NBA

AP Sports WriterWe meet again: Cavs, Raptors back together in postseasonBy TOM WITHERSCLEVELAND (AP) We The North vs. We Are The Champions.One round earlier than a year ago, Toronto and Cleveland are meeting again in the NBA playoffs.On the way to winning their first title last season, LeBron...

AP Sports WriterWe meet again: Cavs, Raptors back together in postseasonBy TOM WITHERSCLEVELAND (AP) We The North vs. We Are The Champions.One round earlier than a year ago, Toronto and Cleveland are meeting again in the NBA playoffs.On the way to winning their first title last season, LeBron...

Associated PressSpurs facing tough task containing high-scoring RocketsBy RAUL DOMINGUEZSAN ANTONIO (AP) After surviving an intense, physical battle with the Memphis Grizzlies, the San Antonio Spurs now face James Harden and the freewheeling Houston Rockets.With a leading MVP candidate leading its offense in Harden, Houston averaged 112.8 points...

Capsule preview of the Raptors-Cavaliers seriesBy The Associated PressCapsule and prediction for the Eastern Conference semifinal series between Cleveland and Toronto that begins Monday:---No. 2 CLEVELAND CAVALIERS (51-31, 4-0) vs. No. 3 TORONTO RAPTORS (51-31, 4-2)Season series: Cavaliers, 3-1.Story line: Rematch of last season's Eastern Conference finals, won by...

Capsule preview of the Rockets-Spurs seriesBy The Associated PressCapsule and prediction for the Western Conference semifinal series between San Antonio and Houston that begins Monday:---No. 2 SAN ANTONIO SPURS (61-21, 4-2) vs. No. 3 HOUSTON ROCKETS (55-27, 4-1)Season series: Spurs, 3-1.Story line: Houston goes from the spectacular Russell Westbrook...

WALTHAM, Mass. (AP) The already short break between rounds of the NBA playoffs won't provide much of a rest for Boston Celtics point guard Isaiah Thomas. Thomas left from the Celtics' first-round series-clinching victory over Chicago on Friday night to fly to Tacoma, Washington, and attend his sister's funeral. He...

AP Sports WriterHawks focus on re-signing Millsap following first-round exitBy CHARLES ODUMATLANTA (AP) Paul Millsap confirmed on Saturday he ''probably will opt out'' of his contract and become an unrestricted free agent, leaving the Atlanta Hawks to plot their future following a painful first-round exit from the playoffs.Millsap...

AP Sports WriterWarriors hope to get Livingston, Barnes back for round 2By JOSH DUBOWOAKLAND, Calif. (AP) The Golden State Warriors hope to get injured reserves Shaun Livingston and Matt Barnes back from injuries for the second round of the playoffs after getting more than a week off between...

AP Sports WriterBradley scores 23, Celtics eliminate Bulls 105-83By ANDREW SELIGMANCHICAGO (AP) The Boston Celtics kept reminding each other not to let up as they closed in on a lopsided victory and a trip to the NBA's Eastern Conference semifinals.No need to worry about that.Avery Bradley scored 23...

AP Sports WriterPaul scores 29, Clippers beat Jazz 98-93 to force Game 7By KAREEM COPELANDSALT LAKE CITY (AP) Clippers coach Doc Rivers put it simply when he said Chris Paul willed his team to victory with the season on the line.Paul scored 29 points and the Los Angeles...

Even as Dennis Schroder took off the other way, ahead of everyone for what looked like an uncontested layup, Wall managed to chase him down. On a night when Wall set a career playoff-high with 42 points, his remarkable defensive play was a big reason the Washington Wizards moved on...

AP Sports WriterCeltics ready for next challenge after tough Bulls seriesBy ANDREW SELIGMANCHICAGO (AP) The Boston Celtics got hit with a devastating emotional blow just as the playoffs were about to start. They dropped the first two games at home, too.Just as things really were starting to look...