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Home Blog Page 8628

Favored Huskies wary of Aztecs in championship game


HOUSTON — The trap has been set for the fourth-seeded UConn Huskies.

Prior to the start of the Final Four, the Huskies were installed as prohibitive favorites to claim their fifth national title, a total that would match Duke and Indiana for the fourth most in NCAA Tournament history behind UCLA (11), Kentucky (eight) and North Carolina (six).

The Huskies earned that tag in part because the three other participants — San Diego State, Miami and Florida Atlantic — were all making their first Final Four appearances and because UConn rolled into NRG Stadium having won each of its Tournament games by double digits.

UConn did little to dispel the notion that it is a runaway train with its thorough, 72-59 dispatching of the Hurricanes in the second national semifinal on Saturday. And now, with the fifth-seeded Aztecs standing between UConn and history, the Huskies are leery of the hype.

“The heavy favorites haven’t fared very well in this one,” UConn coach Dan Hurley said. “So we’re just going to try to ignore that tag. I just think it helps us a lot just what we went through in January. We know that if we get away from our identity for a tick, we become very vulnerable.”

After opening the season 14-0, the Huskies (30-8) dropped six of eight games, a slump that both exposed their vulnerabilities and reinforced how UConn has to perform in order to maximize its ample talent. Maintaining its identity includes sourcing points from numerous options offensively, notably via junior forward Adama Sanogo and sophomore guard Jordan Hawkins, while also committing to a brand of defense that is effective if not overlooked by the masses.

What UConn did in stifling Gonzaga and Miami, top-six ranked offenses according to KenPom.com ratings, should not be discounted in any analysis of their title odds. The Huskies held the Bulldogs and Hurricanes to a combined 32.8 percent shooting, and their defensive preparation for the Aztecs (32-6) is foremost in their minds. San Diego State is physical and determined, and UConn is well aware.

“I would say guarding the ball one-on-one and being able to guard the ball screens,” Huskies junior guard Andre Jackson Jr. said. “And the way they’re going to be ducking in our bigs, making sure we cut off those drives and not let them get points at the rim, also keeping them off the offensive glass and defense rebound the ball.”

The Huskies are third in offensive efficiency, according to KenPom. With a multitude of shooters around Sanogo and guards capable of attacking the rim and forcing defenses to collapse, UConn could serve as a stern test for the Aztecs. San Diego State’s brute force and deep collection of grizzled seniors complement its exacting defensive prep.

“Obviously we have to control them in transition,” Aztecs coach Brian Dutcher said. “They’re as good a 3-point shooting team in transition that we’ve played all year.

“And the 3-point shot … it’s such a weapon. We have to take way transition threes. We have to do a good job in the low post on Sanogo. He’s strong and tough.”

No one would question the Aztecs’ mental fortitude. Lamont Butler sent them to Monday with his buzzer-beater against FAU, but San Diego State set the stage for his game-winner by doing the things that have come to represent its identity, namely defend and crash the offensive glass.

Their hometown has embraced everything the Aztecs are. One more win would set off a party.

“It’s an awesome feeling to see that the whole city has our back no matter what happens,” Butler said. “And we’re going to keep doing it for them. We love them. We need their support and we’re going to keep going.”

–MK Bower, Field Level Media

Auburn G Wendell Green Jr. enters name in NBA draft


Auburn guard Wendell Green Jr. announced Sunday that he is declaring for the NBA draft.

Green averaged 13.7 points, 4.1 assists, 3.2 rebounds and 1.7 steals in 34 games (all starts) this season. He averaged 12.9 points and 4.6 assists in two seasons with the Tigers.

“It has been a great honor to play for Auburn University for the past few seasons,” Green said on Twitter. “Thank you to the coaching and training staff for your guidance, advice and leadership. I would also like to thank my teammates and everyone who has played a role in helping me get to where I am today.”

Green played his first season at Eastern Kentucky and averaged 15.8 points for the Colonels before transferring. Over three college seasons between the two schools, he made 150 3-pointers and racked up 155 steals in 97 games (64 starts).

