NBA

AP Sports WriterAldridge steps up to help Spurs down Rockets 103-92By KRISTIE RIEKENHOUSTON (AP) LaMarcus Aldridge had been criticized through two games of the Western Conference semifinals for not doing enough for the San Antonio Spurs.On Friday night, with the Spurs now without Tony Parker, he shook off...

Associated PressWarriors fans celebrate, with expectations of more to comeBy LINDA WANGOAKLAND, Calif. (AP) Even from six rows back, 9- and 10-year-old brothers William and Rizal Cahambing were not going to miss a chance to see their favorite Golden State Warriors player, Stephen Curry, as he rode atop...

SAN ANTONIO (AP) - Brad Stevens is still trying to fully put his imprint on the Boston Celtics in only his second season with the franchise. He has, however, already left his mark on San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich. Popovich readily admits ''stealing'' plays and strategy from opposing coaches of...

AP Basketball WriterMarathon to a sprint: NBA regular season enters final monthBy BRIAN MAHONEYThe marathon that is the NBA regular season is headed toward its final sprint.With less than a month remaining until the final night of the season on April 12, the races for MVP and Rookie of...

Jazz point guard George Hill out of Game 2 with toe injurySALT LAKE CITY (AP) Utah Jazz starting point guard George Hill will not play against the Golden State Warriors in Game 2 due to left big toe soreness. The injury has lingered throughout the season and kept...

AP Basketball WriterAnthem singer at Heat-76ers game kneels during performanceBy TIM REYNOLDSMIAMI (AP) A woman performing the national anthem before an NBA preseason game in Miami on Friday night did so while kneeling at midcourt, and opening her jacket to show a shirt with the phrase ''Black Lives...

AP Basketball WriterJump it up: NBA poised for season unlike any it has ever hadBy BRIAN MAHONEYThe story lines are as long as a Stephen Curry 3-pointer.With a superteam in the West, a megastar in the Midwest, superstars all around the league, its global popularity at an all-time high,...

LaVar Ball's company unveils son Lonzo Ball's $495 shoesLOS ANGELES (AP) The company run by the outspoken father of top NBA prospect Lonzo Ball has unveiled a signature shoe for the former UCLA star with an eye-popping price tag of $495 a pair.LaVar Ball's Big Baller Brand unveiled...

AP Sports WriterSuns nab forward Josh Jackson with 4th overall pickBy BOB BAUMPHOENIX (AP) Josh Jackson believes the Phoenix Suns got the best player in the draft: Josh Jackson.The Suns agree.''People say he was the best two-way player,'' general manager Ryan McDonough said. ''The last I checked the...

NEW ORLEANS (113)Pondexter 4-5 0-0 10, A.Davis 9-15 2-2 20, Asik 4-7 0-0 8, Evans 6-10 2-2 16, Gordon 2-5 4-6 10, Cunningham 3-4 0-0 6, Ajinca 2-6 2-2 6, Cole 8-12 0-0 17, Anderson 5-11 5-6 17, Douglas 1-3 0-1 2, Withey 0-0 1-2 1,...

Spurs' Tony Parker has surgery on ruptured quad tendonSAN ANTONIO (AP) The Spurs say veteran guard Tony Parker has undergone successful surgery to repair a ruptured left quadriceps tendon.The team said Friday's procedure was performed by Spurs physician Dr. David Schmidt and a timeline for Parker's return will...

AP Sports WriterMonster mash: LeBron James undaunted by beastly WarriorsBy TOM WITHERSINDEPENDENCE, Ohio (AP) There's a four-headed, shot-making, scoreboard-breaking monster out West awaiting LeBron James and the Cavaliers.The Warriors are stomach-churning scary.James, though, can't run or hide. With eight NBA Finals appearances under his belt, he is ready...