CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Kemba Walker says he holds no ill feelings toward Michael Jordan, even though the Hornets owner and six-time NBA champion decided not to keep him in Charlotte by paying him a $221 million supermax contract.In fact, Walker only has love for Jordan."MJ is always going to be a special guy in my life," Walker said Thursday night after his return to Charlotte as a member of the Boston Celtics. "He's one of the reasons I am where I am today."Jordan drafted Walker with the ninth pick in the 2011 NBA draft, and Walker took it from there. He beat out DJ Augustin for the starting point guard spot and flourished into a three-time All-Star despite being undersized — he's listed at 6-foot — for his position.Along the way, he became tight with Jordan, and the two still talk regularly. Although Walker said they didn't have a chance to catch up Thursday, he said he feels like he can talk with Jordan anytime."He gave me the opportunity to flourish as a basketball player," Walker said.... [More]

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — The Orlando Magic will open training camp Tuesday with an expectation they haven't had in many years — to win.After making the NBA playoffs for the first time in seven years, the Magic brought back every rotation player including Nikola Vucevic and Terrence Ros after both signed four-year contracts this summer to stay in Orlando after becoming free agents."If you look at all the teams in the past that brought back the same teams, like the Spurs, they always win," said guard D.J. Augustin. "They keep the same culture and the same chemistry. It's going to be great for our team. If we start how we finished last year, we can do amazing things this year."Under first-year coach Steve Clifford, the Magic won 22 of their last 31 regular-season games to finish 42-40, then lost in five games to the eventual champion Toronto Raptors."Just to get a taste of the playoffs was a great feeling," said forward Aaron Gordon. "We put together a great stretch after the All-Star break, and... [More]

The biggest play Kyle Lowry made in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs might have been overlooked.Game 3 in Orlando, time winding down, Toronto clinging to a three-point lead. Kawhi Leonard's jumper was well short, barely grazing the front of the rim. The rebound hits the floor and ricochets between Orlando's Terrence Ross and D.J. Augustin. They lunged for the ball, and they never had a chance.Out of nowhere, Lowry swooped in between the Magic guards, grabbed the rebound and extended the possession. Seconds later, game over, Raptors win. Orlando's chance at a tie never came, because Lowry knew exactly what was required in the ultimate moment."Kyle does things by example," Toronto coach Nick Nurse said. "He throws his body around. He's continually blocking out guys, seemingly twice his size and keeping them off the glass. He's stepping in and taking charges. Those are inspiring-type plays, I think, that rub off and are contagious and get the rest of the guys on your team... [More]

TORONTO (AP) — The Toronto Raptors have reason to believe this is the year their playoff run doesn't end in failure and frustration.Just ask the Orlando Magic, who have seen firsthand how good this Raptors team can be.Kawhi Leonard scored 27 points, Pascal Siakam added 24 and the Raptors routed the Magic 115-96 on Tuesday night, winning their first-round playoff series in five games.Toronto, which has made six straight postseason appearances, has reached the second round for the fourth straight year.Buoyed by the offseason additions of Leonard and guard Danny Green, plus trade deadline pickup Marc Gasol, these Raptors are focused on a conference finals berth, and maybe more."We know what we are and what we can be," guard Kyle Lowry said.So does Orlando coach Steve Clifford."To me, this is by far the best team they've had here in this stretch," Clifford said of the Raptors. "This is a terrific team here. Terrific."Toronto lost 104-101 in Game 1 when Orlando's D.J. Augustin hit a tiebreaking... [More]

TORONTO (AP) — The Toronto Raptors have reason to believe this is the year their playoff run doesn't end in failure and frustration.Just ask the Orlando Magic, who have seen firsthand how good this Raptors team can be.Kawhi Leonard scored 27 points, Pascal Siakam added 24 and the Raptors routed the Magic 115-96 on Tuesday night, winning their first-round playoff series in five games.Toronto, which has made six straight postseason appearances, has reached the second round for the fourth straight year.Buoyed by the offseason additions of Leonard and guard Danny Green, plus trade deadline pickup Marc Gasol, these Raptors are focused on a conference finals berth, and maybe more."We know what we are and what we can be," guard Kyle Lowry said.So does Orlando coach Steve Clifford."To me, this is by far the best team they've had here in this stretch," Clifford said of the Raptors. "This is a terrific team here. Terrific."Toronto lost 104-101 in Game 1 when Orlando's D.J. Augustin hit a tiebreaking... [More]

G D.J. Augustin returned to action after missing the previous seven games with a hamstring strain. He went scoreless in 17:03 and a was minus-28 in Saturday's 125-85 loss to Utah.

G D.J. Augustin (left hamstring) missed his fifth straight game Saturday.

PG D.J. Augustin, who had started the last six games in place of Payton, was injured Wednesday.

G D.J. Augustin, starting at point guard for the Magic in place of injured Elfrid Payton, scored 19 points and hit all eight of his free throws in Tuesday's win over the Nets.

G D.J. Augustin scored 15 points and hit a pair of 3-pointers.

G D.J. Augustin added 21 points off the bench for Orlando, which had lost its three previous games.Augustin scored 11 points in a free-scoring fourth quarter.

G D.J. Augustin returned after missing a game with a right ankle sprain.

G D.J. Augustin (sore right foot) returned for Friday's game against the Celtics after missing Tuesday's contest against the Bulls. Magic coach Frank Vogel said Augustin was a full participant at Friday morning's shootaround.

G D.J. Augustin (ankle sprain) did not play Tuesday against the Bulls.

G D.J. Augustin played the final 28 games with Denver last season. He averaged 11.6 points and 4.7 assists for the Nuggets.

G D.J. Augustin led the Magic with 19 points, but 16 came in the second quarter.

G D.J. Augustin had 17 points for the Magic Friday.

G D.J. Augustin led the Magic with 15 points, but he failed to score in the second half when the Magic faded badly in a loss to the Celtics on Wednesday.

PG D.J. Augustin contributed 12 points and three assists for Orlando, which shot 53.2 percent from the field.

PG D.J. Augustin, in his first start of the season, had 11 points and five assists.