BIRMINGHAM, Michigan (AP) — The Miami Heat have fined Dion Waiters an undisclosed amount for his expletive-laden comments about playing time earlier this week.Waiters made the comments to reporters from two South Florida newspapers after Miami's lopsided loss in Milwaukee on Tuesday night. The Heat were off Wednesday and announced the fine Thursday."We fined him and we addressed it as a team," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said.Waiters has played in five games this season, all as a reserve. He missed just over a full year while recovering from surgery to repair a long-problematic ankle, and has repeatedly said that being patient throughout the process is a challenge for him."Look, this is going to be very difficult for Dion," Spoelstra said. "I have empathy for everything he's gone through in the last year to get back to where he is right now. But this is not about him. This is only about the team and it's about winning."Miami is 21-21 this season, going into its game Friday at Detroit.Waiters... [More]

BOCA RATON, Fla. (AP) — Dwyane Wade's first touch of the game was a lob to set up a dunk. His first shot was a corner 3-pointer. And his first trip into the lane resulted in getting his shot swatted away.All three of those plays left him smiling.Wade's 16th and final season — his "last dance," as he calls it — got off to an unofficial start Saturday, when the Miami Heat broke training camp at Florida Atlantic University with their annual scrimmage. His stats, as if they even mattered: eight points on 2 for 7 shooting, with three assists and a steal in 23 minutes."It was cool," Wade said. "We've been working hard in practice, obviously. But to be out here today in front of some fans, getting to play in a different energy, you could see it in everybody. Guys were moving quicker. Guys were into it."Wade got the big cheer at the start, and his fellow 16-year veteran got the biggest cheer at the end: The final play of the scrimmage was Udonis Haslem hitting a game-winning jumper, one that gave... [More]

BOCA RATON, Fla. (AP) — Part of Miami coach Erik Spoelstra's annual mandate to players, whether a 16-year veteran like Dwyane Wade or a second-year guy like Bam Adebayo, is to evolve.Spoelstra expects the same from himself.The Heat opened training camp on Tuesday with players who accounted for 98 percent of their scoring, 98 percent of their assists and 97 percent of their rebounding from last season. And keeping the same team means that those players, by now, have heard just about every speech and seen just about every trick in the Heat book.Hence, the challenge for Spoelstra this season: Keeping the message and the approach fresh."I look back on it now and I don't even know how I prepared for my first training camp," Spoelstra said after the first practice of the season at Florida Atlantic University. "With this group, this probably felt more like a practice and an extension of last year's playoff prep because we had so many familiar faces. So that was nice."Wade was back in Heat camp... [More]

MIAMI (AP) — Miami Heat guard Dion Waiters will begin this season as he finished last season — unable to play.Waiters has not recovered sufficiently enough from left ankle surgery to be ready for the start of training camp next week, the team announced Tuesday. Heat President Pat Riley said it's unlikely that Waiters will be ready for the start of the regular season as well.The announcement wasn't a total surprise because Waiters was told when he had the procedure in mid-January that he could be sidelined for up to 10 months."Dion will not be returning to the court until the Heat medical team and training staff deem him healed, rehabbed and physically conditioned for all basketball activities," Riley said.Heat point guard Goran Dragic was taken aback by the news."This is kind of out of the blue for me," Dragic said. "At the end of the day, he knows what is best for him. I'm hoping he's going to be ready when we need him."Waiters is due to make about $11.5 million this season, the second... [More]

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Wayne Ellington is returning to the Miami Heat, after nearly two weeks of waiting and wondering if he would get his wish to be back with the club for a third season.A person with direct knowledge of the terms said Thursday night that Ellington accepted a $6.3 million, one-year offer that exactly matches his salary from last season. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the contract has not been signed.Keeping Ellington was a top priority for the Heat this summer, and the veteran guard made clear that he wanted to be back in Miami. On Day 12 of free agency, a deal finally got struck."I feel great here in Miami," Ellington said. "I've built very strong relationships with a lot of people. These guys that I go to war with every night, we've gone from strangers to teammates to brothers. This is where I wanted to be."Ellington set a Heat record with 227 3-pointers last season, and established career highs of 11.2 points and 26.5 minutes per... [More]

An NBA free-agent class with a little something for everyone hits the market on July 1. The group includes an array of superstars, big men, glue guys and sharp-shooters.Here's a look at some of the players to follow when the action begins:THE SUPERSTARS— Kevin Durant (player option): Has expressed his desire to remain with the Warriors. He's in the middle of his prime as one of the game's premier players.— Paul George (player option): He has one of the best all-around games in the league and is still fairly young at 28.— LeBron James (player option): Still the free-agent grand prize at age 33, James has shown few signs of wear and tear despite 15 stellar seasons in the league.— Chris Paul (unrestricted): Among the league's best point guards even at 33, but he's struggled some with injuries over the years, including a hamstring issue in last year's playoffs.BIG MEN— Clint Capela (restricted): He's emerged as one of the league's top young big men after averaging 13.9 points, 10.8 rebounds... [More]

