BOSTON (AP) — The Celtics expected to see a different LeBron James in Cleveland after the Cavaliers fell into a 2-0 hole to open the Eastern Conference finals.Two games and back-to-back wins later , James has reminded everyone exactly why he's been to seven straight NBA Finals.Boston will be back in the embrace of its raucous fans at TD Garden for Game 5 on Wednesday. But a team that has thrived on youth this postseason suddenly looks disoriented without a go-to player and opposite a more veteran squad that has found a new attitude thanks to the fuel being provided by its biggest star.Celtics coach Brad Stevens said all you can do against James is "make it as hard as you can.""LeBron is the best player of this generation and he's just maintained that because of his commitment to improvement," Stevens said. "He's always been an unbelievable physical player. He's always been a savvy player. And he's always had, just like the natural instincts to make the right basketball play along with his... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — The Celtics expected to see a different LeBron James in Cleveland after the Cavaliers fell into a 2-0 hole to open the Eastern Conference finalsTwo games and back-to-back wins later , James has reminded everyone exactly why he's been to seven straight NBA finals.Boston will be back in the embrace of its raucous fans at TD Garden for Game 5 on Wednesday. But a team that has thrived on youth this postseason suddenly looks disoriented without a go-to player and opposite a more veteran squad that has found a new attitude thanks to the fuel being provided by its biggest star.Celtics coach Brad Stevens said all you can do against James is "make it as hard as you can.""LeBron is the best player of this generation and he's just maintained that because of his commitment to improvement," Stevens said. "He's always been an unbelievable physical player. He's always been a savvy player. And he's always had, just like the natural instincts to make the right basketball play along with his... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — The Celtics expected to see a different LeBron James in Cleveland after the Cavaliers fell into a 2-0 hole to open the Eastern Conference finalsTwo games and back-to-back wins later , James has reminded everyone exactly why he's been to seven straight NBA finals.Boston will be back in the embrace of its raucous fans at TD Garden for Game 5 on Wednesday. But a team that has thrived on youth this postseason suddenly looks disoriented without a go-to player and opposite a more veteran squad that has found a new attitude thanks to the fuel being provided by its biggest star."My teammates are putting me in position and wanting me to be in attack mode and trusting me to put our guys in position to be successful," James said. "It's not about me. It's about the collective group, and I'm one of the byproducts of that."While the Cavs are certainly feeling rejuvenated, coach Tyronn Lue said it hasn't changed their sense of urgency."We still gotta play," Lue said. "We have veteran guys... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Celtics were loose, smiling and laughing. They weren't straining to hear each other speak and there were no obnoxious Cleveland fans heckling them.All was quiet as Boston worked out Sunday.Practice isn't an issue on the road in the postseason. Playing games is the problem.Less than 24 hours after a 30-point bludgeoning at the hands of LeBron James and the Cavaliers in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals, the Celtics did some film study and critical evaluation.They were hard on themselves."I thought it was embarrassing," Celtics guard Jaylen Brown said of Boston's 116-86 loss — and his own performance. "I thought we came out, the way I played, the way I performed, how not aggressive I was in the first half, I look at that as fuel to come out in Game 4 and be excited about it and be ready to play and ready to fight."Brown scored just 10 points — 13 below his average after two games in the series — and was in almost immediate foul trouble as the Cavs dominated while... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Celtics were loose, smiling and laughing. They weren't straining to hear each other speak and there were no obnoxious Cleveland fans heckling them.All was quiet as Boston worked out Sunday.Practice isn't an issue on the road in the postseason. Playing games is the problem.Less than 24 hours after a 30-point bludgeoning at the hands of LeBron James and the Cavaliers in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals, the Celtics did some film study and critical evaluation.They were hard on themselves."I thought it was embarrassing," Celtics guard Jaylen Brown said of Boston's 116-86 loss — and his own performance. "I thought we came out, the way I played, the way I performed, how not aggressive I was in the first half, I look at that as fuel to come out in Game 4 and be excited about it and be ready to play and ready to fight."Brown scored just 10 points — 13 below his average after two games in the series — and was in almost immediate foul trouble as the Cavs dominated while... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — One good beating per series is plenty for Draymond Green and Golden State.The Warriors got it in Game 2 at Houston, and now the defending champions plan to do what they seem to do best: bounce back with brilliance.As the Western Conference finals showdown shifts to Oracle Arena for Sunday's Game 3, tied at one game apiece, the Warriors have spent the past few days discussing their Game 2 troubles and what they're striving to do in order not to be dominated again.It's time to play."I think we're at our best when we feel threatened," Green said Saturday. "Game 1 we felt threatened, we came out with a sense of urgency. Game 2 we maybe didn't feel as threatened and the sense of urgency wasn't there. I think you're allowed one of those a series. We've had our one, now it's time to lock in for the remainder of the series."And for the Warriors that starts on the defensive end against Chris Paul, James Harden and Co., because when they get stops it allows Golden State to... [More]

