NBA Playoffs

Cam’ron Says He Offered Grant Hill A Job On “It Is What It Is”

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Cam’ron says that he ran into Grant Hill at a recent NBA playoff game between the Phoenix Suns and Denver Nuggets and offered the former basketball star a job on It Is What It Is. Although Hill joked that Cam’ron “can’t afford him,” the New York rapper did praise Hill’s production abilities.

“I offered @realgranthill a job at @itiswhatitis_talk (DEATHROW),” Cam said while sharing a photo of the two of them on Instagram. “He laughed and said I can’t afford him yet [one tear emoji] lol.. but on some real shit Grant has some [fire emoji] beats. I’m cop one bro. Appreciate the love.”

Read More: Cam’ron & Ma$e Sit Courtside For Nuggets-Suns

Grant Hill During His Time At Duke

College Basketball: ACC Tournament: Duke Grant Hill (33) on court during Quarterfinals game vs Maryland at Charlotte Coliseum. Charlotte, NC 3/13/1992 CREDIT: John Biever (Photo by John Biever /Sports Illustrated via Getty Images) (Set Number: X42590 TK5 R1 F13)

As for Grant Hill’s music connections, Rapsody once said that she ghostwrote for him during an interview with HipHopDX. Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard had challenged him to rap four bars on NBATV. “Grant Hill hit me up and was like, ‘You know my rapping skills aren’t that good so, I want to ask you if you would write me four bars for this 4Bar challenge.’ I was like, ‘Of course!’ Grant Hill was my favorite basketball player coming up. I’m a big Duke fan. When I started playing ball at age 8, that was my idol,” Rapsody said at the time.

She continued: “He texted me out the blue and I’m reading the text and just dropped the phone. He was like, ‘I’m gonna go a little bit longer. Give me eight [bars].’ I wrote it. I did a voice memo so he could hear it and that was it. That’ll be one of my favorite moments ever.”

Cam’ron Meets Grant Hill

Cam’ron has been fully focused on It Is What It Is in recent months, even revealing that he’s received numerous offers to purchase the sports talk show. Earlier this month, he made headlines for labeling Warriors star Jordan Poole a “Munch” for reportedly dropping $500,000 on a date with Ice Spice.

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Devin Booker’s Playoff Heroics Hit Historic Levels

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The Phoenix Suns live and die on the performances of Devin Booker and Kevin Durant. The star duo has been the driving force of the Western Conference contenders ever since Durant was acquired in a mid-season trade. In the first round of the playoffs, Booker and Durant became the first duo since Jerry West and Elgin Baylor in 1968 to score at least 25 points per game in every game of a best-of-seven series.

However, Booker especially has been absolutely fire during these playoffs. Through eight playoff games, Booker is shooting 60.2% from the field (115-191). He has amassed 295 points, 40 rebounds, 55 assists, and 17 steals. Furthermore, is shooting 48.9% from three (23-47). He also averaging 42.8 minutes per night, as the Suns get everything from their star. But now his historic playoffs are starting to put him in very elite company.

Here Are Some Of The Milestones Devin Booker Is Hitting

PHOENIX, ARIZONA – MAY 05: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns walks down the tunnel following Game Three of the NBA Western Conference Semifinals at Footprint Center on May 05, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Nuggets 121-114. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

We’ve already talked about what he’s been able to achieve alongside Kevin Durant but Booker has also been hitting historic individual milestones as well.

  • His 36.9 points per game makes him the first player since 1992 Michael Jordan average 35 points per game over the first eight games of the playoffs
  • After scoring 47 points in Game 3 versus the Nuggets, Booker recorded his 4th 45-point playoff game. The Suns franchise excluding Booker has four 45-point playoff games combined
  • Booker has scored 295 points during the postseason. That’s the most points by an individual in the first eight games of the playoffs since 1990 Michael Jordan

The Suns currently trail the Nuggets 2-1 in the second round of the playoffs. Just 33 teams have ever won a playoff series after starting with a 0-2 deficit. However, it has already happened once this postseason. The Warriors came back from 0-2 down against the Kings to win 4-3 in the first round. Furthermore, the Suns have achieved it once before. The 1993 Suns rallied from 0-2 down to beat the Lakers in the first round. If Phoenix wants to advance and challenge for a place in the NBA Finals, Booker may need to go even further into the history books with his play. The Suns will host the Nuggets for Game 4 of their series on Sunday night.

