Spurs win 20th in a row, beat Thunder in Game 2

SAN ANTONIO — San Antonio is halfway to turning the Western Conference finals into a runaway.Tony Parker scored 34 points, Manu Ginobili added 20 and the Spurs stayed perfect in the playoffs with a 120-111 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 2 on Tuesday night.

Lynnwood's basketball coach will stress defense

Lynnwood's new boys basketball coach, Michael Richards, plans to make defense a top priority in his program.His reasoning is simple.

Del Negro to return as Clippers coach next season

LOS ANGELES — Vinny Del Negro will be back as coach of the Los Angeles Clippers next season.

Heat top Celtics

LeBron leads Miami to 93-79 win over Boston in Game 1

Spurs beat Thunder 101-98 in West finals opener

SAN ANTONIO — It's a catchphrase likely coming soon to fan T-shirts, Internet memes and the lexicon of the NBA playoffs for the foreseeable future."I want some nasty!"

Lynx win 10th straight, beat Storm 84-71

MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Lynx haven't lost a game in eight months, an amazing string that includes a WNBA championship and an unbeaten start in their title defense.

Celtics beat 76ers 85-75 in Game 7

BOSTON — To Doug Collins, Boston's Big Three is already a memory."I don't look at them as the Big Three. I look at them as the Championship Four," the Philadelphia coach said. "Because if you're going to leave Rondo out, you're making a huge mistake."

Go, San Antonio!

Why Sonics fans should climb on the Spurs' bandwagon

Huskies' Romar to give talk in Everett

When Jacob Marsh began working as director of the South Everett/Mukilteo Boys & Girls Club on Casino Road last May, one of the first things he realized was how many underprivileged kids were in the area.

The Heat is on

Miami eliminates Indiana in NBA playoffs

76ers top Celtics, force Game 7 in NBA East semis

PHILADELPHIA — The buzz at the start was for Allen Iverson's ceremonial return.

Heat's James leads NBA all-defensive team

NEW YORK -- NBA Most Valuable Player LeBron James was the leading vote-getter for the league's all-defensive squad Wednesday, while Defensive Player of the Year Tyson Chandler didn't even crack the first team.Confused? So were plenty of others — even a Harvard graduate.

Heat's Haslem suspended for Game 6 against Pacers

MIAMI — Heat forward Udonis Haslem has been suspended by the NBA for Game 6 of the Miami-Indiana series.

WNBA Power Rankings

The 2012 WNBA season kicked off this past Friday night at KeyArena with the Seattle Storm falling 72-66 to the Los Angeles Sparks. The schedule is now in full swing and each week I will be releasing my own version of the WNBA power rankings. This is the first installment of the season.

Parker leads Sparks to 74-61 win over Storm

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Sparks didn't need to rally this time.Candace Parker scored 21 points and 10 rebounds and Kristi Toliver added 18 to help the Sparks beat the Seattle Storm 74-61 on Tuesday night.

Heat rout Pacers 115-83, take 3-2 series lead

MIAMI — Suddenly, the road back to the Eastern Conference finals no longer looks daunting for Miami.Not after the Heat left the Pacers beat up and banged up.

Police: Shooting not related to Thunder game

OKLAHOMA CITY — A late-night fight in Oklahoma City that escalated into gunfire and left eight people injured — one critically — was not related to the Thunder-Lakers NBA playoff game that had just ended a few blocks away, police said Tuesday.

Source: Knicks finalizing deal with Woodson

NEW YORK — The New York Knicks and coach Mike Woodson are completing a multiyear deal that could be announced this week, a person with knowledge of the situation said Tuesday.

NBA's Warriors want to move to San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO -- The Golden State Warriors are ready to announce what many have long suspected: The franchise wants to move back to San Francisco.

Thunder win 106-90, eliminate Lakers

OKLAHOMA CITY — With the Oklahoma City Thunder just starting to come to life, Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant didn't need to take a break.They will have enough time to rest as they get ready for a second straight trip to the Western Conference finals.

Celtics beat 76ers 101-85, take 3-2 lead in series

BOSTON — They started as a Big Three and grew to a Big Four when Rajon Rondo earned the right to be mentioned along with the other Boston Celtics All-Stars.At no point, however, did Brandon Bass merit marquee billing in his first season in Boston.

Status of Knicks' Lin is part of NBA-union dispute

NEW YORK — The NBA players' association said Tuesday it is seeking an arbitrator's ruling in hopes that Jeremy Lin and three other players maintain valuable rights in free agency.

