020 NBA Draft, but he's considered to be one of the safest picks because of how well-suited his game is to today's NBA. To understand why, let's take a closer look at one of his plays from his breakout season at Dayton.

Scott Rafferty

What's left to settle over final eight games of reg season?

The NBA's Board of Governors has approved the competitive format to restart the 2019-20 season, which means each of the 22 teams that will return will play eight games each before the playoffs. It might not sound like much, but a lot could change in those eight games.

Scott Rafferty

Young celebrates Vince's 'mind blowing' career

Trae Young's tweet comes on the heels of Adrian Wojnarowski's report that the NBA season is expected to resume with 22 of the league's 30 teams, the Atlanta Hawks being one of the teams not included.

Scott Rafferty

Lopez should be getting more DPOY love

If he doesn't win it, Brook Lopez deserves to be a finalist for Defensive Player of the Year this season on the strength of his rim protection numbers and its impact on Milwaukee's historic defence.

Scott Rafferty

Who should win DPOY?

Will Giannis Antetokounmpo join Michael Jordan and Hakeem Olajuwon as the only players in NBA history to win MVP and DPOY in the same season? He has a strong case but he faces some serious competition from the likes of Anthony Davis, Ben Simmons, Brook Lopez and Bam Adebayo.

Scott Rafferty

You can't tell the story of the 1960s without...

Bill Russell's dominant championship run. Wilt Chamberlain's unbreakable records. Oscar Robertson's history-shattering triple-doubles. Let's take a look back at the 1960s and the moments, teams and players which defined the decade.

Scott Rafferty

Scoring the rivalry: Magic vs. Bird

Johnson and Bird played against each other 37 times in their NBA careers — 18 times in the regular season, 19 times in the playoffs. Who won more of those games and what were their stats?

Scott Rafferty

Four players who have become unrecognizable

Pascal Siakam, Domantas Sabonis, Kristaps Porzingis and Chris Paul have changed more over the last few seasons than some players do in their entire careers. The reasons why vary, from personal growth to new surroundings, but the one thing they have in common is that they've benefitted tremendously from the changes they have made.

Scott Rafferty

All-Decade Team for 2010s

10 years, five players, one impossible task. Aside from a couple of no-brainers, choosing the All-Decade Team for the 2010s proved tough. Kevin Durant or Kawhi Leonard? James Harden, Chris Paul or Russell Westbrook? And what about the centres? Our week-long decade-by-decade trip through NBA history kicks off with our first All-Decade Team.

Scott Rafferty

The Eastern Conference's Nikola Jokic

Bam Adebayo is known for his high-flying dunks and his defensive prowess, but he's quietly developed into the Heat's version of Nikola Jokic, a devastating passer at the centre position who they can run their offence through. The scary thought? Adebayo is only going to get better.

Scott Rafferty

Building the perfect team around MJ using today's players

Imagine Michael Jordan in today's NBA. Now imagine you're given the job of building the perfect team around MJ. Where do you spend big? Which types of players do you look for? Are you saving on Fred VanVleet or splurging on Stephen Curry? That's just one of the decisions to be made in filling out our 14-man roster.

Scott Rafferty

Four stats to know about the ROY race

The Rookie of the Year debate was starting to heat up before the season was suspended, but is Ja Morant actually at risk of losing to Zion Williamson? Let's take a closer look at four stats to get an idea of how close the race actually is.

Scott Rafferty

Rockets have unleashed a terrifying version of Westbrook

Are the Rockets taking small ball to the extreme? Yes. Do the Rockets suddenly have the most dominant inside scorer in the entire league? Yes! The Rockets have doubled down on Russell Westbrook, and the former MVP is blossoming like never before.

Scott Rafferty

Players who would have most to prove in playoffs

We still don't know if the 2020 NBA Playoffs will take place, but if they do, all eyes will be on Pascal Siakam, Russell Westbrook, Ben Simmons and Giannis Antetokounmpo as they each have something to prove.

Scott Rafferty

Four players trending upwards before season suspension

Prior to the NBA season being suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic, Jayson Tatum, Russell Westbrook, Kristaps Porzingis and Bradley Beal were among the players who were trending upwards. How were they doing it and what did it mean for their respective teams? Let's take a closer look.

