INSIDER
James fuels Lakers' 4th-quarter rally over Jazz, 106-101
Read full article: James fuels Lakers' 4th-quarter rally over Jazz, 106-101LeBron James scored 15 of his 33 points in the fourth quarter as the Los Angeles Lakers rallied for a 14-point second half deficit to defeat the Utah Jazz 106-101 Wednesday night.
Thompson has season-high 33, Warriors edge Lakers 117-115
Read full article: Thompson has season-high 33, Warriors edge Lakers 117-115Klay Thompson scored 16 of his season-high 33 points in the fourth quarter, Stephen Curry made a clutch layup with 46 seconds remaining, and the Golden State Warriors held off the Los Angeles Lakers 117-115, spoiling another scoring milestone by LeBron James.
James scores 34 but Lakers stumble, fall to Kings 125-116
Read full article: James scores 34 but Lakers stumble, fall to Kings 125-116De’Aaron Fox scored 29 points, Chimezie Metu made a clutch 3-pointer with 46.7 seconds remaining and the Sacramento Kings ended their longest losing streak of the season by beating the Los Angeles Lakers 125-116.
Morant's dazzling block lifts Grizzlies to 9th straight win
Read full article: Morant's dazzling block lifts Grizzlies to 9th straight winThe Memphis Grizzlies set a franchise record with their ninth straight win, getting 16 points and a breathtaking block from Ja Morant in a 127-119 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.
Ja Morant scores 41 points, Grizzlies beat slumping Lakers
Read full article: Ja Morant scores 41 points, Grizzlies beat slumping LakersJa Morant scored 41 points, Desmond Bane added 20 and the Memphis Grizzlies overcame a 14-point second-half deficit to beat the Los Angeles Lakers 104-99 on Wednesday night.
Spurs rout depleted Lakers 138-110 in last Staples game
Read full article: Spurs rout depleted Lakers 138-110 in last Staples gameKeita Bates-Diop scored a career-high 30 points and the San Antonio Spurs routed the slumping Los Angeles Lakers 138-110 in the final event at Staples Center under the 22-year-old arena’s original name.
Booker, Ayton push Suns past Lakers 108-90
Read full article: Booker, Ayton push Suns past Lakers 108-90Devin Booker continued to distance himself from a hamstring injury that cost him seven games, scoring 24 points with nine rebounds and seven assists as the Phoenix Suns earned a 108-90 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.
DeRozan leads Bulls over Lakers 115-110 in team's return
Read full article: DeRozan leads Bulls over Lakers 115-110 in team's returnDeMar DeRozan scored 38 points after missing two weeks in the NBA’s health and safety protocols to lead the Chicago Bulls to a 115-110 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.
At last, Oladipo finally gets his chance to play with Heat
Read full article: At last, Oladipo finally gets his chance to play with HeatVictor Oladipo got swept out of the first round of the playoffs last season by Miami, and when that series concluded he had no doubt the Heat would end up in the NBA Finals.
Trade deadline passes, and Kyle Lowry remains with Raptors
Read full article: Trade deadline passes, and Kyle Lowry remains with RaptorsToronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) celebrates a three-point basket during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Denver Nuggets Wednesday, March 24, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)Kyle Lowry wound up staying with Toronto after all. The trade deadline has come and gone. “Anytime you trade a player like Nikola, it is a tough decision to make," Magic President Jeff Weltman said. But Lowry — a free-agent-to-be and considered perhaps the biggest prize on this year's trade market — did not get traded, the Raptors apparently unable to find enough assets to their liking. Questions swirled around Lowry all the way to the 3 p.m. EST deadline, and there were signs that the Raptors were positioning themselves to make the move.
Adebayo upgraded to probable for Heat, Bradley questionable
Read full article: Adebayo upgraded to probable for Heat, Bradley questionableBam Adebayo of the Miami Heat shoots over John Collins #20 of the Atlanta Hawks during the fourth quarter at American Airlines Arena on February 28, 2021 in Miami, Florida. MIAMI – The Miami Heat are playing great basketball and now they’re getting healthy. The team upgraded big man Bam Adebayo to probable for the Heat’s home game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday night. Adebayo has missed the team’s last four games, all Heat wins. Miami has also upgraded guard Avery Bradley to questionable.
