Basketball Page 284 - Sports News, Headlines & Highlights

Payton Pritchard leads short-handed Celtics past Pistons
Payton Pritchard came off the bench to score a game-high 27 points and deliver 10 assists, leading the Boston Celtics to a 123-99 victory over the visiting Detroit Pistons on Thursday night.,Pritchard shot 10 of 20 from the field, including 7 of 15 from 3-point range.,The Celtics received 23 points ...

Rudy Gobert sets screens, and the stage, as Wolves host Lakers
The Minnesota Timberwolves knew that Rudy Gobert would be a difference maker on defense when he joined the team two-plus seasons ago.,Gobert's statistics on offense don't jump off the page, but one of his greatest attributes is how he sets screens for Anthony Edwards to ignite the Timberwolves' scor...

Back improving, Victor Wembanyama leads Spurs vs. Blazers
Going four days without a game has been very much to Victor Wembanyama's liking.,The 7-foot-3 star has been able to get some rest for his ailing back and he expects to be healthy when the San Antonio Spurs visit the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday night.,Wembanyama missed San Antonio's game against...

Suns may get Kevin Durant back vs. up-and-down Jazz
The Utah Jazz will be back in action on Friday night in Salt Lake City when they host the Phoenix Suns, but good luck guessing what will happen on the Delta Center court.,If NBA games were capable of causing whiplash, a lot of Jazz fans would be in neck braces after watching what their team did on t...

Nikola Jokic, Nuggets hope third time is charm vs. Clippers
After their most productive day in a non-overtime game this season, the Denver Nuggets are out to earn consecutive victories for the first time in a month when they play host to the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday., ,Following a run of seven losses in 11 games -- including one of their two setbacks a...

Hornets, Bulls come off four-day break seeking a turnaround
The Chicago Bulls conclude a three-game homestand on Friday when they host Eastern Conference counterpart Charlotte Hornets, with both returning to action after lengthy breaks.,Both Charlotte and Chicago last played on Sunday, going on hiatus the following four days due to their eliminations from th...

Riding hot stretch, Grizzlies out to avenge losses to Nets
The surging Memphis Grizzlies are a far different team than the one that lost twice to the Brooklyn Nets in the first two weeks of the season.,Winners of nine of their last 10, the Grizzlies look to maintain their momentum when they face the visiting Nets on Friday. Both teams are playing on four da...

Rested, healthier Sixers take on reeling Pacers
Over the last few weeks, the Philadelphia 76ers have gotten two things they desperately needed -- wins and rest., ,The improving Sixers hope to author another strong performance Friday when they host the scuffling Indiana Pacers., ,In a season where all three Philadelphia stars -- Joel Embiid, Paul ...

Cavaliers plan to regroup vs. NBA-worst Wizards
The Cleveland Cavaliers find themselves at home rather than spending a weekend in Las Vegas when they begin the post-NBA Cup portion of their schedule Friday night against the Washington Wizards.,The Cavaliers have won 21 of their first 25 games, giving them the best record in the NBA. But two of th...

Lakers not expecting LeBron James to play Friday
Taking an eight-day break to rest his sore left foot is the apparent plan for LeBron James with a return to the Lakers this weekend. ,ESPN reported James, who turns 40 on Dec. 30, is unlikely to play Friday against the Timberwolves. ,He started 22 games this season before missing his first game of t...

Rockets grab late lead vs. Warriors, reach NBA Cup semifinal
Jalen Green sank two free throws with 3.5 seconds left to help the Houston Rockets pull out a 91-90 victory over the visiting Golden State Warriors on Wednesday in an NBA Cup quarterfinal.,The Rockets snapped a 15-game series skid to the Warriors and advanced to the NBA Cup semifinals in Las Vegas, ...

High-scoring Kings, hot from long range, face skidding Pelicans
The Sacramento Kings have averaged 140.5 points in their past two games and 127.2 points over their past five games.,The New Orleans Pelicans have allowed an average of 122 points in their past four games.,The potential for lighting up the scoreboard will be high when the Kings visit the Pelicans on...

Trae Young, Hawks charge past Knicks, into NBA Cup semifinal
Trae Young scored 12 of his 22 points during a decisive third-quarter run as the Atlanta Hawks overcame a double-digit deficit to beat the host New York Knicks 108-100 in an NBA Cup quarterfinal on Wednesday night.,The Hawks trailed throughout the first half but outscored the Knicks 61-46 in the fin...

As speculation swirls, Jimmy Butler reportedly interested in four teams
Jimmy Butler's name is trending in trade rumors and the six-time NBA All-Star is just with it.,As the Miami Heat consider trading Butler, he reportedly has four destinations in mind, according to ESPN. They are the Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, Golden State Warriors and Phoenix Suns.,"I actuall...

Raptors hope to end road woes with visit to Heat
For the third time in less than two weeks, the Toronto Raptors will play the Miami Heat.,So far, each team has won on its home court, which may bode well for Miami as it plays host Thursday.,The Raptors, who have lost three straight games overall, are just 1-11 on the road. Their only road win was a...
LeBron James “Taking Some Time” Away From Los Angeles Lakers, Should Be Traded
LeBron James is taking some time away from the Los Angeles Lakers, and he should spend this time identifying trade scenarios to get him away from the 8th seed in the West....

Celtics host Pistons looking to avoid first back-to-back losses
The Boston Celtics will be looking to avoid losing back-to-back games for the first time this season when they face the visiting Detroit Pistons on Thursday.,The Celtics haven't played since they dropped a 127-121 decision to the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday at home. Boston overcame a 14-point seco...

Cavaliers F Max Strus (ankle) to make season debut Friday
Cleveland Cavaliers forward Max Strus is expected to make his season debut on Friday after battling an ankle injury, RG first reported Tuesday. ,The Cavaliers, 21-4 without Strus, host the Washington Wizards on Friday. Strus will play barring any setbacks, ESPN added Wednesday.,Strus injured the ank...

Rockets owner up for Trump appointment; eyeing NFL's Saints
Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta reportedly is in line to become the next U.S. ambassador to Italy.,President-elect Donald Trump is expected to appoint the 67-year-old billionaire businessman to the post, according to a CBS News report on Tuesday.,If he is nominated by Trump and confirmed by th...

Raptors F Scottie Barnes (ankle) out at least one week
Toronto Raptors swingman Scottie Barnes will be sidelined at least one week with a sprained right ankle, the team confirmed Wednesday.,Barnes, 23, sustained the injury midway through the third quarter in Monday night's 113-108 home loss to the New York Knicks. X-rays were negative and further imagin...