Tag: NBA playoffs

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With Suns’ stars rolling, Bucks must be better in NBA Finals

PHOENIX (AP) — At their best, the Phoenix Suns have three players who can take over a game. There’s Chris Paul and Devin Booker, breaking down defenses from the backcourt. Deandre Ayton has been a beast on the backboards and almost automatic as a shooter.

When all three are rolling the way they were in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, it’s easy to see why this could finally be the Suns’ championship chance.

“We have a real team,” Paul said Wednesday, “like a team where you can’t just key on one guy or two guys.” The Milwaukee Bucks are supposed to . . .

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ESPN takes Nichols off NBA Finals duty after leaked comments

PHOENIX (AP) — ESPN replaced Rachel Nichols as its sideline reporter for the NBA Finals following a report detailing critical comments she made about Black colleague Maria Taylor.

The network announced Tuesday that Malika Andrews would handle that role for the series between the Phoenix Suns and Milwaukee Bucks.

Nichols, who is white, has been the sideline reporter for its top national games this season and for last year’s NBA Finals. But the switch was made after The New York Times reported Sunday on her comments last year, when she . . .

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Paul carries Suns past Giannis, Bucks in NBA Finals opener

PHOENIX (AP) — Chris Paul waited 16 years to get to the NBA Finals, bringing with him a team starving for its first championship. The setting was entirely new. The performance was same ol’ Chris Paul.

“Just knew he’s ready,” Phoenix forward Mikal Bridges said. “He’s prepared his whole life for this moment and it shows out there on the court.”

Paul had 32 points and nine assists in an NBA Finals debut that was well worth the wait, Devin Booker scored . . .

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Finally! Bucks, Suns set for the NBA Finals after long waits

PHOENIX (AP) — Chris Paul walked up the stairs and took a seat in front of the NBA Finals logo, a climb that took him 16 years to complete. The Phoenix Suns and Milwaukee Bucks are used to enduring long waits.

They came into the NBA together in 1968 and between them have managed to win one championship. They’ve combined for only one trip to the finals since the mid-1970s.

Now here they both are, a couple of unfamiliar contestants to finish off a most unusual . . .

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Bucks’ Antetokounmpo out, Hawks’ Young cleared for Game 6

ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Hawks will have top scorer Trae Young in uniform for Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals on Saturday night, when Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo will sit out again.

Antetokounmpo, the two-time MVP, will miss his second straight game in the series, which the Bucks were leading 3-2.

Antetokounmpo hyperextended his left knee in Game 4 after landing awkwardly trying to contest a dunk by Clint Capela.

Bobby Portis was expected to get his second straight playoff start after scoring 22 points and grabbing eight . . .

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NBA East final remains in holding pattern over key injuries

ATLANTA (AP) — It has become a familiar holding pattern in the Eastern Conference final. The wait to see who’s going to play. Nothing has changed with the series headed back to Atlanta for a potentially clinching Game 6 Saturday night between the Hawks and the Milwaukee Bucks.

Milwaukee is up 3-2 and can lock up its first trip to the NBA Finals since 1974. The Hawks, who haven’t made it to the final round since their days in St. Louis, are hoping to force the series back to Wisconsin for a decisive Game 7 on Monday night.

The Phoenix Suns have already locked up the Western Conference crown and are awaiting the Milwaukee . . .

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