Basketball Page 21 - Sports News, Headlines & Highlights

Lauri Markkanen leads Jazz into NBA Cup matchup vs. dominant Thunder
Two of the NBA's best big men square off Friday when the Utah Jazz host the Oklahoma City Thunder in NBA Cup West Group A action.,While the Jazz (5-9, 0-2) have struggled, dropping five of their last seven games overall, Lauri Markkanen has not. He enters Friday's contest averaging 30.6 points per g...

Torrid-shooting Magic extend Clippers' tailspin in rout
Jalen Suggs knocked down five 3-pointers on his way to a team-high 23 points, and the Orlando Magic continued the tailspin of the visiting Los Angeles Clippers with a 129-101 triumph on Thursday.,Orlando overwhelmed Los Angeles defensively, holding the Clippers to just 36-of-89 (40.4%) shooting from...

Road Warriors no more as Golden State readies for lengthy homestand
The Golden State Warriors begin the schedule-equalizing portion of their season Friday night when they get a revenge matchup at home against the Portland Trail Blazers in an NBA Cup game.,The Warriors will play more than two straight home games for the first time this season after concluding a nine-...

Pelicans hope lightning strikes twice on Mavericks' floor
The New Orleans Pelicans haven't enjoyed much success this season, but one of their two victories came against the Mavericks in Dallas.,The Pelicans will be back in "Big D" on Friday night for a rematch against the Mavericks as the teams square off in NBA Cup West Group B play.,New Orleans and Dalla...

Timberwolves, Suns meet in clash of NBA Cup unbeaten teams
Minnesota guard Anthony Edwards, a marketing face in the NBA Race for the Cup, will take another run at it Friday.,Two Cup contenders will continue to battle for a spot in the knockout phase when the Timberwolves (10-5, 2-0) visit the Phoenix Suns (9-6, 1-0). They are among nine remaining unbeaten t...

Red-hot Rockets, Nuggets square off with NBA Cup group lead on the line
Houston will host Denver on Friday in a pivotal NBA Cup matchup featuring the top two teams in West Group C.,It's a tight battle with all five teams in the group holding identical 1-1 records, though the Rockets and Nuggets lead in point differential.,In the Western Conference season standings, Hous...

Reports: Lakers fire brothers Joey, Jesse Buss from front office
The Los Angeles Lakers' reorganization of the front office includes the firings of executives Joey and Jesse Buss, younger brothers of team governor Jeanie Buss and sons of the former owner, the late Jerry Buss, multiple outlets reported on Thursday.,Several members of the scouting department also w...

Streaking Raptors look to clinch NBA Cup group vs. struggling Wizards
The Toronto Raptors aim to remain undefeated in NBA Cup group play Friday night when they host the struggling Washington Wizards.,The Raptors are 2-0 in their NBA Cup games and riding a hot streak overall. After a 121-112 road win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday, they have won a season-best...

Buzzer-beating Bulls eager for easier ride against Heat
Relying on late-game heroics is "not sustainable basketball," Chicago Bulls coach Billy Donovan finds.,While his players agree, they've decided to excel at this style anyway.,The Bulls return home Friday to face the Miami Heat in NBA Cup play still beaming over Wednesday's buzzer-beater in Portland....

Kings star C Domantas Sabonis has torn meniscus, out at least 3-4 weeks
The skidding Sacramento Kings got more bad news on Thursday when MRI imaging revealed star center Domantas Sabonis has a partial meniscus tear in his left knee, the team announced.,Sabonis, 29, will be re-evaluated in three to four weeks, the Kings said.,A three-time All-Star, Sabonis last played on...

Self-critical Jaylen Brown, Celtics go for another win vs. Nets
Jaylen Brown is hoping to rebound from a 29-point performance in his last game when the Boston Celtics complete a home-and-home series against the Brooklyn Nets on Friday.,Yes, you read that correctly. Brown wasn't too happy with his effort on Tuesday despite leading his team in scoring for the 12th...

Pacers take 'Why not?' attitude into playoff rematch with Cavaliers
The Indiana Pacers haven't had many opportunities to celebrate this season, but they are heading to Cleveland on a high after winning for just the second time.,Bennedict Mathurin had 24 points and 12 rebounds, and Pascal Siakam scored 22 points for Indiana in a 127-118 victory over the visiting Char...

Mavericks G Dante Exum needs another knee surgery, done for season
Dallas Mavericks guard Dante Exum, who has yet to play this season because of a right knee issue, will have season-ending surgery.,The Mavericks confirmed Exum's season is over on Thursday.,Exum, 30, "has continued to deal with complications from a right knee procedure in the offseason, and it has b...

One star likely in, another out as 76ers, Bucks tussle
The Philadelphia 76ers expect to have Paul George in the lineup again on Thursday night, but the Milwaukee Bucks won't be as lucky with Giannis Antetokounmpo when the clubs meet for the first time this season in Milwaukee.,Coming off knee surgery and playing for the first time since March 4, George ...

Either Grizzlies or Kings will snap losing streak
The Memphis Grizzlies enter their game Thursday night against the visiting Sacramento Kings intent on snapping a five-game losing streak.,If the Grizzlies are to be successful in winning for the first time since Nov. 7 against Dallas, they must solve their fourth-quarter collapses.,In a 108-100 loss...

NBA roundup: Nikola Vucevic, Bulls best Blazers on buzzer-beater
Nikola Vucevic drained a 3-pointer as time expired to cap a 27-point effort and give the Chicago Bulls a 122-121 victory over the host Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday night.,Chicago blew a 21-point fourth-quarter lead and trailed in the final seconds as Coby White drove into the lane. He spotted...

Nikola Vucevic's buzzer-beating trey lifts Bulls past Blazers
Nikola Vucevic drained a 3-pointer as time expired to cap a 27-point effort and give the Chicago Bulls a 122-121 victory over the host Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday night.,Chicago blew a 21-point, fourth-quarter lead and trailed in the final seconds as Coby White drove into the lane. He spotte...

Offensive-foul call seals' Knicks victory over Mavericks
Jalen Brunson scored 28 points in his return to the lineup and Landry Shamet hit a pair of 3-pointers in the final 1:03 as the New York Knicks beat the Dallas Mavericks 113-111 for their first road win of the season on Wednesday.,Dallas guard Brandon Williams was called for an offensive foul after a...

NBA roundup: Alperen Sengun, Rockets hold off Cavs
Alperen Sengun scored 28 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, Kevin Durant added 20 points and the visiting Houston Rockets emerged with a 114-104 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night.,Sengun also had seven assists in Houston's fifth straight win.,The Rockets built a 22-point lead in t...

Nikola Jokic's triple-double helps Nuggets hand Pelicans 7th straight setback
Peyton Watson scored 32 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, both career highs, Nikola Jokic had 28 points, 12 assists and 11 rebounds, and the visiting Denver Nuggets beat the New Orleans Pelicans 125-118 on Wednesday night.,Zion Williamson had 14 points in 29 minutes in his return to the New Orleans li...