GoneTrending

The Philadelphia 76ers look to stay alive in the 2021 NBA Playoffs on Friday evening. Doc Rivers’ team visits the Atlanta Hawks for Game 6 of a best-of-seven second round series, with Philadelphia trailing by a 3-2 margin. Atlanta won the last two games with considerable comebacks, including a second-half deficit of 26 points in Game 5 on Wednesday.

Joel Embiid is officially listed as questionable, as he has been for every game in the series, and he continues to play through a torn meniscus in his knee. Embiid has been dominant at times, particularly in first halves, and the Sixers will likely ask him to produce at a superstar level once again. Elsewhere, Seth Curry is enjoying a highly productive series from long range, but both Ben Simmons and Tobias Harris have scuffled at times offensively, especially during what was a maddening Game 5 loss.

On Atlanta’s side, a “never say die” attitude has permeated the proceedings and they have been incredibly effective in their home building since Nate McMillan took over as the team’s interim head coach. Fresh off a playoff career high 39-point performance in Game 5, Trae Young will look to key the Hawks offensively, and he is surrounded by shooters like Bogdan Bogdanovic and Kevin Huerter, as well as play finishers like John Collins and Clint Capela. In Game 5, it was veteran reserve guard Lou Williams that provided an undeniable spark, as he scored 13 points in the first six minutes of the fourth quarter as Atlanta began its ludicrous comeback.

From a betting standpoint, Game 5 went Under the total of 224.5 points and Atlanta covered the closing point spread of 7.5 points as an underdog.

Game 6 TV Info

Tip Time: Friday, June 18; 7:30 p.m. ET
TV Network: ESPN

Game 6 Betting Lines (via DraftKings Sportsbook)

Series Prices: Hawks (-177), 76ers (+140)
Spread: 76ers -3 (-112), Hawks +3 (-109)
Total: Over 221 (-112), Under 221 (-109)
Money Line: 76ers (-155), Hawks (+130)

Game 6 Player Scoring Props (via DraftKings Sportsbook)

Ben Simmons O/U 13.5 Points (Over -114/Under -112)
John Collins O/U 15.5 (-114/-112)
Trae Young O/U 27.5 (-120/-107)
Joel Embiid O/U 33.5 (-113/-113)
Tobias Harris O/U 21.5 (-110/-110)
Kevin Huerter O/U 10.5 (-114/-112)
Bogdan Bogdanović O/U 17.5 (-109/-117)
Clint Capela O/U 10.5 (-125/-103)
Seth Curry O/U 15.5 (-127/+100)
Furkan Korkmaz O/U 9.5 (-114/-112)

The NFL and its Players Association agreed earlier in the week to new rules about how to handle members of various organizations who refuse to get vaccinated against the coronavirus and help bring the pandemic that’s killed millions of people to an end. The differences between those who have gotten the jab will be stark, with testing every day for unvaccinated players and other restrictions like mask wearing and extended quarantine rules in case of close contact with anyone positive for coronavirus in the still-ongoing pandemic.

Those vaccinated, like hundreds of millions of other Americans, will be granted more freedom to go maskless and resume activities like others have been able to enjoy elsewhere in society. And teams have a mandate to allow increased contact if players and staff reach an 85 percent vaccination rate, generally in the range where experts feel herd immunity may be possible to bring the pandemic to an end.

A number of teams are apparently well on their way to getting to the 85 percent threshold according to reports, but one team fans are concerned about is the Buffalo Bills. Especially after some players were very vocal about some very incorrect medical opinions about the pandemic. Wideout Cole Beasley shared those thoughts on Twitter on Thursday, calling the NFLPA a “joke” for agreeing to these rules that apparently didn’t stand up for unvaccinated players to his liking.

This is already largely incorrect, as not only does the vaccine safely and effectively prevent serious illness or death from COVID-19, it also limits its ability for vaccinated people to spread it to others. But Beasley kept the false equivalences going, claiming that because he beat the odds of making it to the NFL and playing professional football, he could beat the odds and potentially get a breakthrough case even if he were vaccinated.

Beasley declared the moves were not with safety in mind, but so the NFL can continue to make money. That may be true, but he also amplified several different points of anti-vaccine rhetoric that have been scientifically disproven time and time again during the year-plus of the pandemic.

