NBA

AP Basketball WriterCrawford picks Timberwolves over Cavs, WarriorsBy JON KRAWCZYNSKIMINNEAPOLIS (AP) At 37 years old and having never played in the NBA Finals, Jamal Crawford certainly could have gone ring chasing when he received a buyout from the Atlanta Hawks.The Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers, who have...

Isaiah Thomas on trade to Cavaliers: "It still hurts."BOSTON (AP) Isaiah Thomas' two sons had different reactions to his trade from the Celtics to the Cavaliers.His older son, James, is excited that his dad will get to play alongside LeBron James. Thomas' younger son, Jaiden, had fallen in...

NBA Finals ratings highest since Jordan's last title in 1998CLEVELAND (AP) The first two games of the NBA Finals are the most-watched since Michael Jordan's final championship in 1998.Despite two lopsided outcomes, Golden State's two home wins over Cleveland averaged 19.6 million viewers, according to numbers released Monday...

Thunder add experience with signings of Patterson, FeltonOKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Raymond Felton and Patrick Patterson have each played in the NBA long enough to appreciate the importance of playing for a team with legitimate title aspirations.Both believe they found that in Oklahoma City, a point they made clear...

Hawks sign veteran forward Luke Babbitt to 1-year dealATLANTA (AP) The Atlanta Hawks have signed veteran forward Luke Babbitt to a one-year deal.The Hawks announced the deal on Wednesday. Babbitt will earn about $1.9 million, the league minimum for a player entering his eighth year.Babbitt has averaged 4.8...

Ball scores 36, carries Lakers in NBA Summer League tourneyBy The Associated PressLonzo Ball's dud of a debut is long forgotten. And on Wednesday night, so were his Big Baller Brand sneakers.Now he has the best game of the NBA Summer League - and another playoff game for a...

Pacers acquire guard Cory Joseph from RaptorsINDIANAPOLIS (AP) The Indiana Pacers have acquired guard Cory Joseph from the Toronto Raptors in exchange for the draft rights of forward Emir Preldzic.Joseph, who is 6-foot-3, averaged 9.3 points, 2.9 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 25 minutes last season. He made 22...

AP Sports WriterFamily affair: Lakers get Lonzo Ball and dad with No. 2 pickBy GREG BEACHAMEL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) Lonzo Ball is staying home with the Los Angeles Lakers, and the point guard is one big part of Magic Johnson's grand plan to return them to championship contention.The...

Associated PressJames scores 35, Cavs take 3-0 lead with 115-94 victoryBy IAN HARRISONTORONTO (AP) Last year, LeBron James and the Cavaliers had their postseason win streak end in Canada.This time, Cleveland came across the border and kept right on rolling.James scored 35 points, Kevin Love had 16 points...

AP Sports WriterAP sources: Kyrie Irving asks Cavaliers to trade himBy TOM WITHERSCLEVELAND (AP) Kyrie Irving wants the stage for himself.Cleveland's All-Star point guard has asked the Cavaliers to trade him, two people familiar with the situation told the Associated Press on Friday. Irving made the request last...

AP Sports WriterRockets owner Alexander is selling team, CEO saysBy KRISTIE RIEKENHOUSTON (AP) Houston Rockets owner Leslie Alexander is selling the team.Rockets CEO Tad Brown made the announcement Monday, hours after he said Alexander made the decision.Alexander took over as owner on July 30, 1993, and the Rockets...

Pistons sign Anthony Tolliver, re-sign Reggie BullockDETROIT (AP) The Detroit Pistons have signed free agent Anthony Tolliver and have re-signed Reggie Bullock.Terms of the deals weren't disclosed.Tolliver, 32, played in 65 games and made nine starts for the Sacramento Kings last season. The 6-foot-8 forward averaged 7.1 points,...