Hoops Rumors

Bulls guard Josh Giddey is dealing with a muscle issue on the side of his hand but he’s expected to suit up for the play-in game against Miami on Wednesday, K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Sports Network reports. “It’s just about managing the pain,” Giddey said, adding that the injury will be addressed in the offseason (Twitter links). Giddey can’t imagine watching Wednesday’s game … [Read more...] about Central Notes: Giddey, Ball, Jones, Buzelis, Pistons, Sims

Pistons All-Star Cade Cunningham expects a heated battle in the first playoff series of his career, Stefan Bondy of the New York Post relays via an ESPN interview. Detroit will match up against the Knicks in the opening round. “It’s going to be a war,” he said. “It’s going to be highly physical games — defense, battling it out on the glass, all of those different things. I … [Read more...] about Central Notes: Cunningham, Pacers, Bulls, Connaughton

Wins by the Orlando, Milwaukee, Atlanta, and Chicago on Friday night have locked in the playoff seeds for all six Eastern Conference playoff teams, along with the four play-in clubs. Here’s how the top 10 teams in the East will finish the regular season, as the NBA confirms (via Twitter): Cleveland Cavaliers Boston Celtics New York Knicks Indiana Pacers Milwaukee Bucks Detroit … [Read more...] about Postseason Seeding Set For Eastern Conference

Led by star point guard Tyrese Haliburton, who finished with 23 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds, the Pacers secured a top-four seed — and home-court advantage in the first round — in the Eastern Conference playoffs by defeating Cleveland on Thursday, writes Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star. After starting the season with a 10-15 record, the Pacers have gone 39-16 … [Read more...] about Central Notes: Pacers, Jerome, Holland, Bucks

Bucks big man Bobby Portis returned from his 25-game suspension on Tuesday and made a statement. He recorded 18 points and 10 rebounds in 29 minutes off the bench, helping lift Milwaukee to a win over the Timberwolves. “My only goal is to get to June,” Portis said, per ESPN. “How can we get to June? We haven’t been there in so long.” Minnesota led Milwaukee by 24 points in the … [Read more...] about Central Notes: Portis, Pistons, Bulls, Allen