–Field Level Media

Zach Edey, Jerome Tang, Jaylen Clark win Naismith awards


Purdue center Zach Edey was named the Naismith men’s college basketball Player of the Year on Sunday.

Kansas State’s Jerome Tang won Coach of the Year and UCLA guard Jaylen Clark earned Defensive Player of the Year honors.

The Naismith award winners were announced on Sunday in Houston, site of the Final Four.

Edey is the first Canadian to win the award and the second Boilermaker, joining 1994 winner Glenn Robinson.

The 7-foot-4 junior averaged 22.3 points, 12.9 rebounds and 2.1 blocks while leading Purdue (29-6) to Big Ten regular season and tournament championships and a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

Tang guided Kansas State to the Elite Eight and a 26-10 finish in his first season as a college head coach. He was the Big 12 Coach of the Year.

“I’m honored and blessed to be named the Werner Ladder Naismith Men’s Coach of the Year,” Tang said in a press release. “There have been a lot of great coaching jobs this season, and to be recognized among them is truly a humbling experience for me.”

Clark is the first UCLA player to win Defensive Player of the Year since the award’s introduction in 2018.

The 6-foot-5 junior averaged 13.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.6 steals per game and helped the Bruins win the Pac-12 regular season title and finish 31-6.

–Field Level Media

Michigan G Kobe Bufkin to give up eligibility, enter draft


Michigan sophomore guard Kobe Bufkin announced Sunday that he is entering the 2023 NBA Draft, with the program confirming he had decided to give up his remaining eligibility.

Bufkin made the announcement on social media, thanking his family, coaches, teammates and friends for their support.

“It has been an amazing experience, being a part of such an iconic university,” the Michigan native wrote.

The former McDonald’s All-American becomes the latest Wolverines starter to leave the program. Center Hunter Dickinson entered the transfer portal, and freshman guard Jett Howard, son of Michigan coach Juwan Howard, also is entering the draft.

Bufkin started 33 games for the Wolverines during the season, averaging 14.0 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game.

The Wolverines were 18-16 in the 2022-23 season and did not qualify for the NCAA Tournament.

–Field Level Media

NBA roundup: Knicks get by Wizards, clinch playoff berth


Quentin Grimes and Jalen Brunson scored 27 points apiece to lead a balanced scoring attack Sunday night for the New York Knicks, who clinched a playoff spot by pulling away from the visiting Washington Wizards and earning a 118-109 victory.

The Knicks, who have won four straight and seven of their last 10, are headed to the playoffs for the second time in the last three seasons — the first time New York has made the postseason at least twice in a three-year span since qualifying three straight times from 2010-11 through 2012-13.

Corey Kispert scored a career-high 29 points for the undermanned Wizards, who were eliminated from play-in contention with the win by the Atlanta Hawks against the Dallas Mavericks later Sunday night.

Grimes’ 3-pointer with 4:33 left in the third quarter gave New York the lead for good at 72-69 and began a quarter-ending 17-10 run in which Grimes and Brunson combined for the first 15 points. Obi Toppin opened the fourth quarter with a 3-pointer to give the Knicks their first double-digit lead at 89-79. New York led by no fewer than eight and by as many as 20 the rest of the way.

Hawks 132, Mavericks 130 (OT)

Trae Young scored 24 points and hit a pair of free throws with 1.8 seconds left in overtime to give Atlanta a win against visiting Dallas.

The Mavericks had a chance to win the game, but Luka Doncic missed a 3-pointer with 0.2 seconds remaining, and Dallas dropped its third straight game and fell for the seventh time in its last eight meetings. The Mavericks had a chance to win the game with 1.2 seconds left in regulation, but Christian Wood missed the second of two free-throw attempts to leave Dallas one point behind.

Atlanta got 25 points from Dejounte Murray, 18 points and 10 rebounds from John Collins and 14 points and 11 boards from Clint Capela. Kyrie Irving collected 41 points — his most since joining the Mavericks. Dallas also got 22 points, seven rebounds and seven assists from Doncic and 18 points from Wood.

Suns 128, Thunder 118

Kevin Durant scored 35 points to lead Phoenix past host Oklahoma City for its fifth consecutive win.

