Basketball Page 48 - Sports News, Headlines & Highlights
Jayson Tatum’s Return Might Reveal Sour Truth About His Defense
As Jayson Tatum nears his return from injury, questions remain about whether the Celtics star lives up to the massive hype surrounding him....
Florida’s Case for a No. 1 Seed Is Stronger Than UConn’s
Florida and UConn are battling for the final No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Here’s why the Gators have the stronger case heading into Selection Sunday....

With LeBron James in question, Lakers take aim at spiraling Pacers
LeBron James has put the ball in the basket more than any other player in NBA history.,James, 41, routinely sets records due to his longevity and he could look to add to his new career field goals mark on Friday night when the Lakers host the struggling Indiana Pacers.,James scored 16 points on 7-of...

Happy to be home, streaking Spurs to get challenge from Clippers
The San Antonio Spurs' stamina will be tested as they look to draw closer to the top spot in the Western Conference when they host the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday.,It's the second game of a home back-to-back and the first of three between the teams over the final weeks of the season. The Spurs en...

Suns brace for Zion Williamson, Pelicans after disappointing loss
The Phoenix Suns will look to regroup Friday against the visiting New Orleans Pelicans, a team that seems to have found its rhythm just as the Suns are struggling to find theirs.,The Suns enter the second game of a back-to-back after a disappointing 105-103 home loss to the Chicago Bulls, who not on...

Knicks pursue season sweep of Nuggets in opener of 5-game trek
After outlasting the Nuggets in double overtime four weeks ago, the New York Knicks will vie for the season sweep when they visit Denver on Friday night.,Jalen Brunson collected 42 points, nine assists and eight rebounds in New York's 134-127 victory over Denver on Feb. 4. ,He is coming off a tough ...

Rockets tasked with improving communication vs. Blazers
Given the vulnerability of their opponent on Thursday, the Houston Rockets were positioned to open a crucial stretch of home games with a victory that could prove beneficial in their pursuit of the third seed in the Western Conference.,Instead, the Rockets fell behind early against the short-handed ...

Heat face tall task in cooling off red-hot Hornets
Two teams that have been finding the right gear at an ideal time will meet when the Miami Heat visit the Charlotte Hornets on Friday night.,The Hornets carry a six-game winning streak -- the longest active streak in the NBA -- into the game after Wednesday's 118-89 thumping of the host Boston Celtic...

Celtics await Jayson Tatum's possible return vs. Mavericks
The Boston Celtics may have a much different look when they face the visiting Dallas Mavericks on Friday night.,Jayson Tatum was upgraded to questionable on Boston's injury report on Thursday, fueling speculation that he may play in an NBA game for the first time since he tore his right Achilles ten...

NBA roundup: LeBron James sets record, gets hurt in Lakers' loss to Nuggets
Nikola Jokic had 28 points, 13 assists and 12 rebounds to overcome nine turnovers, and the host Denver Nuggets beat the Los Angeles Lakers 120-113 on Thursday night in a crucial Western Conference matchup.,Lakers star LeBron James finished with 16 points on 7-for-11 shooting to reach another milesto...

LeBron James sets record but exits injured in Lakers' loss to Nuggets
Nikola Jokic had 28 points, 13 assists and 12 rebounds to overcome nine turnovers, and the host Denver Nuggets beat the Los Angeles Lakers 120-113 on Thursday night in a crucial Western Conference matchup.,LeBron James finished with 16 points on 7-for-11 shooting to reach another milestone in his 23...

Lakers' LeBron James hurts elbow in loss to Nuggets
Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James left a record-setting game due to a left elbow injury on Thursday in Denver.,With 4:05 to play in the Lakers' 120-113 loss to the Nuggets, James drove for a layup but went down hard beyond the baseline.,Play went up to the other end, where the Lakers committed a ...

LeBron James sets all-time field-goal mark in Lakers' loss to Nuggets
Nikola Jokic had 28 points, 13 assists and 12 rebounds to overcome nine turnovers, and the host Denver Nuggets beat the Los Angeles Lakers 120-113 on Thursday night in a crucial Western Conference matchup.,LeBron James finished with 16 points on 7-for-11 shooting to reach another milestone in his 23...

Zion Williamson, Pelicans send Kings to NBA-high 50th loss
Zion Williamson scored 23 points, six teammates chipped in with double-digit point totals and the visiting New Orleans used a big third quarter to distance themselves from the Sacramento Kings en route to a 133-123 victory on Thursday.,Trey Murphy III had 21 points and Saddiq Bey 20 for the Pelicans...

Collin Sexton (30 points) leads undermanned Bulls past Suns
Collin Sexton scored a season-high 30 points, Tre Jones added 21, and the skeleton crew Chicago Bulls never trailed in a 105-103 victory over the host Phoenix Suns on Thursday.,Guerschon Yabusele had 16 points and Rob Dillingham added 11 off the bench for the Bulls, who saw a 12-point lead with six ...

Lakers' Deandre Ayton (knee) leaves game against Nuggets
Lakers center Deandre Ayton exited Los Angeles' Thursday road game against the Denver Nuggets due to a knee injury and was ruled out for the remainder of the night.,Ayton left with 3:34 remaining in the first quarter after committing a foul on Julian Strawther. He missed his only shot attempt and gr...

Victor Wembanyama's all-around effort carries Spurs past Pistons
Victor Wembanyama amassed 38 points, 16 rebounds and five blocked shots as the San Antonio Spurs opened a six-game homestand with a decisive 121-106 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Thursday.,The Spurs earned their second straight win and their 13th victory in the past 14 games. Two of those wins...

Sharpshooting Timberwolves outlast struggling Raptors
Anthony Edwards scored 22 points on 8-for-12 shooting, and the Minnesota Timberwolves held on for a 115-107 win over the Toronto Raptors on Thursday night in Minneapolis.,Rudy Gobert added 18 points and 12 rebounds for Minnesota, which won its fifth game in a row. Julius Randle finished with 17 poin...

Short-handed Warriors outlast Rockets in OT
De'Anthony Melton converted a second-chance basket with 5.3 seconds remaining, and the short-handed Golden State Warriors held on for a 115-113 overtime victory over the host Houston Rockets on Thursday.,Melton corralled a missed tip shot by Gui Santos and scored to give the Warriors a 115-112 lead....

Kel'el Ware stuffs stat sheet as Heat hand Nets 10th straight loss
Kel'el Ware scored 16 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, set a career-high with seven blocks and added five steals, helping the host Miami Heat beat the Brooklyn Nets 126-110 on Thursday night.,Michael Porter Jr. led Brooklyn with game highs in points (27) and rebounds (13).,The Heat, who have won three s...