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BOSTON (AP) — It’s been six months since Celtics star Jayson Tatum stood at center court in Boston’s TD Garden and addressed fans minutes after receiving his 2024 championship ring and watching the franchise’s 18th banner raised into the rafters.

Cleveland's Kenny Atkinson was announced Saturday as the winner of the National Basketball Coaches Association's coach of the year award, after leading the Cavaliers to a 64-win season and the No. 1 seed for the Eastern Conference playoffs.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Two-time All-Star Ja Morant promised a sprained right ankle wouldn't keep him out of Memphis' play-in game against Dallas with the Western Conference's last postseason berth up for grabs Friday night.

Orlando Magic (41-41, seventh in the Eastern Conference) vs. Boston Celtics (61-21, second in the Eastern Conference) Boston; Sunday, 3:30 p.m. EDT BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Celtics -13.

Golden State Warriors (48-34, seventh in the Western Conference) vs. Houston Rockets (52-30, second in the Western Conference) Houston; Sunday, 9:30 p.m. EDT BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Rockets -1.5; over/under is 213.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Ja Morant shrugged off a sprained right ankle to score 22 points and add nine assists and the Memphis Grizzlies beat the Dallas Mavericks 120-106 on Friday night to advance to the NBA playoffs.

ATLANTA (AP) — Tyler Herro scored 30 points while sinking two 3-pointers in overtime and the Miami Heat regrouped after losing an early lead to beat the Atlanta Hawks 123-114 on Friday night and make NBA Play-In Tournament history.

Capsules on the Western Conference first-round series: No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder (68-14) vs. No. 8 Memphis (48-34) Season series: Thunder, 4-0.

There was Toronto in 2019, the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020, Milwaukee in 2021, Golden State in 2022, Denver in 2023 and Boston in 2024. Six different seasons, six different champions. A run of parity like none other in NBA history.

ATLANTA (AP) — After making NBA Play-In Tournament history by winning two road games, the Miami Heat won't be afraid of facing No. 1 seed Cleveland in the playoffs.