Joel Embiid doesn't know if he will feel better.He certainly knows he has to play better.He's battling an illness, looking like someone who'd rather be in bed than on the court. But the Philadelphia 76ers need their All-Star center, so Embiid is trying to tell himself that he has to dig deeper to find more energy, even if it's only for three hours."You know, can't control my physical condition, but I can also control how much I push myself and I try to do that," Embiid said. "But I've just got to do more."If he can't, he'll have all the time he needs to rest.With Embiid faltering, the 76ers try to fight off elimination and send the Eastern Conference semifinals back to Toronto when they host the Raptors for Game 6 on Thursday.Portland will also try to send a series the distance on Thursday, hosting Game 6 against Denver, which has won two straight for a 3-2 lead behind Nikola Jokic, its dominant center.Embiid is supposed to be a dominant center, too.But he hasn't performed at anywhere near... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Kevin Durant vs. James Harden. This duel may just go the distance, and the two stars know it.Everyone figured the Western Conference semifinal between Golden State and Houston had a chance to be more like the NBA Finals in terms of talent on each side, and now it's tied at 2-all.The NBA's best are dazzling on defense and trading big shots on offense."The way both teams are playing with such intensity and aggression, it's fun to be out there," Durant said. "We're looking forward to Game 5."The series resumes Wednesday night at Oracle Arena, which could host its final game if Golden State doesn't handle business at home. The Warriors will move to new Chase Center in San Francisco next season."The mood's good. Playoffs, this is what it's about," Warriors coach Steve Kerr said Tuesday afternoon once his team touched down in Oakland. "Our team has been here many times. We've been in much worse situations, being down in a series, being on the road for Game 7s. We've pretty... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Kevin Durant vs. James Harden. This duel may just go the distance, and the two stars know it.Everyone figured the Western Conference semifinal between Golden State and Houston had a chance to be more like the NBA Finals in terms of talent on each side, and now it's tied at 2-all.The NBA's best are dazzling on defense and trading big shots on offense."The way both teams are playing with such intensity and aggression, it's fun to be out there," Durant said. "We're looking forward to Game 5."The series resumes Wednesday night at Oracle Arena, which could host its final game if Golden State doesn't handle business at home. The Warriors will move to new Chase Center in San Francisco next season."The mood's good. Playoffs, this is what it's about," Warriors coach Steve Kerr said Tuesday afternoon once his team touched down in Oakland. "Our team has been here many times. We've been in much worse situations, being down in a series, being on the road for Game 7s. We've pretty... [More]

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Thunder All-Stars Paul George and Russell Westbrook each underwent surgery on Tuesday.George had surgery for a partially torn tendon in his right shoulder and his status will be evaluated before the start of the 2019-20 season.George also will have surgery on a small labrum tear in his left shoulder in the coming weeks, the team said in a statement.Westbrook had two procedures. One was for a torn ligament in a finger on his left hand. The other was an elective arthroscopic procedure on his right knee. He is expected to return to basketball activities in approximately three weeks.Westbrook averaged a triple-double for the third straight season with 22.9 points, 11.1 rebounds and 10.7 assists per game.Both players had their procedures in Los Angeles.ESPN was the first to report the surgeries.George ranked second in the league with 28 points per game this season, and he led the league with 2.21 steals per game. Both shoulders hampered him in the final two months of the... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Kevin Durant vs. James Harden. This duel may just go the distance, and the two stars know it.Everyone figured the Western Conference semifinal between Golden State and Houston had a chance to be more like the NBA Finals in terms of talent on each side, and now it's tied at 2-all.The NBA's best are dazzling on defense and trading big shots on offense."The way both teams are playing with such intensity and aggression, it's fun to be out there," Durant said. "We're looking forward to Game 5."The series resumes Wednesday night at Oracle Arena, which could host its final game if Golden State doesn't handle business at home. The Warriors will move to new Chase Center in San Francisco next season."Nothing's really happened yet. Both teams have won two home games," Warriors coach Steve Kerr said.Also Wednesday, Boston will try to stave off elimination playing at Milwaukee. The Bucks are up 3-1."These kinds of situations show a lot about people," Celtics coach Brad Stevens... [More]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Gersson Rosas has firsthand experience with success from unconventional strategy from his 17-year run with the Houston Rockets.An outside-the-box approach might be necessary, if the Minnesota Timberwolves are going to catch up in the cutthroat Western Conference."We're going to question the norm with everything that we do," Rosas said.The first Latino to lead an NBA front office has landed with a 30-year-old franchise defined by bad-luck setbacks and self-induced dysfunction as much as any accomplishments on the court. The hiring of Rosas as president of basketball operations was greenlighted by Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor as the remedy to one of the latest backfires, the hiring of Tom Thibodeau three years ago for the dual role of president and coach.As Taylor and chief executive officer Ethan Casson narrowed their search, they couldn't help but notice Rosas appeared as confident and eager about joining them as they were about offering the job to him. The Timberwolves... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — Celtics coach Brad Stevens says guard Marcus Smart will be available for Game 4 of their playoff series against the Milwaukee Bucks.Stevens says he got the thumbs-up from the medical staff earlier Monday. He says Smart will play limited stints.Smart has been out since tearing a muscle in his side during the second-to-last game of the regular season. He missed the five-game series against Indiana and the first three games against the Bucks.During the regular season, Smart averaged about nine points, four assists and three rebounds in 27 minutes. He led the team with 1.8 steals per game.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

