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Golden State Warriors
2hMarc Stein

As Cavs slide, a new No. 1 emerges in NBA Power Rankings

Golden State Warriors
2hMarc Stein

As Cavs slide, a new No. 1 emerges in NBA Power Rankings

By virtue of Cleveland's three-game skid, there's a new leader in this week's league hierarchy. And how high can streaking Toronto and Oklahoma City climb?

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    Joe Robbins/Getty Images
    1hMarc Stein

    Sources: '17-18 slate to start 7-10 days earlier

    The 2017-18 season is set to start in the Oct. 15 to Oct. 20 range -- up from Oct. 25 this season -- to reduce the number of back-to-backs and four-games-in-five-nights stretches.

    Darren McCollester/Getty Images for Boston Children's Hospital
    Boston Celtics
    4hJackie MacMullan

    Marcus Smart's promise to the kids

    The Celtics' third-year guard is devoted to understanding the challenges of pediatric cancer after losing a brother and young friend to the disease.

    play
    LeBron says Cavs' turnaround won't happen in one day (0:37)
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    Westbrook channels his inner MJ with five straight triple-doubles (0:56)
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    Davis just watches as Westbrook punishes the rim (0:27)

    Sunday's top plays from around the NBA

    Sunday's top plays from around the NBA

    Porzingis throws down reverse slam

    Porzingis throws down reverse slam
    play0:20

    Sunday's top plays from around the NBA

    Griffin and DeAndre connect for the alley-oop

    Griffin and DeAndre connect for the alley-oop
    play0:20

    Sunday's top plays from around the NBA

    Westbrook's behind-the-head pass results in Thunder dunk

    Westbrook's behind-the-head pass results in Thunder dunk
    play0:23

    Sunday's top plays from around the NBA

    Ibaka protects the rim with two big blocks

    Ibaka protects the rim with two big blocks
    play0:34

    Sunday's top plays from around the NBA

    Cousins goes hard for acrobatic layup and-1

    Cousins goes hard for acrobatic layup and-1
    play0:20

    Sunday's top plays from around the NBA

    Rose's slick moves fakes out Cousins for bucket

    Rose's slick moves fakes out Cousins for bucket
    play0:18

    Sunday's top plays from around the NBA

    Kanter takes flight for Thunder

    Kanter takes flight for Thunder
    play0:32

    Sunday's top plays from around the NBA

    O'Quinn goes coast-to-coast for big one-handed dunk

    O'Quinn goes coast-to-coast for big one-handed dunk
    play0:25

    Sunday's top plays from around the NBA

    Smith scores on the fancy reverse layup

    Smith scores on the fancy reverse layup
    play0:25

    Sunday's top plays from around the NBA

    Westbrook's athleticism takes full effect for Thunder

    Westbrook's athleticism takes full effect for Thunder
    play0:21
    Ken Blaze/USA TODAY Sports
    22hJim McCormick

    Top fantasy basketball waiver-wire pickups

    Does your fantasy basketball team need some work? Here are our top free-agent picks among players widely available on waivers in ESPN leagues.

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    McGee almost inbounds from the wrong end (0:31)
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    Green's list of shady kicks continues to grow (0:18)
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    Rose has found new life in New York (0:52)
    Bill Baptist/NBAE/Getty Images
    Brooklyn Nets
    3dMarc J. Spears and Marc Stein

    Sources: Nets ink Motiejunas to $37M offer sheet

    Donatas Motiejunas signed a 4-year offer sheet worth $37 million with the Nets, sources said, but his history of back trouble led the Nets to structure the contract with a number of protections.

    1 Related

    Bill Baptist/NBA/Getty Images
    Brooklyn Nets
    22hKevin Pelton

    Will Rockets match on Motiejunas?

    The Rockets have 72 hours to decide whether to match Brooklyn's offer to Donatas Motiejunas. Should they? And would Motiejunas help the Nets?

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    play
    Wade does a lot of winning against LeBron (1:29)
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    Saric fakes and drops Jerebko to the floor (0:26)
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    Leonard hits game winner for Spurs (0:28)
    play1:11
    3dJim McCormick

    Fantasy basketball forecaster: Dec. 5-11

    Prepare for the week ahead in fantasy hoops with matchup previews, schedule analysis and a look at which teams are more fantasy-friendly this season than last.

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    Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images
    3dGreg Rosenstein

    Fantasy basketball Insider cheat sheet

    This week's edition of the fantasy basketball Insider cheat sheet looks at the Warriors' potential for regression, how to replace Mike Conley and the Timberwolves' struggles.

