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Marcus Smart’s block. LeBron James’ dominant second quarter. Deandre Ayton’s relentless rebounding. The individual performances in the Lakers’ ugly, but decisive 98-78 series-clinching win over the Houston Rockets on Friday were almost too numerous for coach JJ Redick to focus on each one. Advertisement That collective spirit is also what makes him so confident heading into the Lakers’ first Western …

Heartbreak only happens when you put yourself in a position to make it possible. The Cleveland Cavaliers had their souls crushed by an RJ Barrett three that bounced off the rim multiple times before falling through to give the Toronto Raptors a 112-110 victory and force a Game 7. Advertisement The Cavs shouldn’t have been in that position. They didn’t …

HOUSTON (AP) — When leading scorers Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves were both injured in an April 2 game, coach JJ Redick admitted things felt bleak for the Los Angeles Lakers. But instead of feeling sorry for themselves, the Lakers banded together to fight through the adversity and beat the Houston Rockets in six games to move on to face …

RJ Barrett did the Tyrese Haliburton. And Haliburton noticed. During Game 6 between the Raptors and Cavaliers on Friday night, the score was 110-109 as No. 5 seed Toronto, with its season on the line, scrambled on its potentially final possession at home against No. 4 seed Cleveland. Advertisement Scottie Barnes attempted to drive on Dean Wade, saw help from …

After a couple of losses, the Lakers finally finished off the Rockets, beating them 98-78 in Game 6 to advance to the second round. Los Angeles went on an impressive 13-1 run to start the second quarter, giving them control of the game and they never looked back. Advertisement Now the Lakers will face the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder …

After taking care of the Rockets in six games, the Lakers will move to the second round for a matchup against the league’s best team in the Thunder. The series will start on Tuesday, May 5. The defending champions ran riot through everyone not named San Antonio this season, then made quick work of Phoenix in the first round. As …

HOUSTON — JJ Redick said the Lakers would need to “kill” the Rockets to close out their first round playoff series. And on Friday night at Toyota Center, the Lakers accomplished their goal, suffocating the Rockets’ offense to a permanent end of their season en route to a 98-78 victory in Game 6 of the best-of-seven series, advancing to a …

Well, that game took a turn, didn’t it? Full disclosure, this recap is coming so late because I had given up. It had been a tough work day, followed by an unwelcome call to a plumber, followed by an abysmal second quarter for the Detroit Pistons. Facing elimination and needing to deliver their A game, the Pistons delivered a D-, …

There will be no Game 7. After dropping consecutive closeout games that simultaneously put the series in jeopardy and gave the Rockets real momentum, the Lakers took care of business in Game 6, dominating the Rockets and leaving no doubt on who the better team was with a 98-78 victory. Advertisement The Lakers have now punched their ticket to the …

LeBron James knew what was at stake in this first-round playoff series and that it was on his shoulders to meet the moment and have his teammates follow his lead. James simply elevated his play like he has so many times over his illustrious 23-year NBA career, playing with a purpose and willing the Lakers to a 98-78 win over …

Well, if you were paying attention to the NBA Playoffs Friday night, you’ll most likely agree with us that there’s no question about what today’s Gold will be. With the seconds running down in overtime, RJ Barrett got a pass out at the top of the key from Toronto teammate Scottie Barnes, and put up a long three. Advertisement It …

The Cleveland Cavaliers made their bed. Now they have one game left to get out of it. All grades are based on our usual expectations for each player. Donovan Mitchell 24 points, 2 assists, 5 rebounds, 1 block, 3 turnovers Advertisement Mitchell should be the best player on the floor. That hasn’t been true for four straight games. Mitchell has …

LeBron James scored 28 points as the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Houston Rockets to set up a Western Conference semi-final play-off against reigning NBA champions Oklahoma City Thunder. James also added seven rebounds and eight assists to help the Lakers to a 98-78 victory, which secured a 4-2 series win against the Rockets. Advertisement The Lakers had led the …

