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The Nuggets and Mavericks are hoping to “swoop in and lure” the 26-year-old forward away from the 76ers, according to a report from Bleacher Report, which cites unidentified league sources. The Nets, Grizzlies, Jazz, Clippers and Pelicans have all also been linked to Harris while Philadelphia is hoping to re-sign him, as well. Philadelphia acquired Harris in a deadline deal with the Clippers. He averaged 18.2 points and 7.9 rebounds in 27 regular-season games with the 76ers....

The Pelicans are among the teams who could offer Horford a “lucrative deal” this offseason, according to a report from Bleacher Report, which cites unidentified sources. The Mavericks, Clippers, Lakers and 76ers will reportedly all pursue him this summer, as well. Horford declined his $30.1 million player option with the Celtics for 2019-20, according to multiple reports, and he had been discussing inking a new three-year deal with the team....

…or maybe not. But in this instance, we will award a two-week MVP based on the player who has been the most unstoppable to start the 2021-22 NBA regular season. Before we hand out the award, we have to show love to the players who have taken a massive leap so far this year, just shy of cracking the top-five for MVP conversations. Honorable mentions Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine....

While it’s still early enough in the season where one good or bad week can drastically alter a player’s standing on the MVP ballot, these superstars have produced jaw-dropping numbers to elevate their teams in the standings. Before we get to the top-five, let’s take a look at a few players who just missed the cut. NBA League Pass: Sign up to unlock live out-of-market games (7-day free trial)...

This year, there are 10 games and 20 teams on display, headlined by some marquee matchups like Suns-Celtics, Hawks-Cavaliers and Trail Blazers-Lakers. Looking to sit back and gamble on all the action? We have you covered with the odds, lines and spreads for each contest below. All odds are courtesy of FanDuel sportsbook. NBA League Pass: Sign up to unlock live out-of-market games (7-day free trial) NBA New Year’s Eve 2021 odds, lines, point spreads Phoenix Suns at Boston Celtics Game time: 1:00 p....

Here are leans from The Linemakers on Sporting News: Miami Heat (-8, 187.5) at Charlotte Bobcats The fat lady is tuning up and the buzzards are circling Charlotte, which is one reason the Heat are favored 4.5 points over what the power ratings say it should be (the hobbled Al Jefferson is another reason. According to coach Steve Clifford, Jefferson is unlikely to play tonight). Even with this hefty number, though, we can’t recommend taking the home dog here....

Four of the eight first-round, best-of-seven series start Saturday, and we’ve got the schedule, matchup analysis and TV and gambling info on every game. (All times Eastern; all odds from Linemakers .) MORE: 8 teams that could win it all | First-round predictions | Buy playoff tickets No. 6 Bucks at No. 3 Bulls , 7 p.m., ESPN Where: United Center, Chicago. Spread: Bulls by 7.5. Over/under: 186.5 points....

Fizdale blasted the officiating after Memphis’ 96-82 loss. He referenced the Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard taking 19 free throws (Leonard made them all en route to a 37-point night) and the lack of free throws given to Grizzlies power foward Zach Randolph, who yelled at one of the officials on his way to the locker room after the game. MORE: NBA scores, news, updates Overall, San Antonio had a 32-15 advantage in free throw attempts....

What is noteworthy is how the Rockets’ bench reacted to his cruical misfires in the fourth quarter. MORE: Magic Johnson should steer clear of Paul George in search for next Lakers superstar That’s right. Rockets reserves were dying of laughter as Roberson floundered from the line. Some onlookers viewed this as disrespectful. Personally, while the laughing is clearly disrespectful to Roberson, my prevailing thought is “So what?” It’s harmless, and if Roberson is offended by it, he should either shoot free throws better or avoid getting to the line....

After losing the first two games of the Western Conference semifinals, Houston claimed a 126-121 overtime win against Golden State at the Toyota Center. Here are three takeaways from the game that put the Rockets back on track to compete. Eric Gordon is a difference maker Eric Gordon might be one of the most important players in this series. The 2017 sixth man of the year is averaging 24 points against the Warriors this postseason, which is up from his regular season average of 16....

The Sixers were without Embiid because of a knee injury, but Simmons — Rookie of the Year last season — shouldered the extra burden brilliantly in a 131-115 win at Barclays Center. Simmons — who was jeered by Philly fans in a Game 1 loss — posted a playoff career-high with 31 points as he hit 11 of 13 from the field, while also registering nine assists, four rebounds, three blocks and two steals....

First, Harden took a heavy shot to the face from Green in Game 2 and suffered a laceration to his eyelid. Harden missed nearly a full quarter in the game after suffering the injury. Then again in Game 3, Green once again hit Harden in the eye in the first quarter. Neither play looked to be intentional but that didn’t stop Harden from refusing a peace offering from Green soon after the play in Game 3....

Portland pulled out a 97-90 victory over the Nuggets on Wednesday at the Pepsi Center to tie the teams’ Western Conference second-round series at 1-1. The Trail Blazers took control early, entered halftime with a 15-point lead and held off a Denver run in the fourth quarter to come away with the win. Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum, Portland’s stars, failed to find their rhythms offensively, but did just enough to help their team win....

Philadelphia (9-5) and Oklahoma City (6-6) were scheduled to meet at Chesapeake Energy Arena in OKC, but the 76ers did not have the required eight players available because of contact tracing with the team. The postponement comes after the Grizzlies’ Jonas Valanciunas entered the NBA’s health and safety protocols ahead of Monday’s game against the Suns. Memphis played Philadelphia on Saturday. The 76ers and their depth have been tested since Seth Curry contracted COVID-19 on Jan....

It’s a dream day for the NBA die-hards out there. But it’s confusing for … pretty much everyone. Sporting News is here, though, to help you sort out everything that’s at stake. MORE: Celtics are LeBron’s perfect foil | Pacers so close to playoffs Today’s schedule Twenty-eight teams play their season finales today. Here’s the full list, with the games you really need to pay attention to for playoff purposes in bold (with all times Eastern):...

During a Thursday call with commissioner Adam Silver, the league’s board of governors approved a plan that will restart the 2019-20 NBA season in late July. Representatives of the National Basketball Players Association gave their approval Friday in a virtual call. An agreement ends months of uncertainty after the league on March 11 suspended play over health and safety concerns brought on by the coronavirus pandemic. The return-to-play plan will send 22 teams to Orlando, Fla....

With that in mind, we check in with an NBA scout and a general manager to get their thoughts on the tournament that just wrapped up with Villanova’s victory over Michigan, and which players helped boost their draft stock over the past three weeks. MORE: Every team’s most painful NBA Draft regret Jalen Brunson, Villanova Should he enter the draft, Brunson will go as an NCAA champion, and though his championship-game performance (nine points on 4-for-13 shooting) was not one for the ages, he was a clutch player for the Wildcats all year....

But the team is not expected to go over the luxury tax threshold to do so. MORE: See Curry in All-Star Game | What to watch at trade deadline | Durant is ‘The Servant’ But star guard Stephen Curry told Sporting News this weekend that he does not believe the Warriors need to make further additions. Golden State has made one trade already this year, acquiring guard Jordan Crawford from the Celtics....