Scott Rafferty

What was being said when Jordan retired, returned

On Oct. 6, 1993, Michael Jordan announced that he was retiring from the game of basketball. Less than two years later, he announced that he was coming back. Here's what was being said at the time of both historic announcements.

Scott Rafferty

Pick a sixth man for post-80s dream team

What if you were tasked with building the perfect team, but with the catch that you didn't know the actual identities of the players you were picking from? We took some of the best players from the last three decades, lined up their stats and removed the names. Up next is the sixth man.

Scott Rafferty

6 stats that define MJ wearing 45

19. 55. 1. 50. 13. 5. What do these numbers have in common? They help explain Michael Jordan's 1994-95 season, the one in which he played in only 17 regular season games and wore No. 45 instead of No. 23.

Scott Rafferty

Pick a C for post-80s dream team

What if you were tasked with building the perfect team, but with the catch that you didn't know the actual identities of the players you were picking from? We took some of the best players from the last three decades, lined up their stats and removed the names. Up next is the centre position.

Scott Rafferty

Pick a PF for post-80s dream team

What if you were tasked with building the perfect team, but with the catch that you didn't know the actual identities of the players you were picking from? We took some of the best players from the last three decades, lined up their stats and removed the names. Up next is the power forward position.

Scott Rafferty

Kukoč's game-winner shouldn't be a footnote

Everyone knows of Kukoč's game-winner against the Knicks in Game 3 of the 1994 NBA Playoffs because of how Scottie Pippen reacted to the play not being drawn up for him, which is a shame because it was a big-time shot from a player who became an integral part of Chicago's second three-peat of the decade.

Scott Rafferty

Every game-winning buzzer-beater of Jordan's career

Michael Jordan hit nine game-winning buzzer-beaters in his NBA career, which is the most all-time. Let's relive each one of them in chronological order.

Scott Rafferty

Pick a SF for post-80s dream team

What if you were tasked with building the perfect team, but with the catch that you didn't know the actual identities of the players you were picking from? We took some of the best players from the last three decades, lined up their stats and removed the names. Up next is the small forward position.

Scott Rafferty

Pick a SG for post-80s dream team

What if you were tasked with building the perfect team, but with the catch that you didn't know the actual identities of the players you were picking from? We took some of the best players from the last three decades, lined up their stats and removed the names. Up next is the shooting guard position.

Scott Rafferty

Pick a PG for post-80s dream team

What if you were tasked with building the perfect team, but with the catch that you didn't know the actual identities of the players you were picking from? We took some of the best players from the last three decades, lined up their stats and removed the names. Up first is the point guard position. Which player would you want to lead your team?

Scott Rafferty

There's more to Paxson's game-winner than meets the eye

John Paxson was the hero of Game 6 of the 1993 NBA Finals, as his 3-pointer in the closing seconds helped the Bulls win their third straight title. However, Paxson's shot was as much about him as it was Jordan even though Jordan didn't get credited for doing anything on the play. Here's why.

Scott Rafferty

The best one-on-one scorers right now

Who is the most efficient? Who is the most dominant? Who is the scariest? Let's take a closer look at the league's best one-on-one scorers from the 2019-20 season.

Scott Rafferty

Quiz on latest 'Last Dance' episodes

How many All-Star teams did Dennis Rodman make? What year did Phil Jackson join the Bulls? What's one of the "Jordan Rules"? Take this quiz to test your knowledge from the latest episodes of "The Last Dance."

Scott Rafferty

What you need to know about the 'Jordan Rules'

Before Jordan won his first championship, the "Bad Boys" Pistons served as his biggest roadblock. They didn't necessarily shut him down, but the Pistons were able to contain Jordan and the Bulls in a way no other team in the league could at the time.

Scott Rafferty

Breaking down Jordan's iconic fadeaway

It was the most unstoppable shot by the NBA's most unstoppable scorer. Here's why absolutely nobody had an answer for Michael Jordan's iconic fadeaway jumper.

Scott Rafferty

Embiid flirts with quadruple-double vs. Lakers

In a 115-109 win over the Lakers, Embiid led the way with a near quadruple-double of 46 points, 15 rebounds, seven assists and seven blocks. Based on Game Score, it's the most productive game of his career to date.

