Luka Doncic's superstar emergence — and the burden of building around him
The Mavericks waived Facundo Campazzo to clear roster space to sign former All-Star point guard Kemba Walker. Now the alarms are ringing to the point Dallas is giving Walker a look instead. Campazzo always represented more of Doncic’s past than his current season or his future. Two years later, the Argentinian returned to Spain’s biggest club for the 2017-18 season, where Doncic’s legend had only grown larger. That’s very important for a young kid like Luka was.”Campazzo witnessed the beginnings of Doncic’s lethal stepback.
wftv.comSuns rally from 22 points down to beat Mavericks 107-105
Devin Booker scored 28 points, Damion Lee made a go-ahead baseline jumper with 9.7 seconds left and the Phoenix Suns rallied from 22 points down in the third quarter to beat the Dallas Mavericks 107-105 on Wednesday in the season opener for both teams.
Goodbye to greats: Scola, Gasols reach the end at Olympics
That wasn't the only goodbye Tuesday on a historic day at the Olympics, where the curtain closed on an era of men's basketball. Scola still loves playing and was still doing it well, averaging 19.7 points through the preliminary round. Like Scola, he tied the men's basketball record by playing in his fifth Olympics. They were unbeaten after pool play in 2004 in Pau Gasol's first Olympics, before the Americans eliminated them in the quarterfinals. Just two years ago, Spain beat Argentina to win the Basketball World Cup in China to secure their spots in these Olympics.
wftv.comDenver beats Portland 120-115, goes up 2-1 in playoff series
Austin Rivers hit four consecutive 3 pointers during a crucial stretch in the final quarter and finished with 21 points for third-seeded Denver, which had 20 3s overall. Denver led 84-79 heading into the final period, but Portland tied it at 91 on Carmelo Anthony's 3-pointer with just under seven minutes to play. The Nuggets led by as many as 12 points in the opening half as Portland uncharacteristically struggled from the perimeter. Denver's playoff record for 3s in a game is 22, set last year in the opening round against Utah. FAN SUPPORTThe Blazers were allowed to increase capacity to a maximum of 8,000 fans for the playoff games at the Moda Center.
wftv.comThe Latest: Bruins-Sabres game still on
The Sabres canceled their pregame practice after a member of their staff was placed in the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol. The first game for ticketed fans will be when the Avalanche host the St. Louis Blues on April 2. ___The status of the Sabres-Bruins game in Buffalo on Thursday night is uncertain after both teams placed personnel in the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol. The Sabres canceled morning practice after a hockey staff member entered the protocol. The game Thursday night is supposed to be Buffalo’s first this season with a limited number of fans.
Jokic powers Nuggets by Lakers, Davis re-aggravates Achilles
(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)DENVER – The sight of Anthony Davis limping off the court was hard for the Los Angeles Lakers to shake. Nikola Jokic recorded his sixth triple-double of the season and the Denver Nuggets beat the Lakers 122-105 on Sunday night in a game in which Davis re-aggravated his sore right Achilles. Now, the only thought for the Lakers is the result of Davis' MRI on Monday for what the team called a strain. For his big game, Jokic credited a new mindset. Entering the game, Davis was questionable with what was described as right Achilles tendinosis.
Chris Paul helps Suns hold off Nuggets, improve to 5-1
Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul, right, looks for a shot over Denver Nuggets guard Facundo Campazzo during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 1, 2021, in Denver. Moments like this are precisely why the Suns acquired Paul in a deal with Oklahoma City. “Him being able to knock down shots, and the ability and will to take those shots, is huge for us,” Suns coach Monty Williams said. But on the advice of Paul, Williams decided to challenge the play. The Denver big man is posting big numbers but his production isn’t translating into wins as the Nuggets fell to 1-4.