Basketball Page 134 - Sports News, Headlines & Highlights

Jazz, Celtics relying on unexpected stars ahead of meeting
As far as NBA drama goes, there isn't much intrigue in Friday's game in Salt Lake City between the Utah Jazz and Boston Celtics.,Though the Jazz (16-54) beat the Washington Wizards on Wednesday night to snap a 10-game losing skid, they own the second-worst record in the league and are headed to the ...

Timberwolves look to snap out of 2-game slump in Pelicans rematch
Something seems to be off with the Minnesota Timberwolves. That's the bad news.,The good news, veteran forward Julius Randle said, is that the Timberwolves still have time to snap back into shape as the regular season winds down.,"We've just got to get our energy back, man -- our swag," Randle said....

Surging Pistons set to face injury-plagued Mavericks
These are heady times for the Detroit Pistons, who moved a season-high eight games above .500 with a last-second victory over the Miami Heat on Wednesday.,The Pistons (39-31) have their sights set on larger goals as they prepare to visit the Dallas Mavericks on Friday.,While the injury-plagued Maver...

Seeking rare win streak, Spurs host struggling 76ers
The San Antonio Spurs look to win consecutive games for the first time since January when they host the struggling Philadelphia 76ers on Friday.,It's been feast or famine for San Antonio over the past two weeks, with the Spurs alternating wins and losses while staying in the hunt for a spot in the p...

Lakers G Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves out vs. Bucks
Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic will not play Thursday night against the visiting Milwaukee Bucks for injury maintenance and will be joined on the sideline by starting guard Austin Reaves.,Doncic, who has been dealing with a sprained right ankle, played 32 minutes in Wednesday night's 120-108 wi...

Rockets are hot, Heat are not as opposites attract
The contrast is stark.,When the Miami Heat plays host to the Houston Rockets on Friday night, it will be a battle between two teams who have been headed in different directions over recent weeks.,Houston (45-25) is on a season-best eight-game win streak.,Miami (29-40) is on a nine-game losing streak...

Magic keeping long-range faith with visit to Wizards ahead
The fading Orlando Magic will look for better shooting and a better result when they visit the Washington Wizards on Friday.,The Magic (32-38) currently sit eighth in the Eastern Conference, one of four play-in tournament spots. But they are not there because of their long-distance shooting.,Orlando...

Report: Lakers G Luka Doncic (ankle) out vs. Bucks
Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic will not play Thursday night against the visiting Milwaukee Bucks for injury maintenance, ESPN reported.,Doncic, who has been dealing with a sprained right ankle, played 32 minutes in Wednesday night's 120-108 win against the Denver Nuggets and tallied 31 points, ...

Reports: Bill Chisholm buying Celtics for record $6.1B
A group led by Bill Chisholm reportedly has agreed to purchase the Boston Celtics from the Grousbeck family for $6.1 billion, a record for a North American sports franchise.,The Boston Globe, Boston Herald, ESPN and other outlets reported the pending deal Thursday that would top the 2023 sale of the...
Pitino, Calipari, Self and Co. Make Providence the Epicenter of March Madness
March Madness heats up in Providence as coaching legends and underdogs collide. Pitino, Calipari, Self, and more take center stage....

Bucks bid for elusive win on road in clash vs. Lakers
The Milwaukee Bucks will be out to solve their issues on the road when they continue a five-game trip through the Western Conference with a visit to the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday.,It will be the second meeting between the teams in eight days after the Bucks earned a 126-106 home victory over th...

Kings host Bulls, look to pile up wins on crucial homestand
The Sacramento Kings will aim to continue the strong start to their seven-game homestand when they host the Chicago Bulls on Thursday.,After starting the stretch by defeating the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday, the Kings (35-33) backed it up by stunning the Cleveland Cavaliers 123-119 on Wednesday.,The...

Inconsistent Pacers open two-game set vs. skidding Nets
The Brooklyn Nets head to Indianapolis looking for a much-needed win against the playoff-bound Indiana Pacers on Thursday night in the first of a back-to-back between the two teams.,Brooklyn (23-46) has limped through the past four weeks, losing 11 of 13 games to fall out of the race for a play-in s...

Knicks continue search for missing form against Hornets
The New York Knicks don't want to be going in the wrong direction at the wrong time.,Making things right Thursday night in a road game against the Charlotte Hornets would be a good next step.,"We have to make it easier for each other," Knicks veteran Josh Hart said. "We have to play-make for each ot...

NBA roundup: Luka Doncic, Lakers handle Nuggets
Luka Doncic scored 21 of his 31 points in the first quarter, Austin Reaves added 22 total and the Los Angeles Lakers turned a fast start into a 120-108 home victory over the short-handed Denver Nuggets on Wednesday.,The victory allowed the Lakers to tie the Nuggets for third place in the Western Con...

Zion Williamson (29 points) carries Pelicans past Wolves
Zion Williamson scored 29 points on 12-for-16 shooting and the New Orleans Pelicans outlasted the Minnesota Timberwolves for a 119-115 win Wednesday night in Minneapolis.,Williamson added eight assists, five rebounds and three steals for New Orleans (19-51), which was playing its first game since fo...

Rockets run win streak to eight by defeating Magic
Jalen Green scored 26 points, Alperen Sengun had 22 points and 12 rebounds, and the visiting Houston Rockets extended their season-best winning streak to eight games with a 116-108 victory over the Orlando Magic on Wednesday.,Fred VanVleet added 19 points for Houston (45-25), which outscored Orlando...

Devin Booker's 41 points power Suns past Bulls
Devin Booker scored 41 points, including 33 after halftime, as the Phoenix Suns beat the visiting Chicago Bulls 127-121 on Wednesday.,Kevin Durant added 26 points and Ryan Dunn contributed 16 as Phoenix (33-37) moved past the Dallas Mavericks into 10th position in the race for the final play-in spot...

Deni Avdija takes Trail Blazers past Grizzlies
Deni Avdija recorded 31 points, 16 rebounds and eight assists to lead the Portland Trail Blazers to a 115-99 victory over the visiting Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night.,Avdija matched season highs for boards and 3-pointers (five) as Portland (31-39) won its third straight game. Anfernee Simons s...

Strong finish kick sends Kings past Cavaliers
Keegan Murray broke a late tie with a driving hoop, DeMar DeRozan dropped in a pair of clutch baskets in the final 1:35 and the host Sacramento Kings extended the Cleveland Cavaliers' losing streak to three games with a 123-119 triumph on Wednesday.,DeRozan finished with a team-high 27 points, Malik...