MORE FROM Sean Deveney

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The Celtics could soon be a juggernaut, but for now, Boston will trot out one last version of lovable overachievers against the Cavs in the Eastern Conference finals.

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The Celtics and Cavs are back in the Eastern Conference finals, but this series is entirely different than what we would have expected just one year ago. Does Boston have any chance of stopping LeBron James?

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Many Raptors fans are calling for a full-scale teardown after another disappointing loss to the Cavs. But how exactly would a rebuilding effort in Toronto work?

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There were five plays that defined the inability of the Sixers to close this game, plays that Philly must learn from in order to take the next step toward being a true contender.

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This is the heavyweight battle the Eastern Conference has been waiting for. Can the Raptors finally get past LeBron James and the Cavs?

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There were a number of reasons the Celtics were able to pull off a Game 1 win over the Sixers in the conference semis. But this reason — Aron Baynes — probably won't get enough credit.

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The Celtics come limping into the conference semifinals after surviving against the Bucks. Can Boston slow down 76ers stars Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid?

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After losing to the Jazz in the first round of the 2018 NBA playoffs, the Thunder must decide whether they need to make changes to the roster and coaching staff.

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Throughout a tough first-round series against the Bucks, Al Horford provided a calming influence for a young Celtics squad, guiding Boston to an improbable spot in the conference semifinals.

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This series should come down to the Jazz's imposing defence vs. the Rockets' high-powered offence. Which team will advance to the Western Conference finals?

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Putting Carmelo Anthony on the bench runs the risk of wounding his professional pride, but it's too late for Thunder coach Billy Donovan to worry about that now.

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The Spurs managed to win 47 games this season, a remarkable feat considering they were without their best player and were scraping together makeshift lineups throughout the season — 24 starting lineups in all.

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Fresh off a sweep of the Trail Blazers in the first round, the Pelicans will have their hands full with a Warriors team looking to capture back-to-back titles.

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Isaiah Thomas went from a max-contract candidate to a guy who will have to wait out the first wave of free agency this summer and hope to get picked up on a decent, short-term deal to rebuild his stock.

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But what we’ve seen through 16 playoff games is that all eight East teams have been severely let down by some facet of their game.

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The Lakers will make their pitch for Kawhi Leonard no matter what LeBron James does this summer. LA hopes to sign two superstars in the near future, but landing Leonard through a trade now will be the priority.

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76ers star Joel Embiid finished with 23 points, seven rebounds, four assists and three blocked shots in a 128-108 win over the Heat, reminding everyone how good he can be.

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Celtics' GM Danny Ainge has stuck with Rozier and its paying off.

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The grind of the Celtics' Game 1 victory over the Bucks on Monday showed, yet again, how badly the Celtics need a dynamic bench player who can create shots for himself and teammates.

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The Sixers were 25-25 back in early February, but have gone 27-5 since then, even after losing star center Joel Embiid to an eye injury (he is expected to return at the end of the month).

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The revamped Toronto Raptors get their first big test against the Washington Wizards in the opening round of the playoffs.

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Here's what to expect when it comes to the Western Conference...

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Here's what to expect when it comes to the Eastern Conference...

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The Magic will be hiring their fourth coach in the last five years. Who should take Frank Vogel's place on the Orlando bench?

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Where do the Knicks go for a coach after firing Jeff Hornacek? They should probably start by taking a closer look at these eight candidates.

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The Jazz have handed the future of their offence to first-year star Donovan Mitchell, and he has posted an exciting rookie season: 20.5 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game.

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The Curry injury makes the Warriors vulnerable in the postseason, but do the Spurs have the firepower to take advantage?

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The Bucks have the biggest star in the series, but the Celtics have a bit more fight to them.

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With just days remaining in the NBA regular season, there is much to be determined about the playoff picture. Sporting News' Sean Deveney ranks the 17 potential playoff teams based on what their best-case scenarios look like.

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With Kyrie Irving to miss the rest of the season after undergoing knee surgery, there are plenty of questions to be answered for the Boston Celtics.

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As great a season as it has been in Toronto, there has been some trouble with the dismount. For a Raptors team that has routinely disappointed when the postseason has come around, this is a problem.

