Scott Rafferty | Sporting News

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LeBron makes history with another 20-point game

LeBron James joins Karl Malone and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the only players in NBA history with 1,000 career 20-point games in the regular season.

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The secret to Dwight's resurgence

Howard's day of being an All-Star and Defensive Player of the Year candidate might be over, but the 33-year-old is showing clear signs of buying into his new role, and it is propelling the Lakers to new heights.

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Carmelo '2000 percent' sure he still wants to play

Anthony hasn't played in the NBA since Nov. 9, 2018, when he made his return to Oklahoma City as a member of the Houston Rockets.

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Anunoby, Siakam come up big in Raptors win

The two forwards combined for 41 points, 19 rebounds, 10 assists, three blocks and two steals in a 124-120 win over the Sacramento Kings.

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Report: George to make Clippers debut soon

George has yet to suit up for the Clippers after undergoing two should procedures in the offseason.

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6 stats from Doncic's historic triple-double

After going off for 31 points, 15 assists and 13 rebounds in a loss to the Lakers, Doncic led the Mavericks to victory over the Cavaliers with 29 points, 15 assists and 14 rebounds. He made some history in the process.

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LeBron, Dwight shine in Lakers win

James got some help from Dwight Howard, who provided a big boost off the bench with a double-double in only 20 minutes of play.

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LeBron passes Kobe on all-time steals list

The only active player with more steals in their NBA career than LeBron James is Oklahoma City Thunder guard Chris Paul.

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Curry out at least three months

A return in the first week of February means the injury could cost Stephen Curry close to 50 games.

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Breaking down Doncic's LeBron-like vision

It's not fair to compare any young prospect to arguably the greatest player of all-time, but there's no denying that Luka Doncic has some LeBron James in his game, particularly when it comes to passing.

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Players react to Curry's injury

The Golden State Warriors announced that Curry suffered a broken left hand in Wednesday's loss to the Phoenix Suns.

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Siakam puts superstar potential on display in big win

Pascal Siakam's fingerprints were all over the third quarter, when he scored 19 of his game-high 30 points. He did it in every which way.

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Ranking the best centres in the NBA

Is Joel Embiid or Nikola Jokic at No. 1? Did Al Horford crack the top 5? Who just missed out? Our NBA.com Staff ranks the best centres in the NBA entering the 2019-20 season.

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Westbrook passes Magic in history books

Russell Westbrook now has 139 triple-doubles in his NBA career, the second-most all-time.

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Anunoby shines in big Raptors win

Anunoby was Toronto's leading scorer through three quarters of play against Chicago. He finished with 17 points, six rebounds and four blocks in 25 minutes of play.

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Siakam agrees to max extension with Raptors

Pascal Siakam is coming off of a breakout season with the Toronto Raptors that saw him average 16.9 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game.

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Report: Zion out a 'period of weeks' with knee injury

Williamson had a spectacular preseason with the Pelicans, in which he averaged 23.3 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game. He's considered to be the runaway favourite to win Rookie of the Year this season.

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Report: Beal commits to Wizards

Beal is coming off of the best season of his young career, posting averages of 25.6 points, 5.5 assists and 5.0 rebounds per game while leading the league in minutes played.

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What to make of Zion's first week

Zion Williamson has now played in four preseason games with the New Orleans Pelicans. He's dominated the competition to the tune of 23.3 points per game on 71.4 percent shooting from the field, but is it at all sustainable?

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Davis leaves preseason game with thumb injury

Davis will reportedly get his thumb tested when the Lakers return to Los Angeles on Sunday.

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Will the Clippers win it all?

The Clippers assembled a title contender this summer, but their success in 2019-20 hinges on Kawhi Leonard and Paul George being the players they were last season.

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How much can the Magic improve?

The Magic didn't make any significant changes to their roster this offseason, but they still have a number of young players primed to breakout in Aaron Gordon, Jonathan Isaac, Mo Bamba and Markelle Fultz, plus one-time All-Star Nikola Vucevic. Can they build off of last season or are they destined for another first-round exit?

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Ranking the best small forwards in the NBA

Kawhi Leonard. LeBron James. Paul George. Jimmy Butler. Luka Doncic. Jayson Tatum. The NBA's small forward position is in good shape entering the 2019-20 season.

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Will Rockets reach new heights with Westbrook?

The Rockets made a bold move this offseason in trading Chris Paul for Russell Westbrook. Will it pay off?

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Harden interested in playing in 2020 Olympics

Harden joins a growing list of NBA All-Stars interested in representing Team USA at the 2020 Olympics.

