They meet again: Heat-Celtics in East finals

By TIM REYNOLDS

It's a rematch: Miami and Boston will meet in the playoffs again, this time with a spot in the NBA finals at stake.

James, Heat start tuning for East finals

By TIM REYNOLDS

LeBron James shook a few hands, slapped a few fives, gave a few hugs.

Thunder, Spurs ready to finally settle West's best

By PAUL J. WEBER

Maybe they'll finally get a challenge this time.

NBA fines Spoelstra $25,000 for comments

The NBA fined Miami coach Erik Spoelstra $25,000 on Friday for "critical public comments" about officiating in the Eastern Conference series with Indiana.

Knicks give coach Mike Woodson multiyear extension

By BRIAN MAHONEY

One playoff victory was good enough for Mike Woodson to return as New York Knicks coach _ even with Phil Jackson lurking as a potential candidate.

Heat resting up before return to East finals

By TIM REYNOLDS

Dwyane Wade has been battling knee soreness. LeBron James was hobbling after a falling into a courtside cameraman. Chris Bosh remains sidelined indefinitely with an abdominal strain. Mike Miller looks to be in agony whenever he moves.

AP Source: Bobcats to interview Sloan on Friday

By STEVE REED

A person familiar with the situation says the Charlotte Bobcats will interview Hall of Famer Jerry Sloan on Friday for their vacant head coaching position.

Dynamic duo leads Miami back to Eastern finals

By PAUL NEWBERRY

With another season on the brink, Dwyane Wade and LeBron James took their two-man game to new heights.

Wade scores 41, Heat eliminate Pacers 105-93

By PAUL NEWBERRY

Miami's Big Two was more than enough to finish off the Indiana Pacers.

Wade, James lead Heat past Pacers

By Paul Newberry AP National Writer

INDIANAPOLIS | Miami's Big Two was more than enough to finish off the Pacers.

Mich school honors late hoops star at graduation

By NOAH TRISTER

Jocelyn Leonard stood near the front of the gym, leading the choir at Fennville High School.

James, Bryant lead All-NBA team

LeBron James was the leading vote-getter for the All-NBA team, while Kobe Bryant earned his 10th first-team selection, tied for second on the career list.

76ers top Celtics to force Game 7 in East semis

By DAN GELSTON

In the most unpredictable of playoff series, Rajon Rondo was the one consistent playmaker for Boston.

Merrillville grad Jeremiah Jones signs with Duquesne University

By Al Hamnik al.hamnik@nwi.com, (219) 933-4154

Former Merrillville coach Jim East threw the label "money player" around like manhole covers, so you knew it meant something very special to him.

James and Wade lead Heat past Pacers, 115-83

By TIM REYNOLDS

Dwyane Wade was bleeding after taking a smack in the head from Tyler Hansbrough, who became the target of a retaliatory shot from Udonis Haslem a few moments later.

Granger out of Pacers-Heat game with ankle injury

By TIM REYNOLDS

Indiana forward Danny Granger left the Pacers' Eastern Conference semifinal game against the Miami Heat on Tuesday night early in the second half with a sprained left ankle.

Warriors unveil plans to move to San Francisco

By ANTONIO GONZALEZ

Sitting along the shore and staring at one of the world's most majestic metropolitan views, Joe Lacob leaned over to hear fellow Golden State Warriors co-owner Peter Guber whisper in his ear.

Lakers will debate overhaul after playoff exit

By GREG BEACHAM

Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol spent the final minutes of the Los Angeles Lakers' final game arguing in Oklahoma City, disagreeing on the best way to run a pick-and-roll play.

Thunder top Lakers 106-90 to reach West finals

By JEFF LATZKE

Ramon Sessions did the best he could to keep Russell Westbrook from making a high-flying dunk that would energize the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Spurs flirting with history on 18-game streak

By PAUL J. WEBER

Eighteen wins in a row, and eight more victories to go.

AL HAMNIK: Bears, Bulls celebs searching for heroes in the region

By Al Hamnik Times Columnist

Sometimes, you need to be involved. You have to get up off your backside and help the less fortunate.

Column: Same skills, new mindset for LeBron?

By JIM LITKE

Spectacular as it seemed, it was nothing we haven't seen from LeBron James before.

Magic fire coach Stan Van Gundy; GM also gone

By KYLE HIGHTOWER

For months the Orlando Magic have been trudging through the aftermath of a preseason trade request by Dwight Howard that sapped the life out of the franchise as internal team issues quickly affected the product on the floor.

BMO Harris buys naming rights to Bradley Center

By CHRIS JENKINS

The Bradley Center has a new name and, perhaps, a more specific expiration date.

Spurs close out Clippers to sweep series 4-0

By BETH HARRIS

The San Antonio Spurs are on to the Western Conference finals, along with their 18-game winning streak and 8-0 mark in the playoffs.

Heat Wave: James, Wade combine for 70 in Heat win

By TOM WITHERS

As the clock ticked down to a precious few seconds, LeBron James threw his right arm around Dwyane Wade's neck and pulled his teammate close.