At one point, Beasley compared the pandemic that’s killed more than 600,000 Americans to “the flu” which, it’s important to note, also does have a vaccine that saves lives each year.

Another Bills player, guard Jon Feliciano, amplified Beasley’s comments on Twitter with his own takes.

Part of the apparent frustration here is, despite the wishes of many athletes that their medical history stay “private” when it comes to vaccinations, there will be extremely visible proof whether athletes are vaccinated or unvaccinated once camp and the regular season starts. What’s more, having teams with more unvaccinated players on the roster could limit team activities and make life more difficult in the upcoming season.

Bills fans on social media have spent the offseason watching a player’s significant other amplify anti-vaccine rhetoric and warning that many on the team were vaccine hesitant amid comments from the front office and head coach Sean McDermott saying they’d prefer players get vaccinated. In May, for example, McDermott admitted he was “concerned” that enough players may not get vaccinated so the team reaches the necessary thresholds to reach full team activities. It seems, at least in the middle of June, that some major players on the team are worth being concerned about.

While the two rappers might be a couple of rap generations removed from each other, a collaboration between Cordae and Common makes a lot of sense. Both are patient lyricists who present strong storytelling abilities while also laying off impressive bars with ease. Both rappers make a cross-generational connection for their new song, “What’s Life.” The effort watches the duo sift for answers to society’s current qualms while contemplating what their everyday lives might look like without aspects they deem as important.

Cordae and Common’s collaboration can be found on the newly-released Liberated / Music For The Movement Vol. 3 EP which arrives with five songs and other contributions from Lucky Daye, Chloe Bailey, Yara Shahidi, and saxophonist Kamasi Washington. On the individual side of things, Cordae recently shared his Just Until EP before gracing faces with videos for “Wassup,” “Dream In Color,” and “More Life.” Common, on the other hand, is hard at work producing a documentary — named God’s Long Summer after a book written by Charles Marsh — about Civil Rights activist Fannie Lou Hamer.

You can listen to “What’s Life” in the video above.

Liberated / Music For The Movement Vol. 3 is out now via Hollywood Records. Get it here.

Cordae is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

More than three years removed from his last album, Good Thing, Texas singer Leon Bridges is readying the release of his third effort, Gold-Diggers Sound. The project is one that’s been supported by strong singles like “Sweeter” and “Motorbike,” and now, he adds the third preview for the upcoming project with “Why Don’t You Touch Me.” His latest drop questions the growing distance between him and his partner as they watch their once-passionate love fade away. The new track is also accompanied by a heart-wrenching video that captures the broken love Leon sings about.

Prior to sharing “Motorbike,” Leon gave some insight about Gold-Diggers Sound. “I created this world with @rickyreed and @natemercereau at Gold Diggers Studio in East Hollywood over the course of two very long years,” Bridges wrote in an Instagram post. “With immense joy, greater purpose, and sometimes doubt, I labored over these eleven songs, but the record truly came together when I immersed myself in everything @golddiggersla making it my home, my escape, and the center of my creative world.”

The singer added, “The record features some remarkably talented friends, longtime collaborators and I believe it’s my most personal album yet.” Gold-Diggers Sound is highlighted by guest appearances from Terrace Martin, Ink, and Robert Glasper.

Press play on the video for “Why Don’t You Touch Me” above.

Gold-Diggers Sound is out 7/23 via Columbia Records. Pre-order it here.

As 2017 approached an end, OVO-signed duo Majid Jordan appeared with their sophomore album, The Space Between. The 13-track effort saw contributions from labelmates PartyNextDoor and DVSN, and while it may have fallen under the radar for many people that year, the project was an impressive display of Majid Jordan’s talents. Since then, the Canadian duo has remained rather quiet but it’s looking like things will be different in 2021.

The duo returns with their second single of the year, “Been Through That,” a groovy number that sees Majid Jordan acknowledging the nuisances of love over a dancefloor-ready beat. “Days when you think it’s love, feel like it might be an act, I’ve been through that,” they sing. “Times when you drink too much / You still call when it’s late, I’vе been through that.”

The track is also a follow up to “Waves Of Blue,” which Majid Jordan released back in April as their first single since their 2019’s “Caught Up,” their collaboration with Khalid. In a post on Twitter, the duo shared some insight on “Waves Of Blue” shortly after its release. “’Waves of Blue’ was made at the very beginning of this album, and it only makes sense that we begin our next chapter with this song,” they wrote. “This song is like staring at the sea – you’re not in the water, but you’re getting carried away by its currents.”