Adebayo, Bradley remain out for Heat return from break
Read full article: Adebayo, Bradley remain out for Heat return from breakMiami Heat center Bam Adebayo dunks over Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant (7) and guard Kyrie Irving (11) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Jan. 25, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)MIAMI – The Miami Heat will open play after the All-Star break shorthanded. The team announced Wednesday that Bam Adebayo and Avery Bradley will both be out for the team’s game against the Orlando Magic. Adebayo is dealing with a sore knee that kept him out of the team’s 103-93 win at New Orleans. The defending Eastern Conference Champions are currently 6th in the Eastern Conference standings.
Heat hold off depleted Lakers 96-94 in NBA Finals rematch
Read full article: Heat hold off depleted Lakers 96-94 in NBA Finals rematchLos Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, right, tries to pass as Miami Heat guard Gabe Vincent defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Feb. 20, 2021, in Los Angeles. The Heat even kept it together to pull out a win over the defending NBA champions despite a fourth quarter that nearly went wrong. Nunn scored 27 points, Jimmy Butler had 24 points and eight rebounds, and Miami held off the Los Angeles Lakers 96-94 Saturday night in an NBA Finals rematch. Kyle Kuzma scored 23 points while hitting four 3-pointers, and Montrezl Harrell had 18 points and 10 rebounds for the Lakers. ... Goran Dragić missed his eighth straight game with a sprained left ankle.
Heat guard Avery Bradley on COVID-19: ‘I was really nervous’
Read full article: Heat guard Avery Bradley on COVID-19: ‘I was really nervous’Washington Wizards forward Troy Brown Jr., left, loses control of the ball as Miami Heat guard Avery Bradley (11) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2021, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)MIAMI – Miami guard Avery Bradley went nearly two weeks without seeing his wife and children after testing positive for COVID-19, a brutally hard part of his ordeal with the illness. And I’m happy that it’s all over.”Bradley catching the virus was part of a challenging time for the Heat. “It’s really frustrating,” Bradley said. The Heat start a seven-game road trip in Houston on Thursday; Bradley isn’t expected to travel because of his injury.
Avery Bradley out 3-4 weeks for Heat, per report
Read full article: Avery Bradley out 3-4 weeks for Heat, per reportBoston Celtics center Robert Williams III (44) dunks the ball over Miami Heat guards Avery Bradley (11) and Andre Iguodala (28) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)MIAMI – The setbacks just keep coming for the Miami Heat. Thursday night, Shams Charania of The Athletic reported that guard Avery Bradley will be out 3-4 weeks. Bradley suffered a calf injury late in the third quarter of Miami’s 103-100 loss to the Washington Wizards on Wednesday night. Last season, the Heat won the Eastern Conference inside the NBA Bubble and pushed the Lakers to six games in the NBA Finals.
Heat say Herro may miss time for virus-related issue
Read full article: Heat say Herro may miss time for virus-related issue(AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)MIAMI – The Miami Heat may have another player missing games for virus-related reasons, after second-year guard Tyler Herro revealed that someone who lives with him tested positive for COVID-19. The reason the Heat cited for having Herro on the report is the NBA’s health and safety protocols, which only means it is a virus-related reason and does not suggest that he tested positive. If Herro cannot play Monday, he’d become the ninth Heat player on that list. Herro is tested daily and obviously had not tested positive Saturday, since the NBA and Heat permitted him to be on the floor; he played a team-high 40 minutes and scored 15 points. “Someone who lives with me tested positive before the game and I found out at halftime.
‘We have to figure this out’: Heat say turnaround will come
Read full article: ‘We have to figure this out’: Heat say turnaround will comeMiami Heat players Udonis Haslem, left, talks to Jimmy Butler during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Denver Nuggets, Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021, in Miami. The Miami Heat aren’t believing that quite yet — even after a disastrous start to the 2020-21 campaign. “Heat Nation, we are going to figure this out,” All-Star center Bam Adebayo said. AdThe year after losing the finals has not been kind to the most recent teams who have dropped the title series. Tyler Herro missed seven games with neck spasms.