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Trade destinations for Iguodala

The Grizzlies are reportedly exploring trades for Andre Iguodala. Which teams should be interested in the three-time NBA champion?

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The scariest pick-and-roll duo in the NBA

What happens when the single-most versatile offensive player in NBA history becomes teammates with the single-most versatile big man in today's game? The presence of AD could unleash LeBron as a pick-and-roll puppet master the likes of which we've never seen.

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Nets aren't expecting Durant to play this season

There was a rumour this week that Durant could return from tearing his Achilles this season as opposed to next season. Brooklyn Nets general manager Sean Marks pushed back on it in a news conference on Tuesday.

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Can Griffin lead the Pistons to the playoffs again?

The Pistons aren't projected to make the playoffs next season, but Blake Griffin proved in his first full season in Detroit that any team with him leading the way shouldn't be counted out.

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How Nikola Jokic can win MVP

There are eight players with higher MVP odds than Nikola Jokic entering the 2019-20 season, but the Denver Nuggets centre has clear path towards winning the award following a breakout campaign.

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Team USA finishes in 7th place

Team USA took down Poland to finish in 7th place and Serbia outlasted the Czech Republic to finish in 5th.

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Shaun Livingston announces retirement

Livingston retires as a three-time NBA champion.

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Semi-finals scores and highlights

Spain and Australia went into double overtime while Luis Scola propelled Argentina to victory with another monster double-double.

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USA suffers second straight loss

The USA, Serbia, Czech Republic and Poland will be back in action on Saturday to determine which teams will finish the tournament ranked 5-8.

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Day 2 recap of World Cup

Canada, Australia, USA, Greece and Lithuania all made their 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup debut on Day 2 of the tournament.

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Day 1 recap of World Cup

The first day of the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup was headlined by Nikola Jokic and Bogdan Bogdanovic suiting up for Serbia and a wild finish between Puerto Rico and Iran.

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Lin signs with CBA's Beijing Ducks

Lin split the 2018-19 season in the NBA with the Atlanta Hawks and Toronto Raptors. He averaged 9.6 points, 3.1 assists and 2.4 rebounds over 74 regular season games with the two teams.

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How does Howard fit with the Lakers?

With DeMarcus Cousins likely to miss all of next season with a torn ACL, the Lakers have reportedly signed Dwight Howard to a non-guaranteed deal. How does the eight-time All-Star fit in Los Angeles?

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Report: Lakers to work out Noah, Howard, Speights

The Lakers are also considering veteran centre Marcin Gotat, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reports.

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Can Kyle Kuzma become the Lakers' third star?

Kuzma told ESPN this offseason that he believes he can be the third star LeBron James and Anthony Davis need for the Lakers to compete for a championship. There are still many ways the 24-year-old can improve, but it begins with his jump shot.

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Four ways injury to Cousins impacts Lakers

What does this mean for Anthony Davis? Who are the best potential replacements still on the open market? Is there even more pressure on Kyle Kuzma to develop into a star? The latest setback for Cousins, reportedly a torn ACL, has a ripple effect on the rest of the roster moving forward.

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Players react to Cousins's reported injury

"Praying for my brother @boogiecousins," Isaiah Thomas tweeted.

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Report: Cousins suffers torn ACL in workout

According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, Cousins has suffered a torn ACL in his knee.

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When Kawhi and other stars return to former teams

With the NBA calendar being released on Monday, we now know when some of the league's biggest names will play against their former teams next season.

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How Bam can become next season's MIP

Bam Adebayo is one of the preseason favourites to be next season's Most Improved Player. The clearest path towards him winning the award? An improved midrange jump shot.

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How Jamal Murray can live up to max extension

After coming to terms on a five-year, $170 million extension this offseason, the Nuggets need Jamal Murray to be an All-Star now more than ever. The key to him living up to his potential? Consistency.

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Report: Raptors to host Kawhi, Clippers before Christmas

Kawhi Leonard's only season with the Raptors was a memorable one, ending with him winning his second title and Finals MVP trophy.

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Siakam's passing could help overcome loss of Kawhi

With the way opponents are expected to defend Pascal Siakam now that Kawhi Leonard is no longer on the team, the Toronto Raptors need the 25-year-old to be more of a creator for others. Is he up for the challenge?

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Can Westbrook bring back 'Seven Seconds or Less'?

The Rockets have played at a slower pace each season Mike D'Antoni has been head coach, but adding Russell Westbrook gives them one of the best transition scorers in the league. Could it be the key to them winning the title next season?

