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]

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

CLEVELAND (AP) — Boston playoff star Jayson Tatum and Cleveland coach Tyronn Lue are cousins. The Cavaliers and Celtics might as well be.The Eastern Conference's top two teams have been intertwined for more than a year — from a summer blockbuster trade, from opening night, from afar.Although there were long stretches this season when it seemed at least unlikely, and maybe impossible, that the Celtics and Cavs would reach the conference finals, they're back again and meeting in the playoffs for the third time in four years.The series everyone wanted. The one few expected to see.And yet here they are: the odds-defying Celtics, guided by baby-faced coach Brad Stevens and prospering without injured stars Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward, versus the Cavs, who despite a massive roster makeover in February are rolling as 33-year-old LeBron James enhances his legend with every game."There's been a lot that's happened throughout the season with us and for them," Cavs forward Kevin Love said Thursday... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Boston playoff star Jayson Tatum and Cleveland coach Tyronn Lue are cousins. The Cavaliers and Celtics might as well be.The Eastern Conference's top two teams have been intertwined for more than a year — from a summer blockbuster trade, from opening night, from afar.Although there were long stretches this season when it seemed at least unlikely, and maybe impossible, that the Celtics and Cavs would reach the conference finals, they're back again and meeting in the playoffs for the third time in four years.The series everyone wanted. The one few expected to see.And yet here they are: the odds-defying Celtics, guided by baby-faced coach Brad Stevens and prospering without injured stars Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward, versus the Cavs, who despite a massive roster makeover in February are rolling as 33-year-old LeBron James enhances his legend with every game."There's been a lot that's happened throughout the season with us and for them," Cavs forward Kevin Love said Thursday... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Their doubters are dropping off as quickly as the competition.Only one team has advanced to the conference finals in these NBA playoffs, and it's the same squad that looked vulnerable during a chaotic regular season, beatable in the postseason and was one loss from a possible franchise collapse.The ending's been postponed. The Cleveland Cavaliers aren't nearly finished.On Monday night, the Cavs completed their second straight four-game sweep of the Toronto Raptors, the East's top team and the one that was supposedly built to dethrone them, with a 128-93 win in Game 4 that has perhaps changed Cleveland's outlook.LeBron James, whose future hangs over this city like a looming thunderstorm, scored 29 points with 11 assists and eight rebounds on 12 of 19 shooting — an ordinary performance by his standards — as the Cavs won their 10th straight over the Raptors with one of their most complete games in months.After all the injuries, the failed Isaiah Thomas experiment, the roster... [More]

TORONTO (AP) — The Toronto Raptors seem to have everything lined up in their favor heading into their postseason matchup against LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.They're rested. The Raptors feel they are ready. They have home-court advantage.But they've been confident before heading into a playoff showdown with James and have come up short — twice."Gotta go through the best to get to that trophy," All-Star guard DeMar DeRozan said. "Every step of the way we're going to come across somebody."The Raptors open their second-round playoff series at home to James and the Cavs on Tuesday night. Cleveland has eliminated Toronto in two straight postseasons, including the 2016 conference finals and a second-round sweep last year.This time, however, Toronto is the top-seeded team in the East after a team-record 59-win season. The Raptors have been off since a Game 6 victory over Washington last Friday night finished their first-round series, while James and the Cavs were pushed to the limit... [More]

TORONTO (AP) — TORONTO — The Toronto Raptors seem to have everything lined up in their favor heading into their postseason matchup against LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.They're rested. The Raptors feel they are ready. They have home court advantage.But they've been confident before heading into a playoff showdown with James and have come up short — twice."Gotta go through the best to get to that trophy," All-Star guard DeMar DeRozan said. "Every step of the way we're going to come across somebody."The Raptors open their second round playoff series at home to James and the Cavs on Tuesday night. Cleveland has eliminated Toronto in two straight postseasons, including the 2016 conference finals and a second-round sweep last year.This time, however, Toronto is the top-seeded team in the East after a team-record 59-win season. The Raptors have been off since a Game 6 victory over Washington last Friday night finished their first round series, while James and the Cavs were pushed to... [More]

