NBA predictions for 2011

By Chris Mannix
December 30, 2010


1. There will be a work stoppage on July 1 ... and it won't be over by Dec. 31. The fundamental difference between the two sides -- owners complaining the league is hemorrhaging cash, players thinking it is raking it in -- has made a lockout inevitable. The owners aren't looking for subtle changes, either. They are going for the jugular, targeting max salaries and guaranteed contracts and looking to cut deeper into the players' piece of the revenue pie. Talks will break down at the February All-Star break and both sides will dig in. After the 1997-98 season, a lockout lasted nearly seven months, until Jan 20, 1999; it will be at least that long this time around.

read more

LeBron has triple-double, Heat rout Lakers, 96-80

By The Associated Press
December 25, 2010


Los Angeles. CA — James had 27 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists while hitting a season-high five 3-pointers, and the Heat thrived on the holiday stage in a 96-80 victory over the Lakers.

read more

Celtics beat 76ers 84-80 for 14th straight win

By The Assosicated Press
December 23, 2010


Boston, MA — There's something about the Boston Celtics' 14-game winning streak that doesn't seem quite right to coach Doc Rivers.

Point guard Rajon Rondo, after getting off to the best start of his career, has missed six of the 14 wins. Backup Delonte West missed the last 12. Jermaine O'Neal hasn't played since the winning streak began. And Kendrick Perkins, the starting center on last season's Eastern Conference champions, hasn't gotten on the floor all season.

read more

Orlando Magic’s last-chance blockbuster deals

By Kelly Dwyer
December 18, 2010


Orlando, FL — The Orlando Magic entered this season as championship contenders. Two months into 2010-11, however, they've been revealed as an inconsistent team with an above-average offense that often deserts them, and a defense that has stumbled in the two seasons since it helped lead them to the 2009 NBA Finals. On pace for a disappointing 53 wins, the Magic have decided to make some major, major changes.

read more

Knicks have first 8 game winning streak in 16 years

By Brian MaHoney, AP
December 13, 2010


New York, NY — The roar at the beginning was for Carmelo Anthony. The booming chants at the end were for Amare Stoudemire.

Maybe the New York Knicks already have the only superstar they need.

read more

Lakers' Ron Artest says it's not about him, it's about the team

By Mike Bresnahan
December 7, 2010


Los Angeles, CA — "We've just got to win games," he said Monday, over and over in front of a semicircle of reporters, with the star of the Lakers' Game 7 victory over Boston last June unwilling to discuss why his scoring, shooting accuracy and playing time are down significantly this season. His latest efforts include a two-point game against Sacramento on Friday and a four-point night against Houston.

read more

Mavericks on top in month of NBA surprises

By Britt Robson
November 30, 2010


For the fourth straight week, a different Western Conference team has grabbed the top spot in our Power Rankings.

It wasn't easy to dislodge the Spurs, who continue to hold the best record, at 14-2, but the Mavericks completed an impressive week that included road victories against San Antonio and Oklahoma City, which had won five in a row entering the game.

read more

Halftime tweak helps Spurs hand Hornets first home loss

By J. Michael Falgoust
November 29, 2010


New Orleans, LA — The teacher gave the student a Sunday school lesson.

San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, who was a mentor to New Orleans Hornets first-year coach Monty Williams, engineered a 31-point turnaround for a 109-95 win in a pivotal matchup of Southwest Division rivals.

read more

NBA POWER RANKINGS: Spurs the latest No. 1 from west

By Britt Robson
November 23, 2010


Monday's Spurs-Magic matchup was the best-played game of the season. Dwight Howard was magnificent, attacking Tim Duncan with his expanded arsenal of low-post moves for 26 points (on 11-of-16 from the field and 4-of-7 at the free-throw line) to go with 18 rebounds, three steals and two blocks. But the reigning two-time Defensive Player of the Year was ultimately helpless against San Antonio's offensive juggernaut, which registered 25 assists against only nine turnovers and shot 63.2 percent (12-for-19) from three-point range en route to a 106-97 home victory.

read more

Anthony leads Nuggets past Knicks 120-118

By Associated Press
November 17, 2010


Denver, CO — Maybe he will be trying to help them win games in the future. On this night, Carmelo Anthony was more than happy to hand the New York Knicks another loss.