Magic fire coach Van Gundy, GM Smith

ORLANDO, Fla. — For months the Orlando Magic have been trudging through the aftermath of a preseason trade request by Dwight Howard that sapped the life out of the franchise as internal team issues quickly affected the product on the floor.

Spurs sweep Clippers, win 102-99 in Game 4

LOS ANGELES — The San Antonio Spurs mowed down another opponent, using their guile under pressure to close out another perfect playoff series.

LeBron, Wade help Heat even series with Pacers

INDIANAPOLIS — Miami's season, the one that's supposed to end in an NBA championship and vindication, was slipping away.LeBron James brought it back.And this time, Dwyane Wade helped him.

Thunder rally to beat Lakers 103-100, lead series 3-1

LOS ANGELES — Kevin Durant stood above the 3-point line and watched the shot clock dwindle in the final seconds of Game 4. When Metta World Peace backed up slightly on defense, Durant hesitated only an instant before launching a 26-footer.

Pacers' Stephenson sorry for mocking LeBron

INDIANAPOLIS — Pacers reserve guard Lance Stephenson apologized for making a choking gesture toward LeBron James.The NBA's MVP wasn't so forgiving.In fact, he didn't even know he had been mocked.

Spurs beat Clippers 96-86 to take 3-0 series lead

LOS ANGELES — Nothing was going to rattle the calm, cool and collected Spurs. Not even a 24-point deficit.

Kobe leads Lakers past Thunder

LOS ANGELES -- After two straight exhausting playoff games that went down to the last gasp, Kobe Bryant knows the Los Angeles Lakers can't hope to keep up with the younger, faster Oklahoma City Thunder.

Storm come up short

Seattle collapses in fourth quarter, drops WNBA opener

76ers stun Celtics 92-83 to even series

PHILADELPHIA -- Andre Iguodala snapped a tie game with five straight points in the final 90 seconds to help the Philadelphia 76ers storm back from 15 points down in the first half and stun the Boston Celtics 92-83 on Friday night in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.

New basketball coach at Shorewood, volleyball coach at King's

Two Shoreline area high schools made a pair of hires last week. Shorewood hired Ben Scheffler as its new head basketball coach and King's hired Jeff Fransen as its new head volleyball coach.Here's the press releases:Ben Scheffler hired as Shorewood Boys Basketball Coach

Live blog

Sparks vs. Storm in WNBA season opener

Lakers' Blake, wife target of Twitter attacks

NEW YORK -- Lakers guard Steve Blake and his wife have been attacked online since he missed a possible game-winning 3-pointer against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal.

NBA's Hawks keeping Drew as coach

ATLANTA -- Larry Drew is returning for his third season as the Atlanta Hawks' coach despite the team's first-round exit from the playoffs.The Hawks announced Friday the team is exercising its option on Drew's contract for next season.

Salary cap forced some roster changes

SEATTLE -- The Seattle Storm open the 2012 WNBA season tonight at KeyArena against the Los Angeles Sparks with a roster that looks a little different than in year's past.

On the verge of history

Storm coach Agler needs one win to set record

Oregon bans Native American mascots in schools

SALEM, Ore. -- Eight Oregon high schools will have to retire their Native American mascots after the Board of Education voted Thursday to prohibit them, giving the state some of the nation's toughest restrictions on Native American mascots, nicknames and logos.

Streaking Spurs go up 2-0 on Clippers

SAN ANTONIO -- Tony Parker scored 22 points on his 30th birthday, Tim Duncan had 18 and the San Antonio Spurs beat the fading Los Angeles Clippers 105-88 on Thursday night, pushing their winning streak to 16 and taking a 2-0 lead in their Western Conference semifinal series.

Pacers pound Heat 94-75 in Game 3

INDIANAPOLIS -- LeBron James grabbed a seat on Miami's bench, lowered his head and stared down at the floor.Way down.The Heat are in a hole.

Storm once again have best home court advantage

For 10 years, before the start of every WNBA season, general manager from each team conduct a survey which makes predictions for the upcoming campaign. The results of this year's survey are in and the Seattle Storm earned the top spot in several categories.

Storm announce opening day roster

The Seattle Storm open the 2012 WNBA season on Friday night at KeyArena against the Los Angeles Sparks. On Wednesday, they announced their 11-player opening day roster, making two final cuts, releasing guards Allie Quigley and Ashley Corral.