An NBA free-agent class with a little something for everyone hits the market on July 1. The group includes an array of superstars, big men, glue guys and sharp-shooters.Here's a look at some of the players to follow when the action begins:THE SUPERSTARS— Kevin Durant (player option): Has expressed his desire to remain with the Warriors. He's in the middle of his prime as one of the game's premier players.— Paul George (player option): He has one of the best all-around games in the league and is still fairly young at 28.— LeBron James (player option): Still the free-agent grand prize at age 33, James has shown few signs of wear and tear despite 15 stellar seasons in the league.— Chris Paul (unrestricted): Among the league's best point guards even at 33, but he's struggled some with injuries over the years, including a hamstring issue in last year's playoffs.BIG MEN— Clint Capela (restricted): He's emerged as one of the league's top young big men after averaging 13.9 points, 10.8 rebounds... [More]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Philadelphia 76ers coach Brett Brown had an A-list comparison for 1-B first-round pick Zhaire Smith: Disgruntled San Antonio forward Kawhi Leonard."I think that when you look at just where I believe Zhaire can be, there are some common denominators that Kawhi had when we first brought him to San Antonio," Brown said.High praise for the Texas Tech guard.But why settle for a rookie who may never develop into a franchise player when the Sixers can try and aquire the real deal?The 76ers are open for business this summer and an organization that has long preached patience is now in the market for marquee talent to team with blossoming stars Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons."We are star hunting or star developing," Brown said Friday. "You're not going to win a championship any other way."Brown hit on the "star hunter" phrase at Thursday's draft and again when he introduced Smith, acquired from Phoenix in a swap of first-rounders, and Wichita State guard Landry Shamet at the team's... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — The NBA offseason has arrived, which means nothing will happen for the next four months other than a draft, three summer leagues, free agency, the creation of a new schedule, coaching hires, trades, roster reworkings and possibly movement toward letting high school graduates jump directly into the league again.It all adds up to very little downtime.There is no shortage of questions about what will happen this summer — leading off, of course, with yet another decision to be made by LeBron James about his future and where he'll play next season as he resumes his quest for more championships.Here are some non-James topics heading into the offseason:KAWHI LEONARDThe mystery of the 2017-18 NBA season is the mystery of the offseason as well. Leonard played in only nine games for the Spurs this season while dealing with a leg injury, the specifics of which are a closely guarded secret even by San Antonio's notoriously tight-lipped standards. He could get a supermax deal, he could... [More]

MIAMI (AP) — Here's what Pat Riley is not going to do this summer: quit.Everything else is on the table.The Miami Heat president said Monday in his annual end-of-season assessment that no player on the team's roster will be considered untouchable this offseason — if the right deal presents itself, that is — but quickly added the caveat that the franchise is not looking for a total revamp after going 44-38 in the regular season and making the playoffs."Show me the right name, and I could be all-in on everything," Riley said. "You know me. But it's got to be the right name ... that doesn't happen very often. Our core guys, we would like to keep together, there's no doubt. We would like to keep them together and we'd like to add something to it, but that's going to be a challenge."He also was clear on his own future: The 73-year-old Riley, who has spent a half-century in the NBA as a player, coach and executive, isn't going anywhere until managing general partner Micky Arison tells him it's... [More]

MIAMI (AP) — Here's what Pat Riley is not going to do this summer: quit.Everything else is on the table.The Miami Heat president said Monday in his annual end-of-season assessment that no player on the team's roster will be considered untouchable this offseason — if the right deal presents itself, that is — but quickly added the caveat that the franchise is not looking for a total revamp after going 44-38 in the regular season and making the playoffs."Show me the right name, and I could be all-in on everything," Riley said. "You know me. But it's got to be the right name ... that doesn't happen very often. Our core guys, we would like to keep together, there's no doubt. We would like to keep them together and we'd like to add something to it, but that's going to be a challenge."He also was clear on his own future: The 73-year-old Riley, who has spent a half-century in the NBA as a player, coach and executive, isn't going anywhere until managing general partner Micky Arison tells him it's... [More]

