Column: Spurs' collapse starts at the top with Pop

By JIM LITKE

The sly smile on Erik Spoelstra's lips said it all. If only this once, the Miami coach couldn't wait to field questions.

Heat force Game 7 with 103-100 OT win over Spurs

By BRIAN MAHONEY

When LeBron James' greatness almost wasn't good enough, officials began preparing for a San Antonio celebration.

5 things learned from Game 6 of NBA Finals

By TIM REYNOLDS

Five things to learn from the Miami Heat's 103-100 overtime win over the San Antonio Spurs in Game 6 of the NBA Finals on Tuesday night:

James, Heat stave off Spurs

Brian Mahoney AP Basketball Writer

MIAMI | LeBron James saved a championship reign, canceled a celebration.

Spurs' coach puts 'Pop' into news conferences

Jon Krawczynski AP Basketball Writer

MIAMI | During his team's Game 3 rout of the Heat, Gregg Popovich was shown on TV talking to his players while they were in the process of burying Miami with a stirring offensive display.

Spurs' coach puts Pop into news conferences

By JON KRAWCZYNSKI

During his team's Game 3 rout of the Heat, Gregg Popovich was shown on TV talking to his players while they were in the process of burying Miami with a stirring offensive display.

Heat have no room for error versus Spurs in Game 6

By BRIAN MAHONEY

They lost three times in three months in one of the most overpowering stretches the NBA has ever seen.

Heat back on familiar, and shaky, ground in Finals

Tim Reynolds AP Basketball Writer

MIAMI | LeBron James has been here before, with dire results.

Scouting, development paying off for Spurs

Jon Krawczynski AP Basketball Writer

SAN ANTONIO | The Spurs have long been the NBA's gold standard when it comes to drafting and development, preferring to roll up their sleeves and scour the globe to find the right players to slot into well-defined roles in San Antonio.

Back home, Heat try to stop a 5th Spurs NBA title

Brian Mahoney AP Basketball Writer

MIAMI | The Miami Heat weren't supposed to be in this situation. Not now, anyway.

Scouting, development paying off for Spurs

By JON KRAWCZYNSKI

The Spurs have long been the NBA's gold standard when it comes to drafting and development, preferring to roll up their sleeves and scour the globe to find the right players to slot into well-defined roles in San Antonio.

Heat back on familiar, and shaky, ground in Finals

By TIM REYNOLDS

LeBron James has been here before, with dire results.

Spurs' Green sets NBA Finals record for 3-pointers

By PAUL J. WEBER

Danny Green once wasn't good enough to be on the same team as LeBron James.

Ginobili sparks Spurs to Game 5 win

Jon Krawczynski AP Basketball Writer

SAN ANTONIO | Manu Ginobili had 24 points and 10 assists in a surprise start to spark the San Antonio Spurs to a 114-104 victory over the Miami Heat in Game 5 of the NBA Finals on Sunday night, pushing the Spurs one victory away from their fi…

Game 5 could be Ginobili's last Spurs home game

By JON KRAWCZYNSKI

Win or lose, Sunday marked the final home game of this season for the Spurs. The series shifts back to Miami for Game 6 on Tuesday night, and the winner will be decided on South Beach.

Spurs, Heat defined by stability at the top

By JON KRAWCZYNSKI

Front offices across the NBA seem to be panicking a bit these days. Job security has long been an oxymoron for coaches in this league, but even by that what-have-you-done-for-me-lately standard, this offseason has been a particularly volatile one.

Spurs' Parker: Sore hamstring can 'tear any time'

Paul J. Weber AP Sports Writer

SAN ANTONIO | Spurs guard Tony Parker said Saturday the strained right hamstring that wore him down this week could tear "any time now" heading into Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the Miami Heat.

A look at how the NBA Finals stacks up into Game 5

By JON KRAWCZYNSKI

The swings in momentum in these NBA Finals have been so wild that it has been difficult to grasp just who is in control of the series. Maybe that's because with San Antonio and Miami tied at two games apiece, neither team really is, or feels …

Team source: Kings hire D'Alessandro as GM

By JOSH DUBOW

The Sacramento Kings hired Denver executive Pete D'Alessandro as their new general manager on Saturday.

NY's Katie Smith moves to 2nd on WNBA points list

By DOUG FEINBERG

Katie Smith got a walking cane from her New York Liberty teammates last week as a birthday present. She's still many years away from needing it.

Former teammates expect coach Kidd to succeed

By HANK KURZ Jr.

Former teammates, players and an ex-NBA assistant coach say the credibility a Hall of Fame career brings and familiarity with today's players will help Jason Kidd successfully transition into coaching.

