NBA

AP Basketball WriterRondo, Howard back for another NBA Finals shot with LakersBy BRIAN MAHONEYLast time the Los Angeles Lakers ruled the NBA, Rajon Rondo and Dwight Howard were trying to beat them.Howard fell short with Orlando in the 2009 NBA Finals. Rondo lost with Boston in Game 7 in...

AP Basketball WriterNo matter who wins the finals, Kentucky will have championsBy TIM REYNOLDSLAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) The Lakers primarily wear purple and gold. The main Heat colors are red and black.And these NBA Finals seem tinged in blue - Kentucky blue, to be precise.No matter what...

New California law prompted by crash that killed Kobe BryantSACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday approved legislation prompted by the helicopter crash that killed Kobe Bryant and eight other peopls that makes it a crime for first responders to take unauthorized photos of deceased people at...

AP Basketball WriterDoc Rivers out as Clippers' coach, after seven seasonsBy TIM REYNOLDSLAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) Doc Rivers would easily be considered the best coach in Los Angeles Clippers history. Most wins. Most playoff appearances. Top winning percentage.And now he's out.Rivers announced in a statement posted to...

AP Sports WriterComeback crew: Nuggets leave bubble with newfound respectBy PAT GRAHAMDENVER (AP) With bags on his back, Nikola Jokic playfully swerved his way through the crowd of family and friends gathered at the airport terminal.The Denver Nuggets finally returned home after their longer-than-many-anticipated stay inside the NBA...

AP Basketball WriterJimmy Butler was an easy get for NBA Finals-bound HeatBy TIM REYNOLDSLAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) It was June 30, 2019. The Miami Heat had an evening all planned out for their recruitment of free agent Jimmy Butler, down to every detail. They greeted him with...

AP Basketball WriterLakers, Heat start their preparations for NBA FinalsBy TIM REYNOLDSLAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) Bam Adebayo woke up on Monday with the realization that only two teams still have a chance to win this season's NBA championship.Goosebumps kicked in at the thought.What was once a 22-team...

AP Sports WriterCeltics head into offseason focused on future, not endingBy KYLE HIGHTOWERBOSTON (AP) Jayson Tatum emerged as a bona fide star, Jaylen Brown showed he can be a consistent presence in the lineup and Kemba Walker helped the Celtics put the failed Kyrie Irving experiment behind them.But...

Timberwolves' guard Beasley jailed after arrest on 2 chargesMINNEAPOLIS (AP) Minnesota Timberwolves guard Malik Beasley was in jail Sunday on charges of drug possession and receiving and concealing stolen property, after his arrest the night before.The Athletic first reported Beasley's arrest Saturday night at his home in Plymouth,...

AP Basketball WriterThe Finals are set: LeBron, Lakers will meet Butler, HeatBy TIM REYNOLDSLAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) LeBron James vs. the Heat.Pat Riley vs. the Lakers.Get ready for the NBA Finals - a title series like none other, to end a season like none other.The matchup is...

AP Basketball WriterAfter a year of drama, the Lakers reach NBA Finals anywayBy TIM REYNOLDSLAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) Here's a list of just some of the things the Los Angeles Lakers have gone through in the last 12 months: playing through a politically charged situation in China...

AP Sports WriterFor Donovan, job with Bulls 'came out of left field'By ANDREW SELIGMANCHICAGO (AP) The Chicago Bulls weren't on Billy Donovan's radar when he and the Oklahoma City Thunder parted ways after five successful seasons.Things sure changed in a hurry.''I wasn't looking at anything,'' Donovan said. ''It...