NBA

LOS ANGELES (AP) The opening round of the NBA playoffs is down to the Utah Jazz and Los Angeles Clippers, the only series to be extended to seven games. The Clippers can finish off the Jazz on Sunday and advance to the Western Conference semifinals against Golden State, which has...

AP Sports WriterWade: Future with Bulls hinges on course set by front officeBy ANDREW SELIGMANCHICAGO (AP) Dwyane Wade wasn't ready to make any declarations about his future with the Chicago Bulls.The 12-time All-Star and three-time champion is waiting for management to set the direction of the franchise. Then...

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...

Larry Bird started the week by driving an IndyCar down Fifth Avenue in Manhattan to stump for the NBA's All-Star weekend returning to Indiana. He ended it by stepping down as president of basketball operations for the Pacers, a stunningly abrupt decision that has become a hallmark of the NBA...

DETROIT (AP) The Detroit Pistons have put in bids to host a future NBA All-Star Game at Little Caesars Arena. The team says in a release Friday that bids were submitted to the league for 2020 and 2021. Little Caesars Arena is being built just north of downtown Detroit and is...

MEMPHIS, Tennessee (AP) Gregg Popovich feels like his San Antonio Spurs survived the Memphis Grizzlies and is grateful their first-round series finally is over after six games. His Spurs desperately need a couple days off before hosting Houston on Monday night in their Western Conference semifinal. The Spurs finished the game...

MILWAUKEE (AP) The Toronto Raptors keep getting themselves into tough situations in the playoffs. They hope their resilience helps make them stronger as they get ready to face the Cleveland Cavaliers again. At the least, the Raptors will need to get better at holding onto big leads after blowing a 25-point...

AP Sports WriterWarriors GM Myers confident Kerr will return to full healthBy JANIE McCAULEYOAKLAND, Calif. (AP) Golden State Warriors general manager Bob Myers fully expects Steve Kerr to find a solution to his debilitating health issues and be back on the bench without being forced out of coaching...

AP Sports WriterWork load: LeBron not slowing as playoff minutes increaseBy TOM WITHERSINDEPENDENCE, Ohio (AP) Except for his backpedaling hairline, LeBron James shows no visible signs of age.At 32, still in his prime, and still at the top of his game, he's defying time.''Benjamin Button,'' Cavaliers coach Tyronn...

AP Basketball WriterIn tense political times, NBA heading to Israel this summerBy JON KRAWCZYNSKIAs the NBA prepares to bring its Basketball Without Borders program to Israel this summer, league officials hope that the first trip to the country can help bring children together during a time of increasing tension.Basketball...

AP Basketball WriterIn tense political times, NBA heading to Israel this summerBy JON KRAWCZYNSKIAs the NBA prepares to bring its Basketball Without Borders program to Israel this summer, league officials hope that the first trip to the country can help bring children together during a time of increasing tension.Basketball...

Cleveland OKs last chunk of financing to upgrade Cavs' arenaCLEVELAND (AP) Cleveland officials have committed the final chunk of financing for $140 million in upgrades planned at the Cavaliers' home arena.The makeover of Quicken Loans Arena would include more space for dining and gathering.The cost of renovations to...