Bulldogs

PHILADELPHIA (AP) &mdash; Jayson Tatum buried the 3-pointer that put Boston ahead with 1.3 seconds left and casually backpedaled on defense before he turned to greet his teammates and &mdash; woosh! &mdash; a 70-foot shot sailed over his head and into the basket.
Joel Embiid shook his head no. The 76ers&rsquo; All-Star center knew his tying, desperation heave was just a tick too late.
Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla needed a second look to know the Celtics were in the clear and he wasn&rsquo;t positive until &ldquo;they showed it on the Jumbotron.&rdquo;
Time to celebrate.
Tatum hit the winning 3 that capped Boston&rsquo;s comeback from 15 points down in the third quarter and he finished with 18 points, 13 rebounds and six assists to help the Celtics hold on for a 110-107 win against Philadelphia on Saturday night.
&ldquo;I dream about taking those shots,&rdquo; Tatum said. &ldquo;The worst thing that can happen is you miss.&rdquo;
He didn&rsquo;t miss.
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Jayson Tatum for the win. Bang.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PhantomCam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PhantomCam</a> <a href="https://t.co/2B7Ocbg3C8">pic.twitter.com/2B7Ocbg3C8</a>
&mdash; NBA (@NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1629708780169469952?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 26, 2023</a></blockquote>

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Jaylen Brown scored 26 points, Derrick White added 18 and Al Horford hit five game-changing 3s for 15 points.
&ldquo;Our guys have been there,&rdquo; Mazzulla said. &ldquo;They&rsquo;ve been through it all.&rdquo;
Embiid finished with 41 points and 12 rebounds. He also made 17 of 18 free throws. James Harden scored 21 points and Tobias Harris had 19.
The late-game thriller proved worthy of a showdown between two of the top teams in the East.
Boston, though, proved it&rsquo;s still the team to beat.
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Updated: Since the NBA started tracking play-by-play data in 1996, there are 155 players who have attempted 25+ FGs to tie or take the lead in the final 24 seconds of the 4th quarter (playoffs included). Jayson Tatum ranks 1st out of 155 with a 51.7% field goal percentage.
&mdash; Tucker Boynton (@Tucker_TnL) <a href="https://twitter.com/Tucker_TnL/status/1629699311331078145?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 26, 2023</a></blockquote>

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The Sixers dug deep trailing by five with 3 minutes left. With booming &ldquo;MVP! MVP!&rdquo; chants filling the arena, Embiid hit two free throws and followed with a jumper that pulled the Sixers within one. Embiid then blocked Brown&rsquo;s layup and Tyrese Maxey went the other way for a go-ahead driving layup that sent another packed house into a frenzy.
Horford, once considered a key cog in the 76ers&rsquo; chase for a championship, instead hit the clutch 3-pointer inside Wells Fargo Center that the city craved from him in 2019-20. He put the Celtics ahead by two points and a bucket by Tatum made it 107-103.
Harden and Embiid made four straight free throws that tied the game and put every fan &mdash; there was a smattering of green in the stands &mdash; on edge.
Tatum, though, calmly hit a 3 to put Boston ahead. Embiid then heaved one from inside the opposing 3-point line and it fell through the basket -- just after the horn.
&ldquo;I kind of had a feeling it wasn&rsquo;t going to count,&rdquo; Tatum said. &ldquo;But it&rsquo;s the NBA, right? Anything can happen.&rdquo;
Just not on this night for the Sixers.
&ldquo;Unfortunately, story of my life,&rdquo; Embiid said.
Tatum celebrated by giving his game-worn jersey to Philadelphia Eagles star wide receiver &mdash; and noted Celtics fan &mdash; DeVonta Smith.
The 76ers had another packed house and fans were hyped from pregame warmups for a game with a definitive playoff feel. Both teams came out firing -- they each hit four 3s and shot at least 50% in the first quarter. The scoring swings were so one-sided for a stretch that the Celtics went on a 20-4 run and only led 39-32.
The Sixers entered this one with something to prove after a miserable effort in a 106-99 loss earlier this month in Boston. The reigning Eastern Conference champion Celtics remain the class of the conference. The Sixers are still out to show under coach Doc Rivers they&rsquo;re more than a 50-win, second-round exit team. They&rsquo;re going to need Embiid to lead the way. After a difficult shooting night against Memphis on Thursday, Embiid had a game worthy of the &ldquo;MVP! MVP!&rdquo; chants that serenaded him with each trip to the free-throw line.
He bullied his way down the lane for big buckets. Embiid&rsquo;s three-point play late in the fourth stretched the lead to 11 and he had an assist on De&rsquo;Anthony Melton&rsquo;s 3-pointer on the next possession.
Horford made three straight 3s to bring Boston back into the game. Horford&rsquo;s fourth 3 of the quarter keyed an 18-3 run and helped the Celtics lead 80-78 through three.
&ldquo;It&rsquo;s not extra motivation,&rdquo; Horford said of his return. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s just fun. Those are the games you want to be a part of.&rdquo;
TIP-INS
Celtics: Hit five 3s and shot 52% in the third quarter.
76ers: C Dewayne Dedmon sat out with left hip tightness. ... P.J. Tucker&rsquo;s 11 rebounds in the first half were a season high and the first time in 12 seasons he had double-digit boards in a half. He finished with 16.
UP NEXT
Celtics: Play Monday at New York.
76ers: Host Miami on Monday before they open March with a stretch of 12 of 15 road games.

Jayson Tatum's 3 capped Boston’s comeback from 15 points down in the third quarter, and the Celtics beat the 76ers 110-107 on Saturday.

Jayson Tatum’s late 3 lifts Celtics past Joel Embiid, 76ers 110-107

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) &mdash; No. 4 Alabama went on a 16-4 run midway through the second half and an 11-0 run late to beat No. 15 Arkansas, 84-69, on Wednesday and stay unbeaten in the Southeastern Conference.
The Crimson Tide (14-2, 4-0 SEC) made 5 of 6 goals during the stretch in the middle of the second half while Arkansas was just 1 of 7 during Alabama&rsquo;s run as a tie game turned into a 12-point Alabama lead.
Arkansas (12-4, 1-3) pulled within two points with 4:30 left after making five straight shots from the floor to close the gap. Alabama followed with 3-pointers on each of its next three possessions, including two by Brandon Miller, to sap the home crowd and rebuild the lead to double digits.
&ldquo;We&rsquo;ve been good in tough games,&rdquo; Alabama coach Nate Oats said. &ldquo;I thought the loss to UConn really showed our guys if you&rsquo;re not tough, you&rsquo;re not going to be able to win these big games.&rdquo;
Alabama struggled during the period when its best player did, too. Miller, who entered as the top scorer in the SEC averaging 18.1 points per game, was without a shot attempt through the first half and the Crimson Tide were tied at the break.
Mark Sears did most of the Crimson Tide&rsquo;s offensive damage early and plenty late as he scored a game-high 26 points. Noah Clowney added 15 and Miller finished with 14 points.
&ldquo;Offensively, we needed someone to score the ball,&rdquo; Oats said. &ldquo;Sears can make shots. We needed him to shoot it. He got downhill and scored the ball, both.&rdquo;
Arkansas had four players in double figures as Devonte Davis and Jalen Graham led with 16 apiece, but shooting was the curse as the Razorbacks were just 2 of 10 from 3-point range against Alabama&rsquo;s 9-of-20 game from deep.
FRESHMEN MATTER
Miller and Clowney, both freshmen, made all three of Alabama&rsquo;s 3-pointers in the final run that built the Crimson Tide&rsquo;s lead back to double digits.
Arkansas was again without its top freshman as guard Nick Smith Jr. remained out with a knee injury. The Razorbacks are just 2-3 since he left during Arkansas&rsquo; win over Bradley on Dec. 17.
BIG PICTURE
Alabama: Alabama looked the part of a No. 1-seed when the NCAA Tournament rolls around, showing a clear edge for the bulk of the game and using runs when things were close.
Arkansas: The Razorbacks started SEC play 0-3 last year before reeling off eight straight in league play en route to the Elite Eight. But Arkansas&rsquo; injuries and shifting substitution patterns have given 2023 a different feel.
UP NEXT
Alabama: Hosts LSU on Saturday
Arkansas: At Vanderbilt on Saturday

The Crimson Tide stayed unbeaten in the Southeastern Conference with the victory.

No. 4 Alabama uses late runs to put away No. 15 Arkansas

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) &mdash; Kris Murray had career highs of 31 points and 20 rebounds and Iowa defeated Georgia Tech 81-65 on Tuesday night in a ACC/Big Ten Challenge game.
Murray was 11-of-18 shooting, including 4 of 8 on 3-point attempts. Filip Rebraca added 13 points and seven rebounds. Tony Perkins scored 11 points and Connor McCaffery had 10 points and 10 rebounds, his first double-double for the Hawkeyes (6-1), who fell out of The Associated Press Top 25 rankings this week after a loss to TCU on Saturday.
While the Hawkeyes didn&rsquo;t have a large shooting percentage advantage, they held a 27-15 edge on second-chance points. The Hawkeyes went to the line 31 times, making only 18, but the Yellow Jackets had just 10 free throws, sinking eight.
Miles Kelly made 4 of 8 3-point attempts and led the Yellow Jackets (4-3) with a career-high 21 points. Dallan Coleman added 12 points, and Deivon Smith and Jalon Moore 10 points and eight rebounds each.
Georgia Tech scored the first seven points of the second half to cut a deficit to four and the Yellow Jackets stayed within single digits until the Hawkeyes used a 9-0 run to go back up by 16 midway through the half. Georgia Tech got within 10 after that but Murray and McCaffery 3-pointers in the final 3 1/2 minutes helped maintain the Hawkeyes&rsquo; cushion.
Murray already had 15 points and 14 rebounds when Iowa went into halftime leading 40-29.

Kris Murray was 11-of-18 shooting, including 4 of 8 on three-point attempts, in the victory over Georgia Tech.

Murray has career night: 31 points, 20 rebounds in Iowa win

WASHINGTON (AP) &mdash; Kyle Kuzma had 28 points, 10 rebounds and five assists, helping the Washington Wizards beat the Charlotte Hornets 106-102 on Sunday night.
Bradley Beal scored 26 points, but wasn't on the floor for the final 9.8 seconds despite Washington being up just two points. He walked with a slight limp to the locker room before the game ended.
All five Washington starters scored in double figures. The Wizards have won six of seven.
Kelly Oubre Jr. led Charlotte with 23 points. Gordon Hayward added 18 points. The Hornets have lost 11 of 12.
An 18-point third-quarter slog by Washington allowed Charlotte to take a two-point lead into the fourth quarter. The Wizards&rsquo; offense declined from potent, to middling, to stifled in the first three quarters &mdash; they scored 35, 24, and 18 points from the first to the third periods.
But an eight-point burst from Kuzma helped the Wizards to a quick 88-81 lead to open the fourth. Washington&rsquo;s lead fluctuated throughout the quarter before it hung on after Terry Rozier cut the lead to two with 9.8 seconds to play.
Kristaps Porzingis and Corey Kispert each made two free throws to seal the game.
The Wizards&rsquo; three consecutive 3-pointers, two by Beal and one by Kispert, vaulted them in front 59-55 at the half. Beal led all scorers with 16 points &mdash; he was efficient scoring (7-for-10 shootin) and sloppy with the ball (five turnovers) in the first half.
Oubre's dunk off a baseline drive put Charlotte in front 49-46 and led to a Washington timeout. The Wizards obtained Oubre Jr. with a 2016 draft-day trade. He spent three-plus seasons in Washington before being traded to the Phoenix Suns.
Oubre twice yelled toward the Wizards&rsquo; bench after scoring in the first quarter Sunday.
TIP-INS
Hornets: PG LaMelo Ball (ankle) was out Sunday, as expected. Ball has played in just three of the Hornets&rsquo; 18 games this season. &hellip; PG Dennis Smith Jr. was available for the first time since Nov. 10 and entered the game at 6:18 of the first quarter.
Wizards: PG Monte Morris (ankle) and PF Rui Hachimura (ankle) were both out. Wizards coach Wes Unseld Jr. said Morris played through the ankle issue earlier in the season. Hachimura had a &ldquo;little tweak&rdquo; in the fourth quarter Friday. &hellip; PG Jordan Goodwin (knee soreness) returned to the lineup after missing Friday&rsquo;s game. &hellip; Washington signed G-League player Devon Dotson to a two-way contract Sunday.
UP NEXT
Hornets: Host Philadelphia on Wednesday night.
Wizards: At Miami on Wednesday night.

