NBA

Joe Borgia, NBA's vice president overseeing refs, retiresNEW YORK (AP) Joe Borgia, who spent 32 years in the NBA as a referee and executive, announced his retirement Tuesday.Among the highlights of Borgia's tenure with the league is the NBA Replay Center in Secaucus, New Jersey, which opened for...

AP Basketball WriterNBA guidelines: Don't focus on just basketball before age 14By BRIAN MAHONEYNEW YORK (AP) The best thing young players can do for their basketball careers is not play too much basketball.They should participate in other sports and delay specializing in just basketball until they are at...

O No, Canada: Singer flubs anthem at Raptors game in NYCNEW YORK (AP) O No, Canada.A Broadway performer botched the Canadian national anthem before the Toronto Raptors' game in Brooklyn on Sunday, singing lyrics that aren't in ''O Canada.''Amber Iman, who has been cast in the national tour...

Fans in Toronto gather hours before start of NBA FinalsTORONTO (AP) Fans in Toronto are ready and eager for their city to play host to its first NBA Finals game.Crowds began building outside Jurassic Park - the square outside Scotiabank Arena - shortly after sunrise Thursday, or about...

Wizards' Felix, Morris suspended 1 game for leaving benchNEW YORK (AP) The NBA has suspended Washington Wizards guard Carrick Felix and forward Markieff Morris one game apiece for leaving the bench area during a fight.The league announced the discipline on Sunday. It stems from an altercation that occurred...

Celtics ban fan for 2 years; accused of racist commentBOSTON (AP) The Boston Celtics have banned a fan from its games for two years for being verbally abusive toward the Warriors during their only visit to Boston this season.The team says it didn't enforce a lifetime ban because...

DALLAS (92)Jefferson 0-3 0-0 0, Villanueva 6-13 0-0 15, Stoudemire 7-11 1-4 15, Felton 3-8 0-0 7, Rondo 4-6 3-4 13, Aminu 2-8 5-6 10, James 2-7 1-2 5, Harris 0-1 0-0 0, Barea 8-15 1-1 18, Powell 2-9 3-4 8, Smith 0-1 1-2 1. Totals 34-82...

In a season full of injuries, many hoped that the new, longer All-Star break would help NBA players catch their breath and recover after a grueling first 3 1/2 months.Commissioner Adam Silver extended the break at the players' behest, but it resulted in a more compressed season, more back-to-backs,...

Associated PressRaptors hope offensive evolution pays off in playoffsBy IAN HARRISONTORONTO (AP) The Toronto Raptors don't want to be thought of as dinosaurs, so they're trying to evolve their offensive style and bring it in line with the NBA's best teams.The Raptors are preaching an emphasis on ball...

Popovich ejected 63 seconds into game against DenverDENVER (AP) San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich boiled over just 63 seconds into a game against Denver and was ejected.An irate Popovich appeared to be upset over a non-foul call Wednesday night and was given a technical by official Mark Ayotte....

Celtics without Irving, Horford in BrooklynNEW YORK (AP) The Boston Celtics were without starters Kyrie Irving and Al Horford for their game against the Brooklyn Nets.The Celtics ruled out Irving (low back soreness) and Horford (sore left knee) Saturday morning. They said at the time that Jayson Tatum...

Irving out for Nets, joins Durant in missing game vs 76ersNEW YORK (AP) Kyrie Irving won't play Thursday because of personal reasons, leaving the Brooklyn Nets without both of their superstars for their game against the Philadelphia 76ers.Kevin Durant was already out because of the NBA's health and...