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Kawhi voted best player by NBA personnel

ESPN's Tim Bontemps asked 20 league coaches, executives and scouts their opinion on a number of topics following a wild free agency, including who the best player is and what they believe was the most surprising move of the summer.

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How Tatum can unlock All-Star potential

Jayson Tatum is well aware of how important it is for him to get to the free throw line, but it hasn't been a big part of his game through two seasons with the Boston Celtics. Will next season be different?

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Division Rankings: Can anyone catch up with Rockets?

It's been a busy offseason for the Southwest Division, but not much has changed up top heading into the season — the Rockets lead the way, with the Spurs, Mavericks and Pelicans fighting for a spot in the playoffs while the Grizzlies continue to rebuild.

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How Siakam can become a superstar

Pascal Siakam improved more than anyone could've imagined last season, but the 76ers and Bucks were able to take advantage of one particular weakness in the playoffs. If he can turn it into a strength, there might be no stopping him.

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How did Warriors bounce back from losing KD?

It's been a confusing offseason for the Golden State Warriors, highlighted by them signing and trading Kevin Durant to the Brooklyn Nets for a package built around D'Angelo Russell.

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Pros and cons of trading for CP3

The Thunder are reportedly trying to redirect Chris Paul to a new team. Whichever team acquires the nine-time All-Star will be getting one of the best point guards of all-time, albeit one who appears to be on the decline.

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Did the Clippers win free agency?

The acquisitions of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George dominated headlines, but the Clippers made other signings this offseason that helped boost their title odds.

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Westbrook's complicated fit with Harden, Rockets

There are ways in which Russell Westbrook could make the Houston Rockets better next season, but his fit alongside James Harden is complicated to say the least.

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Giannis wanted Kawhi to re-sign with Raptors

"For me personally, I would love for Kawhi to stay in the East and stay in Toronto because I would love to go through the series [with them] again," Antetokounmpo told Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN.

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Report: Simmons, 76ers agree on max extension

Simmons made his first All-Star Team with averages of 16.9 points, 8.8 rebounds and 7.7 assists per game in the 2018-19 season.

Scott Rafferty

Las Vegas Summer League Day 9 Recap

Nickeil Alexander-Walker continued his strong play, scoring 34 points to punch the New Orleans Pelicans' ticket to the semifinals of the Las Vegas Summer League Playoffs.

Scott Rafferty

Report: Tyson Chandler joining Rockets

The reunion of James Harden and Russell Westbrook "seems to have played a part" in Tyson Chandler joining the team, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski tweeted.

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The terrifying potential of Kawhi and PG13

The superstar duo has the potential to build a two-way powerhouse in Los Angeles that should compete for multiple championships.

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Powell on Kawhi: 'I can't wait to go out there and guard him'

"I've already talked to him about it, how I'm going to lock him up, and having fun with it, so I'm excited," Powell continued with a smile on his face.

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How Lakers signings help LeBron, Davis

After trading for Anthony Davis, the Lakers are left having to build the rest of their roster on mostly minimum contracts.

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Green agrees to deal with Lakers

The deal is reportedly for two years and worth $30 million.

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Where do Raptors go from here?

Run it back or blow it up? Kawhi Leonard's decision to join the Clippers in free agency leaves the Raptors with some tough decisions to make.

Scott Rafferty

Report: Raptors, Mavericks, Lakers in mix for Green

We ranked Danny Green as the third-best shooting guard in this free agency class behind Klay Thompson and Jimmy Butler, both of whom are no longer available.

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The case for Kawhi to re-sign with Raptors

Leonard will reportedly decline his player option for next season, making him an unrestricted free agent this summer. Why should the three-time All-Star stay with the Raptors?

Scott Rafferty

Report: Klay, Warriors agree on $190M deal

With an annual salary of $38 million, Thompson will be the second-highest paid player on the Warriors behind Stephen Curry.

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What's next for Warriors and D'Angelo Russell

The Warriors have acquired one of the best prospects in the league in D'Angelo Russell, but at what cost?

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Report: Jordan to Nets on four-year deal

Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant both took less than the max to allow DeAndre Jordan to make an annual salary of $10 million, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

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Report: Heat to acquire Jimmy Butler in sign-and-trade

The 76ers will reportedly receive Josh Richardson in the deal for the four-time All-Star.

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Report: Harris to stay with 76ers

The Philadelphia 76ers acquired Tobias Harris at the trade deadline in a huge deal that included several draft picks. He averaged 18.2 points in 27 regular season games with the 76ers.