DENVER (AP) — Earlier in the playoffs, he was drawing comparisons to Wilt Chamberlain. This week, it's Magic Johnson.As the casual basketball fan — everyone, really — is finding out, Denver Nuggets big man Nikola Jokic has no direct comparison.The All-Star center is turning the NBA playoffs into his own grand stage with each triple-double he piles up. He's in his own unique universe, showcasing his versatility — despite his limited leaping ability."Nikola Jokic is a great player, because you know why? He makes every one of his teammates better ," said Nuggets coach Michael Malone, whose team is tied at 2 games apiece with the Blazers heading into Game 5 on Tuesday in Denver. "He's a basketball purist, if you will. He's always going to make the right play."The "pudgy" body and that awkward gait hardly fools anyone anymore. The lumbering 7-footer sees the court like a point guard, scores every way imaginable and is helping turn the Nuggets into legitimate contenders.The player nicknamed Joker... [More]

DENVER (AP) — Earlier in the playoffs, he was drawing comparisons to Wilt Chamberlain. This week, it's Magic Johnson.As the casual basketball fan — everyone, really — is finding out, Denver Nuggets big man Nikola Jokic has no direct comparison.The All-Star center is turning the NBA playoffs into his own grand stage with each triple-double he piles up. He's in his own unique universe, showcasing his versatility — despite his limited leaping ability."Nikola Jokic is a great player, because you know why? He makes every one of his teammates better ," said Nuggets coach Michael Malone, whose team is tied at 2 games apiece with the Blazers heading into Game 5 on Tuesday in Denver. "He's a basketball purist, if you will. He's always going to make the right play."The "pudgy" body and that awkward gait hardly fools anyone anymore. The lumbering 7-footer sees the court like a point guard, scores every way imaginable and is helping turn the Nuggets into legitimate contenders.The player nicknamed Joker... [More]