MIAMI (AP) — If there was any reason for solace in the Miami Heat locker room after the final game of the season in Philadelphia, it was this: They knew they lost to a better team.The Heat were good. They weren't great.Hence, the challenge of the offseason is clear: The Heat have to not only find ways to improve, but will have to find some creative ways to make it happen. They don't have a pile of salary-cap space to play with, they don't have any picks in this year's draft and they know that fellow Eastern Conference clubs like the 76ers — who needed five games to oust Miami from the playoffs — might only get better."We gave everything we have," Heat guard Dwyane Wade said. "We have to be OK with that."And with that, there is Question No. 1 of the offseason: Does Wade have any more to give?Wade is considering retirement, a decision that could affect some of the personnel decisions the Heat will make this summer, plus could also have an impact on whether Udonis Haslem returns to Miami for... [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]

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]

MIAMI (AP) — The last time Wayne Ellington played any meaningful minutes in a postseason game was nine years ago.At the Final Four.Ellington was the Most Outstanding Player of the 2009 NCAA Tournament after leading North Carolina to the national title. But since turning pro, postseasons have marked the start of vacations for Ellington, who has been in only two NBA playoff games, logging 13 1/2 minutes — all in the fourth quarters of blowouts.That's about to change.Coming off a record-setting regular season, Ellington will play a vital role for No. 6 seed Miami in an Eastern Conference quarterfinal series that starts Saturday in his hometown of Philadelphia against the third-seeded 76ers."It's so sweet the way it's coming," Ellington said. "I don't want to get religious, but I really feel like it's God's plan the way that everything's worked out, where I ended up at and where I'm headed to. I'm appreciative. After all this time, now to be here, I don't think a player could be more grateful.... [More]

The NBA will reach the All-Star break with conference races that are too close to call.In fact, they could be closer than ever at the league's showcase event.The Toronto Raptors take a one-game lead over Boston in the Eastern Conference into Wednesday, the last full night of play before a week off. In the West, the Golden State Warriors' lead is down to a half-game over the surging Houston Rockets, who have won nine in a row.Unless those leads grow after those four teams play Wednesday, it will be the first time in NBA history that both conference leaders are ahead by one game or less at the All-Star break, according to the league.If Houston beats Sacramento and Golden State loses to Portland, it will also mean both All-Star coaches warrant their spots because of their records, instead of the rules.Toronto's Dwane Casey, who will coach Team LeBron, and Houston's Mike D'Antoni, who will lead Team Stephen, clinched the coaching positions even though their teams didn't lead the conferences... [More]

MIAMI (AP) — Wayne Ellington's primary role with the Miami Heat is clear: He's supposed to attempt a 3-pointer whenever possible.That's a winning formula for the Heat.And it got Ellington to All-Star weekend.Ellington is one of the eight players picked to compete in the 3-point contest on All-Star Saturday Night, set for Feb. 18 in Los Angeles. Ellington has already set a career-high with 153 3-pointers this season, with nearly half the season still to play."I wouldn't have been mad or upset if I didn't get the call," Ellington said. "But it felt great to get it, for sure. I've put a lot of work in and it's always been one of my individual goals."Here's how important Ellington's shooting from long range has been for Miami: The Heat are 0-7 when he doesn't make a 3-pointer, and 29-15 when he makes one or more. Heat coach Erik Spoelstra has given Ellington the ultimate green light — in his parts of two seasons with Miami, 77 percent of Ellington's field-goal attempts have come from beyond... [More]

G Wayne Ellington scored 18 points off the bench, with 12 in the fourth. "He's definitely tough," Magic forward Jonathan Isaac said of Ellington. "He definitely frustrates you -- kind of makes you lose your focus."

HOUSTON -- Austin Rivers caught fire in the second half and, with some help from Lou Williams, shot the short-handed Los Angeles Clippers past the Houston Rockets 128-118 on Friday night at Toyota Center.Rivers scored 30 of his team-high 36 points on 10-of-18 shooting in the second half, drilling 5 of 10 3-pointers down the stretch to keep the injury-riddled Rockets (25-6) at bay.Williams, traded by Houston in the offseason as part of the blockbuster Chris Paul acquisition, scored 32 points. Rivers and Williams combined to shoot 13 for 24 from behind the arc to offset another breathtaking performance from Rockets guard James Harden, who posted his second consecutive 51-point outing.Harden finished 15 of 28 from the floor and 15 of 16 from the free-throw line while adding eight assists. Eric Gordon chipped in 28 points for Houston, which closed a season-long seven-game homestand with consecutive losses to the Los Angeles teams.Warriors 113, Lakers 106OAKLAND, Calif. -- Golden State regained... [More]

G Wayne Ellington had 24 points Wednesday. He made 8-of-11 shots from the floor, including 7-of-10 on three-pointers."That's Wayne," coach Erik Spoelstra said of Ellington, who was inserted into the game when point guard Goran Dragic picked up two fouls in the first three minutes of the game."Wayne is ignitable. He's going to run his patterns full speed every time as if the play is designed for him, even when he is potentially a decoy."