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Warriors Bounce Back With Blowout Win Over Lakers

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The Lakers were historic in Game 1 of their second-round series against the Warriors. With Anthony Davis becoming the first Laker to drop a 30-20 since Shaq, the Lakers pulled off a 117-112 victory. The Lakers once again made a statement as they took the lead on yet another higher seed. LeBron and co had already seen off the two-seed Grizzlies.

That left the Warriors in a hole, and with a lot of soul-searching to do. They had played well, putting up 21 threes, but they had let the Lakers slip by them. They needed to lock it down on the backcourt while keeping their volume shooting high. But most importantly, they couldn’t fall to 0-2. Not again.

Warriors Rout Lakers By 27

While the Warriors didn’t make history with their three-point shooting like in Game 1, it was a key to their victory. Behind Steph and Klay, Golden State shot 21-42 from three. That was combined with holding the Lakers to just 10 makes from beyond the arc. In total, the Splash Brothers combined for 50 points with Klay Thompson leading all scorers with 30 points. The Warriors’ defensive efforts were also crucial, putting up 42 defensive rebounds. Overall, Golden State out-rebounded the Lakers by 15. They also won despite the decision to bench Kevin Looney in favor of Jamychal Green to start the game. However, the small-ball approach worked, with Green putting up 15 points in 13 minutes.

The Lakers’ attempt to go up 2-0 was led by LeBron and Rui Hachimura. LeBron had a team-high 23 points, while Hachimura added 20 from the bench. Anthony Davis was not able to replicate his Game 1 performance, putting up just 11 points in 33 minutes. The other Lakers starters, Jarred Vanderbilt and Austin Reaves, combined for 13 points. Now it’s the Lakers’ turn to be on the back foot, striving to find answers on how to bounce back. With the Warriors as deadly as ever from the three-point range, perimeter defense is a must for the Lakers. The Warriors can’t be allowed to make 21 threes, let alone attempt 42. The series heads to LA for May 6’s Game 3. Be sure to make HotNewHipHop your go-to place for all the latest sports news.

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Joel Embiid Returns But Sixers Suffer Blowout Loss

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After missing the past two games, Joel Embiid was finally able to return to the court for the Philadelphia 76ers. The Sixers had managed without him in Game 1 against the Boston Celtics, largely thanks to James Harden. Harden had put up 45 points to steal a road win in Boston. However, the Sixers needed Embiid back on the court to stand a chance at weathering the Boston storm long-term.

However, the Sixers’ Game 1 win put the team in a good position. Rather than utilize Embiid to play catch up on their Eastern Conference rivals, they could use their MVP to extend their lead. The Sixers have not progressed past the Conference Semifinals since the 2000-01 season. They are 0-6 in the second round of the playoffs since that season. Two of those series losses have come against the Celtics.

Celtics Rout Sixers

So about capitalizing on that lead with Embiid back. Understandably, Doc Rivers played his MVP cautiously. The center had 15 points, 3 rebounds, and 5 blocks in 27 minutes. However, no one was able to set up to replace his productivity, even with Rivers using all but one of his bench players. Tobias Harris led the team in scoring with 16 points. Meanwhile, Philly’s nine bench players saw a combined 97 minutes on the floor but only managed to add 26 points, 14 rebounds, and 6 assists. Embiid and Harris were the only Sixers starters to reach 15 points.

The real story of the game came from the Celtics’ defense. After allowing the Sixers to sink 17 threes in Game 1, Boston forced an awful 6-for-30 shooting night from behind the arc in Game 2. While Jayson Tatum put up just seven points on a foul-riddled night, other Celtics stepped up offensively. Jaylen Brown led all scorers with 25 points while Marcus Brogdon added 23 from the bench. The resulting 121-87 drubbing becomes Philly’s fourth-worst playoff loss in team history. Ironically, the worst playoff loss, a 40-point loss in 1982, also came at the hands of the Celtics. However, the Sixers will get the chance to bounce back at home as the series moves to Philadelphia. The Sixers went 29-12 at Wells Fargo Center during the regular season. Game 3 is set for May 5 at 7:30pm.

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Joel Embiid To Play In Sixers-Celtics Game 2

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While the Philadelphia 76ers have only been without newly-crowned MVP Joel Embiid for two games, it has felt like an age for fans. Embiid was assessed to have an LCL sprain in his right knee following Game 3 of the first-round matchup between the Sixers and Nets. This forced Embiid to miss the series-sealing Game 4. The Sixers are not an “Embiid or bust” team. However, the star’s absence has definitely been felt on the court.