Durant scored 13 of his points in the fourth quarter, helping the Suns hold off a Thunder rally. Oklahoma City has lost five of its last seven but remained a game up on Dallas for 10th in the West — the final spot in the play-in tournament.

Devin Booker finished with 22 points and 10 assists for the Suns, while Deandre Ayton had 19 points and 11 rebounds. Chris Paul had 16 points and eight assists. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 39 points for the Thunder, and Josh Giddey added 16 points, nine rebounds and eight assists.

Spurs 142, Kings 134 (OT)

Doug McDermott poured in nine of his season-best 30 points in overtime as visiting San Antonio outlasted Sacramento to snap a six-game losing streak.

Julian Champagnie added a career-high 26 points for the Spurs. Tre Jones racked up 17 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds for San Antonio.

De’Aaron Fox led the Kings with 28 points while Domantas Sabonis had 26 points and eight rebounds.

Cavaliers 115, Pacers 105

Donovan Mitchell scored 40 points, Evan Mobley posted a double-double of 14 points and 16 rebounds and host Cleveland beat Indiana.

Mitchell shot 14-for-25 from the floor and 9-for-12 from the free-throw line en route to his 12th 40-plus-point game of the season and second against the Pacers.

Seven Pacers scored in double figures, led by Bennedict Mathurin’s 19 points. Mathurin also grabbed nine rebounds.

Raptors 128, Hornets 108

Pascal Siakam poured in 36 points and visiting Toronto had an easy time in a victory against Charlotte.

Fred VanVleet scored 20 points and also set a franchise record with 20 assists, becoming the first player in Raptors history to have a 20-point, 20-assist game. O.G. Anunoby’s 23 points were also big for the Raptors, who are closing in on an Eastern Conference play-in tournament slot.

Svi Mykhailiuk’s 26 points paced the Hornets, who have lost two games in a row following a three-game winning streak. James Bouknight racked up 21 points off the bench, while Mark Williams provided 15 points and 12 rebounds.

Bulls 128, Grizzlies 107

Zach LaVine scored a game-high 36 points and had nine assists, DeMar DeRozan added 31 points and seven assists and Chicago engineered a big second-half comeback to knock off visiting Memphis.

Chicago rallied from down 23 points in the first half with a dominant third quarter on both ends of the court. The Bulls held the Grizzlies to just 16 points in the period on 5-of-18 shooting, while knocking down 17 of 27 shot attempts for 40 points on the other end.

Nikola Vucevic recorded his 48th double-double of the season with 13 points and 10 rebounds for the Bulls. Desmond Bane scored 21 points for the Grizzlies, Ja Morant notched 17 — part of a triple-double along with his 10 rebounds and 10 assists — and Dillon Brooks scored 14 points.

Trail Blazers 107, Timberwolves 105

Shaedon Sharpe scored 27 points, including a hook shot with 24 seconds left, and Portland snapped a five-game losing streak with a win over Minnesota in Minneapolis.

After Sharpe’s basket put Portland ahead 106-103, Anthony Edwards scored on the next possession before Drew Eubanks made 1 of 2 free-throw attempts with 14.4 seconds remaining. Kyle Anderson missed a layup in the final second that would have forced overtime.

Edwards led Minnesota with 37 points, while Anderson added 13 points, eight rebounds and seven assists.

Nets 111, Jazz 110

Mikal Bridges scored 30 points and Brooklyn survived a late scare from Utah in New York.

Cameron Johnson finished with 18 points, including a pair of free throws with 14 seconds remaining, and Spencer Dinwiddie totaled 17 points and 12 assists to help the Nets win their third straight and move closer to clinching a playoff spot.

Talen Horton-Tucker sparked a huge Jazz comeback, scoring 32 points and dishing out eight assists, but Utah’s rally from down 23 points in the fourth came up just short. Kelly Olynyk, who hauled in 15 rebounds, missed a game-winning attempt at the buzzer. Lauri Markkanen returned to action, scoring 23 points with nine rebounds.

Magic 128, Pistons 102

Jalen Suggs led eight players in double figures with 18 points as host Orlando handed Detroit its ninth straight loss.