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Just last month, with the Celtics retiring the jersey of forward Paul Pierce at TD Garden, Allen pointedly decided to stay away, instead posting a social-media photo of him golfing.

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Heading into his restricted free-agency year, Dante Exum has limited time to establish some sort of market for himself. Can the Jazz guard recapture the magic that made him the No. 5 pick in the 2014 NBA Draft?

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Celtics rookie Jayson Tatum has validated the reputation he had when he left Duke last spring. Boston must be at least a little curious about what Tatum might do as a featured player.

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According to sources, the league wants to have 30 one-to-one G-League teams before any changes are made to the status of the league.

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Will the Trail Blazers have to break up their core of Damian Lillard, CJ McCollum and Jusuf Nurkic? A strong finish would make it more likely that Portland sticks with what's been working.

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With the East struggling and Toronto having made effective changes, the Raptors have become a trendy pick for the NBA Finals. But there are still reasons to be cautious.

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The Class of 2014 has taken a good deal of criticism, but a player like Magic forward Aaron Gordon could be worth the risk for young teams looking to bolster their rosters.

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Never have the Lakers and Clippers been so underrepresented in an All-Star Game, even as the weekend has unfolded in Los Angeles. That says something about the state of play for both teams.

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Ahead of the 2018 NBA All-Star Game, Sporting News' Sean Deveney ranks every All-Star player, from No. 1 to No. 24. The top spot goes to...

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It would be tempting for the Pacers to gloat over Victor Oladipo’s rise. But Indiana is treading carefully, with good reason.

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Let’s mourn a moment for the lost future of Isaiah Thomas, which has been reduced to rubble in a matter of a month or so.

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It would be hard for Cavs star LeBron James to see what’s going on with the Lakers these days and conclude he’d have a better future in LA than in Cleveland.

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With the Hawks at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings, Atlanta's front office is in sell mode ahead of the trade deadline. The problem? Teams aren't interested in the assets the Hawks hold.

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Some Lakers fans saw the team adding stars like LeBron James and Paul George this offseason as a foregone conclusion. It's not. That warranted a lowering of expectations ahead of Friday's trade deadline.

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Taking a look back at how the Cavs bounced back after each of their low points in the last three years gives some hope, at least, that Cleveland is headed for an upswing.

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This year marks Joe Jacoby's last chance to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. SN spoke with the Redskins great about that prospect and more, including his epic battles with Lawrence Taylor.

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The Lakers and head coach Luke Walton knew what they were getting when they selected Lonzo Ball as the second pick in the 2017 NBA Draft.

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Without logging a minute of playing time, Cavs guard Isaiah Thomas was the overriding story in Boston, both off the court and on it.

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In a regular season matchup last April, LeBron James showed why the Celtics (and every other team in the East) had no chance of stopping the Cavs. We'll find out if Boston has a better answer for James this time around.

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The Rockets rose to the top of the league early in the year with great defense. That has slipped, and it could be cause for long-term worry.

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Will Paul George stay in OKC? How will the Grizzlies handle Marc Gasol? SN's Sean Deveney takes a look at potential buyers and sellers ahead of the NBA trade deadline.

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The Cavs are unwilling to part ways with the draft pick they received in the Kyrie Irving trade, league executives tell SN's Sean Deveney, even as Brooklyn's success has brought down its value.

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Despite the panning of the Victor Oladipo-Domantas Sabonis package, the Pacers have emerged quickly from the ashes of Paul George’s trade demand without a slide into oblivion.

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Bucks guard Jason Terry was only in Boston one year, but he was part of the blockbuster trade that has vaulted the Celtics back into contention in the East.

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What makes Ben Simmons so special? An NBA scout examines six plays from the Sixers rookie against the East's top tier of teams to find the answer.

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Eastern Conference stars like LeBron James and Kyrie Irving are obvious All-Star selections. But which players will take the coveted reserve spots? SN's Sean Deveney gives his All-Star picks for the East.

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The Grizzlies appeared to have a choice between firing David Fizdale or keeping Marc Gasol happy. But there's more to it than that, league sources tell SN's Sean Deveney.

