Rumors

Varun Shankar: Rafael Stone, asked if Reed Sheppard is Houston's starting point guard down the road. "My expectation for him is he should be. I think he should be a really good one. I think that's his expectation for himself as well."

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Law Murray: James Harden has played in a Game 7 four times now since leaving Houston He lost the previous three and they wound up being his final postseason appearance with the Nets, 76ers, and Clippers

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Khobi Price: The biggest emphasis for the Lakers going into their second round series against the Thunder? Taking care of the ball against an OKC team that ranked No. 2 in defensive TOV% this season after being No. 1 last year. JJ Redick: "The reality of their defense is that whatever moments we felt Houston pressuring, like the maximum amount of pressure they put on us, that's OKC's baseline. That's their core. They're top-five in every category that's disruptive-base: Steals, blocks, turnovers forced, all that stuff. And they don't foul. They somehow do all of that without fouling, which is one of the most remarkable things I think in NBA history."

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Michael Scotto: Houston Rockets forward Tari Eason on free agency: “It’s tough to say I didn’t think about it. You definitely think about it. I was drafted here. I’ve grown up here. My family is here. I love Houston. As far as everything else, God knows.”

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Benjamin Royer: LeBron James said the Lakers made “too many unforced mistakes” in Game 5 against the Houston Rockets. Game 6 is Friday in Houston. Lakers up 3-2 in the series.

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Jorge Sierra: With Lakers losing tonight, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar remains alone at No. 1 as the player with the most sweeps in NBA history (13). LeBron could have tied the record with a win in Houston.

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Benjamin Royer: The Lakers lose 115-96, as the Rockets force a Game 5 in a forceful blowout win. Ugly game. Backs against the wall, Houston showed up like it needed to. Lakers lead series 3-1. Game 5 is Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Crypto.

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Tim Reynolds: Only teams in play-by-play era (since 1996) to trail by 17 or more at the half, then win by 20 or more: -- Miami, over Houston, 11/1/15 (down 19 at half, won by 20). -- San Antonio, over Portland, today (down 17 at half, won by 21).

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Shams Charania: Houston's Kevin Durant is expected to miss Game 4 against the Los Angeles Lakers, sources tell ESPN. Durant has a bone bruise in his sprained ankle, which would sideline him 2 to 3 weeks in season. He's had around-the-clock treatment to play but has not been cleared by doctors.

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Law Murray: The Houston Rockets had possession with 27.8 seconds left in regulation and a 101-95 lead Marcus Smart outscored Houston by himself 11-7 to end the game, including 8-7 by himself in overtime alone

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Dan Woike: Austin Reaves will not play Game 3 tonight in Houston as he continues progressing with from his Grade 2 oblique strain. The injury is generally a 4-6 week injury. Today is 3 weeks and a day after he suffered it.

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Shams Charania: Houston's Kevin Durant has been ruled out for Game 3 tonight against the Los Angeles Lakers due to a left ankle sprain, sources tell ESPN.

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Dave McMenamin: Austin Reaves has been upgraded to questionable for Game 3 in Houston

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Roland Beech: NBA Playoffs Physicality & Playing Hard stats and ratings! Houston may have thought they had the edge at Center, but Ayton outplayed Sengun in game one, on the way to top RHP honors. Kennard with the brilliant +11 points shotmaking night.

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