Hoops Rumors

The Pacers took a 2-1 series lead over the Bucks on Friday in their first home playoff game in five years. As Kelly Iko of The Athletic writes, the Bucks did a good job of defending Indiana’s preferred style of play. Milwaukee overcame a 19-point Pacers lead to force overtime behind a miraculous Khris Middleton three-pointer, and another to tie the game with 6.7 seconds left in … [Read more...] about Central Notes: Bucks/Pacers Series, Haliburton, Lillard, Middleton, Pistons

Pascal Siakam has been everything the Pacers had hoped he’d be when they traded for him at the deadline, IndyStar’s Dustin Dopirak writes. In two playoff games with Indiana, Siakam is averaging 36.5 points, 12.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists while making 64.6% of his shots. He helped propel the Pacers to a Game 2 victory. “I just was taking what’s out there,” Siakam said after Game … [Read more...] about Central Notes: Siakam, Bucks, Pistons Offseason

Damian Lillard erupted for 35 points in Game 1 of the Bucks’ first-round series against the Pacers. He longtime All-Star guard was itching to get back into the postseason after a two-year absence with Portland, Jamal Collier of ESPN writes. “The last two years not being in the playoffs, it (stunk),” Lillard said. “Early vacations. Last year, I went to Coachella. I ain’t never … [Read more...] about Carlisle: Have To Be Way Better

After the NBA playoffs tipped off on Saturday with a handful of one-sided contests, things got a little more interesting on Sunday and Monday, with the Thunder, Knicks, and Nuggets among the teams to pull out victories in games that went down to the wire. All three days of the playoffs so far, however, have had one thing in common: The home team has won. The road teams have an … [Read more...] about Community Shootaround: First Round Playoff Series

Sixers guard Tyrese Maxey has won the NBA’s Most Improved Player award for the 2023/24 season, the league’s communications department tweets. Maxey edged out Bulls guard Coby White for the award. Maxey received 51 of 99 first-place votes while recording 319 voting points. White had just 32 first-place votes, but showed up on more ballots (91) than Maxey (79) and compiled 305 … [Read more...] about Sixers’ Maxey Named Most Improved Player