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It’s official; the Indiana Pacers are going to Cancun. The Boston Celtics swept them in the NBA Eastern Finals.
As reported by ESPN the Celtics have proven to be the best NBA team in the Eastern Conference. On Monday, May 27 they won their fourth straight game against the Indiana Pacers. While Andrew Nembhard and his squad fought hard they couldn’t maintain their 98-90 lead with under six minutes left in the fourth quarter. Boston’s clutch defense caused the Pacers to miss several shots and turnover the ball. The Celtics outscored Indiana 15-4 to close out the series.
Jaylen Brown lead his team with 29 points, three steals, six rebounds, two assists and one block. At the end of the game he was given the Larry Bird Trophy as the Eastern Conference MVP. He made it clear the honor came to him as a surprise. “I wasn’t expecting it at all” he said. “I don’t never win sh*t.” The Marietta, Georgia native went on salute the Pacers during their celebration. “And give credit to Indiana, they played us tough. I know people think that Indiana wasn’t a good team or whatever the case may be, but I thought they were as tough as anybody we played all season. They were physical, they were fast, they put a lot of pressure on us. So shout out to them, and respect to them.”
When asked about his second trip to the NBA Finals Jayson Tatum responded “it’s special.” He added “even though we’ve been there before, most of us have, you don’t take it for granted. We were excited.” The Dallas Mavericks currently lead the Minnesota Timberwolves 3-0 in the Western Conference Finals.
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Source: MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images / Getty / Bill Walton
The sports world lost a giant on Monday with the passing of Bill Walton, a two-time NBA Champion, Basketball Hall of Famer, and all-around exceptional human being.
Through commissioner Adam Silver, the NBA announced the passing of the Emmy-winning sports broadcaster and former UCLA player on Monday.
In a statement, Silver said, “Bill Walton was truly one of a kind. Bill then translated his infectious enthusiasm and love for the game to broadcasting, where he delivered insightful and colorful commentary which entertained generations of basketball fans.”
Silver continued, “What I will remember most about him was his zest for life. He was a regular presence at league events — always upbeat, smiling ear to ear, and looking to share his wisdom and warmth. I treasured our close friendship, envied his boundless energy, and admired the time he took with every person he encountered.
“As a cherished member of the NBA family for 50 years, Bill will be deeply missed by all those who came to know and love him.”
The 71-year-old former professional hooper died from cancer on Monday in the presence of his loved ones, his family said in the statement.
Bill Walton’s Long List of Accomplishments
Walton had an exceptional career, winning two national titles with the UCLA Bruins before winning two NBA championships.
His NBA career did not last long because of nagging foot injuries, playing 468 games with the Portland Trail Blazers, LA (and formerly San Diego) Clippers, and Boston Celtics, averaging a double-double, 13.3 points and 10.5 rebounds.
Walton was the NBA’s MVP during the 1977-78 season, earning a spot on the league’s 50th and 75th anniversary teams.
Walton was enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1993,
He seamlessly transitioned into the broadcast booth, where the 6’11 giant became one of the most recognizable voices in sports thanks to his famous catchphrase, “Throw it down, big man.”
The American Sportscasters Association named him among the top 50 sports broadcasters in 2009.
The NBA Honors Walton on Social Media
Following the sad news, former players and friends like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Larry Bird, and Julius “Dr.J” Erving paid tribute to Waltton on X, formerly Twitter.
“I am sad today hearing that my comrade & one of the sports worlds most beloved champions & characters has passed. Bill Walton enjoyed life in every way. To compete against him & to work with him was a blessing in my life. Sorry for your loss Walton family. We’ll miss him too,” Erving wrote on X.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar wrote on X, “Today I had to say goodbye to a great friend that I will always miss.”
Walton is survived by his wife Lori and sons Adam, Chris, Nate, and Luke, who played ten seasons in the NBA before becoming a coach in the league.
You can see more reactions to his passing in the gallery below.
1. He will be missed
2. A legend
3. The Portland Trail Blazers say goodbye to an icon
4. So long to a So-Cal hooping legend
6. Former President Barack Obama remembers Bill Walton
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The Dallas Mavericks and Minnesota Timberwolves are gearing up for Game 1 of the NBA Playoffs Western Conference finals airing on TNT on Thursday (May 22).
