NBA

AP Sports WriterButler to join Wolves in opener at Spurs, despite asking outBy DAVE CAMPBELLMINNEAPOLIS (AP) Just like last season, Jimmy Butler and the Minnesota Timberwolves traveled to San Antonio for their opener.After all the disruption caused by Butler's trade request that became public a week before training...

AP Sports WriterLillard leads Portland on its latest late-season surgeBy ANNE M. PETERSONPORTLAND, Ore. (AP) Damian Lillard says the Portland Trail Blazers reach out to him before he reaches team milestones, just to give him a heads up.The only problem? Lillard doesn't read his emails.Lillard joked about it...

Associated PressNowitzki passes Chamberlain for 6th on NBA scoring listBy DAVE JACKSONDALLAS (AP) Dirk Nowitzki of the Dallas Mavericks became the NBA's sixth-leading scorer Monday night with another of his signature long-range jumpers.Nowitzki took Luka Doncic's handoff and backed down New Orleans' Kenrich Williams before hitting a turnaround...

AP Sports WriterRockets have much to improve heading into Game 2 vs WarriorsBy KRISTIE RIEKENHOUSTON (AP) The Houston Rockets have plenty of things to fix after squandering their coveted home-court advantage in the Western Conference finals.Tops on their list: limiting turnovers, eliminating open 3s and making things tougher...

Jerry Buss' children intend on carrying out their father's succession plan for the Los Angeles Lakers following the iconic owner's death Monday. The plan, which was put in place years ago by Buss, calls for his daughter, Jeanie, to become the Lakers' governor and represent the team at the NBA...

AP Sports WriterRockets acquire Chris Paul from Clippers in 8-player dealBy KRISTIE RIEKENHOUSTON (AP) Chris Paul is heading to Houston to join James Harden, and the Rockets will soon have two All-Stars in the backcourt to lead their chase for a championship.In the NBA's second blockbuster trade in...

AP Sports WriterNo fish story: Michael Jordan's boat nabs 442-pound marlinBy STEVE REEDApparently, Michael Jordan is pretty good at fishing, too.The six-time NBA champion and the crew of his 80-foot fishing boat named ''Catch 23'' hauled in a 442.3-pound blue marlin on Tuesday at the Big Rock Blue Marlin...

Memphis' Valanciunas out rest of season with sprained ankleMEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) Grizzlies center Jonas Valanciunas will miss the rest of the season after spraining his right ankle in a loss to the Clippers.The Grizzlies announced Monday that Valanciunas suffered a grade II sprain Sunday night, though the center...

HOUSTON (115)Ariza 4-15 2-3 13, Motiejunas 7-13 1-3 18, Howard 7-16 10-15 24, Beverley 3-9 6-6 12, Harden 11-21 18-21 41, Black 1-3 0-0 2, Canaan 0-2 0-0 0, Johnson 2-6 0-0 5, Dorsey 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 35-85 37-48 115.DENVER (111)Chandler 8-17 2-2 23, Faried 5-12...

AP Sports WriterAP source: Cavaliers fire coach Tyronn Lue after 0-6 startBy TOM WITHERSA person familiar with the situation tells The Associated Press the Cleveland Cavaliers have fired coach Tyronn Lue after a 0-6 start.Lue was dismissed on Sunday, according to the person, who spoke to the AP on...

The Los Angeles Clippers and the Sacramento Kings will both be trying to pick up a win on 1/6/2017 at 10:35 PM when they battle in a NBA Matchup. Los Angeles Clippers vs. Sacramento Kings When: 10:30 PM ET, Friday, January 6, 2017 Where: Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, California ...

AP Basketball WriterSilver expects NBA players to stand during national anthemBy BRIAN MAHONEYNEW YORK (AP) Adam Silver expects NBA players to continue standing for the national anthem.Not only because it's a league rule, but because they are aware of what it means in what the commissioner believes is...