New-look Utah Jazz focused on new, competitive identity
A dramatic roster overhaul has left the Utah Jazz with a load of new faces entering this season. Utah traded Royce O’Neale, Rudy Gobert, Donovan Mitchell, and Bojan Bogdanovic in separate deals over the summer, effectively tearing down a team that endured a series of disappointing early playoff exits. Following that flurry of offseason moves, Mike Conley, Jordan Clarkson, and Rudy Gay are the only returning players who played significant minutes last season.
news.yahoo.comMurray scores historic 50 as Nuggets down crumbling Cavs
Denver Nuggets' Jamal Murray (27) drives to the basket against Cleveland Cavaliers' Cedi Osman (16) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Feb. 19, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)CLEVELAND – Not himself of late, Jamal Murray got a lecture from Nuggets coach Michael Malone about being more aggressive and not passing up open shots. Following the game, Murray was unaware that he had done something unique. “With the exception of Murray, we took some steps in the right direction,” Cavs coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. They made their first 12 shots, opened a 22-point lead in the second half and then let Murray close out the Cavs.
NBA says 1 player has tested positive for virus in past week
(AP Photo/Tony Dejak)NEW YORK – The NBA said one player tested positive for coronavirus in the past week, meaning only two have gotten that diagnosis in the last three weeks. The NBA reported one positive test for the weekly period ending Jan. 26, and no positive tests for the period ending Feb. 3. Minnesota’s Karl-Anthony Towns — who has missed 13 games — tested positive last month and his recovery is complete. The NBA does not reveal which players test positive for COVID-19, but Milwaukee’s Khris Middleton said earlier this week that Bucks guard Jrue Holiday tested positive for the virus. “This is nothing to play around with and once he tested positive, you immediately think about his health, his safety and his family back home,” Middleton said.
Irving returns, but new-look Nets beaten by Cavs in 2 OTs
Cleveland Cavaliers' Larry Nance Jr. (22) steals a pass intended for Brooklyn Nets' Kyrie Irving (11) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021, in Cleveland. Sexton scored 15 points in the second OT — most of them over Irving — for the Cavs, who outplayed the Nets all night. Before the game, Nets first-year coach Steve Nash admitted being “curious” about how his trio of superstars would align on the floor. In the second quarter, Sexton ran back on defense and cleanly flicked the ball away from Durant as he was going in on a breakaway dunk. Irving's return to the Nets was also just his second game in Cleveland since he was traded by the Cavs after the 2017 season.
Fultz tears ACL, out for season; Magic beat Cavs 105-94
The team confirmed after the game that Fultz tore his ACL. “It’s a huge blow for us,” said Magic center Nikola Vucevic, whose team also will be without standout forward Jonathan Isaac this season because of an ACL tear. 1 overall pick in the 2017 draft as he led the Magic to a quick start this season. Terrence Ross scored 20 points and hit five 3-pointers to lead the Magic, who beat the Cavaliers for a second time in three nights. Collin Sexton scored 21 points for Cleveland, his eighth straight game with at least 20 points to start the season.
Cavs Beat Pistons 128-119 In 2 OT
Collin Sexton scored 32 points and three of his teammates had at least 21 points, helping Cleveland beat Detroit 128-119 in two overtimes Saturday night. “Multiple opportunities where we could’ve given in, multiple opportunities that we could’ve lost the fight,” Pacers coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “The positive is we put ourselves in a position to win two straight games,” Detroit coach Dwane Casey said. Pistons: Team owner Tom Gores acknowledged the franchise is rebuilding with a revamped roster and he hopes fans are patient with the young team during a pregame news conference on a Zoom call. “This is a very young team.” … Detroit was allowed to have up to 250 spectators in the stands and there were about 100 family members of players and coaches, team employees, and invited guests in attendance.
detroit.cbslocal.com