The Timberwolves will host the Mavericks for the first two games in the series, which will take place at Target Center in Minneapolis. The series returns to Dallas for Game 3 (get tickets here).
Keep reading for ways to stream games without cable.
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Mavericks vs. Timberwolves: Where to Stream Online
Game 1 of the Western Conference finals between the Mavericks and Timberwolves will air live on TNT and TruTV at 8:30 p.m. ET on Thursday. For fans that don’t have cable, TNT is available on DirecTV, Fubo and Sling TV.
Can you watch the Mavericks vs. Timberwolves game on NBA League Pass? Unfortunately, TNT games are not available to watch live (but you can see clips on TNT Go for free). Fans that want to watch TV internationally can use ExpressVPN and other VPN options to access various streaming apps.
How to Watch NBA Playoffs Games for Free
Can you stream the Mavericks vs. Timberwolves games for free? Yes, if you subscribe to a streaming platform that offers a free trial. Some of the streamers that offer free trials include DirecTV Stream, Fubo and Hulu + Live TV.
If you missed DirecTV’s National Streaming Day deal, don’t worry, discounts are still available on select streaming packages. For example, the Choice + Sport Pack got a price cut to $98/month (reg. $123.99/month).
The Choice plan lets you stream 125+ live channels including ESPN, ESPN2, TNT, NBA TV, TBS, ABC, TruTV, FS1, Bally Sports, NFL Network, NBC, CBS, Fox, FX, Bravo, BET, AMC, VH1, MTV and other channels. The Sports Pack includes ACC Network, Big Ten Network, MLB Network, NBA TV, SEC Network and other speciality sports channels.
New subscribers can save up to $30 off for three months. DirecTV’s Ultimate + Sports Pack for $109.99 (reg. $134.98). New subscribers can save $44.99 on the Ultimate and Choice plans. DirecTV’s most affordable streaming plan is the Entertainment package – which comes with 90+ channels for $79.99/month.
Fubo also offers a free trial for a week and streaming plans under $79.99/month for 185 channels and streaming on up to 10 screens.
Sling TV doesn’t offer a free trial, but sports lovers can join at a discounted rate of just $20 for the first month. Or, save up to $30 off when you prepay for three months of service.
Sling TV’s streaming plans include Sling Blue with 32 channels and Sling Orange with 42 channels including ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, TNT, TBS, Food Network, AMC, History Channel, BET, BBC America, HGTV, IFC and local channels (ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC) in select regions. Sling’s Orange + Blue plan has 46 channels including 22 exclusive channels.
See the NBA Conference finals schedule below.
Western Conference Finals Schedule
Game 1: Mavericks vs. Timberwolves, Wednesday, May 22 on TNT
Game 2: Mavericks vs. Timberwolves, Friday, May 24 on TNT
Game 3: Timberwolves vs. Mavericks, Sunday, May 26 on TNT
Game 4: Timberwolves vs. Mavericks, Tuesday, May 28 on TNT
Game 5: Mavericks vs. Timberwolves, Thursday, May 30 on TNT
Game 6: Timberwolves vs. Mavericks, Saturday, June 1 on TNT
Game 7: Mavericks vs. Timberwolves, Monday, June 3 on TNT.
Eastern Conference Finals Schedule
Game 1: Pacers vs. Celtics, Tuesday, May 21 on ESPN
Game 2: Pacers vs. Celtics, Thursday, May 23 on ESPN
Game 3: Celtics vs. Pacers, Saturday, May 25 on ABC
Game 4: Celtics vs. Pacer, Monday, May 27 on ESPN
Game 5: Pacers vs. Celtics, Wednesday, May 29 on ESPN
Game 6: Celtics vs. Pacers, Friday, May 31 on ESPN
Game 7: Pacers vs. Celtics, Sunday, June 2 on ESPN
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And just like that, the New York Knicks Cinderella story comes to an end as the injury plagued team was routed by a red-hot Indiana Pacers team in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals at Madison Square Garden on Sunday afternoon (May 19).
As ESPN, reports, the Indiana Pacers set a playoff mark with their hot shooting in the first half of the game and though they cooled off in the second half they still ended the game with a 67.1% field goal percentage which is the highest ever recorded in an NBA playoff game. Fittingly, the Knicks superstar point guard, Jalen Brunson suffered a season ending injury in the second half of the game when he fractured his hand and was pulled from the game as the Knicks saw their playoff dreams slip away at the hands of a fully healthy Pacers squad.