"I'm just glad we got the win," Anthony said after the Denver Nuggets ' 120-118 escape Tuesday night when he scored 26 points.

read more

Kirk Hinrich, adjusting to Wizards

By Scott Gleeson
November 11, 2010


Washington, DC — Washington Wizards guard Kirk Hinrich admits he doesn't know much about Star Trek or Captain James T. Kirk.

But Hinrich does know how to sit in the captain's seat.

read more

Are there any NBA GM's still willng to gamble?

By Zach Lowe
November 8, 2010


We’ll soon find out, because the next couple of months will serve as audition time for at least four players whose teams would love to move them — and their onerous contracts — for anything close to 50 cents on the dollar. Moving any of them would seem impossible, but two are quietly producing and are capable of prolific stretches that may tempt some of the league’s trigger-happy teams.

read more

Trust binds Hornets’ coach, GM

By Adrian Wojnarowsk
November 5, 2010


New Orleans, LA — Before Monty Williams ever forgave himself for obliterating the chance to win a championship with the San Antonio Spurs, the chance of a lifetime, his old coach forgave him. Gregg Popovich always saw the possibilities within Williams: the intelligence, the character, a leader lost inside the shell of a young, stubborn soul.

read more

Can Raptors start over without Bosh?

By Marc J. Spears
November 3, 2010


Sacramento, CA – No more are the Toronto Raptors nervously waiting for any sign of hope. No more are they catering to their franchise star – if only because, well, they don’t have one. The greatest player in the team’s history is gone, he isn’t coming back and unless the Raptors tuned into sports radio over the summer, they likely haven’t heard much from him since he left for Miami.

read more

20 questions about the NBA season

By Zach Lowe
October 26, 2010


The 2010-11 season, one of the most anticipated ever, begins tonight with the new-look Miami Heat facing the Celtics in Boston (7:30 p.m. ET). After a summer packed with big-name moves, here are 20 burning questions that hover over the season.

read more

Miami Heat lead the way as season nears

By Britt Robson
October 21, 2010


Welcome to SI.com's first NBA Power Rankings of the 2010-11 season.

I don't want to discourage debate about my ordering of teams -- intelligent arguments are a joyful pursuit for fans and pundits alike -- but first let me explain my admittedly subjective criteria so you know what to criticize. To make the rankings as dynamic and time-sensitive as possible each week, I'll order teams based on their current circumstance, not on how I feel they'd perform weeks from now or what they did weeks ago.

read more

No more fun and games for Magic's Dwight Howard

By Jeff Zillgitt
October 13, 2010


Orlando, FL — Every October for the last few seasons here, the focus has been on Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard's offense.

Does he have more moves than the running baby hook and drop step dunk from the left block? What did he do in the offseason to become a dominant low post scorer?

read more

Miami Heat pound Detroit Pistons 105-89

By Tim Reynolds
October 5, 2010


Miami, FL — The Big 3 were together for merely three minutes. LeBron James and Chris Bosh more than picked up the slack after Dwyane Wade’s preseason debut came to a quick end.

And with that, this era for the Miami Heat got off to a promising, but not perfect, start.

read more

Bynum proves that NBA regular season is meaningless

By Michael Rosenberg
September 30, 2010


Andrew Bynum and I have two things in common: Neither one of us will be ready for the start of the NBA regular season, and neither one of us is the least bit worried about it.

Bynum, the Lakers' center, is recovering from knee surgery, but the bigger story is that he needed to prepare for knee surgery. He did this by attending the World Cup in July, then scheduling the surgery for when he returned.

read more

Nets need commitment from Anthony

By Adrian Wojnarowski
September 24, 2010
Newark, NJ — One of the final significant hurdles for a blockbuster four-team trade that would send Carmelo Anthony to the New Jersey Nets hinges on the All-Star forward’s willingness to agree to a contract extension with the Nets.

read more

Odom finds identity with FIBA World Championship

By Jack McCallum
September 17, 2010


ISTANBUL — When last some of you saw Lamar Odom, he might've been passing through your consciousness, or semi-consciousness, on a clip from the reality-TV roll. Maybe he was looking perplexed as he learns that his then-fiancée has misplaced the $850,000 engagement ring he had bought for her. Or sheepish as he fails to pick up his now-wife's swimming tips. Or surprised when his spouse lays a $400,000 Rolls Royce on him, a bauble presented in recognition of the NBA title he won with the Los Angeles Lakers.

read more

U.S. slaughters Angola 121-66

By Brian Mahoney
September 6, 2010


Istanbul, Turkey — Before it can win a world championship, the United States needed to start looking like a world champion.