Spurs rally to beat Clippers, win series

By BETH HARRIS

The San Antonio Spurs mowed down another opponent, using their guile under pressure to close out another perfect playoff series.

Ex-NBA star, Olympian Bob Boozer dies at 75

By ERIC OLSON

Bob Boozer was a star in college, an Olympic gold medalist and an 11-year professional who finished his playing career with an NBA championship.

Thunder rally past Lakers, take 3-1 series lead

By GREG BEACHAM

Kevin Durant stood above the 3-point line and watched the shot clock dwindle in the final seconds of Game 4. When Metta World Peace backed up slightly on defense, Durant hesitated only an instant before launching a 26-footer.

Pacers guard sorry for "choke" at LeBron

By TOM WITHERS

Pacers reserve guard Lance Stephenson apologized for making a choking gesture toward LeBron James.

Toliver leads Sparks past Seattle, 72-66

By TIM BOOTH

It started with an innocent spurt that only seemed as if it would make an inevitable season-opening loss for Los Angeles a bit more respectable.

Lakers' Blake, wife target of attacks on Twitter

By GREG BEACHAM

Lakers guard Steve Blake and his wife received multiple online threats after he missed a big shot late in Game 2 of Los Angeles' second-round playoff series with Oklahoma City.

Heat regroup, relax after shocking loss to Pacers

By Tom Withers AP Sports Writer

INDIANAPOLIS | As panic ensued along South Beach and the national scrutiny intensified, the Miami Heat decided to chill out.

Hawks keeping Drew as coach for 2012-13 season

By CHARLES ODUM

The Atlanta Hawks have committed to Larry Drew for one more season.

Heat shut down after Indy meltdown; scrap practice

By TOM WITHERS

The Miami Heat canceled practice and their media availability one day after a blowout loss in Game 3 to the Pacers.

Sweet 16: Streaking Spurs go up 2-0 on Clippers

By PAUL J. WEBER

On his 30th birthday, Tony Parker first kept the San Antonio Spurs on pace for what might be another lopsided playoff sweep. Then the All-Star who's always quick to needle Tim Duncan about his age finally acknowledged his own.

Texas boy suspended over NBA shave scores tickets

By PAUL J. WEBER

A 12-year-old Texas boy who was suspended from school after shaving his head to resemble the face of Spurs forward Matt Bonner scored tickets to a playoff game and props from his favorite NBA player.

Pacers' Larry Bird is NBA Executive of the Year

By JON KRAWCZYNSKI

Everything always seemed to come so easily for Larry Bird on a basketball court.

Column: Loss of Bosh turns up heat on Miami

By JIM LITKE

It came down to a last shot and who was going to take it, an all-too-familiar dilemma for the Miami Heat.

Doctor: Bulls' Derrick Rose out 8-12 months

ANDREW SELIGMAN

The doctor who operated on Derrick Rose's knee insists the Chicago Bulls' star can dominate again.

Kobe: I don't take charges

By JEFF LATZKE

Lakers star Kobe Bryant says he doesn't take charges, and he's got a reason for it.

Cavaliers' Irving selected NBA's top rookie

By TOM WITHERS

Once Kyrie Irving finished cracking jokes, thanking Cleveland's fans, his teammates and coaches, he looked down from the podium at the person who promised this would happen.

Heat say Bosh out indefinitely after MRI

By TIM REYNOLDS

The Miami Heat say Chris Bosh will be sidelined indefinitely because of a strained abdominal muscle.

Clippers advance, knock out Grizzlies 82-72

By TERESA M. WALKER

Chris Paul played with an aching right hip and Blake Griffin's sprained left knee stiffened up during the game. If the Clippers were truly a two-man team, then they would have been in trouble facing elimination by the Memphis Grizzlies.

James accepts MVP, drains 32 on Pacers

By Tim Reynolds AP Sports Writer

MIAMI | LeBron James got his trophy, and then he and Dwyane Wade made sure the Miami Heat got a win in Game 1.

AP Source: Irving to be named NBA's top rookie

By TOM WITHERS

A person familiar with the voting says Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving has been chosen the NBA's Rookie of the Year.

Andrean star reaffirms commitment to the Crusaders

By Paul Oren Times Correspondent

VALPARAISO | When Chicago point guard Lexus Williams gave his verbal commitment to the Valparaiso men’s basketball team last week, it looked like at first glance that Bryce Drew was picking up some insurance in case Andrean star Nick Davidson…

Column: Bryant, Lakers need to get swagger back

By TIM DAHLBERG

Kobe Bryant hit his only shot that really mattered, then celebrated by slapping hands with Justin Timberlake. In the closing seconds of a Game 7 playoff win, the stars were aligning in Los Angeles once again, just like old times.

LeBron James wins 3rd NBA MVP award

By TIM REYNOLDS

LeBron James spent two days trying to figure out the right words. An assistant jotted some ideas on notecards, which were ignored. So when the moment came to deliver his MVP acceptance speech, James spoke emotionally about family, charity, hi…