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) — Rodney McGruder had a backup plan. He was going to coach if the chance to play in the NBA never arrived, and spent his high school and college years preparing for both scenarios.He's hoping kids today follow his lead.The Miami Heat guard has founded what he calls the Rodney McGruder Sports Business Initiative , a program he developed for middle schoolers in an effort to show them that sports can be their career — but the emphasis is on everything but playing. He's exposing them to all the other options they would have in sports, everything from being an agent to a financial planner to working in media."There's different ways in life to be successful in the sporting field, basketball, football, baseball, tennis, track and field, whatever," McGruder said. "There's ways to be involved in sports and not actually play."McGruder and his team, including agent Joel Bell, are working with about 25 kids right now for the program's initial year. They'll get together for about a half-dozen... [More]

MIAMI (AP) — Rodney McGruder had a backup plan. He was going to coach if the chance to play in the NBA never arrived, and spent his high school and college years preparing for both scenarios.He's hoping kids today follow his lead.The Miami Heat guard has founded what he calls the Rodney McGruder Sports Business Initiative, a program he developed for middle schoolers in an effort to show them that sports can be their career — but the emphasis is on everything but playing. He's exposing them to all the other options they would have in sports, everything from being an agent to a financial planner to working in media."There's different ways in life to be successful in the sporting field, basketball, football, baseball, tennis, track and field, whatever," McGruder said. "There's ways to be involved in sports and not actually play."McGruder and his team, including agent Joel Bell, are working with about 25 kids right now for the program's initial year. They'll get together for about a half-dozen... [More]

MIAMI (AP) — Gone are the days when Miami coach Erik Spoelstra would spend the final few pregame moments wolfing down hot dogs while pulling on his suit jacket and hurrying to the court.It's all different now, and more changes are coming.Chicken fingers and coffee have been replaced by green juice and yoga, part of the reason why he's probably more fit at 47 than when he took over the Heat at 37. Spoelstra is happier and healthier — and he's bracing for an intense next few months, with the Heat chasing a playoff spot while he and his wife get ready to become first-time parents.The baby is due around April, which is also when the playoffs start."Am I ready? I don't know," Spoelstra said. "We're going to find out. Been reading my books."There are parenting books and playbooks, but nothing combines the two — though those around Spoelstra are sure he'll find the balance between baby and basketball."The change will be great," said Detroit coach Stan Van Gundy, the former Heat head coach and... [More]