Kevin Durant, Chauncey Billups and the rest of the Americans finally had that appearance Monday, powering into the quarterfinals with a 121-66 victory over Angola.

read more

Team USA crushes Croatia 106-78

By Matt Dollinger, SI.com
August 28, 2010


Team USA got its gold-medal campaign off on the right foot Saturday, disposing of an overmatched Croatian team and coasting to a 28-point victory in its first game of pool play at the 2010 FIBA Worlds.

read more

Carmelo Anthony, Denver Nuggets look ready to part ways

By Adrian Wojnarowski
August 26, 2010


Denver, CO — Carmelo Anthony wants out of Denver, and World Wide Wes delivered that message to the Nuggets with all the delicacy of a jackhammer at Sunday morning services. Do yourself a favor and trade him, the agent told the organization weeks ago.

read more

Jordan tries again with Brown, this time with Bobcats

By The Associated Press
August 23, 2010


Charlotte, NC — The draft decision helped define both men in harsh terms: Michael Jordan was a failed executive, Kwame Brown a bust as a player.

Now, nine years after Jordan took Brown with the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, they're reuniting in hopes of shedding both labels.

read more

LeBron says he isn’t sure Gilbert ever cared

By Tim Reynolds
August 17, 2010


MIAMI, FL — Adding a new layer to the rift between LeBron James and Dan Gilbert, the NBA’s two-time reigning MVP and new Miami Heat forward has told GQ magazine that he isn’t sure the Cleveland Cavaliers owner “ever cared” about him during their time together.

read more

Granger injures finger as U.S. resumes training

By Brian Mahoney
August 10, 2010


New York, NY — The U.S. national team brought its injury bug east.

Indiana forward Danny Granger dislocated a finger on his right hand Tuesday as the Americans scrimmaged during the opening day of their training camp in New York.

read more

Isiah Thomas back with the Knicks as a consultant?

By Brian Mahoney
August 6, 2010


New York, NY — Even after losing all those games and an embarrassing sexual harassment lawsuit, Isiah Thomas has a place with the New York Knicks.

Thomas was rehired Friday by the team as a consultant, two years after he was fired as its coach and president.

read more

Predicting Team USA Basketball's final roster

By Chris Mannix
July 30, 2010


When Jerry Colangelo took over Team USA Basketball in 2005, he faced the daunting task of rebuilding a crumbling empire. With the help of coach Mike Krzyzewski and a core of young players willing to make an extended commitment to the team, Colangelo re-established the U.S. as a global force in basketball, punctuated by a gold medal in the 2008 Olympics.

read more

Bulls' Rose impoves his threes

By Chris Mannix
July 24, 2010


Las Vegas, NV — Since coming to the NBA after being the top pick in the 2008 draft, the Bulls' Derrick Rose has quickly established himself as a premier point guard. At 6-foot-3, 190 pounds, Rose possesses a rare blend of size, speed and athleticism that makes him virtually impossible to contain.

Next season, however, Rose could be even tougher to defend. A consistent three-point shot has been the one missing weapon from Rose's repertoire.

read more

Mike Miller signs 5-year deal with the Heat

By The Associasted Press
July 15, 2010


Miami, FL — Miller signed his long-awaited five-year contract with the Heat on Thursday, becoming the latest player to take less money than he could have made elsewhere to play for Miami.

read more

James’ ‘Decision’ earns rebuke from Stern

By Marc J. Spears
July 13, 2010


Las Vegas, NV — Stern said Monday he has no problem with James leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers to join Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami – and he has no reason to think the Heat engaged in tampering to get him. But he does wish James had chosen a better platform to announce his decision, particularly because he didn’t give the Cavaliers more notice he was leaving.