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Report: Rubio joining Suns

Rubio signs with Phoenix following two seasons in Utah, where he averaged 12.9 points, 5.7 assists and 4.1 rebounds per game.

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What Kemba Walker brings to the Celtics

Kemba Walker is his own player, but he brings some of the best qualities of Kyrie Irving and Isaiah Thomas to a Celtics team looking to bounce back from a disappointing season.

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Players react to free agency moves

Nets guard Spencer Dinwiddie had a message for New York Knicks fans when Kevin Durant's free agency decision was reported.

Scott Rafferty

Report: Warriors to offer Klay max contract

Thompson averaged 21.5 points per game on 40.2 percent shooting from 3-point range in the 2018-19 season. He is expected to miss most of the 2019-20 season as he recovers from a torn ACL.

Scott Rafferty

Kawhi and the Domino Effect

If Kawhi Leonard decides to leave Toronto, it impacts nearly everyone else on the entire roster. Here's a player-by-player breakdown of what that domino effect might look like from Kyle Lowry and Pascal Siakam to Fred VanVleet and OG Anunoby.

Scott Rafferty

Best rim protectors in free agency

Brook Lopez and JaVale McGee are two of the players teams in need of rim protection should target in free agency this summer.

Scott Rafferty

Gasol exercises player option for next season

Gasol averaged 9.1 points, 6.6 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game in his first season with the Raptors.

Scott Rafferty

Ranking best shooting guards in free agency

Klay Thompson and Danny Green are two of the best shooting guards available in this summer's free agency class, but who else is available at the position?

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Best shooters in free agency

There are a lot of teams entering free agency on July 1 that are expected to be in the market for 3-point shooters. Which players should they be targeting?

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Conley weighs in on reported trade

"What more can I say about my city!" Conley also tweeted. "You guys made me the man I am today! Memphis is home."

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Conley is perfect for Mitchell, Jazz

Conley fills a huge need for the Jazz on offence and is a perfect fit on defence. With him now on board, Utah has what it takes to complete with the best of the best next season.

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Best moments from Raptors' championship parade

After defeating the Warriors in the 2019 NBA Finals, the Raptors celebrated their championship with a parade through Toronto on Monday.

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Warriors take out ad to congratulate Raptors

"The Golden State Warriors congratulate the Toronto Raptors on their historic achievement and bringing the 2019 NBA championship to the City of Toronto," the ad reads.

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Players react to Davis trade to Lakers

"Welp there goes the first domino..." free-agent-to-be DeMarre Carroll tweeted. "Things about to get interesting..."

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How Davis fits with LeBron, Lakers

Even without knowing who will be surrounding them next season, the combination of LeBron James and Anthony Davis gives the Lakers the star power they need to build a legitimate contender.

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Lin thanks DeRozan for paving the way

"Dont rly know Demar personally but the positive impact he had is so obvious," Lin tweeted after the Raptors won the title. "Hope he gets credit for laying the foundation and paving the way! #thankyouDemar"

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What's next for the Warriors?

The Warriors have a busy offseason ahead of them that includes the free agency of Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson, as well as DeMarcus Cousins.

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NBA players react to Raptors' title

"Congrats to the Raps, inspiring the youth back home wit this one for sure," Toronto native Kelly Olynyk tweeted.

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Kawhi named Finals MVP

Leonard joins LeBron James and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the only players in NBA history to win the award on two different teams.

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Thompson leaves Game 6 with knee injury

Thompson was the game's leading scorer before his injury with 30 points on 8-for-12 shooting from the field.

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On This Date: Best duo performance in Finals

Will the Toronto Raptors be stopped in their quest for a title by Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson? Coincidentally, Game 6 falls on the three-year anniversary of perhaps the greatest performance ever by two teammates in the NBA Finals.

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Kawhi offers advice to Durant

"Make sure you come back when you feel healthy and you feel good enough that you feel confident enough in yourself to go back out there on the floor," Leonard said.

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Durant undergoes surgery for ruptured Achilles

"What’s good everybody I wanted to update you all: I did rupture my Achilles. Surgery was today and it was a success, EASY MONEY," Durant announced on Instagram.

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Report: Irving to decline player option with Celtics

Irving is widely considered to be the third-best free agent this offseason, behind Kevin Durant and Kawhi Leonard.

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What went wrong for Raptors at end of Game 5?

The Raptors led by six points with 3:28 to play in Game 5. Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson then caught fire while Toronto's offence went ice cold, paving the way for the Warriors to force a Game 6.

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Odds, picks for Game 6

The Warriors are favoured to win Game 6 but most of our staff believe the Raptors will win once again at Oracle Arena, this time to secure their first title.

