Heat rout Bulls 115-78

MIAMI | Joakim Noah was fired up Wednesday night. Maybe too fired up.

Preview capsules of the NBA first-round series

A look at the eight first-round series in the NBA playoffs:

The path to 33 might not be that daunting for Heat

LeBron James and the Miami Heat are about to play another game in Cleveland.

The path to 33 might not be that daunting for Heat

LeBron James and the Miami Heat are about to play another game in Cleveland.

The path to 33 might not be that daunting for Heat

Miami Heat's LeBron James celebrates with fans as he walks off the court after their NBA basketball game against the Boston Celtics in Boston, Monday. James made the go-ahead jumper with 10.5 seconds left to lead Miami to its 23rd consecutive victory, 105-103 over the Celtics.

Dennis Rodman worms his way into North Korea

Former NBA star Dennis Rodman is surrounded by journalists upon arrival at Pyongyang Airport in North Korea on Tuesday. The former Bull has become an unlikely ambassador for sports diplomacy at a time of heightened tensions between the U.S. and North Korea.

Dennis Rodman worms his way into North Korea

PYONGYANG, North Korea | Former NBA star Dennis Rodman brought his basketball skills and flamboyant style — tattoos, nose studs and all — on Tuesday to a country with possibly the world's strictest dress code: North Korea.

Stern to retire as NBA Commissioner in 2014

NEW YORK | David Stern spent nearly 30 years growing the NBA, turning a league that couldn't even get its championship series on live prime-time TV into a projected $5 billion a year industry.

Stern to retire as NBA Commissioner in 2014

NBA Deputy Commissioner Adam Silver, left, listens as Commissioner David Stern speaks during a basketball news conference following Board of Governors meetings in New York on Thursday. Stern announced he will retire on Feb. 1, 2014, 30 years after he took charge of the league. He will be rep…

Expectations soar as Pacers embark on new season

INDIANAPOLIS | Indiana finally won a playoff series, had a chance to eliminate eventual NBA champion Miami last spring and strengthened its bench.

James' triple-double lifts Heat to NBA title

MIAMI | Best player in the game. Best team in the league.

Howard doing his part with Heat from the sideline

MIAMI | Juwan Howard thinks he might want to coach when his playing career is over. He's apparently started taking steps toward that gig in these playoffs.

If LeBron wins, perceptions of him may change

MIAMI | LeBron James has been called heartless, callous, narcissistic, cowardly and selfish.

James, Heat on brink of a title

MIAMI | LeBron James has never been here before.

Riley selected as Chuck Daly Award recipient

MIAMI | Pat Riley was walking out of Chuck Daly's hospital room in 2009, got to the doorway and turned around for another word from his longtime colleague, rival and friend.

Heat back in familiar ground: up 2-1 in Finals

MIAMI | LeBron James arrived for practice Monday wearing lime-green sneakers, a highly fluorescent shade.

A tense, tied NBA Finals moves to Miami for Game 3

OKLAHOMA CITY | Kevin Durant had the ball in his hands and LeBron James in his face.

Oklahoma City set to become regular NBA June stop

OKLAHOMA CITY | Oklahoma City was once just a temporary stop for the NBA.

Popovich: Unraveled Spurs 'reached our limit'

SAN ANTONIO | Injuries weren't a factor for once. Neither was depth. The San Antonio Spurs finally were healthy, and had the supporting talent and even the momentum of a historic winning streak crafted at the perfect time to become NBA champions again.