Hit play on the video above to listen to “Been Through That.”

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

DaBaby is certainly one of the most outwardly confident rappers in today’s hip-hop game. The North Carolina native has shown it on a number of occasions since the release of his debut album, 2019’s Baby On Baby. While some might question it, he certainly has the accolades and achievements to back it up. With that being said, it comes as no surprise that the rapper is holding on to that confidence on his brand new single, “Ball If I Want To.” The effort defiantly declares his self-proclaimed top-notch status while refusing to listen to anyone who tries to pull him away from it.

Another example of DaBaby’s boastful spirits came just a couple of weeks ago when he delivered a strong claim to his Instagram Story. “Best mf rapper & I’m on ALLLAT shit these n****s LIE about,” he said. “I’m him frfr. If a n**** ain’t tryna work with the real thang he SCARED. The best supposed to compete w/ the best These n****s just TALK like they like dat SHUUUUT UP.”

In addition to releasing his new single, DaBaby is set to perform at the 2021 BET Awards. He also recently joined Polo G in a video for their “Party Lyfe” collaboration and teamed up with Yo Gotti for “Drop.”

Go ahead and press play on “Ball If I Want To” in the video above.

This August will mark three years since Don Toliver’s show-stealing appearance on “Can’t Say” from Travis Scott’s Astroworld album. Since then, the Houston rapper has only elevated his game while delivering a sizeable amount of good music which can be found on his first two projects, Donny Womack and Heaven Or Hell. Just a year removed from the latter, Toliver is preparing his third effort for a release. L.O.A.D (Life Of A Don) is set to arrive at some point in July, and with that month just a couple of weeks away, the Houston native returns with the second single from the forthcoming effort.

Arriving with Kali Uchis by his side, Toliver drops his latest single, “Drugs N Hella Melodies.” It lands in fans’ hands with a sultry video that sees the duo spending intimate moments together. From getting cozy during a dip into the tub to deep-sea beside each other, Toliver and Kali look like quite the comfortable couple in the visual.

The song is the first official collaboration between the two artists as well as the first collaboration fans have heard from L.O.A.D (Life Of A Don). It also follows his last single, “What You Need,” an effort that saw Toliver take an unorthodox approach to delivering a sharp flex to listeners.

Toliver also spoke about the upcoming album during a profile story with Flaunt. “It took time,” he said. “It wasn’t an overnight thing at all. I had to do a lot, but it feels good to get here.”

Make sure to press play on “Drug N Hella Melodies” in the video above.

Don Toliver is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Fans of Top Dawg Entertainment and more specifically, Isaiah Rashad, have spent the last month rejoicing as the Tennessee native revealed his second album, The House Is Burning, would arrive at some point in June. From the looks of it, Rashad’s upcoming effort should drop next week, June 25, as long as his promise remains true. Until then, fans can enjoy the project’s first single, “Lay Wit Ya” with Duke Duece, and its newest single, “Headshots (4r Da Locals),” which the rapper just released for his faithful listeners.

The track is a woozy effort that fits in the pocket of the similarly titled track, “4 Da Squaw,” from his debut album, The Sun’s Tirade. “Headshots (4r Da Locals)” also features production from Hollywood Cole who is also responsible for the beat behind Rashad’s “Lay Wit Ya.” As highlighted in his profile with Fader, Rashad’s new single celebrates his return to the hip-hop world while recognizing that he can’t remove life’s pains by burning them.

Prior to the arrival of “Headshots (4r Da Locals),” Rashad dropped “200/Warning,” a tracked he revealed would not appear on The House Is Burning, but one that seemingly arrived as a treat for fans who stayed patient for his return over the years.

You can press play on “Headshots (4r Da Locals)” in the video above.

Isaiah Rashad is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Vince Staples hasn’t exactly disappeared since releasing his 2018 project, FM!. The Long Beach rapper has been and remains a comical presence on social media while contributing guest verses to artists that include Tiana Major9, Lil Yachty, and Reason. However, in the nearly three years since FM!, supporters of Vince have sought and remained patient for the arrival of his third album. Luckily for them, the rapper revealed that he actually has two projects on the way, one titled Ramona Park Broke My Heart and another Vince Staples. It’ll be a while until either of those arrive, but thankfully, Vince begins the rollout for it with his brand new single, “Law Of Averages.”