Kyle Kuzma had 28 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists, helping the Wizards beat the Hornets 106-102 on Sunday night.

Kuzma's 28 points propel Wizards past Hornets 106-102

Is the NBA ready to add an expansion team? Evan Sidery explores what kind of team you could build in a present-day expansion draft.

NBA Expansion Mock Draft: What would a new expansion team look like?

We have reached the point where Stephen A. Smith is conjuring up the narrative that Zion Williamson is holding back the New Orleans Pelicans from contending for a title.
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When did we get to this part of the Twilight Zone, I need to get out 😭😭😭 <a href="https://twitter.com/PelicansNBA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PelicansNBA</a> <a href="https://t.co/sOnggL7FYf">pic.twitter.com/sOnggL7FYf</a>
&mdash; Devonte Graham Bricks (@Marvason) <a href="https://twitter.com/Marvason/status/1521244564966756359?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 2, 2022</a></blockquote>

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Let's not discuss that clip any further besides pointing out how dramatically <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/wednesday-was-a-celebration-of-how-far-the-pelicans-have-come" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the Pelicans changed course and captured the respect of the national basketball audience</a> this season. Stephen A.'s rant is less relevant for its substance and more noteworthy because ESPN is&nbsp;still talking about the Pelicans even after they were eliminated from a hard-fought, first-round series. New Orleans started 1-12 (!!) and turned into one of the NBA's true darlings in a matter of months &mdash; all without its most marketable star.
Brandon Ingram asserted his star status, averaging 22.7 points, 5.8 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game (27.0/6.2/6.2 during the postseason) while taking a leap as a playmaker. CJ McCollum fit right in as a "1B" creator and microwave shooter after the trade deadline. Herb Jones is the <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/reassessing-herb-jones-upside" target="_blank" rel="noopener">certified steal of the 2021 NBA Draft</a>, and undrafted rookie Jose Alvarado isn't too far behind.
There is no hyperbole fit to describe the sheer joy I had watching the Pelicans through the wins and losses of this season, and if you followed along, you recognize the progress that far exceeded the record and results.
Perhaps the best part is that New Orleans remains built for the future.
Only three players hit free agency this offseason: Tony Snell, Jared Harper and Gary Clark. Everyone else is under contract for 2022-23 &mdash; no team options, no restricted free agents and no partial guarantees, per Spotrac. On the signing front, Zion is the biggest domino, as he'll be eligible to sign a rookie extension before hitting restricted free agency in summer 2023. At least publicly, he is giving positive indications:
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I asked Zion Williamson if offered an extension this summer by the Pelicans would he sign it? His answer. &ldquo;Of course, I couldn&rsquo;t sign it fast enough.&rdquo;
&mdash; Fletcher Mackel (@FletcherWDSU) <a href="https://twitter.com/FletcherWDSU/status/1520095546752516096?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 29, 2022</a></blockquote>

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However, Williamson has now missed a whopping 141 games in his NBA career. Even if he inks a max extension, which Dan Feldman of NBC Sports says <a href="&ldquo;Obviously,%20that%20conversation%20is%20going%20to%20be%20one%20that%20will%20be%20a%20challenge,&rdquo;%20Griffin%20said.%20&ldquo;When%20it&rsquo;s%20time%20to%20have%20that,%20we&rsquo;ll%20have%20it.%20And%20right%20now%20what%20we&rsquo;re%20focused%20on%20is%20him%20being%20healthy,%20and%20(being%20in)%20kind%20of%20elite%20condition%20to%20play%20basketball%20and%20we&rsquo;ll%20start%20there.&rdquo;" target="_blank" rel="noopener">could be worth well over $180 million</a>, Pelicans executive vice president David Griffin implied that talks might be complicated.
&ldquo;Obviously, that conversation is going to be one that will be a challenge,&rdquo; Griffin said. &ldquo;When it&rsquo;s time to have that, we&rsquo;ll have it. And right now what we&rsquo;re focused on is him being healthy, and (being in) kind of elite condition to play basketball and we&rsquo;ll start there.&rdquo;
Ultimately, Williamson's health and wealth are the rudder of the Pelicans' ceiling. But Griffin still has much to address on other fronts.
New Orleans has the Lakers' first round pick with zero protections &mdash; an exciting opportunity given that pick has the eighth-best lottery odds. At the very least, the Pelicans get a free chance to add another young talent to the rotation, and if things break right, they could add another franchise cornerstone.
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Senior NBA Draft Analyst Matt Babcock projects New Orleans to pick Duke freshman AJ Griffin in <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft" target="_blank" rel="noopener">our latest mock draft</a> if they remain at No. 8. Griffin is a high-upside choice as one of the youngest players in the draft class. A long, 6-foot-6 wing, he's returned from injuries in high school and at Duke, and flashes traits of a dynamic three-level scorer and creator.
The Pelicans send their first-rounder to Charlotte as part of last summer's Devonte' Graham trade. But they still hold their own second-round pick (No. 41 overall) and a pick from Utah (No. 52). Babcock has Kentucky center Oscar Tshiebwe and Villanova guard Collin Gillespie mocked to New Orleans in the second round.
Even with a packed roster and their draft picks, the Pelicans still have assets to get frisky in free agency. They'll have $10.2 million non-taxpayer mid-level exception to use on a free agent along with a $4 million bi-annual exception. More notable is their $17 million trade exception generated from trading Steven Adams to the Memphis Grizzlies. New Orleans could absorb a player into that exception with some financial flexibility.
But how much should the Pelicans shake things up? Since Jan. 1, they sported the 17th-best offense and defense, according to Cleaning the Glass, and were still only the ninth seed in a deep Western Conference at season's end. Yet we saw other young prospects &mdash; most notably Jaxson Hayes and Trey Murphy III &mdash; visibly develop as the year moved along. The five-man unit of McCollum, Ingram, Jones, Hayes and Jonas Valanciunas played 294 possessions after the trade deadline and was a solid plus-7.1 points per 100 possessions.
New Orleans receives one of the NBA's biggest boosts if Zion Williamson comes back healthy to open 2022-23. Willie Green gets a summer to prepare after a stellar first season as a head coach. The Pelicans have a bright future ahead, and this offseason should purely be icing on the cake.
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The Pelicans surprised everyone with their run to the NBA Playoffs, and have only just begun an exciting trajectory.

2022 NBA offseason preview: What's next for the New Orleans Pelicans?

Nekias Duncan thoroughly grades every NBA trade from 2022 Deadline Week.

Grading every move from 2022 NBA trade deadline week

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Tyrese Maxey scored 33 points, including a driving layup with 26.4 seconds left in overtime that put Philadelphia ahead for good, and the 76ers beat the Memphis Grizzlies 122-119 without Joel Embiid on Monday night.
Tobias Harris added 31 points and Andrew Drummond had 16 points and 23 rebounds for Philadelphia, which won its fifth game in a row and 15th in the last 18. The 76ers improved to 4-8 without Embiid, who sat out for rest.
Ja Morant scored 37 points and Desmond Bane had a career-high 34 for Memphis.
Neither team led by more than four in a back-and-forth and exciting fourth quarter and overtime.
Maxey’s driving layup put Philadelphia in front 120-119. The 76ers packed the lane as Morant tried to reclaim the lead with a drive on the ensuing possession, and the Memphis star kicked it out to Ziaire Williams, whose corner 3-pointer rimmed out. Matisse Thybulle grabbed the rebound and passed ahead to Maxey, who finished the scoring with a layup.
Morant reached 30 points for the seventh straight game. Before Embiid’s absence was announced earlier in the day, the game looked to be a matchup of two of the NBA's top stars.
Embiid rested after a scintillating streak of 21 straight games played in which he raised his MVP profile. The 76ers big man averaged 33.1 points during the stretch to up his season scoring average to 29.1 points per game, which ranked second in the league behind Kevin Durant’s 29.3 points entering Monday.
Selected as a starter for his fifth straight All-Star Game last week, Embiid was named the Eastern Conference Player of the Week on Monday. Philadelphia coach Doc Rivers said the rest day was prearranged by the team’s medical staff.
“They thought it was the right day,” Rivers said.
After finishing second in MVP voting last season, Embiid has spoken publicly about the slight he has felt the last two seasons by individual award selectors knocking him down their list because of his absences — he played just 51 games in each of the last two seasons — and has made it a priority to be more reliable this season.
Monday marked Embiid’s 12th missed game, nine of which he missed due to health and safety protocols. The big man missed a thriller in a game that was tight throughout the fourth quarter.
Morant raced down the floor, scored on a floater with 8.1 seconds left in regulation and was fouled by Drummond. Rivers challenged the call, but it was unsuccessful. Morant missed the free throw, though, keeping the game tied at 111, and Seth Curry’s baseline jumper at the regulation buzzer rimmed out, sending the game to overtime. Rivers was assessed a technical for arguing that a foul should have been called.
Morant put on an exciting show in the third quarter, dazzling with shifty moves, awe-inspiring leaping ability and magician-like passing. He twice zoomed past Drummond with stop-on-the-dime change of direction on consecutive layups early in the quarter, assisted Williams’ fast-break layup with a perfectly placed behind-the-back pass and took off like bouncing on a trampoline for a left-handed alley-oop dunk that tied it at 80 with 2:43 left in the period.
The Memphis star, named a Western Conference All-Star starter last week, had the normally tough Philly fans “oohing” and “aahing” in amazement of his moves, and he finished the period with 13 points as the Grizzlies trailed 84-80 entering the fourth.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Grizzlies: Dillon Brooks (left ankle) was sidelined for the 18th time in the last 20 games. He last played on Jan. 8. … Tyus Jones returned to the lineup after a six-game absence due to health and safety protocols. He had four points, two rebounds and two assists.
76ers: Furkan Korkmaz (left knee soreness) sat out after getting injured in Saturday’s game. … Shake Milton (back) missed his 14th game in a row.
TIP-INS
Grizzlies: Coach Taylor Jenkins graduated from nearby University of Pennsylvania and reminisced about attending 76ers games in the mid-2000s as an undergraduate. “Great times here, saw a lot of great matchups here,” he said. “The energy in this building, the fans are so unique, the passion they have here. I go down memory lane every time I come back to the city.” ... Memphis fell to 16-9 on the road.
76ers: Isaiah Joe had a pair of four-point plays in the first half. … Philadelphia Eagles WR DeVonta Smith sat courtside, as did former Eagles WR Freddie Mitchell. … The 76ers improved to 14-10 at home.
UP NEXT
Grizzlies: At the New York Knicks on Wednesday night.
76ers: Finish a five-game homestand Wednesday night against Washington.
___
More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Tyrese Maxey scored 33 points, and the Philadelphia 76ers beat the Memphis Grizzlies in OT, 122-119.

