Tag: timely

Sixers rookie Paul Reed expected to have two-way deal converted to standard

Philadelphia 76ers rookie Paul Reed is expected to have his deal converted to a standard deal.

Philadelphia 76ers rookie Paul Reed has captured the attention of fans in the City of Brotherly Love with his hard-nosed play as well as his rallying cry of “out the mud.”

He played well in the G League bubble with the Delaware Blue Coats. Reed averaged 22.3 points and 11.9 rebounds while shooting 58.8% from the floor and 44.4% from deep on 3.8 attempts per game. His play has him in the lead for G League MVP after he led the Blue Coats to the title game in the Orlando bubble.

While he is on a two-way deal, the rookie is expected to have it converted to a standard NBA deal per Shams Charania of The Athletic and The Stadium:

76ers rookie Paul Reed — aka “BBall Paul” — finished an impressive run in the G League’s bubble in Orlando for the Delaware Blue Coats: 22.3 points, 11.9 rebounds, two steals and 1.3 blocks per game while shooting 44.4 percent from 3-point range. Reed is on a two-way contract, but look for him to have that converted to a standard NBA deal at some point.

Whether that is with the Sixers remains to be seen, but he continues to endear himself to the organization with his strong play and his athletic ability. He looks like he has the potential to be a rotational player for a long time.

This post originally appeared on Sixers Wire! Follow us on Facebook!

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Breaking down the Rams’ options with RFA Darious Williams

The Rams have multiple paths to keeping Darious Williams, which all come with different costs.

Darious Williams was a certified stud for the Rams last season, playing at an extremely high level in his first year as a starter. He picked off four passes in the regular season and had a pick-six in the playoffs, performing as one of the best corners in football.

His future in L.A. isn’t certain, however, as he’s set to become a restricted free agent. A restricted free agent is a player whose contract is expiring and has accrued exactly three seasons in the NFL.

Restricted free agents are easier to retain than unrestricted ones, but they’ll still cost the team a fair amount. With Williams, the Rams have multiple options when it comes to keeping him, each with a different price.

Here are four ways they could retain Williams this offseason.

Sixers praise their ball movement after blowout home win over Spurs

The Philadelphia 76ers were happy with their ball movement in a win over the San Antonio Spurs.

When things are going good for the Philadelphia 76ers on the offensive end of the floor, it is when they are moving the ball. They are getting into the paint, attracting defenders, and then looking for each other in that type of atmosphere on offense.

In their 134-99 blowout win over the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday, the Sixers totaled 35 assists and shot 57.1% from the floor. That allowed Danny Green and Seth Curry to knock down a combined seven triples and it allowed the team as a whole to find their offensive groove.

“It was well,” said Ben Simmons. “We looked like we were just playing with pace and moving ball and playing with each other. I think it was good overall. I think we’re just finding the open man.”

Philadelphia will be missing Joel Embiid for a couple of weeks and until they can get their superstar big man back out on the floor, this is the way the Sixers have to play. They have to be able to play for each other and make those sacrifices in order to succeed.

“We have to play that way,” said Curry. “We got to play with a little bit faster pace in transition, but also got to play a faster pace in the half-court without Jo out there. Spread the floor out a little bit more and create driving lanes. We got to do it together as a whole. We don’t really have Joel out there who we can just throw the ball to him and give us 30 a night. We got to create offense together, move the ball, and attack matchups.”

It also does help that the team, while still relatively new, has been together for about half a season now. The Sixers have been able to build some chemistry with each other and understand how coach Doc Rivers wants his team to play on offense.

“We’ve been together now half a season,” said Rivers. “We work on spacing and guys are passing the ball right now, and it’s amazing why that stops at some point, and then you have to remind them to, but it happens. Right now we’re doing a great job of what we call the flow pass. Our flow passes have been unbelievable over the stretch. I bet they’ve heard that word 1 million times and they’re doing it, they’re accepting it, and it’s been really good.”

Tobias Harris led Philadelphia with 23 points as he continued his solid season, but what stands out the most about his performance is that he had seven assists. He is leading the ball movement style the team has to play with.

