Towns, Edwards lift Wolves over Mavs 105-100 to avoid sweep in West finals

Towns, Edwards lift Wolves over Mavs 105-100 to avoid sweep in West finals

DALLAS — Karl-Anthony Towns finally found his rhythm, and the Timberwolves finally closed a game in the Western Conference finals. Now they head back to Minnesota to see if they can make things even more interesting against Dallas. Towns scored 20 of his 25 points in the second half and the Wolves held off the … Read more

Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving each score 33 points as Mavs beat Wolves for 3-0 lead in West finals

Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving each score 33 points as Mavs beat Wolves for 3-0 lead in West finals

DALLAS — Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving scored 33 points apiece and the Dallas Mavericks made all the big plays late again, beating the Minnesota Timberwolves 116-107 on Sunday night for a 3-0 lead in the Western Conference finals. The Mavericks closed with a 14-3 run, winning their fifth consecutive playoff game after Dereck Lively … Read more

Brown matches career playoff high with 40 points, Celtics beat Pacers to take 2-0 lead in East

Brown matches career playoff high with 40 points, Celtics beat Pacers to take 2-0 lead in East

BOSTON — Jaylen Brown was a big enough problem for the Indiana Pacers even before an All-NBA snub that may have given him an added desire to show how much he can do for the Boston Celtics. “I think he cares about it in a way that motivates him, and I think he doesn’t really … Read more

Pacers beat Knicks 130-109 in Game 7 to reach Eastern Conference finals

Pacers beat Knicks 130-109 in Game 7 to reach Eastern Conference finals

NEW YORK — Tyrese Haliburton scored 26 points and the Indiana Pacers rode one of the most sensational first halves in Game 7 history to a 130-109 victory over the New York Knicks on Sunday, advancing to the Eastern Conference finals for the first time in 10 years. The No. 6-seeded Pacers set an NBA … Read more

Hart, Anunoby listed as questionable to play for Knicks on Sunday in Game 7 against the Pacers

Hart, Anunoby listed as questionable to play for Knicks on Sunday in Game 7 against the Pacers

NEW YORK — Starting forwards Josh Hart and OG Anunoby are both listed as questionable to play for the New York Knicks on Sunday in Game 7 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Indiana Pacers. The Knicks have been without Anunoby since he strained his left hamstring in Game 2. He scored a … Read more

Doncic posts 31-point triple-double as Mavericks top Thunder to take 3-2 series lead

Doncic posts 31-point triple-double as Mavericks top Thunder to take 3-2 series lead

OKLAHOMA CITY — Luka Doncic stopped worrying about calls and just played. It worked. He scored 31 points in a triple-double, and the Dallas Mavericks beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 104-92 on Wednesday night to take a 3-2 lead in the Western Conference semifinal series. Doncic didn’t voice his displeasure with the officials nearly as … Read more

Nuggets confidently tie series with Timberwolves in 115-107 win in Game 4 fueled by Jokic and Gordon

Nuggets confidently tie series with Timberwolves in 115-107 win in Game 4 fueled by Jokic and Gordon

MINNEAPOLIS — Nikola Jokic scored 16 of his 35 points in the fourth quarter, and Aaron Gordon had 27 points on 11-for-12 shooting to propel the Denver Nuggets to a series-tying 115-107 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday night in Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals. Jamal Murray had 12 of his 19 … Read more

Mitchell scores 50 points in an attempt to end series, but Cavaliers fall to the Magic in Game 6

Mitchell scores 50 points in an attempt to end series, but Cavaliers fall to the Magic in Game 6

ORLANDO, Fla. — Donovan Mitchell looked down at the stat sheet, slowly shook his head in amazement and then chose his words carefully. The Cleveland star seemed less surprised that he scored 50 points in a 103-96 playoff loss to Orlando on Friday night than the fact the Cavaliers scored 66 points in the paint … Read more

LeBron scores 30, and the Lakers avoid 1st-round elimination with a 119-108 win over champion Denver

LeBron scores 30, and the Lakers avoid 1st-round elimination with a 119-108 win over champion Denver

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Lakers finally cracked the Denver Nuggets’ mastery of this rivalry and extended their playoff lives for at least another game. To absolutely nobody’s surprise, LeBron James led the way. James scored 30 points, Anthony Davis added 25 points and 23 rebounds, and the Lakers avoided postseason elimination with a … Read more

Celtics lead wire-to-wire in Miami, roll past Heat 104-84 for 2-1 lead in East series

Celtics lead wire-to-wire in Miami, roll past Heat 104-84 for 2-1 lead in East series

MIAMI — For two days, the Boston Celtics lamented getting beaten on their home floor. And when they finally got to play again, they let out all the frustration. The result: a defensive masterpiece. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown each scored 22 points to lead a balanced approach, and the Celtics soundly beat the Miami … Read more