Capsule for the Cleveland Cavaliers-Toronto Raptors second-round NBA playoff series that starts Tuesday:___EASTERN CONFERENCENo. 1 TORONTO RAPTORS (59-23, 4-2) vs. No. 4 CLEVELAND CAVALIERS (50-32, 4-3)Season series: Cavaliers, 2-1.Story line: For the third straight year, Toronto and Cleveland meet in the playoffs — with the Cavaliers 2-0 so far in these matchups. If the Raptors are going to finally find a way to overcome LeBron James, they'll need to get over some serious mental hurdles. Cleveland is 11-1 in James' last 12 games against Toronto, and he's averaged 30.9 points in those contests. The Raptors, top to bottom, are the better team. But James remains the most unstoppable force in the game and is a matchup nightmare for Toronto.How They Got Here: Toronto beat No. 8 Washington 4-2, and Cleveland beat No. 5 Indiana 4-3.Key Matchup: Toronto's Kyle Lowry vs. Cleveland's George Hill. It would be easier to say James vs. everybody, but the point guard matchup is particularly significant in this series. Hill has been ailing with a bad back, then got put in for some of the second half of the Cavs' Game 7 win over Indiana and immediately changed the game. Lowry must win this matchup, period.Prediction: Raptors in 7.___Compiled by AP Basketball Writer Tim Reynolds___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball

CLEVELAND (AP) — LeBron James walked sluggishly down a corridor inside Quicken Loans Arena following Game 7 surrounded by the usual squadron of security personnel, some business associates and his publicist.Each step seemed a challenge. His eyes were heavy. He ached from head to toe. He wanted to lie down.James was moving on to the second round of the NBA playoffs — almost on his hands and knees."I don't think he's appreciated enough for just how much energy he puts into every single game to do what he does," Cavaliers forward Kyle Korver said of James. "It's just unbelievable."Pushed to his physical limits by the Indiana Pacers, and barely helped by Cleveland teammates until they finally showed up when it mattered most Sunday in a 105-101 win, James willed the Cavs into the next round, where they'll face the top-seeded Toronto Raptors for the third straight postseason.If the Indiana series was any indication, James might have to do it again.James scored 45 points — his third game over... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — LeBron James walked sluggishly down a corridor inside Quicken Loans Arena following Game 7 surrounded by the usual squadron of security personnel, some business associates and his publicist.Each step seemed a challenge. His eyes were heavy. He ached from head to toe. He wanted to lie down.James was moving on to the second round of the NBA playoffs — almost on his hands and knees."I don't think he's appreciated enough for just how much energy he puts into every single game to do what he does," Cavaliers forward Kyle Korver said of James. "It's just unbelievable."Pushed to his physical limits by the Indiana Pacers, and barely helped by Cleveland teammates until they finally showed up when it mattered most Sunday in a 105-101 win, James willed the Cavs into the next round, where they'll face the top-seeded Toronto Raptors for the third straight postseason.If the Indiana series was any indication, James might have to do it again.James scored 45 points — his third game over... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Cavaliers guard George Hill is back for Game 7 against Indiana after missing three games with back spasms.Coach Tyronn Lue says Hill is available to play Sunday, but he wouldn't say if the veteran is starting. Lue did not reveal any of his starters.Hill was injured in the series opener and has been bothered by back spasms since. But with Cleveland's season on the line, the veteran wanted to play and Lue said Hill was cleared to go by the team's medical staff.Jose Calderon started the past three games in place of Hill, who was acquired at the Feb. 8 trade deadline from Sacramento. Hill is averaging 8.7 points and 1.7 assists in the series.Hill initially injured his back when he was hit from behind on a blind screen by Indiana's Trevor Booker, who was called for a foul.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball

CLEVELAND (AP) — LeBron James is on the brink of his earliest NBA playoff exit — and maybe another departure from Cleveland.This Game 7 has a win-or-leave-home element.After being bloodied and blown off the floor in Game 6 by the Pacers in Indianapolis, James and the Cavaliers staggered home with their roller-coaster season possibly headed toward a crash.Only a win on Sunday over Indiana will prevent elimination and kick-start a summer in Cleveland that will center on James, who can opt out of his $35.6 million contract and become a free agent on July 1.The stakes couldn't be much higher. It's the kind of game James lives to play."It's just the love of the game and wanting to be remembered," James said following a demoralizing 121-87 loss Friday night. "Game 7, I always said, is the two greatest words in sports. Us having a Game 7 on our floor, our fans are going to be truly excited to be a part of that. And hope our guys are excited about that as well, and understand that just don't take... [More]

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Cleveland Cavaliers point guard George Hill will miss his third straight game against Indiana.The starting point guard is inactive for Game 6 of the first-round series.Hill not has played since reinjuring his back in a Game 3 loss, and the Cavs have responded by winning the next two to take a 3-2 series lead. They can close out the series with a win at Indianapolis or with a win at home Sunday — if they're forced into decisive seventh game.Jose Calderon will start in place of Hill for the third straight time.Coach Tyronn Lue said Hill went through a pregame workout before being deactivated. He had been listed as questionable.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball

