NBA

AP Sports WriterCavs hire former Grizzlies coach JB BickerstaffBy TOM WITHERSCLEVELAND (AP) The Cavaliers have added former Grizzlies coach J.B. Bickerstaff to John Beilein's staff as an associate head coach.Bickerstaff was a candidate for Cleveland's opening and interviewed for the job before the Cavs lured Beilein from Michigan...

AP Sports WriterLillard says he has separated ribs, will play through painBy ANNE M. PETERSONPORTLAND, Ore. (AP) Portland's Damian Lillard says he separated his ribs in Game 2 of the Western Conference finals against the Golden State Warriors.Lillard confirmed the injury on Sunday, a day after the Trail...

AP Sports WriterGreen shows a more mature side for the WarriorsBy ANNE M. PETERSONPORTLAND, Ore. (AP) Draymond Green would rather do more playing than complaining these days.Known at times for his temper and tangles with officials, a more mature Green has the Golden State Warriors on the brink...

AP Basketball WriterBucks lead East finals 2-0, and now series shifts to TorontoBy TIM REYNOLDSKawhi Leonard and Kyle Lowry have more than held their own against Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton so far in these Eastern Conference finals.Other than some pretty boxscores, the Toronto Raptors have nothing to show...

AP Sports WriterWarriors remain optimistic Durant will return in postseasonBy JANIE McCAULEYOAKLAND, Calif. (AP) Steve Kerr remains optimistic Kevin Durant will return from a right calf injury to play for Golden State at some point this postseason but isn't guessing when that might be.''There's definitely some gray area...

NBA bans Pacers' Evans for violating league anti-drug policyINDIANAPOLIS (AP) The NBA has banned Indiana Pacers guard Tyreke Evans at least two years for violating the league's anti-drug policy.The league announced that Evans had been dismissed and disqualified on Friday. He can apply for reinstatement in 2021.Pacers general...

AP Sports WriterKevin Durant to miss Games 3, 4 of Western Conference finalsBy JANIE McCAULEYOAKLAND, Calif. (AP) Warriors star Kevin Durant will miss the upcoming Games 3 and 4 of the Western Conference finals in Portland as he continues to recover from a strained right calf, and the...

Giannis, George finalists for NBA MVP and defensive awardNEW YORK (AP) Giannis Antetokounmpo and Paul George have a chance to be both the NBA's MVP and its Defensive Player of the Year.Reigning MVP James Harden is the other finalist for the league's top award. The NBA announced three...

AP Sports WriterBlazers head home for Game 3, down 2-0 to Golden StateBy ANNE M. PETERSONPORTLAND, Ore. (AP) Damian Lillard says Golden State did its job and protected home court. Now it's time for the Trail Blazers to do the same.The Western Conference finals between the upstart Blazers...

AP Basketball WriterMid-major to millions: Ja Morant's life is changing quicklyBy TIM REYNOLDSCHICAGO (AP) Here's how much everything has changed for Ja Morant in the last 12 months: He's gone from being considered the No. 3 option at Murray State to the possible No. 2 pick in the...

AP Basketball WriterBucks seeking 2-0 lead over Raptors in East finalsBy TIM REYNOLDSWhen the season started, everyone knew the Eastern Conference would have a new king.LeBron James left Cleveland, having taken his talents to Los Angeles.And even Milwaukee star Giannis Antetokounmpo wasn't sure who would take his place.''I didn't...

Ja Morant not participating in games at draft combineCHICAGO (AP) Ja Morant is not taking part in the games portion of the draft combine that opens Thursday.That's not uncommon for players who are expected to be among the top picks in the NBA draft, and it's widely projected...