Cole Anthony had 17 points and six rebounds for Orlando, which tied its season high with 17 3-pointers and shot 57.3 percent from the field. Detroit had a one-point lead two minutes into the game. Wendell Carter Jr. then knocked down a 3-pointer and the Magic never trailed again.

The Pistons have lost 23 of their last 25 games. They were led by Killian Hayes, who had 20 points and seven assists. Eugene Omoruyi supplied 19 points and Jaden Ivey had 14 points with six assists.

Lakers 134, Rockets 109

Anthony Davis recorded his third 40-point game of the season, LeBron James posted his second triple-double and Rui Hachimura scored 20 points off the bench as Los Angeles rolled past host Houston for its sixth win in seven games.

Davis finished 15-for-20 from the floor and 10-for-12 from the free-throw line. He also snagged nine rebounds. James facilitated with aplomb, producing a team-leading 11 assists in addition to his 18 points and 10 rebounds.

The Rockets’ starting backcourt of Kevin Porter Jr. and Jalen Green combined for 44 points with Green adding seven assists. Alperen Sengun posted his 26th double-double with 18 points and 15 rebounds while dishing out five assists. Sengun added three blocks and two steals.

Bucks 117, 76ers 104

Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 33 points and grabbed 14 rebounds, leading Milwaukee to a bounce-back win over visiting Philadelphia.

Brook Lopez added 21 points while Khris Middleton scored 19 points along with a team-high nine assists for the Bucks. Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey carried the load for Philadelphia, scoring 57 of the 76ers’ 104 points with Maxey ultimately leading with 29.

The Bucks led 69-53 at halftime, with Antetokounmpo already at 19 points on 8-for-10 shooting. Then came the third quarter, where the 76ers would go on a run, shrinking their deficit to just four at one point. The 76ers’ run was short-lived, as Milwaukee stormed back at the end of the third, capped off by an emphatic dunk from Antetokounmpo just before the buzzer sounded. The Bucks led 96-82 going into the fourth and would not look back.

Nuggets 112, Warriors 110

Michael Porter Jr. had 29 points and 11 rebounds, Jamal Murray scored 26 points and host Denver beat Golden State to move within a game of clinching the top seed in the Western Conference with four to play.

Klay Thompson scored 25 points, Stephen Curry had 21 and Donte DiVincenzo added 18 to go with 13 rebounds, four assists and two steals as the Warriors slipped into a tie with the Los Angeles Clippers for fifth in the Western Conference, just a half-game ahead of the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Nuggets played their third straight game without two-time MVP Nikola Jokic, who is dealing with calf tightness. Zeke Nnaji (knee) was also out, leaving Denver without two centers.

–Field Level Media

Nuggets narrowly hold off Warriors, close in on No. 1 seed


Michael Porter Jr. had 29 points and 11 rebounds, Jamal Murray scored 26 points and the host Denver Nuggets beat the Golden State Warriors 112-110 on Sunday night.

Bruce Brown scored 14 points, Aaron Gordon had 13 points and 10 rebounds and Jeff Green had 10 points for Denver (52-26), which moved within a game of clinching the top seed in the Western Conference with four to play.

Klay Thompson scored 25 points, Stephen Curry had 21, Donte DiVincenzo added 18 and Jordan Poole finished with 17 for Golden State (41-38). The Warriors slipped into a tie with the Los Angeles Clippers for fifth in the Western Conference, just a half-game ahead of the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Nuggets played their third straight game without two-time MVP Nikola Jokic, who is dealing with calf tightness. Zeke Nnaji (knee) was also out, leaving Denver without two centers.

Golden State led by as much as 15 points in the second quarter but the Nuggets rallied to make it 61-58 at intermission.

The Warriors opened up a 71-63 lead on Curry’s first 3-pointer of the game but Denver came back. Murray and Green hit consecutive 3-pointers, Curry missed on the other end and Murray found Gordon for a dunk to tie it.

Golden State missed a layup out of a timeout and Porter’s follow dunk gave the Nuggets their first lead since it was 2-0. They expanded their advantage to five points late in the period and took an 89-87 lead into the fourth quarter.