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio (AP) — LeBron James knows the odds are stacked against the Cavaliers. He's lost sleep over it.The Cavs are down 2-0 in the Eastern Conference finals to the Boston Celtics, who can take complete command of the series with a win in Game 3 on Saturday night. Although James has twice overcome 2-0 deficits to win postseason series, that doesn't make the challenge any easier."I mean, I lose sleep," the three-time champion said following the team's morning shootaround. "At the end of the day, when you lose any game in the postseason, it's never comfort. Playoffs is never comfort. There's nothing about the playoffs that's comfortable until you either win it all or you lose and go into the summer."So for me it's always day to day grind to figure out ways that you can be better."Only 19 of 300 teams (6 percent) have overcome a 2-0 deficit to win, but two of them were Cleveland squads led by James. He brought the Cavs back in 2007 against Detroit and more famously in the 2016 NBA... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Stephen Curry has absolutely no concerns about his 3-point touch, so he's counting on the first one he takes going in."I have confidence in myself and my teammates have confidence in me to do what I need to do," the two-time MVP said Friday. "Never worry about it because I know how hard I work at it. It's not a false sense of confidence. I know how hard I work at what I do."His teammates and coach also say enough with the panic about Curry already. Kevin Durant doesn't even want to hear about any shooting struggles: he considers Curry the best shooter on the planet, and so be it if he shows he's human, too, once in a while. This is after all the same sweet shooter who broke his own NBA record for 3s in a single season by hitting 402 in 2015-16."When Steph misses a shot everybody gets up in arms about it. That's how great he is. So many people expect him to make every single shot. Sometimes it doesn't happen," Durant said. "I knew the next couple days was going to... [More]

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio (AP) — They've survived amid turmoil for months, their season morphing into the NBA's most compelling reality show — or, as some have called it, spectacle.The must-watch Cleveland Cavaliers have been hardened by the nonstop drama around them. So it's not a surprise they're calm despite trailing the Boston Celtics 2-0 in the Eastern Conference finals."We know what it takes," coach Tyronn Lue said. "We're down 0-2. No need to panic.""We know what we've got to do," added All-Star forward Kevin Love on the eve of Saturday's Game 3.The Cavs have been in dire straits before in the postseason.Just two years ago, Cleveland trailed 2-0 and then 3-1 in the NBA Finals to Golden State before coming back to win in seven games and end the city's 52-year championship drought. And back in the 2007 playoffs, LeBron James rallied the Cavs from a 2-0 deficit against Detroit, the hardwood king commencing his legacy by scoring Cleveland's final 25 points during a Game 5 road win.But while... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — P.J. Tucker wasn't a high draft pick and actually is undersized by NBA standards.At 6-foot-6, the Houston Rockets forward's intensity and defensive grit helps him overachieve against taller opponents on a nightly basis.Off the court, Tucker also defies the norm.He has spent years curating a wardrobe that has helped his style ascend to the upper echelons of fashion.Tucker was in the Balmain store in Paris during this year's NBA All-Star break when the manager told him there was a special one-of-a-kind piece that would be perfect for him.When Tucker first laid eyes on the beaded haute couture jacket at the French luxury fashion house he loved it, but was certain it wouldn't fit his muscular 245-pound frame.It did."Everybody in fashion knows of those must-have pieces where you're just like: 'I've got to have it,'" Tucker said. "And I had to have this."Then he learned the price of the black and gold open front jacket: $25,000."I had no idea. I was like: 'Oh all right, that's... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — If given the chance, Michael Porter Jr. would have a simple question for those who touted him as the best NBA prospect in this draft class a year ago and no longer do today.Why?The way he sees it, Porter was widely considered the best high-schooler in the country 12 months ago — even though he had back issues that led to him having surgery last fall and basically robbed him of his only college season at Missouri. So now, he thinks it's logical that if his back is better, his stock should be even higher as well."I'm still the best player," Porter said.And that's his message at the NBA Draft Combine, going on this week in Chicago. The small forward went through the anthropometric testing — height, weight, wingspan, body fat percentage and so on — but isn't partaking in on-court matters this week, opting instead to save his statements there until he gets workouts with teams over the coming weeks."I know without a doubt," Porter said. "I've played against all these guys. They're... [More]