The track arrives with a grainy video that captures Vince posted up with the homies in his neighborhood as he raps over the track’s soulful production. There’s good reason to be excited about Vince’s upcoming self-titled album and Ramona Park Broke My Heart. The former is an effort that features heavy production from Kenny Beats, who has a great resume filled with impressive work with a wide array of acts.

“[Kenny] sent me a beat that I recorded on, and it just went from there,” Vince said about the project. “We didn’t go into it intentionally thinking that we would end up with as much as we had. We ended up working two days a week for a month, from after Thanksgiving until before Christmas in 2020. A couple of weeks in, we looked up, and we had some stuff.”

Prior to that, Killer Mike had nothing but positive words to say about one of Vince’s upcoming albums. Every time I C @vincestaples my spirit is lifted,” he wrote in an Instagram post. He added, “After hearing his new project I repeat and repeat he beyond ‘Gifted’. Love & Respect always!”

You can listen to “Law Of Averages” in the video above.

While Kevin Durant put together a one-of-a-kind performance, one could argue that the Milwaukee Bucks let one get away in Game 5 on Tuesday. The Bucks underwhelmed in crunch time, failing to take advantage of the undermanned Nets, and Durant’s effort was just enough to give Brooklyn a 3-2 lead with the series shifting back to Milwaukee. On Thursday, Milwaukee entered the pressure cooker that is a win-or-go-home scenario, and they put together an inspired effort to force Game 7 with a 104-89 win.

The Bucks struck first, putting together an 18-5 run to begin the evening. Milwaukee attacked the rim with fervor, generating 12 points in the paint, and the Nets opened 2-of-9 from the floor with four turnovers.

Following a timeout, the Nets did score seven straight points, which largely stopped the bleeding. The opening quarter still belonged to the Bucks, though, with 11 points and seven rebounds from Giannis Antetokounmpo helping to give Milwaukee a seven-point edge.

The Bucks stretched their advantage with an 8-2 run to begin the second quarter, though Brooklyn cut into the margin with a 9-0 spurt later in the period. Overall, the story of the second quarter was the play of Khris Middleton, who scored 17 points to key the Bucks in building an 11-point halftime lead.

Most of the third quarter was a rock fight on the order of what transpired in Game 3 of this same series. Neither team was able to find an offensive foothold, but Kevin Durant churned to 10 straight points for Brooklyn, paving the way for the visitors to cut their deficit to five.

Just as the Nets were creeping into a favorable position, the Bucks ended the third quarter with a flourish. Middleton scored six points in the final 55 seconds of the period, including a bucket at the buzzer, and that binge gave Milwaukee an 11-point lead with 12 minutes remaining.

With the run bleeding into the fourth quarter, the Bucks scored 10 consecutive points overall, and that pushed the margin to a game-high 15 points. Directly following that push, the Nets answered with a 10-0 run of their own, capped by the first three-pointer of the evening from Joe Harris.

In keeping with the trend of back-and-forth action, the Bucks threw their counterpunch and it proved to be a knockout blow. Milwaukee scored the next 14 points, taking a 19-point lead when Antetokounmpo threw down an impressive dunk with 6:24 remaining.

Brooklyn never recovered from there, as the Bucks kept the pedal down long enough to secure the win without any additional drama. It was not an off-the-charts shooting performance from Milwaukee at 45 percent from the floor and 7-of-33 from three-point distance, but the Bucks snagged 15 offensive rebounds, effectively using their size advantage. In addition, Middleton (38 points, 10 rebounds, five assists) and Antetokounmpo (30 points, 17 rebounds) played at a superstar level throughout the game.

On the Brooklyn side, Durant was highly effective with 32 points and 11 rebounds in 40 minutes, though the team’s performance left something to be desired. James Harden showed flashes of increased mobility while still falling short of his normal baseline and, with Harris struggling and Kyrie Irving still sidelined, the Nets were left searching for more firepower.

Game 7 looms on Saturday in front of a national audience, with the winner set to advance to face either the Atlanta Hawks or the Philadelphia 76ers. In short, there should be considerable drama, much in the way there has been throughout the first six contests of a memorable series.