read more

LeBron picks Miami

By Tom Withers
July 8, 2010


Perhaps the most hysterically-hyped free agent in sports history, James announced Thursday night on national TV that he plans to leave Cleveland to join the Miami Heat for a chance to play with Wade and Bosh.

read more

•  NBA News Archive Index:
2009
•  NBA Tickets

Bosh joins Wade and signs with Miami Heat

By Adrian Wojnarowski & Marc J. Spears
July 7, 2010


Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh have decided to sign with the Miami Heat while continuing to recruit LeBron James to help them form an All-Star triumvirate that threatens to shift the NBA’s balance of power.

read more

Cleveland ties could still bind LeBron

By Adrian Wojnarowski
July 5, 2010


Cleveland, OH — They turned that downtown office building into a public parade of billionaires and builders of dynasties, entertainment icons and what-are-they-doing-here Clippers. The big, wide world took turns marching into the heart of Cleveland to make dramatic presentations to a hometown hero in a T-shirt, shorts and sneakers.

read more

Knicks near deal with Stoudemire

By Adrian Wojnarowski & Marc J. Spears
July 2, 2010


New York, NY — Amare Stoudemire and the New York Knicks are making progress in talks on a five-year, $100 million max contract and a deal could be completed as soon as this weekend.

read more

Prokhorov selling the Nets to LeBron James

By Adrian Wojnarowski
June 30, 2010


East Rutherford, NJ — The presentation of New Jersey Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov has been designed to reach LeBron James on his deepest and most superficial of levels. The self-made mogul has carefully crafted a detailed and daring plan to make James a billionaire. The Nets will show him the map of the world, where the mogul has gone in China and India and Russia to make his billions and convince James that there’s a blueprint here for him too.

read more

Primer to the 2010 free-agent class

By Ian Thomsen
June 29, 2010


At long last, July 2010 is almost upon us. By the middle of the month, the most dynamic free-agent class of modern times will have been dispersed. Here's what to look for in the meantime (all figures are based on a projected salary cap of $56.1 million):

read more

Top 30 prospects for 2011 NBA draft

By Jonathan Givony
June 24, 2010


With the 2010 NBA draft taking place on Thursday night, it's time to take a look at the next crop of NBA hopefuls. Here's a far-too-early ranking of the top 30 prospects for the 2011 NBA draft.

read more

Lakers defeat Celtics in Game 7 for 16th NBA title

By John Cherwa
June 17, 2010


Los Angeles, CA — Release the balloons. Ah, better make that purple and gold confetti.

In a game of two very tired teams, the Lakers exorcised the ghosts of past failures by winning the NBA championship Thursday night against the Boston Celtics, 83-79.

read more

Lakers cream Celtics in Game 6, 89-67

By John Cherwa
June 15, 2010


Los Angeles, CA — As if there was any doubt, the NBA got its way Tuesday night in Game 6 of the NBA Finals. And by getting its way, it could only mean getting a Game 7 involving perhaps the two most storied franchises in the game.

read more

With backs against the wall, the Lakers fail to answer

By Bill Plaschke
June 14, 2010


Boston, MA — This is no longer a series, it is a stereotype, the resilient Celtics boxing around the retreating Lakers, 92-86, Sunday at TD Garden to take a three-games-to-two lead.

read more

Celtics turn up the defense in 96-89 Game 4 win over Lakers

By Baxter Holmes
June 11, 2010


Boston, MA — The Celtics guard dove toward hardwood, risking possible high-degree floor burns, and furiously snatched the ball away from its previous owner, who clearly wasn't that attached to it anyway.

read more

Odom improves his value to Lakers bottom line

By Marc J. Spears
June 9, 2010


Boston, MA — Odom’s “lexicon is broad, and it’s just like the boat I’m in,” Sigel said after he and his entourage greeted the Lakers forward following Game 3 of the NBA Finals. “I can’t sacrifice my integrity to make songs like, ‘Where dey do dat, whey dey do’ or just simple stuff because that’s not in me to do that type of record. And I think [Odom] is real underappreciated because people can’t differentiate his talent.”

read more

Celtics even with Lakers with a103-94 victory in Game 2

Mike Bresnahan
June 7, 2010


Los Angeles, CA — Forget redemption.