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The trio of Russell Westbrook, Paul George and Carmelo Anthony brought excitement to OKC, but the Thunder still haven't found consistency. Their problems start in the third quarter.

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Warriors star Stephen Curry first encountered Brad Stevens' defense eight years ago. He's still trying to figure it out.

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Led by Brad Stevens, the Celtics most resemble what the Warriors do. Friday's game could be a harbinger of things to come.

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The Celtics have won 12 games in a row despite a spate of injuries to start the year. The incredible defensive improvement this season is why Boston tops Sean Deveney's Power Rankings.

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The Pistons were lacking when it came to shooting guards in recent years. Then Stan Van Gundy finally landed his favorite target: Avery Bradley.

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The Bucks and head coach Jason Kidd are taking a major gamble on Eric Bledsoe (and his future health).

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NBA players like Marcus Smart and Jusuf Nurkic could be facing a summer of disappointment when they hit restricted free agency in 2018.

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We are wrapping up the second week of the 2017-18 NBA season, and admittedly, it’s still hard to make heads or tails out of the mess of league standings.

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Trading for Eric Bledsoe would be a very Knicks move, but so far, New York is staying patient in a rebuilding season.

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Trading for Eric Bledsoe would be a very Knicks move, but so far, New York is staying patient in a rebuilding season.

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There's plenty of time for the Celtics to bounce back after Gordon Hayward's injury. But it's Kyrie Irving who must lead the way for Boston.

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The center position is so deep that a few good candidates got pushed out of the top 15. SN's Sean Deveney breaks down the league's best big men.

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It wasn't easy, but SN's Sean Deveney made his predictions for MVP, Rookie of the Year and more ahead of the 2017-18 NBA season.

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There's a big drop after the top five shooting guards in the NBA. SN's Sean Deveney breaks down the league's best sharpshooters.

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Does 2017 NBA MVP Russell Westbrook still hold the top spot? SN's Sean Deveney breaks down the league's best point guards.

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Sure, Oklahoma City is a small market, but Russell Westbrook's massive extension is the latest example of how the Thunder represent small markets done right.

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The Knicks should have been treating Kristaps Porzingis like a franchise player the last two years. With Carmelo Anthony and Phil Jackson gone, now they will.

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McGrady will go into the Hall of Fame with a 15-year career that had as many questions as answers.

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Tracy McGrady is ready to join basketball's greats in the Hall of Fame this weekend. But his heart remains home in Harvey-wracked Houston.

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The Spurs have had a knack for remaining one step ahead of everyone else. That's what makes this San Antonio summer so strange.

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Karl-Anthony Towns talks to SN about the bright future of the Timberwolves.

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The Rockets want Carmelo Anthony to bring his international game to the NBA.

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Only LeBron James can single-handedly change the power structure in the NBA, and that will come next off-season when he hits free agency.

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Only LeBron James can single-handedly change the power structure in the NBA, and that will come next summer when he hits free agency.

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Should the Cavaliers trade away Kyrie Irving, the inevitable Cavs-Warriors NBA Finals won't be a certainty anymore. That could be good for the league.

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D'Angelo Russell will join Jeremy Lin in Brooklyn, giving the Nets two potential starting point guards. But Russell anticipated the two fitting nicely.

Tough out

Reliever Dominic Leone came into a tough situation facing Dustin Pedroia on Thursday. But he got the big out and helped the Blue Jays to a much-needed win.

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Summer League is over, but this year's crop of rookies showed up nicely. An NBA scout weighed in for SN on their performances.

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How can the Raptors keep pace with the Cavs and Celtics in the East?

Hornets move?

The Hornets are close to the tax line, but have a roster spot and could sign yet another big man, sources told Sporting News.

Offseason winners and losers

The dust has settled in the NBA offseason. Who came out on top -- and who found themselves worse off?

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Two high-profile defections from small markets in the past two years have made the NBA look like a big-market league again. But look closer at the free-agency evidence.

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The NBA's post-TV deal spending spree was set to screech to a halt next summer. For restricted free agents, it's already happening.