Harden, Durant help Nets break away late, beat Heat 98-85
Read full article: Harden, Durant help Nets break away late, beat Heat 98-85(AP Photo/Adam Hunger)NEW YORK – James Harden and Kevin Durant each scored 20 points despite three relatively quiet quarters, and the Brooklyn Nets broke away with a big run in the fourth to beat the Miami Heat 98-85 on Monday night. Kyrie Irving added 16 points for the Nets, who completed a sweep of the Heat in two games that couldn't have been more different. Bam Adebayo had 26 points, 10 rebounds and five assists in a strong follow-up to his career-high 41 points Saturday. Miami took a 45-41 edge into halftime, going just 4 for 19 on 3s but doubling the Nets' makes after they went 2 for 17. Nets: Durant missed his first six 3-point attempts before sinking one in the third quarter.
Grizzlies-Blazers called off; Wizards worry about readiness
Read full article: Grizzlies-Blazers called off; Wizards worry about readinessThe Wizards don't expect to have more than eight available on Friday because of a combination of the virus and injuries. Wizards coach Scott Brooks isn't expecting any of the six players who have tested positive back in the next few days at least, and Westbrook is still out with a leg injury. Portland is the 20th NBA team to have at least one game called off in the last two weeks. Memphis had its game at Minnesota last Friday called off after Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns revealed that he tested positive for COVID-19. Players who test positive must undergo a battery of exams before being cleared to return to play, such as cardiac tests.
76ers-Thunder called off as virus concerns still trouble NBA
Read full article: 76ers-Thunder called off as virus concerns still trouble NBA(AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)Another NBA game was called off Sunday because of coronavirus concerns, and the Memphis Grizzlies said center Jonas Valanciunas will not play Monday because of the league’s health and safety protocols. The 76ers played in Memphis on Saturday night, losing 106-104 in a game where Valanciunas played 20 minutes. He was pulled at halftime of Memphis’ game against Brooklyn on Jan. 8 because of some sort of virus-related issue, but was back on the court for the Grizzlies’ next game Jan. 11 against Cleveland. Minnesota, which had a game Friday called off after Karl-Anthony Towns revealed he tested positive, is scheduled to play Monday in Atlanta. Cleveland’s game in Washington on Sunday also was called off, as was the planned rematch between the clubs on Monday.
Heat add 7 players to Health and Safety Protocols list, including Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo and Goran Dragic
Read full article: Heat add 7 players to Health and Safety Protocols list, including Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo and Goran Dragic(AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)MIAMI – The Miami Heat are going to be very shorthanded in the coming days due to COVID-19 safety protocols. After conducting contact tracing, the Heat has listed several players as ‘OUT’ on the Health and Safety Protocols list. Those players are Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, Kendick Nunn, Goran Dragic, Udonis Haslem, Moe Harkless and KZ Okpala. Miami’s game on Sunday against the Boston Celtics was postponed, reportedly because a Heat player’s coronavirus test came back with inconclusive results. Miami lists Leonard as questionable with a shoulder injury, Olynyk as probable with a groin injury and Vincent probable with a knee injury.
Heat-Celtics game postponed by NBA due to virus protocols
Read full article: Heat-Celtics game postponed by NBA due to virus protocolsBoston Celtics center Robert Williams III (44) dunks the ball over Miami Heat guards Avery Bradley (11) and Andre Iguodala (28) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Miami. That process would not have been completed in time for the 7 p.m. game, so the league called it off. Boston was preparing to play the game with eight available players; the Celtics have 17 on their roster, seven were out due to the COVID-19 protocols and two more with injuries. The other was Dec. 23, an Oklahoma City at Houston game where the Rockets did not have the required eight players available. They were in Miami for a game on Wednesday, and Bradley played in that game for the Heat.
