CLEVELAND (AP) — A person familiar with the situation says the Cleveland Cavaliers will not fine or suspend forward Rodney Hood for refusing to enter Game 4 against Toronto.The Athletic first reported that Hood declined coach Tyronn Lue's request to replace LeBron James with 7:38 left and the Cavs leading by 30, angering his teammates and others in the organization. Hood spoke to team officials about the incident Tuesday and will not be disciplined, said the person who spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation.The person said Hood expressed regret for the incident and "didn't want to be a distraction."Hood has struggled in the playoffs after being acquired in a February trade from Utah. The 25-year-old is averaging 4.6 points in 17 minutes and hasn't looked comfortable in Cleveland's offense.The Cavs advanced to the Eastern Conference finals by sweeping the Raptors.__More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball

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]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Down 3-0 in the series to LeBron James and the Cavaliers, Toronto coach Dwane Casey changed his starting lineup for Game 4.Casey is playing guards Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan on Monday night along with forwards C.J. Miles, rookie OG Anunoby and center Serge Ibaka as the Raptors look to force a Game 5 at home.Miles is making his first start of the Eastern Conference semifinal while Ibaka is back after not starting Game 3. Guard Fred VanVleet is coming off the bench as is center Jonas Valanciunas, who started the first three games.DeRozan sat out the entire fourth quarter of Game 3, and he Raptors played better without one of their All-Stars. Toronto tied the game with eight seconds left before James hit a buzzer-beater for a 105-103 win.DeRozan scored just eight points and shot 3 of 12 in Game 3. He's averaging 18 in the series after scoring 26.7 points per game in the first round against Washington.

DETROIT (AP) — After four seasons of mostly mediocre results, the Detroit Pistons are moving on without Stan Van Gundy.He won't return as president of basketball operations and he isn't staying on as Detroit's coach, either.Van Gundy held both those roles for four years, and at times the Pistons seemed to be making progress. But they made the playoffs only once during his tenure, in 2016, and the team announced his departure Monday. Owner Tom Gores said it was a difficult decision."I am grateful to Stan for everything he's done for the Pistons and for the city of Detroit," Gores said. "He rebuilt the culture of our basketball team, re-instilled a winning attitude and work ethic, and took us to the playoffs two years ago. He went all-in from Day One to positively impact this franchise and this community."But over the past two seasons our team has not progressed, and we decided that a change is necessary to regain our momentum," Gores said.The Pistons went 39-43 this season, missing the playoffs... [More]

DETROIT (AP) — After four seasons of mostly mediocre results, the Detroit Pistons are moving on without Stan Van Gundy.He won't return as president of basketball operations and he isn't staying on as Detroit's coach, either.Van Gundy held both those roles for four years, and at times the Pistons seemed to be making progress. But they made the playoffs only once during his tenure, in 2016, and the team announced his departure Monday. Owner Tom Gores said it was a difficult decision."I am grateful to Stan for everything he's done for the Pistons and for the city of Detroit," Gores said. "He rebuilt the culture of our basketball team, re-instilled a winning attitude and work ethic, and took us to the playoffs two years ago. He went all-in from Day One to positively impact this franchise and this community."But over the past two seasons our team has not progressed, and we decided that a change is necessary to regain our momentum," Gores said.The Pistons went 39-43 this season, missing the playoffs... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — After three games, the Toronto Raptors have yet to find the answer.They came close against the Cavaliers in Games 1 and 3 of this Eastern Conference semifinal. If they don't figure things out in Game 4 on Monday night, they will have all summer to ponder the problem."All three games have presented different plays that would have to be done at certain points of the game to get over the hump," swingman C.J. Miles said before the shootaround. "We see them. It's not's like there's no door to get out of the room."But this is no easy escape. No NBA team has rallied from a 3-0 deficit to win a playoff series."The cause of lack of sleep at night when you can replay the game and see so many turning points," Miles said. "It's easy in hindsight to say that play changes everything. You never know. But you always think about the fact that you want to give yourself the best shot every single night and there's some plays that didn't always give us the best shot."Toronto is coming off... [More]

DETROIT (AP) — After four seasons of mostly mediocre results, the Detroit Pistons are moving on without Stan Van Gundy.He won't return as president of basketball operations and he isn't staying on as Detroit's coach, either.Van Gundy held both those roles for four years, and at times the Pistons seemed to be making progress. But they made the playoffs only once during his tenure, in 2016, and the team announced his departure Monday. Owner Tom Gores said it was a difficult decision."I am grateful to Stan for everything he's done for the Pistons and for the city of Detroit," Gores said. "He rebuilt the culture of our basketball team, re-instilled a winning attitude and work ethic, and took us to the playoffs two years ago. He went all-in from Day One to positively impact this franchise and this community."But over the past two seasons our team has not progressed, and we decided that a change is necessary to regain our momentum," Gores said.The Pistons went 39-43 this season, missing the playoffs... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — David Fizdale has been hired as coach of the Knicks, saying he is hoping to "build the type of winning team the passionate fans of New York will be proud of."The Knicks announced the hiring Monday after agreeing to terms with the former Memphis Grizzlies coach last week. They plan to introduce Fizdale at a news conference Tuesday.Fizdale went 50-51 with the Grizzlies, leading them to the postseason in his only full season before getting fired early last year after clashing with star center Marc Gasol. He becomes the 29th coach in franchise history, hoping to lead the Knicks out of what is now a five-year postseason drought.He replaces Jeff Hornacek, who lasted two seasons in New York before getting fired hours after the season finale.The Knicks cited Fizdale's leadership, experience and expertise in player development in a news release announcing the hiring. Fizdale spent eight years as an assistant in Miami, helping the Heat win two NBA titles."I appreciate the enormous responsibility it is to coach the Knicks and am ready to give my all to build the type of winning team the passionate fans of New York will be proud of," he said in the release.Fizdale, 43, also was an assistant for four seasons in Atlanta and one in Golden State.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball

NEW YORK (AP) — David Fizdale has been hired as coach of the Knicks. He says he's hoping to "build the type of winning team the passionate fans of New York will be proud of."The Knicks announced the hiring Monday after agreeing to terms with the former Memphis Grizzlies coach last week. They plan to introduce Fizdale at a news conference Tuesday.Fizdale went 50-51 with the Grizzlies, leading them to the postseason in his only full season before getting fired early last year after clashing with star Marc Gasol. He becomes the 29th coach in franchise history, hoping to lead the Knicks out of what is now a five-year postseason drought.He replaces Jeff Hornacek, who lasted two seasons in New York before getting fired hours after the season finale.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The Pelicans' penchant for pushing the pace looks more and more like a quixotic mission to out-Warrior the Warriors.That's been the dilemma for Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry as New Orleans has slid into a 3-1 hole in its Western Conference semifinal playoff series against defending champion Golden State.Although there'd be logic to slowing the game down to limit shooting opportunities for Golden State's prolific perimeter players, Gentry never saw that option as practical enough to pull off in the playoffs."We're going to play at a fast pace," Gentry says. "I know some would say, 'You're kind of playing into Golden State's hands. But this is the way we've played the whole season, so we're not going to all of a sudden try to adjust and do something completely different, because the success we've had has been based on playing at a fast pace and being a team that has played the fastest pace in the league."We don't have the ability to all of a sudden change that and become... [More]

DETROIT (AP) — Stan Van Gundy will not return to the Detroit Pistons as coach or president of basketball operations.The Pistons announced Van Gundy's departure Monday, with owner Tom Gores saying it was a difficult decision. He said Van Gundy wanted to return for a fifth season with the team."I am grateful to Stan for everything he's done for the Pistons and for the city of Detroit," Gore said. "He rebuilt the culture of our basketball team, re-instilled a winning attitude and work ethic, and took us to the playoffs two years ago. He went all-in from Day One to positively impact this franchise and this community."But over the past two seasons our team has not progressed, and we decided that a change is necessary to regain our momentum," Gores said.The Pistons went 39-43 this season, missing the playoffs for the third time in four years under Van Gundy. They've made the postseason just once in the past nine seasons, and even a blockbuster trade for Blake Griffin wasn't enough to salvage... [More]

DETROIT (AP) — Stan Van Gundy will not return to the Detroit Pistons as coach or president of basketball operations.The Pistons announced Van Gundy's departure Monday, with owner Tom Gores saying in a statement that the team has not progressed over the past two seasons. Gores said Van Gundy wanted to return for a fifth season with the team.The Pistons went 39-43 this season, missing the playoffs for the third time in four years under Van Gundy. They've made the postseason just once in the past nine years, and even a blockbuster trade for Blake Griffin wasn't enough to salvage 2017-18.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball

The "Death Lineup" breathed new life into the Golden State Warriors.It was yet another reminder: In the NBA playoffs, where even a brief downward slide can be enough to end a season, even the best teams won't hesitate when they feel a need to shake up their starting lineups.Desperate times in the first round sent Cleveland to desperate lineup measures. Toronto, the team that finished with the NBA's second-best regular season record, sought a spark by changing its starting five against the Cavs for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. Utah showed Houston a new look Sunday in Game 4 of their West semifinal matchup, and while the Jazz slowed the high-powered Rockets at times they still fell into a 3-1 series deficit.And then there's the Warriors, who were coming off a big loss in Game 3 against New Orleans so they put their five best players — Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Andre Iguodala, Kevin Durant and Draymond Green — on the floor Sunday to start a game for the first time all season.... [More]

