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Keep reading to learn how to watch Celtics vs. Pacers live streams from anywhere. What channel is the Celtics vs. Pacers game on? The Celtics vs. Pacers game will air on ESPN in the United States. How to watch Celtics vs. Pacers in the USIf you don't have access to ESPN through cable, there are several ways to live stream the network. Check price at ExpressVPNHow to watch Celtics vs. Pacers with a VPNSign up for a VPN if you don't have one.

Persons: you've, we've, VPNs, ExpressVPN Organizations: Business, Boston Celtics, Indiana Pacers, Eastern, Celtics, Pacers, NBA, Conference Semifinal, New York Knicks, ESPN, Sling, DirecTV, TV, ESPN2, ESPN3, DirecTV Stream, DirecTV Fubo, TNT Locations: United States

Learn moreNow that the regular season and Wild Card matches are out of the way, the MLS Playoffs officially begin. We've compiled everything you need to know about how to watch the MLS Playoffs, including free live streaming info for tonight's Inter Miami vs. Atlanta United match. How to watch MLS Playoffs in the USThe MLS Playoffs, including tonight's Inter Miami vs. Atlanta United match, will be available through MLS Season Pass, which currently costs $9.99. Apple TV Plus MLS Season Pass The MLS pass is now just a single $9.99 cost for the rest of the season and the playoffs. How to watch MLS Playoffs from anywhereTraveling away from home and still hoping to keep up with the Playoffs?

Persons: LAFC, ExpressVPN Organizations: Business, MLS, tonight's Inter Miami, Atlanta United, Vancouver Whitecaps, Card, Inter Miami, Conference, Apple, Apple TV, ExpressVPN MLS, Galaxy, Colorado, Orlando City SC, Charlotte FC, FC Cincinnati, New, New York City FC, Seattle Sounders FC, Houston Dynamo FC, Columbus Crew, New York Red Bulls, Minnesota United FC Locations: Vancouver, Atlanta, Canada, Colorado Rapids, New York

☆ Knicks fans are starting to believe again in a team built by ‘smart dorks’
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-21 | by ( James L. Edwards Iii | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +16 min

AdvertisementNew York fans love their basketball team, especially their rookies. Knicks fans have spent the last 20-plus years loving something that hasn’t always loved them back. Even in the most exciting stretches of D’Angelo’s life as a Knicks fan, nothing ever quite felt like this. “Everyone who is a Knicks fan with gray hairs remembers that Charles Smith was fouled in that game against the Bulls,” Converse said. No matter what happens this season, Converse and his boys are ready for this ride.

Persons: Jalen Brunson, Patrick Ewing, LaMelo, Kemba Walker, Tyler Kolek, they’ve, hasn’t, Mike Breen, Jason D’Angelo, Barry Dworkin, Breen, ” D’Angelo, ” Jason D’Angelo, D’Angelo, he’d, Michael Jordan, ”, …, Scottie Pippen, Hubert Davis, Jordan, Charles Oakley, Marcus Camby, John Starks, Pat Riley, “ Camby, P.J, Carlesimo, Ewing, James Dolan, “, Dolan, Isiah Thomas, Phil Jackson, Frank Ntilikina, he’s, Leon Rose, Brock Aller, Karl, Anthony Towns, Barry, “ It’s, Ray McConville, ” McConville, McConville, ” Ray McConville, Larry Brown, —, LeBron James, James, Amar’e Stoudemire, Stoudemire, Carmelo Anthony —, James ’, They’ve, don’t, Floyd Converse, Converse, it’s, ” Converse, Matthew, James Harden, “ I’m, Donte DiVincenzo, I’m, Charles Smith, Yorkers, He’s, Meech Robinson, Andrew D, Bernstein Nathaniel S, Butler, Jeyhoun Allebaugh, Jeff Zelevansky, Nathaniel S, Sarah Stier, Theo Wargo Organizations: Charlotte Hornets, Eighth, City’s Spectrum, NBA, Knicks, Eastern Conference, WFAN, Nissan Pulsar, TLC, Bulls, of Famer, Chicago, Toronto Raptors, Golden State Warriors, Latrell, San Antonio Spurs, Eastern, Staten, “, Yorker, Spurs, Indiana Pacers, “ Knicks, New York, Yorkers, Miami Heat, York, Denver Nuggets, Celtics, New York Yankees, Madison, Garden, Houston Rockets, Rockets, Converse, Donte Locations: Manhattan, York, New York, New, Seattle, Madison, Mecca, ”, Westchester County, Converse, Chicago

