Basketball

Previewing the 1st round of the NBA playoffs, which start on Saturday

Preview capsules for the first round of the NBA playoffs, which start Saturday. ___ EASTERN CONFERENCE No. 1 BOSTON CELTICS (64-18) vs. No. 8 MIAMI HEAT (46-36) Season series: Celtics, 3-0. Story line: Here they go again, sort of.

Apr 19, 2024 10:13 PM Read more >

The NBA playoffs are finally here. And as LeBron James says, 'it's a sprint now'

There’s a 64-win team in Boston that ran away with the league’s best record. The defending champions in Denver, a group that won 57 games. A fearless young bunch in Oklahoma City, whose No. 1 seed was no fluke.

Apr 19, 2024 10:11 PM Read more >

The Heat are headed to Boston after ousting the Bulls 112-91 in East play-in finale

MIAMI (AP) — The chants started raining down in the fourth quarter. “We want Boston,” the Miami Heat crowd kept shouting, over and over. The fans got their wish. And a rematch of the last two Eastern Conference finals awaits in Round 1 this year.

Apr 19, 2024 8:41 PM Read more >

Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. heads into playoffs against Lakers after trying week for family

DENVER (AP) — Michael Porter Jr.'s coaches and teammates are rallying behind the Denver Nuggets starting forward who's had a trying week as the NBA's reigning champions head into their playoff opener against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Apr 19, 2024 4:44 PM Read more >

Clippers fined $25,000 by NBA for violating league injury reporting rules

NEW YORK (AP) — The Los Angeles Clippers were fined $25,000 by the NBA on Friday for violating league injury reporting rules.

Apr 19, 2024 4:20 PM Read more >

T-wolves take NBA's best defense into series vs. Suns, but can it stop Durant-Booker-Beal trio?

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Defense has been far more of an afterthought than an asset over the checkered history of the Minnesota Timberwolves , who have the second-fewest wins in the NBA since their entry 35 years ago and have advanced out of the first roun

Apr 19, 2024 3:11 PM Read more >

Lillard practices fully and Antetokounmpo remains out of live drills as Bucks prepare for playoffs

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Damian Lillard practiced fully but Giannis Antetokounmpo remained out of live drills Friday as the Milwaukee Bucks continued getting ready for Sunday’s playoff opener against the Indiana Pacers.

Apr 19, 2024 2:11 PM Read more >

Knicks and 76ers got past injuries that could've ruined them. Now they meet in playoffs

GREENBURGH, N.Y. (AP) — Jalen Brunson and his New York teammates refused to let injuries knock them down. Joel Embiid of Philadelphia wouldn't let his keep him down.

Apr 19, 2024 12:42 PM Read more >

Cavaliers feel better prepared for playoff stage after '23 flop, face Magic in first-round series

CLEVELAND (AP) — Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen doesn't regret the harsh, eye-popping review he gave of his postseason performance a year ago. Looking back, he told the truth about himself — and the Cavs.

Apr 19, 2024 10:01 AM Read more >

Kyrie Irving is healthy and drama-free in Dallas as a playoff pairing with Luka Doncic dawns

DALLAS (AP) — Kyrie Irving is healthy and publicly free of drama, self-inflicted or otherwise, heading into his first playoff game with co-star Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks.

Apr 19, 2024 4:01 AM Read more >