Thunder rally to top Lakers 77-75, take 2-0 lead in series

OKLAHOMA CITY — Even down late, the Oklahoma City Thunder are showing that they are never out.

Celtics top 76ers 107-91, take 2-1 lead in series

PHILADELPHIA — Kevin Garnett yapped his way down the court after big baskets and clearly enjoyed taking it to the 76ers.Rajon Rondo pushed the ball and relentlessly attacked the lane.Paul Pierce gutted out a knee injury and grinded his way to the free throw line.

Agreement reached on Seattle arena plan

SEATTLE -- The city of Seattle, King County and investor Chris Hansen have reached an agreement in the effort to build an arena that could bring professional basketball back to the Puget Sound.

Source: Bobcats to interview Ewing Thursday

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Two people familiar with the situation say the Bobcats will interview Orlando assistant Patrick Ewing on Thursday in Charlotte for their vacant head coaching position.

WSU basketball team signs Australian center

PULLMAN -- Washington State has signed center James Hunter to play basketball next season.Hunter is from Sydney, Australia, and played last year at Gillette College of Wyoming.He is 6-foot-9 and 250 pounds. Last season he averaged 13 points and 6.8 rebounds per game.

Pacers' Larry Bird is NBA Executive of the Year

NEW YORK -- Indiana Pacers president Larry Bird was voted the NBA's Executive of the Year on Wednesday, becoming the first person to win that award, plus the MVP and Coach of the Year honors.

Spurs beat weary Clippers 108-92 in Game 1

SAN ANTONIO — So much for getting rusty: The San Antonio Spurs didn't miss a beat after a weeklong break, extending a winning streak that few NBA teams have ever sustained in the playoffs.

Pacers beat Heat 78-75, tie series 1-1

MIAMI — This does not sound like a winning formula. Miss 24 of 29 shots in one stretch, on the road. Watch an 11-point second-half lead turn into a deficit. Have your entire team get outscored by two players in the fourth quarter.Somehow, it worked for the Indiana Pacers.

Doctor: Bulls' Rose out 8-to-12 months

CHICAGO — Chicago Bulls star Derrick Rose faces a recovery of eight months to a year from knee surgery.

Cavaliers' Irving selected NBA's top rookie

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio -- Once Kyrie Irving finished cracking jokes, thanking Cleveland's fans, his teammates and coaches, he looked down from the podium at the person who promised this would happen.He was the NBA's Rookie of the Year.

Mavericks, Carlisle agree on contract

DALLAS -- The coach who led the Dallas Mavericks to their only NBA championship is staying put.

Thunder rout Lakers 119-90 in Game 1

OKLAHOMA CITY — When the Los Angeles Lakers and Oklahoma City last met, Metta World Peace delivered an elbow that sent the Thunder's James Harden home with a concussion.It's the Lakers who are smarting after the playoff rematch.

76ers win 82-81, even series 1-1 with Celtics

BOSTON — Not this time, Celtics.

Heat's Bosch has strained abdominal muscle

MIAMI — Miami Heat power forward Chris Bosh likely will miss the remainder of the playoff series against the Indiana Pacers and possibly more time after an MRI confirmed he strained an abdominal muscle during Sunday's Game 1 victory.

Clippers beat Grizzlies 82-72 in Game 7

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — They found each other on the court this time, hugging, slapping high-fives, smiling, all the Los Angeles Clippers amazed at what they had just accomplished.

Source: Cavaliers' Irving is NBA Rookie of the Year

LeBron scores 32, Heat top Pacers 95-86 in Game 1

MIAMI — LeBron James was promised some rest. It never came.The MVP didn't care, not after he and the Miami Heat struck the first blow against the Indiana Pacers.

Lakers beat Nuggets 96-87 in Game 7

LOS ANGELES — Stretched to the limit in the series and in Game 7, Pau Gasol and Metta World Peace led the Los Angeles Lakers off the brink of collapse and into the second round.

U.S. women rout China in exhibition

SEATTLE -- It took the USA women's national team a quarter to settle down, but when they did, they played like the best team in the world.

Garnett leads Celtics to 92-91 win over 76ers

BOSTON — Rajon Rondo has made dozens of last-second dashes to the basket.This time, he went in the opposite direction.

LeBron wins third NBA MVP award

MIAMI — LeBron James recalled a conversation with his high school coach 13 years ago.That was when St. Vincent-St.Mary coach Keith Dambrot told James something he never expected to accomplish.