“There’s just a culture that we’ve been building here,” said Harris. “The attitude that we’ve been building day after day, that winning type atmosphere, and it was just next guy up, next mentality, and other guys step up. That’s been huge for us all year long and especially tonight and the games that we’ve played without guys.”

The Sixers will look to continue their strong play when they host the improved New York Knicks on Tuesday.

This post originally appeared on Sixers Wire! Follow us on Facebook!

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Sixers react to amazing atmosphere fans brought in win over Spurs

The Philadelphia 76ers react to having the fans back at home in their win on Sunday.

The Philadelphia 76ers have had one of the top home records in the NBA as they have gone to work at the Wells Fargo Center all season long. They entered Sunday’s matchup with the San Antonio Spurs with a 16-3 home record which improved with the win on Sunday night.

However, the Sixers have been playing in an empty arena all season and that is something that can wear on a player sometimes. Sure, basketball is basketball at the end of the day, but the fans are an important part of the game.

On Sunday, for the first time all season, the Sixers welcomed fans back to the arena. There were officially 3,071 fans there on Sunday and they let their voices be heard for their team.

“It was awesome,” said Tobias Harris. “From the minute we came out, the energy that they provided us, it was long overdue for us to have our fans. We’ve played in a couple of arenas with fans, but it felt like a packed crowd tonight just how loud they were, their energy, and atmosphere, so for us, that was an added boost.”

Ben Simmons, who can sometimes draw the ire of the fan base, returned after missing two games due to the contact tracing protocols and he put on a show for the fans. He had 14 points and nine assists and he had a couple of dunks that excited everybody. He was motioning to the crowd to get louder during the game.

“It was amazing,” Simmons said with a smile. “The energy is completely different when they’re there. I think it was a great experience for everybody who hasn’t played in Philly, that’s on the Philly team now, to really understand that, and I think they really understand it. Even if it was, 3000 fans. You can really feel them and feel the energy.”

Speaking of those who are in their first season with the Sixers, Seth Curry was able to play in front of his new home crowd for the first time this season and he had 21 points while knocking down three triples. It was a big night for him.

“It was fun, man,” he said. “They gave us an extra boost, obviously as a team, a little bit of an adrenaline rush of the fans in there. It was a great atmosphere. Obviously, it hasn’t been the same all year with no fans in the arena. Really appreciate the energy they brought all night.”

Philadelphia had played in road arenas with fans before. Such as Phoenix, Utah, and Orlando as examples, but those places just aren’t Philadelphia.

“Wells Fargo 3,000 was completely different to Phoenix, Utah, and Orlando,” said Simmons. “It feels like a packed arena, honestly, for us. Tha fans have been amazing throughout all of this and I’m glad they can come back and enjoy the game.”

The Wells Fargo Center is an arena that is always rocking and with only the limited number of fans who were there, it was a big difference for them on the floor.

“Man, when they were there and you walked out, it was awesome,” said coach Doc Rivers. “I thought their noise, their spirit, I thought it got our guys excited, it’s amazing how much we missed the fans and particularly miss our fans. I thought our crowd came like they haven’t been to a game either and they couldn’t wait to cheer and fortunately, we gave them something to cheer for. It was just an excellent atmosphere.”

Those same fans will return on Tuesday as the team hosts the New York Knicks.

This post originally appeared on Sixers Wire! Follow us on Facebook!

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Sixers star Ben Simmons dunks on Wizards broadcaster Justin Kutcher

Philadelphia 76ers star Ben Simmons had yet another response to Justin Kutcher’s overrated take.

The fallout from a comment made by Washington Wizards broadcaster Justin Kutcher as he called Philadelphia 76ers star Ben Simmons one of the more overrated players in the league on the NBC Sports Washington telecast.

Simmons already had his initial response as he called him a “casual” on his Instagram, but he had yet another response to Kutcher on Sunday after the team’s 134-99 win over the San Antonio Spurs at home.

“I see a lot of [expletive] on the internet,” laughed Simmons. “So when I saw that one, I had plenty of time because I was in quarantine so I scrolled through his Instagram and saw who he was. It is what it is. He’s like a 5-foot-5 commentator for the Wizards. I can’t give it too much attention.”