Maxey leads 76ers past Grizzlies 122-119 in OT minus Embiid

Tommy Beer is back with his latest version of BasketballNews.com's NBA Power Rankings. To read last week's version, <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/nba-power-rankings-grizz-and-cavs-continue-to-climb" target="_blank" rel="noopener">click here</a>.
The Phoenix Suns, who have at least three more wins than every other team in the league, retains the top spot in this week's BasketballNews.com Power Rankings.
1. Phoenix Suns (37-9) &harr;️ Last Week: 1
Phoenix has won 37 of its first 46 games this season, matching the 2006-07 squad for the best start in franchise history. And while LeBron James has been lavished with praise for what he's been able to accomplish this season (and rightfully so), Chris Paul's play has been equally incredible. CP3 poured in a season-high 27 points to go along with 14 assists and 9 rebounds in Monday's win over the Utah Jazz. The 36-year-old Paul is on pace to become the first player in NBA history over the age of 30 to average more than 10 assists and fewer than 3 turnovers per game.
2. Golden State Warriors (34-13) ⬆️ Last Week: 3
Even the greatest shooter of all-time can fall into a slump. After missing 12 of the 13 three-pointers he attempted in Sunday's victory over the Jazz, Steph Curry's shooting percentage from behind the arc fell below 30% for the month of January. Over his last 10 games, Curry is just 29 of 105 from downtown (27.6%).
3. Memphis Grizzlies (32-17)&nbsp;⬇️ Last Week: 2
The Grizz have lost 3 of their last 5 games, but all five contests have come against teams well above .500. Their two wins during this stretch were impressive (a blowout victory over the Chicago Bulls and a win vs. the Denver Nuggets at altitude). Ja Morant was on fire last week, averaging 35.3 points, 9.0 rebounds and 8.7 assists per contest.
4. Miami Heat (30-17) &harr;️ Last Week: 4
Despite again being forced to play without Kyle Lowry (personal matter) and Tyler Herro (health and safety protocols), the Heat beat the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday, catapulting Miami to the top of the Eastern Conference. The fact that Heat have the East's best record even though Lowry, Bam Adebayo and Jimmy Butler have played just 14 games together is a testament to the phenomenal coaching job Erik Spoelstra has turned in.
5. Milwaukee Bucks (30-19) ⬆️ Last Week: 8
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-theme="dark">
34 PTS from <a href="https://twitter.com/Khris22m?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Khris22m</a> 26 PTS from <a href="https://twitter.com/Jrue_Holiday11?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Jrue_Holiday11</a> The <a href="https://twitter.com/Bucks?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Bucks</a> make it three-straight wins as Khris &amp; Jrue combine for 60 🔥 <a href="https://t.co/CL6OhZH6ZM">pic.twitter.com/CL6OhZH6ZM</a>
&mdash; NBA (@NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1485254751772188674?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 23, 2022</a></blockquote>

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Jrue Holiday returned from injury last week, and the Bucks (who had lost 4 out of 5 with Holiday on the shelf) promptly went on a three-game winning streak. We shouldn't have been surprised, as the Bucks have been deadly when they've had their Big Three healthy and active. Milwaukee is now 18-3 in the 21 games Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton and Holiday have all played.&nbsp;
6. Cleveland Cavaliers (29-19)&nbsp;&harr;️ Last Week: 6
Kevin Love scored a team-high 20 points in the Cavs' victory over the New York Knicks on Monday night. It was Cleveland's seventh victory in its last eight games. Love embracing his role off the bench has been a significant factor in the Cavs' success this season. Over Cleveland's last 20 games, Love is averaging 16.6 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.0 treys, while shooting 41.4% from downtown and 82.6% from the free-throw line.&nbsp;
7. Utah Jazz (30-18) &harr;️ Last Week: 7
The Jazz have lost 8 of their last 11 games. However, Utah was missing Donovan Mitchell, Rudy Gobert and Mike Conley on Monday night in Phoenix; Quin Snyder's bunch still fought tough and actually led the Suns by four points in the fourth quarter before running out of gas.&nbsp;
8. Chicago Bulls (29-17) ⬇️ Last Week: 5
Nikola Vucevic had been mired in a nasty slump heading into Monday night, but he powered the Bulls past the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday. It was a much-needed win for Chicago, who had lost 6 of 7 and was coming off an embarrassing blowout loss to the Orlando Magic. Vooch racked up 26 points (on 10 of 18 shooting), 15 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 treys, 3 blocks and a steal in 39 minutes. With Lonzo Ball (left knee) and Alex Caruso (fractured wrist) sidelined for the foreseeable future, the Bulls are going to need Vucevic to continue playing well.
9. Philadelphia 76ers (27-19) ⬆️ Last Week: 11
Unfortunately for Joel Embiid &mdash; who has scored at least 25 points in 14 straight games &mdash; Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey may be content to hold onto Ben Simmons until the offseason. According to Shams Charania and Sam Amick of The Athletic, Morey <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/sixers-could-wait-until-offseason-for-possible-james-harden-trade" target="_blank" rel="noopener">hopes to use Simmons as a trade chip to land James Harden or another superstar</a>. It really would be a shame if the Sixers waste a year of Embiid's prime, especially when the big man is playing arguably the best basketball of his career.&nbsp;
10. Dallas Mavericks (27-20) &harr;️ Last Week: 10
The Mavs have won 5 of their last 6, with two of those wins coming against the Grizzlies. And according to Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report, Dallas is <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/report-wizards-are-frontrunner-for-jerami-grant-may-deal-dinwiddie" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a potential "dark-horse" candidate to land Pistons forward Jerami Grant</a> at the deadline. The Mavs' offer would reportedly start with a combo of Dorian Finney-Smith and Dwight Powell.
11. Brooklyn Nets (29-17) ⬇️ Last Week: 9
Kyrie Irving has played well for the Nets, but Brooklyn continues to be sieve-like on the defensive end. It's been more than two months since the Nets held an opponent below 99 points. And they've been especially porous in January. In fact, Brooklyn has been the worst defensive team in the NBA this month, allowing 117.3 points per 100 possessions. The only other team in the league with a defensive rating higher than 117 is the Houston Rockets.
12. Denver Nuggets (24-21)&nbsp;⬆️ Last Week: 13
On Monday, Nikola Jokic was <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/nikola-jokic-trae-young-take-home-player-of-the-week-for-jan-1723" target="_blank" rel="noopener">named the Western Conference Player of the Week</a> after averaging a mind-boggling 36.3 points, 11.3 rebounds, 10.0 assists and 2.3 steals per game. Oh, and he shot 65.0% from the floor, 40.0% from downtown and 86.2% from the charity stripe. Remarkably, it's the first time he's won a Player of the Week award this season.
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13. Charlotte Hornets (26-21)&nbsp;⬇️ Last Week: 12
The Hornets had won 7 of 8 before going ice cold in a loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday, as Charlotte shot just 4 of 36 (11%) from downtown. The Hornets have a tough road back-to-back (at Toronto and Indiana) on Tuesday and Wednesday.&nbsp;
14. Minnesota Timberwolves (23-23)&nbsp;⬆️ Last Week: 17
On Sunday, Anthony Edwards racked up 25 points, 4 assists, and 4 triples in the Wolves' victory over the Nets. In the process, he knocked down his 300th career three-pointer, making him the youngest player in league history to achieve that feat and breaking the record previously held by Luka Doncic. However, Ant-Man limped off the floor and into the locker room late in the game after colliding with a defender. Fortunately, Wolves coach Chris Finch said the injury was not serious after the game.
15. Los Angeles Lakers (23-24) ⬆️ Last Week: 18
Let's take a step back for a second and appreciate what LeBron has been doing this season. In 2011-12, when LeBron was 27 years old, he averaged 27.1 points (on 55.6% Effective Field Goal percentage), 7.9 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 0.9 made threes and 0.8 blocks per game. He would be named NBA MVP and lead the Heat to a championship, where he was named Finals MVP. Well, in 2021-22, at age 37, James is averaging 29.0 points (61.6% eFG), 7.7 rebounds, 6.3 assists, 2.8 made threes and 1.1 blocks a night. Somehow, he's posting better numbers 10 years after playing at his "peak" in the heart of his prime.
16. Boston Celtics (24-24) &harr;️ Last Week: 16
Jayson Tatum had been brutal from downtown (having missed all 17 of his three-point attempts over his three previous games) heading into Sunday's matchup with the Washington Wizards, but the Celtics superstar knocked down career-high 9 triples in Boston's latest win en route to a season-high 51 points. On top of that, he chipped in 10 rebounds and 7 assists for good measure. We'll see if Tatum and the Cs can find some semblance of consistency going forward.&nbsp;
17. Toronto Raptors (22-22) ⬇️ Last Week: 15
This Raptors team remains frustratingly inconsistent. Thus far this month, they have beaten the Bucks twice (including once in Milwaukee) and the Jazz. Yet, they've also been blown out by the Detroit Pistons and were down 34 points to the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday. The loss to Portland was Toronto's fifth loss in its last seven games. &nbsp;
18. Washington Wizards (23-24) ⬇️ Last Week: 14
The Wiz began an eight-game homestand on Jan. 11 (tied for the longest homestand by any team this season) and won their first two contests. However, Washington has dropped three in a row and 4 of their last 5. Their biggest issue has been on the defensive end, where the team is allowing 113.6 points per 100 possessions in January.
19. New York Knicks (23-25)&nbsp;⬆️ Last Week: 20
The Knicks are struggling, but New Yorkers have to be encouraged by the strong play of RJ Barrett in 2022. Over the 13 games the Knicks have played dating back to New Year's Eve, Barrett is averaging 23.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.2 treys, while shooting 45.6% from the floor and over 39% from downtown.&nbsp;
20. Atlanta Hawks (21-25)&nbsp;⬆️ Last Week: 21
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-theme="dark">
Trae Young hit 8 three pointers tonight. 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 <a href="https://t.co/JDWJqomWh9">pic.twitter.com/JDWJqomWh9</a>
&mdash; Everything Georgia (@GAFollowers) <a href="https://twitter.com/GAFollowers/status/1485464198914220037?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 24, 2022</a></blockquote>