The NBA Finals have now become a reclamation project for the Lakers, who lost the home-court advantage, a one-game lead and Game 2 itself, a bad triumvirate on a decidedly off night for the franchise.

read more

Tougher Lakers beat Boston 102-89 in NBA Finals opener

By Greg Beacham
June 4, 2010


Los Angeles, CA — Ron Artest proved it in his opening-minute scuffle with Paul Pierce, tumbling to the ground with a vise grip on the Celtics star’s elbow.

Kobe Bryant emphasized it one last time with a rub-it-in 3-pointer in the waning seconds of an NBA finals opener that was already a rout.

read more

Gasol motivated by Finals ‘smackdown’

By Marc J. Spears
June 1, 2010


Los Angeles, CA — The Los Angeles Lakers had eliminated the Phoenix Suns to secure their third consecutive trip to the NBA Finals, and Pau Gasol was on his way to the team bus. He knew where he was headed, but also where he had come from. Gasol is increasingly recognized as the game’s greatest power forward, but he hasn’t forgotten that more than a few people questioned two years ago whether he had the mettle to help Kobe Bryant win a championship.

read more

Lakers beat Suns, rematched with Celtics

By Bob Baum
May 30, 2010


Phoenix, AZ — Bryant and his Los Angeles Lakers are in the NBA finals for the third straight season after he wrapped up a magnificent Western Conference finals with a 37-point performance in a series-clinching 111-103 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Saturday night.

read more

Artest's miracle shot leads Lakers past Suns 103-101

By Greg Beacham
May 28, 2010


Los Angeles, CA — A path through the lane suddenly opened up before Ron Artest. Kobe Bryant’s missed 3-pointer dropped right into his hands, and Artest’s awkward layup banked neatly through the net as the buzzer sounded on Game 5 of the Western Conference finals.

read more

Howard, Nelson step up to avoid sweep, keep Magic hope alive

By Ian Thomsen
May 25, 2010


Boston, MA — What took so long? That was the only surprising element of Orlando's stubborn 96-92 overtime victory Monday night in Game 4 of the Eastern finals. It was an exhibition of Dwight Howard's strength, Jameer Nelson's leadership and their team's balance and depth. Now that the Magic have avoided a sweep, the next question is whether this win may lead to three more that would be far more memorable.

read more

Stoudemire's 42 helped, Phoenix over Lakers, 118-109

By Bob Baum
May 24, 2010


Phoenix, AZ — Amare Stoudemire had been criticized for just about everything: his defense, his rebounding, even his desire.

The Phoenix forward listened calmly all week, then responded with a monster game. Stoudemire attacked the Los Angeles Lakers relentlessly, matching his career playoff high with 42 points and grabbing 11 rebounds to power the Suns to a 118-109 victory Sunday night. The win sliced the Lakers’ lead in the Western Conference finals to 2-1.

read more

Celtics cream Magic 894-71, lead 3-0 in series

By Jimmy Golen
May 23, 2010


Boston, MA — There were still 20 seconds left in the game when Paul Pierce decided he didn’t need to see any more and headed to the locker room.

In the hallway, he repeated aloud: “One more. One more.”

read more

Lakers down Suns 124-112

By Lee Jenkins
May 20, 2010


Los Angeles, CA — After the Lakers fell to the Celtics in the NBA Finals two years ago, and Pau Gasol finished his exit interview back at the team's headquarters, he walked down to the weight room that he so often ignored, and told the trainers he was committed to getting stronger. If he ever saw Kevin Garnett and Kendrick Perkins in a similar situation again, he had to be ready.

read more

Kobe's 40 puts Lakers over Suns 128-107

By Mike Bresnahan
May 18, 2010


Los Angeles, CA — Kobe Bryant's knee looked fine, no doubt about it. So did the Lakers, indisputably.

Instead of getting run off the court, the Lakers simply ran through the Phoenix Suns with a convoy of Bryant, two power forwards and a message to the remaining NBA heavyweights in a laughably easy 128-107 victory Monday night in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals.

read more

Celtics take Game 1 of Eastern Finals, 92-88

Associated Press
May 16, 2010


Orlando, FL — The hair is a little grayer. The ankles and knees no longer so sturdy. Even with a roster full of aging superstars, the Boston Celtics are still standing tall.

