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AJ Green agrees to a two-way contract with the Bucks

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AJ Green has officially agreed to a two-way contract with the Milwaukee Bucks. Green is 6’4″ and weighs 190 lbs. In four years of playing at Northern Iowa in the NCAA, he averaged 17.9 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. Also, in a total of 31 games played last season, the senior averaged 18.8 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game.

Not to mention, Green led the MVC in free throw shooting percentage (91%), made 3-pointers (93), total free throws made (140) and 3-point field goal attempts (240). During his freshman year, he averaged 15 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game. Green went on to win MVC Freshman of the Year in 2019. Plus, he was selected third-team All-MVC.

Seth Tuttle was the last guard for Northern Iowa to win MVC Freshman of the Year back in 2012. So, this two-way contract will only benefit Milwaukee.

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Moreover, as a sophomore, he averaged 19.7 points, 3.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game. Green led the MVC in points per game that season. In Northern Iowa’s 69-64 win over Bradley on Jan. 4, 2020, he scored a career-high 35 points. As a result, the guard won MVC Player of the Year in 2020. And he was named first-team All-MVC.

After the 2019-20 season, Green declared for the 2020 NBA Draft. Nonetheless, he thought it was in his own best interest to play another season with the Panthers. But the following season complicated his future plans. He had to undergo hip surgery after playing only three games in the 2020-21 season.

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AJ Green and the Bucks’ NBA Draft Picks in 2022

During his high school years, Green was a consensus four-star recruit. On the Recruiting Services Consensus Index (RSCI) top 100 list, he ranked 79th overall in 2018. As a senior at Cedar Falls High School, the young star averaged 26 points per game. Of course, he led the Tigers in scoring.

Furthermore, regarding the 2022 NBA Draft, the Bucks selected NBA G League Ignite player MarJon Beauchamp at pick No. 24. In the 2021-22 season, Beauchamp averaged 15.1 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game with the Ignite.

And Hugo Besson was selected 58th overall by the Pacers in yesterday’s draft, but his draft rights were then traded to the Bucks. While playing in the LNB Pro B, Besson led the league in scoring in 2021, and he was selected LNB Pro B All-Star Five. To add to these accomplishments, the guard won LNB Pro B Best Youngster as well.

The Bucks can bounce back next season

The Bucks may have had a down year last season, but the team finished 51-31 (.622) and ranked third overall in the Eastern Conference. It’s difficult for any team to repeat in the NBA. The defending champs had a target on their backs all season long. Needless to say, it was a strange season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Some would say that Milwaukee plays the best when facing adversity. That’s not always the case.

One of the biggest factors that led to their defeat during the playoffs was Khris Middleton’s injury. The forward averaged 20 points per game in the regular season. Maybe next season they’ll be healthy for the playoffs. Middleton is projected to earn $37,948,276 for the 2022-23 season. He has a player option worth $40,396,552 for the 2023-24 season.

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76ers’ Kelly Oubre Jr. apologises after tirade following last-second controversy

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The Sixers and Clippers fought until the last second of their Wednesday night matchup, ending the tie in full-blown drama that included insults and replay reviews. This is why the controversy surrounding the last play of the contest, stained the Los Angeles club’s 108-107 triumph.

With the 76ers trailing by a point in the final play of the game, Kelly Oubre Jr. took the ball and drove it towards the basket but collided with Paul George as he got off the floor. The officials didn’t see an issue with the play and restrained from blowing the whistle, which meant that time eventually expired and the Clippers earned the win.

The Philadelphia forward walked over to the officials alongside his coach Nick Nurse to yell at the refs, but both were consequently separated by their own teammates. Oubre Jr.’s choice of words have gone viral on social media, as he appears to insult them after his 17-point performance.

“First and foremost, heat of the moment, this is an intense basketball game, of course. We’re not perfect, the refs aren’t perfect,” he said full of regret. “I want to apologize for just losing my cool, because that’s something I try to work on each and every day, and try to represent God in the best way I possibly can, and that wasn’t it. I just ask for forgiveness.”

Oubre Jr. revealed that he witnessed his coach’s frustration, which only fueled his own anger. “But I saw Coach Nurse getting riled up and if our coach is going to fight for us and he’s going there, then I’m right behind him. At the end of the day it wasn’t cool, so I’ll take whatever penalties come with that and have to move on. But I’ve got to be better, in a sense,” he added.

To make matters worse, the referees later admitted they had made a mistake during that play, in which Kelly hoped to get at least a free-throw attempt. “On the last play on the floor, in real time the crew interpreted that play as the defender jumping vertically,” said crew chief Kevin Scott. “However, in post-game video review we did observe some slight drift to his left by the defender George, and a foul should have been ruled.”

It is normal to have officials miss calls during a basketball match, but the ones that occur in the final minutes of a game usually are subject to the most scrutiny. The Sixers, who at some point were second in the Eastern Conference’s standings, are now fighting to stay out of Play-In positions.

Philadelphia coach Nick Nurse revealed how his team was contributing to their own defeat against the Clippers

Despite letting off steam at the end of the contest, the 76ers tactician knew they only had themselves to blame for their last-second loss to the Clippers. Philly wasn’t able to contain their opponent’s full-court press and made many mistakes along the way.

“Well, at 104-101, we had the ball sideline, [and] Tyrese [Maxey] breaks into the backcourt wide open, slips and falls, and they get an and-1 out of that,” Nurse explained. “We come down and score, they’re full-court press and they knock one off of Kelly out of bounds.”

However, the Sixers coach didn’t agree with some late calls made by the refs, and even excused his starting forward for all the drama that ensued once the final buzzer went off.