<script src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>

Heading into MLK Day, the Hawks were riding a five-game losing streak. However, Atlanta registered four impressive wins last week, beating the Bucks, Timberwolves and Heat at home before smashing the Hornets in Charlotte on Sunday. "We are definitely headed in the right direction," Trae Young said after Sunday's victory. "Right now it's more about consistency and keeping it going. We're not satisfied. We know what to do and what we are capable of doing."
21. Los Angeles Clippers (23-25)&nbsp;⬇️ Last Week: 19
The Clips have lost 7 of their last 10 games and just don't have enough firepower to compete on a nightly basis with both Paul George and Kawhi Leonard sidelined. Those two superstars are making more than $78 million in salary this season (which is more than the combined salaries of the entire OKC Thunder team). Late last week, it was reported that PG-13 would miss at least another few weeks as he continues to rehab the torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow.
22. Portland Trail Blazers (20-26)&nbsp;&harr;️ Last Week: 22 
Two weeks ago, when the Blazers embarked on a six-game road trip, Portland had been just 2-13 on the road over its first 15 road contests this season. However, by beating the Raptors on Sunday in Toronto, the Blazers wrapped up their six-game swing with an impressive 4-2 record.
23. New Orleans Pelicans (18-28)&nbsp;⬆️ Last Week: 25
Playing without leading scorer Brandon Ingram (right ankle sprain), Devonte' Graham carried the Pels to a victory over the Indiana Pacers on Monday night. Graham erupted for 25 points (on 8 of 14 shooting) and added 6 assists, 5 triples, 3 rebounds and a steal. Josh Hart also posted a strong double-double, finishing with 22 points and 10 boards.
24. Indiana Pacers (17-31) ⬆️ Last Week: 26
Domantas Sabonis has missed each of the Pacers' last three games after suffering a left ankle sprain during the fourth quarter of last Wednesday's win over the Lakers. Goga Bitadze has stepped in the starting lineup for Indy and averaged 13.7 points, 8.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 29.5 minutes since Sabonis went down.
25. Sacramento Kings (18-30)&nbsp;⬇️ Last Week: 23
De'Aaron Fox sat out Saturday's loss to the Bucks due to left ankle soreness and is listed as questionable for Tuesday's game vs. the Celtics. Last week, Shams Charania of The Athletic reported that the Kings are not planning to trade Fox before the February deadline, instead "informing teams in the marketplace that they want to build around Fox and second-year guard Tyrese Haliburton." This may well be posturing by the Kings; we shall see.&nbsp;
26. San Antonio Spurs (17-30)&nbsp;⬇️ Last Week: 24
Dejounte Murray has <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/making-the-allstar-case-for-dejounte-murray" target="_blank" rel="noopener">quietly been establishing himself as one of the league's elite young point guards</a> this season. Over the Spurs' past three games, Murray &mdash; who is among the league's steal leaders &mdash; is averaging 22.3 points, 10.3 rebounds and 12.0 assists (vs. just 2.0 turnovers). &nbsp;
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27. Houston Rockets (14-33)&nbsp;⬆️ Last Week: 28
Houston, who recorded an impressive victory over the Jazz last week, has turned down multiple trade offers for veteran shooting guard Eric Gordon, according to Kelly Iko of The Athletic. With the Rockets in rebuild mode, it's somewhat surprising, considering the 33-year-old Gordon is owed $19.6 million in guaranteed salary next season and is signed for $20.9 million in 2023-24 (although that season's salary is non-guaranteed).
28. Detroit Pistons (11-35)&nbsp;⬆️ Last Week: 29
Jerami Grant has been one of the most popular names bandied about in trade rumors over the last few weeks, but James L. Edwards III of The Athletic writes that there is a "real possibility" that Pistons sit tight over the next few weeks. General manager Troy Weaver is reportedly comfortable holding onto Grant and dangling him in trade talks over the summer if they don't get an offer that knocks their socks off before the February 10 deadline.&nbsp;
29. Oklahoma City Thunder (14-33)&nbsp;⬇️ Last Week: 27
The Thunder are currently riding a six-game losing streak and have posted a 1-11 record in the 12 games they've played since the calendar flipped to 2022.&nbsp;
30. Orlando Magic (9-39)&nbsp;&harr;️ Last Week: 30
Jalen Suggs is struggling with his efficiency (shooting just 36.5% from the floor and 22.4% from downtown this season), but he's coming the most productive week of his rookie campaign. Over Orlando's last three games, Suggs is averaging 17.0 points. 7.0 assists, 6.0 boards and 2.0 steals. Marc Stein wrote Monday that the Magic are looking to trade Terrence Ross and/or Gary Harris before next month's trade deadline.
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Tommy Beer checks in with an installment of BasketballNews.com's NBA Power Rankings.

NBA Power Rankings: Suns remain red-hot, Bucks continue to climb

Nekias Duncan previews the Southwest Division for the 2021-22 NBA season.

2021-22 NBA Season Preview: Southwest Division

With just 16 days to go until the academy's <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/overtime-elite-announces-opening-schedule-will-take-on-mikey-williams" target="_blank" rel="noopener">grand opening at its brand new arena in Atlanta</a> on Oct. 29, Overtime Elite has revealed <a href="https://www.overtimeelite.com/schedule" target="_blank" rel="noopener">its full schedule</a>, as well as the three rosters it will send out in its inaugural 2021-22 campaign.
(Editor's Note: Read our Spencer Davies' exclusive interview with Aaron Ryan and Brandon Williams, and an extensive profile on Overtime Elite <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/high-school-basketball-former-nba-execs-aaron-ryan-brandon-williams-kevin-ollie-overtime-elite-seek-to-revolutionize-amateur-to-pro-preparation" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.)
The three coaches and their rosters, under the direction of Kevin Ollie, are as follows:
Coach Ryan Gomes: Dominick Barlow, Malik Bowman, Lewis Duarte, Jazian Gortman, Nathan Missia-Dio, Jean Montero, Alexandre Sarr, Jai Smith, Tudor Somacescu
Coach Tim Fanning: Izan Almansa, Matt Bewley, TJ Clark, De'Vontes Cobbs, Francis "LeBron" Lopez, Tyler Smith, Amen Thompson, Johned Walker, Kok Yat
Coach Dave Leitao: Ryan Bewley, Bryce Griggs, Jazhare Jackson, Jalen Lewis, Davion Mace, Emmanuel Maldonado, Jaylen Martin, Ausar Thompson, Bryson Warren
In addition to this, OTE announced that it added three players to its talent pool over the weekend:
"We added three talented athletes to our rosters over the weekend. We&rsquo;ve scouted and tracked these young men over the Fall, and as we worked our way through training camp for the last few weeks, and further evaluated needs, we decided that adding Davion, Johned and Lewis to our inaugural rosters would provide complimentary skills and depth to our league," said OTE head of basketball operations Brandon Williams.
"Davion Mace is a 6-foot-7 power forward from Cincinnati who played for Woodward High School. Davion brings a physical presence as a tough-nosed hybrid forward. He plays with a high motor, and tenacity as a defender and finisher around the paint.
"Johned Walker is a 5-10 guard originally from Puerto Rico that most recently lived in Miami attending Central Point Christian Academy. At the U16 Americas Championship in 2019, he averaged 12.8 points per game, 6.7 rebounds per game and 3.3 assists per game in guiding Puerto Rico to a sixth place finish.
"Lewis Duarte is a 6-5 guard from the Dominican Republic, who moved to the states before high school. He most recently played for Victory Christian Center School in Charlotte. Duarte, a versatile wing with size, length and a good shooting touch, was starting to see his recruitment pick up from some top schools across the country. His cousin, Chris Duarte, currently plays for the Indiana Pacers."
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For more information on the OTE schedule and the league's structure, Williams answered the following via a press release Q&amp;A:
How did you start thinking about the schedule and how it would be set up?&nbsp;
"Health and performance was at the center of our scheduling concept. We want to maximize exposure to high-level talent whether individual players or teams, create the highest level showcase opportunities for scouting purposes, and give our athletes unique exposure to challenges like back-to-back game prep and execution, while reducing the stress on their bodies over the course of a season. With that in mind, we built a schedule made up of what we call league series competition within our three teams, prep challenges against external competition, simulated professional formatted games, takeovers, and playoffs to cap off our season."
How is this different from other prep high schools and colleges?&nbsp;
"Our schedule is dynamic, providing multiple ways for learning and preparing for competition - including games within our league, &ldquo;out of conference&rdquo; games with prep schools, and one of the biggest differences is that we get to explore pro-simulation games. This allows our athletes the opportunity to prepare in a real way for concepts that are critical to the next level both mentally and physically."
How long will the season last? How many games will you play?&nbsp;
"During the October 29-March 25 period, our players will partake in 37 competitive events made up of Prep Challenges, OTE League Series, Pro Sim Games, Takeovers and OTE Playoffs."
What do Pro-Sim games mean?&nbsp;
"For these simulated professional-style games, (Pro Sim) OTE players will be divided into 2 rosters with the format and structure modeled after the NBA. These games won&rsquo;t count towards league standings, but will be a key part of player development as we prepare them for the next level."
How will the OTE League Series be played?&nbsp;
"The OTE League Series amongst our three teams will be executed at a much faster pace. Each team will play a 20 minute game against each of the others, so every team plays two 20-minute games, 40 minutes of basketball per game night."
Will the Prep Challenges format differ from a regular high school or college game?&nbsp;
"Prep Challenges will be played as 40-minute games where three external teams will compete against our three OTE teams over two days." 
With only three teams, how will standings work?&nbsp;
"In our OTE League Series, winning a 20-minute game counts as two points towards the league standings and teams can win up to four points each night. For Prep Challenges, winning these games count as one point towards the league standings. We will also have &ldquo;Takeovers&rdquo; - think marquee individual showcases, dunk contests, 3-point shootouts, etc. Winning a takeover will count as two points towards your team's league standings. All competition crescendos with our inaugural OTE Playoffs to determine the Season 1 champion."
How did you determine the rosters?&nbsp;
"Our Basketball Operations team, inclusive of scouting, coaching and strategy, collaborated through the recruiting, signing, then in-camp evaluations of each player. Over the weeks of training camp the group studied the effectiveness of combinations of players, along with the rhythm and chemistry they demonstrated to create three equally competitive teams."
How did you make sure all the teams were evenly distributed?&nbsp;
"As we constantly drilled on key attributes and skills, measurables, performance data and other factors, we created buckets (or pods) of comparable players - as closely as reasonably possible. Throughout camp, we created drills and competitions that allowed us to draw from each of these pods, assembling teams for our evaluation. Before final team selections, our coaches had the opportunity to test combinations and analyze matchups to provide more certainty that the teams were reasonably balanced."
How will each team be coached?&nbsp;
"Each of our three teams will have a head coach, and Coach Ollie will oversee the development of all three as the overall head coach. Dave Leitao, who spent 37 years in college coaching, was a head coach twice at DePaul, and is the former ACC coach of the year at Virginia will lead one team. Ryan Gomes who played 8 years in the NBA, coached in the G-League and is highly-respected in basketball circles will coach one team, and Tim Fanning, who spent the past 5 years as an assistant for the Euroleague powerhouse Maccabi Tel Aviv will lead the third team."
What were the challenges in setting this up?&nbsp;
"There are always challenges when you&rsquo;re doing something that&rsquo;s never been done before, especially on an accelerated timeline. We simultaneously had to recruit some of the best young players in the world to a program without history, to a culture that hadn&rsquo;t been established, to play with teammates they couldn&rsquo;t see. We continued to pursue talent first, but tried to build with an idea toward roster balance from the outset. All players want to play in games of consequence, so as we assembled what we anticipated would be extraordinary talent, and we wanted the highest level programs to face off with our talented groups. Because this came together into the fall, there were many schools that were fully committed and we couldn&rsquo;t find a date that worked. However, with broad options throughout the country, we found the right game opportunities that will be fun, energizing, and keep our players motivated to compete both at home and on the road."
Will this always be the style for the schedule or will it evolve into something else?&nbsp;
"Right now, we&rsquo;re focusing on our first season and developing our players for the next level. The great thing about what we are doing is the freedom we have to explore and try things. We will evolve as we establish what works well and what doesn&rsquo;t and will continue to provide the experience that the Gen Z elite athlete requires to prepare for his future. Our plan is to keep our athletes and their well-being at core of all considerations, that will lead our decision-making and any adjustments."
In this first year, what was the main goal for the schedule?&nbsp;
"The main goal was to create a schedule that allowed our players to compete at a high level, inside and outside of OTE. The best players want to play against the best players, and we sought them out. We wanted the best opportunities for our athletes to showcase their abilities with and against each other showing the growth and maturity that will be happening every day in practice, skill development, and performance training. We wanted to give them a robust schedule, inclusive of travel, back-to-backs, late nights, afternoons, all factors to professional play. We wanted to do this, while also being mindful and cautious as to rest and recovery. Creating a schedule where they are not underexposed, but also not overused, so finding the appropriate middle ground was our intent."
In the league, will teams change or remain the same?&nbsp;
"These three teams have been solidified for the season. However, we are prepared to make adjustments during the season. Ultimately competitive balance will be best for the development of our players and league."
Will all of the players travel to each game?&nbsp;
"Yes. All three teams will make the away game trips."

Overtime Elite has shared its three team rosters, revealed their schedule and answered questions regarding the league's structure.

