8:00 AM ET MIAMI — The Boston Celtics are a team of long-distance runners. For years, former Celtics president Danny Ainge employed a consultant that would identify draft picks and free agents’ “brain types” under the belief that certain personality traits made for better players. Ainge and that system are gone, but the Celtics —
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1:04 AM ET Tim BontempsESPN MIAMI — For the first few minutes of Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals, it appeared the Boston Celtics could be in some trouble. They left Miami’s shooters open for three quick 3-pointers. They allowed the Heat to get multiple second-chance opportunities. Robert Williams looked uncomfortable defending in space,
10:50 PM ET Associated Press SCARBOROUGH, Ontario — Rapper J. Cole will play another season of pro basketball, this time in Canada. The Canadian Elite Basketball League tweeted Thursday night that the 37-year-old rapper will join the Scarborough Shooting Stars in the coming season as a guard. The season begins Wednesday. Cole, whose full name
5:30 PM ET Tim BontempsESPN Philadelphia’s City Council decided to give Joel Embiid an MVP award Thursday morning. But rather than the NBA’s Most Valuable Player award that the superstar center for the Philadelphia 76ers hoped to win this year — he wound up finishing second behind Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic — he’ll have
9:55 AM ET The Basketball Tournament will play one of its eight regionals at historic Rucker Park in New York City, the first time the annual event will hold games outdoors. The TBT announced Thursday that Rucker Park will host games from July 16-20, with the winner moving on to the quarterfinals at the University
12:35 PM ET Tim BontempsESPN MIAMI — The Boston Celtics say center Al Horford is available to play in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals after he missed the series-opening loss to the Miami Heat following his entry into the NBA’s health and safety protocols. Horford abruptly entered the protocols shortly before Tuesday’s Game
3:42 PM ET Associated Press CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Mitch Kupchak has signed a multiyear contract extension Thursday to remain general manager of the Charlotte Hornets. Kupchak’s contract was set to expire this summer. “For better or for worse, I will be here for the next couple of years,” Kupchak said on a videoconference call. He
10:00 AM ET All odds are provided by Caesars Sportsbook. What you need to know for Celtics-Heat Game 2 Fading Mr. buckets? Jimmy Butler was nothing short of special in Game 1. He shot 63.2% from the floor and made 17 free throws and Butler matched up well with Boston on Tuesday night. However, a
8:00 AM ET Mark Fainaru-Wada Close ESPN Staff Writer Investigative reporter for ESPN’s Enterprise and Investigative Unit since 2007 Co-author of New York Times best-selling books “League of Denial” and “Game of Shadows” Co-winner, 2004 George Polk Award Steve Fainaru Close ESPN Senior Writer Winner, 2008 Pulitzer Prize in International Reporting Four-time first-place winner in
2:19 AM ET Kendra AndrewsESPN SAN FRANCISCO — On a night that every Golden State Warriors player to play meaningful minutes finished in double-figure scoring, it was their defense that propelled them to their 112-87 win over the Dallas Mavericks in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals. Heading into this series, the Warriors were