NBA

AP Sports WriterWarriors, Spurs series filled with familiar story linesBy JANIE McCAULEYOAKLAND, Calif. (AP) Leave it to Gregg Popovich to play mind games ahead of the Western Conference finals.So, what will he do to prepare his defense to stop the high-flying Warriors?''Pray,'' Popovich quipped Saturday before the Spurs...

AP Sports WriterSpurs, Grizzlies square off in 4th playoff series since '11By TERESA M. WALKERNobody in the NBA has played against each other in the playoffs since 2011 more than the San Antonio Spurs and Memphis Grizzlies.And with the exception of 2011, the Spurs have simply dominated the Grizzlies.So...

AP Sports WriterAP Source: Warriors G Stephen Curry wins 2nd straight MVPBy JOSH DUBOWOAKLAND, Calif. (AP) Stephen Curry is adding a second straight MVP award to his record-setting season.A person with knowledge of the award says Curry will be announced as the winner perhaps as soon as Tuesday....

DALLAS (AP) - Rajon Rondo is ready to return for Dallas after missing the last six games before the All-Star break with a broken bone near the eye.Amare Stoudemire is a day closer to joining the Mavericks after the last-place Knicks turned him loose with a buyout.Let the latest...

AP Basketball WriterAP Sources: Thunder lock up Oladipo, AdamsBy JON KRAWCZYNSKITwo people with knowledge of the situation tell The Associated Press that the Oklahoma City Thunder have agreed to terms with Steven Adams and Victor Oladipo on four-year contract extensions.Adams is finalizing a deal worth $100 million and Oladipo...

AP Basketball WriterNBA players union complains about Jackson's Carmelo commentsBy BRIAN MAHONEYNEW YORK (AP) If players can't publicly ask for a trade, management shouldn't be able to encourage one.That was the message from the National Basketball Players Association to NBA Commissioner Adam Silver following New York Knicks President...

The Latest: Closing arguments beginning in Derrick Rose caseLOS ANGELES (AP) The Latest on the trial of a lawsuit accusing NBA star Derrick Rose and two others of gang rape (all times local):1:08 p.m.Closing arguments are beginning in the trial of a lawsuit alleging NBA star Derrick Rose...

NEW YORK (AP) - The Atlanta Hawks may never duplicate the way they played in January, during the best month in NBA history.They at least begin May looking better than in April.The 60-game winners and runaway No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference weren't sharp when the playoffs started,...

Pelicans extend guard Crawford through season's endMETAIRIE, La. (AP) The New Orleans Pelicans have signed reserve guard Jordan Crawford to an extension through the rest of this season.The Pelicans, who announced the move Thursday, have not disclosed contract terms.The 6-foot-5 Crawford, who joined New Orleans on a 10-day...

CLEVELAND (AP) - Cavaliers All-Star guard Kyrie Irving will play against Boston after missing two games with a strained left shoulder.Irving participated in the team's shoot-around Tuesday and coach David Blatt announced he would play about 90 minutes before the game.Irving injured his shoulder in the second half of...

AP Basketball WriterThere will be big international interest in the NBA playoffsBy TIM REYNOLDSMilwaukee star Giannis Antetokounmpo returns to the playoffs in Toronto on Saturday afternoon. Except in Greece, where it'll already be very early Sunday morning.They won't mind staying up late in Athens to watch.Same goes for plenty...

NEW YORK (AP) - Portland Trail Blazers center Joel Freeland and Detroit Pistons forward Shawne Williams were suspended one game without pay by the NBA on Saturday for head-butting each other.The incident occurred with 1:15 left in the Trail Blazers' 118-99 home victory Friday night. Williams sat out Saturday...