NBA

AP Basketball WriterNigeria, Iran clinch Olympic berths; Spain tops SerbiaBy TIM REYNOLDSNigeria and Iran are going to the Olympics. China's World Cup run came to a disappointing end. And Serbia is unbeaten no more, making a third consecutive meeting with the U.S. in a gold-medal game now unlikely.Nigeria clinched...

AP Sports WriterLeBron James sitting out for Lakers against WarriorsBy JANIE McCAULEYOAKLAND, Calif. (AP) LeBron James is sitting out for the Lakers against the Golden State Warriors, two days after he returned from a 17-game absence with a strained left groin he hurt at Oracle Arena on Christmas...

The CHICAGO and the WASHINGTON will both be gunning for a victory on 12/31/2020 at 5:05 PM when they meet in a game matchup. CHICAGO vs WASHINGTON When: 12/31/2020 5:05 PM Where: ROT TEAM PS OU ML 513 CHICAGO -5.5 (-110) 234.5 (-110) 180 -220 514 WASHINGTON TV: 5:05 PM LINE: -5.5 PREDICTION: WASHINGTON , CHICAGO Oddsmakers currently have the WASHINGTON listed as -5.5 point favorites versus the CHICAGO,...

AP Basketball WriterAmid pandemic, NBA gives teams health protocols for seasonBy TIM REYNOLDSNBA players who test positive for the coronavirus this season may have to miss nearly two weeks in some instances before being allowed to return to the court, the league told its teams Saturday.That revelation was one...

AP Basketball WriterJames, Durant in 35-player US Olympic basketball team poolBy BRIAN MAHONEYLeBron James is putting himself in position to play in a fourth Olympics, and Kevin Durant and Chris Paul a third.The NBA stars were among the headline names on the list of 35 players chosen Friday for...

Mavs owner Mark Cuban fined $600,000 for tanking commentsDALLAS (AP) The NBA fined outspoken Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban $600,000 on Wednesday for comments about tanking during a podcast with Hall of Famer Julius Erving.Commissioner Adam Silver said the fine was for ''public statements detrimental to the NBA.''...

AP Basketball WriterOn Basketball: Injuries taketh away, and injuries givethBy TIM REYNOLDSThe NBA playoffs never go according to plan. The Golden State Warriors are proof of that.Again.They have been the league's best team over the last four seasons, without question. But even the great teams need injury luck on...

Mavs guard Brunson has shoulder surgery with season on holdDALLAS (AP) With the NBA season on hold because of the coronavirus pandemic, Dallas Mavericks guard Jalen Brunson went ahead with surgery for a right shoulder injury that had sidelined him for three weeks.The team said Friday that Brunson...

ATLANTA (AP) - The Hawks keep reaping the rewards for their amazing season.For the first time since 1980, Atlanta will have three players in the NBA All-Star Game. Paul Millsap, Jeff Teague and Al Horford are joining their coach, Mike Budenholzer, for the Feb. 15 contest at Madison Square...

Associated PressEx-wife of slain former NBA player pleads guiltyBy ADRIAN SAINZMEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) The ex-wife of slain former NBA player Lorenzen Wright pleaded guilty Thursday to facilitation of first-degree murder in his shooting death nine years ago, a surprise development in one of Memphis, Tennessee's biggest murder cases.Sherra...

NEW ORLEANS (101)Babbitt 1-4 0-0 3, Davis 16-22 6-7 38, Asik 1-4 1-2 3, Holiday 4-12 0-0 11, Evans 6-17 0-0 12, Cunningham 3-5 0-0 6, Anderson 5-15 1-1 14, Rivers 2-4 0-0 4, Ajinca 5-7 0-0 10, Salmons 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 43-90 8-10 101.OKLAHOMA...

AP Basketball WriterAP Interview: Heat's Leonard stands for anthem, explains whyBy TIM REYNOLDSLAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) Meyers Leonard has a brother who served two tours in Afghanistan with the U.S. Marines. He carries a military-themed backpack, wears combat boots and has a phone loaded with Navy SEALs...