Denver increased its lead to 99-92 on a fadeaway by Gordon. The Warriors scored the next four points but consecutive 3-pointers by Murray made it 105-96 with 6:27 left.

Rookie Peyton Watson had six points in the fourth quarter to lead a late charge that gave the Nuggets an 11-point lead but Golden State rallied. Thompson’s 3-pointer made it a two-point game with 20 seconds left and a tie-up gave the Warriors one last chance.

Thompson missed two 3-pointers in the final seconds that would have won it for Golden State.

–Field Level Media

Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks overwhelm 76ers


Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 33 points and grabbed 14 rebounds, leading the Milwaukee Bucks to a bounce-back 117-104 win over the visiting Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday.

Brook Lopez added 21 points while Khris Middleton scored 19 points along with a team-high nine assists for the Bucks (56-22). Bobby Portis and Jrue Holiday each contributed 18 points.

Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey carried the load for Philadelphia (51-27), scoring 57 of the 76ers’ 104 points with Maxey ultimately leading with 29.

It was a strong start for Milwaukee after one of its worst offensive performances of the season in their previous game on Thursday, a 140-99 home loss to Boston. The Bucks made 12 of their first 13 shot attempts Sunday, shooting 69.6 percent in a 41-point first quarter.

The Bucks led 69-53 at halftime, with Antetokounmpo already at 19 points on 8-for-10 shooting.

Then came the third quarter, where the 76ers would go on a run, shrinking their deficit to just four at one point. Grayson Allen exited in the third quarter for Milwaukee after limping off the court in obvious pain. The Bucks said Allen suffered a right ankle sprain.

Philadelphia guard James Harden reached a milestone in the third, passing the 7,000-assist mark for his career. Harden currently ranks 20th on the NBA’s all-time assist leaderboard and fourth among active players.

The 76ers’ run was short-lived, as Milwaukee stormed back at the end of the third, capped off by an emphatic dunk from Antetokounmpo just before the buzzer sounded. The Bucks led 96-82 going into the fourth and would not look back.

Milwaukee split the season series against Philadelphia 2-2 after the 76ers won the previous two matchups. The Bucks now sit two games above Boston for the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference and their magic number to clinch the top spot is now three. Philadelphia fell five games behind the Bucks in the third spot.

–Field Level Media

Donovan Mitchell’s 40 points boost Cavs over Pacers


Donovan Mitchell scored 40 points, Evan Mobley posted a double-double of 14 points and 16 rebounds and the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the visiting Indiana Pacers 115-105 on Sunday.

Mitchell shot 14-of-25 from the floor and 9-of-12 from the free-throw line en route to his 12th 40-plus-point game of the season and second against the Pacers on the campaign.

However, it was the Cavaliers’ collective effort that ignited a pivotal fourth-quarter run, as Darius Garland scored five of his 20 points and Caris LeVert added five of his 15 points off the bench during a 12-4 spurt that gave Cleveland a lead it never relinquished.

Garland distributed a team-high six assists, doing his part to facilitate Cleveland finishing with four of its starters scoring at least 14 points. Jarrett Allen finished with 15 on 6-of-9 shooting from the floor and grabbed seven rebounds.

The win snapped a two-game skid for Cleveland (49-30), which maintained a three-game lead over New York for the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference.

Indiana (34-45), eliminated from play-in contention, took the fight to Cleveland. The Pacers built a first-half lead of as many as 11 points and rode a balanced offensive attack.

Seven Pacers scored in double figures, led by Bennedict Mathurin’s 19 points. Mathurin also grabbed nine rebounds.

T.J. McConnell came off the bench to score 16 points and dish five assists, Andrew Nembhard posted 13 points and a game-high eight assists, and Jordan Nwora registered a double-double of 15 points and 10 rebounds.

Aaron Nesmith’s 14 points, with 12 and 10 off the bench from Jalen Smith and Buddy Hield, rounded out Indiana’s well-distributed scoring.