Denver and Toronto started this second round of the playoffs feeling great about their chances.And then things went bad.And then they bounced back.So now, going into a pair of big-time swing games on Tuesday night — Denver plays host to Portland, Toronto plays host to Philadelphia — the Nuggets and Raptors can either take a firm grip on their respective series or get themselves into pits of trouble that would be even deeper than the ones they were in a couple of days ago.Game 5s await. Blazers-Nuggets, tied 2-2. 76ers-Raptors, tied 2-2. Toronto and Denver both reclaimed home-court advantage with series-tying road wins on Sunday, and the task now is to keep that momentum going with very high stakes."You win a game, and you've got to play another one," Raptors coach Nick Nurse said Monday. "To borrow a phrase that everybody uses, this is a grind. These things are grinders, and being even-keeled, professional, hard-working, tough mentality is what it needs on each game and each possession,... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — No team has more riding on next week's NBA draft lottery than the Atlanta Hawks.If the pingpong balls fall Atlanta's way, the Hawks could be the only team to end up with two of the top nine picks.The last two drafts have set the foundation for the Hawks' makeover. John Collins and Trae Young are the new faces of the franchise .More help is needed following 29 wins this season. General manager Travis Schlenk dares to dream of hitting the jackpot in the May 14 lottery and having the first and ninth picks in the June 20 draft. That best-case scenario would add significant momentum to an already promising rebuilding process."We like the position we're in," Schlenk said Friday following a workout with draft hopefuls at the Hawks' practice facility. "We all know right now we're sitting with the fifth odds and potentially the ninth odds, so it'd be real exciting. The best-case scenario would put us at one and nine. That would be great for the franchise."Schlenk said building a strong... [More]

The scenario is simple right now for Milwaukee and Golden State: Win a road game on Monday, go home toting a 3-1 series lead and be one win away from a spot in the NBA's version of the Final Four.The scenario is equally simple for Boston and Houston: Win a home game on Monday, or else.Top-seeded Milwaukee leads fourth-seeded Boston 2-1 in their Eastern Conference semifinal series, and top-seeded Golden State leads fourth-seeded Houston 2-1 in their Western Conference semifinal. The Celtics and the Rockets host Game 4s, knowing a win will earn them a berth in what becomes a best-of-three showdown and knowing a loss places them squarely on the abyss that overlooks elimination."It's a great opportunity to respond," Celtics coach Brad Stevens said.Boston had the home-court edge over Milwaukee, then gave it back with a loss on Friday night. Houston was a bounce or two away from getting into the most-dreaded 3-0 hole against Golden State, then rallied to win Game 3 on Saturday night and keep... [More]

Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets could use the kind of break everybody else is getting in the second round of the NBA playoffs.If anybody deserved some time off, it's the All-Star center who just played 65 minutes in a game.But there's no rest for the weary now. The Nuggets and Trail Blazers will be back on the court Sunday for Game 4, surely a little low on fuel after they tied an NBA record by playing four overtimes Friday night in Portland's 140-137 victory."Both teams are exhausted, so it's the same for them as it is for us," Denver coach Michael Malone said. "We will not use that as an excuse. We haven't used it all year long and we won't start using it now."The conference semifinal round is a series of starts and stops, where it's difficult for any team to build much momentum because there have been so many gaps between games.Philadelphia and Toronto, who have Game 4 of their series Sunday, play just twice in a seven-day span. In the other Eastern Conference semifinal, Milwaukee... [More]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Toronto Raptors say forward Pascal Siakam is doubtful for Sunday's Game 4 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Philadelphia 76ers with a right calf contusion.Siakam has been Toronto's second-leading scorer behind Kawhi Leonard in the playoffs, averaging 22.9 points per game. He played 34 minutes and scored 20 points on Thursday in Toronto's Game 3 loss to the 76ers.Siakam was called for a flagrant foul when he stuck his right leg in the path of Philadelphia's Joel Embiid during the fourth quarter of Game 3. Embiid's knee appeared to strike Siakam's calf. Siakam left the game moments later and did not return.Siakam averaged 16.9 points per game in the regular season and is top candidate to win the NBA's Most Improved Player award.

