NBA

Drummond out for Detroit's home finale against RaptorsDETROIT (AP) Andre Drummond is out for Monday night's game between the Detroit Pistons and Toronto Raptors with a sore Achilles tendon.With the Pistons out of playoff contention and Toronto having wrapped up the top seed in the Eastern Conference, the...

Hawks guard Malcolm Delaney has surgery on left ankleATLANTA (AP) Atlanta Hawks guard Malcolm Delaney, already out for the season, has had arthroscopic surgery on his left ankle.The expected recovery time is six to eight weeks. The Hawks will close their season with Tuesday night's home game against...

AP Sports WriterCeltics still eyeing long playoff run after rash of injuriesBy KYLE HIGHTOWERBOSTON (AP) Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward exchanged the kind of toothy giggles normally only found between kids on a playground when they were introduced as the new faces of the Celtics.''It's about to be...

AP Sports WriterD'Antoni, Harden and Paul poised to capture trio's 1st titleBy KRISTIE RIEKENHOUSTON (AP) Chris Paul has a long history of playoff heartbreak.So does James Harden.And Mike D'Antoni has more than either of them combined.Separately, they've never gotten it done at playoff time. Together, their fortunes might...

AP Sports WriterMichael Jordan hires Mitch Kupchak as new Hornets GMBy STEVE REEDCHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) Hornets owner Michael Jordan has turned to a fellow former North Carolina Tar Heel with a strong NBA track record to help turn around his struggling franchise.Charlotte hired Mitch Kupchak as president of...

AP Sports WriterHornets hire Mitch Kupchak as general managerBy STEVE REEDCHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) The Charlotte Hornets have hired Mitch Kupchak as president of basketball operations and general manager.Hornets owner Michael Jordan called Kupchak, a fellow former North Carolina Tar Heel, a ''proven winner'' in a statement Sunday.As a...

AP Sports WriterFormer ABA players see similarities in today's pro gameBy MICHAEL MAROTINDIANAPOLIS (AP) Basketball Hall of Famers George Gervin and George McGinnis see a lot of their old league in today's NBA.Their former teammates notice it, too.Five decades ago, they were the guys running the floor, embracing...

AP Basketball WriterToronto tops in East, but road likely goes through LeBronBy TIM REYNOLDSMIAMI (AP) It only looks like parity.Consider it an April tradition: A new postseason, a new No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. This time, it's Toronto doing the honors - the Raptors' win over...

Associated PressPrince scores 23, Hawks hand Wizards fourth straight lossBy HARVEY VALENTINEWASHINGTON (AP) Taurean Prince scored 23 points, including 10 in the fourth quarter, and the Atlanta Hawks beat the Washington Wizards 103-97 on Friday night.Washington dropped its fourth straight game and fell into eighth place in the...

AP Basketball WriterToronto tops in East, but road likely goes through LeBronBy TIM REYNOLDSMIAMI (AP) It only looks like parity.Consider it an April tradition: A new postseason, a new No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. This time, it's Toronto doing the honors - the Raptors' win over...

AP Basketball WriterRegardless of standings, the East road goes through LeBronBy TIM REYNOLDSMIAMI (AP) It only looks like parity.Consider it an April tradition: The franchise that goes into the Eastern Conference playoffs as the No. 1 seed changes annually. Toronto is on the brink of clinching the top...

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...