Basketball

There wasn’t much in the way of collective success in the NBA’s Southeast Division last season. The division had one team finish with a winning record, that being Miami. It had one All-NBA player, that being Miami’s Jimmy Butler.

When the NBA season begins next week, it's pretty easy to anticipate who will take center stage. MVP candidates Nikola Jokic and Joel Embiid. Giannis Antetokounmpo and his new Milwaukee teammate Damian Lillard.

TORONTO — The Toronto Raptors have asked for the New York Knicks lawsuit against them to be dismissed. Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, which owns the Raptors, filed the motion for dismissal in New York's Southern District on Monday.

San Antonio sat No. 1 overall pick Victor Wembanyama in a 99-89 loss to Houston on Monday night that saw the Rockets two first-round picks play well.

The Toronto Raptors seek dismissal of a lawsuit filed by the New York Knicks that says the Raptors – including new head coach Darko Rajakovic -- conspired to steal thousands of videos and scouting files through a former Knicks employee.

TORONTO — Gary Trent Jr., doesn't know what his role will be on the Raptors this season. He doesn't know if he'll start or if he'll lead Toronto's second unit off the bench.

Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton got questions about the same topic more often than he could remember this summer: The money, the money, the money.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 16 points, Damian Lillard had 14 in his Milwaukee debut, and the Bucks beat the Los Angeles Lakers 108-97 on Sunday night.

TORONTO — It might have been a G'day for the Cairns Taipans in terms of fun basketball experiences, but it was anything but on the scoreboard for the visiting Australians as they were crushed 134-93 by the Toronto Raptors in a Sunday exhibition game

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Victor Wembanyama scored 23 points in 23 minutes to lead the San Antonio Spurs to a 120-104 preseason victory over the Miami Heat on Friday night. Wembanyama, the No.