☆ NBA playoffs: Minnesota Timberwolves rally from 20-point deficit in Game 7 to eliminate Denver Nuggets
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-20 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —The Minnesota Timberwolves produced a historic 20-point comeback to eliminate the defending champion Denver Nuggets 98-90 in Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinals. Minnesota now advances to the Western Conference Finals for the first time in 20 years, while the Nuggets become the fifth straight defending champion to fall before the conference finals. Karl-Anthony Towns had 23 points and 12 rebounds for the Timberwolves, while Jaden McDaniels also added 23 points to go with six rebounds. Jamal Murray had a game-high 35 points for the Nuggets, while Nikola Jokić had 34 points, 19 rebounds and seven assists. Pacers stun Knicks in Game 7 at MSGThe Indiana Pacers enjoyed a historic shooting night to eliminate the New York Knicks 130-109 in Game 7 at Madison Square Garden.

Persons: Anthony Edwards, ”, Anthony Towns, Jaden McDaniels, Edwards, Jamal Murray, Nikola Jokić, Murray, Jokić, AAron Ontiveroz, Michael Malone, Rick Carlisle, you’ve, Tyrese Haliburton, Andrew Nembhard, Pascal Siakam, Jalen Brunson, Donte DiVincenzo, Josh Hart, Hart Organizations: CNN, The Minnesota Timberwolves, Denver Nuggets, Western Conference, Western, Nuggets, ESPN, ” Timberwolves, Timberwolves, Ball Arena, Karl, Denver Post, Dallas Mavericks, Wednesday, Pacers, The Indiana Pacers, New York Knicks, Madison, Knicks, Boston Celtics, Eastern Locations: Minnesota, Minneapolis, Madison Square

☆ NBA playoffs: Nikola Jokić erupts for 40 points as Denver Nuggets take 3-2 series lead over Minnesota Timberwolves
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-15 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Newly crowned three-time NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) Nikola Jokić put on a show and proved why he is the rightful recipient of the award in the Denver Nuggets’ 112-97 playoff victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday. So good was Jokić’s performance that teammates and opponents alike were lavishing him with praise after the game. He’s the best player in the NBA, he showed it the last three games, three games in a row. Only five teams in NBA history have come back to win a best-of-seven series when losing the first two at home. Brunson, who bounced back impressively after a poor showing in Game 4, also added seven assists and four rebounds.

Persons: Nikola Jokić, Rudy Gobert, Aaron Gordon, “, ”, Anthony Edwards, Jokić “, ” “, ” Edwards, He’s, ” Gordon, Jamal Murray, Karl, Anthony Towns, Edwards, Garrett Ellwood, “ Nikola, Michael Malone, Brunson, Pacers Jalen Brunson, LeBron James, Pascal Siakam, Tyrese Haliburton Organizations: CNN, Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Denver, Nuggets, ESPN, “, NBA, Timberwolves, Western, Knicks, Pacers, New York Knicks, Indiana Pacers, Eastern Locations: Serbian, Minnesota, Minneapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana

☆ LeBron James courtside for Cleveland Cavaliers defeat to Boston Celtics
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-14 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —LeBron James sat courtside for the Cleveland Cavaliers’ 102-109 defeat to the Boston Celtics in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals on Monday. James’ presence wasn’t enough to inspire the Cavaliers, however, as Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum combined for 60 points to lift the Celtics to a commanding 3-1 series lead. Tatum finished with a game high 33 points to go with 11 rebounds, five assists and two steals, while Brown had 27 points and eight rebounds. The Cavaliers were without star guard Donovan Mitchell, who missed the contest due to a calf strain suffered in the fourth quarter of Game 3. The news was a pre-match sucker punch for Cleveland, with Mitchell putting up 33 points in the Game 3 loss on Saturday, his sixth straight playoff game scoring at least 25 points.

