NBA

USA Basketball looks to move closer to World CupLAS VEGAS (AP) The spot that USA Basketball hopes to have in next year's FIBA World Cup cannot be clinched nor lost on Friday, when the Americans play host to Uruguay to begin the second round of qualifying.This much is...

AP Sports WriterAP source: No suspension for Cavs' Love for leaving benchBy JOSH DUBOWOAKLAND, Calif. (AP) J.R. Smith's blunder, a disputed replay overturn and a key missed free throw dealt the Cleveland Cavaliers an emotionally crushing loss in an opener of the NBA Finals that was ripe to...

AP Sports WriterThomas ready for any role as Nuggets make playoff pushBy PAT GRAHAMDENVER (AP) Only one game back on the court and Isaiah Thomas already began lobbying for an even broader role - to appear in the movie ''Space Jam 2'' starring LeBron James.With filming set to...

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP) Detroit Pistons rookie guard Darrun Hilliard had surgery after breaking his nose playing pickup basketball last week.The team says Hilliard will be fitted with a mask for the next three weeks and will continue all basketball-related activities. The 6-foot-6 Hilliard was drafted in the...

AP Basketball WriterAP source: D'Antoni tells Rockets he's not coming backBy TIM REYNOLDSLAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) Mike D'Antoni has told the Houston Rockets that he will not be back as coach with them next season, and he essentially becomes a free agent, a person with knowledge of...

AP Sports WriterAP Source: Kevin Durant agrees to 2-year deal with WarriorsBy JANIE McCAULEYOAKLAND, Calif. (AP) The NBA Finals MVP gladly accepted a pay cut.One day shy of a year after announcing his decision to join the powerhouse Warriors, Kevin Durant took far less than he could have...

AP Sports WriterChris Paul happy to return to NBA roots in Oklahoma CityBy CLIFF BRUNTOKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Chris Paul is happy to be back where his professional career began.Paul started his career in Oklahoma City with the Hornets when they relocated after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. He was...

Officer suspended for shooting video of ex-NBA player WestOXON HILL, Md. (AP) A Maryland police officer has been suspended for shooting a video that shows former NBA player Delonte West as he was being questioned while shirtless and handcuffed, a police department said.One of two videos circulating on...

AP Sports WriterRockets ousted from playoffs by Warriors againBy KRISTIE RIEKENHOUSTON (AP) James Harden and the Houston Rockets were eliminated by the Golden State Warriors yet again.Now the Rockets are left to ponder how they'll get over the hump and past the Warriors to contend for a title.The...

CLEVELAND (AP) LeBron James scored 27 points, and Kevin Love added 22 points and 15 rebounds as the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Milwaukee Bucks 115-100 on Thursday.Cleveland ended a two-game losing streak and avenged a double-overtime loss in Milwaukee on Saturday. The Cavaliers lead the Eastern Conference at...

AP Basketball WriterNew Knicks regime open to moving on with or without CarmeloBy BRIAN MAHONEYGREENBURGH, N.Y. (AP) The New York Knicks' new regime is ready to move on with or without Carmelo Anthony.New president Steve Mills said Monday the Knicks have been talking to teams about a trade...

CLEVELAND (AP) Cavaliers starting shooting guard J.R. Smith will miss at least one game - and probably more - with a hyperextended left knee. The Cavs said an MRI taken on Smith's knee on Tuesday did not reveal any structural damage, but he will sit out Wednesday's game against the...