NBA Fantasy
SportsAssociated PressJazz owner taking break from day job to caddie for Finau
The tanned, stubbled face behind the dark sunglasses and a black T-shirt underneath a white bib made Ryan Smith look the part of a PGA Tour caddie in the Hero World Challenge. Looping for Tony Finau is a break from his day job, and Smith only missed his regular routine briefly when he considered the calendar. The Utah Jazz owner would be missing a home game Friday night against the Boston Celtics.
SportsHoops HypeJason Kidd wants Luka Doncic to stop complaining to officials
"I would lean toward playing 5-on-5 a bit more," Kidd said when asked about Doncic's frequent discussions with the referees. "You're not going to get any calls. Officials, they tend to not stop the game to change calls. You have to understand ...
SportsHoops HypeDamian Lillard: ‘I don’t believe in the ring of bust thing’
Damian Lillard: I've done so much in my career that I know that I have a great body of work. I will feel that way with or without a championship ring, but the reason I play is for a championship ring. So, I don't believe in the ring or bust thing, ...
SportsHoops HypeThaddeus Young: Spurs situation not ideal for me
"Right now, this situation is not ideal for me," Young said on The Alex Kennedy Podcast. "I've never been in a situation where I've had to settle for 4 and 6 minutes a game." Source: Alex Kennedy @ basketballnews.com What's the buzz on Twitter? Paul ...
SportsLA TimesPhotos: Clippers defeat Lakers in Battle of L.A.
LeBron James returned after missing a game in the NBA's COVID protocol, but it wasn't enough to prevent the Lakers from losing to the Clippers on Friday.
SportsUSA TODAY SportsWarriors bounce back to end Suns' franchise-record win streak at 18
The Suns' historic run is finally over after Steph Curry and the Warriors pulled away for a 118-96 win back home in San Francisco.
SportsThe Associated PressCurry bounces back, Warriors end Suns' 18-game streak 118-96
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) Warriors coach Steve Kerr spent a good chunk of his postgame press conference reiterating his belief that the Suns are the best team in the West. Funny, because Phoenix coach Monty Williams said pretty much the same thing about Golden State. With the two top teams in the NBA splitting a pair of games this week, the debate isn't likely to be settled soon.
SportsLebron WireLakers player grades: L.A. never had lead in loss to Clippers
Here is how the Los Angeles Lakers graded individually in the loss to the L.A. Clippers.
SportsYahoo SportsWarriors snap Suns' historic 18-game win streak in dominant fashion ahead of Christmas battle
Devin Booker had to watch from the sidelines with a hamstring injury as the Suns' historic win streak came to an end.
SportsThe Associated PressKennard hits clutch 3s, Clippers hold off Lakers 119-115
LOS ANGELES (AP) LeBron James returned from a frustrating stint in the NBA's health and safety protocols just in time for yet another frustrating loss for the Los Angeles Lakers. Luke Kennard scored 17 of his 19 points in the second half and hit two clutch 3-pointers in the final minutes, sending the Los Angeles Clippers to a 119-115 victory over the Lakers on Friday night. James had 23 points and 11 rebounds in his first game back since a positive COVID-19 test kept him out of the Lakers' blowout win over Sacramento on Tuesday.
SportsRockets WireWith Phoenix loss, Rockets have NBA’s longest active winning streak
With Phoenix losing at Golden State, the young Houston Rockets have improbably taken hold of the NBA’s longest active winning streak.
SportsSixers WireDoc Rivers happy with Seth Curry, Sixers’ execution in win over Hawks
Philadelphia 76ers coach Doc Rivers was happy with Seth Curry and his team's offensive execution in a win over the Atlanta Hawks.
SportsSixers WireSixers praise Joel Embiid for huge performance in win over Hawks
The Philadelphia 76ers praise Joel Embiid for his big performance in a win over the Atlanta Hawks.