Persons: LeBron James, courtside, James ’, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Tatum, Brown, Donovan Mitchell, Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, Caris, “, ” Brown, ” Jayson Tatum, Brian Babineau, J.B, Bickerstaff, Garland, bullish, It’s, ” Organizations: CNN, Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, Eastern, Cavaliers, NBA, Celtics, Cleveland, ESPN, Eastern Conference, Garden Locations: Cleveland

☆ Sports gambling is taking a cue from Wall Street, and it could be a problem for sportsbooks
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-10 | by ( Dan Defrancesco | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

In today's big story, we're looking at how a sports bettor trying to hedge a $1.7 million payout shows the gambling world is taking a page out of Wall Street's book . The big storySports gambling goes Wall StreetiStock; Rebecca Zisser/BIHow would you like to turn $100 into $1.7 million in a little over a year? Thanks to a secondary market for gambling tickets, Shelton could sell his ticket to another bettor. And not unlike Wall Street's feelings about retail traders, Shelton is the type of gambler sportsbooks love. Unlike mom-and-pop gamblers who often bet on a whim, so-called sharps' systematic approach to gambling can pose a problem for sportsbooks.

Persons: —, Rebecca Zisser, Wayne Shelton, Shelton, Matthew Fox, Anthony Edwards, Joshua Gateley, sportsbooks, Shelton's longshot, Goldman Sachs, Sam Bankman, Fried, Puck, SBF, Justin Sullivan, Getty Sundar Pichai, Pichai, Jack Dorsey, he'd, Mike Solana, Dorsey, Bluesky, Demis, Microsoft's Mustafa Suleyman, they'd, Dan DeFrancesco, Jordan Parker Erb, Hallam Bullock, George Glover Organizations: Business, Service, Sports, MLB, NFL, NBA, Oklahoma City Thunder, Thunder, Dallas Mavericks, Western Conference, ESPN, Boston Celtics, Minnesota Timberwolves, Getty, Detention, MDC, Bloomberg, Bay Area, YouTube, Spotify, Apple, Warner Brothers, Justice League, Big, Honda Locations: China, Russia, Brooklyn's, Young, New York City, New York, Bay, London

☆ NBA Playoffs: Cleveland Cavaliers stun Boston Celtics on the road 118-94 to steal Game 2
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-10 | by ( Samuel Joseph | Sam Joseph | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —The Cleveland Cavaliers leveled their Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Boston Celtics, taking down the No. The Cavaliers bounced back from a demoralizing Game 1 blowout to flip the script and steal home-court advantage away from Boston. All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell scored 29 points, grabbed seven rebounds and dished out eight assists to help Cleveland to its first win of the series. I was just continuing to find ways to apply pressure on them,” said Mitchell after the game. Joshua Gateley/Getty ImagesPJ Washington added another 29 points and 11 rebounds for Dallas, while Gilgeous-Alexander led OKC with 33 points, 12 rebounds, eight assists and two blocks.

Persons: Donovan Mitchell, Cavs, Mitchell, ”, Evan Mobley –, Jarrett Allen, –, Caris, Jayson Tatum, Tatum, Max Strus, Brian Babineau, Jaylen Brown, Joe Mazzulla, “, Luka Dončić, Dončić –, Shai Gilgeous, Alexander, Nikola Jokić –, ” Dončić, “ I’m, Joshua Gateley, PJ Washington, OKC Organizations: CNN, The Cleveland Cavaliers, Eastern Conference, Boston Celtics, Cavaliers, Celtics, “, Six Cavaliers, Cleveland, Miami Heat, Boston, Mavericks, Thunder, Dallas Mavericks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Dallas, American Airlines Center Locations: Boston, Cleveland, Ohio, Slovenian, Oklahoma, Dallas

