Bulls vs. Cavaliers: Score, Highlights, Reaction from 2017 Regular Season
January 4th, 2017 by Tyler Conway No comments »
LeBron James showed up. Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love were in street clothes. As for the rest of the Cleveland Cavaliers, they probably wish they were in Irving's and Love's shoes.
The Chicago Bulls shot 48.2 percent from the floor, led by Jimmy Butler's 20 points, as they cruised to a 106-94 win over the Cavs in Cleveland on Wednesday night.
The loss snapped a 13-game Cavaliers winning streak with James in the lineup. Irving sat out for the third straight game with a hamstring injury, while Love sat out with an illness.
James, who was also listed as questionable with an illness, walked away worse for the wear after bumping knees with Bulls guard Michael Carter-Williams.
Playing without his two co-stars, James watched the Cavs fall apart on both ends of the floor. The Bulls sank a season-high 13 shots from three-point range, with Dwyane Wade, Nikola Mirotic and Doug McDermott each hitting ...
Justise Winslow Injury: Heat Wing to Undergo Shoulder Surgery on Torn Labrum
January 4th, 2017 by Rob Goldberg No comments »
The Miami Heat announced Wednesday that forward Justise Winslow will undergo surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder Thursday.
The procedure is expected to sideline him for the rest of the season.
Winslow already missed 16 games this season due to a wrist injury, which is brutal for the development of a young player.
However, he has provided reason for excitement during his sophomore season when he's been on the floor.
After the No. 10 overall draft pick played 78 games while averaging 6.4 points and 5.2 rebounds per game as a rookie, the 20-year-old has come through with 10.9 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game in 2016-17.
Winslow has not only moved into the starting lineup but has also earned an expanded role offensively as well as tougher assignments on the defensive end. While he still has room to grow, the front office is happy with what it has ...
Early Look at the Top 10 Prospects for the 2017 Entry Draft
January 4th, 2017 by Allan Mitchell No comments »
This year's draft crop has not yet established a clear top tier, mostly due to injuries and inconsistent performance. There is no generational talent—no Connor McDavid or Auston Matthews—but the top end should provide NHL teams with quality players who can perform important roles for a decade or more.
The Canadian junior leagues house much of the top 10 talents available, but a Minnesota high school player and a Swedish defender found a way onto the list.
There are so many variables this year that we could see several names move in and out of the top 10 by the end of June and draft day. That said, here are the current top 10 talents for the 2017 NHL draft on June 23-24.Begin Slideshow
When Focused, Julius Randle Is Los Angeles Lakers’ Best Player
January 4th, 2017 by Eric Pincus No comments »
LOS ANGELES — After pleading with the Los Angeles Lakers' public relations staff, Julius Randle reluctantly removed his hat.
"I really need a haircut, look at my chin," argued the 22-year-old forward, to no avail.
Tending to a newborn can reorganize a man's priorities; simple things like grooming can fall by the wayside. Randle is less than one month into fatherhood, as his fiancee, Kendra Shaw, gave birth to their son Kyden Randle on December 23.
With a sigh, Randle discarded his lid and turned on a smile for the throng of reporters who were eager to discuss his second triple-double of the season following the Lakers' 116-102 win Tuesday night over the Memphis Grizzlies. After putting up 19 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists, Randle became the sixth player in the league with multiple triple-doubles on the season. His elite company consists of Russell Westbrook, James Harden, LeBron James, Draymond Green and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The Lakers ...
Best Potential 2016-17 NBA Trade Deadline Targets for San Antonio Spurs
January 4th, 2017 by David Kenyon No comments »
The San Antonio Spurs aren't typically a significant player around the trade deadline, but that doesn't mean the front office isn't scouring the league in hopes of boosting the team.
After the release of Nicolas Laprovittola, San Antonio's roster stands at 14. Without moving a current player, the Spurs could fill that final spot by signing a free agent or trading a draft pick—think Ray McCallum last season.
Since San Antonio is 28-7, it would likely take a complete collapse before the deadline for general manager R.C. Buford to finalize a blockbuster deal involving LaMarcus Aldridge, whose name was previously the part of some early-season speculation.
Kawhi Leonard is the franchise's future. Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili aren't moving. Patty Mills, Dewayne Dedmon and David Lee are due just a combined $7.65 million this season, per HoopsHype. They're not going anywhere, either.
Consequently, there are a limited number of realistic options.
If the Spurs want a big-name option, it ...
Jae Crowder’s Mixed Feelings About Boston Celtics Fans Should Be Mutual
January 4th, 2017 by Michael Pina No comments »
BOSTON—Every team in today’s NBA wants and needs someone like Jae Crowder. He’s strong and quick enough to defend multiple positions, and ignoring him beyond the arc has become a swift sentence.
