NBA

AP Sports WriterPivotal Game 5 awaits Boston as it returns home vs. WizardsBy KYLE HIGHTOWERBOSTON (AP) After four games, the Eastern Conference semifinal matchup between the Celtics and Wizards is exactly back where it began.Following back-to-back comeback wins by the East's top seed in the first two games...

Raptors PG Lowry will opt out of final year of contractTORONTO (AP) Toronto Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry will opt out of the final year of his contract and test free agency this summer.The three-time All-Star has one year and $12 million remaining on the four-year, $48 million...

Houston's Nene suffers season-ending thigh injuryHOUSTON (AP) Houston Rockets backup center Nene has suffered a season-ending muscle tear in his left thigh.Nene was injured in the first quarter of Houston's 125-104 win over the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference semifinals on Sunday night and didn't return.The...

Associated PressDespite high mileage, James showing no signs of slowing downBy IAN HARRISONTORONTO (AP) In his playoff rematch with the Toronto Raptors, LeBron James proved even more lethal than last time.In fact, James may be more lethal now than ever.James averaged 26 points per game as Cleveland took...

AP Sports WriterThomas lobbies for calls with Celtics-Wizards series tiedBy STEPHEN WHYNOWASHINGTON (AP) Isaiah Thomas feels as though he was shut down by the Washington Wizards and the referees in Game 4.Thomas said after the Boston Celtics' 121-102 loss Sunday that the officiating needs to change as the...

AP Sports WriterThomas lobbies for calls with Celtics-Wizards series tiedBy STEPHEN WHYNOWASHINGTON (AP) Isaiah Thomas feels as though he was shut down by the Washington Wizards and the referees in Game 4.Thomas said after the Boston Celtics' 121-102 loss Sunday that the officiating needs to change as the...

Associated PressDespite high mileage, James showing no signs of slowing downBy IAN HARRISONTORONTO (AP) In his playoff rematch with the Toronto Raptors, LeBron James proved even more lethal than last time.In fact, James may be more lethal now than ever.James averaged 26 points per game as Cleveland took...

AP Sports WriterWarriors' smothering defense overlooked during win streakBy KAREEM COPELANDSALT LAKE CITY (AP) The Golden State Warriors' offense - led by former MVPs Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant - has overwhelmed the Utah Jazz for a 3-0 lead in the second-round Western Conference playoff series.Lost in the...

Associated PressLowry, Ibaka to test free agency as Raptors face busy summerBy IAN HARRISONTORONTO (AP) After another unsuccessful attempt at taking down LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Toronto Raptors face a summer of change.Kyle Lowry will opt out of the final year of his contract to...

AP Sports WriterHouston's Nene suffers season-ending thigh injuryBy KRISTIE RIEKENHOUSTON (AP) Houston Rockets center Nene is out for the rest of the season, a day after he tore a muscle in his left thigh.''I hate it for Nene,'' coach Mike D'Antoni said on Monday. ''He's been so valuable...

AP Sports WriterHouston's Nene suffers season-ending thigh injuryBy KRISTIE RIEKENHOUSTON (AP) The Houston Rockets said Nene was out for the rest of the season Monday, one day after the veteran backup center tore a muscle in his left thigh.''I hate it for Nene,'' coach Mike D'Antoni said. ''He's...

AP Sports WriterPritchard ready to use aggressive approach on Pacers' revampBy MICHAEL MAROTINDIANAPOLIS (AP) Kevin Pritchard spent the last six seasons speaking his mind privately.He shared his crazy ideas with Larry Bird, occasionally agreed to disagree with the boss, and might have even tried to persuade Bird to...