As Durant shot a 3-pointer, Aldridge was outside of his comfort zone on the perimeter and went to close out, but took an extra step that could have been dangerous. Was it a possible retribution move for what the Warriors did to Leonard? Durant doesn’t think so, as he downplayed the incident after the game. “Bigs are not used to being out on the perimeter and guarding guys on the perimeter. Their whole thing is giving you space so when you pull up they just contest. It’s just part of the game. Been happening forever since I’ve been in the league. I think bigs just try to contest shots and sometimes that stuff may happen but it’s not on purpose at all. You know LaMarcus he’s a stand up guy. He just plays the game the right way. It wasn’t anything more than that. It’s just a big out on the perimeter.”
As Durant shot a 3-pointer, Aldridge was outside of his…
April 20, 2018 | 6:57 pm EDT Update
A day after making his playoff debut, Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid said he is ‘built for’ postseason basketball. “I feel like I’m one of the most physical players in the league – I love contact, I love attacking, I love going to the free-throw line,” Embiid said on Friday after scoring 23 points in the Sixers’ Game 3 win over the Miami Heat a night earlier.
Embiid felt ‘sore’ on Friday but said that he felt no discomfort in his face at the site of the orbital bone fracture. “I need about five massages today. It hurts,” Embiid said, drawing laughs from reporters. “But it’s the NBA. I’m trying to get back in the groove.”
Candace Buckner: Scott Brooks is not changing the starting lineup because “I’m confident in the group.”
Candace Buckner: Brooks explaining another reason why there’s no starting change: “We need to counter their bench attack and Mike (Scott) has been a big part of that.”
Josh Lewenberg: Brooks on DeRozan: “He’s really good. I mean, he’s really, really good… I wish he would listen to those analytics guys and not take those long-2s.”
Michael Grange: Raptors are holding out Fred VanVleet in Game 3 to give his shoulder more time, says Casey.
Dave McMenamin: LeBron James planned this ahead of time. Players were fitted by tailors in Cleveland weeks ago and packed the ensemble for the trip. I’ve seen this with USA Basketball and college teams before, but never an NBA team (other than the Wizards all wearing black)