Scott Rafferty

Rodman's dominance in one play

Dennis Rodman might be the greatest rebounder in NBA history despite being only 6-foot-7. How did he do it? Let's take a close look at one possession from the 1997-98 season to get a sense of what made him special in that regard.

Scott Rafferty

The incredible defensive versatility of Simmons

There are many ways to measure how valuable a player is defensively. For Philadelphia 76ers guard Ben Simmons, his defensive versatility rate does all the talking.

Scott Rafferty

The most underappreciated play of Jordan's career

Everyone remembers Michael Jordan's shot over Byron Russell from Game 6 of the 1998 NBA Finals, but that shot wouldn't have been possible had Jordan not made an incredible defensive play only seconds before.

Scott Rafferty

How good was Jordan in 1997-98?

It isn't considered to be one of his best seasons, but Michael Jordan was still a force in 1997-98, both in the regular season and playoffs. Ahead of "The Last Dance," let's take a closer look at what he accomplished in his final season with the Bulls.

Scott Rafferty

What is the triangle offence?

The Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers ran the triangle during their championship runs in the 1990s and 2000s. What is the offence and what made it so special?

Scott Rafferty

Pippen's defensive dominance in one play

In Game 3 of the 1998 Finals, the Bulls held the Jazz to just 54 points, the fewest ever in a Finals game. Perhaps the biggest reason why? Scottie Pippen's incredible defence. This one play showcases the Hall-of-Famer's otherworldly combination of speed, length, size and IQ which made him the perfect sidekick to Michael Jordan.

Scott Rafferty

This season's best HORSE shots

Itching for some NBA shot-making magic? With news that Zach LaVine, Trae Young and Chris Paul are among the player who will participate in the NBA HORSE Challenge, we pored through the archives to find the craziest HORSE shots from this season. Behind the backboard. Off the backboard. 360s. From halfcourt. From the logo. There's something for everyone so join us in reliving the best, most ridiculous shots from 2019-20.

Scott Rafferty

Favourites for HORSE Challenge

Thunder guard Chris Paul, WNBA legend Tamika Catchings and NBA legends Paul Pierce and Chauncey Billups are among the players hoping to upset Young.

Scott Rafferty

What's the deal with Doncic's 3-point shooting?

Doncic doesn't have the reputation of being a bad 3-point shooter, but he's been one of the worst — if not the worst — high volume 3-point shooters in the league this season. Is that a cause for concern for Doncic and the Mavericks or the rest of the league?

Scott Rafferty

Why the NBA had no answer for Stockton and Malone

We're taking this week to look at the greatest duos in NBA history on NBA.com. They might not go down as the greatest of all-time, but there aren't many duos as iconic as Stockton and Malone. Not only because they're two of the greatest players of all-time, but because they formed arguably the most feared pick-and-roll combo in league history.

Scott Rafferty

Raptors, riddles and the Greek Freak

Kawhi Leonard's defence on the Greek Freak changed last season's Eastern Conference Finals. Would that same scheme work again on Antetokounmpo or has the reigning MVP since figured it out?

Scott Rafferty

Highest scoring April Fools' Day performances

James Harden leads the way, followed by Kevin Martin, LeBron James, Michael Jordan and Kemba Walker, but which one had the best April Fools' Day game?

Scott Rafferty

Nurse for Coach of the Year?

Who is the front-runner for Coach of the Year to this point of the NBA season? Two members of our NBA.com Staff believe it's Nick Nurse of the Toronto Raptors, but one disagrees.

Scott Rafferty

Why #NBATwitter loves Michael Porter Jr.

The rookie still hasn't cracked Denver's rotation, but we've already caught a glimpse of what he's capable of. If he ever reaches his full potential, the Nuggets might have a superstar on their hands.

Scott Rafferty

Jefferson compares Carter to Curry

"What Steph did to the 3pt line you did to dunking," Jefferson wrote about Carter on Instagram. "You pushed every athlete to see what they could do. Spinning opposite way, arm in the rim, and you made the dunk contest cool again."

Scott Rafferty

What we learned from third battle for LA

The Lakers and Clippers are ridiculous defensively, guards shouldn't challenge LeBron James at the rim, Paul George can still be the best player on the court and much more.

Scott Rafferty

Seven thoughts: Tatum cools off as Celtics fall to Jazz

Mike Conley had one of his best games of the season, leading the Jazz with 25 points on 9-for-16 shooting from the field. Here's what we learned from the game.