Lakers issue statement backing Brown

LOS ANGELES — The Lakers issued a statement publicly backing Mike Brown on Saturday after Magic Johnson declared the first-year head coach would be fired if Los Angeles lost Game 7 of its first-round playoff series with Denver.

Hawks' owner fined $35,000 for criticizing Garnett, refs

ATLANTA — The NBA has fined Atlanta Hawks co-owner Michael Gearon Jr. $35,000 for publicly criticizing NBA officiating and making negative comments about an opposing player.

Bulls' Rose has surgery to repair torn ACL

CHICAGO — Derrick Rose had surgery Saturday on a torn knee ligament, and the Chicago Bulls said they will give an update early next week on the recovery of their star point guard.The team said in a statement the operation was "successful" but gave no timetable for his return.

U.S. women's basketball team in Seattle for Olympic tuneup

SEATTLE -- USA women's basketball coach Geno Auriemma is used to pressure.As the head women's coach at the University of Connecticut, Auriemma has led the Huskies to seven national championships and 19 Big East titles.At UConn, the Final Four is the expectation every year.

Thunder's Harden wins NBA's Sixth Man award

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Oklahoma City's James Harden is the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year after leading all bench players in scoring this season.

Nuggets' Andersen target of investigation

DENVER -- Denver Nuggets reserve center Chris "Birdman" Andersen has been excused indefinitely from all team-related activities after Douglas County sheriff's deputies searched his home Thursday as part of an investigation by the department's Internet Crimes Against Children unit.

Grizzlies stay alive, beat Clippers 92-80 in Game 6

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Memphis Grizzlies believe they finally played their grinding, bruising style of basketball in the playoffs.Just in time too.

Heat knock out Knicks

Miami wins 106-94, takes first-round series 4-1

Allen to fans: Blazers are not for sale

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Paul Allen insists he's not going to sell the Portland Trail Blazers, but says this season is the most disappointing he's had in 24 years as the NBA team's owner.

Nuggets avoid elimination, beat Lakers 102-99

LOS ANGELES — The Denver Nuggets plastered Andrew Bynum's words all over their locker room and across their minds, drawing fiery inspiration from the Lakers center's declaration that closeout playoff games are sometimes easy when an opponent quits.

Bulls beat 76ers 77-69 in Game 5, stay alive in series

CHICAGO — The Chicago Bulls aren't quite finished after all. They're still in a dire situation, though.Luol Deng scored 24 points, Carlos Boozer added 19 points and 13 rebounds, and Chicago beat the Philadelphia 76ers 77-69 on Tuesday night to avoid a first-round playoff exit.

Hawks beat Celtics 87-86 in Game 5

ATLANTA — Welcome back, Al Horford.

Pacers beat Magic 105-87, win series 4-1

INDIANAPOLIS — It was just like old times at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.Finally.

Knicks: Lin won't return in this round

GREENBURGH, N.Y. -- Interim coach Mike Woodson says Jeremy Lin will not play in the Knicks' first-round series against Miami, even if they avoid elimination Wednesday.

Nash hired as GM of Canada's national team

TORONTO -- Steve Nash has been selected general manager of Canada's national basketball program.

Clippers edge Grizzlies in OT to take 3-1 series lead

LOS ANGELES — Chris Paul scored eight of his 27 points in a dynamic overtime performance, and the Los Angeles Clippers moved to the brink of their second playoff series victory in 36 years with a 101-97 win over the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday night, taking a 3-1 series lead.

Spurs complete sweep of Jazz with 87-81 win

SALT LAKE CITY — San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich shrugged when asked about Manu Ginobili's mini-shooting slump."I don't even think about it. He's Manu," he said.True to form, the Spurs' invaluable sixth man led the charge off the bench when San Antonio needed it most.

Knicks' Davis has torn ACL and MCL in right knee

NEW YORK — Baron Davis has torn the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in his right knee, a potentially career-threatening injury for the Knicks' 33-year-old point guard.

Marinatto resigns as Big East commissioner

STORRS, Conn. — Big East Commissioner John Marinatto resigned Monday after less than three years on the job, admitting he was drained by several high-profile defections and mounting pressure from school presidents upset with the departures.

