INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Cleveland Cavaliers point guard George Hill will miss Game 4 at Indiana because of back spasms. He will be replaced in the starting lineup by veteran Jose Calderon.Coach Tyronn Lue made the announcement Sunday about 90 minutes before tip-off and says he's not sure if Hill would be ready for Game 5 on Wednesday.Hill aggravated his back in Friday's 92-90 loss and was struggling to move over the past two days. The three-time defending Eastern Conference champs trail the Pacers 2-1.Calderon scored five points in 13½ minutes in the Cavs' Game 2 victory but did not play in Game 3.Tristan Thompson also should see more playing time Sunday after logging 1 minute, 59 seconds in the first three games.___More AP NBA: www.apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Another late-season surge, another first-round exit.The Portland Trail Blazers head into the offseason with plenty of questions, with speculation that big changes could be ahead. Minutes after the Blazers were swept by the New Orleans Pelicans in the opening round, Blazers coach Terry Stotts was already addressing how Portland gets better going forward.Stotts said he has confidence that Portland President of Basketball Operations Neil Olshey will keep the team pointed in the right direction."It's tough to evaluate after a playoff loss," Stotts said. "We had a good regular season. We did a lot of positive things in the regular season, but ultimately you're defined by the postseason. I think it's still a little early right now to say what direction we're going to go and what needs to be done moving forward, but one thing is that Neil is really good."Portland made it to the playoffs for the fifth straight year after finishing the season 49-33 and winning the Northwest... [More]

Russell Westbrook is averaging a triple-double, so he gets plenty of attention. Ricky Rubio just had a triple-double , earning him some time in the headlines. Donovan Mitchell has been great in his first three playoff games, so the fascination with the rookie star is only growing.It's easy to notice those guys.Rudy Gobert should be getting noticed as well.Utah is taking a 2-1 lead into their Western Conference first-round series against Oklahoma City on Monday night, and Gobert is probably as responsible for the Jazz being in that position than anyone. He's controlling the backboards, he's changing shots, he's thwarting Westbrook and he's showing why he's the likely Defensive Player of the Year."It makes the guards' jobs a lot easier," Mitchell said of the French safety net with the 7-foot-9 wingspan who protects the rim for the Jazz. "You feel more secure on the wing. ... The whole season, I've been saying if somebody gets by me, it's like, 'All right, go ahead, try it. Because I've tried... [More]

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Cleveland Cavaliers point guard George Hill is still listed as questionable for Sunday night's Game 4 against Indiana because of an injured back.Hill aggravated the injury in Friday's 92-90 loss. The three-time defending Eastern Conference champs trail the Pacers 2-1.Coach Tyronn Lue says veteran Jose Calderon will start if Hill doesn't.Calderon scored five points in 13½ minutes in the Cavs' Game 2 victory but did not play in Game 3.Tristan Thompson also is expected to see more playing time in Game 4 after playing a total of 1 minute, 59 seconds in the first three games — all in the Cavs' 18-point Game 1 loss.Thompson, Lue says, will add toughness and rebounding to the lineup.___More AP NBA: www.apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Now that five-time All-Star Anthony Davis has his first taste of a playoff triumph, he sounds eager to see what's next.Davis' Pelicans looked like anything but a shoo-in for the postseason after fellow All-Star DeMarcus Cousins was lost for the season in late January with an Achilles tear. They needed 81 games just to clinch a playoff spot. They ran the table during a pressure-packed final five games of the regular season, climbing to sixth in the Western Conference.Four games later, New Orleans is on a nine-game winning streak and moving on to the second round of the playoffs for only the second time in 16 seasons since the NBA returned to the city in 2002."A lot of people counted us out after the injury to DeMarcus, so this is amazing," Davis said following Saturday's series-clinching, 131-123 victory over third-seeded Portland. "But we have to get ready for the second round."The Pelicans appear destined to play second-seeded Golden State in Round 2. The Warriors entered... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — The NBA has fined Washington Wizards forward Markieff Morris and twin brother Marcus Morris of the Boston Celtics for their roles in separate incidents during playoff games.Markieff Morris has been fined $25,000 by the NBA on Saturday for attempting to escalate an altercation and pushing an official during a game against Toronto on Friday night. Morris shoved official Ken Mauer aside when Morris and Toronto's OG Anunoby had to be separated after a near-fight that drew other players less than three minutes into the Wizards' 122-103 victory.Meanwhile, Marcus Morris was also docked $15,000 for criticizing officials after the Celtics' 116-92 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks. He was called for a technical foul in the third and was critical of the officiating after the game.In October, the brothers were acquitted by a Phoenix jury in an aggravated assault trial. They were on trial on charges that they helped three other people beat a man in January 2015 outside a high school basketball game. The twins played for the Phoenix Suns at the time.

