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The Cleveland Cavaliers will take on the Atlanta Hawks again. This time, the Cavs will be down a few rotation players. We’ll see if they still have enough to get a second-straight win.

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Lakers coach JJ Redick understands the stigma that surrounds Luke Kennard. 

Not just now. And not just during Kennard’s nine years as an NBA player. But likely his entire basketball career going back to when he was a kid. 

“It’s easy because he’s a white guy that shoots well, to just think he’s just a shooter,” Redick said after the Lakers’ win over the Warriors on Thursday. “That’s just the reality of the situation. I’m sure every time he checked into an AAU tournament in eighth grade, everybody’s screaming ‘shooter, shooter. shooter.’ That’s the life we have.”

But when the Lakers have needed it most, Kennard has shown he can bring a lot more to the floor than 3-point shooting.

With the regular-season-ending injuries to Luka Doncic (left hamstring strain) and Austin Reaves (left oblique strain), the Lakers needed others to step up as ball handlers.

Which led to a conversation between Redick and Kennard in Dallas between the April 2 loss to the Thunder in Oklahoma City in which Doncic and Reaves suffered their injuries and the April 5 loss to the Mavericks, with the focus being on the Lakers needing Kennard to step into a different role.

“He came right to me and was like, ‘Hey, you’re going to have the ball in your hands a lot, and we need you to do that,’” Kennard recalled. “He kind of came right to me to have that responsibility and take pride in it, and gives me a little bit of confidence knowing that he’s confident in me to put me in that position.”

The mutual confidence has paid off.

Kennard averaged 9.3 assists over the previous three games entering Friday, including a career-high-tying 11 in the loss to the Mavericks, showcasing a level of playmaking and passing that he simply didn’t get an opportunity to do when the Lakers were healthier. 

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In his first 27 games with the Lakers after being traded, Kennard averaged 29.3 touches per game (16.9 in the frontcourt), had the ball for about 1.2 minutes per game and averaged 2.44 seconds per touch.

His usage has increased multiple levels over the last week.

Kennard averaged 71 touches (36 in the frontcourt), had the ball for 4.2 minutes per game and averaged 3.52 seconds per touch in the last three games as the team’s fill-in point guard.  

After being the main Laker bringing the ball up the court against the Mavericks, the Lakers have mixed in more actions for Kennard that get him from off the ball to on-ball, making the transition a little smoother.

“I’ve known for a long time that there’s a lot to his game, a lot he can do as a basketball player, primarily as a playmaker,” Redick said. “He really does such a good job of using his shooting as a threat, using his change of speed and pace as a threat. And then just consistently make the right play.”

Redick sees a steadiness in Kennard — as a player and a person.

Which has helped Kennard take on a significant role.

“When I was in high school, I played point guard a lot,” Kennard said. “So maybe from there a little bit. I’ve been in different situations throughout my career in the NBA. So I’ve seen it all, experienced a lot.”

“I’ve had a lot of responsibility and less responsibility, and I just kind of find my way and find my role whenever that opportunity comes. So it’s something I’m comfortable with, I’m confident in and just trying to find a rhythm with it right now.”

Observations after Sixers beat Pacers, keep hopes of avoiding play-in alive   originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The Sixers have a single game left in their regular season and still might avoid the NBA’s play-in tournament.

Help is needed, but the Sixers kept that possibility alive Friday night by earning a 105-94 win over the Pacers. They also got the necessary result of a Raptors loss to the Knicks.

Below are the Eastern Conference standings from fifth through 10th (presuming the Magic hold on to a large fourth-quarter lead against the Bulls). The No. 7 through No. 10 teams will comprise the play-in. 

• 5. Hawks 46-35
• 6. Raptors 45-36
• 7. Magic 45-36 
• 8. Sixers 44-37
• 9. Hornets 43-38 
• 10. Heat 42-39 

The Sixers’ regular-season finale is Sunday night vs. the Bucks. To end up in the top six, they’d need to both win that game and get assistance elsewhere. Toronto would have to lose to the lowly Nets and Orlando would need to fall to the Celtics. The Sixers now cannot finish below the eighth seed.

A day after Joel Embiid was diagnosed with appendicitis and underwent surgery, the Sixers released the following update on their star center:

“Joel Embiid was discharged from the hospital today following a successful appendectomy and is returning to Philadelphia. Embiid’s surgical recovery will be managed by team physicians in consultation with his surgeon. A timeline for return to basketball activities has not yet been determined.” 

Tyrese Maxey’s 32 points led the Sixers in Indiana.

Paul George added 21. VJ Edgecombe posted 16 points, nine rebounds and five assists. 

Here are observations on the Sixers’ win over the Pacers:

George gets back on track 

It took Maxey almost no time to record his first points in the first quarter of the last three games. He blew by Jarace Walker and made an and-one scoop shot to open the scoring. 

The young, future-focused Pacers fired away from three-point range and had early success. With a Walker triple and Kobe Brown layup, Indiana took an 11-3 lead.  

George continued to play in both legs of back-to-backs since returning from his suspension. He only logged 24 minutes Thursday in the Sixers’ loss to the Rockets and had a rough night, posting just seven points on 2-for-8 shooting and four rebounds. 

Though he was whistled for his second foul at the 5:38 mark of the first quarter, George didn’t sub out. Sixers head coach Nick Nurse was immediately rewarded for keeping George in. He swished a three on the next possession to give him eight points and cut the Sixers’ deficit to 18-17. 

Edgecombe shows off defensive tools

The Sixers went on a run late in the first quarter with their second unit on the court. A Quentin Grimes lay-in put them up eight points.

Andre Drummond had a very productive first half, tallying eight points and nine rebounds. The Sixers outscored Indiana by 24 points in the game during Drummond’s 29 minutes on the floor. 