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The Celtics used to struggle mightily when it came to signing free agents. Not anymore.

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Gordon Hayward appeared to have picked the Celtics on Wednesday. But pandemonium followed.

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The Celtics have gotten criticism for their inability to trade assets for a star. But in the big picture, all is well in Boston.

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Paul George has been shipped to Oklahoma City, and the Thunder are hoping they can keep him — and, more importantly, Russell Westbrook.

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Could Gallo be in for a nine-figure payday?

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The Timberwolves' roster overhaul continues, as Ricky Rubio has been traded to the Jazz. Who's next in Minnesota?

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The Knicks, as usual, are a mess. But there are a handful of moves the team can make quickly to help get things turned around.

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Working out the Chris Paul-James Harden dynamic will be difficult enough for D’Antoni’s playbook. But keeping the locker room together will not be easy, either.

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Fresh off the Jimmy Butler trade, the Timberwolves have better pieces now, and Karl-Anthony Towns thinks he could yet take another step forward.

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Jabari Parker will continue to build on his rehab from an ACL injury. If he comes back healthy, the Bucks may have options — but those are distant options now.

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It was a big few days for the NBA, with a raft of trade rumors and intrigue driving interest over the past week. It all came to a conclusion (for now) in Friday's (AEDT) draft.

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It was a big few days for the NBA, with a raft of trade rumors and intrigue driving interest over the past week. It all came to a conclusion (for now) in Thursday's draft.

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The NBA loves to compare draftees to established players. But that can be a dangerous game.

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Rockets point guard Patrick Beverley is being shopped actively ahead of Friday's NBA Draft, a source told Sporting News.

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Indiana is looking for a last-minute, pre-draft trade involving Paul George, and the Clippers are reportedly interested.

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Lonzo Ball was considered a possibility as the No. 1 pick for much of the year. But now the question is: How low can Ball go?

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What can the rest of the league do to catch up to the Warriors? We've got a few suggestions.

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In just one week, one of the most anticipated NBA Drafts of the last few years will go down, and there is plenty of intrigue remaining — even among the first few picks.

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How long a game is Danny Ainge playing? That’s the question coming out of the potential trade between the Sixers and Celtics.

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Frank Jackson makes a strong impression, OG Anunoby shrugs off position concerns and Luke Kennard continues to climb up draft boards. Here's the latest NBA Draft buzz from SN's Sean Deveney.

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Folks might not like it, but by knocking out the Cavs in five games, the Warriors have secured their spot as the greatest team in league history.

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The last time a Bay Area team won a title at home, the champions — the Swingin' A's of the early '70s — were not well-liked. The Warriors won't generate such antipathy if they take out the Cavs in Game 5.

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The Cavs were on the verge of being swept out of the NBA Finals on Friday. Instead, they got physical, fought back and (finally) won.

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In Game 3, LeBron James’ Cavaliers did not have enough guys making plays. In the end, that will be story of the 2017 NBA Finals.

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The Cavaliers play better when they're going up-tempo. But the problem for coach Tyronn Lue in the NBA Finals? So do the Warriors.

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Stephen Curry has an up-and-down history in the NBA Finals. Through two games of this edition, he's been mostly up, and his performance is a big reason why the Warriors are two wins away from a title.

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The Warriors controlled Game 1 of the NBA Finals for most of the night, but this is the scariest part for the Cavs: Even after Golden State's blowout win, there's room to improve.

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If you’re a team looking to add first-round picks in this year’s NBA Draft, the team to see may be the Trail Blazers.

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The Celtics had no answer for LeBron James, who has upped his game throughout the NBA postseason and pushed the Cavs past Boston and into the Finals.

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After running roughshod through their conferences, the Cavaliers and Warriors are set to meet in their third straight NBA Finals. Here's how we think it plays out.

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The Warriors wrapped up the West Conference with a 12-0 record. Once again, another defense had no answer for Kevin Durant.

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These are desperate times for Boston, trying to stay afloat in the East finals against the Cavs. Can rookie Jaylen Brown be the answer?

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These are desperate times for Boston, trying to stay afloat in the East finals against the Cavs. Can rookie Jaylen Brown be the answer?

