Joel Embiid expects his first playoff game in Philadelphia to be quite a scene."It's going to be lit," Embiid said.And if the 76ers win, there will be more games like it next week.The 76ers can become the first team into the Eastern Conference semifinals when they host the Miami Heat on Tuesday in Game 5 of the only East series that isn't tied.Also Tuesday, the Golden State Warriors get their second chance to eliminate San Antonio, and the Celtics and Bucks return to Boston for Game 5 of a series in which the home team has won every game.Embiid was still sidelined while recovering from a broken orbital bone around his left eye for the first two games in Philadelphia, then returned to help the 76ers win Games 3 and 4 in Miami.Now the 76ers, who just two years ago lost 72 games in one of the worst seasons ever while the Warriors were winning an NBA-record 73, can join the defending champions in the second round on the same night. The 76ers have advanced to the East semis just twice since... [More]

Joel Embiid expects his first playoff game in Philadelphia to be quite a scene."It's going to be lit," Embiid said.And if the 76ers win, there will be more games like it next week.The 76ers can become the first team into the Eastern Conference semifinals when they host the Miami Heat on Tuesday in Game 5 of the only East series that isn't tied.Also Tuesday, the Golden State Warriors get their second chance to eliminate San Antonio, and the Celtics and Bucks return to Boston for Game 5 of a series in which the home team has won every game.Embiid was still sidelined while recovering from a broken orbital bone around his left eye for the first two games in Philadelphia, then returned to help the 76ers win Games 3 and 4 in Miami.Now the 76ers, who just two years ago lost 72 games in one of the worst seasons ever while the Warriors were winning an NBA-record 73, can join the defending champions in the second round on the same night. The 76ers have advanced to the East semis just twice since... [More]

LeBron James is keeping his thoughts to himself.Whatever concerns — or confidence — he might harbor about his Cleveland Cavaliers facing a 2-1 first-round Eastern Conference series hole heading into Game 4 at the Indiana Pacers on Sunday were not going to be made available for public consumption.James decided not to speak to reporters on Saturday.And he did not have a whole lot to say in the immediate aftermath of Game 3, either, when Indiana erased a 17-point deficit and then held on for a 92-90 victory over the Cavs.Not only has the four-time MVP and three-time NBA champ never lost an opening NBA postseason series, going 12-0 in the past, he had never even trailed in the first round until this one, when Cleveland dropped Game 1 at home.Now he is behind again."We've had some good quarters," James said Friday, "and we didn't have some good quarters."Well, that explains a lot.Cleveland coach Tyronn Lue's synopsis?"They won a game we should have won," Lue said. "That's what's disappointing.... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Milwaukee Bucks starting center John Henson will miss the playoff game Friday night against the Boston Celtics with a sore back.Seven-footer Tyler Zeller, who used to play for Boston, is listed as the probable starter. The Bucks trail Boston 2-0 in their best-of-seven, first-round Eastern Conference playoff series.Coach Joe Prunty has also listed Malcolm Brogdon as the probable starter over Tony Snell at guard alongside Eric Bledsoe. The Bucks' starting backcourt has been outscored 96-25 in the first two games by Boston's starting guard duo of Terry Rozier and Jaylen Brown.Henson was second on the team in rebounding, averaging 6.8 per game. The Celtics have decisive edges in offensive rebounding (20-12) and second-chance points (42-13) going into Game 3.___For more AP NBA coverage: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo's meme-worthy scowl started with a look in the mirror.The Milwaukee Bucks All-Star was an NBA rookie then, trying to come up with a look he could flash after making a big play. Antetokounmpo thought about the glare his mother would throw his way when he misbehaved as a child. It took about a week to perfect as he struck poses in front of the mirror."Now it comes easy. You've just got to put your nose up like this," said Antetokounmpo, wrinkling his face after a recent practice.It can look so much more intimidating on the court.As Antetokounmpo's skills reach new heights, so does his confidence as he enters his third career postseason. The Bucks open their first-round series against the Celtics on Sunday in Boston."You don't think. It's just second nature. You're just playing now," Antetokounmpo said. "There are points when you're young, you're scared to make the wrong decision late."This is no longer the gangly, 6-foot-11 forward who would defer during... [More]

C John Henson led the charge in the third, scoring 11 of his 15 points. The Bucks made 12 of 21 shots to go up by as many as 18.

C John Henson and F Khris Middleton added 17 points apiece as the Bucks shot 49 percent and made 12 of 22 3-pointers.Henson made his presence felt for Milwaukee. He scored eight points and grabbed five rebounds in the final quarter and also dished out two assists with a block.

C John Henson getting his first start of the season and C Thon Maker coming off the bench Wednesday. Henson finished with four points, 10 rebounds and six assists in 29 minutes of action.

F John Henson and PG Malcolm Brogdon returned to the Bucks' lineup Monday against Charlotte and finished with five and two points, respectively. Brogdon missed the previous five games with back soreness, and Henson was sidelined for 10 games with a sprained left thumb.

F John Henson sat out his 10th straight with a sprained left thumb. He worked out Friday and Saturday, and Bucks coach Jason Kidd hopes he can return Monday against Charlotte.

F John Henson was unavailable on Friday night because of a wrist injury.

F/C John Henson scored eight points while blocking four shots in his first action since March 1.

F/C John Henson went from warming the bench on Friday to dominating a game on Sunday, leading the Milwaukee Bucks to 104-96 victory over the Orlando Magic.Two days made a world of difference.Henson, whose playing time and role with the Bucks this season can change daily, set the tone early, then carried the Bucks late in just their second road victory of the season.He scored a season-high 20 points, grabbed seven rebounds and blocked three shots, making a convincing case for more consistent playing time.

F/C John Henson started his second straight game on Wednesday night, with C/F Greg Monroe coming off the bench.

F John Henson had 18 points and 10 rebounds Sunday in the Bucks' win at Philadelphia.

F John Henson played just 11 minutes Friday in the Bucks' 113-110 victory over Orlando. He finished with just two points and three rebounds while picking up five fouls and a technical with 11:30 left in the fourth quarter.

F John Henson had 19 points off the bench to lead the Bucks.

F John Henson was called for a technical and flagrant-1 after a few moments of pushing, shoving and shouting with Grizzlies F Matt Barnes. Tempers flared again in the closing seconds. Henson and Barnes got into it after Henson blocked a Barnes shot with 5.9 ticks left. Both players were ejected at that point. Henson threw his jersey into the crowd and pumped his fists as he walked through the tunnel. "We got a little heated, going back and forth. It happens," said Henson, who was sporting a bruise on his right cheek. "But we got the win, that's all that matters."

F John Henson returned to action Tuesday night, scoring four points with a rebound in six minutes of work. Henson had missed Milwaukee's previous 20 games because of a sore back. "The healing process took a bit longer (than we expected)," coach Jason Kidd said. "I don't know if we thought it would be this serious." Henson appeared in 42 games before the injury, averaging 6.8 points on 59.1 percent shooting with 3.9 rebounds.

F John Henson was in uniform and available to play limited minutes Tuesday night. Henson missed Milwaukee's previous 20 games because of a sore back. "The healing process took a bit longer (than we expected)," coach Jason Kidd said. "I don't know if we thought it would be this serious." Henson appeared in 42 games before the injury, averaging 6.8 points on 59.1 percent shooting with 3.9 rebounds.