At the end of the day, Kutcher will have his opinion of Simmons as a commentator. It caused controversy and that is what makes for good television.

“I was just playing a little game with him, but it is what it is,” Simmons shrugged. “Everyone has their voice to say what they want, but is what it is.”

This post originally appeared on Sixers Wire! Follow us on Facebook!

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Gregg Popovich does not care about Ben Simmons’ jumper, already elite

San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich does not care about Ben Simmons’ lack of a jumper.

Philadelphia 76ers star guard Ben Simmons is one of the more unique superstars in the league. His numbers don’t pop off the page at you and he is not seen on Sportscenter’s Top 10 plays on a nightly basis like some of the other big-name stars in the league.

However, there is no doubt that he is one of the elite players in the league. He does so many things on the floor that helps the Sixers win games whether it be on the offensive end of the floor creating open looks for his teammates or on defense locking up the opposition’s best scorer.

However, there is one Achilles heel that is his jump shot. Simmons continues to show a reluctance when it comes to the jumper and that is a topic of concern every time his greatness is debated.

San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich does not care about Simmons’ jump shot adding that he is already an elite player.

“It would enhance his game, obviously, that can’t be argued with,” said Popovich. “But his skills and all of his physical skills, basketball skills, the way he understands the game, as unselfish as he is, he’s elite already. Who gives a damn if he can’t shoot?”

Popovich will have to find a way to contain Simmons as the two teams match up on Sunday at 6:30 p.m. EST from the Wells Fargo Center.

This post originally appeared on Sixers Wire! Follow us on Facebook!

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Rockets vs. Celtics: Prediction, point spread, odds, over/under, betting picks (3/14)

Everything you need to know to wager on tonight’s game against Houston.

The Boston Celtics play the Houston Rockets on Sunday, March 14, and if you’re looking to do some last-minute betting research, you’re in luck! We’ll give you the latest point spread, moneyline odds and over-under number, as well as the information you’ll need to make the smartest bet on BetMGM.

The Celtics look to get back to the win column after the Brooklyn Nets snapped Boston’s four-game win streak, and the Rockets even more so as they currently own the NBA’s worst losing streak at 15 defeats in total. And while the Celts are nearly at full strength, nearly half of the Rox’ roster is either out or questionable.

The game tips off at 8 p.m. Eastern Time (don’t forget the time change!) and can be seen on NBC Sports Boston.

Doc Rivers reacts to Joel Embiid injury news, relieved with diagnosis

Philadelphia76ers coach Doc Rivers reacts to Joel Embiid’s injury news.

The Philadelphia 76ers received a scare in Washington D.C. on Friday when their star big man, Joel Embiid, fell to the floor after a monstrous dunk and he immediately was grabbing his knee. He was on the floor for a long time and it looked like that he suffered something serious.

On Saturday, Embiid underwent an MRI and it revealed good news. The injury is just a bone bruise and he will be able to return in 2-to-3 weeks. Considering how much pain the big fella was in on Friday, this could have been a lot worse.

“I was happy with the news,” said coach Doc Rivers. “It looked bad but, obviously, we never know and that’s what I was saying that night. We had to wait and see and it turned out in our favor, in a lot of ways.”

As for Embiid, mentally, now the challenge is to keep his spirits high and to keep him healthy going forward. The big positive light here is that the injury is not as bad as they expected and the team now has a plan moving forward to get him back healthy and on that MVP train again.

“He’s great,” Rivers said of Embiid. “I don’t think anybody’s in great spirits, but he was happy that it wasn’t as bad as a lot of people thought it was probably, including himself in that so he was in a pretty good place. Now that he knows all it takes is rehab, he has a game plan, we have a game plan, and we’re moving forward with it.”

The Sixers will take on the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday at home at 6:30 p.m. EST where they will at least have Ben Simmons return.

This post originally appeared on Sixers Wire! Follow us on Facebook!

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Oklahoma among teams that improved their CFP chances in recruiting per ESPN

Sooners among teams that improved their CFP chances after the 2021 recruiting class.

