NBA

AP Sports WriterRajon Rondo has a knack for performing in the playoffsBy ANNE M. PETERSONPORTLAND, Ore. (AP) Rajon Rondo is healthy and he's locked in.That's good news for the New Orleans Pelicans, not so much for the Portland Trail Blazers. When Rondo is locked in during the postseason,...

AP Sports WriterOn Pace: Indiana opens eyes with blowout of LeBron, CavsBy TOM WITHERSCLEVELAND (AP) They've spent the entire season on the fringe, virtually ignored by all but the most savvy fans and NBA insiders.They don't have any household names or any superstars on their roster, just one...

AP Basketball WriterBlazers seek tie vs Pelicans, Raptors aim for rare 2-0 leadBy BRIAN MAHONEYThe Portland Trail Blazers fought their way through a pressure-packed playoff race to earn home-court advantage in a series, then lost it in one game.The Toronto Raptors know that problem all too well, so they...

AP Sports WriterThunder look to live up to high expectations vs. JazzBy CLIFF BRUNTOKLAHOMA CITY (AP) The last time Carmelo Anthony was in the playoffs, he was with the New York Knicks facing rising star Paul George and the Indiana Pacers back in 2013.Now, Anthony and George are...

AP Sports WriterHobbled Celtics expect challenge from Giannis, BucksBy KYLE HIGHTOWERBOSTON (AP) By now, the Boston Celtics have come to expect adversity.They were barely five minutes into the season when Gordon Hayward's gruesome ankle injury offered the first collective gasp in what would be an 82-game schedule replete...

AP Sports WriterPaul and Harden lead No. 1 seed Rockets against WolvesBy KRISTIE RIEKENHOUSTON (AP) So far the trade for Chris Paul to give the Houston Rockets another superstar to help James Harden has worked famously.Now the two, who have both had their fair share of playoff disappointments,...

AP Sports WriterBox out: LeBron has knack for first-round playoff knockoutsBy TOM WITHERSINDEPENDENCE, Ohio (AP) LeBron James has mastered the first-round knockout.Better protect those chins, Pacers.One of the most dominant postseason players in NBA history, James is undefeated in Game 1 of any opening series, a perfect 12-0...

Michigan's Moe Wagner enters NBA draft, skips senior seasonANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) Moe Wagner is entering the NBA draft, and this year it sounds like that decision is final.The Michigan big man announced his plans Saturday with an essay written for The Players' Tribune, saying he's decided to...

Mavericks, Bulls win tiebreakers for draft lottery positionNEW YORK (AP) The Dallas Mavericks and Chicago Bulls have won tiebreakers to put them in better position ahead of the NBA draft lottery.The Mavericks won a tiebreaker with the Atlanta Hawks on Friday after they shared the NBA's third-worst record...

AP Basketball WriterIn a thriving NBA, tanking is the problem Silver can't solveBy BRIAN MAHONEYNEW YORK (AP) Adam Silver sees successes all around the NBA, yet can't stop thinking about the teams who aren't successful.And he can't make them try to be.Tanking is the problem the NBA commissioner...

AP Sports WriterProcess no more: 76ers' awaited playoff push starts vs. HeatBy DAN GELSTONPHILADELPHIA (AP) Opera Philadelphia took a break from its rehearsal for ''Carmen'' to record an a capella version of the Philadelphia 76ers' catchy retro anthem , ''Here Come the Sixers.''Philly can belt out the words...

AP Sports WriterWarriors ready for fresh start as they prepare to face SpursBy JANIE McCAULEYOAKLAND, Calif. (AP) Kevin Durant is confident Golden State's struggles down the stretch might be just what makes the defending champions dominant on the postseason stage again.Maybe not quite 16-1 this time around, sure,...