NBA

AP Sports WriterGuarding Bucks' Giannis presents Raptors a playoff puzzleBy GENARO C. ARMASMILWAUKEE (AP) Giannis Antetokounmpo presents a defensive conundrum for the Toronto Raptors.Assign a shorter player on the 6-foot-11 Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks star can take advantage on the block. Put a taller player on him...

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. (AP) The New Orleans Pelicans have decided to hold part of training camp at the Greenbrier resort, which this summer is hosting its second straight New Orleans Saints training camp.The decision, announced Saturday night, comes after a trip Pelicans general manager Dell Demps and...

AP Basketball WriterAfter lots of losing, 76ers hope to win big in NBA lotteryBy BRIAN MAHONEYNEW YORK (AP) The Philadelphia 76ers lost plenty the previous two seasons, though never managed to lose the most.This season, they finally fell all the way to the bottom.The potential payoff comes Tuesday,...

AP Sports WriterPelicans' Van Gundy talks teaching, commitment to defenseBy BRETT MARTELNEW ORLEANS (AP) New Pelicans coach Stan Van Gundy sees a New Orleans roster brimming with young players who have obvious talent, but still have plenty to learn about the way basketball is played in the NBA.Van...

Delta: Bird likely caused damage to plane carrying ThunderCHICAGO (AP) Delta Air Lines says a charter flight carrying the Oklahoma City Thunder from Minneapolis to Chicago apparently encountered a bird early Saturday when it was landing, causing damage that prompted some players to post photos on social media...

The Los Angeles Lakers' all-important seven-game road trip started off by adding insult -- a 92-86 loss to the Phoenix Suns after blowing a 13-point fourth-quarter lead -- to injury, with Dwight Howard aggravating the torn labrum in his right shoulder. Howard was blocked by the Suns' Shannon Brown with...

The Detroit Pistons and the Los Angeles Clippers will both be trying to pick up a win on Sunday when they battle at STAPLES Center. Detroit At L.A. Clippers When: 9:30 PM ET, Sunday, March 10, 2013 Where: Staples Center, Los Angeles, California TV: 9:30 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Detroit, Prime Ticket...

Romanian minister defends keeping Kanter at airportBUCHAREST, Romania (AP) Romania's foreign minister says his country had no choice in detaining Oklahoma City Thunder center Enes Kanter in the capital's airport.Teodor Melescanu said Romania could not ''proceed otherwise'' in comments made to news.ro. He declined to comment further.Kanter was...

Spurs resign Patty Mills, a 41-percent 3-point shooterSAN ANTONIO (AP) The San Antonio Spurs have re-signed reserve guard Patty Mills, who shot 41 percent from 3-point range last season.The Spurs announced the deal Friday, though details of the contract were not disclosed per team policy.Mills has spent the...

AP Basketball WriterAll-Star weekend, as expected, was about honoring KobeBy TIM REYNOLDSCHICAGO (AP) It has become one of the NBA’s most revered traditions: On the morning of the NBA All-Star Game, the league pays tribute to retired players with what is called the Legends Brunch. It brings together...

AP Basketball WriterPlayers, coaches kneel before NBA's re-opening nightBy TIM REYNOLDSLAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) Black players were next to white players. Coaches from one team were next to their compatriots from the opposing side. Many locked arms with the man next to them, some shut their eyes...

Heat's Butler, Pacers' Warren fined for altercationNEW YORK (AP) Miami's Jimmy Butler was fined $35,000 and Indiana's T.J. Warren $25,000 by the NBA on Friday, two days after their altercation in the Heat's victory in Indianapolis.The NBA noted that Butler escalated the situation on social media after the...