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Players react to a gritty Warriors win

The Raptors led by six points with just over three minutes to play in Game 5, but Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson came up big to keep Golden State's season alive.

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Taking stock of Finals MVP race

Kawhi Leonard is the clear favourite heading into Game 5, but who else should be in consideration for Finals MVP?

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Game 5 preview: Will the Raptors close the series out?

The Raptors return to Toronto one win away from winning their first championship. Will they get it done in front of their home crowd?

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Instant Reaction: Raptors flex their muscles in Game 4

The Raptors are now one win away from winning their first NBA championship thanks to huge performances from Kawhi Leonard and Serge Ibaka.

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Looney to play in Game 4

Looney suffered a non-displaced first costal cartilage fracture in Golden State's Game 2 win following a collision with Kawhi Leonard.

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Kawhi leads Raptors to Game 3 victory

The Raptors took advantage of the Warriors being short-handed, beating them in Game 3 to regain homecourt advantage in the Finals.

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Odds and predictions for Game 4

Despite a big Game 3 win for the Raptors, the Warriors opened as favourites to win Game 4.

Scott Rafferty

Odds, picks for Game 3

As the Finals shifts from Toronto to Golden State, the Warriors are favoured to take a 2-1 series lead. But what does our NBA.com Staff think will happen?

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How Curry picked Raptors apart without touching the ball

Game 2 was yet another example of how Stephen Curry's value extends far beyond a traditional box score.

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Anunoby active for Game 2

OG Anunoby averaged 7.0 points, 2.9 rebounds, 0.7 assists and 0.7 steals per game in his sophomore season.

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Game 2 preview: Will Warriors bounce back?

Fred VanVleet was able to contain Stephen Curry in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. Will he have the same success in Game 2?

Scott Rafferty

Is VanVleet the Curry stopper?

Fred VanVleet received a lot of credit for making Stephen Curry work for his points in Game 1. How was he able to slow the two-time MVP down?

Scott Rafferty

Odds, picks for Game 2

Following a dominant performance in Game 1, the Raptors have opened as favourites to win Game 2 of the 2019 NBA Finals.

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Durant ruled out for Game 2

"Kevin is not going to play Sunday," Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said on Friday. "I guess we've been sort of holding out hope, but I might as well just say it now."

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Cousins active for Game 1

The four-time All-Star has been sidelined since April 15 with a torn left quadriceps muscle.

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Breaking down the biggest matchups

All eyes will be on Kevin Durant vs. Kawhi Leonard and Stephen Curry vs. Kyle Lowry, but the Raptors and Warriors will both need a number of players to step up to win the Finals.

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Predictions, odds for Game 1

The Warriors opened the series as 1-point favourites on Vegas Insider, but the line has since shifted in Toronto's favour.

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How Raptors should defend Curry-Draymond combo

Without Kevin Durant, the Curry-Green pick-and-rolls have become Golden State's go-to play in crunch time again. How the Raptors choose to defend it could be the key to gaining a decisive edge on the Warriors.

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What's next for the Bucks?

What will the Bucks pay Khris Middleton in free agency? Will they keep Brook Lopez and Nikola Mirotic? What do they do with Malcolm Brogdon?

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NBA players react to Raptors making Finals

"That’s big for the City and Canada," former Raptors forward DeMarre Carroll tweeted. "Very special group."

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History! Raptors clinch their first Finals appearance

The Raptors have defeated the Bucks in the Eastern Conference Finals to advance to the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history.

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Kawhi's simple but effective playmaking in one possession

Leonard dished out nine assists in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals. None of his assists were particularly difficult, but they didn't need to be for him to punish the Bucks for the way they were defending him.

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Kawhi lead Raptors over Bucks in another thriller

Kawhi Leonard scored 35 points and dished out nine assists in Toronto's Game 5 win.

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Kawhi sets Raptors record with sixth 35-point game

Only four other players have ever scored 35 points in a playoff game in a Toronto Raptors uniform.

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Kawhi scores 36 points in double overtime thriller

Kawhi Leonard was spectacular once again, scoring a game-high 36 points to get the Raptors a much-needed win.

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Four things to watch in Game 3 of Raptors-Bucks

Will the Raptors get more scoring out of Marc Gasol? Has Norman Powell earned himself more minutes? Will the Bucks continue to win the minutes Giannis Antetokounmpo is on the bench?

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Nurse says lineup change could be coming for Raptors

Could the Raptors start Serge Ibaka in place of Marc Gasol for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals?

