Kurt Helin

New York Knicks vs Philadelphia 76ers series preview, predictions: Can Embiid, 76ers upset another rival? nbcsports.com/nba/news/new-y…

Tobias Harris in the first half, Cade Cunningham in the second prove too much for Orlando, Detroit wins Game 7 nbcsports.com/nba/news/tobia…

Minnesota Timberwolves vs San Antonio Spurs series preview, prediction: Can Wolves slow Wemby? nbcsports.com/nba/news/minne…

Joel Embiid's big night, Boston's missed 3s help 76ers complete 3-1 comeback, take series Tyrese Maxey scored 8 of his 30 in the clutch, while Boston shot 0-9 from 3 in the final five minutes of the game. nbcsports.com/nba/news/joel-…

Boston's Jayson Tatum is out for Game 7 against Philadelphia nbcsports.com/nba/news/bosto…

After early exit from playoffs, what's next for the Rockets? Stand pat? Chase Giannis Antetokounmpo? nbcsports.com/nba/news/after…

Lakers blow out ice-cold Rockets 98-78 to win series, advance to face Thunder LeBron James dominated the game and finished with 28 points, eight rebounds and seven assists. nbcsports.com/nba/news/laker…

Philadelphia 76ers vs. Boston Celtics Game 7: What to look for in latest chapter of historic rivalry "I’ve been playing these guys for so long, I’m tired of losing to them," Joel Embiid said. nbcsports.com/nba/news/phila…

Philadelphia 76ers vs. Boston Celtics Game 7s: A look at the history of a rivalry Sunday will be the ninth Game 7 between Boston and Philadelphia (and yes, that's a record). nbcsports.com/nba/news/phila…

Nikola Jokic: 'I still want to be a Nugget forever,' but other changes are coming to Denver nbcsports.com/nba/news/nikol…

Philadelphia forces Game 7 against Boston with Game 6 win, behind 30 points from Tyrese Maxey Philly's perimeter defense was the difference once again. nbcsports.com/nba/news/phila…

How much trouble are LeBron, Lakers in? Could they blow a 3-0 series lead? Yes. The young Rockets have been the better team for the last 10 quarters, and they believe in themselves. nbcsports.com/nba/news/how-m…

Kevin Durant reportedly will not return for the Rockets in Game 6 nbcsports.com/nba/news/kevin…

Rockets handle pressure in clutch this time, hold on to beat Lakers 99-92 in Game 5, stave off elimination nbcsports.com/nba/news/rocke…

@Tjonesonthenba Live, Lakers fans are looking for something to cheer for. When it happens it's pretty loud.

Is this Lakers crowd dead or is it just the television?

All four East first-round series will last at least six games. Fourth time since 2003 (start of best-of-seven first round) that every first-round series in a conference will last at least six games. First time in any conference since 2014. First time in the East since 2003.

Cade Cunningham, Paolo Banchero put on a show with 45-points a piece, but the Pistons rally around star to get critical win Game 6 in Orlando Friday, with the Magic still up 3-2. nbcsports.com/nba/news/cunni…

Austin Reaves cleared to play for Lakers, Kevin Durant remains out for Rockets in Game 5 nbcsports.com/nba/news/austi…

There's a lot going on, and everyone's inbox can feel like it's flooded, but another reminder that our daily @NBCNews Sports Desk newsletter is still going strong. Today: MLB, NBA and one league's anti-tanking strategy that the NBA could learn from: link.nbcnews.com/join/5cj/the-s…

When you flatten the odds, the number of trades will explode. It was impossible to know who would win the tankathon in the off season, and the leading tankers aren’t trading their picks at the deadline BUT you can have a good idea who isn’t a top 8 team in your conference. And teams will do everything they can to trade for their firsts. Get 2 non playoff firsts in a draft, and you have a good shot of having better odds than the bottom 3 this year. And even 2 picks at 5.4 pct each, makes you the equal of a tankathon 4 or 5 team. The question is what puts you in a position to trade for 1sts? Cap room at the deadline. Teams that were headed to the 2nd apron and needed saving. Give me that future first. Willingness to trade good players. Want my best player. We aren’t going anywhere this season. Give me that future first. I think the games to stay out of the bottom 3 will be fun. I think the protection limits are smart. Don’t want teams in the playin making decisions on draft vs win. But teams still have to figure out how to win and now, grabbing as many picks as possible, is the highest value approach Once you know you have the little c next to your team … can’t make the bottom 3, if it’s before the deadline, you can get aggressive If you don’t have a team you like, you make any trade that gets you a first. Just imagine if you have a good young team. But just not good enough to win a ring. And you believe the best player ever is coming this draft , you literally could trade your future firsts , plus your really good young , valued players and when combined with your own pick, or picks you already had, get 5 firsts that give you, with some luck , a 40.5 pct chance of winning the lottery. Still an almost 60 pct chance you won’t. But it sure would be interesting as it plays out. The good news for the nba, the bottom 3-2-1 is smart. The better news for Shams , the trade rumors are going to be off the charts as teams try to “aggregate up” to get the best odds they can