“I think [Oubre] took it in there pretty hard,” Nick expressed postgame. “I looked at it on our computers a couple times. I thought it was certainly contact, certainly as much of the last two or three that got called and-1s at the other end. I thought it was enough contact to call. [But] that’s the way it goes sometimes.”





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LeBron James hopes to be strategic with health and later push in playoffs

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Just like at the end of last year’s regular season, LeBron James needs to consider his playtime to rest and save up energy if he is to lead the Lakers‘ push during the NBA Playoffs. The only difference is, this time he’s not injured, but should emphasise being strategic with his health in case it happens.

The biggest challenge is the fact that the purple and gold have no guarantees that they’ll make it to the postseason just yet, and will also need their superstar’s guidance in order to keep chasing a better seed down the stretch. After beating the Grizzlies 136-124 this Wednesday evening, he revealed his thoughts on the matter.

“I got to be smart with it,” the veteran said after returning from a one-game absence due to a sore left ankle. “If I’m not healthy, or [anywhere] close to being healthy, then it’s not good for our ballclub anyway. It’s not good for me.”

Despite being the oldest player in the league, James is still putting up impressive exhibitions along the way. The 21-year veteran logged his fourth triple-double of the campaign against Memphis, with 23 points, 14 rebounds and 12 assists to his name. With this past win, the Los Angeles club extend their streak to a season-best five games and are sitting in the Western Conference’s ninth spot with nine contest yet to go.

This is why LeBron considers it necessary to avoid risking short-term objectives that could affect his playoff involvement. “I mean, I would’ve probably tried to play yesterday [in Milwaukee] if that was the case,” the 39-year-old said, as he’s only missed 10 games so far this season. During his absence, the squad has gone 6-4.

“Just be very strategic,” the star explained. “Obviously, understanding and seeing how my ankle and my foot is feeling. But just being very smart about it, obviously. We are where we are, but our health has always been the most important for our ballclub. Not just one individual. But for me looking out for myself when it comes to injury and knowing my foot and knowing my ankle and how it reacts, and how it’s been over the last couple of years, it’s just always keeping a hefty eye on it.”

Unfortunately for the L.A. club, they must also decide how to manage Anthony Davis‘ situation, as the team decided to follow the same approach as he sat out on Wednesday due to a hyperextended left knee.

Despite AD’s knee injury, the Lakers prove to have depth as Rui Hachimura excelled in his teammate’s absence

Despite playing without their All-Star big man, who rested his left knee on Wednesday, the purple and gold still clinched a win against the Grizzlies inspired by many surprising leaders. One of them was Davis’ replacement, Rui Hachimura, who hit 32 points and earned 10 rebounds last night.

“When I came here today, this morning, I got all the flashbacks from last year,” shared the Japanese star. “Playoff time. … We have good memories here, had a pretty good games in here. I think I was happy to be able to come back here — it’s been almost a year.”

Just like last campaign, the Los Angeles team hope to play their best when it really counts. One year ago, the Lakers produced one of the strongest pushes down the last regular-season stretch. One Lakers forward believes it’s about being consistent.

“I don’t think any team in the league really wants to see us besides a couple,” said Taurean Prince. “We know our capabilities. I think everybody else does, too. It’s just about us coming being consistent.”





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Is Dejounte Murray (back) playing tonight against Celtics?

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Atlanta Hawks guard Dejounte Murray (lower back soreness) remains questionable for Thursday night’s home game against the Boston Celtics. Murray, 27, has missed just three games overall this season.

The 2022 All-Star was also questionable with back soreness prior to Atlanta’s 120-106 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday night. He amassed 30 points, three rebounds, and seven assists in 35 minutes of action.

According to a few NBA betting sites, the Hawks (33-39) hold 10th-best odds to make the Eastern Conference playoffs. Sportsbooks show better odds for the Philadelphia 76ers (39-34) and Chicago Bulls (35-38).

“[Murray]’s efficiency tonight was just terrific,” Hawks coach Quin Snyder said. “He picked his spots and set people up. He really set the tone for us.”

Through 69 games (all starts) this season, Murray is averaging a career-high 22.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 1.5 steals, and 35.4 minutes per game while shooting a career-best 46.6% from the field and 36.8% from downtown.

“I always try to make the right basketball play, keeping confidence in my guys,” Murray said. “They know I believe in them. I’m always looking to get them the ball and for them to be aggressive taking shots.”

Atlanta Hawks star Dejounte Murray (lower back soreness) is questionable vs. Boston Celtics

Of course, the bigger story ahead of tonight’s matchup with the Celtics is what occurred earlier this week.

The Hawks overcame a 30-point deficit in Monday night’s 120-118 win over Boston, their largest comeback victory in franchise history in the play-by-play era (since at least 1997-98).

Entering the matchup, the largest deficit the Hawks overcame in a win since 1997-98, regardless of opponent, was 27 points vs. Boston on Jan. 25, 2013, according to Elias Sports.

Murray recorded 19 points and a career-high-tying 15 assists against the Celtics. Atlanta also became the first team since 2002-03 to overcome a 30-point deficit against the team with the NBA’s best record.

The last team to come back from 30 or more points down to defeat the team that entered that day with the NBA’s best record was the Los Angeles Lakers (down 30) versus the Dallas Mavericks on Dec. 6, 2002.

Furthermore, the Celtics had won 20 of 22 and were on a nine-game winning streak. Boston is now 11-3 in its last 14 meetings with Atlanta and 16-2 in its past 18 matchups with an Eastern Conference opponent.

NBA sportsbooks show the Hawks as 16.5-point underdogs against the C’s. Per ESPN’s Basketball Power Index, Boston holds a 92% chance of defeating Atlanta at State Farm Arena.





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