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio (AP) — LeBron James recovered quickly from his neck strain. There's still too much stress on his back.He's carrying the Cavaliers. It's a springtime tradition.As has been the case for much of his 15-year career, James has had to perform at an extraordinary level throughout these playoffs, most recently in Cleveland's Game 2 loss at Boston.Bouncing back after taking a blow to the jaw from Jayson Tatum's shoulder that violently twisted his head and sent a chill down the spines of Cleveland fans, James finished with 42 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists.It was not enough, however. His teammates failed him and the Cavs fell into a 2-0 hole in the Eastern Conference finals.Kevin Love (22 points, 15 rebounds) helped, so did Kyle Korver (four 3-pointers) and Tristan Thompson (8 points, 7 rebounds). But too many other Cavs ranged from mediocre to awful.If Cleveland is to even the series at home, that has to change starting in Game 3 on Saturday."We have to ramp it up," said J.R.... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — Celtics coach Brad Stevens has said what has carried his team through the NBA postseason is its ability to make "winning plays" with the game on the line.And more times than not, it's been Marcus Smart making them.Since returning from thumb surgery late in the first round, Smart has been unflappable and Boston's unquestioned deacon of toughness.From sacrificing his body diving for loose balls or keeping plays alive with a rebound , to causing deflections on defense, to popping up out of the crowd for a timely rebound or tip-in, Smart is the proud everyman for a once underdog Celtics team that has outworked the Cavaliers through the first two games of the Eastern Conference finals."That's me. That's how I was raised," said Smart, who was Boston's top performer off the bench in the Celtics' 107-94 Game 2 win with 11 points, nine assists, five rebounds and four steals. "I'm the youngest of four boys. My whole life I had to fight."I had to get down and do things in order to secure... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — Cavaliers forward LeBron James said he just needed a chance to "recalibrate" when he left in the second quarter Tuesday night after taking a shot to the jaw from Boston's Jayson Tatum."It was a tough play. Obviously incidental," James said after the Celtics beat Cleveland 107-94 to take a 2-0 lead in the Eastern Conference finals despite his 42 points and a triple-double. "His shoulder hit me square in the jaw. It didn't affect my game after that."James was driving to the basket when Tatum went for the steal with both hands and collided with the Cleveland star, driving his shoulder into James' jaw. James spent about 10 seconds on one knee under the basket, then walked off to the Cleveland locker room.He returned a few minutes later and finished out the half with what the Cavaliers said was a strained neck."I felt like I needed to go back to the locker room, which I did, and kind of recalibrate," James said.Asked if he was checked for a concussion, he said: "I was checked for multiple things, and I passed them all. That's why I was able to come back and finish the half."After scoring just 15 points in Boston's Game 1 blowout, James had 21 in the first quarter on Tuesday night. He finished with 12 assists and 10 rebounds, but also had six turnovers.The Celtics won the first two games at home, and the series now heads to Cleveland for Game 3 on Saturday.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball

BOSTON (AP) — Cavaliers forward LeBron James left Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals Tuesday night and went to the Cleveland locker room in the second quarter after colliding with Boston's Jayson Tatum under the basket.He returned a few minutes later and finished out the half with what the Cavaliers said was a strained neck.James was under the basket when he collided with Tatum, whose shoulder hit James squarely in the jaw. James was shown rubbing his chin, and then he went to the locker room.After scoring just 15 points in Boston's Game 1 blowout, James had 21 in the first quarter on Tuesday night. He finished the half with 25 points, six assists and four rebounds.

