Basketball

DENVER (AP) — Nikola Jokic scored 39 points and pulled down 16 rebounds on the eve of the NBA MVP announcement to rally the Denver Nuggets to a 97-87 win over Phoenix on Monday night, giving them a 2-0 lead over the Suns in the Western Conference sem

BOSTON (AP) — James Harden matched his playoff career high with 45 points and hit a go-ahead, step-back 3-pointer over Al Horford with 8.

BOSTON (AP) — James Harden was asked for most of this season to be a facilitator for a 76ers team built around big man Joel Embiid.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Through every playoff triumph and every glaring mistake, Mike Brown stuck by his young Sacramento Kings knowing how much all of these moments will mean for the future.

Preview capsule for the NBA’s Western Conference semifinal series between Golden State and the Los Angeles Lakers. Capsules on the other three conference semifinal series moved previously: WESTERN CONFERENCE No.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — It's LeBron vs. Steph on the big stage, Take V. With a slightly different look in the playoffs these days for two of the game's greatest players.

BOSTON (AP) — Joel Embiid sat out Game 1 of the Philadelphia 76ers' Eastern Conference semifinal against the Boston Celtics with a right knee injury. Coach Doc Rivers confirmed the MVP finalist's status during his pregame availability on Monday.

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Knicks know how difficult it is having to play a postseason game without their do-everything forward. The Miami Heat don't want to be reminded what it's like now. Jimmy Butler's status is uncertain for Miami.

Miami Heat (44-38, eighth in the Eastern Conference) vs. New York Knicks (47-35, fifth in the Eastern Conference) New York; Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. EDT FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK NBA LINE : Knicks -6.

Los Angeles Lakers (43-39, seventh in the Western Conference) vs. Golden State Warriors (44-38, sixth in the Western Conference) San Francisco; Tuesday, 10 p.m. EDT FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK NBA LINE : Warriors -4.5; over/under is 227.