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LeBron James is seeking a seventh consecutive trip to the NBA Finals. Can the Celtics give the Cavs a real challenge in the Eastern Conference finals?

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Hamidou Diallo has caught the eye of teams at the NBA Combine, and that could push him to leave Kentucky before playing a game there.

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The Jazz like to play slow and steady. The Warriors want to fly up and down the floor. Something has got to give.

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He didn't have the biggest numbers on the day, but reserve big man Kelly Olynyk rescued Boston from a woeful start in Game 1.

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The Jazz like to play slow and steady. The Warriors want to fly up and down the floor. Something has got to give.

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The Raptors have size, strategy, experience and ability. Is that enough to dethrone the Cavs in the East?

Russ and AI

The template for winning with a player like OKC's Russell Westbrook is out there. Just look to Allen Iverson and the 2000-01 Sixers.

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Robin Lopez isn't one of the Bulls' marquee players, but the center is the reason Chicago has a shocking 2-0 lead over Boston in the NBA playoffs.

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The Celtics had hopes of taking control of the East against the Cavaliers on Wednesday. Instead, they got a heavy dose of LeBron James.

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It's been a long road for "The Greek Freak." But as he sees it, his journey is just starting.

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It's been a long road for "The Greek Freak." But as he sees it, his journey is just starting.

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The Celtics overtook the Cavaliers for the top seed in the East, though most players downplayed its importance. They're wrong.

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The Cavaliers will probably return to the NBA Finals this spring. But if they do, their Finals defense will be the worst in NBA history.

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With George's free agency looming, the Pacers have some choices to make.

T-Wolves turnaround?

It has been a disappointing season in Minnesota, but over the last few weeks, the Timberwolves have shown some promise.

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Deron Williams was in the left corner when he took a crossing pass from LeBron James, double covered near the top of the key.

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The Raptors have gone from conference contenders to a major slump, and are hustling to address their big problem: the gaping hole at power forward.

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The Magic traded two young players for Serge Ibaka last summer, but little has come of it. Now, they're trying hard to recoup those losses.

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LeBron James has been harshly critical of the Cavs' roster this week, but his real aim is his teammates' effort.

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The Patriots were able to bottle up Steelers star Antonio Brown in the AFC championship game, bringing a quiet end to a very noisy week.

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Le'Veon Bell's stellar postseason screeched to a halt with a groin injury in the AFC championship on Sunday, another frustration tugging at his greatness.

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The Lakers future looks bright!

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Going to Golden State was supposed to take Kevin Durant out of the running for the league's MVP award. It hasn't.

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The Warriors' Kevin Durant remained complimentary of the Celtics' attempt to sign him this summer ahead of Saturday's (AEDT) match-up.

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DeMarcus Cousins has long been the subject of trade rumors, but the next couple of months will be the Kings' last best chance to pull the trigger.

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The Cubs haven't won the World Series since 1908, but at least they've had chances. The Northwestern Wildcats have never even sniffed the Big Dance.

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The Patriots wrapped up the Tom Brady suspension with a 3-1 record, but Brady's return can't cover some of the team's holes. The Bills exposed them during a 16-0 victory.

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Patriots backup Jimmy Garoppolo had been a revelation at quarterback. But after a shoulder injury on Sunday, the team finds itself scrambling.

Garoppolo out

Jimmy Garoppolo was having a great first half — until a Dolphins defender drove his shoulder into the ground.

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The Miami Dolphins continued to support Colin Kaepernick, with three players kneeling during the national anthem at Gillette Stadium.

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Longtime Patriots quarterback Steve Grogan says he likes what he has seen from Jimmy Garoppolo, who is trying to take advantage of an opportunity with Tom Brady suspended.

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The Celtics have been rumored to be involved in a trade for Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook. But sources say there might be something else in the works.

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Shaquille O'Neal once called Tim Duncan his greatest rival. Maybe, but it could have been so much more.

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After twice sacrificing for the team, Dwyane Wade has every right to feel disrespected by the Heat. But will he actually leave Miami?

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The Celtics added All-Star Al Horford to another All-Star, Isaiah Thomas. But they are still greedy for a third star.

