Basketball Page 198 - Sports News, Headlines & Highlights

Ja Morant has Grizzlies feeling confident ahead of Heat clash
Having star guard Ja Morant back and healthy bodes well for the Memphis Grizzlies.,The Grizzlies opened the season Wednesday night with a 128-122 home victory over the New Orleans Pelicans -- and Morant played the role he and the Memphis fans relish. He took over in the final minutes of a close game...

Rockets refining playmaker-by-committee plans for Pistons
While the Houston Rockets' deployment of the tallest starting lineup since the NBA began tracking starters has generated ample ballyhoo, their decision to eschew utilizing a traditional point guard could yield greater ramifications.,The Rockets, set to host the Detroit Pistons in their home opener o...

Knicks try to parlay promising opener into win over rival Celtics
A new era for the New York Knicks began Wednesday night with plenty of familiar faces hinting at their potential once the roster is closer to whole.,For the Boston Celtics, a narrow loss was all about who they're missing -- Jayson Tatum -- and how they'll adjust to life without him.,The Knicks will ...

Cavaliers not sweating opening-night loss as they visit Nets
The Cleveland Cavaliers will not begin this season with a memorable 15-game winning streak.,Instead, the focus will shift to correcting some of the issues from their unsuccessful season opener. Cleveland's first chance to improve comes Friday night when they visit the rebuilding Brooklyn Nets.,Cleve...

Hopeful Hawks, Magic set for early-season division matchup
A pair of Southeast Division rivals with lofty expectations will meet for the first time on Friday, as the Orlando Magic play host to the visiting Atlanta Hawks.,Both consensus picks to make the postseason out of the Eastern Conference, Orlando and Atlanta last met in the 7 vs. 8 play-in tournament ...

Brazilian-born Tiago Splitter named interim coach of Trail Blazers
Tiago Splitter was named interim coach of the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday after the arrest of Chauncey Billups.,Splitter, 40, will make his debut in the role on Friday night when the Trail Blazers host the Golden State Warriors.,Billups was arrested Thursday morning as part of a federal inves...

Well-rounded Bucks set sights on hot-shooting Raptors
Giannis Antetokounmpo may finally have the supporting cast he has always been searching for as a member of the Milwaukee Bucks.,The 6-foot-11 star turned in his usual effort in a 133-120 season-opening win over the Washington Wizards Wednesday with 37 points and 14 rebounds to begin his 13th NBA sea...

U.S. prosecutors outline 8 NBA games in wire fraud, conspiracy indictment
An unsealed indictment alleges current and former NBA players and Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups were part of an illegal gambling ring using "inside information to profit" from illegal betting activity, the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York said Thursday...

Chauncey Billups, Terry Rozier arrested in gambling probe
Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier were arrested Thursday morning in connection with a federal investigation into illegal gambling.,Also taken into custody was former Cleveland Cavaliers assistant coach Damon Jones, who was linked to investigations involv...
LeBron James Trade Rumors Swirl as Lakers Fall Flat Without Him on Opening Night
LeBron James’ absence and body language spark trade speculation as the Los Angeles Lakers fall to the Golden State Warriors despite Luka Doncic’s 43-point performance....

NBA's Chauncey Billups, Terry Rozier arrested in gambling probe
Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier were arrested Thursday morning in connection with a federal investigation into illegal gambling.,Also taken into custody was former Cleveland Cavaliers assistant coach Damon Jones.,Billups, a member of the Basketball Hal...
Miami Heat's Terry Rozier Arrested by FBI Amid Sports Betting Probe
Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier was arrested by the FBI amid a federal sports betting investigation tied to prior NBA gambling activity....

Anthony Edwards' 41 points power Timberwolves past Trail Blazers
Anthony Edwards recorded 41 points and seven rebounds and the Minnesota Timberwolves used a strong fourth quarter to post a 118-114 victory over the host Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday night in the season opener for both teams.,Julius Randle had 19 points, seven rebounds and six assists and Jad...

Suns storm back from 20-point deficit, take down Kings
Devin Booker had 31 points, Dillon Brooks added 22 and the host Phoenix Suns overcame a 20-point deficit to beat the Sacramento Kings 120-116 in the season opener for both Wednesday.,Grayson Allen scored all of his 18 points in the second half and reserve Royce O'Neale had 3 3-pointers and 12 points...

Victor Wembanyama (40 points), Spurs rout Mavs in Cooper Flagg's debut
Victor Wembanyama turned in a highlight-reel performance with 40 points and 15 rebounds as the visiting San Antonio Spurs opened the season with a 125-92 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday.,Stephon Castle contributed 22 points, seven rebounds and six assists for San Antonio, which led by...

NBA roundup: VJ Edgecombe's historic debut leads Sixers past Celtics
Tyrese Maxey tossed in a game-high 40 points and rookie VJ Edgecombe got off to a historic start with 34 to lead the visiting Philadelphia 76ers to a 117-116 victory over the Boston Celtics on Wednesday night in the NBA opener for each team.,Boston trailed 117-116 after Edgecombe missed two free-thr...

VJ Edgecombe makes history in debut as 76ers rally to beat Celtics
Tyrese Maxey tossed in a game-high 40 points and rookie VJ Edgecombe got off to a historic start with 34 to lead the visiting Philadelphia 76ers to a 117-116 victory over the Boston Celtics on Wednesday night in the season opener for each team.,Boston trailed 117-116 after Edgecombe missed two free-...

Jazz build 37-point lead in opener, crush Clippers
Three Utah Jazz players scored at least 20 points in a season-opening 129-108 rout of the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night in Salt Lake City.,Walker Kessler led the Jazz with 22 points, nine rebounds, four assists and four blocks, while Lauri Markkanen and Brice Sensabaugh each netted 20 poin...

Ja Morant outduels Zion Williamson as Grizzlies down Pelicans
Ja Morant scored a game-high 35 points and Jaren Jackson Jr. added 18 points, eight rebounds and six blocks to lead the Memphis Grizzlies to a 128-122 victory over the visiting New Orleans on Wednesday night in the season opener for both teams.,Zion Williamson led the Pelicans with 27 points and nin...

Nikola Vucevic pours in 28 to help Bulls get by Pistons
Nikola Vucevic had 28 points and 14 rebounds and Josh Giddey contributed 19 points and 11 assists to boost the Chicago Bulls to a 115-111 victory against the visiting Detroit Pistons on Wednesday in the teams' season opener.,Cade Cunningham had 23 points and 10 assists for the Pistons, while Isaiah ...