Overtime Elite announces 2021-22 schedule, three rosters

Nekias Duncan previews the Southeast Division for the 2021-22 NBA season.

2021-22 NBA Season Preview: Southeast Division

ATLANTA (September 2, 2021) - Overtime Elite (OTE) announced today that highly-rated forward Dominick Barlow has signed with the transformative new league and will be part of its inaugural season this fall.&nbsp;
(Editor's Note: Read our Spencer Davies' exclusive interview with Aaron Ryan and Brandon Williams, and an extensive profile on Overtime Elite <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/high-school-basketball-former-nba-execs-aaron-ryan-brandon-williams-kevin-ollie-overtime-elite-seek-to-revolutionize-amateur-to-pro-preparation" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.)
Dominick Barlow is a 6-9 forward from Dumont, N.J., who played for Dumont High School. He can guard anyone on the floor, is an active rebounder on defense, and can score from multiple positions on offense. Playing with the NY Rens, Barlow had a breakout performance at the Peach Jam this summer and saw his recruitment start to take off.
&ldquo;Dominick is an exciting prospect that brings an unusual versatility on and off the ball, and on both ends of the court. He&rsquo;s long, athletic, and brings that New Jersey toughness that&rsquo;s driven his growth in recent years,&rdquo; said Brandon Williams, Head of OTE Basketball Operations. &ldquo;Among amateurs and pros, Dominick has demonstrated an ability to elevate his game, guarding multiple positions, and aggressive playmaking. This is a strong addition to the OTE environment.&rdquo;
Barlow becomes the 21st player to sign with OTE. He joins Jalen Lewis from California, Jazian Gortman from South Carolina, Bryson Warren from Arkansas, Amen and Ausar Thompson from Florida, Matt Bewley and Ryan Bewley from Florida, Tyler Smith and Bryce Griggs from Texas, Jai Smith from North Carolina, Malik Bowman from Maryland, Kok Yat from Alaska and De&rsquo;Vontes Cobbs from Wisconsin.
Bryson Warren's press release:
Overtime Elite (OTE) announced today that highly-rated point guard Bryson Warren has signed with the transformative new league and will be part of its inaugural season this fall.&nbsp;
Bryson Warren is a 6-2 point guard from North Little Rock, Arkansas. This past season at Little Rock Central, the 2021 Arkansas Player of the Year averaged 24.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.5 steals per game as a sophomore. Warren also led the Tigers to their best record (23-5) since 2001, while shooting 57.5% from the field and 43.6% from the 3-point line.&nbsp;
&ldquo;Bryson shows the foundational tools of an elite lead guard - vision, speed, craftiness, athleticism, shooting and leadership abilities beyond his years," said Brandon Williams, Head of OTE Basketball Operations. &ldquo;In his cerebral and competitive approach to the game, you can sense his desire to be the best at his position in the country. He&rsquo;ll get the chance to show and prove that day in and day out at OTE, as he sharpens his game against the best players across 3 classes in the country.&rdquo;
&ldquo;It&rsquo;s hard to imagine a player as developed as Bryson at such a young age. But in addition to his natural talent, the young man puts in the work and leads by example,&rdquo; said Kevin Ollie, OTE Head Coach and Head of Player Development. &nbsp;&ldquo;That&rsquo;s exactly what you want and need in a point guard - level 5 energy all the time. I can't wait to coach the total person.&rdquo;&nbsp;
Malik Bowman, De'Vontes Cobbs, Kok Yat release:
Overtime Elite (OTE), the transformative new basketball league starting this fall, announced the signing of three additional players. Malik Bowman, De&rsquo;Vontes Cobbs and Kok Yat finalized agreements with OTE marking 19 players signed for the league&rsquo;s inaugural season.
Malik Bowman
Malik Bowman is a 6-8 forward from Cumberland, Maryland and played at Bishop Walsh High School. Bowman is a highly-ranked prospect with offers from major collegiate basketball programs all over the country. He has a smooth feel, and controlled game with the ability to ball handle and has the size and athleticism to defend up and down a line up. Bowman has a strong frame and can shoot with range while also having a solid mid-range game while guarding 1-4 on the defensive end.
&ldquo;Malik is an extremely talented and versatile wing who has demonstrated the character, drive and commitment to separate himself on and off the court,&rdquo; said Brandon Williams, Head of OTE &nbsp;Basketball Operations. &ldquo;With his skill level, maturity and understanding, he is going to make an immediate impact in the OTE environment. I am excited to see his continued growth, and his game flourish under Coach Ollie and his staff.&rdquo;
De&rsquo;Vontes Cobbs
De&rsquo;Vontes Cobbs is a 6-3 shooting guard, originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, who last played at Eduprize in Gilbert, Arizona. A highly-rated 2-way player, Cobbs previously played at Hillcrest Prep and Shadow Mountain, coached by former NBA player Mike Bibby, winning a state championship with Shadow Mountain as a freshman.&nbsp;
&ldquo;Coaches and teammates praise De&rsquo;Vontes not only for his talent, but his work ethic, and coachability,&rdquo; said Brandon Williams, Head of OTE &nbsp;Basketball Operations. &ldquo;With his competitive spirit, De&rsquo;Vontes will thrive playing with and against an elite peer group, and it will bring out the best in him.&rdquo;
Kok Yat
Kok Yat is a 6-8 forward, originally from Anchorage, Alaska, who last played for Norcross High School outside of Atlanta. Yat has received significant interest from top-rated college basketball programs. The athletic forward has the ability to handle the basketball and has developed into a reliable outside shooter. Yat&rsquo;s cousin is JT Thor, who was recently drafted 37th by the Charlotte Hornets.
&ldquo;Kok will bring a high level shooting skill to the league environment, while adding wing versatility and depth.&rdquo; said Brandon Williams, Head of OTE Basketball Operations. &ldquo;As this young man continues to round out and polish his perimeter skill set, he will emerge as a valued prospect for the next level.&rdquo;
Every OTE player will earn a six-figure salary, with a guaranteed minimum salary of at least $100,000 per year, plus bonuses and shares of equity in Overtime. In addition, players will participate in revenue from use of their name, image and likeness, including through sales of custom jerseys, trading cards, video games and NFTs.

Overtime Elite has added five more players to its inaugural roster, including Bryson Warren and Dominick Barlow.

Overtime Elite adds Bryson Warren, Dominick Barlow, 3 more prospects

LaMelo Ball has put the Charlotte Hornets back on the map.
The 2020-21 NBA Rookie of the Year helped energize a fanbase that was yearning for a long-term building block after Kemba Walker&rsquo;s departure in 2019. Ball provided a spark of youthful energy and displayed extremely intriguing two-way upside, averaging 15.7 points, 6.1 assists, 5.9 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game. In the process, the 19-year-old accelerated the Hornets&rsquo; development curve.
Since 1996-97, only seven rookies have put up a year-long 15-6-1.5 statline: Allen Iverson, Steve Francis, Chris Paul, John Wall, Michael Carter-Williams, Ben Simmons and Ball. Throw in Ball's 5.9 rebounds and only Carter-Williams and Simmons matched his first-year production. And once Ball became a full-time starter, his numbers were even more impressive: 18.1 points, 6.2 assists, 5.9 rebounds and 1.7 steals on a 54.5 True Shooting percentage.
The Hornets have a budding superstar who's ready to take the NBA by storm in short order, which is a key component for any organization looking to take the ever-important leap forward.
Quietly, Charlotte has been one of the biggest offseason winners. Across the board, the Hornets improved their roster and made moves that will allow them to compete in the immediate future while also developing an enticing young core. Take a look at how they tinkered with their roster to best fit Ball&rsquo;s strengths as a fast-paced floor general with blossoming three-level scoring ability:
Outgoing: Devonte&rsquo; Graham, Cody Zeller, Malik Monk, Bismack Biyombo, Brad Wanamaker, Caleb Martin
Incoming: James Bouknight, Mason Plumlee, Kelly Oubre Jr., Kai Jones, Ish Smith, Wes Iwundu, JT Thor, future first-round pick (via the New Orleans Pelicans)
The Hornets drew huge praise for their draft-night haul, for obvious reasons. Landing James Bouknight, one of the best pure scorers in the 2021 draft class, was a massive steal at No. 11. Charlotte traded up to acquire tantalizing big man Kai Jones, who possesses unicorn-esque traits, which gives their backcourt a future transition running mate who can protect the rim with further physical development. JT Thor, who has been described as a possible <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/jt-thor-could-be-2021-nba-draft-diamond-in-the-rough-auburn-tigers-prospect" target="_blank" rel="noopener">diamond-in-the-rough</a>, is an upside swing who could also pay huge dividends down the road. BasketballNews.com's NBA Draft experts Matt Babcock and Derek Murray both named the Hornets as one of their <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/2021-nba-draft-recap-winners-and-losers-steals-biggest-surprises-" target="_blank" rel="noopener">biggest draft-night winners</a>.
Add Charlotte's strong 2021 draft haul alongside Ball, Miles Bridges and P.J. Washington and the Hornets&rsquo; core should be set for years to come. Ball and Bouknight are an awesome one-two scoring punch who can play off one another seamlessly. Bridges and Washington have flashed immense upside already in their young careers. If Jones and Thor reach their max ceilings, Charlotte has a terrifying big duo that can do things on both ends of the court.
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Pivoting over to the veterans that Charlotte acquired, these three immediate contributors will add a much-needed boost to a rotation that's filled to the brim with youth.
Recently signed to a two-year, $25 million deal, Kelly Oubre Jr.&rsquo;s run-and-gun mentality should allow him to flourish alongside Ball, who will set him up for easy looks in transition. If Oubre completely buys into a sixth-man role, there&rsquo;s real potential for him to garner Sixth-Man-of-the-Year consideration next season. One year ago, Oubre was coming off a career-best season with the Phoenix Suns in which he averaged 18.7 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 0.7 blocks while mastering his role as a cutter in Monty Williams&rsquo; &ldquo;0.5 Offense.&rdquo; After a down year with the Golden State Warriors, it's very possible that the 25-year-old can have a strong bounce-back season in Charlotte.
Mason Plumlee is an upgrade over Zeller as a starting center, and he can also be an underrated secondary playmaking engine. Charlotte only had to give up the No. 57 pick for Plumlee and the No. 37 pick (which became Thor) since the Detroit Pistons wanted to dump Plumlee's salary due to Isaiah Stewart&rsquo;s emergence. It seems like a draft-night steal for the Hornets. With the Pistons, Plumlee&rsquo;s high-basketball IQ allowed him to set up opportunities for others around the rim as a high-post initiator, averaging a career-best 3.6 assists. And if Jones' development is accelerated during his rookie campaign, Plumlee would accept a bench role, or he can be flipped at the trade deadline for a future asset.
Ish Smith is a reliable backup point guard and a steady presence, who can also play alongside Ball in spurts. With 11 years of experience, Smith is a great veteran leader who can teach Ball some more tricks of the trade throughout the season.
To top things off, Charlotte was also able to swindle a lottery-protected 2022 first-round pick from the Pelicans in the Devonte' Graham sign-and-trade, which was another big offseason win. Graham&rsquo;s role in the Queen City was capped, especially after Bouknight was drafted No. 11 overall. Now, the Hornets have another first-round pick at their disposal.
Even with all of these moves by <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/nba-news-mitch-kupchak-wait-3-4-years-before-judging-lamelo-ball-charlotte-hornets-michael-jordan" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GM Mitch Kupchak</a>, the Hornets still have two key pieces already on their roster: Gordon Hayward and Terry Rozier. Both were integral parts to the Hornets reaching the Eastern Conference play-in tournament last season.
In Hayward&rsquo;s best season since 2016-17 with the Utah Jazz, he poured in 19.6 points, 5.9 rebounds and 4.1 assists while shooting 41.5% on three-pointers. Before Hayward&rsquo;s season-ending right foot sprain in early April, the Hornets were above .500 at 25-23. Once Hayward went down, Charlotte finished their season 8-17 if you include their 144-117 blowout defeat versus the Indiana Pacers in the play-in game. A healthy Hayward should slide right back into a primary role within the Hornets&rsquo; offense.
Meanwhile, Rozier finally put together an efficient season in which he reached another level as a scoring dynamo. Rozier averaged a career-high 20.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.3 steals while hitting three-pointers at a 38.9% clip. During his two-year stint in Charlotte, Rozier has stabilized as a high-volume perimeter scorer, converting 39.6% from deep on 7.5 attempts per game.
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Entering the final year of his contract, Rozier is unlikely to be in the Hornets&rsquo; long-term plans with Bouknight&rsquo;s arrival. This means Rozier could be used later this offseason or near the trade deadline to add another future asset. However, if Charlotte becomes a true playoff threat, Rozier&rsquo;s bucket-getting ability will be big for the Hornets.
Entering into an important season for prospect development and immediate improvement, here&rsquo;s how the Hornets&rsquo; rotation shapes out:
Starters: Ball, Rozier, Hayward, Bridges, Plumlee
Second Unit: Smith, Bouknight, Oubre, Washington, Jones
Many teams in the Eastern Conference have assembled strong rosters that seem poised to leap into playoff contention. Charlotte has joined this ever-growing list with their eye-opening offseason haul. If the Hornets are able to finally crack through into postseason play for the first time since 2016, it will prove their rebuild is finally heading in the right direction.
Ball headlines a new era that's generating plenty of buzz in Charlotte, but there&rsquo;s a lot more depth to this roster that's ready to surprise the Association this upcoming season.&nbsp;