Scott Rafferty

Report: Nurkic to return next week

Nurkic has yet to play this season after sustaining compound fractures of his left tibia and fibula near the end of last season. Prior to his injury, Nurkic was averaging career-highs of 15.6 points, 10.4 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game.

Scott Rafferty

Giannis leads the pack in MVP race

Quite a lot has changed since the last time we checked in on the MVP race. The top two is the same, but there's a newcomer in the top-five and Russell Westbrook's emergence has impacted James Harden's MVP chances in a big way.

Scott Rafferty

Clippers make statement with impressive Rockets win

Kawhi Leonard led the Clippers to victory once again, this time with 25 points, six rebounds and five assists in 28 minutes of play. He should probably be getting some more MVP love.

Scott Rafferty

An impossible question: Luka or Zion?

One of them slings icy daggers and runs subzero under pressure. One of them hammers home ferocious finishes and erupts in a blaze without a moment's notice. Luka Doncic and Zion Williamson couldn't be more different on the floor yet each already has the remarkable ability to impose their will in any game. Even more impressive? The degree to which they've already captured the imaginations of NBA fans everywhere. Their first meeting already has us eagerly anticipating the future.

Scott Rafferty

Highest scoring quarters in NBA history

Caris LeVert's 26-point quarter against the Celtics was impressive, but he needed a few more to make the history books.

Scott Rafferty

LeVert explodes for 51 in wild win

"That 50 was beautiful, Vert. Thank you for that masterpiece," Kevin Durant tweeted after the game.

Scott Rafferty

Hornets shock Raptors in Powell's return

After missing nine straight games with a fractured finger, Powell scored 22 points in 36 minutes of action. It wasn't enough, however, as the Raptors fell to the Hornets.

Scott Rafferty

The most accomplished 21-year-old in basketball history?

Whether it's how many points he's scored or how many triple-doubles he's racked up, there aren't many players in NBA history who have done as much as the Slovenian guard before their 21st birthday. Throw in the smashing success overseas and he might just be the most accomplished 21-year-old in the history of the sport.

Scott Rafferty

The underappreciated beauty of Jokic's game

Is Jokic the most underappreciated player in the NBA right now? One recent play against the two-time reigning Defensive Player of the Year shows why Jokic's combination of size, skill and IQ makes him a threat unlike anyone else in the entire league.

Scott Rafferty

Doncic ties Kidd in Mavs record books

There's a huge gap between Doncic and Kidd at the top. Michael Finley has the third-most triple-doubles in Mavericks history with six, followed by Dirk Nowitzki, Mark Aguirre, Dennis Smith and Antoine Walker.

Scott Rafferty

Embiid leaves with shoulder sprain

Embiid has been Philadelphia's leading scorer this season 23.8 points per game. He's also leading the team in rebounding (12.0) and blocks (1.4).

Scott Rafferty

The genius of Wade in one play

If you could pick just one play to articulate D-Wade's greatness, what would it be? Here's one under-the-radar example of what makes Wade one of the greatest shooting guards of all-time and why his jersey is set to hang forever from the rafters in Miami.

Scott Rafferty

The Bucks are unstoppable... or are they?

They might win 70 games. They might finish with the best scoring margin in NBA history. They have a 25-year-old reigning MVP who is likely going to win it again. So why aren't the Bucks prohibitive favourites to win it all?

Scott Rafferty

Is Kawhi still the best player in the NBA?

For the third time this season, our NBA.com Global Staff joined forces to rank the best players in the league. Is Kawhi Leonard still No. 1? Who climbed into the top 30? Who fell out of the top 30?

Scott Rafferty

Jackson plans to sign with Clippers, reports say

Jackson has dealt with injuries this season, resulting in him playing in only 14 games, but he gives the Clippers another playmaker off the bench if he can remain healthy.

Scott Rafferty

The key to Tatum's All-Star rise

The knock on Tatum coming into this season was his shot selection. It's clearly something he took to heart because he's completely changed his shot profile for the better.

Scott Rafferty

Zion is more than just a dunker

As much attention as Williamson gets for his high-flying dunks, he's starting to show that there's a lot more to his game. Case in point? In addition to setting a new career-high with 31 points against the Blazers this week, he tied his career-high with five assists.

