NBA

AP Basketball WriterCourt civility: NBA plan aims to smooth player-ref relationsBy TIM REYNOLDSMIAMI (AP) Kevin Durant was steaming mad over officiating this week, then eventually apologized after realizing he could have better handled his frustrations.The NBA hopes all players and referees take the time for such reflection.The league...

AP Sports WriterLove back at power forward as chaotic Cavs tweak lineupBy TOM WITHERSINDEPENDENCE, Ohio (AP) Kevin Love's latest move hasn't made any of the Cavaliers screaming mad.There's a positive change.Targeted by some teammates during a heated meeting this week, Love is returning to power forward after Cavs...

AP Sports WriterSlumping Cavs make starting lineup change amid chaosBy TOM WITHERSINDEPENDENCE, Ohio (AP) Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue has tweaked his starting lineup in hopes of reviving a team that has lost 10 of 13 games.Lue had been resisting changes, but after Thursday's practice he said he's dropping...

Cleveland Cavaliers to begin arena makeover in FebruaryCLEVELAND (AP) Cleveland Cavaliers officials say a $140 million renovation project for Quicken Loans Arena will begin next month.The Cavaliers said Wednesday that barriers defining construction zones will start going up on Feb. 5.Officials say the project's initial phase will focus...

Associated PressNBA: Sports leagues deserve a cut of sports betting revenueBy DAVID KLEPPER and TIM REYNOLDSALBANY, N.Y. (AP) The NBA and other professional athletic leagues deserve a cut of the proceeds if legalized sports betting expands across the country, a league executive told New York state lawmakers on...

Associated PressNBA: Sports leagues deserve a cut of sports betting revenueBy DAVID KLEPPER and TIM REYNOLDSALBANY, N.Y. (AP) ??? The NBA and other professional athletic leagues deserve a cut of the proceeds if legalized sports betting expands across the country, a league executive told New York state lawmakers on...

NBA: Sports leagues deserve a cut of sports betting revenueALBANY, N.Y. (AP) The NBA says it should get a cut if states such as New Jersey and New York legalize sports betting.A league executive told New York state lawmakers Wednesday that the leagues should receive one percent of...

Associated PressAntetokounmpo says Kidd helped him grow into dominant playerBy RICH ROVITOMILWAUKEE (AP) Giannis Antetokounmpo grew from a reed-thin, inexperienced teenager into one of the NBA's dominant players under the tutelage of coach Jason Kidd, whom the Milwaukee Bucks fired earlier in the week with the team mired...

AP Sports WriterKevin Durant says sorry for behavior toward officialBy JANIE McCAULEYOAKLAND, Calif. (AP) Kevin Durant is apologizing to referee James Williams for behaving like a ''jerk,'' using an expletive to describe how he acted during a victory against the Knicks on Tuesday night when the NBA Finals...

LeBron James becomes youngest to 30,000 points in Cavs' lossSAN ANTONIO (AP) LeBron James has made it a point not to revel in his accomplishments. He allowed himself a moment to savor this milestone, though.James became the youngest ever to join the NBA's 30,000-point club.He became the seventh...

AP Sports WriterDrama club: Cavaliers hold meeting to vent frustrationBy TOM WITHERSCleveland's drama club is acting up again.Frustrated by their recent poor play in a season when their NBA title hopes seem to be slipping away, the Cavaliers held an emotional pre-practice meeting on Monday in hopes of clearing...

Kobe Bryant may win yet another trophy - an OscarBy The Associated PressLOS ANGELES (AP) Does Kobe Bryant need another trophy? He might get one - at the Oscars.Bryant, the retired Los Angeles Lakers star, was nominated in the animated short category for ''Dear Basketball,'' based on a...