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INSIDER

TRISTAN THOMPSON

NBA Buyout Candidates: 10 Players Who Could Be Available

Impact players often become available on the buyout market, and this year is no exception. Gary Harris, Orlando MagicStill quite productive, Harris can help a contending team. This season, Harris has averaged 11.7 points, while shooting 44.4% from the field, 38.8% from three and 84.4% from the free-throw line. The move amounted to a salary dump for Boston, and Orlando got cash and the pick as their compensation. ——Nearly every season, contending teams manage to land a player or two who secures a post-deadline buyout.

thewestsidegazette.com

Heat-Celtics game postponed by NBA due to virus protocols

Boston Celtics center Robert Williams III (44) dunks the ball over Miami Heat guards Avery Bradley (11) and Andre Iguodala (28) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Miami. That process would not have been completed in time for the 7 p.m. game, so the league called it off. Boston was preparing to play the game with eight available players; the Celtics have 17 on their roster, seven were out due to the COVID-19 protocols and two more with injuries. The other was Dec. 23, an Oklahoma City at Houston game where the Rockets did not have the required eight players available. They were in Miami for a game on Wednesday, and Bradley played in that game for the Heat.

Celtics would be without Tatum, Brown for coronavirus rules

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) drives against Washington Wizards' Davis Bertans and center Moritz Wagner (21) in the second half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Jan. 8, 2021, in Boston. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)BOSTON – The Boston Celtics could be without stars Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and a number of other players because of coronavirus safety protocols when they face Miami on Sunday. The Celtics are listing Tatum as doubtful and Brown as questionable for the rematch of the Eastern Conference finals. With Kemba Walker and Romeo Langford unavailable because of injuries, the Celtics could have the minimum eight players required to start a game. Beset by its own coronavirus problems, Philadelphia dressed an injured player Saturday so it could field a team to play against Denver.

Tatum hits big 3 to help Celtics beat Giannis, Bucks 122-121

“Ever since I was a kid, I always wanted to be in that position,” said Tatum, who scored 30 points. But there’s so many good things happening, including Giannis going to the free-throw line with the game on the line. TIP-INSBucks: During the game, the Bucks exercised their fourth-year team option on guard Donte DiVincenzo for the 2021-22 season. Celtics: Newcomers Jeff Teague scored 19 points in 25 minutes, and Tristan Thompson had 12 points and eight rebounds. It will be Kyrie Irving’s first regular-season game in Boston since leaving the Celtics.

Irving leads rout of Celtics in return to Boston Garden

Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving (11) drives against Boston Celtics center Robert Williams III (44) during the first half of an NBA preseason basketball game, Friday, Dec. 18, 2020, in Boston. Irving scored 17 points on 7-of-15 shooting and had seven rebounds, five assists and two steals helping the Nets rout the Celtics 113-89 Friday night in the final preseason game for both teams. There were no fans in the new Boston Garden on Friday night, and his introduction was greeted with a faint, fake cheer. Precious Achiuwa scored 13 points and grabbed 15 rebounds for the Heat, while Bam Adebayo scored 13 points and Tyler Herro scored 10. McCollum led the Blazers with 26 points on 8-of-20 shooting and Gary Trent Jr. added 18 points in the loss.