Scott Rafferty

NBA announces Lillard replacement

Booker is averaging 26.4 points, 6.3 assists and 4.2 rebounds per game on 49.6 percent shooting from the field and 35.8 percent from 3-point range this season.

Scott Rafferty

Siakam's superstar growth in one play

Siakam had it rolling in Toronto's win over Minnesota on Tuesday, scoring 34 points on 6-for-8 shooting from 3-point range. One of those 3-pointers showed how much he has grown as both a shooter and playmaker this season.

Scott Rafferty

Notable players being bought out or waived

Isaiah Thomas, Darren Collison and Marvin Williams are among the players reportedly available on the buyout and free agency market now that the trade deadline has come and gone.

Scott Rafferty

Why Clippers adding Morris could swing LA battle

Marcus Morris is having a career year with an average of 19.6 points per game, but it's what he's capable of doing on the other end of the floor that could give the Clippers the edge over the Lakers in a series.

Scott Rafferty

Can Warriors unlock Wiggins' full potential?

The Warriors made one of the biggest moves at the trade deadline in acquiring Andrew Wiggins from the Timberwolves for D'Angelo Russell. Did the Warriors make a mistake or is there a path towards Wiggins becoming the missing piece of their revival?

Scott Rafferty

Analysis of the biggest trade deadline deals

The 2020 NBA Trade Deadline has come and gone. Here is some instant analysis on the day's biggest reported deals.

Scott Rafferty

Players react to the trade deadline

"Wig about to thrive in golden state," Zach LaVine tweeted after news broke that the Warriors are acquiring Andrew Wiggins. "That’s a great fit."

Scott Rafferty

Report: Knicks to hire Rose as next president

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported on Tuesday that the Knicks were parting ways with team president Steve Mills.

Scott Rafferty

Raptors set franchise record with thrilling win

The Raptors have now won 12 straight games, setting a new franchise record. Here are some quick thoughts from a wild game.

Scott Rafferty

NBA players react to reported Iguodala trade

Dwyane Wade, CJ McCollum and Jared Dudley are among those who took to Twitter to react to the report that the Grizzlies have traded Iguodala to the Heat.

Scott Rafferty

Report: Heat acquire Iguodala

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski added that Iguodala has agreed to a two-year, $30 million extension with the Heat.

Scott Rafferty

All-Star Mock Draft

Two of our writers drafted for Team LeBron and Team Giannis and we have to say ... one can only hope the actual All-Star teams are this crazy.

Scott Rafferty

Report: Knicks parting ways with team president

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski broke the news that the Knicks are reportedly parting ways with team president Steve Mills, adding that the franchise has Raptors president Masai Ujiri in mind to "ultimately oversee New York’s operations." Ujiri is under contract with the Raptors through 2020-21.

Scott Rafferty

Trade destinations for Capela

According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the Rockets are "actively discussing" trade scenarios involving Capela ahead of the trade deadline. Which teams make sense for the 25-year-old?

Scott Rafferty

The ridiculousness of Zion

Williamson is averaging 27.6 points and 11.2 rebounds per 36 minutes through five games in his NBA career. The hype is real, folks.

Scott Rafferty

Nurse to coach Team Giannis

Nurse joins Dwane Casey as the only head coaches in franchise history to represent the Raptors at the All-Star Game.

Scott Rafferty

Seven thoughts: Siakam dominates as Raptors win 10th straight

Siakam came out on fire and finished with a game-high 30 points to lead the Raptors to their 10th straight victory. Here are some thoughts from the game.

Scott Rafferty

Report: Dinwiddie changing number for Kobe

Bryant is "by far" Dinwiddie's favourite player of all time, prompting the Nets guard to change his jersey number from 8 to 26 following the 18-time All-Star's shocking death.

Scott Rafferty

The key to LeBron's climb up the scoring list

When LeBron James first came into the league, his jump shot was seen as his greatest weakness. It took him a while to turn it into a strength, but it helped him reach his peak and prolong his career, to the point where he's still among the league's leading scorers at age 35.

Scott Rafferty

Siakam shines as Raptors record sixth straight

One day after being named an All-Star for the first time in his career, Pascal Siakam stepped up with 23 points, seven rebounds and three assists to help the Raptors record their sixth straight win.