☆ A bettor sitting on a $1.7 million payout if the Thunder win the NBA title is hedging by letting in outside investors
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-08 | by ( Matthew Fox | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

A bettor could score a payout of $1.7 million if the Oklahoma City Thunder win the NBA title. The original $100 bet was a parlay ticket that also included championships for the Texas Rangers and Kansas City Chiefs, both of which have happened. The parlay ticket was purchased via DraftKings and cost Shelton just $100. Now he stands to win $1.7 million, representing a potential return of 1,690,900% if the bet pans out. There is an entire separate industry dedicated to playing matchmaking between high-rolling sports bettors and opportunities with high initial buy-ins, like Shelton's parlay ticket.

Persons: Wayne Shelton, —, Shelton, let's, it's, DraftKings Organizations: Oklahoma City Thunder, NBA, Texas Rangers, Kansas City Chiefs, Service, ESPN, MLB, NFL Super, Thunder, Oklahoma City, New Orleans Pelicans, Western Conference, Dallas Mavericks Locations: DraftKings

James scored 12 points in the two OT periods and recorded his third triple-double of the season and 110th of his career. Curry drove through the paint for a tying layup with just under 6 seconds left to force overtime. The Warriors scored a season high points and their 23 3-pointers were a season best. This was another wild one for the Warriors after Golden State lost 134-133 to Sacramento on Thursday night in another 2023 playoff rematch. Golden State has played in an NBA-leading 32 clutch games.

Persons: LeBron James, outdueling Stephen Curry, Curry, Anthony Davis, D'Angelo Russell, James, Davis, Klay Thompson, Green, Jonathan Kuminga, Kuminga, Thompson, Nate Thurmond, ___ Organizations: FRANCISCO, Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors, Atlanta, Golden State, Lakers, Warriors, The Warriors, State, NBA, NEXT, Houston, Tuesday ., 76ers Locations: Golden, Sacramento

DALLAS (AP) — Another contentious Dallas-Phoenix meeting for Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic went beyond the court Wednesday night. Dallas coach Jason Kidd conceded as much later in the season by saying Miller did the Mavs a favor with his observation. Political Cartoons View All 253 ImagesAfter the comment Wednesday night, Doncic immediately turned and pointed in the direction of the fan, who was wearing a Devin Booker No. Doncic was without All-Star sidekick Kyrie Irving against the Suns as the Mavs lost for the fourth time in five games. We all have to be better.”The Mavs and Suns have had several chippy meetings since the 2022 playoff series.

Persons: Luka Doncic, Doncic, Reggie Miller, Jason Kidd, Miller, Devin Booker No, ” Doncic, ” Kidd wasn't, Kidd didn't, Kyrie Irving, ” Kidd, “, “ We’re, Picasso, ”, Booker Organizations: DALLAS, Mavericks, Suns, Phoenix, Dallas, of Fame, Western Conference, Boston, Slovenian, Celtics Locations: Dallas, “, Phoenix

☆ NBA postpones second Warriors game after assistant coach’s death
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-18 | by ( Micah Washington | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Assistant coach Dejan Milojević and Kevon Looney, #5 of the Golden State Warriors, talk before the game against the Los Angeles Lakers during the Western Conference Semifinals in the 2023 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on May 6, 2023. The National Basketball Association said a second Golden State Warriors game has been postponed after the team's assistant coach Dejan Milojević died earlier this week. ESPN will instead broadcast the Brooklyn Nets versus Los Angeles Lakers Friday night. "We are absolutely devastated by Dejan's sudden passing," said Warriors Head Coach Steve Kerr in a press release. Milojević was in his third season on the Warriors' coaching staff, including the team's 2022 NBA Championship run.

