As of Feb. 3, both Nets’ Kevin Durant (MCL) and Warriors’ Draymond Green (back) are unlikely to be available for the 2022 All-Star Game due to injuries. NBA LEAGUE PASS: Sign up to unlock live out-of-market games (7-day free trial) So it would be safe to expect an announcement from NBA Commissioner Adam Silver soon, naming the injury replacements to the All-Star Game for these former teammates. Even since the All-Star Game’s new format, involving captains and drafts, the replacements have been named from the same Conference as the injured player....

With all of the events complete (and no NBA games on the schedule until Thursday), let’s take a closer look at who got the most out of the NBA All-Star break — and who is hoping for a better trip next year. ALL-STAR 2018: Team LeBron defeats Team Stephen in thrilling contest NBA All-Star weekend winners LeBron James: A third All-Star Game MVP landed in James’ hands after a line of 29 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists, and Team LeBron beat Team Stephen in a contest full of effort and actual excitement in the fourth quarter....

NBA betting info: Lines and totals | Power ratings | ATS standings L.A. Clippers at Chicago Bulls (-1, 201) Rose had surgery on Friday morning for a torn meniscus in his knee and is out 4-6 weeks. The oft-injured point guard has played 46 games this season after being limited to just 49 total over the last three regular seasons. Chicago (37-22 SU, 27-32 ATS) has played two games since Rose went out, home against Charlotte (98-86 loss as 7-point favorites) on Wednesday and Minnesota (96-89 win as 5....

First up is the Thunder hosting the Mavericks at 8 p.m. ET. While OKC sits in ninth place in the conference and Dallas is in fifth, Vegas prices the Thunder at 12-to-1 to win the championship and the Mavs at 20-to-1. Line: Thunder -5.5, Total: 212 (check our live odds page for current NBA point spreads and totals) With Kevin Durant’s health issues hopefully behind him, the Thunder (28-35 SU, 24-27-2 ATS) are starting to jell....

Terms of his contract were not disclosed, and the NBA is still processing paperwork to make the move official, according to ESPN. “Thanks to the NBA and everyone who’s supported me the last 9 years! Will always cherish being able to rep Asians at the NBA level. Excited for the next step with the Beijing Ducks. Excited to make more history,” Lin wrote on social media, in part. Lin is coming off a season in which he played for the Hawks from October through February, but then was waived by Atlanta....

While this season hasn't exactly matched up with year's past because of injuries, there was still much to see from several star players and possible contending teams. Here's a rundown of the highlights from each game as they happen. MORE: Kobe recovery ‘slow’ | LeBron’s latest big dunk | Hope is all Nets have Nets-Bulls The Bulls' success is built on effort and defense, which are two of the primary focuses of Tom Thibodeau's coaching style....

Caron Butler, Miami Heat assistant coach, has collaborated with award-winning young-adult author Justin A. Reynolds to write Shot Clock, a book about a young boy trying to count on a basketball team coached by a former NBA star. The authors hope to bring awareness to the issues facing African American kids. It’s a reality Butler knows well. Before the two-time NBA All-Star and World Champion (with the Dallas Mavericks) became an icon on the court, he was a troubled youth....

In a statement released on Monday night, the NBA’s Social Justice Coalition said passing the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act would be a fitting way to honour the memory of Floyd and of those who “have been victims of police brutality”. The bill seeks to introduce national standards for policing, as well as ban chokeholds and “qualified immunity” for law enforcement. Having passed in the U.S. House of Representatives in March with bipartisan support, the bill is now pending in the Senate and the coalition called for “elected representatives of both parties to work together […] and present it to President [Joe] Biden for him to sign into law this year....

Now that the regular season is over, we finally know which teams will be crossing their fingers in the hopes of landing a high draft pick. This year’s draft class doesn’t have a Zion Williamson-level talent, but there are a few intriguing prospects available. Depending on the teams near the top of the draft board, picks could quickly turn into trade assets. Here’s everything you need to know about the 2020 NBA Draft lottery, including the latest odds for every team involved....

The Pistons hold the No. 1 overall pick this year, and they are discussing a trio of talented players: Cade Cunningham, Jalen Green and Evan Mobley. Multiple reports have pegged Cunningham as the most likely choice, but it appears Detroit is not locked in just yet. In addition to the early selections, trades could also have a domino effect on the draft board. As always, rumors will be flying all over the place, providing plenty of intrigue on Thursday night....

Golden State fell behind early, but came on strong as usual in the third quarter. The two-time defending champions kicked off the second half on an 18-0 run, and Toronto couldn’t recover quickly enough. Klay Thompson had a hot start for the Warriors while Stephen Curry made just three of his 10 first-half field goal attempts. Thompson tweaked his hamstring down the stretch, though, and finished with 25 points. Curry was reportedly not feeling well to start the contest, but sorted out his cold shooting to some degree, finishing with with 23 points on 6-of-17 shooting....

Rules help to establish order and provide a sense of consistency by establishing precedents. There are rules for everything and they are everywhere. Even the NBA has a strict set of rules, which officials have to make sure are always followed during gameplay. And like most rules, the ones in the NBA can sometimes be a bit puzzling. Especially flagrant fouls, which can seem like an arbitrary call by officials at times....

The Pacers agreed to terms with Stuckey on a one-year deal Wednesday, a person with knowledge of the agreement told The Associated Press. The deal comes one day after the Charlotte Hornets swooped in to land Stephenson, the wild-card guard who dazzled with his versatility and infuriated with his after-the-whistle antics. Terms of the deal, which was first reported by USA Today, were not immediately available. The person requested anonymity because an official announcement has not been made....

The former Baylor center was diagnosed with Marfan Syndrome, a genetic disorder that affects the body’s connective tissue. NBA commissioner Adam Silver made Austin a ceremonial pick between the No. 15 and No. 16 picks of the draft on June 26, 2014, to at least fulfill Austin’s dream of getting drafted. MORE: 12 biggest NBA surprises, disappointments The Marfan diagnosis was supposed to be career-ending, but Austin made a surprise announcement via Instagram on Wednesday....

L.A. is a 4.5-point favorite with a total of 216, and AccuScore’s 10,000 simulations on which this pick is based were performed with Paul in the lineup. Check The Linemakers on Sporting News’ odds page for updated Las Vegas lines . The average score after AccuScore ran its 10,000-plus Game 3 simulations is Clippers 110-Rockets 102, and there’s a 61.4 percent chance L.A. covers a -4.5 spread, a two-star (out of four) AccuScore hot trend....

Tonight’s triple-header features the Hawks, with a 2-1 series lead, laying 4 points at the Nets (total 196); the Bulls, up 3-1 in their series, as 8.5-point home favorites vs. the Bucks (total 188); and the Grizzlies as 3-point underdogs on the road as they look to complete their sweep of the Blazers (total 193). Visit our odds page for current Las Vegas lines, and check out Mike Robinson’s betting preview, which includes picks from The Linemakers on all three games, right here....

PORTLAND, Ore. — Spurs coach Gregg Popovich took pains to make sure guard Tony Parker was well rested for the playoffs. "I barely played in April," Parker said. "I was joking with Pop if I was still with the Spurs." The break has paid off. MORE: Tim Duncan overtakes Malone on all-time playoff scoring list Parker scored 29 points and San Antonio took a 3-0 lead in its Western Conference semifinal series against the Portland Trail Blazers with a 118-103 victory on Saturday night....