Ray Allen scored 25 points, Paul Pierce had 22 and the Celtics used smothering defense to beat the Orlando Magic, 92-88, yesterday in the Eastern Conference finals opener.

read more

Underdog Celtics eliminate James and Cavs in 6

By Jimmy Golen
May 14, 2010


Boston, MA — The Boston Celtics sent LeBron James and the Cavaliers back to Cleveland to admire all of their regular-season accomplishments and ponder their future.

It’s the Celtics who are still in the chase for an NBA title.

read more

LeBron James' moment of truth still awaits

By Adrian Wojnarowski
May 12, 2010


Cleveland, OH — This isn’t important enough to LeBron James. That’s the uncompromising, unconquerable truth. Everything has come too easy to him, and he still doesn’t believe that winning championships takes a consuming, obsessive desire that borders on the maniacal. He is chasing high school and college kids on recruiting trips for his fledgling marketing company, medicating his insecurities with unending and unfolding free-agent dramas.

read more

Rondo, Celtics beat Cavs to even East semifinals

By Brian Mahoney
May 9, 2010


Boston, MA — Those “MVP! MVP!” chants are usually reserved for LeBron James or one of Boston’s Big Three.

Rajon Rondo earned every one of them Sunday.

The Boston point guard had 29 points, 18 rebounds and 13 assists, and the Celtics beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 97-87 on Sunday to even the Eastern Conference semifinal series at two games apiece.

read more

Lakers beat Jazz 111-110 with Bryant's 35

By Doug Alden
May 8, 2010


Salt Lake City, UT — Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher hit back-to-back 3-pointers during an 8-2 run in the final minute and the Lakers held on for a 111-110 victory over the Utah Jazz on Saturday night that put Los Angeles on the verge of sweeping the Western Conference playoff series.

The Jazz had two chances to win it in the final 4 seconds, but Deron Williams missed from the top of the key and Wesley Matthews’ tip just before the buzzer bounced off the rim.

read more

Magic beat Hawks 112-98, take 2-0 series lead

By Antonio Gonzales
May 7, 2010


Orlando, FL — Maybe all the Orlando Magic needed after a slow start was a slap in the face.

Dwight Howard came back from a bloody nose to finish with 29 points and 17 rebounds, and the Magic beat the Atlanta Hawks 112-98 on Thursday night to take a 2-0 lead in the Eastern Conference semifinal series.

read more

Boston over Cavs 104-86 in Game 2

Tom Withers
May 4, 2010


Cleveland, OH — LeBron James better make sure his new MVP trophy isn't missing. The Boston Celtics stole everything else.

Rajon Rondo tied a team playoff record with 19 assists, Ray Allen scored 22 points and the Celtics, playing with renewed confidence and looking very dangerous despite their years, opened a 25-point lead in the fourth and then survived Cleveland's comeback for a 104-86 victory on Monday night to even their semifinal series at 1-1.

read more

Lakers fought for 104-99 over Jazz

By Frank Hughes
May 2, 2010

Los Angeles, CA — The Los Angeles Lakers continue to delicately walk a tightrope. They also continue to remain upright. Despite getting a scare from the Utah Jazz in Game 1 of their best-of-7 Western Conference semifinal series, the Lakers walked out of Staples Center with a hard-fought 104-99 victory Sunday afternoon for a number of different reasons.

read more

Celtics will need everything against the Cavs

By Britt Robson
May 1, 2010


This series becomes a lot more interesting if the Celtics have indeed "flipped the switch" and can harken back to a semblance of their championship form of two years ago. But we can't use their drubbing of the hapless Heat as proof: If Boston's defense allows the Cavs as many good shots as it gave Miami, the Celtics might get swept, because Cleveland won't clank them.

read more

Upstart Thunder pushes Lakers to the limit

By Jeff Latzke
April 29, 2010


Oklahoma City, OK — One dominating performance by the defending NBA champions wasn’t enough to rattle Scott Brooks and his young Oklahoma City Thunder.

After appearing vulnerable during the first four games of their playoff series, the Los Angeles Lakers regained control with a blowout victory in Game 5 that gave them a 3-2 series lead and chased away talk they were a slow, aging bunch.

read more

Magic beat Bobcats 99-90 to complete their sweep

Associated Press
April 27, 2010


Charlotte, NC — As the final seconds ticked down, Dwight Howard was back in his familiar spot on the bench and coach Stan Van Gundy was steamed at his superstar for fouling out again.