Persons: Dejan Milojević, Looney, Milojević, Steve Kerr Organizations: Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, Western, Crypto.com Arena, National Basketball Association, Warriors, Dallas Mavericks, ESPN, Brooklyn Nets, The Warriors, KK Mega Basket, Atlanta Hawks, San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets, CNBC PRO Locations: Los Angeles, Belgrade, Serbia

☆ MLS player ‘forcibly removed’ from referee’s locker room, says US and Canadian refereeing body
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( Samuel Joseph | Sam Joseph | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —A soccer player was “forcibly removed” after entering the match officials’ locker room after the Major League Soccer (MLS) playoff game between FC Cincinnati and the New York Red Bulls earlier this month, according to the Professional Soccer Referees Association (PSRA). The PSRA represents referees that are licensed to officiate soccer matches by the Canadian Soccer Association or the United States Soccer Federation. “No one’s safety should ever be at risk & we expect MLS to act accordingly,” added the PSRA statement. Howard Smith/ISI Photos/Getty ImagesMiazga is a former Red Bulls player and came up through the team’s youth system. He told the Cincinnati Enquirer that one of the yellow cards was given for holding a heart-shaped hand gesture towards the home New York crowd.

Persons: “, ”, Matt Miazga, Victor Rivas, ” Miazga, Rivas, Howard Smith, “ I’m Organizations: CNN, Major League Soccer, FC Cincinnati, New York Red Bulls, Professional Soccer Referees Association, Cincinnati, Red Bulls, Twitter, Canadian Soccer Association, United States Soccer Federation, MLS, Cincinnati Enquirer, Athletic, Red Bull, FC Cincinnati’s, ” FC Cincinnati, Philadelphia Union, New Locations: Cincinnati, York, Ohio

Major League Soccer suspended Philadelphia Union defender Kai Wagner on Tuesday for three matches for violating the league’s on-field anti-discrimination policy after the league launched an investigation into whether he used a racial slur against a New England Revolution player. Wagner will begin serving the penalty on Wednesday when the Revolution hosts the Union in Game 2 of their MLS Cup Eastern Conference semifinals matchup. MLS said in a statement that Wagner acknowledged wrongdoing. Political Cartoons View All 1237 Images“In reaching this decision, MLS considered many factors, including Wagner’s immediate acceptance of responsibility, willingness to participate in a restorative practices process to repair the harm caused, and his cooperation with the league’s investigation,” the league’s statement said. As part of the suspension, Wagner has begun MLS-mandated education and training, a process the league said will continue.

Persons: Kai Wagner, Wagner, Bobby Wood, Wood, ” Organizations: Major League Soccer, Philadelphia Union, New, Union, MLS, Eastern, Philadelphia, Athletic, New England Locations: New England, New, Hawaii

☆ New York Knicks Sue Toronto Raptors, Alleging Information Theft
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-22 | by ( Robert O Connell | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

New York Knicks forward Julius Randle shoots over Toronto Raptors forward O.G. Photo: Cole Burston/Associated PressThe New York Knicks have made the NBA playoffs just twice in the last 11 seasons, and have never advanced past the Eastern Conference semifinals during that time. Yet now the Knicks are alleging that one of the league’s model organizations saw something in their franchise worth stealing.

Persons: Julius Randle, Anunoby, Cole Burston Organizations: New York Knicks, Toronto Raptors, Associated, NBA, Eastern, Knicks

☆ Ecstatic Steph Curry sinks walk-off eagle to win celebrity golf tournament
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-17 | by ( Jack Bantock | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

“She knows how much I love this game,” Curry told reporters. Al Messerschmidt / Getty Images Michael Jordan: Any sports fan who has watched "The Last Dance" will know MJ's passion for golf is well-documented. Isaac Brekken / Getty Images Justin Timberlake: The singer and actor has been bringing "SexyBack" to golf for decades. Xaume Olleros / AFP via Getty Images Niall Horan: There's only One Direction the ball is going when the Irish singer-songwriter is at the tee. Ross Kinnaird / Getty Images Tom Holland: Part-time web-slinger, full-time golf swinger -- the "Spider-Man" lead is a self-confessed golf addict.