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Four things to watch in Game 2 of Raptors-Bucks

Will Brook Lopez have a repeat performance? Can Kawhi Leonard and the Raptors get going from the perimeter? Will the Bucks continue to dominate the offensive glass?

Scott Rafferty

Four things to watch in Game 2 of Warriors-Blazers

How will the Blazers defend pick-and-rolls involving Stephen Curry? Will they get more from Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum?

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Lowry: 'It sucks when you lose like that'

Led by Brook Lopez, the Bucks outscored the Raptors 32-17 in the fourth quarter to win Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

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Raptors-Bucks series preview

They took slightly different paths, but the East's top two teams are now set to meet in the Conference Finals as many expected all season. It's the first time these two franchises will meet in the postseason since 2017.

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What's next for the 76ers?

Will the 76ers re-sign Jimmy Butler and Tobias Harris? How much cap space do they have to work with? Can Ben Simmons take the next step in his development?

Scott Rafferty

Four things to watch in Game 7 of Raptors-76ers

Will the 76ers continue to dominate the offensive glass? Can the Raptors make open shots? Will someone other than Kawhi Leonard or Pascal Siakam step up for Toronto?

Scott Rafferty

Report: Durant out for rest of series

Durant suffered the injury with a couple of minutes remaining in the third quarter of Game 5.

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Brogdon expected to return in Game 5

Brogdon has been sidelined since March 15 with a plantar fascia tear in his right foot.

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Four things to watch in Game 6 of Raptors-76ers

Can Kawhi Leonard continue to punish the 76ers as a passer? Will Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid take better care of the ball? Will Toronto's role players continue to step up?

Scott Rafferty

4 things to watch in Game 5 of Raptors-76ers

Will the 76ers change their coverage on Kawhi Leonard? Will Pascal Siakam be better than he was in Game 4? What about Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons?

Scott Rafferty

Kawhi draws Kobe comparison after Game 4

Kawhi Leonard's 3-pointer over Joel Embiid in the closing minute of Game 4 reminded Norman Powell of the former Los Angeles Lakers superstar.

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5 stats from Kawhi's epic performance

Kawhi Leonard now has six 30-point games in these playoffs, surpassing Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan for the most in Raptors franchise history.

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Siakam to play in Game 4

Pascal Siakam was originally listed as doubtful with a right calf contusion he suffered in Game 3.

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Curry makes no excuses after miserable Game 3

"If I'm on the court, I have to produce," Curry said after the loss.

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How Embiid torched Gasol in Game 3

After scoring 28 points in Games 1 and 2, Embiid exploded for 33 points in Game 3. How did he finally get himself going against Marc Gasol and the Raptors?

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Can Simmons contain Kawhi?

Philadelphia's best chance to win this series boils down to one key factor: stopping Kawhi Leonard. The only player on the 76ers roster that's had any success in doing so through two games is Ben Simmons, who is making Toronto's superstar work hard for his points. What's been the key to the Aussie's success? Can he keep it up long enough to flip the series in favour of the 76ers?

Scott Rafferty

What to watch in Game 2 of Raptors-76ers

Can the Raptors keep the 76ers off the offensive glass? Can Marc Gasol continue to contain Joel Embiid? Will Philadelphia figure out an answer to its Kawhi Leonard problem?

Scott Rafferty

Stats to know from DeRozan's season

DeRozan averaged a career-high 6.2 assists per game, but he almost completely eliminated 3-pointers from his game. What impact did that have on the Spurs?

Scott Rafferty

Jokic earns Player of the Day

The Nuggets lost, but Nikola Jokic had a monster Game 6 with 43 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists.

Scott Rafferty

Can Marc Gasol slow down Joel Embiid?

Joel Embiid is the most dominant centre the NBA has seen since Shaquille O'Neal. It might not matter against Marc Gasol, who has a history of holding his own in their one-on-one matchups.

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What's next for the Jazz?

The Utah Jazz have been eliminated from the playoffs, losing to the Houston Rockets in five games. How can they improve their roster this offseason?

Scott Rafferty

Player of the Day: Kawhi Leonard

Kawhi Leonard bounced back from a rough Game 3 with 34 points in Game 4 of Toronto's first-round series with Orlando.

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Kerr: Bogut to start in place of Cousins

Steve Kerr made the announcement ahead of Game 3 of the Warriors' first-round matchup with the Clippers.

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Zion Williamson declares for 2019 NBA Draft

Williamson is expected to be the No. 1 in the upcoming draft, with some comparing him to Charles Barkley, Blake Griffin and Draymond Green.