SportsThe Associated PressMitchell scores 34, leads Jazz past Celtics 137-130
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) Donovan Mitchell had 34 points and six assists to lead the Utah Jazz over the Boston Celtics 137-130 Friday night. Mike Conley added 29 points and seven assists for the Jazz. Rudy Gobert tallied 18 points and 12 rebounds.
SportsNets WireBrooklyn Nets player grades: Kevin Durant leads Nets past the Timberwolves
Kevin Durant hit a dagger against the Timberwolves on his way to 30 points.
SportsYahoo SportsMilwaukee Bucks agree to one-year deal with guard Wesley Matthews
The Bucks have now signed both Wesley Matthews and DeMarcus Cousins in recent weeks.
SportsRockets WireRockets lose Kevin Porter Jr. to thigh contusion in win; DJ Augustin returns
Kevin Porter Jr. left another game early after re-aggravating his nagging left thigh contusion, but DJ Augustin is back after a stint in the NBA’s health and safety protocols.
SportsThe Associated PressPelicans overtake Mavs 107-91, answer blowout loss to Dallas
DALLAS (AP) Brandon Ingram scored 24 points and New Orleans beat Dallas 107-91 on Friday night, two days after the Pelicans lost by 32 to the Mavericks at home while letting them set a franchise record for shooting percentage. The Pelicans missed their first eight shots and started 2 of 20 before going 13 of 19 (68%) in the third quarter and outscoring Dallas 63-43 after halftime for their fourth win in six games following a 3-16 start. The Mavericks shot 68.7% in a 139-107 win to start the home-and-home set, but surpassed the 26 misses from that outing early in the third quarter.
SportsSixers WireNBA Twitter reacts to Sixers big comeback road win over Hawks
The world of NBA Twitter had their reactions to the Philadelphia 76ers rallying to knock off the Atlanta Hawks.
SportsThe Associated PressGordon's late shot lifts Rockets over Magic 118-116
HOUSTON (AP) Eric Gordon scored 24 points and his short jumper with 1.6 seconds left lifted the Houston Rockets to their fifth consecutive win, 118-116 over the Orlando Magic on Friday night. Houston had dropped 15 straight before its winning streak. ''It's all about growth,'' Gordon said.
SportsThe Associated PressNets escape Timberwolves 110-105 behind Durant's 30
NEW YORK (AP) Kevin Durant scored 30 points, including the clinching jumper with 11 seconds left, and the Brooklyn Nets held off the Minnesota Timberwolves 110-105 on Friday night. Durant was 12 of 13 on free throws and Patty Mills added 23 points for the Nets, who won for the fifth time in six games and improved their Eastern Conference-leading record to 16-6. James Harden finished with 20 points, nine assists and seven rebounds.
SportsThe Associated PressLowry leads 3-point barrage in Heat win over Pacers
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) The Miami Heat were coming off back-to-back losses and missing four regulars including their leading scorer, so Kyle Lowry sensed a need to score more. ''I haven't been scoring as much this year as I can, but this was one of those games where you just go out there and play a little more aggressive, a little more assertive and everything else will fall into place,'' Lowry said. The six-time All-Star guard scored a season-high 26 points with six 3-pointers and the short-handed Heat beat the Indiana Pacers 113-104 on Friday night.
SportsThe Associated PressCavs extend winning streak to 4 with 116-101 rout of Wizards
WASHINGTON (AP) Darius Garland had 32 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds, and the Cleveland Cavaliers went on a 19-0 run spanning part of each half in a 116-101 rout of the Washington Wizards on Friday night. Cleveland won its fourth straight game, and this streak has been pretty emphatic. The Cavaliers beat Orlando by 13, Dallas by 18 and Miami by 26.
SportsCeltics WireTwitter reacts to unknown Boston Celtics player sporting Darth Vader costume pregame
Will we ever know Vader's true identity?
SportsRockets WireRookie Jalen Green out for at least another week
“Nothing really new,” said coach Silas during his pregame press conference on Friday. “He is still injured. He is progressing in a good manner but slowly.”