Per ESPN:
It was the greatest shooting half in a playoff game on record, beating the 74% the San Antonio Spurs shot during the 2014 NBA Finals in a performance that left some thinking that was one of the finest displays of offensive basketball ever. And the Pacers beat it.
The Knicks made a push in the third quarter, thanks largely to a series of 3-pointers from DiVincenzo (37 points). He ended up with nine treys for the game, setting a Knicks playoff record. Those 3s and some rare defensive stops cut the Pacers’ lead from 22 points down to seven and had the Knicks fans thinking they might see something to remember after all.
Had the Knicks even somehow pulled off a miracle on 34th street and won the game, they’d certainly be swept by the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals without their floor general in Jalen Brunson who was struggling with his game before fracturing his hand on a play in the 3rd quarter.
It was already a tough day for Brunson, who was just 6-of-17 shooting for 17 points before exiting.
“It’s a part of the game and, like I said, this group, we didn’t make excuses for anything,” Brunson said. “And so if things happen, we go forward with what we had. Obviously we wanted everyone healthy.”
Unfortunately for the Knicks, health was in short order this season as every one of their starters had been sidelined by the time Game 7 rolled around. With four bench players in the starting lineup and Jalen Brunson leading the charge, many considered it a miracle that the Knicks lasted as long as they did in the playoffs.
This is probably the first time that the Knicks got eliminated from the playoffs and New York fans were still happy and grateful with how the season turned out.
Respect.
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Source: Icon Sportswire / Getty / LeBron James / Bronny James
Bronny James’ name has yet to be called during the 2024 NBA Draft, but the chatter around LeBron James’ son, where he will land, and if the Lakers superstar will join the team that takes a chance on his seed is deafening.
Word around the NBA streets was that LeBron James was very gung-ho about playing alongside his son in the league, giving many teams the impression that if they draft Bronny, they could land LBJ in free agency.
According to reports, teams shouldn’t bet on that because Bron Bron has no desire to ditch the Los Angeles Lakers to hoop with his son.
The Athletic’s Shams Charania reports that James is telling teams not named the Lakers who believe their chances to sign him in free agency will increase if they draft Bronny “No, as of right now,” regarding leaving Los Angeles.
Yahoo! Sports reports the “as of right now” in his statement leaves enough wiggle room for teams to continue to continue working on a situation that would pique his interest.
Interest in Bronny James increased following his strong showing at the NBA Draft, and some people believe he could be drafted in the second round.
LeBron James Did Express In The Past He Wanted To Play With Bronny In His Final Season
Regardless of the chatter around Bronny James, the Los Angeles Lakers are still the front runners to resign James, who has a $51.4 million player option for the 2024-25 season, if they land a head coach LeBron James approves of and a third piece to compliment him and Anthony Davis.
LBJ’s new alleged stance on playing alongside his son starkly differs from his past comments.
He made his desire to play his final season as a teammate with Bronny, even saying he would sign with the team that drafts his son.
That changed after the Lakers were bounced out of the playoffs by the Denver Nuggets, with James telling people hooping with Bronny was no longer a priority for him.
As for Bronny James, a conversation is happening now that he doesn’t deserve the attention he is receiving. Some people believe the spotlight is on him because he is the son of arguably the greatest professional hooper not named Michael Jordan.
ESPN NBA analyst Kendrick Perkins has been very loud on the matter.
Now, Bronny knows that carrying the James torch is the main topic of discussion, but the young hooper has made it clear he doesn’t want anything handed to him because he is the son of LeBron James and wants people to judge him on his skills and what he does on the court.
“Everything that follows my dad, people just try to link me with that and all the greatness he’s achieved and I haven’t done anything yet,” Bronny told reporters. “So there needs to be that divide between Bronny and LeBron. I just want to let people know that my name is Bronny James and not being identified as LeBron James’ son.”
We hear you Bronny.
You can see more reactions in the gallery below.
1. Draymond Green is a believer in Bronny James
2. Interesting
3. Fair question
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It all comes down to this.
After a back-and-forth series between two of the NBA‘s most exciting teams, the Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets head to Game 7 of their Western Conference semifinal.
Game 7 between the Timberwolves vs. Nuggets takes place tonight, Sunday, May 19 at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT live from Ball Arena in Denver. Last-minute tickets to watch the Timberwolves and Nuggets Game 7 matchup are still available on sites like Stubhub, Vivid Seats and SeatGeek, with instant digital delivery.