The loss marked Indiana’s fifth in the last six games. Despite their even scoring, the Pacers were hamstrung by a shaky 43.4 percent output (36 of 83) from the floor. Cleveland went 44 of 90 (48.9 percent).

–Field Level Media

Kevin Durant (35 points), Suns fend off Thunder


Kevin Durant scored 35 points to lead the Phoenix Suns to a 128-118 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday in Oklahoma City.

Durant scored 13 of his points in the fourth quarter, helping the Suns hold off a Thunder rally.

Phoenix (43-35) has won five consecutive games, its longest winning streak since November.

Oklahoma City (38-41) has lost five of its last seven but remained a game up on Dallas for the 10th spot in the Western Conference – the final spot in the play-in tournament — thanks to the Mavericks’ loss to Atlanta earlier Sunday.

Oklahoma City cut what was a 16-point Suns lead to three on Isaiah Joe’s 3-pointer with just more than five minutes remaining.

But Durant answered Joe’s three with one of his own and Deandre Ayton grabbed a rebound and hit a shot on the other end moments later to put the Suns back in control.

Chris Paul assisted on both Durant’s and Ayton’s baskets.

Devin Booker finished with 22 points and 10 assists for the Suns while Ayton had 19 points and 11 rebounds.

Paul had 16 points and eight assists — five in the fourth quarter.

The Suns led by as many as 15 in the third quarter before Oklahoma City cut the deficit to six with an 11-2 run in less than two minutes midway through the quarter.

Phoenix stretched the lead to 11 before the Thunder made their fourth-quarter push.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 39 points, making all 17 free throws he attempted.

Josh Giddey added 16 points, nine rebounds and eight assists. The game was tied entering the second quarter but the Suns came alive in the second.

Phoenix hit 14 of 20 from the floor, scoring 42 points in the quarter to take a 14-point lead into halftime.

The Thunder kept a seat open for the late wife of Suns coach Monty Williams.

Ingrid Williams died in a car accident in Oklahoma City in 2016 when Monty Williams was an assistant coach for the Thunder.

–Field Level Media

Anthony Davis scores 40 as Lakers rout Rockets


Anthony Davis recorded his third 40-point game of the season, LeBron James posted his second triple-double and Rui Hachimura scored 20 points off the bench as the Los Angeles Lakers rolled to a 134-109 victory over the host Houston Rockets on Sunday, their sixth in seven games.

Davis tallied 27 of his game-high 40 points in a dominant first half, shooting 11-of-16 from the floor prior to the intermission while grabbing six rebounds and blocking two shots. It marked Davis’ fourth game eclipsing 30 points in his last five starts, and his early thrust provided the Lakers (40-38) the momentum needed to explode out of the gate.

Davis finished 15-of-20 from the floor and 10-of-12 from the free-throw line. He also snagged nine rebounds.

James facilitated with aplomb, producing a team-leading 11 assists in addition to his 18 points and 10 rebounds. Hachimura added his highest point total since joining the Lakers prior to the trade deadline, shooting 10-of-14 from the floor while delivering 12 rebounds and three blocks.

With the Rockets (19-60) providing little resistance defensively, the Lakers shot 55.9 percent despite missing 21 of 30 3-pointers and losing guard D’Angelo Russell to left foot soreness at halftime.

The Rockets’ starting backcourt of Kevin Porter Jr. and Jalen Green combined for 44 points with Green adding seven assists. Alperen Sengun posted his 26th double-double with 18 points and 15 rebounds while dishing out five assists. Sengun added three blocks and two steals.

The Lakers assisted on 10 of their 15 first-quarter field goals, scored 24 points in the paint and six in transition while racing to a 35-21 lead by the end of the opening period. Davis had 13 points in the frame and added 14 more in the second quarter, although the Rockets proved up to the challenge with their 39-point second.

Houston trailed by as many as 19 points in the first half but sliced that margin to 68-60 on Porter’s 3-pointer with 32.0 seconds remaining.

But Davis converted a layup that provided the Lakers a 10-point halftime lead, and when Hachimura slalomed through the Houston defense in the final five seconds of the third, his buzzer-beating layup pushed the Lakers’ lead to 101-83.

–Field Level Media