Then the buzzer sounded and the Orlando Magic became the first team to advance in the NBA playoffs.

read more

Wade's 46 puts Heat over Celtics 101-96

By Frank Hughes
April 26, 2010


Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade apparently wasn't ready for the season to be over. Wade, playing in what conceivably could have been his final game with the Heat, scored a scintillating 46 points to give the Heat a 101-92 victory over the Boston Celtics on Sunday afternoon. This is how Miami extended the series to a fifth game.

read more

Blazers downed the Suns 96-87

By Frank Hughes
April 25, 2010


Portland, OR — With Brandon Roy channeling Willis Reed, the Portland Trail Blazers defeated the Phoenix Suns 96-87 to tie their best-of-seven series at two games apiece. Roy was inspirational, for sure, and it was one of several factors that played into the outcome of this game.

read more

Hawks', Bucks', long wait almost over

By Colin Fly
April 23, 2010


Milwaukee, WI — Jerry Stackhouse expects to get a call from Josh Smith very soon, and the Bucks veteran will tell the emerging 24-year-old power forward just how proud he is.

Stackhouse worked out in the offseason with Smith and the other Hawks in Atlanta while trying to return to game shape.

read more

Magic take 2-0 series lead edging Bobcats 92-77

By Anotnio Gonzales
April 21, 2010


Orlando, FL — The Dwight Howard-Vince Carter combo again wasn’t perfect— just good enough to win.

Carter finished with 19 points, Howard scored 15 and the Orlando Magic took a 2-0 series lead with a 92-77 victory over the Charlotte Bobcats on Wednesday night.

read more

Johnson, Smith lead Hawks past Bucks in Game 2

Associated Press
April 20, 2010


Atlanta, GA — High-flying Josh Smith dominated on the inside. Joe Johnson stepped up from the outside when the Hawks needed him.

The result: Atlanta has a 2-0 lead in a best-of-seven series for the first time in 40 years.

read more

LeBron, Shaq lead Cavs over Bulls, 96-83

By TOM WITHERS
April 17, 2010


Cleveland, OH — LeBron James and Shaquille O’Neal have only one goal, and they moved one step closer to their objective on Saturday.

Cleveland’s superstars, separated for a large chunk of the regular season, combined for 36 points and seven blocks as the Cavaliers opened the Eastern Conference playoffs with a 96-83 win over the Chicago Bulls.

read more

•  NBA News Archive Index:
2009
•  NBA Tickets

NBA playoff picture is far from clear

By Chris Mannix
April 13, 2010


The last days of the regular season are for resting up, setting rotations and preparing scouting reports for future first-round opponents, right? Not if resting players could cost you home-court advantage -- an important factor considering teams with that edge have won 74.5 percent of playoff series since the 16-team format began in 1984 -- and the only thing you know about your first-round opponent is that you, well, have one.

read more

Bulls blowout Raptors 104-88, take 8th spot in East

Associated Press
April 11, 2010


Toronto, ON — A message in the Chicago locker room read: ''How bad do we want it?'' The way Joakim Noah played, it was easy to tell.

Derrick Rose scored 26 points, Noah had 18 points, 19 rebounds and matched a career-high with seven assists and the Bulls beat Toronto 104-88 on Sunday night to take a one-game lead over the Raptors for the final Eastern Conference playoff spot.

read more

The best NBA of 2009-2010

By Ian Thomsen
April 9, 2010


Here is how I'm planning to fill out my official ballot early next week ... with a few extra awards thrown in. (Note that voters are asked to select their top three choices for each award except MVP, which requires five players, and the All-NBA team, which involves 15 players. Media do not vote for the All-Defensive team or Executive of the Year, but I've still included my picks.)

read more

Karl Malone and Scottie Pippen are Hall of Famers

By Kelly Dwyer
April 6, 2010


Didn't you hear? It's second-tier year at the NBA Hall of Fame. By the time September rolls around, and Karl Malone and Scottie Pippen are actually inducted, David Stern and coach Mike Krzyzewski and the whole iHoops crew will likely have that idea trademarked and we'll have to capitalize the line.

read more