The Oklahoma Sooners are still seeking their first college football playoff win after four chances. The last attempt came in 2019 when the Sooners ran into a buzzsaw with the Louisiana State Tigers. Prior to that game, they played against Alabama, which resulted in an 11-point loss. The double-overtime game against Georgia in 2017-18 was their closest effort to the elusive win.

Recently ESPN (subscription required) listed their teams who improved their chances to get into the playoffs most following the 2021 recruiting class. For Oklahoma, they added three former Tennessee Volunteers to help fill needs on both sides of the ball.

Lincoln Riley and his staff turned Norman into Knoxville West, as former Vols Wanya Morris, Eric Gray and Key Lawrence transferred to the Sooners. The 6-foot-5, 320-pound Morris is expected to lock down a starting offensive tackle spot and play for a season before heading off to the NFL, while Gray brings more than 1,300 yards rushing over two seasons to a talented backfield.

Standout wide receiver Marvin Mims became the top target for Spencer Rattler a year ago, leading the team in yards and touchdown receptions. For the team to continue their upward trajectory, some more freshmen will need to become impact players along with the three incoming transfers. The Sooners added plenty of candidates in the 2021 recruiting class that finished just outside the top 10 according to 247Sports composite team rankings.

Last season, Marvin Mims excelled as a freshman receiver. In 2021, it may well be Mario Williams, who is already on campus for the spring. Cody Jackson is another talented receiver already on campus. EDGE prospect Clayton Smith is also on campus, and could help fill a need as a pass-rusher. Defensive end Kelvin Gilliam won’t arrive until the summer, but he has a bright future and could be called up early.

While junior college defensive tackle Isaiah Coe isn’t expected to have the same impact Perrion Winfrey did a season ago, being on campus does provide for depth right away.

It will be the rise of the defense that will tell the world if the Oklahoma Sooners are ready to conquer those demons of the postseason. A group that has been trending in a positive direction under Alex Grinch since he arrived on campus.

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Oklahoma among teams that improved their CFP chances in recruiting per ESPN

Sooners among teams that improved their CFP chances after the 2021 recruiting class.

The Oklahoma Sooners are still seeking their first college football playoff win after four chances. The last attempt came in 2019 when the Sooners ran into a buzzsaw with the Louisiana State Tigers. Prior to that game, they played against Alabama, which resulted in an 11-point loss. The double-overtime game against Georgia in 2017-18 was their closest effort to the elusive win.

Recently ESPN (subscription required) listed their teams who improved their chances to get into the playoffs most following the 2021 recruiting class. For Oklahoma, they added three former Tennessee Volunteers to help fill needs on both sides of the ball.

Lincoln Riley and his staff turned Norman into Knoxville West, as former Vols Wanya Morris, Eric Gray and Key Lawrence transferred to the Sooners. The 6-foot-5, 320-pound Morris is expected to lock down a starting offensive tackle spot and play for a season before heading off to the NFL, while Gray brings more than 1,300 yards rushing over two seasons to a talented backfield.

Standout wide receiver Marvin Mims became the top target for Spencer Rattler a year ago, leading the team in yards and touchdown receptions. For the team to continue their upward trajectory, some more freshmen will need to become impact players along with the three incoming transfers. The Sooners added plenty of candidates in the 2021 recruiting class that finished just outside the top 10 according to 247Sports composite team rankings.

Last season, Marvin Mims excelled as a freshman receiver. In 2021, it may well be Mario Williams, who is already on campus for the spring. Cody Jackson is another talented receiver already on campus. EDGE prospect Clayton Smith is also on campus, and could help fill a need as a pass-rusher. Defensive end Kelvin Gilliam won’t arrive until the summer, but he has a bright future and could be called up early.

While junior college defensive tackle Isaiah Coe isn’t expected to have the same impact Perrion Winfrey did a season ago, being on campus does provide for depth right away.

It will be the rise of the defense that will tell the world if the Oklahoma Sooners are ready to conquer those demons of the postseason. A group that has been trending in a positive direction under Alex Grinch since he arrived on campus.

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