NBA

Patrick Ewing to represent Knicks in draft lotteryNEW YORK (AP) The New York Knicks are turning to Patrick Ewing in hopes of lottery luck.Ewing, the prize when the Knicks won the first NBA draft lottery in 1985, will represent the team on stage when it attempts a turnaround...

AP Sports WriterLuke Walton out as Lakers coach after 3 losing seasonsBy GREG BEACHAMLOS ANGELES (AP) Luke Walton is out as coach of the Los Angeles Lakers after three losing seasons.Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka announced Walton's departure Friday, three days after the abrupt resignation of president of...

AP Sports WriterFresh off loss at Golden State, Clippers return for playoffsBy JANIE McCAULEYOAKLAND, Calif. (AP) This is such a different time for the Clippers and Warriors from their days as fierce rivals who swung elbows, tussled and trash-talked at every chance.Both franchises were finding themselves then, from...

AP Sports WriterNuggets roar into playoffs for first time in 6 yearsBy ARNIE STAPLETONDENVER (AP) The Denver Nuggets ended their six-year playoff drought in style.After spending most of the season jockeying with the juggernaut Golden State Warriors for top billing in the West, the Nuggets fended off Portland...

Associated PressGrizzlies fire coach J.B. Bickerstaff, reassign GM to scoutBy CLAY BAILEYMEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) The Memphis Grizzlies started the offseason Thursday with plenty of questions to answer, then controlling owner Robert Pera added to the to-do list by firing coach J.B. Bickerstaff as part of a front-office shake-up...

AP Sports WriterCavs, coach Drew part ways after challenging, 19-win seasonBy TOM WITHERSCLEVELAND (AP) The Cavaliers will continue to rebuild with a new coach. Larry Drew's run is over after one season.The team parted ways Thursday with Drew, who took over as the Cavs coach in October and...

AP Sports WriterAP source: Cavs not bringing back Drew for second seasonBy TOM WITHERSCLEVELAND (AP) A person familiar with the decision says the Cleveland Cavaliers are not bringing back coach Larry Drew for a second season.Drew, who led the Cavs to a 19-63 record after taking over when...

AP Sports WriterWolves seek establishment of stability, return to playoffsBy DAVE CAMPBELLMINNEAPOLIS (AP) Rarely has a pro sports team experienced such a difference in drama levels from the start to finish of one season that these Minnesota Timberwolves did.As the Timberwolves wound down the second half of their...

Grizzlies fire coach J.B. Bickerstaff, reassign GM to scoutMEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) The Memphis Grizzlies fired coach J.B. Bickerstaff on Thursday as part of a front-office shake-up in which general manager Chris Wallace was demoted to a scout.The Grizzlies announced the moves after both Bickerstaff and Wallace spoke to...

AP Sports WriterAll-Star Kemba Walker uncertain about his Hornets futureBy STEVE REEDCHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) There's a part of Kemba Walker that wants to play his entire career with the Charlotte Hornets. There's another part that wants to compete for an NBA championship before he's too old.With the Hornets...

AP Basketball WriterAnd now, the Heat prepare for life after Dwyane WadeBy TIM REYNOLDSMIAMI (AP) Dwyane Wade has gone full circle.He arrived in Miami in 2003, holding his 16-month-old son Zaire at the introductory news conference the day after the Heat drafted him and changed their franchise forever....

AP Sports WriterPaxson: Bulls on right path, Boylen could get extensionBy ANDREW SELIGMANCHICAGO (AP) John Paxson remains convinced the Chicago Bulls are on the right path despite one of the worst records in franchise history and that they have the coach they need in Jim Boylen.Chicago's top basketball...