Philadelphia 76ers (45-37, seventh in the Eastern Conference) vs. Boston Celtics (56-26, second in the Eastern Conference) Boston; Saturday, 7:30 p.m. EDT LINE: Celtics -7.5; over/under is 205.5 EASTERN CONFERENCE FIRST ROUND: Series tied 3-3 Advertisement BOTTOM LINE: The Boston Celtics and the Philadelphia 76ers square off in game seven of the Eastern Conference first round. The 76ers defeated the …

LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers bounced back in a big way to avoid playing Game 7 of their Western Conference first-round series against the Houston Rockets. James had 28 points, eight assists and seven rebounds as the Lakers beat the Rockets 98-78 on Friday, May 1. It was his league-record 157th playoff game with at least 25 points, …

There was no history made in Houston on Friday night. In fact, it was a night Rockets fans would like to forget entirely. The Lakers came out aggressive and focused from the opening tip, while Houston didn’t match that energy. At the same time, its offense went ice-cold at the worst possible time — Los Angeles packed the paint defensively …

LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers are headed to the Western Conference semifinals. Head coach JJ Redick had something to say along the way. Redick was effusive in his praise for James in the aftermath of the Lakers’ series-clinching win over the Houston Rockets, in which the 22-time All-Star once again took over with MVP candidate Luka Dončić sidelined …

HOUSTON (AP) — LeBron James had 28 points and the Los Angeles Lakers eliminated Houston with a 98-78 win in Game 6 of their Western Conference first-round playoff series on Friday night by holding the Rockets to a season low in points. The No. 4 seed Lakers move on to meet the top-seeded Thunder with Game 1 Tuesday in Oklahoma …

There might have been some reasons for worry for the Lakers in a series they once led 3-0. None of them were apparent on Friday. With a 98-78 victory in Game 6, the Lakers finished off the Houston Rockets for their first playoff series win in three years. Their reward will be a date with the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder …

LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers are looking to finish out their Western Conference first-round series against the Houston Rockets on Friday, May 1. The 41-year-old superstar had 18 points in the first half as the Lakers built a 49-31 lead before going back to the locker room. He was responsible for seven of Los Angeles’ 18 successful shot …

The Cleveland Cavaliers blew a chance at ending the series. Now they’ll face the Toronto Raptors for a Game 7 in Cleveland. Let’s go over today’s winners and losers. LOSER – Single Rims I’ve seen enough. The NBA should invest in double rims, preferably ones that cause shots to rattle out more often. Advertisement Please, I’m begging you. LOSER – …

It happened again for the Toronto Raptors. With seconds remaining in an elimination game, the Raptors gave the ball to their small forward and watched him shoot a game-winning jumper that bounced multiple feet in the air before settling into the basket and setting off the Scotiabank Arena crowd. Advertisement We just described how the R.J. Barrett beat the Cleveland …

TORONTO — RJ Barrett hit a 3-pointer with 1.2 seconds remaining in overtime and the Toronto Raptors pushed their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series to a seventh game by beating the Cleveland Cavaliers 112-110 on Friday night. Evan Mobley had a chance to win it for Cleveland but his 3-pointer bounced off the front of the rim. Advertisement Scottie Barnes …

The Toronto Raptors forced a Game 7 in their first-round NBA playoff series with the Cleveland Cavaliers, winning 112-110 in overtime on Friday with arguably the most fortuitous bounce of RJ Barrett’s career. His 3-point shot with 1.2 seconds remaining bounced straight up off the heel of the rim then dropped down through the basket for the go-ahead score. The …

ORLANDO, Fla. — Cade Cunningham scored 32 points and the top-seeded Detroit Pistons pulled off an incredible rally Friday night, erasing a 24-point deficit and beating the Orlando Magic 93-79 to force a Game 7 in their Eastern Conference first-round series. Detroit trailed by 22 at the half and Orlando’s lead went to 62-38 early in the third quarter. The …