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How to Watch Nuggets vs. Timberwolves Game 7 on TV
Watch to watch the Nuggets vs. Timberwolves game on TV? The NBA playoff game is airing live on TNT, which you can access on any basic cable package.
How to Watch Nuggets vs. Timberwolves Game 7 Online
Don’t have cable? You can watch the Nuggets vs. Timberwolves online through Max (formerly HBO Max), which is carrying a live feed of the NBA playoff game that you can stream here. Max subscribers can livestream the Timberwolves-Nuggets game online for free, using their TV, phone, tablet or computer. Not a subscriber? Get Max for just $9.99 here.
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You can also watch the Timberwolves vs. Nuggets on TNT without cable through one of Sling TV‘s streaming packages, currently discounted to $30 (regularly $40 a month). There are three package plans to choose from: Orange, Blue and Orange + Blue with every option including the TNT channel .
How to Stream Nuggets vs. Timberwolves Game 7 Online Free
Want to stream the Nuggets vs. Timberwolves game online for free? You can find a live TNT feed on DirecTV Stream, a streaming service that lets you watch live TV through the Internet. What’s more: DirecTV Stream has a 5-day free trial that you can use to watch Game 7 online free.
The Timberwolves forced a Game 7 after a decisive 45-point victory Thursday over the reigning NBA champ Nuggets (who beat LeBron James and Lakers in the previous round). The Wolves will be relying on star Anthony Edwards tonight in one last attempt to oust Nikola Jokic and Nuggets and advance to the Conference Finals.
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes. Vanessa Bryant and Nike have put together a special capsule collection to honor her late daughter Gianna’s 18th birthday. The collaboration […]
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NBA All-Star center Joel Embiid revealed that he’s been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, which is the reason for his recent eye trouble.
On Thursday night (April 25), Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid finally cleared up the speculation concerning his eyesight at a post-game press conference, informing the media that he’s suffering from Bell’s palsy. Bell’s palsy is a form of facial paralysis that causes sudden muscular weakness on one side of the face, making the eye on that side hard to close. Embiid said that he’d started dealing with the effects before the Sixers’ play-in tournament game with the Miami Heat at the outset of this year’s playoffs.
“I think it started a day or two before the Miami game [in the play-in tournament], and I had bad migraines and thought it was nothing,” Embiid said after the Sixers’ win over the New York Knicks. “It’s pretty annoying, you know, with the left side of my face, my mouth and my eye. So yeah, it’s been tough. But I’m not a quitter, so gotta keep fighting. But yeah, it’s unfortunate. That’s the way I look at it. But it’s not an excuse. Gotta keep pushing.” He also said that he was informed that the condition could last weeks or months.
He also spoke about how the condition is yet another addition to the list of ailments that he’s endured throughout his playing career, including a knee injury he’s still recovering from after surgery in February. “It is unfortunate,” he began. “Every single year, you start asking yourself questions like, ‘Why?’ Every single year it’s … very annoying. Yeah. Maybe it’s just meant to be. Just gotta take it as it is. But the one thing I’m not going to do is give up no matter what happens.”
The news comes after Embiid put up a historical 50 points on fewer than 20 shot attempts, making 19 of 21 free throws and five three-pointers, all playoff records for the 30-year-old. The effort gained Philadelphia their first victory in the first-round series against the surging second-seeded Knicks, who they’ll play against at home on Sunday (April 29) as the Knicks hold a two games to one lead.
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The NBA playoffs are underway and all eyes are on the New York Knicks vs. Philadelphia 76ers series, which feature Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid, Jalen Brunson, OG Anunoby and many of the league’s next generation of stars.
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The second-seed Knicks took the first game of this best-of-7 series, with a comeback 111-104 win over the weekend. Here’s what to know about Game 2 and how to watch the Eastern Conference playoff series online.
Knicks vs. 76ers Playoff Games: Date, Time
Game 2 of the Knicks vs. 76ers takes place tonight, April 22 at 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT live from Madison Square Garden in New York City.
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Last-minute tickets to watch the Knicks vs. 76ers in person are still available on sites like Stubhub, Vivid Seats and SeatGeek. BONUS: use our promo codes BB2024 to save $20 at VividSeats.com and discount code BILLBOARD10 to save $10 at SeatGeek.com.