BOSTON (AP) — Put Kevin Love's name atop the list of the Cavaliers that walked out of Cleveland's 25-point Eastern Conference finals Game 1 loss to Boston a little staggered, but with an unbowed head.The reason: He's got a teammate by the name of LeBron James that's had a way of responding after lopsided playoff defeats.Just ask the Indiana Pacers.The Pacers stunned the Cavs at home in their first-round opener, rolling to an 18-point victory. In Game 2, James was all but unstoppable as he replied with a 46-point, 12-rebound performance."I expect him to have a big response," Love said of James on Monday. "He's always done it. Even before he came back to Cleveland and since I've been here he's always responded big. .... He's going to approach this game as one that he's going to have to lead and bounce back."Even if James does have a big Game 2 Tuesday night in Boston, he'll need some help — and the Cavaliers know it.Love said he thought the Cavs were a "little soft" in the first half in Game... [More]

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio (AP) — George Hill has gone from point guard to point grad in the NBA playoffs.Cleveland's starting guard missed practice Saturday and had a good excuse for his absence — he graduated from college.Hill received his diploma from IUPUI and took part in commencement ceremonies in Indianapolis while his teammates got in one last workout before heading to Boston for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals.The 32-year-old Hill, who played for the Jaguars from 2004-08, a received his degree from the School of Liberal Arts. He was one of two student speakers to address the new graduates.On his Twitter account, Hill showed off a "Jaguars" tattoo on his left arm.Cavs coach Tyronn Lue said Hill would rejoin the team in time for the series opener Sunday against the Celtics.Hill joined the Cavs in February, coming over in a trade from Sacramento. He was slowed by back spasms and missed three games in the first round of the playoffs against Indiana, but returned and played a key role... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Stephen Curry and Draymond Green admire Rockets coach Mike D'Antoni from afar for how he empowers all his players to be scorers.No matter who you are, just let it fly — and for the Rockets that means regularly from 3-point range. And in transition whenever possible.Golden State coach Steve Kerr praises D'Antoni for influencing the way NBA teams now play offense: the pace and the space; precise ball movement and playing small without a traditional center; shooting at will and shooting from way back.Still, for all his success in leading the West's top team this season, D'Antoni might need a championship to validate his style.Standing in the way are the defending champion Warriors, who open the best-of-seven Western Conference finals at Houston on Monday night."He empowers everyone to shoot the basketball, and that's dangerous," said Green, Golden State's bruising forward. "That's why he's been so successful, especially on that side of the ball with any team he's ever... [More]

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio (AP) — George Hill has gone from point guard to point grad in the NBA playoffs.Cleveland's starting guard was excused from practice on Saturday to receive his degree from IUPUI. As his Cavaliers teammates got in one last workout before heading to Boston for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals, Hill took part in graduation ceremonies at the school in Indianapolis.The 32-year-old Hill received his degree from the School of Liberal Arts. He was one of two student speakers to address the new graduates. Hill played for the Jaguars from 2004-08.Cavs coach Tyronn Lue said Hill would rejoin the team in time for the series opener Sunday against the Celtics.Hill joined the Cavs in February, coming over in a trade from Sacramento. He was slowed by back spasms and missed three games in the first round of the playoff against Indiana. But he returned and played a key role in Cleveland's four-game sweep of Toronto.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball

The regular season is irrelevant.That's the message the Toronto Raptors sent Friday when they fired Dwane Casey, two days after his now-former peers in the NBA said he did the best coaching job in the league this season. Casey led the Raptors to the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference this season, along with the second-best record in the league. He even got to coach in the All-Star game.Didn't matter.Swept in the playoffs, swept out of Toronto.The Raptors were good this season. They weren't great. And they can't beat LeBron James, who has engineered the ouster of Toronto now in each of the last three seasons, the last two of them being sweeps. So Casey paid the price, and with that comes the reminder: Winning isn't enough in this NBA. Coaches must meet expectations, regardless of how misguided they may be."In some ways I think the time has come," Raptors President Masai Ujiri said Friday, a few hours after telling Casey that he was done in Toronto. "Sometimes these things come to an end,... [More]