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A comedian is apologizing for a social media post in which he said he hopes Golden State forward Draymond Green "gets shot in the face" leaving the arena after Game 4 of a playoff series against the Pelicans.Andrew Polk says the post, which also alludes to high gun violence rates in New Orleans, was meant as an "edgy joke." Polk says he wishes "no harm to anyone over a simple game."Green, who has a reputation for feistiness and psychological gamesmanship, had eight points, nine rebounds and nine assists in a lopsided Warriors victory.Green says he didn't fear for his life. Green also says he feels sad for anyone who threatens violence over a basketball game and prays they get the help they need.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A New Orleans-area comedian is apologizing for a social media post in which he said he hopes Golden State forward Draymond Green "gets shot in the face" leaving the arena after Game 4 of a playoff series against the Pelicans.Andrew Polk says the post, which also alludes to high gun violence rates in New Orleans, was meant as an "edgy joke." Polk says he wishes "no harm to anyone over a simple game."Green, who has a reputation for feistiness and psychological gamesmanship, had eight points, nine rebounds and nine assists in a lopsided Warriors victory.Green says he didn't fear for his life. Green also says he feels sad for anyone who threatens violence over a basketball game and prays they get the help they need.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball

NEW YORK (AP) — The NBA has fined Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri $25,000 for walking onto the court at halftime of Game 3 against the Cleveland Cavaliers to verbally confront officials for reversing a call.The league announced the fine Sunday. It stems from an incident that occurred Saturday night during the Raptors' 105-103 loss to the Cavaliers.Toronto had been called for 14 fouls in the first half, compared with eight for Cleveland. The Raptors were irate that what had appeared to be a Serge Ibaka basket and potential free throw was downgraded to a foul with no basket and no free throw.All-Star DeMar DeRozan, coach Dwane Casey and his assistants all screamed at the referees.Game 4 is Monday night in Cleveland. Toronto, which is trailing the series 3-0, needs a win to stay alive in the Eastern Conference semifinal.___This story has been corrected to show that the incident for which Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri was fined occurred in Game 3, not Game 5.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball

NEW YORK (AP) — The NBA has fined Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri $25,000 for walking onto the court at halftime of Game 5 against the Cleveland Cavaliers to verbally confront officials for reversing a call.The league announced the fine Sunday. It stems from an incident that occurred Saturday night during the Raptors' 105-103 loss to the Cavaliers.Toronto had been called for 14 fouls in the first half, compared with eight for Cleveland. The Raptors were irate that what had appeared to be a Serge Ibaka basket and potential free throw was downgraded to a foul with no basket and no free throw.All-Star DeMar DeRozan, coach Dwane Casey and his assistants all screamed at the referees.Game 4 is Monday night in Cleveland. Toronto, which is trailing the series 3-0, needs a win to stay alive in the Eastern Conference semifinal.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball

CLEVELAND (AP) — LeBron James breaks hearts, shatters dreams and delivers joy all in one breath. He carries one city, crushes the other.With mind-blowing ease, James can take over a quarter, a game, a series, a season and make it his own. His terms.After being criticized earlier in his career — it seems laughable now — for not being clutch or taking the big shot, James has become the NBA's pre-eminent closer, the player best equipped to handle pressure and produce excellence when everything is on the line.Crunch time? He's captain crunch. Tom Brady in the two-minute drill. Muhammad Ali in the 15th round. Mariano Rivera in the ninth. The fat lady.It's over when James says so.James added to his growing legacy for breathtaking finishes on Saturday night by banking in a shot high off the backboard at the buzzer to give the Cleveland Cavaliers a 105-103 win in Game 3 of their semifinal series against the Toronto Raptors, who had the closest view of a moment that all but ended their season.Dribbling... [More]

The unthinkable has happened before.Conference semifinals, 2010, Boston vs. Philadelphia: Boston wins the first two games at home, then goes into Philadelphia to capture Game 3 and take a commanding 3-0 series lead.Undeterred, Philadelphia won in seven games to reach the Eastern Conference finals.One small detail to note: That was in hockey.If there's one piece of solace for the Philadelphia 76ers and Toronto Raptors right now, it's likely this — comebacks from 3-0 deficits are not completely unheard of in major sports. There's been four of them in the NHL. Another happened in baseball, the Boston Red Sox rallying to oust the New York Yankees in the 2004 AL Championship Series. And even Cleveland has blown a 3-0 lead, albeit again in hockey, and that was of the minor league variety in 1960.But in the NBA, never.NBA teams staring into the 0-3 abyss have never been saved: 129 have tried, 129 have failed. On Monday, the 76ers and the Raptors — both down 3-0 after down-to-the-wire defeats in... [More]

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Rajon Rondo and Draymond Green have won NBA titles and never have been known to shy away from conflict on the court.Now their combustible convergence in the playoffs is providing a spicy subplot to the Western Conference semifinal series between New Orleans and Golden State."We're here to fight," Rondo said following New Orleans' lopsided Game 3 victory that trimmed the Warriors' series lead to 2-1. "With my guys on the court, I'm going to fight as hard as I can ... and do whatever it takes."Green and Rondo had to be separated after whistles twice in the first three games — never mind some other antics in the flow of the game — and they'll be back at it again in one of two pivotal Game 4s to be played on Sunday. The other pits Houston against Utah in a series that the Rockets lead 2-1.The Rondo-Green sideshow is compelling because of what both players mean to their teams. They are not the type of trash-talking, loud-mouths who otherwise play marginal roles. They are accomplished... [More]