Led by LaMelo Ball, the Charlotte Hornets' strong offseason moves make them a legitimate playoff contender in 2021-22.

Hornets ready to fly up standings following strong offseason

The New York Knicks enter the 2021 NBA offseason with more potential cap space than any other team in the league, as New York can clear out up to $50 million in space if they choose to renounce all of their own free agents. Their primary objective is using that cap space to acquire a superstar. However, the only true max-level player in this year's <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/2021-nba-free-agency-ranking-kawhi-leonard-chris-paul-and-the-top-10-offseason-players-on-market" target="_blank" rel="noopener">free-agent class</a> is Kawhi Leonard, who is dealing with a partially torn ACL that may sideline him for the entirety of the 2021-22 season. The potential second-best player in the class is a 36-year-old point guard with a $44 million player option, so there&rsquo;s no guarantee he&rsquo;ll ever hit the open market.
Another avenue to acquiring a superstar is utilizing your available cap space to trade for a disgruntled stud. I have explained, in detail, why I think the Knicks should <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/the-knicks-should-prepare-to-go-allin-for-damian-lillard-new-york-trade-rumors" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pursue Damian Lillard</a> if he wants out of Portland. There are also rumblings that Wizards All-Star Bradley Beal may demand a trade.
Yet, despite all the juicy gossip, the most likely scenario in each case is Kawhi re-signing with the Clippers, CP3 staying in Phoenix and Lillard and Beal starting next season in Portland and Washington, respectively.
So, where would that leave New York? How would team president Leon Rose choose to utilize his cap space?
First and foremost, it's important to note that the Knicks can choose to keep most of their powder dry. New York is considered a team on the rise not just because they exceeded expectations last season, but also because they have shrewdly managed their cap, avoiding the temptation to overpay big-name veterans on the downslope of their career.
Nonetheless, if the Knicks begin the free agency frenzy with $50 million, they'll need to spend a healthy chunk of that just to reach the league's minimum salary floor (per the collective bargaining agreement, every NBA team has to spend at least 90% of the salary cap on player salaries.)
Here are some players the Knicks may target when teams can start negotiating with free agents on August 2 at 6:00 p.m. ET.
Devonte' Graham - Restricted Graham enjoyed a true breakout season in 2019-20, averaging a whopping 18.2 points, 7.5 assists and 3.5 made three-pointers per game. He took a bit of a step back this past season, but still poured in 14.8 points and dished out 5.4 assists (vs. 1.5 turnovers) in 30 minutes a night. It's also worth noting that he posted the best net rating on the team in 2020-21. The Hornets outscored their opponents by 98 points with Graham on the floor last season and were outscored by 237 points with Graham on the bench. He also became one of just four players in league history to average at least nine three-point attempts per game while shooting above 37% from downtown. The other three are Steph Curry, Dame Lillard and Buddy Hield. Many pundits assume the Hornets will match any reasonable offer Graham receives this summer, but ESPN's <a href="https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/31891612/nba-free-agency-2021-shaped-point-guard-movement" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Brian Windhorst reported</a> Tuesday that the Hornets "are believed to be interested in extending Terry&nbsp;Rozier and Miles Bridges, plus need to sign a starting center, all of which could squeeze their finances." At 26, Graham is entering the heart of his prime. It would be fascinating to see what kind of offer would scare off the Hornets, who obviously view LaMelo Ball as a cornerstone of the franchise.
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Victor Oladipo - Unrestricted Here's a startling reminder of just how dramatically an NBA player's value can fluctuate over a single season. Less than 10 months ago, in October 2020, Mark Berman of the New York Post <a href="https://nypost.com/2020/10/05/knicks-eyeing-victor-oladipo-amid-offseason-possibilities/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported that</a>, with respect to an Oladipo trade, "One NBA personnel man said Dallas' two first-round picks (2021, 2023), Julius Randle and Dennis Smith Jr. or Frank Ntilikina could whet the Pacers' appetite." It&rsquo;s remarkable to think how much Randle's stock has improved since then. On the other hand, the career of Oladipo &mdash; who was named an All-Star in both 2018 and 2019 &mdash; has been derailed by injuries. Oladipo will not be ready for the start of the 2021-22 season as he recovers from surgery to repair a partially torn tendon in his right quad and could <a href="https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/barry-jackson/article252111543.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reportedly</a> be sidelined until "mid-December at the earliest." Does Dipo prefer to sign a one-year "make good" contract to rebuild his value? Or will he look to ink a multi-year deal in order to rehab correctly, rather than potentially being pressured to rush back to the court? Either way, New York should have some interest.
Duncan Robinson - Restricted The Knicks' remarkable improvement from downtown was a crucial factor in their surprising success this past season. After finishing dead last in three-point makes in 2019-20 (New York was the only team in the league to average fewer than 10 made treys per game), the Knicks converted 39.2% of their long-distance attempts in 2020-21, which tied for the second-best mark in the NBA. However, two of the team's best shooters (Alec Burks and Reggie Bullock) are free agents. And is it safe to assume that Julius Randle, who shot 27.7% from deep in 2019-20, will again shoot above 41% from behind the arc as he did last season? Should the Knicks decide not to bring Burks and/or Bullock back, they will desperately need to add some marksmen. Robinson is one of only three players in NBA history to average more than eight three-point attempts per game while shooting above 40% in multiple seasons. The other two players in this elite club are Steph Curry and Klay Thompson. He's also durable, having appeared in 147 consecutive games dating back to 2019. Since he is restricted, the Heat will have the opportunity to match any offer he receives.
Serge Ibaka - Player Option Ibaka struggled through an injury-plagued 2020-21 season with the Clippers, but last year at this time, he was a highly-valued big man. In 2019-20 &mdash; his 11th season in the league &mdash; Ibaka averaged a career-high 15.4 points to go along with 8.2 rebounds and 1.3 made three-pointers. In the 27 games he started for the Toronto Raptors, he averaged 18.3 points and 9.2 rebounds while shooting over 55% from the floor and 43.7% from downtown. A consistent two-way performer his entire career, Ibaka is the only player in NBA history to make more than 500 three-pointers and block more than 1,500 shots. Someone is going to get a great value contract if Ibaka can stay healthy. That, of course, assumes that he opts out, which seems likely considering the potential payday that could await this offseason.
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Lauri Markkanen - Restricted Markkanen is a very difficult player to gauge. On the negative side of the ledger, his production has dipped dramatically in each of the past two years, and he's been unable to avoid assorted injuries, having played fewer than 55 games in three consecutive seasons. Nonetheless, this is a talented seven-footer who can stretch the floor, is still just 24 years of age, and averaged 18.7 points and nine rebounds during his age-21 season. It will be interesting to see what kind of offers he receives, and what the Bulls will be willing to match.
T.J. McConnell - Unrestricted Make no mistake, point guard is, by far, the Knicks' most glaring need. Elfrid Payton, last year's starter, won't be back, Derrick Rose is a free agent, and Immanuel Quickley frequently played off the ball as a rookie. If New York is unable (or unwilling) to pony for a big-name point guard, might they go in a different direction? In many respects, McConnell brings many of the attributes to the table coach Tom Thibodeau desires, namely defensive intensity. A gritty, pesky defender, McConnell led the entire league in steal percentage last season at <a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2021_advanced.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">3.4%</a> (Jimmy Butler was the only other player in the NBA to post a steal rate north of 3%). Although he's limited offensively, McConnell was efficient last season, shooting 55.9% from the floor. He's also an unselfish facilitator who takes care of the ball and is content to set up his teammates. In 2020-21, McConnell was one of just eight players to record an assist rate above 34% and a true shooting percentage above 58%. The other seven members of this elite club were Dame Lillard, Chris Paul, Jimmy Butler, LeBron James, Luka Doncic, Trae Young and Nikola Jokic.
Kyle Lowry - Unrestricted Lowry is a proven winner, a terrific defender, and a reliable, efficient scorer; essentially, he&rsquo;s everything the Knicks have been missing at the point guard position for the better part of two decades. However, according to Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer, Lowry's free-agency <a href="https://www.inquirer.com/sixers/sixers-among-teams-interested-kyle-lowry-nba-free-agency-20210727.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&ldquo;asking price&rdquo;</a> is $90 million over three seasons. That's a hefty price to pay for a player already on the wrong side of 35, especially for a Knicks team that is not simply one piece away from title contention.
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Spencer Dinwiddie - Player Option Dinwiddie has bantered back-and-forth with Knicks fans on social media the last few years, but there is no denying his impact on the court. In 2019-20, he averaged 20.6 points, 6.8 assists and 3.5 rebounds. It's been more than 40 years since a Knicks point guard averaged more than 20/6/3 over an entire season. Yet, like Lowry, Dinwiddie may price himself out of the Knicks&rsquo; target range. Dinwiddie, who played only three games last season due to a partially torn ACL, is reportedly seeking $25 million per year.
Goran Dragic - Team Option Miami holds a team option on Dragic for next season worth $19.4 million. If the Heat decide to go in another direction, Dragic would be an enticing option for New York, assuming he&rsquo;d be willing to sign a short-term deal. Although he would provide the club with an immediate upgrade at a position of need, it is important to note that he is 35 years old and has been primarily coming off the bench over his last two seasons. Entering the 2021-22 campaign with Dragic and Derrick Rose as your two point guards could be courting trouble.
Lonzo Ball - Restricted Reading the tea leaves, it seems less and less likely the Pelicans are willing to make a lucrative long-term commitment to Ball. Brian Windhorst of <a href="https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/31891612/nba-free-agency-2021-shaped-point-guard-movement">ESPN wrote</a> this week that New Orleans is targeting Lowry and has an interest in Dinwiddie, adding that "league executives believe the Pelicans are willing to let Ball go if he gets an aggressive offer sheet or they find a different option." Shams Charania of The Athletic <a href="https://theathletic.com/2703448/2021/07/13/sixers-opening-up-ben-simmons-trade-talks-knicks-interested-in-collin-sexton-plus-more-nba-news/?source=twitterhq" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a> earlier this month the Pels are unlikely to match a significant offer. Ian Begley of SNY has <a href="https://www.sny.tv/articles/spencer-dinwiddie-demar-derozan-knicks-free-agency" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> the same. Many Knicks fans seem to be enamored with Ball, but it should be considered a major red flag that the Pels seems unwilling to bring him back. Ball, who is just 23, received the endorsement of the face of the franchise, Zion Williamson. That there still seems to be some trepidation on New Orleans&rsquo; part is interesting, to say the least. Ball's upside is tantalizing, but I'd pass if his price tag approaches the $100 million mark.
Cameron Payne - Unrestricted Payne earned himself a massive pay raise over the past couple of months by establishing himself as a legit NBA rotation player in the crucible of the playoffs. However, before arriving in Phoenix, Payne shot below 40% from the floor and 33% from behind the arc over his first three years in the league. He turns 27 next month. Is it possible he plays significantly better than he did this past season? Some team will offer Payne a lucrative long-term deal, but I let another team roll the dice if I'm Leon Rose.
Malik Monk - Restricted Monk (who was drafted with the 11th overall pick in the 2017 draft &mdash; ahead of Donovan Mitchell and Bam Adebayo) has failed to live up to expectations. Monk has made just one career start and has averaged 9.1 points, two rebounds and 1.8 assists in 233 appearances while shooting 40.3% and 33.9% from downtown. No, thanks.
DeMar DeRozan - Unrestricted While maybe not as appealing as several other younger players on the open market, DeRozan remains criminally underrated by #BasketballTwitter, in my opinion. Yeah, I know he's 32, is not a great defender, doesn't shoot threes, etc. We know what he doesn't do well, but consider this: Over the past two seasons, only four players have averaged at least 20 points and five assists per game while shooting over 50% from the floor: LeBron James, Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and DeRozan. While not a perfect fit on the Knicks roster, New York had trouble finding offense late in games last season. DeRozan immediately addresses that need. If he's willing to sign at a discount, some team will get a significant value contract.
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---
While some of the names appearing on this list might not be the most glamorous, there is definitely value to be found here if you're the New York Knicks. That's especially true if the team clears out the as much salary cap space as it possibly can this offseason.