Ahead of their second-round matchup against the Boston Celtics, Sixers head coach Doc Rivers warned fans that Embiid was likely not ready to play in Game 1. However, even without Embiid, the Sixers managed to steal a win on the road thanks to the heroics of James Harden. Harden put up 45 points in the Sixers’ Game 1 road victory. But now, finally, Sixers fans are set to receive some good news.

Embiid Back Barring Setback

First reported by The Athletic, Joel Embiid will appear in May 3’s Game 2 provided he is able to get through Wednesday’s team shootaround and pre-game workout. Embiid will also likely be asked about his playing condition at an NBA press conference concerning his MVP award. Confidence seems high though, with Embiid the first player onto the court during the team workout on Wednesday morning. Game 2 between the Sixers and Celtics is scheduled to begin at 8:00PM EDT. The game will take place at Boston’s TD Garden.

However, Rivers is still being cautious about his star player’s condition. “It’s just health-based. If he can play, he plays. If he can’t, he can’t. And if it’s 50-50, we would probably err on the other side [and not have him play], because we’ve done that all year,” Rivers said on Tuesday afternoon. Embiid appeared in 66 regular season games for the Sixers this season. That was third-highest amongst starters, trailing P.J. Tucker and Tobias Harris. Additionally, through three playoff games, Embiid is averaging 20 points and 11.3 rebounds per game. Who do you think will win between the Sixers and Celtics? Be sure to make HotNewHipHop your number one stop for all the latest sports news.

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Lakers Put Up Historic Performance To Top Warriors

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After dominating the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round of the NBA playoffs, the Los Angeles Lakers had made their intentions clear. They may be the seven-seed, but they are no underdog. Meanwhile, the Warriors overcame an 0-2 deficit to top the Sacramento Kings in the first round. After Draymond Green’s mid-series suspension, the Warriors came alive. Behind Steph, Klay, and their deep supporting cast, they flashed their potential once again.

Those two series victories set up an all-star, all-California second-round series. However, despite the tantalizing premise of LeBron versus Steph, the two teams have surprisingly little playoff history. This 2023 series is just the eighth playoff matchup between the Lakers and Warriors. Furthermore, it is the first time they have met in the playoffs since 1991. Heading into Tuesday’s Game 1, the Lakers led the Warriors 24-11 in playoff matches.

Lakers Prevail in High-Scoring, Historic Matchup

The Lakers came into this matchup knowing that if they wanted to stand any chance of winning, they needed to lock down on defense. Specifically, they needed to defend the perimeter in a way they hadn’t against the Grizzlies. They would also need to dominate the backcourt paint to ensure Steph and Klay didn’t spend the whole night being fed second chances. In this regard, they absolutely succeeded. Anthony Davis pulled down 19 defensive rebounds on a 23-rebound night. He also recorded the first 30-20 game by a Laker since Shaq. LeBron also put up a double-double, with 22 points and 11 rebounds.

However, the Warriors never let the Lakers run away with the game. Despite increased perimeter defense, Golden State made some history of their own. Steph, Klay, and Jordan Poole became the first trio in NBA playoff history to all make at least six threes in a game. In fact, with 9.1 seconds remaining, Poole had the chance to tie the game at 115. However, his three-point attempt from 28 feet out didn’t sink and the Lakers held on for a 117-112 win. This was just the tenth loss the Warriors had suffered at home this season. Despite the disappointment, they have shown that they can keep pace with the Lakers. The series will resume on Thursday.

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LeBron James Gives Steph Curry His Roses In Media Interview

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LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers pulled off a massive first-round upset. The Lakers entered the playoffs as the seventh seed in the Western Conference. However, the team showed the Memphis Grizzlies that seeding means nothing. As the team took down the number two team in the West. Now the Lakers have their sights set on another series victory. However, this time, James and company will have to take down the reigning champions.

The Warriors were also in an opening series as an underdog. The team faced off with the hottest team in the league, the Sacramento Kings. The Kings attempted to look the part of an experienced team. However, it was the Warriors that used their playoff experience to overcome the team that lights the beam. The stage is set for one of the biggest series matchups that isn’t happening in the Conference Finals. On Monday, James took time with the media during the Lakers shootaround to discuss the series.

LeBron James Respects Steph Curry’s Game

James discussed how the two top stars have a lot of similarities. “We’re two of the most competitive players that have ever played this game, and we want to etch our names in the history books as much as we can. … I got nothing but the greatest respect for Steph.” It seems as if there will be no trash talk from either team leading up to the start of the series. Which is something both teams dealt with in their first-round matchups. Unfortunately for the Grizzlies, they didn’t understand the term bulletin board material while playing the Lakers.

James and Curry are on the Mount Rushmore of the greatest players of the last decade. Now it seems that one may end the other’s chance at a final championship. This series could even be the last time we see the Warriors big three on the court together. However, the time to get emotional isn’t right now. Now is the time to lock in and take care of business. So, who will take the series between the Lakers and the Warriors? Give us your series predictions in the comment section. For the latest news in sports, keep it right here with HNHH.

Jimmy Butler Gives Ankle Update With Cryptic Instagram Post

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Jimmy Butler has already had a legendary playoff run. The Miami Heat star willed his team to an opening-round series victory over the Milwaukee Bucks. However, the team is still attempting to defy the odds by moving on to the Eastern Conference Finals. Game 1 proved that the Heat belong in the second round of the playoffs. As the Heat took care of business at Madison Square Garden on Sunday. However, the team could now be dealing with a massive injury.

Butler went down, grabbing his ankle late in Game 1. The Heat guard has given his all in every game the team has had in the playoffs. Including a 25-point performance this past Sunday. However, if the Heat has to play on with Butler, chances would be slim on seeing them advance. The team is already dealing with an injury to Tyler Herro. However, Butler seemed to rest fans’ worries with his recent Instagram story.

Jimmy Butler Enjoying Time Off In New York

Butler shared a photo of himself taking a stroll through the city that never sleeps. However, the biggest part of the photo may be that Butler’s ankle has no wraps around it. The injury scare has been the talk of every Miami Heat fan’s circle. But I believe this photo will put to bed any thoughts that he won’t go for Game 2. Butler has shown time and time again just how much he will put himself through during the playoffs. The Heat star continues to win over the fanbase.

Butler has helped lead Miami to two Eastern Conference Finals in the last three seasons. A series win over the Knicks will once again lead the Heat to the big series. Although the Knicks could be outmanned without star forward Julius Randle. Both teams are dealing with massive injuries to their rotation. Unfortunately, it is that time of year when every player is feeling the pain of the regular season. However, neither team will use this issue as an excuse if they’re on the losing end. For the latest NBA news, keep it right here with HNHH.

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Joel Embiid Receives Injury Update For Game 1 Vs. Boston

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Joel Embiid has had an incredible season. The Sixers superstar is more than likely winning his first MVP award. However, the playoffs have become a different breed. Embiid suffered an injury during the team’s opening-round series with the Brooklyn Nets. A hard spill on the court had Embiid nursing his back until he was pulled from the game. Luckily for the Sixers, the team was able to take down the Nets in the potential MVP’s absence. However, the chances of Embiid starting the second round don’t sound promising.

NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski spoke about the injury during a segment on NBA Today on Monday. Here is what Wojnarowski had to say on the Philly big man’s availability. “I’m told that Joel Embiid is unlikely to play in Game 1 against the Celtics tonight in Boston… There has been improvement and I’m told there is optimism that he could make his return for Game 2 on Wednesday.” So it looks as if the Sixers will be massive gun down when they start their series with the Celtics on Monday night.

Joel Embiid To Miss Game 1 Vs. Celtics

With the Bucks already eliminated, the winner of the Celtics-Sixers series has a lot at stake. For instance, the winner will be rewarded home-court advantage for the Eastern Conference Finals. As both teams are higher seeds than the Heat or Knicks. However, winning this series is the only thing on each team’s mind. The Sixers have proven they can win without Embiid. But the Celtics may prove to be a tougher challenge than the Nets. However, the team may see Embiid back on the court sooner rather than later.

Injuries have seemingly plagued every team in this post-season. Even the Celtics are dealing with a bizarre injury to forward Jaylen Brown. However, Brown’s injury wasn’t sustained on the floor. Brown sliced his hand open when a busted vase fell on him at home. However, the injury hasn’t seemed like a big issue with Brown’s play from the team’s first series. Can the Sixers win the series without Joel Embiid? Please give us your predictions on the Sixers-Celtics series in our comment section. For the latest NBA news, keep it right here with HNHH.