moranelkarifnews : Finally a postseason force, Julius Randle credits Kobe Bryant for instilling 'Mamba Mentality'
Julius Randle had just scored 31 points, his career-high in the playoffs. He was a game removed from his first postseason triple-double. After his team’s Game 4 win over the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday night, Randle was asked about how he’s been able to finally shake his reputation as a player who fades during […]
moranelkarifnews : Shai Gilgeous-Alexander meets the moment in Game 5 as Thunder surge late to stun Nuggets
OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma City Thunder never railed against the prevailing narrative that has followed them through two stellar regular seasons and two runs to the conference semifinals. They never outwardly fought back against the belief that they’re too young, too naive and not desperate enough to recognize a moment, to play with urgency […]
moranelkarifnews : NBA playoffs: Thunder erase double-digit deficit to take 3-2 lead vs. Nuggets
It’s been more difficult than expected, but the Oklahoma City Thunder are a win away from surviving the Denver Nuggets. The owners of the top record in the NBA this season erased a double-digit lead in the fourth quarter of Game 5 to win 112-105 and take a 3-2 lead in their second-round series. Game […]
moranelkarifnews : Pacers see off top-seeded Cavaliers to reach finals
It is the first time since 2005 against Boston that the Pacers have won three road games in a play-off series [Getty Images] The Indiana Pacers reached the NBA’s Eastern Conference finals for the second year running by beating top seeds the Cleveland Cavaliers in game five. Tyrese Haliburton scored 31 points and added eight […]
moranelkarifnews : NBA playoffs: Donovan Mitchell returns to court to sit on bench an hour after Cavaliers eliminated: 'We'll be back'
Donovan Mitchell was incredibly emotional about the Cleveland Cavaliers‘ season, one of the best ones in team history that ended abruptly Tuesday night. The Indiana Pacers held on late to beat the Cavaliers in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, which gave them the 4-1 series win and secured their second straight trip to […]
moranelkarifnews : Gilgeous-Alexander scores 31 as Thunder beat Nuggets 112-105 and take 3-2 lead in West semifinals
May 13, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) drives to the basket beside Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun (0) during the second half of game five of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) […]
moranelkarifnews : Bulls lose coin flip to the Mavericks, miss out on Cooper Flagg in 2025 NBA Draft
The Chicago Bulls got the 12th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft after an ill-fated coin toss with the Dallas Mavericks. On Monday, the Mavericks shockingly won the sweepstakes for Duke standout Cooper Flagg after winning the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery despite having an extended season in the Play-In Tournament. During the lottery, Bulls insider […]
moranelkarifnews : Cavaliers offseason outlook: Don't panic and run it all back
Sometimes you can do everything right and still miss your target because the stars simply didn’t align at the right time. In many ways, that’s the story of the 2024-25 Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cavs started their season well before it actually began, hiring head coach Kenny Atkinson, a move that helped Cleveland catapult itself to […]
moranelkarifnews : Warriors must avoid another catastrophic quarter to survive Game 5
Warriors must avoid another catastrophic quarter to survive Game 5 originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area Erasing the white board and starting from scratch, the Warriors’ Game 2 loss against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference semifinals was a wash. Steve Kerr tried, quite literally, everybody. When the final buzzer rang, the Warriors […]
moranelkarifnews : Where the Mavs' 2025 NBA Draft Lottery win ranks among the most unlikely ever
Where the Mavs’ 2025 NBA Draft Lottery win ranks among the most unlikely ever originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia The ping pong balls bounced the Dallas Mavericks’ way in the Cooper Flagg sweepstakes. The Mavericks bolted to the top of the 2025 NBA Draft board thanks to one of the most unlikely draft lottery […]