Poised to be the league-leader in cap space this offseason, here are some players who could make sense for the New York Knicks.

Knicks free-agent targets: 12 names that could fit in New York

Maryland Terrapins shooting guard Aaron Wiggins played his best basketball during the final 10 games of the 2020-21 season, when he averaged 18.1 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.5 threes, 2.0 assists and 1.5 steals while shooting 52.3% from the field, 40.3% from three and 78.3% from the free-throw line.
The 22-year-old junior turned heads, earning an invite to the G League Elite Camp. After an impressive showing at the event, Wiggins generated some buzz and got invited to this year's NBA Draft Combine.&nbsp;
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After three years at Maryland, Wiggins decided to keep his name in the 2021 NBA Draft. Throughout the pre-draft process, he has worked out for the Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors, Phoenix Suns, San Antonio Spurs and Toronto Raptors, among others.
BasketballNews.com recently caught up with Wiggins to discuss his game, his pre-draft experience, which NBA player he studies most, why he stayed in the 2021 NBA Draft and more.
You had a really strong finish to your junior season, playing really well over the last 10 games. What changed and what was working well for you during that stretch?
Aaron Wiggins: &ldquo;I think, as a team, we figured out a lot more things. I think we kinda got into a groove. Players individually kinda found their roles, spacing was better offensively and we began to really guard. We just got kinda comfortable and began to shoot the ball really well and got in a really good groove.&rdquo;
You participated in the G League Elite Camp and shined, which led to interest from NBA teams. What was your approach entering the Elite Camp and what were you trying to prove there?
Wiggins: &ldquo;I mean, I kind of came with the mindset that I shouldn&rsquo;t have been at the camp. I almost felt like it was an insult that I was there because I truly believe I should&rsquo;ve received a Combine invite. But I went with the mindset to prove that and to get an official invite to the Combine. I just wanted to go out there and compete and show teams that I&rsquo;m capable of getting drafted, that I&rsquo;m capable of being a highly-touted prospect coming out of college and everything. My goal is to have fun and compete.&rdquo;
You were able to impress all of the right people. Afterward, there was some buzz about your performance. What did that mean to you?
Wiggins: &ldquo;It&rsquo;s obviously good. I feel like I&rsquo;m on the right track, but there&rsquo;s not anything set in stone yet. It&rsquo;s a big accomplishment because I was blessed enough to then participate in the official NBA Combine, and I went out there and competed, had fun, and played my hardest. I just want to continue to get better every day and enjoy the process.&rdquo;
You decided to leave your name in the draft rather than returning to school for your senior season. What factors went into that decision?
Wiggins: &ldquo;I mean, there&rsquo;s a lot I&rsquo;m trying to prove to teams because a lot of mock drafts had me late-second-round to undrafted. And my whole goal is to show teams and GMs that I&rsquo;m capable of being a first-round draft pick or an early second-round draft pick. I&rsquo;ve never paid attention to the rankings and the mock drafts and stuff like that. Just having the mindset that I have a lot to prove, and what [went] into my decision was the teams that I&rsquo;ve spoken to, their interest and whether I thought I would be successful going to that organization, feeling comfortable if the team invests in me. Also, I [sat] down and talked to my agent, my parents, and my coaches and just figured out where I would stand if I returned to school [versus] staying in the draft.&rdquo;
Who are some NBA players that you study or model your game after?
Wiggins: &ldquo;In this last year, I began to watch Jordan Poole. I played against him my freshman year in college and [it was great seeing his success in the last year, coming out of the G League bubble and playing so well towards the end of the regular season for the Warriors. As a 6-foot-5 or 6-foot-6 wing, he can create his own shot, he&rsquo;s really good off the catch, and then he has the athleticism to make plays. My assistant coach at Maryland, DeAndre Haynes, who actually coached Jordan Poole at Michigan, he told me that I should take a look at Jordan, so I began to watch him towards the end of the regular season.
What are some of the biggest aspects of your game that you&rsquo;re still working on trying to improve?
Wiggins: &ldquo;Continue to work on my ball-handling, as well as coming off ball-screens, pick-and-roll, step-ups, things of that nature. And being able to work more with the ball in my hands.&rdquo;
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Let&rsquo;s say an NBA GM asks you, &ldquo;Why should I draft you? Why do you deserve a spot on my team?&rdquo; What is your response?&nbsp;
Wiggins: &ldquo;I&rsquo;d say basketball-wise, I would be a prototypical wing. I can shoot it, so I can space the floor. I have the ability to put it on the floor and create my own shots, and I have the athleticism to finish around the rim. Then, I think the biggest thing that separates me from a lot of players is my abilities defensively. I play both ends. I have a 6-foot-10 wingspan, so I have the length to affect people&rsquo;s jumpshots and to keep them from being comfortable on the offensive end. And I compete on the defensive end. 
"Outside of that, my personality and how I carry myself; I always have positive energy, so I&rsquo;ll always bring a positive attitude and positive energy to the organization.&rdquo;
When you aren&rsquo;t playing basketball, what are some of your hobbies?&nbsp;&nbsp;
Wiggins: &ldquo;I play video games, I watch Netflix and take naps. Every now and then, depending on where I&rsquo;m at, I&rsquo;ll go out in the city or something during the day to hang with a friend. I usually stay to myself, stay inside, and play video games with the boys.&rdquo;
As you&rsquo;ve interviewed with these NBA executives, do you feel like your personality helps separate you from other prospects in the draft?
Wiggins: &ldquo;100%. I truly believe, as a person, that I&rsquo;m different from a lot of people. I think I&rsquo;m very personable. I just have the natural ability to speak to people, to hold conversations and to relate to others. I definitely think that&rsquo;s a plus for me with interviews and stuff.&rdquo;
Are there any NBA players who have given you advice as you go through this process?
Wiggins: &ldquo;Recently, going through this process, I&rsquo;ve talked to Kevin Huerter a couple times from the Atlanta Hawks. He&rsquo;s doing really well. And then I know Stix (Jalen Smith) really well. He isn&rsquo;t playing a lot, but he&rsquo;s around a lot of vets and he&rsquo;s on a really good team [in Phoenix]. I&rsquo;ve talked to my two good friends, Jaylen Hoard and Devon Dotson. They&rsquo;ve both played in the G League and both saw NBA minutes. They&rsquo;ve been through both ends -- both ways that it could go. I&rsquo;ve got good information, good knowledge of what it&rsquo;s like -- what the life is like and how it all is -- and I&rsquo;ll continue to talk to them.&rdquo;
Are there any misconceptions that you wanted to disprove throughout the pre-draft process?
Wiggins: &ldquo;I&rsquo;m continuing to prove that I&rsquo;m a good ball-handler, I&rsquo;m able to create shots, I&rsquo;m a great catch-and-shoot player, my athleticism... I will say: my ability to pass the ball is a bit underrated. I think I have pretty good court-vision and I try to make the right plays. I&rsquo;d say that&rsquo;s one part of my game that is somewhat underrated. But for the most part, I try to show that I can play at a high level in every part of my game.&rdquo;
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Check out BasketballNews.com&rsquo;s latest 2021 mock draft by our Senior NBA Draft Analyst Matt Babcock.</a>

Alex Kennedy speaks to Aaron Wiggins about his game, the pre-draft process, his NBA comparison, why he stayed in the draft and more.