Persons: Steph Curry, Curry, whisking, Mardy Fish, Ayesha, “, ” Curry, “ It’s, Isaiah Vazquez, Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Aaron Rodgers, Annika Sorenstam, Joe Pavelski, Al Del Greco, Mario Lemieux, Adam Sandler, Sandler, Gilmore, Shooter McGavin, Christopher McDonald, Al Messerschmidt, Michael Jordan, Davis, Jordan, Isaac Brekken, Justin Timberlake, JT strutting, Matt Sullivan, Catherine Zeta, Jones, Michael Douglas, Douglas, Ross Kinnaird, Tom Brady, Brady, Josh Allen, Carmen Mandato, Orlando Ramirez, Jessica Alba, tross, Xaume Olleros, Niall Horan, There's, Tom Holland, Warren Little, Stephen Curry, Celine Dion, René Angélil, Dion, Sam Levi, Miles Teller, Alice Cooper, Cooper, Kathryn Newton, Newton, Ezra Shaw, Sandy Young, ”, …, you’ve Organizations: CNN, Golden State Warriors, American, Edgewood, Hollywood, NFL, Fish, NHL, American NFL, Canadian NHL, NBA, University of North Carolina, PGA, Chicago, Mission, Getty, Management, BMW PGA, Clarkson Creative, Club, Tahoe, LPGA, Ryder, Celtic, Team, Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, Western Conference Locations: Stateline , Nevada, Florida, British, Alba, Hainan, AFP, Irish, Terrebonne , Quebec, American, Celtic Manor, Wales

☆ What Carmelo Anthony Meant to New York City
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-27 | by ( Kris Rhim | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

There were many moments that evoked roars inside Madison Square Garden when the Knicks faced the Miami Heat in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals this month: when Jalen Brunson hit a 3-pointer late in the fourth quarter, prompting a Heat timeout, or any of the five times RJ Barrett sank a 3, sending the Garden’s white-knuckled Knicks fans into a frenzy. But the loudest roar that night came during a stoppage in play when a large video screen showed Carmelo Anthony sitting courtside. Anthony stood with one hand raised as most of the fans gave him a standing ovation, showering him with applause and cheers as if he had just made a game-winning shot. Anthony never won a title for the Knicks or even made a conference finals in his six and a half seasons with the team, but the moment was a reminder of how much he still means to New York. The city had yearned for a star after years of mediocrity and got one in Anthony, a Brooklyn native ready to make Knicks games exciting again.

☆ 'No one's safe': Sixers cut Rivers after repeat playoffs disappointment
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

May 16 (Reuters) - Philadelphia 76ers head coach Doc Rivers was fired on Tuesday after a humiliating Game 7 loss to the Boston Celtics, as the team bounced out in the second round of the NBA playoffs for a third straight year. After Sunday's gut-wrenching 112-88 defeat in Boston, he told reporters he would stay, but acknowledged, "No one's safe in our business." Rivers is not alone: On Saturday the Phoenix Suns fired head coach Monty Williams - who won Coach of the Year in 2022 - after losing the conference semifinals for a second straight year. Williams led Phoenix to the NBA Finals in the 2020-21 season, where they lost to the Milwaukee Bucks. Reporting by Amy Tennery in New York Editing by Toby DavisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Jayson Tatum Shines as Boston Celtics Blow Out Sixers in Game 7
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-14 | by ( Scott Cacciola | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

BOSTON — Jaylen Brown had used his public platform ahead of Sunday afternoon’s game to deliver a clear message to Celtics fans. On Sunday, before Game 7, he urged the fans to be much louder. He got what he wanted as the Celtics beat the Sixers, 112-88, to close out the series. The fans cheered every dunk and 3-pointer, every defensive stop and offensive rebound. They cheered any time Celtics forward Jayson Tatum got the ball.