LeBron James is keeping his thoughts to himself.Whatever concerns — or confidence — he might harbor about his Cleveland Cavaliers facing a 2-1 first-round Eastern Conference series hole heading into Game 4 at the Indiana Pacers on Sunday were not going to be made available for public consumption.James decided not to speak to reporters on Saturday.And he did not have a whole lot to say in the immediate aftermath of Game 3, either, when Indiana erased a 17-point deficit and then held on for a 92-90 victory over the Cavs.Not only has the four-time MVP and three-time NBA champ never lost an opening NBA postseason series, going 12-0 in the past, he had never even trailed in the first round until this one, when Cleveland dropped Game 1 at home.Now he is behind again."We've had some good quarters," James said Friday, "and we didn't have some good quarters."Well, that explains a lot.Cleveland coach Tyronn Lue's synopsis?"They won a game we should have won," Lue said. "That's what's disappointing.... [More]

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Portland coach Terry Stotts says Evan Turner is available to play but Maurice Harkless will miss Game 4 of the first-round playoff series with New Orleans.The Trail Blazers are trying to stave off elimination Saturday, trailing the Pelicans 3-0.Turner was sidelined for Game 3 on Thursday night because of a toe injury from Game 2. The 6-foot-7 forward started 40 games this season and averaged 8.2 points. He started the first two playoff games.Stotts says the 6-9 Harkless has a sore left knee, a problem that limited him late this the season. Stotts says there is no structural damage but considerable pain.Harkless started Game 3 in Turner's place and scored five points in 26 minutes.___More AP NBA: apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry has been cleared to take part in modified practices but will be out at least one more week with a left knee injury.The Warriors said Curry was examined by the team's medical staff Friday and is making progress in recovering from the grade 2 left MCL sprain that has sidelined him since March 23.Curry will be allowed to take part in modified practices beginning Saturday and increase his on-court rehabilitation. He will be re-evaluated again in one week.The Warriors lead San Antonio 3-0 in their first-round series. If they advance on Sunday, the second round could start as early as April 28.___More AP NBA: apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball

NEW YORK (AP) — Miami's Justise Winslow has been fined $15,000 by the NBA for attempting to damage Philadelphia center Joel Embiid's facemask during Game 3 of their playoff series.Winslow intentionally stepped on Embiid's mask after it had fallen onto the court with 7:51 remaining in the second quarter of the 76ers' 128-108 victory on Thursday night.The NBA cited Winslow for unsportsmanlike conduct in announcing the penalty Friday.Embiid was wearing the mask for the first time after returning from a 10-game absence caused by a broken orbital bone around his left eye.Philadelphia leads the series 2-1. Game 4 is Saturday.

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — When Derrick Favors can find ways to impose his will, good things happen for the Utah Jazz.Favors has been quietly, albeit effectively, getting it done against the Oklahoma City Thunder, playing in the shadows of Utah rookie of the year candidate Donovan Mitchell and Jazz center Rudy Gobert.But a healthy Favors is making an impact.The Jazz have returned to Utah with the series tied 1-1, thanks in no small part to Favors. He tallied career playoff highs of 20 points and 16 rebounds in Utah's 102-95 road win on Wednesday.Jazz coach Quin Snyder will start Favors at power forward alongside Gobert beginning with Game 3 on Saturday. But he will also utilize him as a backup center to spell Gobert. Favors has done his part to make playing alongside Gobert work by extending his shooting range to improve offensive spacing. He has also made himself an effective roller."He's always been a good pick-and-roll player, regardless of 'position,'" Snyder said. "We've never really thought... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Miami's Justise Winslow has been fined $15,000 by the NBA for attempting to damage Philadelphia center Joel Embiid's facemask during Game 3 of their playoff series.Winslow intentionally stepped on Embiid's mask after it had fallen onto the court with 7:51 remaining in the second quarter of the 76ers' 128-108 victory on Thursday night.The NBA cited Winslow for unsportsmanlike conduct in announcing the penalty Friday.Embiid was wearing the mask for the first time after returning from a 10-game absence caused by a broken orbital bone around his left eye.Philadelphia leads the series 2-1. Game 4 is Saturday.

