NBA

Feb. 19 - Trade deadline (3 p.m. EST).April 15 - Last day of regular season.April 18 - Playoffs begin.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Minnesota Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor stood at the podium and used the words ''gold standard'' and ''radical departure from the norm'' to describe the team's glimmering new practice facility, as NBA Commissioner Adam Silver nodded his head in agreement.For once, it appears, the long-suffering Timberwolves are...

AP Sports WriterPritchard ready to use aggressive approach on Pacers' revampBy MICHAEL MAROTINDIANAPOLIS (AP) Kevin Pritchard spent the last six seasons speaking his mind privately.He shared his crazy ideas with Larry Bird, occasionally agreed to disagree with the boss, and might have even tried to persuade Bird to...

AP Sports WriterLeBron James brings title home to ClevelandBy TOM WITHERSCLEVELAND (AP) LeBron James came home with the trophy he promised, and the championship Cleveland has coveted for 52 years.The NBA superstar, born and raised in nearby Akron, stepped off a plane Monday and hoisted the shiny Larry...

AP Sports WriterNo Bull: Wade, Butler, Rondo stand ground on strong commentsBy ANDREW SELIGMANCHICAGO (AP) - Dwyane Wade and Jimmy Butler weren't backing down after questioning the Chicago Bulls' desire. Rajon Rondo wasn't issuing any retractions for firing back at them.There was an uneasy detente in place Friday for...

Warriors agree to 2-year lease extension in OaklandOAKLAND, Calif. (AP) The Golden State Warriors have agreed to a two-year lease extension to remain at Oracle Arena in Oakland before a planned move to San Francisco for the 2019-20 season.The Joint Powers Authority that controls the arena said Wednesday...

HOUSTON (130)Ariza 5-12 1-2 13, Jones 4-9 4-5 12, Howard 5-10 3-5 13, Terry 3-7 0-0 7, Harden 15-24 7-7 42, Prigioni 1-3 0-0 3, J.Smith 7-15 2-4 18, Brewer 6-11 1-2 15, Capela 2-2 3-3 7. Totals 48-93 21-28 130.DALLAS (128)Jefferson 1-4 0-0 3, Nowitzki 10-19...

NEW ORLEANS (87)Pondexter 1-8 1-1 3, Davis 9-22 8-8 26, Asik 1-3 0-0 2, Evans 4-13 7-12 16, Gordon 9-19 0-0 23, Anderson 1-5 2-2 4, Cole 5-11 0-1 11, Cunningham 1-1 0-0 2, Ajinca 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 31-82 18-24 87.GOLDEN STATE (97)Barnes 2-6 1-2 5,...

NEW YORK (AP) - Two Atlanta Hawks players have been released after their arrest on charges they blocked officers from setting up a crime scene following the stabbing of a fellow NBA player.Pero Antic and Thabo Sefolosha (tah-BOH' sehf-ah-LOH'-shuh) were arrested early Wednesday outside the club 1Oak in Manhattan's...

AP Sports WriterParker takes head-on challenge of 2nd left ACL injuryBy GENARO C. ARMASST. FRANCIS, Wis. (AP) Jabari Parker looked ahead to the future as he leaned up against a wall at the Milwaukee Bucks training center with the help of two metal crutches.The star forward is embracing...

AP Sports WriterWill he or won't he? Nurkic's return still uncertainBy ANNE M. PETERSONPORTLAND, Ore. (AP) Portland center Jusuf Nurkic's availability for the opening game of the Trail Blazers' playoff series against the Golden State Warriors remains uncertain.Nurkic has missed seven games with a non-displaced right leg fracture.There...

AP Basketball WriterNBA Development League to tinker with 4- and 5-person crewsBy TIM REYNOLDSMIAMI (AP) The NBA is going to take a look at having more officials on the court.The league said Monday that nine upcoming NBA Development League games will feature four- and five-person crews instead of...