NBA

CLEVELAND (AP) - Kobe Bryant, who has won five NBA championships, will be part of Sina's pregame and postgame livestream of Game 3 of the NBA Finals in China.The Lakers superstar will provide analysis before and after Tuesday night's game, joining host Huang Shuo remotely from Los Angeles.Bryant remains...

Associated PressGriffin says decision to remain with Clippers a "no-brainer"By JILL PAINTER LOPEZLOS ANGELES (AP) Blake Griffin was back in his usual place, front and center on a Clippers stage.After opting out of his contract, Griffin didn't spend the offseason toiling over whether to sign with another team...

AP Basketball WriterDraft is next up during NBA's dizzying days of dealsBy BRIAN MAHONEYNEW YORK (AP) Markelle Fultz is ready for the NBA draft. He's already learned about life at the trade deadline.During a dizzying few days of deals around the NBA, the presumed No. 1 pick had...

AP Sports WriterLos Angeles honors Kobe, Gianna Bryant with public memorialBy GREG BEACHAMLOS ANGELES (AP) Kobe Bryant's wife offered a poignant portrait of her NBA superstar husband and their daughter Monday at a sold-out memorial service for the two, who were among nine people killed last month in...

AP Sports WriterNuggets, Blazers series features Jokic against LillardBy PAT GRAHAMDENVER (AP) The Joker versus Dame. Versatile big man against prodigious scorer.They are two big reasons why Denver and Portland are meeting in the Western Conference semifinals as the series begins Monday in the Mile High City.Nikola Jokic:...

The Charlotte Hornets and the Washington Wizards will both be gunning for a victory on 4/4/2017 at 7:05 PM when they meet in a game matchup. Charlotte Hornets vs Washington Wizards When: 7:00 PM  ET, Tuesday, April 4, 2017 Where: Verizon Center, Washington, District of Columbia ROT TEAM PS OU ML 707 Charlotte Hornets -4 (-110) 217.5 (-110) 155 -175 708 Washington Wizards TV: 7 p.m. ET,...

AP Sports WriterIn their 50th season, Suns patient in developing young teamBy BOB BAUMPHOENIX (AP) The Phoenix Suns probably won't have much to celebrate in terms of wins and losses in the franchise's 50th year.The Suns' plan for eventual success is called ''the timeline,'' referring to the rate...

AP Basketball WriterCurry, Durant, LeBron, Irving to start NBA All-Star GameBy BRIAN MAHONEYNEW YORK (AP) Stephen Curry won a tiebreaker to join Golden State teammate Kevin Durant in the lineup for the NBA All-Star Game, while LeBron James and Kyrie Irving also gave Cleveland two starters.Curry and Houston's...

AP Sports WriterCeltics hope to put road woes aside vs. Cavs in ClevelandBy KYLE HIGHTOWERWALTHAM, Mass. (AP) Home-court advantage has proven to be a valuable commodity for the Celtics so far this postseason.Boston is 9-0 at TD Garden during these playoffs and has blistered opponents early in games,...

Embiid not playing in Game 3 because of sore kneeNEW YORK (AP) Joel Embiid is not playing for the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday night in Game 3 against the Brooklyn Nets because of a sore left knee.Embiid warmed up before the game but the 76ers announced shortly before...

AP Basketball WriterToronto tops in East, but road likely goes through LeBronBy TIM REYNOLDSMIAMI (AP) It only looks like parity.Consider it an April tradition: A new postseason, a new No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. This time, it's Toronto doing the honors - the Raptors' win over...

AP Basketball WriterFor some NBA teams, prepping for back-to-backs is importantBy TIM REYNOLDSMIAMI (AP) Players have an open disdain for back-to-back games in the regular season, even while understanding there's no way around them when trying to wedge 82 games into 170 days.So some teams are spending part...