NBA
The Athletic spoke to more than a dozen NBA coaches and players throughout the season about this phenomenon.
Law Murray33
NBA Draft 2024: Ron Holland sits No. 1 on John Hollinger's Top 20 prospects list
John Hollinger270
2024 NBA Draft order: Which teams pick when for all 58 selections
Jenna West50
NBA mock draft 2024: Alex Sarr to Hawks in first post-lottery projection
Sam Vecenie270
What can the Orlando Magic do this offseason to make another leap?
Josh Robbins and Danny Leroux62
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Another first-round loss would have likely brought some uncomfortable discussion for the Cavs. Instead, Cleveland is Boston-bound.
Joe Vardon34
Orlando's players rue their lost opportunity to oust Cleveland and reach the second round: "It sucks."
Josh Robbins16
The Cavs never have to again hear about the Knicks last year or their inability to win in the postseason without LeBron.
Jason Lloyd75
Donovan Mitchell led the Cavaliers with 39 points and was serenaded with "MVP" chants by fans.
Joe Vardon and Josh Robbins80
Cleveland hosts Orlando for the only Game 7 of the first round of the NBA Playoffs.
Stan Son12
To keep its storybook season alive, Orlando will need to win in Cleveland, a place that has bedeviled it in these playoffs.
Josh Robbins22
The winner of Orlando and Cleveland's Game 7 on Sunday will advance to face the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
The Athletic Staff53
The Cavs and Mavs can advance to the second round of the NBA Playoffs with wins on Friday. Will Orlando or LA be able to stay alive?
Stan Son5
Cleveland's first two road games in this series were a disaster. Will Game 6 bring changes or more of the same?
Joe Vardon47
Orlando had plenty of chances against Cleveland but missed its opportunity to take control of the series.
Josh Robbins17
Through the first four games, Marcus Morris had logged nine total minutes – all in garbage time. Tuesday, he scored 12 points off the bench.
Joe Vardon30
Evan Mobley made the winning play for the Cavs in Game 5. But Paolo Banchero, who starred with 39 points, was almost enough for the Magic.
Jason Lloyd20
Sixers guard Tyrese Maxey scored seven points in 17 seconds, and the Knicks lost a six-point lead with 28.2 seconds left in the game.
The Athletic Staff164
J.B. Bickerstaff said Allen, who wasn't on the injury report until Tuesday, was elbowed in the ribs in the second half of Game 4.
Joe Vardon2
Check out some of the action this month in these photos you might have missed.
Jeff Maillet13
All three NBA Playoff games on Tuesday are in the Eastern Conference, with the Knicks and Pacers trying to close out series.
Dan Santaromita29
The Cavs are the worst 3-point shooting team in the playoffs, and metrics for Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland and Evan Mobley aren't good.
Jason Lloyd43
“They show me almost every day on film that I’m turning down shots,” Garland said. “... I gotta shoot them.”
Joe Vardon50
The Magic may be the most tightly knit team in the NBA right now. "Everyone is just together, and it makes it great,” Paolo Banchero said.
Josh Robbins28
Orlando outscored Cleveland in a decisive third quarter 37-10 and tied the playoff series at two games apiece.
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