2021 NBA Draft prospect Aaron Wiggins Q&A: 'I have a lot to prove'

Horrific on offense. Terrific on defense. So the New York Knicks are halfway there, but what we learned about them in the first round is that they are a long, long way from being a legitimate contender in the Eastern Conference.
To say the Knicks surrendered meekly would be a misstatement, because they were as physical in Game 5 as they were throughout the entire first round. But it was telling that when they made their last final burst early in the fourth quarter, Immanuel Quickley and Obi Toppin were leading the charge while Julius Randle was watching from the bench.
This was the first year of the Leon Rose/Tom Thibodeau era, and it will go down as a success simply because of the fact that the Knicks made the postseason for the first time in eight years and actually won a playoff game. Madison Square Garden came back to life with unbridled passion following a 14-month virtual lockdown in New York that decimated the city&rsquo;s economy, and the Knicks were by far the most talked about team in the metropolitan area for a full week, Brooklyn&rsquo;s disassembly of Boston notwithstanding.
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But the offseason has arrived on this particular Thursday, and a team that the Knicks swept in the regular season &ndash; the Atlanta Hawks &ndash; is advancing to play the Philadelphia 76ers in what could be a more competitive matchup than many would anticipate if Joel Embiid remains injured and Ben Simmons remains a liability at the free-throw line.
The blame for New York&rsquo;s failure must be placed squarely on the broad shoulders of the NBA's Most Improved Player Award winner, Randle, who shot 8-for-21 (38.1 percent) Wednesday night in what turned out to be his most proficient game of the series. He was 6-for-23 in Game 1, 5-for-16 in Game 2, 2-for-15 in Game 3 and 7-for-19 in Game 4.&nbsp;
After averaging 6.0 assists in the regular season, that number dropped to 4.0 in the playoffs. In addition, he did not block one single shot.
Some soul searching is in order for the Knicks today, and in the weeks ahead. It would be easy for them to blame the absence of Mitchell Robinson at center and the slow development of Toppin in his first year, but that is somewhat disingenuous. Robinson is not exactly the second coming of Embiid (whose team also won without him last night), and Toppin was kept on a short leash, as was Quickley, because Thibodeau treats rookies differently and gets a pass on it because that is just how he rolls.
But coaches must evolve, and Thibs has not. He remains a basketball lifer whose players are extremely loyal and dedicated and actually follow his game plans, which is a credit to his effectiveness as a coach. He got the most out of Taj Gibson and midseason acquisition Derrick Rose, who were known commodities in his mind because of their shared histories.&nbsp;
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Thibodeau also stuck with Elfrid Payton as the starter when Payton was clearly a lost cause, and he never established a consistent secondary-scorer role for Alec Burks in the playoffs despite the fact that Burks was clearly stoked for this opportunity. Some of that is on Burks, too, because after a 27-point Game 1, he shot 5-for-19 from three-point range. Rose was their best three-point shooter at 47.1%, but he made only eight of them all series.
RJ Barrett was okay, but okay is not what you expect from the No. 3 pick in the draft after showing such discernible improvement in the reglar season. The Knicks shot just 39.8% overall in the series, second-last to Miami (who got swept by Milwaukee) by fourth-tenths of a percentage point.&nbsp;
The Knicks had more personal fouls (99) than assists (93), and their talent pool was vastly inferior to Atlanta&rsquo;s. Randle, an All-Star, had eight turnovers and three assists in Game 5. For the series, he had 23 turnovers, and the Knicks brain trust now must question whether he is still worth the four-year, $106 million extension offer he was expecting to receive. A better idea may be picking up Randle&rsquo;s $19.8 team option and making him earn those bigger bucks. The last thing the Knicks need is dead money on their cap. They still have that with Joakim Noah.
&ldquo;I thought Atlanta added some good pieces to compliment Trae [Young] and I think that helped them,&rdquo; Thibodeau said when asked about the Knicks&rsquo; personnel priorities last offseason.
New York is desperate for shooting and size.
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Rose, Burks, Payton, Gibson, Nerlens Noel, Reggie Bullock and Frank Ntilikina (team option via a qualifying offer) will all be free agents. Depending on who they choose to keep and who they choose to let leave, the Knicks will have somewhere in the area of $40 million in salary cap space to spend in a free agency pool that will include guards Lonzo Ball (restricted), Kyle Lowry, Mike Conley, Spencer Dinwiddie (payer option), Bruce Brown (restricted), Devonte' Graham (restricted), J.J. Redick, Kelly Oubre Jr., T.J. McConnell, Alex Caruso, Kendrick Nunn (restricted), Bryn Forbes (player option), Chris Paul (player option), DeMar DeRozan, Patty Mills, Gary Trent Jr., Raul Neto and Ish Smith.
The two best unrestricted free agents among big men are Richaun Holmes of Sacramento and Kelly Olynyk of Houston, who likely played himself into a massive contract after getting dealt to the Rockets in the Victor Oladipo deal and averaging 19.0 points and 8.4 rebounds per game in 27 games.
So Leon Rose, William Wesley, Scott Perry and Thibs will have options. If they can make the right free agent pickups, and if Thibs loosens the reins on Quickley and Toppin, next year can be better. Knicks fans were happy with the fourth-place finish and the lone postseason victory, but they are not thrilled. New York had the perfect first round matchup, or so it seemed, yet the franchise is now dormant again until draft night, when they will select at Nos. 19, 21, 32 and 58.
By this time a year from now, we shall know whether they made the proper next steps or regressed to their norm. For now, there is no hiding the fact that although this was a better season, it was still a disappointment.
Once again for Knicks fans, it is time to look to next season for hope instead of this season.

Chris Sheridan dissects the Knicks' season coming to an end and points out what needs to change in the summer and going forward.

Autopsy on Knicks: Offense desperately needed, and Thibs has to change

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — LaMelo Ball returned from a 21-game absence with 11 points, leading the Charlotte Hornets to a 107-94 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Saturday night. 
A leading candidate for Rookie of the Year, Ball had surgery to repair a broken wrist sustained on March 20. The point guard played 28 minutes and added eight rebounds and seven assists, including a <a href="https://twitter.com/hornets/status/1388636661882445824?s=20">nifty underhand pass</a> from his own backcourt to Miles Bridges.
“You have to have top-notch confidence to pull something like that off,” Bridges said. “He threw it right to my pocket. It’s good to have him back.”
Terry Rozier led Charlotte with 29 points, including a 3-pointer to beat the shot clock to help stave off Detroit’s final rally late in the fourth quarter. 
Bridges added 27 points on 11-of-16 shooting and PJ. Washington had 16. Malik Monk, who returned after a 15-game absence (ankle), joined Ball with 11 points.
“I felt the game coming back to me,” Ball said. “Every day I woke up and the wrist was feeling better.”
Charlotte blocked 15 shots, a season high for any team and the fifth time the Hornets have had 15 or more blocks in a game in franchise history. They beat the Pistons for the 12th straight time.
Frank Jackson scored 25 points for Detroit, which has lost five of six. Saddiq Bey added 22, Tyler Cook 12, and Killian Hayes 10 for the Pistons, who cut the lead to single digits twice in the second half but couldn’t draw any closer.
Bridges left in the third period after appearing to injure his right shoulder blocking a shot. He had the shoulder on ice until late in the period and returned. 
The Hornets, who entered the day eighth in the Eastern Conference, snapped a two-game skid. They’ll play in Detroit on Tuesday.
“I expect it to only get better from here, but it was a breath of fresh air just to have that jolt back in the gym for us,” Hornets coach James Borrego said of Ball's return. “We found our way playing with pace even before this, but Melo really takes it to the next level.”
RISING ROOKIE
Borrego feels like Ball will prove he’s the Rookie of the Year in his final 10 games.
“We were climbing the standings with him in the lineup and Malik in the lineup,” Borrego said. “LaMelo has had a major impact on our winning this season. For a young guy to put up those numbers, but to do it with that sort of winning impact, is significant for us.”
Ball averaged 15.9 points and Monk 13.1 before their injuries.
COACH'S COMPLIMENT
Frank Jackson, a former Hornets draft pick, has filled a sixth-man need in Detroit. His coach identifies with his style.
“I’m happy for him,” Pistons coach Dwane Casey said of Jackson, averaging a career-best 9.1 points. “He’s my kind of guy. He’s worked, scratched, and earned everything.”
TIP-INS
Hornets: Charlotte missed its first 10 3-point attempts and finished 14 of 37. … Forward Gordon Hayward (right foot sprain) did not play. … Guard Devonte’ Graham (right knee contusion) also missed the game.
Pistons: Detroit started three rookies — Bey, Hayes, and Isaiah Stewart. Josh Jackson, with three years of service, was the most senior starter. … Detroit had seven players unavailable for the game Saturday. Ruled out: Hamidou Diallo, Wayne Ellington, Jerami Grant, Cory Joseph, Jahlil Okafor, Mason Plumlee, and Dennis Smith Jr.
UP NEXT:
Hornets: Host Miami on Sunday.
Pistons: Host Orlando on Monday.

LaMelo Ball returned from a 21-game absence with 11 points, leading the Hornets to a 107-94 win over the Pistons on Saturday.

LaMelo Ball returns, helps Hornets beat Pistons 107-94

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid and Tobias Harris each scored 18 points to lead the Philadelphia 76ers to a 126-104 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Friday night.
Dwight Howard had a team-high 19 points and 11 rebounds for the 76ers, who routed the Hawks for the second straight game. Philadelphia is a half-game behind Brooklyn in the race for the top seed in the East.
Trae Young scored 32 points in his return after a four-game absence due to an ankle injury, and Clint Capela had 11 points and 15 rebounds for Atlanta. The Hawks stayed in fifth place in the East and are tied with the Celtics, with both a half-game in front of idle Miami for a first-round playoff bye.
The 76ers likely will be sad to see the Hawks leave town. Besides the victories, the two games against Atlanta gave Embiid, Simmons and other key starters extra rest when they weren’t needed in the fourth quarter. It also provided the bench players with extended minutes.
“It came at a perfect time for us,” Philadelphia coach Doc Rivers said. “None of (the starters) had to stretch minutes. Now they’re good to go, which is great. The bench guys got great rhythm.”
The 76ers routed Atlanta 122-83 on Wednesday night in Philadelphia when they clinched a playoff spot. Hawks coach Nate McMillan talked prior to Friday’s contest about his team’s need to come out with energy and urgency in the rematch.
It looked as if the Hawks got the message, as they scored 13 of the first 15 points to take an early 11-point lead. But the 76ers outscored Atlanta 21-13 over the final 7:21 to pull within 26-23 after one.
Philadelphia took control in the second quarter. Harris and Simmons had resounding dunks in a dominating period for the 76ers, who outscored Atlanta 42-20 to go up 65-46 at the break. Philadelphia made 15 of 28 shots in the quarter, while Atlanta missed 14 of 19.
Embiid’s 3 from the top of the key on an assist from Simmons early in the third put the 76ers on the blowout path, giving them a 72-48 lead and well on their way to another easy win over Atlanta.
“We didn’t contain them, that was the problem tonight,” McMillan said. “Defensively we just could not keep the ball in front of us. We just had too many breakdowns on the ball.”
BIG BEN
Simmons has played three strong games after missing the previous four due to illness. In home wins over Oklahoma City and the last two over Atlanta, the 76ers' point guard has averaged 12.7 points, five assists and 4.3 rebounds in 22 minutes per contest while shooting 78.2% (18 of 23) from the field.
“Ben has been a tone-setter for us; he’s been absolutely amazing,” Rivers said. “I don’t know if it’s the best he’s played all year, but it’s close. He’s driving our team right now.”
TRAE’S TAKE
Young was elated to be back on the court and said his ankle felt good during and after the game.
“I always try to battle back (from injury) and get back to the court as fast as possible,” he said. “I was just doing a lot of treatment, and (Atlanta’s training staff) did a great job helping me to get back on the court.”
TIP-INS
Hawks: Kevin Huerter (left shoulder sprain) missed his second straight contest. He is day to day. … Fell to 16-19 on the road. … McMillan and Kris Dunn were whistled for technical fouls.
76ers: Philadelphia Eagles first-round draft pick DeVonta Smith, quarterback Jalen Hurts and defensive lineman Brandon Graham rang the ceremonial Liberty Bell prior to the game. … Improved to 25-7 at home. … Embiid and Shake Milton received technical fouls. … Simmons added six rebounds and five assists. … Matisse Thybulle had four steals.
UP NEXT
Hawks: Host Chicago on Saturday night.
76ers: At San Antonio on Sunday night.
___
More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid and Tobias Harris each scored 18 points to lead the 76ers to a 126-104 victory over the Hawks on Friday.

76ers use balanced scoring, rout Hawks for 2nd straight game

Once a member of the Alabama Crimson Tide, always a member of the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Just one night before the 2021 NFL Draft in Cleveland, Bama Heisman-winner DeVonta Smith stopped by Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse to watch the Cavaliers take on the Orlando Magic. Unfortunately, due to a concussion, his fellow Bama alum Collin Sexton was unable to play in the game.
However, the two talented Tide products were able to share a moment on Wednesday. Sexton gifted Smith, one of the top wide receivers in his class and a reigning national champion, with his No. 2 jersey, and the Bama pair posed for a photo afterward.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-theme="dark">
Bama boys! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NFLDraft?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NFLDraft</a> x <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BeTheFight?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BeTheFight</a> <a href="https://t.co/c8uI9qL62q">pic.twitter.com/c8uI9qL62q</a>
&mdash; Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) <a href="https://twitter.com/cavs/status/1387562886709583874?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 29, 2021</a></blockquote>

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Smith is projected to be one of the first wideouts to be taken in this year's draft, which is taking place right on the shores of Lake Erie.
As for Sexton, the Cavs guard continues to show signs of growth and a capability to be an outstanding player, averaging 24.5 points and 4.1 assists per game on 57.2% True Shooting.

The two former Crimson Tide shared a moment at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse prior to Thursday's NFL Draft in Cleveland.