He's the epitome of an emotional leader who doesn't hesitate to call out teammates not playing up to his standard. Crowder’s fire spilled onto social media after a 21-point performance against the Utah Jazz on Tuesday night (in which he nailed a season-high five threes), when he felt disrespected by Celtics fans who cheered for Gordon Hayward during player introductions.
But the outburst doesn't change his up-and-down value to the Celtics.
First, the up: Last season, Crowder knocked down 33.6 percent of his threes, a career-high mark that hung below the league average. Opponents drifted off him and cramped Boston’s spacing, particularly at small forward in traditional lineups. This season, Crowder is up to 43.0 percent on 5.3 attempts per ...
Panthers’ Roberto Luongo Eyeing 5th on All-Time Wins List
January 4th, 2017 by Bleacher Report Milestones No comments »
Florida Panthers goaltender Roberto Luongo enters Wednesday night's matchup against the Winnipeg Jets with an opportunity to pass Terry Sawchuk for the fifth-most wins in NHL history, per Sportsnet Stats.
Luongo currently possesses 447 career wins between the pipes, sitting in a tie with Sawchuk entering Wednesday's action. Should he record the victory, the veteran netminder could then set his sights on Curtis Joseph (454) for fourth on the list.
Wednesday night represents Luongo's third attempt at cracking the top five. He previously lost in shootouts to the Detroit Red Wings on Dec. 23 and the Toronto Maple Leafs on Dec. 28 after tying Sawchuk in a 4-3 shootout victory over the Buffalo Sabres on Dec. 20, per NHL.com.
Luongo hasn't displayed signs of aging despite playing in his 17th career NHL season. The 37-year-old enters Wednesday evening sporting a 2.42 goals-against average and .920 save percentage, ranking in the middle of the pack ...
World Junior Hockey Championship 2017 Results: Semifinal Scores and Reaction
January 4th, 2017 by Joe Pantorno No comments »
The finals of the 2017 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship from Montreal are set after Wednesday's semifinal action. Things led off with the United States defeating Russia in a thrilling shootout and its reward will be a gold-medal matchup with continental foes Canada after it defeated Sweden.
Here are the updated results from the semifinals:
United States 4, Russia 3 (Shootout)
The United States was coming off its most difficult game of the tournament with a 3-2 quarterfinal win over Switzerland. That was until Wednesday against the Russians.
But thanks to the heroics of Troy Terry, who converted all three of his shootout attempts, the United States managed to outlast its opponents and make the World Junior finals for the first time since 2013.
Russia provided the breakthrough 11:54 into the first period when Kirill Kaprizov streaked around the United States net and stuffed the puck between Tyler Parsons' legs before the goalie could realize, via ...
Hollis Thompson to Be Waived by 76ers: Latest Details, Comments, Reaction
January 4th, 2017 by Adam Wells No comments »
Hollis Thompson's tenure with the Philadelphia 76ers is reportedly coming to an end after three-plus seasons.
Per Derek Bodner of Philadelphia magazine, Thompson will be waived by the Sixers. CSN Philly's Jessica Camerato confirmed the roster move Wednesday.
Thompson is an unfortunate victim of the 76ers having too many players for too few roster spots.
Per CSN Philly, Thompson's contract, along with those of T.J. McConnell and Robert Covington, was due to become fully guaranteed Jan. 10.
Thompson, who was an undrafted free agent in 2012 before signing with the 76ers ahead of the 2013-14 season, has been a key role player for the franchise over the past four seasons. He has been a terrific long-range shooter with a 38.9 percent success rate from three-point range.
Despite that point in his favor, Thompson's role has been diminished this season. He's averaging a career-low 18.1 minutes and 5.5 points per game with just one start.
The Sixers ...
Evan Turner Trade Rumors: Latest News, Speculation Surrounding Blazers Guard
January 4th, 2017 by Adam Wells No comments »
The Portland Trail Blazers are off to a poor 15-21 start this season, seemingly leaving the fate of high-priced veterans like Evan Turner up in the air.
Continue for updates.
Blazers Not Trading Turner
Wednesday, Jan. 4
Per ESPN's Chris Haynes, the Trail Blazers aren't seeking a trade involving Turner.
Turner signed a four-year, $70 million contract with the Trail Blazers in July, a deal that was heavily criticized at the time.
Here's what Charles Curtis of USA Today said after Turner agreed to his deal with Portland:
The former second overall pick in 2010 has his moments — he can defend, handle the ball and dish. But the Blazers are now paying an average of $17.5 million to a reserve who struggles with his shot. Even if he’s a decent sixth man, that seems like a huge chunk of change for someone who’s shot 43.2 percent from the floor and 30.5 percent from behind the arc for his career.
The bad elements of ...