NBA

AP Sports WriterRestaurant, casino owner to buy Rockets from AlexanderBy KRISTIE RIEKENHOUSTON (AP) Tilman Fertitta, a billionaire restaurant and casino owner from Houston, agreed to buy the Houston Rockets from Leslie Alexander on Tuesday.Terms were not released and must be approved by the NBA Board of Governors. In...

Longley blames Philippines coach for World Cup violenceMELBOURNE, Australia (AP) Australia assistant coach and former NBA star Luc Longley has accused Philippines coach Chot Reyes of inciting the violence that marred a World Cup qualifying match between the teams on Monday.The former Chicago Bulls player described the bench-clearing...

AP Basketball WriterHeat rule Adebayo, Dragic out for Game 2 of NBA FinalsBy TIM REYNOLDSLAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) Bam Adebayo and Goran Dragic were both ruled out of Game 2 of the NBA Finals on Friday with injury, leaving the Miami Heat down two starters for their...

AP Sports WriterIsaiah Thomas looks to help Nuggets end playoff droughtBy PAT GRAHAMDENVER (AP) The debates have been so lively inside the Denver Nuggets locker room recently that coach Michael Malone wanders in to make sure everything's all right.Just the enthusiasm of guard Isaiah Thomas bubbling to the...

AP Sports WriterPelicans fire Alvin Gentry after 5 seasons as team's coachBy BRETT MARTELNEW ORLEANS (AP) The New Orleans Pelicans fired coach Alvin Gentry on Saturday after the club missed the playoffs for the fourth time in five seasons.The Pelicans went 30-42 this season, finishing with just two...

OAKLAND, California (AP) Golden State's Stephen Curry overcame a slow start to score 23 points as part of his sixth career triple-double, leading the Warriors to a 122-103 victory over Sacramento on Monday and its 29th win in 30 games this NBA season.The Warriors improved to 15-0 at...

Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid resting against WizardsWASHINGTON (AP) Philadelphia 76ers rookie star Joel Embiid sat out against the Washington Wizards on Saturday night because he doesn't yet play in back-to-back games after missing two seasons with injuries.While Embiid rested, Jahlil Okafor, who hadn't played in the last three...

AP Basketball WriterAP Source: Lakers trading 3 to Wizards, clear cap spaceBy TIM REYNOLDSA person with knowledge of the negotiations says the Los Angeles Lakers have agreed to trade three players to the Washington Wizards as part of the deal that will land them Anthony Davis from the New...

Calderon to start for Cavs if injured George Hill can't playINDIANAPOLIS (AP) Cleveland Cavaliers point guard George Hill is still listed as questionable for Sunday night's Game 4 against Indiana because of an injured back.Hill aggravated the injury in Friday's 92-90 loss. The three-time defending Eastern Conference champs...

Detroit Pistons waive veteran Joe JohnsonDETROIT (AP) The Detroit Pistons have waived veteran Joe Johnson.The Pistons announced the move Monday, setting their 15-man roster for Wednesday night's season opener at Indiana.Detroit signed Johnson last month, but the Pistons maintained that he would be competing for a roster spot,...

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) Coach Steve Clifford is intrigued with what he's seen in training camp from guard Nicolas Batum and expects the seven-year NBA veteran to play a major role with the Charlotte Hornets this season.Clifford anticipates that Batum's scoring output will increase noticeably, and expects him to...

Westbrook has procedure on knee; status for opener in doubtOKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Thunder All-Star guard Russell Westbrook underwent an arthroscopic procedure on his right knee on Wednesday, putting his availability for the season opener against the Golden State Warriors in doubt.The team says Westbrook decided after suffering from...