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Embiid unsure if he'll play in Game 1 vs. Nets

Embiid said "I have no idea" when asked about his playing status for the game because of a knee injury he's been dealing with since his return from All-Star.

Scott Rafferty

Nuggets vs. Spurs series preview

The No. 2 Denver Nuggets will face the No. 7 San Antonio Spurs in the first round of the 2019 NBA Playoffs. Here is all you need to know ahead of the first round series.

Scott Rafferty

Ja Morant declares for 2019 NBA Draft

Morant is widely considered to be one of the top prospects in the upcoming draft, with some projecting him to go second overall behind Zion Williamson.

Scott Rafferty

Harden records fifth career 50-point triple-double

Harden led the Rockets to a victory over the Kings on Sunday with 50 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists. It's the fifth time in his career that he's scored 50 points and recorded a triple-double in the same game, the most in NBA history.

Scott Rafferty

Takeaways from Raptors win over Bulls

For the second time this week, the Raptors cruised to a win over the Bulls. This time, Fred VanVleet led the way with 23 points.

Scott Rafferty

Conley passes Gasol on Grizzlies' all-time scoring list

Conley did so late in the second quarter of the Grizzlies' matchup with the Warriors on Thursday (AEDT).

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Triple threat: Luka ties Magic

Doncic recorded his seventh triple-double of the season on Tuesday to the tune of 28 points, 12 rebounds and 12 assists against the Kings.

Scott Rafferty

WATCH: Heat retire Bosh's jersey

Chris Bosh was named an All-Star each season he was with the Miami Heat and won back-to-back championships.

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Doncic makes more triple-double history for a rookie

Doncic recorded his sixth triple-double of the season on Sunday to the tune of 23 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists against the defending champions.

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What's next for the Lakers?

The Lakers have a number of ways they can upgrade their roster this offseason, but there is no guarantee that they get another star to pair with LeBron James.

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4 Takeaways: Russ, PG lead Thunder past the Raptors

Kawhi Leonard scored a game-high 37 points, but it wasn't enough for the Raptors to beat the Thunder for a second time this season.

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Harden scores 27 points in first quarter vs. Spurs

The reigning MVP shot an efficient 7-for-10 from the field, 3-for-4 from 3-point range and 10-for-12 from the free throw line. He couldn't be stopped.

Scott Rafferty

Jazz loss complicates playoff picture

The Jazz, Spurs, Clippers and Thunder now have the exact same record with 10 games remaining in the season. Which of those teams has the easiest remaining schedule?

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Towns passes Love on Wolves all-time scoring list

There are now only three players who have scored more points in a Timberwolves jersey than Towns.

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Who has the most consecutive triple-doubles in NBA history?

The New Orleans Pelicans guard is now one of only three players since 1983-84 to record a triple-double in five consecutive games.

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Nowitzki close to passing Wilt on all-time scoring list

Nowitzki and the Mavericks will be back in action on Monday, when they host the Pelicans.

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Friday TV Preview: Lakers continue road trip in Toronto

The Raptors and Lakers meet for the last time this season, with Toronto up 1-0 in the season series.

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How has Kawhi's game changed with the Raptors?

Although Leonard's numbers are similar to the ones he posted in his final healthy season with the Spurs, he's not the same player in Toronto as he was in San Antonio. Here's how his game has changed with the Raptors.

Scott Rafferty

ROY moment: Young records first career triple-double

Young did so in impressive fashion, becoming only the fifth rookie in Basketball Reference's database to get a triple-double in less than 30 minutes of action.

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How Saturday's results impact playoff picture

It was another busy day in the NBA, headlined by the Warriors hosting the Nuggets and the Thunder taking on the Clippers.

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Takeaways from a blowout win for the Raptors

Kawhi Leonard was spectacular once again, but Pascal Siakam, Danny Green, Kyle Lowry and Jeremy Lin each helped the Toronto Raptors take down the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday.

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How Sunday's results impact playoff picture

The Los Angeles Lakers hurt their odds of making the playoffs in a big way with an ugly loss to the Phoenix Suns.

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Kawhi's improved play in one possession

Passing was seen as one of Kawhi Leonard's few weaknesses coming into this season, but the Toronto Raptors forward is starting to turn it into a strength.

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5 stats to know from Harden's streak

41.1 points per game. A historic usage rate. A boatload of step back 3-pointers. Those are just some of the things we'll remember from James Harden's streak.

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Four trends worthy of your attention

Also included: Brook Lopez's rim protection and Marcus Smart's greatly improved 3-point shooting.

