The Mavericks interrupted Russell Westbrook's pregame dance party All season long, superstar Russell Westbrook and rookie Cameron Payne have entertained Oklahoma City Thunder fans and non-partisan observers alike with their pregame dancing ritual. (Oh, that's right — pardon me, I'm using the generic term rather than the brand name, which is like saying adhesive bandages instead of Band-Aids. … [Read more...]

5-on-5: Best, worst, predictions for West playoffs Apr 14, 2016 print Now that we're through the first weekend of the 2016 NBA Playoffs, what stood out? Were there any surprises? Our 5-on-5 crew weighs in on the West. 1. West player of the weekend? Amin Elhassan, ESPN Insider: Stephen Curry. Not only was he scintillating when he was on the floor, demoralizing the Rockets into shouting … [Read more...]

5-on-5: Best, worst, predictions for East playoffs Apr 14, 2016 print We're through the first weekend of the 2016 NBA Playoffs. What stood out? And what are we looking forward to next? Our 5-on-5 crew weighs in on the East. 1. East player of the weekend? Chris Forsberg, ESPN.com: Paul George. George kicked in the postseason door with an absolutely dominant second half against the … [Read more...]

Reggie Miller thinks TNT's batch of ex-jocks could beat Memphis That Reggie Miller, he sure is a cad. [Follow Dunks Don't Lie on Tumblr: The best slams from all of basketball] The TNT color analyst has a rather, um, polarizing reputation amongst those that watch him call games for the network, as he’s carried over the outlandish verbal jabs that marked his playing career into the booth in … [Read more...]

Phil Jackson denies offering Luke Walton the Knicks' coaching job Phil Jackson seems a little cranky, and for once we can’t blame him. [Follow Dunks Don't Lie on Tumblr: The best slams from all of basketball] The Knicks president has had to work through endless bouts of rumor-mongering and criticism about his beloved triangle offense in his 25 months on the job, as if he’d expect anything … [Read more...]

Kawhi Leonard wins second consecutive Defensive Player of the Year San Antonio’s Kawhi Leonard has won the 2015-16 NBA Defensive Player of the Year award, to the consternation of absolutely nobody. This is the Spurs’ swingman second consecutive DPoY win. [Follow Dunks Don't Lie on Tumblr: The best slams from all of basketball] Also for the second year in a row Leonard edged out Golden State … [Read more...]

Trail Blazers had no answers for Clippers in Game 1 loss 7:55 AM ET Kevin ArnovitzESPN Staff Writer Close NBA writer for ESPN.com since 2008 Former contributor and editor at NPR print LOS ANGELES -- At its very essence, playoff basketball is an exercise in problem-solving -- and that’s especially true for the underdog. On Sunday night in their series opener at Staples Center against … [Read more...]

Basketball Daily Dose: Dose: Blowout Sunday Cleveland pulls out Game 1 win over Detroit Prediction: Cavs in 4 The Cavs took Game 1 of their first-round series against the Pistons behind a big effort from the Cavs’ Big Three, with LeBron James, Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving combining to score 81 of Cleveland’s 106 points. LeBron James did LeBron James things with 22 points, 11 boards, six assists, … [Read more...]

The Clippers' stars shine bright in Game 1 blowout of Blazers Prior to Sunday, we wondered whether Blake Griffin would look healthy enough to play like a star, whether Chris Paul would continue to control his star matchup at the point with Damian Lillard, and whether the DeAndre Jordan-led Los Angeles Clippers defense could clamp down on a Portland Trail Blazers squad that finished the … [Read more...]

Young Pistons don't wilt under playoff spotlight but can't pull out victory 9:43 PM ET Nick FriedellESPN Staff Writer Close Nick Friedell is the Chicago Bulls beat reporter for ESPN Chicago. Friedell is a graduate of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University and joined ESPNChicago.com for its launch in April 2009. print CLEVELAND -- Stan Van … [Read more...]