NBA

AP Entertainment WriterShaq attacks verse in new TV series "Poetry in America"By ANDREW DALTONLOS ANGELES (AP) Shaquille O'Neal called himself ''The Big Baryshnikov'' and ''The Big Socrates'' in his days in the NBA. Now he can add ''The Big Shakespeare.''The basketball Hall-of-Famer, TNT TV analyst, commercial pitchman and...

AP Sports WriterCurry wanted to play on 30th birthday, but focuses on ankleBy JANIE McCAULEYOAKLAND, Calif. (AP) Stephen Curry wanted nothing more than to play on his milestone 30th birthday, a home game against the Lakers on Wednesday night.The two-time MVP is doing his best to see the...

AP Sports WriterLeBron James rolls left ankle, misses practiceBy TOM WITHERSCLEVELAND (AP) LeBron James turned his left ankle during practice Wednesday night, his first workout with newly signed teammate Dwyane Wade.A Cavaliers spokesman said James had X-rays, which were negative. The three-time NBA champion didn't practice Thursday so...

AP Basketball WriterRockets can advance, Thunder look to force a Game 7By TIM REYNOLDSThe law of averages says an Oklahoma City Thunder starter will make a 3-pointer relatively quickly on Monday night.Someone better, or else.Houston - which famously wasted a chance to reach the NBA Finals by missing 27...

AP Basketball WriterEast champion Heat are thinking even bigger this seasonBy TIM REYNOLDSMIAMI (AP) They don't have banner-raising ceremonies in Miami for anything other than NBA championships and jersey retirements. Eastern Conference title banners go to the rafters quietly, without fanfare.That's fine with Jimmy Butler.Miami's run to the...

AP Sports WriterCeltics guard Isaiah Thomas getting tips from Kobe BryantBy STEPHEN WHYNOWASHINGTON (AP) Boston Celtics star Isaiah Thomas is getting some assists from Kobe Bryant.Thomas, who has had some huge performances in the playoffs, says he's been talking and texting with Bryant to get tips about his...

AP Sports WriterBilly Donovan out as Thunder coach after 5 seasonsBy CLIFF BRUNTBilly Donovan won't return as coach of the Oklahoma City Thunder after five seasons, the team announced Tuesday night, ending a largely successful run that ought to make him an attractive candidate for jobs around the league.Donovan,...

Celtics' Kyrie Irving to rest against Cavs, his former teamCLEVELAND (AP) The Boston Celtics will rest star guard Kyrie Irving against the Cleveland Cavaliers.Irving is averaging 23.8 points and the Celtics want to keep him as fresh as possible going into the postseason.The Celtics have lost four straight...

CHICAGO (AP) - Derrick Rose scored 22 points and the struggling Chicago Bulls beat the San Antonio Spurs 104-81 on Thursday night.The Bulls came away with a much-needed win after dropping six of eight and handed the defending champions their most lopsided loss of the season.The Central division leaders...

NEW ORLEANS (AP) Russell Westbrook's left-handed, inside-out dribble wrong-footed Pelicans guard Jrue Holiday, creating an open lane for a driving layup. That was one of many scoring highlights for the Oklahoma City star, who sometimes looked like he could have outscored New Orleans by himself. He didn't have to, though,...

The Latest: Orlando Magic arena becomes distribution centerBy The Associated PressThe Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world:---The Orlando Magic's home arena will become a distribution center for medical equipment and supplies as part of the ongoing response to the coronavirus pandemic.Orlando Mayor...

CLEVELAND (AP) The Cavs' coaching search has picked up speed. Cleveland is meeting with four NBA assistants this weekend in Denver to try and fill its coaching vacancy, a person familiar with the team's plans told The Associated Press. The Cavaliers met Friday night with Denver assistant Jordi Fernandez and interviewed...