Scott Rafferty

Report: Mavericks trade for Cauley-Stein

Cauley-Stein is averaging 7.9 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game so far this season. He has the potential to complement Luka Doncic well on offence as a screener and roller.

Scott Rafferty

Zion already has superstar-like gravity

Even before he went off in the fourth quarter of his debut on Thursday, Zion Williamson showed signs of his superstar potential in more subtle ways. Here is one example.

Scott Rafferty

Will Zion be a superstar from the very beginning?

Zion Williamson is finally ready to make his long-awaited regular season debut. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 draft stole the show in preseason with 23.3 points per game on 71 percent shooting from the field. But how sustainable is that four game showing, especially after undergoing surgery on his knee?

Scott Rafferty

Powell catches fire in comeback win over Hawks

It wasn't pretty, but thanks to a huge fourth quarter from Norman Powell, the Raptors came back to defeat the Hawks on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Here are some takeaways from the game.

Scott Rafferty

Which players are reportedly available for trade?

This season's trade deadline is quickly approaching. Here are some of the players who are reportedly available ahead of Feb. 7.

Scott Rafferty

VanVleet helps Raptors overcome Wiggins triple-double

Fred VanVleet returned following a five-game absence to score a game-high 29 points on 7-for-8 shooting from 3-point range. He helped the Raptors overcome a triple-double from Andrew Wiggins, the first of his career.

Scott Rafferty

Nurse: Gasol has 'a little bounce back'

Gasol set a new season-high with 20 points in Toronto's win over Washington. The big man did so while draining six of his seven 3-point attempts.

Scott Rafferty

Gasol turns back the clock in commanding win

Marc Gasol stole the show in Toronto's 140-111 win over Washington by setting a season-high with 20 points and tying his career-high with six made 3-pointers.

Scott Rafferty

Takeaways from third fan vote returns

Did Luka Doncic catch LeBron James or is The King still the leading vote-getter for the 2020 NBA All-Star Game?

Scott Rafferty

Doncic's absurd vision in one possession

Doncic dished out a career-best 17 assists against the Kings on Thursday. One of those assists serves as a perfect example of his other-worldly vision.

Scott Rafferty

DeRozan joins Robinson in Spurs record books

DeRozan has now scored 25-plus points on 50 percent shooting in seven straight games, tying him with David Robinson for the longest such streak in franchise history. To say he's been on a roll lately would be an understatement.

Scott Rafferty

The secret to CP3's resurgence

Last season appeared to be the start of a sharp decline for Chris Paul, but the nine-time All-Star is back to his Point God ways. Here's how he's been able to do it.

Scott Rafferty

Morant continues to prove doubters wrong

The biggest criticism of Morant coming into the NBA? His jump shot. It's still early in his career, but his biggest weakness is quickly turning into a strength — something the Rockets learned the hard way.

Scott Rafferty

Jazz inch closer to franchise record

Having won 10 straight games, the Jazz are now five wins away from tying the longest streak in franchise history. What are the odds of them breaking that record?

Scott Rafferty

Kyrie to return today vs. Hawks

Irving has been sidelined since Nov. 17 with a right shoulder impingement. Prior to the injury, he was averaging career-highs of 28.5 points, 7.2 assists and 5.4 rebounds per game.

Scott Rafferty

Harden makes history with 20,000th point

Harden scored the 20,000th career point of his career in the first half of Houston's matchup with Minnesota. Only six players have reached that figure at a younger age.

Scott Rafferty

Morant puts star potential on display in win

DeMar DeRozan continued his strong play with 36 points, nine rebounds and nine assists, but Ja Morant's 22-point, 14-assist double-double powered the Grizzlies to victory.

Scott Rafferty

What has and hasn't changed in second fan vote returns

LeBron James ranked behind Luka Doncic and Giannis Antetokounmpo in the first fan vote returns earlier this month. He's now ahead of both of them.

Scott Rafferty

Is Houston's Westbrook gamble paying off?

The Rockets took a gamble in the offseason when they traded Chris Paul for Russell Westbrook. How is the gamble paying off? It's early, but Westbrook is taking the steps needed to make his latest partnership with James Harden work.