In tied NBA Finals, Wade says Game 5 could be best

Brian Mahoney AP Basketball Writer

SAN ANTONIO | At their best in the NBA Finals, the Miami Heat have forced turnover after turnover, finding a gear the San Antonio Spurs just can't reach.

NBA Finals Game 4 viewership down from '12

The NBA Finals' television viewership for Game 4 was down 7 percent from last year.

Kobe and Kimmel to talk for charity in LA

Kobe Bryant will sit down with late-night host Jimmy Kimmel for a conversation at the Nokia Theatre on Aug. 15 to raise money toward eliminating homelessness in the Los Angeles area.

Big 3 help Heat even NBA Finals with Spurs

Brian Mahoney AP Basketball Writer

SAN ANTONIO | LeBron James was better as promised. Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh were the best they've been since the playoffs started.

Encore! NBA crowd roars for 11-year-old mariachi

By PAUL J. WEBER

An 11-year-old Latino boy whose singing of the national anthem at the NBA Finals set off a barrage of racist tweets earned a roaring ovation in an encore performance before Game 4 between the San Antonio Spurs and Miami Heat on Thursday night.

Heat change Game 4 lineup, Miller in for Haslem

By TIM REYNOLDS

Mike Miller's uncanny play in these NBA Finals has earned him a spot in the Miami Heat's starting lineup.

David Robinson would love to see Duncan win title

Jon Krawczynski AP Basketball Writer

SAN ANTONIO | David Robinson was 37 years old when he rode off into the NBA sunset with a fresh Lawrence O'Brien trophy under his arm and his legacy as the greatest player in San Antonio Spurs history firmly intact.

Hummel youth basketball camp draws large turnout

Jim Peters jim.poters@nwi.com, (219) 548-4363

MERRILLVILLE | It's about a 90-minute drive from White Pigeon, Mich., to The Fieldhouse-Merrillville, but that didn't deter Shane Doehrmann and his daughters Alex and Leni.

Cheeks is Pistons' new coach, with work to do

By NOAH TRISTER

Maurice Cheeks is ready for a new challenge, undaunted by the fact that the Detroit Pistons have been a revolving door for coaches lately.

David Robinson would love to see Duncan win title

By JON KRAWCZYNSKI

David Robinson was 37 years old when he rode off into the NBA sunset with a fresh Lawrence O'Brien trophy under his arm and his legacy as the greatest player in San Antonio Spurs history firmly intact.

Spurs' Parker will play in Game 4 against Heat

By PAUL J. WEBER

Spurs guard Tony Parker said he will play in Game 4 of the NBA Finals after his availability was in doubt because of a mild right hamstring strain.

No-names controlling the NBA Finals so far

By JON KRAWCZYNSKI

The NBA Finals opened as such a juicy matchup of A-list stars.

Back home in San Antonio, Spurs rout Heat to take series lead

Brian Mahoney AP Basketball Writer

SAN ANTONIO | Danny Green and Gary Neal aren't NBA royalty like LeBron James.

San Antonio savors Spurs bringing Finals back home

By PAUL J. WEBER

Back in the 1970s, when Red McCombs bought a basketball team to uproot and turn into the San Antonio Spurs, one agent balked that his player wasn't coming because they couldn't find the small market on a map.

Celtics to play Wolves during preseason in Canada

The Boston Celtics will play a preseason game against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Montreal next season as part of the NBA's Canadian series.

E'Twaun Moore coming back for camp at E.C. Central

John Burbridge john.burbridge@nwi.com, (219) 933-3371

For him, the season is over and summer is approaching.

Miller's shots sure-fire boost for Heat in finals

Tim Reynolds AP Basketball Writer

SAN ANTONIO | Moments after getting his championship ring on the night this NBA season opened last October, Mike Miller walked to midcourt, grabbed a microphone and addressed the delirious crowd.

Lionel Hollins out as Memphis Grizzlies coach

By TERESA M. WALKER

The Memphis Grizzlies have decided to part with the winningest coach in the franchise's history, telling Lionel Hollins they will not be renewing his contract as head coach coming off their first trip to the Western Conference finals.

Ex-NBA star in jail, charged in fatal Ga. crash

Former NBA All-Star Daron "Mookie" Blaylock is out of the hospital and in jail, charged with vehicular homicide in a car crash south of Atlanta.

Miami runs away with win against Heat in NBA finals

JON KRAWCZYNSKI AP Basketball Writer

MIAMI | LeBron James overcame a terrible start to finish with 17 points, eight rebounds and seven assists and the Miami Heat rolled to a 103-84 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday night to even the series at a game apiece.