The Sixers cleaned up their turnover issues from the night prior and also forced plenty of Indiana giveaways. Kelly Oubre Jr. swiped four steals and totaled seven thefts over the back-to-back. Edgecombe picked up three steals and had a highlight block, too. 

As he piles up reps and learns more nuances of NBA defense, it’s not difficult to imagine Edgecombe reaching an elite level in terms of defensive disruptiveness. 

Maxey grinds through pinky issues

Maxey finished 1 for 10 from three-point territory on the night. 

He appeared to be bothered throughout the game by his taped-up right pinky finger. Of course, Maxey missed much of March after hurting that finger. Late in the third quarter, he absorbed a hit to his right pinky as he and Pacers center Jay Huff both pursued a loose ball. Maxey went back to the locker room with Sixers head athletic trainer Kevin Johnson. He subbed back in with 10:05 left in the fourth quarter.

Maxey takes a ton of pride in suiting up whenever he can and logging enormous minutes as the Sixers’ lead guard. He’s clearly below 100 percent with the postseason nearing.

As a team, the Sixers went 5 for 29 beyond the arc (17.2 percent). Their shooting troubles helped the Pacers erase a seven-point halftime deficit. Micah Potter’s put-back slam knotted the game at 62-all. 

The Sixers eventually restored a decent lead. An Edgecombe mid-range bucket on the Sixers’ final possession of the third quarter lifted the team to an 89-77 advantage. 

The Sixers handled business in the fourth and wrapped up their road campaign with a 22-19 record.

Observations after Sixers beat Pacers, keep hopes of avoiding play-in alive   originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The Sixers have a single game left in their regular season and still might avoid the NBA’s play-in tournament.

Significant help is needed, but the Sixers kept that possibility alive Friday night by earning a 105-94 win over the Pacers. They also got the necessary result of a Raptors loss to the Knicks.

Below are the Eastern Conference standings from fifth through 10th. The No. 7 through No. 10 teams will comprise the play-in. 

• 5. Hawks 46-35
• 6. Raptors 45-36
• 7. Magic 45-36 
• 8. Sixers 44-37
• 9. Hornets 43-38 
• 10. Heat 42-39 

The Sixers’ regular-season finale is Sunday night vs. the Bucks. To end up in the top six, they’d need to both win that game and get assistance elsewhere. Toronto would have to lose to the lowly Nets and Orlando would need to fall to the Celtics. The Sixers now cannot finish below the eighth seed.

A day after Joel Embiid was diagnosed with appendicitis and underwent surgery, the Sixers released the following update on their star center:

“Joel Embiid was discharged from the hospital today following a successful appendectomy and is returning to Philadelphia. Embiid’s surgical recovery will be managed by team physicians in consultation with his surgeon. A timeline for return to basketball activities has not yet been determined.” 

Tyrese Maxey’s 32 points led the Sixers in Indiana.

Paul George added 21. VJ Edgecombe posted 16 points, nine rebounds and five assists. 

Here are observations on the Sixers’ win over the Pacers:

George gets back on track 

It took Maxey almost no time to record his first points in the first quarter of the last three games. He blew by Jarace Walker and made an and-one scoop shot to open the scoring. 

The young, future-focused Pacers fired away from three-point range and had early success. With a Walker triple and Kobe Brown layup, Indiana took an 11-3 lead.  

George continued to play in both legs of back-to-backs since returning from his suspension. He only logged 24 minutes Thursday in the Sixers’ loss to the Rockets and had a rough night, posting just seven points on 2-for-8 shooting and four rebounds. 

Though he was whistled for his second foul at the 5:38 mark of the first quarter, George didn’t sub out. Sixers head coach Nick Nurse was immediately rewarded for keeping George in. He swished a three on the next possession to give him eight points and cut the Sixers’ deficit to 18-17. 

Edgecombe shows off defensive tools

The Sixers went on a run late in the first quarter with their second unit on the court. A Quentin Grimes lay-in put them up eight points.

Andre Drummond had a very productive first half, tallying eight points and nine rebounds. The Sixers outscored Indiana by 24 points in the game during Drummond’s 29 minutes on the floor. 

The Sixers cleaned up their turnover issues from the night prior and also forced plenty of Indiana giveaways. Kelly Oubre Jr. swiped four steals and totaled seven thefts over the back-to-back. Edgecombe picked up three steals and had a highlight block, too. 

As he piles up reps and learns more nuances of NBA defense, it’s not difficult to imagine Edgecombe reaching an elite level in terms of defensive disruptiveness. 

Maxey grinds through pinky issues

Maxey finished 1 for 10 from three-point territory on the night. 

He appeared to be bothered throughout the game by his taped-up right pinky finger. Of course, Maxey missed much of March after hurting that finger. Late in the third quarter, he absorbed a hit to his right pinky as he and Pacers center Jay Huff both pursued a loose ball. Maxey went back to the locker room with Sixers head athletic trainer Kevin Johnson. He subbed back in with 10:05 left in the fourth quarter.

Maxey takes a ton of pride in suiting up whenever he can and logging enormous minutes as the Sixers’ lead guard. He’s clearly below 100 percent with the postseason nearing.

As a team, the Sixers went 5 for 29 beyond the arc (17.2 percent). Their shooting troubles helped the Pacers erase a seven-point halftime deficit. Micah Potter’s put-back slam knotted the game at 62-all. 

The Sixers eventually restored a decent lead. An Edgecombe mid-range bucket on the Sixers’ final possession of the third quarter lifted the team to an 89-77 advantage. 

The Sixers handled business in the fourth and wrapped up their road campaign with a 22-19 record.