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Kevin Durant leads Team LeBron over Team Giannis

Kevin Durant was named MVP for his efforts, the second time in his career that he's been named MVP of the All-Star Game.

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Kyrie's improvement summed up in one play

Kyrie Irving is known for his scoring, but he's made significant strides as a passer this season. One possession in Boston's recent game against the Lakers showed why it makes him a much scarier player.

Scott Rafferty

Does Tobias Harris make the 76ers contenders?

It won't be a seamless fit, but Harris has the potential to fix a lot of the issues that have held the 76ers back from being viewed as true contenders this season.

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How does Porzingis fit in with the Mavs?

Kristaps Porzingis is coming off of an ACL tear, but he should fit in well with Luka Doncic, who has quickly emerged as one of the brightest young stars in the league.

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Report: Carmelo set to become free agent

Carmelo Anthony was traded from the Houston Rockets last month. He was never expected to play in a game for the Chicago Bulls.

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Harden's new weapon no one is talking about

James Harden's step-back gets a lot of the attention, but it's a different shot that has made him the NBA's most explosive scorer.

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Report: Porzingis voices concern with Knicks

According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski and Ramona Shelburne, the Knicks are expected to start talking to teams about possibly trading Porzingis before next week's deadline.

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Harden's 37 points not enough vs. Pelicans

Harden scored 37 points on 11-for-32 shooting from the field and 6-for-18 from the 3-point line. The Rockets lost by a final score of 121-116.

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5 Takeaways: Rockets beat Raptors 121-119 in Houston

From an explosive first half from the Rockets to a late run by the Raptors that set Kawhi Leonard up for a game-winning 3-pointer.

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Oladipo suffers serious knee injury

Paul George and LeBron James are among the NBA players who have since tweeted their thoughts and prayers.

Scott Rafferty

Harden scores career-high 61 points at MSG

James Harden and Kobe Bryant are now the only players in NBA history to score 60-plus at Madison Square Garden as a visitor.

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Report: Rockets trade Carmelo Anthony

In 10 games with the Houston Rockets this season, Carmelo Anthony averaged 13.4 points, 5.4 rebounds and 0.5 assists per contest. He hasn't played since Nov. 8.

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Harden makes history in Rockets' OT win

James Harden and Wilt Chamberlain are now the only players in NBA history to score 30-plus points in 19 straight games.

Scott Rafferty

Curry's greatness in one possession

We've seen Stephen Curry hit over 2,000 3-pointers in his NBA career, but it's simple ones like this that show how difficult he is for defenses to contain.

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Antetokounmpo helps Bucks end Rockets' home win streak

James Harden scored a game-high 42 points, but Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks to an impressive with over the Rockets with 27 points and 21 rebounds.

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Report: Cousins to make Warriors debut this month

Cousins gives a Warriors team that was already favored to win the title this season even more firepower at a position of need.

Scott Rafferty

Five stats to know from Harden's MVP push

James Harden has been scoring like Michael Jordan, shooting 3-pointers like Stephen Curry and getting triple-doubles like Russell Westbrook. Here are five stats you need to know about the reigning MVP's hot stretch.

Scott Rafferty

How has the Kawhi-DeRozan trade worked out for both teams?

Before the Raptors and Spurs play for the first time this season, let's take a look at how last summer's blockbuster trade involving Kawhi Leonard and DeMar DeRozan has worked out for both teams.

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Using blind resumes to choose All-Star starters

All-Star voting can be difficult, so we're removing the names of leading candidates and comparing their statistics to figure out who is most worthy of starting.

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Giannis is dunking on teams like a modern-day Shaq

There's good reason why Shaquille O'Neal recently gave Giannis Antetokounmpo his famous "Superman" nickname.

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4 takeaways from Giannis' Christmas Day debut

Giannis Antetokounmpo made his Christmas Day debut at Madison Square Garden and didn't disappoint.

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The biggest thing to watch in each Christmas matchup

Can the Knicks keep Giannis Antetokounmpo out of the paint? How will the Celtics defend Joel Embiid? Will LeBron James torch the Warriors from deep?

Scott Rafferty

3 trends that are starting to emerge in Raptors losses

The Raptors have the best record in the league, but trends are starting to emerge in their losses that are worth monitoring moving forward.

Scott Rafferty

Report: Trevor Ariza has been traded

Following four seasons with the Houston Rockets, Ariza signed a one-year, $15 million contract with the Suns this offseason.

Scott Rafferty

Can the Raptors slow down Lillard and McCollum?

The Blazers have struggled lately, but they have the firepower to compete with any team in the league with Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum.

Scott Rafferty

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