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Milwaukee Bucks starting center John Henson will miss the playoff game Friday night against the Boston Celtics with a sore back.Seven-footer Tyler Zeller, who used to play for Boston, is listed as the probable starter. The Bucks trail Boston 2-0 in their best-of-seven, first-round Eastern Conference playoff series.Coach Joe Prunty has also listed Malcolm Brogdon as the probable starter over Tony Snell at guard alongside Eric Bledsoe. The Bucks' starting backcourt has been outscored 96-25 in the first two games by Boston's starting guard duo of Terry Rozier and Jaylen Brown.Henson was second on the team in rebounding, averaging 6.8 per game. The Celtics have decisive edges in offensive rebounding (20-12) and second-chance points (42-13) going into Game 3.___For more AP NBA coverage: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — LeBron James and his Cleveland Cavaliers teammates arrived in style Friday.Each wore the same suit with a white shirt and a dark tie. Some even wore sunglasses for the pivotal Game 3 against the Pacers.It was all by design.James wanted the three-time defending Eastern Conference championships to show they were unified when they arrived at Indiana.So the four-time MVP and three-time NBA champion reached out to designer Thom Browne, and suddenly the Cavs were all the rage of the fashion world.Much has been made that James needs more help from his teammates to survive what has been a tougher-than-expected series.But James didn't seem worried before the team's morning shootaround."I have confidence in all my guys going out and playing the game the right way, so we'll see what happens," James said.The message seemed to resonate within the locker room.After getting blown out in Game 1, and hanging on for a 100-97 win in Game 2, the Cavs forced 10 first-half turnovers.And the offense got in sync, too, during a 15-2 first-quarter run. Cleveland jumped out to 57-40 halftime lead.___More NBA basketball: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The first taste of the NBA playoffs for Timberwolves All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns has been rather bitter, thanks to the 3-point-happy Houston Rockets.The two-game totals tell a frustrating story for the 22-year-old: just 13 points, 5 for 18 shooting and a 2-0 deficit in the series against the Rockets. Towns has found himself the subject of pointed criticism from analysts, fans and even his own team.The switch-heavy Rockets have double-teamed Towns to a stifling effect, and the Timberwolves sure haven't helped their 7-footer out by getting him the ball in favorable situations in the post."They're coming to double. He knows that. He has to face up, be strong with the ball, make quick moves," point guard Jeff Teague said. "But we have to figure out how to get him running, get him some easy buckets."The team's struggles have taken a little luster off Minnesota's first postseason home game in 14 years, but the fans who remember the Timberwolves reaching the Western Conference... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry has been cleared to take part in modified practices but will be out at least one more week with a left knee injury.The Warriors said Curry was examined by the team's medical staff Friday and is making progress in recovering from the grade 2 left MCL sprain that has sidelined him since March 23.Curry will be allowed to take part in modified practices beginning Saturday and increase his on-court rehabilitation. He will be re-evaluated again in one week.The Warriors lead San Antonio 3-0 in their first-round series. If they advance, the second round could start as early as April 28.___More AP NBA: apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Cleveland Cavaliers coach Tryonn Lue expects injured forward Kevin Love to play Friday in Game 3 at Indiana.Love hurt his left thumb late in Wednesday's victory that evened the series at 1-1. He did not return but did participate in Friday's morning shootaround with what appeared to be a taped-up thumb.Lue told reporters Love felt better and noted he is a right-handed shooter. Love did not speak with reporters.The All-Star would be one of the key ingredients in helping to provide a stronger supporting cast for LeBron James, who scored 46 points in Game 2.When asked if he expected more help, James explained his teammates play the game the right way and "we'll see what happens."___More NBA basketball: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball

MILWAUKEE (AP) — A billboard down the street from the Milwaukee Bucks' nearly completed new arena makes a proclamation in big, bold letters: "The Future is Here."The rebuilding process is over. Winning a playoff series could make that message resonate as loudly as a Giannis Antetokounmpo rim-rattling dunk ."I think it's crucial," Bucks President Peter Feigin said about the confluence of the playoffs and new arena. "We're at a point ... we want to go into the new arena for lots of reasons in a sold-out capacity. That would be the way to usher in a new arena and really have demand and a peak."Part of that is performance and how successful we are on the court," Feigin said.The seventh-seeded Bucks have work to do to climb out of a 2-0 deficit to the second-seeded Boston Celtics. Game 3 is Friday night in Milwaukee."We have to protect home court," guard Jason Terry said after the 14-point loss in Boston on Tuesday.The Bucks haven't won a playoff series since a team coached by George Karl reached... [More]

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — LeBron James fought back tears. Former President Bill Clinton offered condolences. Craig Sager's daughter tweeted that she was "just sick" over the news.Such is the regard that so many, from so many walks of life, have for San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, whose 67-year-old wife, Erin, died Wednesday after a long battle with a respiratory problem.Spurs star Manu Ginobili says the team is "devastated, we are all hurting." But the players will "go out there and compete" and respect Popovich's philosophy of playing with "fire" and "determination."Added San Antonio's Tony Parker: "It puts everything in perspective. It's way bigger than basketball."The Spurs trail the Golden State Warriors 3-0 in the first round after losing in San Antonio 110-97 on Thursday night. The 69-year-old coach ran practice Wednesday but was not on the sideline for the game. Assistant Ettore Messina coached the team.Clinton reached out on Twitter to the coach and his daughters: "I join the NBA... [More]

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — The Latest on the San Antonio Spurs and coach Gregg Popovich, whose wife died at 67 (all times local):___11:05 p.m.The San Antonio Spurs have lost to the Golden State Warriors, 110-97 in Game 3 of their best-of-seven NBA playoff series.San Antonio played without coach Gregg Popovich, who was at home mourning the death of his 67-year-old wife, Erin. She died on Wednesday.Winning one for Pop was too difficult for the Spurs, who trailed by 12 entering the fourth quarter. They briefly narrowed the gap to single digits early in the quarter, but the Warriors quickly regained control.Golden State leads the series 3-0, placing the Spurs at the brink of elimination.___10:35 p.m.Winning one for Pop will be an uphill climb for the San Antonio Spurs.They trail Golden State 84-72 heading to the fourth quarter.San Antonio is playing without coach Gregg Popovich, whose wife Erin died Wednesday.A win by Golden State will give the Warriors a 3-0 lead and place the Spurs at the brink of... [More]