Stories related to: basketball

Roy Leads Blazers Over Mavericks

Associated Press  |  Apr 13, 08 7:30 AM CDT

(Newser) - Brandon Roy scored 23 points and the Portland Trail Blazers held off a late challenge to beat the Dallas Mavericks 108-105 last night. The Blazers led by as many as 16 points in the first half, but Dallas came back. Eddie Jones hit a layup for the Mavs to make it 101-97 before Dirk Nowitzki made two consecutive jumpers to tie it at 101 with 58 seconds left. More »

Warriors Win, Stick in Playoff Race

Associated Press  |  Apr 13, 08 6:58 AM CDT

(Newser) - Baron Davis had 25 points and nine assists, Stephen Jackson added 28 points, and the Golden State Warriors kept their waning playoff hopes realistic with a 122-116 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers last night. Monta Ellis and Andris Biedrins scored 17 points apiece for the Warriors, whose victory moved them into a tie with the Denver Nuggets for the last spot in the West. More »

Jazz Damage Nuggets Run to Playoffs

Associated Press  |  Apr 13, 08 6:21 AM CDT

(Newser) - Mehmet Okur had 20 points and 15 rebounds, Deron Williams added 19 points and 11 assists, and the Utah Jazz beat the Denver Nuggets 124-97 last night to strengthen their hopes of home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs. The Jazz won three of four against their rivals for the third straight season and kept the Nuggets from moving closer to the final Western Conference playoff berth. More »

Arenas Gets 20 in Wizards' Win

Associated Press  |  Apr 12, 08 10:24 PM CDT

(Newser) - Gilbert Arenas finally looked like Agent Zero again, just in time for the Washington Wizards to put the Philadelphia 76ers out of reach. After another passive performance typical of his play since returning from a knee injury, Arenas took over the game by scoring 12 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter tonight in a 109-93 victory over the 76ers. More »

Celtics Prevent Hawks From Clinching

Associated Press  |  Apr 12, 08 9:43 PM CDT

(Newser) - Sam Cassell and Boston's backups outplayed Atlanta's starters in the fourth quarter, and the Celtics prevented the Hawks from clinching their first playoff berth since 1999 with a 99-89 victory tonight. Atlanta would have ended the NBA's longest playoff drought with a victory, because Indiana lost to Charlotte earlier today. The Hawks remained two games ahead of the Pacers with two to play. More »

Hansbrough Wins Wooden Award

Associated Press  |  Apr 12, 08 8:06 PM CDT

(Newser) - He already earned an armful, but Tyler Hansbrough took one last bit of brass Friday night. The North Carolina junior won the John R. Wooden Award as college basketball's top player, giving him essentially a sweep of the season's individual honors, including The Associated Press college basketball player of the year award. "It means a lot," said Hansbrough, who finished fifth in the voting for the award last year. More »

Gomes' Late Free Throws Lift Timberwolves

Associated Press  |  Apr 11, 08 11:40 PM CDT

(Newser) - Ryan Gomes made a pair of free throws with 2.9 seconds remaining to give the Minnesota Timberwolves a 102-101 victory over the playoff-bound Orlando on Friday. Randy Foye had a game-high 25 points and Rashad McCants added 19 to lead the Timberwolves, who snapped a six-game losing streak. The Magic have lost six of their last 10 games. More »

Pacers Top 76ers, Win Fourth Straight

Associated Press  |  Apr 11, 08 10:22 PM CDT

(Newser) - Danny Granger had 30 points and 12 rebounds, and the Indiana Pacers kept their slim Eastern Conference playoff hopes alive with an 85-76 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday. Indiana won its fourth straight, and entered Friday trailing No. 8 Atlanta, but still likely needs to win its final three games to have a chance at the postseason. More »

Luke Lakers Rout Clippers 106-78

Associated Press  |  Apr 11, 08 1:19 AM CDT

(Newser) - Luke Walton scored 13 of his 18 points in the fourth quarter and the Los Angeles Lakers beat the short-handed Clippers 106-78 Thursday night for their fifth win in six games. The victory moved the Lakers (54-25) within 1 1/2 games of the Western Conference-leading New Orleans Hornets entering Friday night's showdown between the teams. The Hornets play three of their last four games on the road while the Lakers finish with three at home. More »

Denver Beats Golden State

Associated Press  |  Apr 11, 08 12:46 AM CDT

(Newser) - Allen Iverson scored 33 points, J.R. Smith added 24 off the bench and the Denver Nuggets took control of the race for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference with a 114-105 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Thursday night. The win moved Denver a game ahead of the Warriors for eighth place in the West with only three games remaining. More »

Mavericks Clinch Playoff Berth With Win