Blake Griffin puts Rudy Gobert on a poster

LeBron James looks to lead the Lakers to the play-in tournament. Every Monday we will tell you what you need to know heading into a new week of NBA action. 1. Play-In Tournament praise and breakdown Are there still detractors to the concept of the Play-In Tournament? As the final week of the regular season…

Folks say it every year: Competing in the West will be tough. Well, this year, that notion goes next level. Competing in the West will be tough-er. That’s because this is the Year Of The Comeback, where very good teams will welcome back previously-injured centerpieces and therefore loom as very dangerous threats. Count the LA…

Twin brothers Markieff (left) and Marcus Morris are as close as ever after 11 years in the NBA. Thirty-one years ago, Thomasine “Angel” Morris gave birth to twin boys: first Markieff, then seven minutes later, Marcus. They were identical then, and in so many ways, identical now and very close. Markieff says: “We’ve shared a…

* Tonight on NBA TV: Pelicans vs. Celtics (7:30 ET) Boston Celtics guard Kyrie Irving has been ruled out with right shoulder soreness for tonight’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans, the team announced on Monday afternoon. #NEBHInjuryReport for tonight vs. New Orleans: Aron Baynes (left ankle sprain) – OUTGordon Hayward (illness) – DOUBTFUL Al…

* Tonight on NBA TV: Heat vs. Cavaliers (7 ET) Three games into the season, the Cleveland Cavaliers ditched the notion of having Dwyane Wade in the starting lineup. That didn’t translate into instant success as the Cavs stumbled through a 3-6 stretch before hitting their stride of late. On the heels of last night’s…

MEXICO CITY — The National Basketball Association (NBA) and Zignia Live announced today that The NBA Mexico City Games 2019 will feature the Dallas Mavericks, Detroit Pistons, Phoenix Suns and San Antonio Spurs playing two regular-season games at the Arena Ciudad de Mexico in Mexico City, marking the first time that four NBA teams will…