How to Watch Knicks vs. 76ers on TV
Want to watch the Knicks vs. 76ers on TV? Tonight’s game is airing live on TNT so you can watch the Sixers-Knicks game on TV with any basic cable package.
How to Watch Knicks vs. 76ers Online
Want to watch the Knicks vs. 76ers online without cable? Use DirecTV Stream, a live TV streaming service that carries TNT as part of its offerings. The site has a five-day free trial that you can use right now to livestream the Knicks vs. 76ers online free. Watch the basketball game from your phone, tablet, laptop or smart TV. Cancel at anytime.
Sling is another live TV streamer that carries TNT as part of its channel lineup. TNT is available in all of Sling’s packages, including Sling Orange, which starts at just $40/month. Your subscription to Sling gets you 30+ live TV channels including TNT, so you can watch the Knicks vs. 76ers online without cable. You also get free DVR so you can record the playoff games and watch a Sixers-Knicks replay on-demand later.
Another way to stream the Knicks vs. 76ers playoff games online is through Max (formerly HBO Max). In addition to its library of movies, TV shows and specials, Max now offers live sports streaming, including basketball on TNT. Sign up for Max for just $9.99/month here.
Knicks vs. 76ers Predictions, Odds
The Knicks are the odds-on favorite for this Eastern Conference playoff series, though the 76ers will be a formidable opponent. While they are the seventh seed, the Sixers have not lost a first-round playoff series since the 2019-2020 season.
The second-seeded Knicks, meantime, had their best season since 2012-2013 and are riding a wave of momentum. Both the Knicks and Sixers made it to the Eastern Conference semifinals last year before falling to the Miami Heat and Boston Celtics, respectively.
Watch the Knicks vs. 76ers playoff games online free through DirecTV Stream here.
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The NBA playoffs are here, and while the Lakers and Nuggets dominate the Western Conference conversation, one of the most-anticipated Eastern Conference matchups pit the number-one seed Boston Celtics versus the eighth-seeded Miami Heat. The Heat made it into the playoffs after surviving the NBA Play-In Tournament, while the Celtics were one of the top teams in the league throughout the entire season.
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Want to watch the Heat vs. Celtics on TV and online? Here’s what you need to know.
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Miami Heat vs. Boston Celtics Playoff Games: Date, Time
The Heat and Celtics kick off their Eastern Conference playoff series today, Sunday, April 21 at 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT from TD Garden in Boston.
Last-minute tickets to watch the Celtics vs. Heats in person are still available on sites like Stubhub, Vivid Seats and SeatGeek. All three sites guarantee that your tickets will be delivered digitally in time for the game or your money back. BONUS: use promo code BILLBOARD10 to save $10 off your purchase at SeatGeek.com.
How to Watch Heat vs. Celtics on TV
If you want to watch the Heat vs. Celtics on TV, today’s game is airing live on ABC. You can watch the Eastern Conference playoff game on TV through your local ABC affiliate.
How to Watch Heat vs. Celtics Online Free
Want to watch the Heat vs. Celtics playoff game online without cable? Get this five-day free trial to DirecTV Stream, which includes a live ABC feed as part of its channel offerings. DirecTV Stream is one of the best streaming services for live sports and one of the easiest ways to stream live TV and sports without cable.
DirecTV Stream lets you watch the Heat vs. Celtics on TV, on your phone, tablet or laptop. Cancel before your free trial is up to avoid being charged.
Another way to livestream the Heat vs. Celtics online free? Use Fubo TV. Fubo also includes ABC as part of its streaming service, and the site is offering a seven-day free trial that you can use to watch the Celtics-Heat game online for free. Fubo’s free trial includes free DVR so you can record the basketball game to watch a Heat-Celtics replay on-demand later.
You can also sign up for NBA League Pass to stream out-of-market NBA playoff games as well as have 24/7 access to highlights, replays, live stats and more.
Heat vs. Celtics Predictions, Odds
The Celtics are favored to win this first-round playoff series, having been one of the most dominant teams in the NBA this year. However, Miami defeated Boston in last year’s Eastern Conference finals, taking it 4-3 in the best-of-seven series. The Celtics will be hoping to avoid a repeat of last year’s performance, as it takes on a motivated Miami team.
Watch the Heat vs. Celtics playoff games online free through FuboTV or DirecTV Stream here.