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The Mavs once thought that cap flexibility would lead them back to a championship roster. For a number of reasons, that just has not been the case.

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Players and agents didn't much consider the Sixers over the last few summers. But with a new regime in place, expect the Sixers to be active on the market.

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Kevin Durant is not big on free agency. But he's about to make a decision that will change the course of the league.

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Winning a championship might have solved everything for Kevin Love in Cleveland, but sources say he will still have plenty of trade suitors.

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The Cavaliers became the first team down 3-1 to win the NBA Finals behind a gutsy road performance from Kyrie Irving and LeBron James.

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There will be plenty of judgments made based on the outcome of Game 7 of the NBA Finals, just not by the two teams' players and coaches.

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LeBron James has the Cavaliers on the brink of history as they look to erase a 3-1 deficit.

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With Draymond Green serving a one-game suspension, the Warriors' defence could not contain an explosive Cavaliers offence in Game 5 of the Finals.

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Draymond Green has been suspended for Game 5 of the Finals. More than Xs and Os, the Warriors will need to show some guts.

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Harrison Barnes has been consistent for the Warriors in the Finals. Increasingly, it looks like he will be a part of the team going forward.

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After three blowouts, Game 4 of the NBA Finals was an exciting one. The Warriors pulled it out, and are now on the verge of a second straight title.

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The Cavaliers rolled to a Game 3 win, but did so without Kevin Love. That raises the question for the short and long term: Now what?

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Cleveland changed its fortunes with a blowout of its own in Game 3.

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As LeBron James has tried to involve teammates in these Finals, the Cavs have suffered. It's time he took over matters himself.

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The Warriors won their seventh straight game over the Cavs to take control of the NBA Finals, and corralled LeBron James in doing so.

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Things did not go well for Tyronn Lue and the Cavaliers in Game 1, but the coach says he will be sticking with his game plan on Sunday.

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The Warriors were physical with LeBron and the Cavaliers in a way that cut off all their passing and shooting in Game 1

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Steve Kerr said he would go with the players who had the hot hands. Turned out, he had no shortage of them.

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Kevin Durant would be best off taking a short-term deal and returning to free agency next summer, but that doesn't fit his personality.

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The Warriors and Thunder put forth a classic Game 7 in the West finals. And the Warriors' 3-point power proved the difference.

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Klay Thompson saved his team with a huge fourth quarter in a thriller, but the Warriors answered mistakes all game.

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The NBA loves up-tempo, and we have Mike D'Antoni to thank. If he moves to Houston, will he learn that you can't coach a system if you don't have the players?

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Bismack Biyombo's playoff breakout will mean an enormous raise this summer probably from a team other than the Raptors.

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The Knicks pulled a surprise by hiring Jeff Hornacek, in what will be a defining move by Phil Jackson.

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Daryl Morey helped spread the NBA gospel of cold analytics. Now, the personal touch is keeping him relevant with the Rockets.

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Also, Kris Dunn wants to show his age is a strength, and Furkan Korkmaz gains buzz as buyout is worked out.

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Skal Labissiere may be improving his draft stock at the predraft combine in Chicago, but when it comes to the draft itself, he has maintained perspective.

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Ezeli wants to stay with Golden State, but if small-ball is the long-term approach, the Lakers could be a landing spot.

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Tristan Thompson got a hefty contract last offseason. His numbers have been weak all year, but in Game 1 of the East semifinals, he showed why he's valuable.

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If you know when Minnesota's Karl-Anthony Towns will be awarded the Rookie of the Year, he'd like you to let him know.

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Atlanta's Dennis Schroder embraced the bad-guy role against the Celtics. It's worth watching whether that continues against Cleveland.

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Baron Davis has made a new documentary about L.A.'s now-famous Drew League, premiering on Showtime on Friday.

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For the Thunder, Kevin Durant has been angry all season. Now, prepping for the Spurs, he has one shot to let go all that tension.

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Folks in the Bay Area will hold their collective breath until Steph Curry's knee injury is diagnosed. In the meantime, they're lucky to have coach Steve Kerr.