Scott Rafferty

Oladipo targeting end of January for return

Oladipo has been sidelined since Jan. 23, 2019 with a ruptured quad tendon. He said that his return is going to be a "very, very emotional night."

Scott Rafferty

Griffin undergoes knee procedure

Griffin has appeared in only 18 games this season. He's averaging 15.5 points and 4.7 rebounds on 35.2 percent shooting from the field, all of which are the lowest marks of his career.

Scott Rafferty

This is how the 76ers can unleash Ben Simmons

There have been glimpses of Ben Simmons looking unstoppable in the half court. 76ers coach Brett Brown recently talked about his ability and mentioned one specific skill that might unleash a version of Simmons that we have yet to consistently see.

Scott Rafferty

Takeaways from the first fan vote returns

Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic and Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo are the leading vote-getters for the 2020 NBA All-Star Game.

Scott Rafferty

Who should start in the All-Star Game?

There isn't much debate in the Western Conference, but there are some tough decisions to make in the Eastern Conference. Here's how one member of our NBA.com Staff filled out their ballot.

Scott Rafferty

Trade destinations for Drummond

According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the Pistons have talked to several teams about trading Andre Drummond ahead of this season's trade deadline. Which teams make the most sense for the two-time All-Star?

Scott Rafferty

Seven thoughts from a dominant Raptors win

The month of December has been a struggle for OG Anunoby, but he got back on track in Toronto's win over Cleveland with 12 points, seven rebounds and four assists.

Scott Rafferty

Report: Zion could make debut in January

The Pelicans announced on Oct. 21 that Williamson underwent arthroscopic surgery to address a torn right lateral meniscus. The original timetable for his return was estimated to be six-to-eight weeks.

Scott Rafferty

Siakam, Gasol, Powell still 'a ways away'

Nurse provided an update of sorts prior to the team's game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on New Year's Eve. Siakam, Gasol and Powell each suffered injuries in Toronto's win over Detroit on Dec. 18.

Scott Rafferty

Which teams should trade for Dedmon?

Dedmon has confirmed that he would like to be traded from the Kings. Which teams make the most sense for the 30-year-old centre?

Scott Rafferty

Eight thoughts from an impressive Raptors win

Kyle Lowry stole the show with 30 points in Toronto's win over Boston, but the Raptors had a number of players step up in the victory, including Oshae Brissett, who has spent most of this season in the G League with the Raptors 905.

Scott Rafferty

The decisive factors in Lakers-Clippers

Who will guard LeBron James? Will the Lakers go big when the Clippers go small? What does Paul George's return mean? Here are the biggest storylines going into the Christmas Day matchup between the Clippers and Lakers.

Scott Rafferty

Harden makes history with another 40-point game

The only players in NBA history with more 40-point games than Harden are Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan and Wilt Chamberlain.

Scott Rafferty

Dinwiddie adds to All-Star case

The Nets are now 12-6 this season in games Spencer Dinwiddie has started at point guard. His averages in those games? 26.1 points, 7.2 assists and 3.2 rebounds.

Scott Rafferty

Love reacts to Morant's epic dunk attempt

In jumping over Kevin Love, many were quick to compare Morant's attempt to Vince Carter's iconic dunk over Frederic Weis. Fortunately for Love, Morant's dunk didn't end in the same way Carter's did.

Scott Rafferty

Nine thoughts from a thrilling Raptors win

Without Pascal Siakam, Norman Powell and Marc Gasol, the Raptors held off Bradley Bradley Beal and the Wizards thanks to a team performance that saw six players score in double figures.

Scott Rafferty

Trade destinations for Jrue Holiday

According to Marc Stein of The New York Times, Holiday is no longer untouchable. Which teams make sense for the one-time All-Star?

Scott Rafferty

Checking in on the wild MVP race

Giannis Antetokounmpo, LeBron James, James Harden and Luka Doncic are each having historic seasons, but which one would be the league's MVP if the season were to end today?

Scott Rafferty

LeBron has brought Cavs' playbook to Lakers

The 3-pointer Anthony Davis hit late in the Lakers' win over the Heat? It came on a set former Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue used to run for LeBron James and Kevin Love when they were teammates in Cleveland. Here's why it's so effective.

Scott Rafferty

Why today is an important date

This season's trade deadline is still a couple of months away, but there's a reason why you might start hearing more trade rumours starting next week.

