Author: Jeff Zillgitt, USA TODAY

After a disappointing 2017-18, Kawhi Leonard has used rest, limited playing time to bring Raptors to next level in NBA playoffs.

Long-distance threes have become standard in the NBA. Since 2014-15, the number of three-pointers attempted between 28-40 feet has tripled.

Kawhi Leonard put forth another memorable NBA playoff performance in the Toronto Raptors’ double-overtime win over the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 3.

The Raptors found life in the Eastern Conference finals, avoiding a disastrous 3-0 series deficit with a double-overtime win over the Bucks.

Just about everything went right for the Raptors through three quarters, but they blew a golden opportunity to steal home-court advantage.

Basketball Hall of Famers and NBA icons Magic Johnson and Larry Bird are this year’s recipients of the NBA’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

The NBA’s new reformed draft lottery process worked as designed. In a loss for tanking, the teams that had the best odds didn’t get the No. 1 pick.

With a high draft pick, money to spend in free agency and talented young players on the roster, the New York Knicks are bullish on their future.