☆ He Saw ‘Greatness’ in the Lakers When They Were at Their Worst
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-08 | by ( Tania Ganguli | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

You’d have to look closely or you’d miss the homemade sign nailed to a telephone pole outside the Lakers’ practice facility in El Segundo, Calif.It’s right outside the entrance to the players’ parking lot, but many of them miss its blue-and-yellow words as they drive in. “I SEE GREATNESS IN YOU,” it says. The sign gives no indication of who “I” might be, who “you” are or what kind of greatness you possess. But in a small yet meaningful way, the message has inspired Lakers Coach Darvin Ham as he leads the team in their Western Conference semifinal series against the Golden State Warriors. Ham has even forged an unlikely friendship with the man who posted the sign: Terrance Burney, a basketball-loving airline employee whose home is filled with inspirational signs.

☆ NHL roundup: Panthers win in OT, move Leafs to brink
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The Panthers, who lead the best-of-seven set 3-0, would advance with a home win on Wednesday. Florida also got goals from Anthony Duclair and Carter Verhaeghe, and Aaron Ekblad had two assists. Maple Leafs goalie Ilya Samsonov, who stopped eight shots and allowed no goals, was injured 37 seconds into the second period. Kraken 7, Stars 2Matty Beniers, Alex Wennberg, Eeli Tolvanen and Justin Schultz each had a goal and an assist as Seattle defeated visiting Dallas in Game 3 of their Western Conference semifinal series. Five different players scored second-period goals for the Kraken, who took a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.

☆ Bronny James Commits to U.S.C. as Father Dreams of N.B.A. Meet-Up
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-07 | by ( Adam Zagoria | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

LeBron James’s immediate goal is to win another N.B.A. championship with the Los Angeles Lakers. But longer term, he wants to play in the league with his older son, LeBron Jr., who goes by Bronny, beginning in 2024. “I need to be on the floor with my boy,” James told ESPN in January, recalling a situation from his childhood in which Ken Griffey and his son, Ken Griffey Jr., played for the Seattle Mariners. He was seated at courtside Saturday night as the Lakers took a 2-1 lead in their Western Conference semifinal series with the Golden State Warriors.

☆ James Harden Finds His Old Groove and Gets the Sixers Back on Track
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-07 | by ( Scott Cacciola | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

“Quite frankly,” Harden said, “today was do or die.”The 76ers have been a staple of the N.B.A. playoffs over the past six seasons, making five appearances in the conference semifinals. The last time they made the conference finals was in 2001, when Allen Iverson led them past the Milwaukee Bucks and into the N.B.A. The challenge for the 76ers, of course, is that the Process was never about winning individual honors, though those are nice. The mandate now, on players like Embiid and Harden, but also on Rivers and Daryl Morey, the team’s president of basketball operations, is to vie for a championship.

☆ Nikola Jokic Gets More Kicks—Literally—Than Anyone in Basketball History
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-02 | by ( Robert O Connell | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Nikola Jokic has always been a spectacle on offense. Despite his non-chiseled build and lack of top-percentile athleticism—six-feet-11 and 284 pounds, without much foot speed or vertical leap to speak of—the Denver Nuggets’ center plays basketball like a ballet dancer. In the opener of their conference semifinal against the Phoenix Suns on Saturday, Jokic flung his usual inch-perfect passes and twirled through the lane, leading Denver to their first win in what became, Monday night, a 2-0 series lead. On defense, though, Jokic tends to be as lumbering as he is graceful at the other end. Most opposing dribblers can edge past the twice-reigning MVP, and almost everyone in the NBA can outjump him.

☆ LeBron James vs. Steph Curry: Old rivalries reignite as LA Lakers face Golden State Warriors
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-02 | by ( Thomas Schlachter | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers took down the Memphis Grizzlies 4-2 in the opening round of the playoffs. In another battle of the old vs. the young, the Golden State Warriors beat the Sacramento Kings in an exhilarating seven-game series. José Luis Villegas/APBattles of old2015 FinalsThe first NBA Finals matchup between LeBron and Steph was in 2015. Greg Nelson/Sports Illustrated/Getty Images2017 FinalsThe Golden State Warriors responded to their 2016 Finals loss by recruiting Kevin Durant in the off-season. Following a disappointing end to his second stint with the Cavaliers, LeBron moved across to the West and signed with the Los Angeles Lakers.

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