Nickeil Alexander-Walker was named this season's Most Improved Player on Friday, marking the second straight Atlanta Hawks player to win the award ... .
After Detroit head coach J.B. Bickerstaff's fiery halftime speech in Game 2, the Pistons delivered an emphatic reminder that they are the East's best team ... .
Jalen Duren promised to be more aggressive in Game 2 after the Magic's suffocating defense held the first-time All-Star to just four shot attempts in Game 1 ... .
LaMelo Ball of the Charlotte Hornets says he's relieved that Miami Heat star Bam Adebayo wasn't more hurt after the run-in with Ball in the second quarter ... .
The NBA has fined LaMelo Ball $35,000 "for making unnecessary and reckless contact" with Bam Adebayo during Tuesday's play-in game. The Hornets star also was fined $25,000 for using profane language during a TV interview after that game ... .
The NBA is investigating LaMelo Ball's trip of Bam Adebayo, which resulted in the Miami Heat star's lower back injury during Tuesday's play-in game against the Charlotte Hornets, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania ... .
The Hornets are two wins away from snapping the NBA's longest current playoff drought. Can Charlotte end the futility by advancing out of the play-in against the Heat? ... .