Community Picks: Philadelphia 76ers 0% vs Boston Celtics 0%

Having dealt with their first off-court issue of the season, the Celtics were preparing to deal with Philadelphia big man Joel Embiid on the court when the teams meet at TD Garden Friday night. The Sixers (9-24, one game ahead of the Brooklyn Nets in the battle for the worst record in the league) have won two straight for the third time this season and seek their first three-game winning streak Friday. Embiid, who did travel with the team to Boston, has averaged 24 points, seven rebounds, 2.5 blocked shots and four assists in the two games but has scored 24 points and grabbed nine rebounds per game in his last six games. Continue to Article

January 05, 2017 6:33:pm EST

Every Thursday, we’ll reveal the week’s BDL Power Rankings, while highlighting the NBA’s movers and shakers. The absence of Khris Middleton is still striking, but the emergence of second-round pick Malcolm Brogdon, who dropped his first career triple-double over the weekend, has helped stem the tide. Continue to Article

January 05, 2017 5:34:pm EST

When the NBA announced last month that NBA players themselves and “a panel of basketball media” would now be included in the voting process of the annual All-Star Game — a move that reduced fans’ input in deciding the starting lineup from 100 percent of the process to 50 percent, with players and media each accounting for 25 percent of the vote — most viewed it as an attempt by the league to eliminate ballot-stuffing initiatives like Zaza Pachulia nearly getting a starting spot last year thanks to Wyclef Jean, a Vine celebrity and a strong showing from the Republic of Georgia. ... Continue to Article

January 05, 2017 3:10:pm EST

(Reuters) - Miami Heat forward Justise Winslow will have surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder and is likely to miss the rest of the season, the team announced on Wednesday. Winslow was injured against Boston on Friday after he became tangled up with Celtics big man Al Horford. Tests revealed the extent of the injury and Winslow will undergo surgery on Thursday. The 20-year-old Winslow is a second-year professional who has shown plenty of promise for the Heat but also missed 16 games earlier this season with a left wrist injury. He is averaging 10.9 points and 5. ... Continue to Article

January 04, 2017 11:01:pm EST

Miami Heat forward Justise Winslow will have surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder and is likely to miss the rest of the season, the team announced on Wednesday. Winslow was injured against Boston on Friday after he became tangled up with Celtics big man Al Horford. Tests revealed the extent of the injury and Winslow will undergo surgery on Thursday. Continue to Article

January 04, 2017 10:49:pm EST