Report: Heat-Celtics game postponed due to Miami player’s inconclusive COVID-19 test
Read full article: Report: Heat-Celtics game postponed due to Miami player’s inconclusive COVID-19 test(AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)MIAMI – Sunday’s Miami Heat game has reportedly been postponed due to COVID-19. According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, a player on the Heat returned an inconclusive test. Due to contact tracing, Miami would not have the required eight players they would need to be eligible to play, per the report. The Boston Celtics-Miami Heat game tonight has been postponed, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium. A Heat player has returned an inconclusive test, and team does not have required eight players to proceed with game tonight due to contact tracing.
Heat avenge embarrassment, rally to top Bucks 119-108
Read full article: Heat avenge embarrassment, rally to top Bucks 119-108Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, bottom, and Miami Heat forward Precious Achiuwa go for a loose ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2020, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)MIAMI – The Miami Heat engineered a 58-point turnaround against the Milwaukee Bucks in 24 hours. “Started to feel like Miami Heat basketball again,” Herro said. Milwaukee is 2-3 this season; the Bucks started 24-3 last season. “You want to constantly develop some grit and some toughness during the course of a long season," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said.
Spoelstra stays perfect on Christmas, Heat beat Pels 111-98
Read full article: Spoelstra stays perfect on Christmas, Heat beat Pels 111-98New Orleans Pelicans guard Eric Bledsoe (5) dribbles against Miami Heat guard Goran Dragic (7) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Dec. 25, 2020, in Miami. (AP Photo/Joel Auerbach)MIAMI – Erik Spoelstra remained perfect on Christmas, and a record-tying show from Duncan Robinson helped him stay that way. Robinson made seven 3-pointers — tying the Christmas single-game mark — and scored 23 points, helping the Heat beat the New Orleans Pelicans 111-98 to start the NBA’s holiday quintupleheader Friday. Goran Dragic scored 18 points, Bam Adebayo had 17 and Avery Bradley finished with 12 for Miami, and Spoelstra improved his Christmas record as Heat coach to 8-0. COMING HOMEVeteran ref John Goble was crew chief and got to be home for Christmas; he’s a Miami native.
Vogel: Lakers 'have to be even better' to repeat as champs
Read full article: Vogel: Lakers 'have to be even better' to repeat as champsFILE - Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James, rear, and Anthony Davis (3) celebrate after the Lakers defeated the Miami Heat 106-93 in Game 6 of basketball's NBA Finals in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., in this Oct. 11, 2020, file photo. Anthony Davis is finalizing a five-year contract worth up to $190 million to return to the Los Angeles Lakers. One day after LeBron James agreed to a two-year, $85 million contract extension with the Lakers through 2022-23, Davis committed to the Lakers through the 2024-25 season. A distinct lack of vacation time aside, Los Angeles begins the new season in an apparently stellar position. "The first thing you have to understand about going into a repeat situation is it’s going to be harder than the year before.
CP3 leads Thunder's rout of cold-shooting Lakers, 105-86
Read full article: CP3 leads Thunder's rout of cold-shooting Lakers, 105-86Oklahoma City pulled even with Houston for the fifth seed in the Western Conference playoff picture with five games left. Los Angeles, which has already clinched the top seed in the West and the Pacific Division title, never held a lead for the first time all season. Los Angeles dropped two games behind Milwaukee for the NBA's best overall record, which won't provide a real home-court advantage in the NBA Finals this year. Dion Waiters scored 14 points for the Lakers, whose poor perimeter shooting in the bubble still hasn't been fixed. ... Los Angeles got a scare in the third quarter when Paul elbowed Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in the ribs, forcing Caldwell-Pope to leave the game.
Lakers G Rajon Rondo breaks thumb in practice, out 6-8 weeks
Read full article: Lakers G Rajon Rondo breaks thumb in practice, out 6-8 weeksLos Angeles Lakers guard Rajon Rondo (9) shoots against Golden State Warriors guard Ky Bowman (12) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in San Francisco, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)LOS ANGELES Rajon Rondo broke his right thumb in practice with the Los Angeles Lakers in Florida. The veteran point guard will be out for six to eight weeks, the Lakers said Sunday night. James typically functions as the Lakers' point guard with the starting unit, but Rondo frequently took on the role while James rested or while both veterans were on the floor together. Alex Caruso and Quinn Cook are likely to get more playing time at point guard in Rondo's absence.