CLEVELAND (AP) — Cavaliers starting point guard George Hill will miss Game 5 against Indiana with lingering back spasms.Hill also sat out Game 4, but the Cavs were able to hold on to a second-half lead and beat the Pacers to even the series. Hill has been bothered by a bad back since he was drilled from behind by Indiana's Trevor Booker in the series opener.Jose Calderon will start in place of Hill, who came to the Cavs in February via trade from Sacramento. The 31-year-old Hill is averaging 8.7 points and 1.7 assists in the postseason.Cavs coach Tyronn Lue did not provide any details on Hill's injury or his status going forward in the series. Hill received four injections in an attempt to play in Game 4.Calderon has been in and out of Cleveland's lineup all season. He's averaging 3.3 points and 14 minutes in the series.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio (AP) — By now, LeBron James is usually getting some rest in the NBA playoffs.The Pacers are making him work much harder than he has in years.After splitting the first four games, Indiana and Cleveland will meet on Wednesday night in the critical Game 5 of a first-round series that has been unpredictable, uneven and for James, unusual.This first round hasn't been the norm for the three-time champion.While he's 12-0 in the opening round, before the Cavs dropped Game 1 to the Pacers at home, James had never lost a playoff opener. In fact, James came in with a 21-game winning streak in first-round games and this will be his first Game 5 in Round 1 since 2012 when he was with Miami.The Cavs and Pacers aren't the only ones in a tussle in the Eastern Conference as Washington and Toronto resume their series in Canada tied 2-2. Things aren't quite as tight In the West as Utah holds a 3-1 lead over a fraying Oklahoma City team, and Houston, which dropped 50 points in one quarter... [More]

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio (AP) — Cavaliers point guard George Hill is questionable for Wednesday's crucial Game 5 against Indiana because of back spasms.Hill has been dealing with back problems since the series opener, when he was flattened by an illegal screen by Pacers forward Trevor Booker.Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue says Hill was limited to shooting drills during Tuesday's practice and will start if he can play.Jose Calderon started Game 4 at Indianapolis and scored five points in 19 minutes as the Cavaliers evened the series at 2-2. Cleveland is 24-9 when Calderon starts.Hill is averaging 8.7 points and 1.7 assists in his first postseason with Cleveland, which acquired him at the trade deadline in February. He started 24 games during the season.___For more AP NBA coverage: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio (AP) — Cavaliers point guard George Hill is questionable for Wednesday's crucial Game 5 against Indiana because of back spasms.Hill has been dealing with back problems since the series opener when he was flattened by an illegal screen by Pacers forward Trevor Booker.Cavs coach Tryonn Lue says Hill was limited to some shooting drills during Tuesday's practice and will start if he can play.Jose Calderon started Game 4 at Indianapolis and scored five points in 19 minutes as the Cavs evened the series at 2-2. Cleveland is 24-9 when Calderon starts.Hill is averaging 8.7 points and 1.7 assists in his first postseason with Cleveland, which acquired him at the trade deadline in February. He started 24 games during the season.___For more AP NBA coverage: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Cleveland Cavaliers point guard George Hill will miss Game 4 at Indiana because of back spasms. He will be replaced in the starting lineup by veteran Jose Calderon.Coach Tyronn Lue made the announcement Sunday about 90 minutes before tip-off and says he's not sure if Hill would be ready for Game 5 on Wednesday.Hill aggravated his back in Friday's 92-90 loss and was struggling to move over the past two days. The three-time defending Eastern Conference champs trail the Pacers 2-1.Calderon scored five points in 13½ minutes in the Cavs' Game 2 victory but did not play in Game 3.Tristan Thompson also should see more playing time Sunday after logging 1 minute, 59 seconds in the first three games.___More AP NBA: www.apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Cleveland Cavaliers point guard George Hill is still listed as questionable for Sunday night's Game 4 against Indiana because of an injured back.Hill aggravated the injury in Friday's 92-90 loss. The three-time defending Eastern Conference champs trail the Pacers 2-1.Coach Tyronn Lue says veteran Jose Calderon will start if Hill doesn't.Calderon scored five points in 13½ minutes in the Cavs' Game 2 victory but did not play in Game 3.Tristan Thompson also is expected to see more playing time in Game 4 after playing a total of 1 minute, 59 seconds in the first three games — all in the Cavs' 18-point Game 1 loss.Thompson, Lue says, will add toughness and rebounding to the lineup.___More AP NBA: www.apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball