NBA Southeast News and Rumors

Associated Press, ESPN.com

Josh Smith is back in Atlanta's lineup against the Phoenix Suns after missing one game with a sprained left knee, but point guard Jeff Teague is missing his second straight start.

Eric Freeman, yahoo.com

The Miami Heat, holders of the NBA's best record at 49-14, also happen to be the league's hottest team. They've won 20 games in a row, and it's not entirely crazy to think they could challenge the 1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers' all-time record of 33 straig…

Kelly Dwyer, yahoo.com

Former Los Angeles Lakers assistant coach Brian Shaw will probably be the first to tell you that he isn’t slumming while working as associate coach of the Indiana Pacers. The team is firmly established as the Eastern Conference’s Number Two, and he an…

Andrew Greif, dimemag.com

One stat in particular jumped out at us last night as we watched Portland’s detonation of the Carmelo Anthony-less Knicks: Since Jan. 1, the New York Knicks are 17-16, while the Wizards, formerly the embarrassment of the league, are 17-18. Knee injuries…

Chris Forsberg, ESPN.com

The Celtics are "not really impressed" with Miami's current winning streak.

Steve Mcpherson, nytimes.com

The details of San Antonio Coach Gregg Popovich coaching strategies are secondary to how much his players believe in them.

CNNSI.com

There's a reason Miami has ripped off 20 wins in a row. Yet some teams have had a measure of success against the Heat. Is there a blueprint to stopping them? asks Rob Mahoney.

Paul Palladino, dimemag.com

The NBA is notorious for having a small number of teams with realistic championship expectations. While nearly half of the NFL can claim to be in the running, the NBA normally only has a handful of true contenders. The Heat, Thunder and Spurs have all e…

Stuart Miller, nytimes.com

The N.B.A. courts Latino fans with its Noche Latina promotions, but does calling its teams El Heat or Los Bulls appeal to Spanish speakers, or insult them?