Bryant, Bynum lead Lakers to 3-1 edge over Nuggets

DENVER — Kobe Bryant and Andrew Bynum put up their usual big numbers. Their supporting cast came up even bigger, sealing the Los Angeles Lakers' 92-88 victory over Denver on Sunday night that put the Nuggets on the brink of elimination.

Celtics rout Hawks 101-79, take 3-1 series lead

BOSTON — By the time Avery Bradley, who is recovering from a dislocated shoulder, sank a free throw to give the Boston Celtics a 37-point lead early in the third quarter, Paul Pierce was done for the night, riding a stationary bicycle under the stands and trying to keep his sore left knee...

Knicks snap 13-game playoff skid, top Heat in Game 4

NEW YORK — Amare Stoudemire raised his hands in the air, one covered in padding, as streamers fell from the ceiling above him.Finally, New York could celebrate an NBA playoff victory again.

76ers beat Bulls 89-82, take 3-1 lead in series

PHILADELPHIA — His coach called Jrue Holiday's slump "0 for the world."Even as the misses piled up, Holiday never felt the weight of it on his 21-year-old shoulders. All he could do in a thorny Game 4 was laugh about his struggles with teammate Evan Turner.

Spurs beat Jazz 102-90, take 3-0 lead in series

SALT LAKE CITY — Through nearly 40 minutes, the Utah Jazz made Tony Parker look average.He had 11 points on 5-of-12 shooting, and the San Antonio Spurs were clinging to a five-point lead.Parker the MVP candidate then took over.

Jones has 5 RBI, Braves beat Rockies 13-9

DENVER — Playing from behind in recent games seems to have fueled the Atlanta Braves offense.

Thunder win 103-97, sweep Mavericks out of playoffs

DALLAS — Down by 13 points with less than 10 minutes remaining, youthful Oklahoma City could have easily have been content knowing they could go home for a Game 5 still needing to win only one more game.

Pacers blow 19-point lead, beat Magic 101-99 in OT

ORLANDO, Fla. — The Indiana Pacers have looked like a team with enough talent to win in the playoffs.After wasting a big lead in Game 4 against the Magic, the Pacers showed they have the late-game toughness to win as well.

Clippers beat Grizzlies 87-86 to take 2-1 series lead

LOS ANGELES — If the Los Angeles Clippers hadn't been so inept at the free throw line, Rudy Gay's last-second shot wouldn't have mattered.

Conference USA expands by 5 members

Conference USA announced Friday that it's adding five new schools in 2013.Commissioner Britton Banowsky said Charlotte, Florida International, Louisiana Tech, North Texas and UT-San Antonio will join the league in all sports, with Charlotte joining in football two years later.

Kentucky gives Calipari a raise

Kentucky coach John Calipari is getting a raise following the Wildcats' NCAA basketball title in April.

Everett reaches into history for new boys hoops coach

When John Richer walks onto the court for the first time as Everett's newest boys basketball head coach he'll be stepping back into history.Not only is Richer a former Seagull player himself, but he's the son of legendary Everett head coach Joe Richer.

Grizzlies even series 1-1, beat Clippers 105-98

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — O.J. Mayo felt so responsible for how Memphis blew a 27-point lead in the series opener with the Clippers that he had barely slept since that loss. He made sure all the Grizzlies can sleep well now.

Pacers top Magic 97-74, take 2-1 lead in series

ORLANDO, Fla. — In the first two games against the Orlando Magic, the Indiana Pacers struggled to make the most of their size and matchup advantages.

Short-handed Knicks brace for Heat

GREENBURGH, N.Y. — Amare Stoudemire and Iman Shumpert are sidelined. Jeremy Lin isn't back yet.So where are the New York Knicks supposed to find enough offense to compete with the Miami Heat, and avoid setting a new NBA record for postseason futility?

Butler leaving the Horizon League

INDIANAPOLIS -- Butler is leaving the Horizon League and its next stop may be the Atlantic 10.

Storm release three

The Seattle Storm announced on Tuesday that they have waived guards Jacqua Williams, Dellena Criner and forward Rachel Allison.The roster now stands at 16 players with 10 players currently in camp. The other six players will report to the team when their overseas commitments are over.

Kobe scores 38, Lakers take 2-0 lead over Nuggets

LOS ANGELES — Kobe Bryant scored 38 points, Andrew Bynum followed up his playoff-opening triple-double with 27 points and nine rebounds, and the Los Angeles Lakers weathered Denver's late rally for a 104-100 victory over the Nuggets on Tuesday night, taking a 2-0 series lead.