Basketball

Murray's big fourth quarter propels Nuggets past Lakers 108-103 for 2-0 lead in West finals

DENVER (AP) — After Nikola Jokic's monster game in the opener, his pick-and-roll partner Jamal Murray took the spotlight in the Western Conference finals Thursday night. Murray, from Kitchener, Ont.

May 18, 2023 10:49 PM Read more >

ESPN sideline reporter reveals she hadn't watched Jokic in person before this week

DENVER (AP) — In what the Denver Nuggets saw as the latest sign of disrespect, ESPN sideline reporter Lisa Salters revealed she hadn’t watched two-time MVP Nikola Jokic play before Game 1 of the Western Conference finals against the Los Angeles Laker

May 18, 2023 6:19 PM Read more >

Still the standard: LeBron sets example for prospects eyeing NBA careers

CHICAGO (AP) — Brandon Miller was a little more than three weeks from being born when LeBron James made his NBA debut for the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003. Two decades later, James is still near the top of the league Miller is about to enter.

May 18, 2023 6:09 PM Read more >

Eastern Conference finals coaching matchup as intriguing as the action on court

BOSTON (AP) — The latest Eastern Conference finals pairing between the Heat and Celtics will be a matchup that ultimately turns on the play stars like Jimmy Butler and Jayson Tatum.

May 18, 2023 3:54 PM Read more >

Van Lith, Fredette, Barry among USA Basketball 3x3 World Cup selections

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) — LSU transfer Hailey Van Lith is one of the eight players announced Thursday as members of USA Basketball’s teams headed to the 3x3 World Cup in Austria later this month.

May 18, 2023 12:06 PM Read more >

Butler scores 35, Heat rally to beat Celtics 123-116 in East finals opener

BOSTON (AP) — The Miami Heat were in need of a calming presence following a sluggish start to their latest conference finals showdown with the Boston Celtics. Jimmy Butler provided that and a lot more.

May 18, 2023 7:03 AM Read more >

Miami takes 1-0 lead into game 2 against Boston

Miami Heat (44-38, eighth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Boston Celtics (57-25, second in the Eastern Conference) Boston; Friday, 8:30 p.m. EDT FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK NBA LINE : Celtics -9; over/under is 215.

May 18, 2023 12:23 AM Read more >

Celtics can't hold onto home-court edge on once-fearsome parquet floor

BOSTON (AP) — Once so prodigious on their parquet floor, the Boston Celtics can’t seem to squeeze out a home-court advantage during these playoffs. The franchise that once went 40-1 at home over an entire season fell to .

May 17, 2023 10:31 PM Read more >

Henderson makes case for No. 1 pick, Miller says he's learned lesson

CHICAGO (AP) — Scoot Henderson tried to make the case that he should be the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft, and Brandon Miller hoped to convince teams that he learned a lesson after a decision he made played a role in a shooting death in January.

May 17, 2023 5:04 PM Read more >

Lakers and Nuggets both take lessons from LA's comeback that fell short in West opener

DENVER (AP) — The Los Angeles Lakers are taking solace in their big second-half comeback that fell just short in the Western Conference finals opener at Denver. They aren't alone — the Denver Nuggets also feel L.A.

May 17, 2023 4:18 PM Read more >