Basketball

The Boston Celtics were outscored 39-14 in the third quarter, leading to their inevitable 118-107 Game 1 loss to the Miami Heat. The disappointing, shocking third quarter led to Marcus Smart laying into his teammates. Smart missed Game 1 due to a right mid-foot sprain he suffered during Game 7…

Everything that Kobe Bryant did on the court—the five rings, the 33,643 points, the dunks, the game-winners—he did with an important pair of sneakers on his feet. He started with adidas, mixed in a handful of other brands and he ended with Nike, making his sneaker legacy just as noteworthy…

Photo: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports After knocking out the top-seeded Phoenix Suns, the fourth-seeded Dallas Mavericks advanced to the Western Conference finals for the first time since 2011. Meanwhile, the Mavericks swingman and co-founder of venture firm Eonxi, Spencer Dinwiddie, has a $1 bonus in his contract if Dallas…

Much of the credit for Miami’s Game 1 over Boston will be given to their second-half effort on defense. But an equal amount of credit is owed to the two-way efforts of Jimmy Butler, who was the lynchpin of Miami’s defensive masterpiece in the final 24 minutes of the game….

Jimmy Butler dropped 41 points, and the Miami Heat outscored the Boston Celtics 64-45 in the second half to take Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, 117-108. Butler’s 41-point effort is his fifth of the postseason. He is the second player in franchise history to record five 40+ point…

The Celtics have announced that Marcus Smart and Al Horford will miss Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. The Celtics announced Marcus Smart and Al Horford are both out tonight. Horford is in the health and safety protocols, and Smart suffered a foot sprain in Game 7. — Tim…

Andrew Wiggins has grown before his eyes through his first 11 career playoff games. The former No. 1 overall draft pick has accepted the playoff challenge, shown off his confidence and swagger, and let his hustle and athleticism let the world know he’s not only a bucket but a two-way…

Since Warriors GM Bob Meyers drafted Jordan Poole 28th overall in the 2019 NBA Draft, the former Michigan Wolverine’s game and skill set has grown exponentially. Poole has put it all together during the Warriors’ playoff run to the Western Conference Finals, averaging 19.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 4.8 assists…

Photo: Rocky Widner/Getty Images In this VladTV clip, former NBA star guard Gilbert Arenas and Vlad continued their discussion of trans women and girls entering women’s sports and debated the potential rules governing those transitioning from men’s to women’s sports. The ex-Washington Wizards point guard explained why he thinks it…

The NBA Draft Lottery takes place on Tuesday ahead of Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Miami Heat and the Boston Celtic. Teams that sneak into the top four will have the chance to select Chet Holmgren, Jabari Smith Jr., Paolo Banchero, and Jaden Ivey. The Rockets,…