PHOENIX (AP) — The Phoenix Suns are looking for stability after their previous coach lasted just one season.They hope Monty Williams is the man to lead their turnaround.The Suns announced Friday that they had come to terms with Williams, a former head coach and a current assistant in Philadelphia. He will take over as Phoenix's fifth coach in five seasons when the 76ers' playoff run ends. They lead Toronto 2-1 in the Eastern Conference semifinals.Williams replaces Igor Kokoskov, who was fired last week after one disappointing season."Monty brings a wealth of NBA experience, both as a coach and former player, in addition to being a high-character individual who will infuse basketball wisdom and life lessons into our locker room," Suns general manager James Jones said in a release. "Monty is well respected for his coaching pedigree, leadership and commitment to the community, all of which make him the ideal person to lead our team moving forward."The 47-year-old Williams previously spent... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — A person familiar with Cleveland's schedule tells The Associated Press that the Cavaliers will interview San Antonio assistant Ime Udoka to be their coach.The Cavs, who have been taking a methodical approach in finding their next coach, will meet with Udoka on Sunday, said the person who spoke on condition of anonymity because the Cavs are not revealing any of their search plans.Udoka has worked on Gregg Popovich's staff since 2012, a year after he retired as a player. Udoka has been praised for developing players such as Kawhi Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge.The Cavs continued their interviews on Friday, meeting with Utah assistant Alex Jensen. Jensen worked with Cleveland's organization in the past.The team has previously interviewed NBA assistants Jamahl Mosley, Juwan Howard and J.B. Bickerstaff. The club also plans to meet with Denver assistants Jordi Fernandez and Wes Unseld Jr., and Portland assistants Nate Tibbetts and David Vanterpool.Cleveland mutually parted ways with Larry Drew following a 19-63 season.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — Philadelphia 76ers guard Ben Simmons has been fined $20,000 and assessed a Flagrant Foul 1 for elbowing Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry in the groin in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinal series.Kiki VanDeWeghe, the NBA's executive vice president of basketball operations, announced the penalties Thursday, a day after the incident in the second quarter of the 76ers' 116-95 home victory. Philadelphia leads the series 2-1.

HOUSTON (AP) — James Harden knows the success or failure of the Houston Rockets falls on him regardless of what the rest of the team does in the Western Conference semifinals against the Golden Warriors.That burden, he says, is one that most people can't understand but that makes him better, something he'll need to be if the Rockets hope to avoid falling into a 0-3 hole Saturday night when they host Game 3."How can I explain it," he asked. "If you've never been in that situation before or don't know what it feels like I can't give you the (feeling)."Last year's MVP and a front-runner this season thrives on that pressure and is ready for the challenge facing him as the Rockets try to close the gap in the series."It makes me who I am and I wouldn't expect anyone who hasn't been in this position or doesn't got the world on their shoulders to get it," he said.Harden is recovering after both of his eyes were injured in the first quarter of Game 2 when he was hit by Golden State's Draymond Green... [More]

Toronto gave Kawhi Leonard plenty of help in the regular season.The Raptors need to start doing that in the postseason — or else.Leonard is a free-agent-in-waiting, someone who will have a huge decision to make this summer. An abrupt second-round exit from this postseason probably won't enhance the Raptors' chances of convincing Leonard to stay with Toronto — so Game 4 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series on Sunday against Philadelphia, a matchup the 76ers lead 2-1, could have reverberations felt long after this season ends."We've got to help him. We've got to help him," Raptors guard Kyle Lowry said after Philly's 116-95 win in Game 3, a night where Leonard scored 33 points and his teammates shot 36 percent. "Myself, especially me. I've got to help him. Score more, I've got to help him on the floor. We all got to help him."He's playing unbelievable right now. But we're not giving him any help. Me — I'm not giving him any help. Got to help him."Leonard has been brilliant in the... [More]

PHOENIX (AP) — The Phoenix Suns are looking for stability after their previous coach lasted just one season.They hope Monty Williams is the man to lead their turnaround.The Suns announced Friday that they had come to terms with Williams, a former head coach and a current assistant in Philadelphia. He will take over as Phoenix's fifth coach in five seasons when the 76ers' playoff run ends. They lead Toronto 2-1 in the Eastern Conference semifinals.Williams replaces Igor Kokoskov, who was fired last week after one disappointing season."Monty brings a wealth of NBA experience, both as a coach and former player, in addition to being a high-character individual who will infuse basketball wisdom and life lessons into our locker room," Suns general manager James Jones said in a release. "Monty is well respected for his coaching pedigree, leadership and commitment to the community, all of which make him the ideal person to lead our team moving forward."The 47-year-old Williams previously spent... [More]