NBA

AP Sports WriterLue returns to coaching Cavaliers after health scareBy TOM WITHERSINDEPENDENCE, Ohio (AP) Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue says ''piercing'' chest pains persuaded him to take a medical leave.He is returning to the sideline Thursday night after missing nine games. The 40-year-old coach says he's feeling much better....

AP Basketball WriterNew game in town: NBA tips off NBA 2K League with draftBy BRIAN MAHONEYNEW YORK (AP) Dimez slipped on his draft hat, shook hands with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, and began life as the No. 1 pick in the draft.The video game draft.Dimez is Artreyo Boyd's...

AP Sports WriterAP source: Lue expected to return Thursday for CavaliersBy TOM WITHERSCLEVELAND (AP) Tyronn Lue is rejoining the Cavaliers' disjointed season.Cleveland's coach is expected to return from a medical absence and be back on the bench Thursday night against Washington, a person familiar with the situation told...

AP Sports WriterAP Source: Lue expected to return Thursday for CavaliersBy TOM WITHERSCLEVELAND (AP) A person familiar with the decision says Cleveland Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue is expected to resume his duties on Thursday against Washington.Lue, who has been away from the team since March 19 because of...

AP Sports WriterBucks' Jabari Parker nearing 1st playoff appearanceBy GENARO C. ARMASMILWAUKEE (AP) Four years into his injury-plagued tenure in the NBA, Jabari Parker is finally nearing an important career first.The Milwaukee Bucks are going to the playoffs for the third time in four years. But this will...

76ers set to unveil sculpture of Julius 'Dr. J' ErvingCAMDEN, N.J. (AP) The Philadelphia 76ers are paying tribute to Hall of Famer Julius Erving.The NBA team will unveil a sculpture of Erving during a ceremony Tuesday at their practice facility in Camden, New Jersey. It will be the...

76ers set to unveil sculpture of Julius 'Dr. J' ErvingCAMDEN, N.J. (AP) The Philadelphia 76ers are paying tribute to Hall of Famer Julius Erving.The NBA team will unveil a sculpture of Erving during a ceremony Tuesday at their practice facility in Camden, New Jersey. It will be the...

AP Sports WriterButler 'this close' to rejoining Timberwolves on courtBy DAVE CAMPBELLMINNEAPOLIS (AP) The Minnesota Timberwolves have been stumbling down the stretch, trying to hold on long enough for the franchise's first postseason appearance in 14 years.Jimmy Butler might be back just in time.The All-Star shooting guard, whose...

Sixers pay tribute to Julius 'Dr. J' Erving with sculptureCAMDEN, N.J. (AP) The Philadelphia 76ers are paying tribute to Hall of Famer Julius Erving with a sculpture depicting him soaring.The Sixers unveiled the sculpture during a ceremony Tuesday at the team's practice facility in nearby Camden, New Jersey....

AP Sports WriterButler 'this close' to rejoining Timberwolves on courtBy DAVE CAMPBELLMINNEAPOLIS (AP) Minnesota Timberwolves All-Star Jimmy Butler is nearing a return to action, with four critical games to go for the team in the regular season.Butler told reporters after practice on Tuesday that he's ''this close'' to...

Sixers pay tribute to Julius 'Dr. J' Erving with sculptureCAMDEN, N.J. (AP) The Philadelphia 76ers are paying tribute to Hall of Famer Julius Erving with a sculpture depicting him soaring.The Sixers unveiled the sculpture during a ceremony Tuesday at the team's practice facility in nearby Camden, New Jersey....

Mavs' Noel, Jazz's Sefolosha get 5-game drug bans from NBANEW YORK (AP) Dallas Mavericks center Nerlens Noel and Utah Jazz forward Thabo Sefolosha have been suspended five games for violating the NBA's anti-drug program.The league announced the suspensions Tuesday. Noel's ban will cover the final five games of...