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    Now

    Ian Begley ESPN Staff Writer 

    Joakim Noah had two points and five rebounds in 24 minutes in his first game back following a 2-game absence due to an ankle injury. "I feel better but I still have a lot of work to do. Can't get frustrated with the process," he said. "Our team is definitely playing a lot better basketball right now. So just keep focusing on the positive and just keep focusing on my improvement." Noah remains confident that he will get healthy and be more productive as the season progresses. "It's going to come… no question," he says. He adds: "I know that I'm better than what I'm doing right now."

    Ian Begley ESPN Staff Writer 

    Through 20 games, Knicks are scoring 113 points per 100 possessions but allowing 119/100 possessions with Derrick Rose & Brandon Jennings on the floor, per NBA.com. Still, the Rose-Jennings pairing puts particular stress on a defense, as Rose notes:

    david b. thorpe @coachthorpe

    I'm looking for an artist to design a cover for my book "Basketball is Jazz". Interested? Send me a DM and I will email you.

    Tim MacMahon ESPN Staff Writer 

    Sources tell ESPN that Mavs have no immediate intention to shop C Andrew Bogut, as their focus for now is trying to salvage their season. However, Mavs management recognizes that Bogut has significant value in the trade market as a proven championship-caliber complementary piece in a contract year and could become motivated to move him if and when it becomes clear that the Mavs have no hope of making the playoffs this season. Several league sources said the Mavs should be able to get a first-round pick from a contender for Bogut.

    Ian Begley ESPN Staff Writer 

    The Knicks will be looking to win their third straight game on Tuesday against Miami and will be up against a banged-up Heat team. Miami will be without Dion Waiters (groin), Justise Winslow (wrist) and James Johnson (rotator cuff). The Knicks hope to have starting SG Courtney Lee (ankle) back in the lineup after a two-game absence.

    Chris Haynes ESPN.com 

    ?Kevin Durant on his Paul George, who he faces tonight: "He's my favorite player in the league."?

    Nick Friedell ESPN Staff Writer 

    Taj Gibson was singing Rajon Rondo's praises after Friday's win. Less than 24 hours later Rondo gets suspended for conduct detrimental to the team. "He's like a quarterback," Gibson said after Friday's win over the Cavs. "Even though I never really played any contact football -- he always gathers the huddle. He always sees what's going on in the game. He's always encouraging. Like "Come on, let's go. Let's go." He's always pushing it. But he's just a great teammate. I know he got a lot of criticism before the year, a lot of people talk about the negatives that's in him, but he's been showing me nothing but great stuff on and off the court. He's a great player and he's a great leader."

    Marc Stein ESPN Senior Writer 

    Back to what we intro'd Friday: Word is the 2017-18 NBA season will start in the Oct. 15-20 range with the exhibition slate reduced slightly

    Marc Stein ESPN Senior Writer 

    According to a fresh statement from Matt Barnes' attorney Alex Spiro, Sacramento's Barnes "is cooperating" with the NYPD's investigation."

    Calvin Watkins ESPN Staff Writer 

    Monday will have two of the better left-handed players in the game in Houston's James Harden against Boston's Isaiah Thomas facing off. "Lefties are just weird," Harden said. "We're just weirdos. The majority of players are right-handed, just catching defenders off guard, they're not used to guarding left handers especially left handers who are very crafty. (Thomas) is crafty. He gets to the paint and uses his body and he's always in attack mode." What makes lefties weird? "I can't tell you about that," Harden said with a smile. "Next question."

    Baxter Holmes ESPN Staff Writer 

    Lakers guard Jose Calderon (right hamstring strain) is expected to be sidelined for 2-4 weeks, the Lakers say. He suffered the injury in Saturday's loss to the Memphis Grizzlies.

    Justin Verrier ESPN Staff Writer 

    Anthony Davis is listed as probable for tonight's home matchup vs Memphis with a right foot sprain. ESPN reported on Sunday night that Davis underwent an X-ray after a 101-92 loss in Oklahoma City. Tyreke Evans (right knee/left calf) is listed as out, marking the third game since general manager Dell Demps said Evans' return from a 10-month absence would be "sooner rather than later."

    Dave McMenamin ESPN Staff Writer 

    The Raptors are second in the East at 14-6 and riding a six-game winning streak. Do they finally have the Cavs attention? "Nah, they've had our attention," said LeBron James. "They've had our attention for the last couple years. I think they've had the NBA's attention. You don't need them playing well, us not playing well, or us playing well, them not playing well to get their attention. I think it's there."