NBA

AP Sports WriterWizards know path back to playoffs starts on defenseBy STEPHEN WHYNOWASHINGTON (AP) John Wall remembers how good of a defensive team the Washington Wizards were when they made the playoffs in 2014 and 2015 and wants defense to be the foundation they use to get back...

There's been former MVP's winning games with dramatic buzzer-beating jumpers. There's been injuries to stars. There's been a coach getting questioned by his own team.And now this Chicago-Cleveland series is going to get really intense.Game 5's have arrived in the second round of the NBA playoffs, with the Bulls...

The HOUSTON and the OKLAHOMA CITY will both be gunning for a victory on 2/1/2021 at 8:00 PM when they meet in a game matchup. HOUSTON vs OKLAHOMA CITY When: 2/1/2021 8:00 PM Where: ROT TEAM PS OU ML 539 HOUSTON 4 (-110) 224 (-110) -175 155 540 OKLAHOMA CITY TV: 8:00 PM LINE: 4 PREDICTION: OKLAHOMA CITY , HOUSTON Oddsmakers currently have the OKLAHOMA CITY listed as 4...

Slovenia won its first European basketball championship on Sunday, defeating Serbia 93-85 in Istanbul behind 35 points by Goran Dragic. Dragic, the Miami Heat guard who was voted MVP of the tournament after the game, watched the final four minutes from the bench due to cramp. He had been visibly...

The Atlanta Hawks and the Cleveland Cavaliers will both be trying to pick up a win on Sunday when they battle at Quicken Loans Arena. Atlanta At Cleveland When: 8:30 PM ET, Sunday, May 24, 2015 Where: Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, Ohio TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, TNT PREDICTION: Cavaliers 112, Hawks 93 Join BetOnline...

AP Sports WriterMagic Johnson plans to hug Lakers after NBA trade deadlineBy LARRY LAGEEAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) Magic Johnson says he plans to hug the Los Angeles Lakers to help them cope with the fallout from the NBA trade deadline.The team president spoke Saturday with reporters at Michigan...

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...

NBA Summer League nears its elite 8 as tourney continuesLAS VEGAS (AP) The NBA Summer League is nearing its elite eight.The quarterfinals would be set by the end of play Saturday, and it will include at least a couple of surprises.Toronto, the No. 29 seed that was winless...

Associated PressLakers' Brandon Ingram out against Blazers with quad issuesBy DAN GREENSPANLOS ANGELES (AP) Lakers forward Brandon Ingram will not play against the Portland Trail Blazers because of a right quadriceps bruise and tendinitis in his left quadriceps.Los Angeles announced Ingram's absence prior to the game Saturday night....

Horford out with sore left knee, Morris starts in his placeATLANTA (AP) Celtics forward Al Horford has a sore left knee and will miss a game for the first time of the season.Marcus Morris took Horford's spot in the lineup against Atlanta, making his first start since last...

AP Sports WriterBack in Boston, Celtics honor John HavlicekBy JIMMY GOLENBOSTON (AP) The Boston Celtics honored Hall of Famer John Havlicek before their playoff game against the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday night, observing a moment of silence beforehand and then showing a highlight video during the first commercial...

AP Basketball WriterPlayers, coaches kneel before NBA's re-opening nightBy TIM REYNOLDSLAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) Black players were next to white players. Coaches from one team were next to their compatriots from the opposing side. Many locked arms with the man next to them, some shut their eyes...