Scott Rafferty

Streaking Bucks have real shot at history

The Bucks have now won 18 games in a row. How long can they keep this streak alive? The Mavericks, Lakers, Pacers and 76ers will have a big say in it in the coming weeks.

Scott Rafferty

All-Star moment: Harden drops 50 — again

Harden followed up his 55-point performance against the Cavaliers with a 54-point outburst against the Magic. He's now averaging 39.3 points per game on the season.

Scott Rafferty

Kawhi talks decision to leave Raptors

In leaving the Raptors for the Clippers in the offseason, Kawhi Leonard made history by becoming the first player in NBA history to join a new team in free agency after winning Finals MVP.

Scott Rafferty

Which teams should trade for Love?

According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the Cavaliers are ready to listen to trade offers for Kevin Love. Which teams make sense for the five-time All-Star?

Scott Rafferty

Butler spoils Lowry's return

It was a tough game for Toronto's stars, as Pascal Siakam, Fred VanVleet and Kyle Lowry combined to score 46 points on 12-for-48 shooting from the field.

Scott Rafferty

Embiid after scoreless game: 'I can’t have this type of production'

For the first time in his NBA career, Joel Embiid failed to score a single point. The Raptors held the two-time All-Star scoreless on 0-for-11 shooting from the field.

Scott Rafferty

NBA players react to LaVine's historic game

LaVine scored a career-high 49 points in a win over the Charlotte Hornets, doing so on 13-for-17 shooting from 3-point range.

Scott Rafferty

Siakam shines in comeback win over Hawks

Siakam scored 22 of his 34 points in the second half to lead the Raptors in a comeback win over the Hawks. Trae Young recorded a 30-point triple-double in the loss.

Scott Rafferty

Doncic can get even better. Here's how.

There's one thing that Luka Doncic already does better than almost everyone. The catch? He rarely does it. This is the secret to the second-year star taking the next step on his pathway to superstardom.

Scott Rafferty

League Pass Game of the Day: Butler returns to Philly

Short-lived as Butler's time with the 76ers was, he helped the franchise push the Raptors to seven games in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. On Sunday, he returns to Philadelphia for the first time since joining the Miami Heat.

Scott Rafferty

Walker released from hospital

Walker is leading the Celtics in scoring this season with 22.6 points per game. He also ranks second on the team with 4.8 assists per game.

Scott Rafferty

Davis hitting 3s is a scary sign

Davis hasn't been an efficient 3-point shooter in his NBA career, but he went 4-for-7 from the perimeter in the Lakers' win over the Thunder. If that's a sign of what's to come, watch out.

Scott Rafferty

Report: Vucevic (ankle) out four weeks

Vucevic suffered a right ankle injury in Orlando's loss to the Raptors. The one-time All-Star is averaging 17.1 points and 11.6 rebounds on the season.

Scott Rafferty

Injury update on D'Angelo Russell

Russell suffered the injury in Golden State's loss to Boston on Saturday. The Warriors are now down to nine healthy players, ESPN's Bobby Marks tweeted.

Scott Rafferty

Lillard 'all for' Blazers signing Melo

The Blazers are 4-8 and have lost a couple of key players to injuries, most notably starting power forward Zach Collins. Can Carmelo Anthony get them back on track?

Scott Rafferty

George on debut: 'I thought I was terrible'

George scored a team-high 33 points on 10-for-17 shooting from the field, but he committed four turnovers in the fourth quarter when the game was still within reach.

Scott Rafferty

Report: Middleton to miss extended time

Middleton suffered the injury in the third quarter of Milwaukee's win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday.

Scott Rafferty

George ruled out vs. Raptors

Clippers head coach Doc Rivers said earlier in the weekend that it was a possibility that Paul George would make his debut against the Raptors, but he's since been ruled out for Tuesday's game.

Scott Rafferty

Sunday TV Preview: Can Raptors overcome injuries vs. Lakers?

The Raptors will be without two key players in Kyle Lowry and Serge Ibaka when they take on the red-hot Lakers on Monday. Will that be too much for them to overcome?

Scott Rafferty

Injury update on Kyle Lowry

The team announced that Lowry sustained a "fracture of the distal phalanx of his left thumb" in Toronto's win over the New Orleans Pelicans.

Scott Rafferty

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