Silver to take “fresh look” at playoff format

NBA commissioner Adam Silver said he will take a “fresh look” at including the 16 best teams, regardless of conference, in the playoffs. Silver made the comments while attending Friday’s game in San Antonio between the Spurs and the Phoenix Suns. The NBA has faced criticism for its playoff format, especially considering the disparity between […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  15 Oct 2021
Trail Blazers takes control in fourth quarter to defeat Jazz

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah Jazz fans were excited to see their team’s group of young players, expected to be a big part of the franchise’s future, start together for the first time this season Friday night. While Utah’s fresh-faced group of Trey Burke, Alec Burks, Gordon Hayward, Derrick Favors and Enes Kanter, all between […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  15 Oct 2021
Bucks beat Cavs, stave off worst record

MILWAUKEE — Guard Brandon Knight helped the Milwaukee Bucks avoid clinching the NBA’s worst record for at least one more night. Knight led Milwaukee with 24 points, while guard Ramon Sessions added 20 points and seven assists on his birthday in a 119-116 win over the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night. The Bucks came […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  15 Oct 2021
Warriors 112, Lakers 95

LOS ANGELES — After blowing a 20-point lead Thursday night against the Denver Nuggets, the Golden State Warriors avoided repeating the same mistake Friday night in a 112-95 win against the Los Angeles Lakers. Guard Stephen Curry had a triple-double with 30 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds to lead the Warriors, who clinched a […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  15 Oct 2021
Timberwolves’ Brewer goes off for 51 in win

MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota Timberwolves coach Rick Adelman looked at a lineup missing his three leading scorers before Friday night’s game against the Houston Rockets and wondered where the points would come from if his team wanted a fighting chance. He never imagined starting forward Corey Brewer would be responsible for 51 of them in a […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  15 Oct 2021
Bulls overcome Drummond’s big night

CHICAGO — At halftime of Friday night’s game at the United Center, the Detroit Pistons held a couple of impressive advantages. They led the Chicago Bulls by 18 points and center Andre Drummond had single-handedly outrebounded the entire Bulls team 19-17. Drummond ended up with 26 points and 26 rebounds, but Chicago rallied in the […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  15 Oct 2021
Spurs secure top seed in West with win

SAN ANTONIO — After San Antonio’s devastating loss to the Miami Heat in last year’s NBA Finals, some questioned whether the Spurs could rebound from it. Ten months later, they answered those doubts, clinching the top seed in the Western Conference with the best record in the NBA. Guard Danny Green had a career-high 33 […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  15 Oct 2021
Haslem’s grit inspirational in Heat win over Pacers

MIAMI — Forward LeBron James’ 36 points in the Miami Heat’s 98-86 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Friday night at AmericanAirlines Arena were no surprise. But forward Udonis Haslem’s gritty performance — 11 points, nine rebounds, numerous charges taken and loose balls retrieved — was an inspiration to Miami. “That old warrior,” Heat coach […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  15 Oct 2021
Grizzlies move into West’s last playoff spot

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Guard Courtney Lee did not cheer when told the Phoenix Suns had lost Friday night and his Memphis Grizzlies had climbed ahead of the Suns for the last playoff spot in the Western Conference. “It’s good news,” Lee said after the Grizzlies had defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 117-95 at FedExForum for their […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  15 Oct 2021