LeBron James scored 32 points - 19 in the second half - and the Cleveland Cavaliers forced a decisive and fitting finale to this home-sweet-home playoff series with a 74-69 win Friday night over the Boston Celtics.
Follow the action of the Celtics’ Game 6 clash with the Cavs at The Q as NBA.com’s Ben Couch blogs throughout the second-round matchup.
Pacers coach Jim O’Brien has accepted an invitation to serve as Honorary Chair of the 2008 Special Olympics Indiana Summer Games.
DAILY HERALD reporter Mike McGraw writes that Chicago Bulls GM John Paxson has plans to interview Jazz assistant Tyrone Corbin and Lakers assistant Brian Shaw for the team’s head coaching position.
For the first time in more than a year, Dwyane Wade feels no pain in his surgically repaired left knee.
The Phoenix Suns will interview Houston Rockets assistant Elston Turner as a replacement for former head coach Mike D’Antoni.
The Toronto Raptors announced Friday that centre Rasho Nesterovic has exercised the player option on his contract for the 2008-09 season. Per team policy, financial terms were not disclosed.
The National Basketball Association announced today that in response to the recent tragedies in Asia, NBA Cares is supporting the efforts of the Red Cross and UNICEF to provide emergency relief.
In the SALT LAKE TRIBUNE, Ross Siler writes “trailing 3-2 in the Western Conference semifinals, the Jazz will be fighting for their playoff lives in tonight’s Game 6 at EnergySolutions Arena. At a minimum, the Jazz have their 41-5 home record this season. They also found themselves in a similar situation last year, when the Jazz returned home down 3-2 after a 96-92 Game 5 loss to Houston but went on to win the first-round series in seven games. ‘You don’t have to win two [tonight],’ Jazz coach Jerry Sloan said. ‘You just have to win one game, and that’s the focus you have to have. I think it’s exciting, myself. I always have loved to be in those situations.’?
On ESPN.COM, Marc Stein reports “the Phoenix Suns have begun their coaching search in earnest by interviewing Detroit Pistons assistant coach Terry Porter. Suns president Steve Kerr told ESPN.com that he flew in and out of Detroit on Thursday to meet with Porter, his former teammate for two seasons in San Antonio. Porter, who posted a 71-92 record in a two-season stint as Milwaukee’s head coach from 2003-05, is believed to the first to formally meet with the Suns.?
Go Around the Association for a recap of Thursday’s action, including the Spurs staying alive in their quest to repeat as champions.
In the HOUSTON CHRONICLE, Jonathan Feigen reports that ageless center Dikembe Mutombo wants to play another season if the Houston Rockets will have him. The oldest player in the NBA, the 42-year-old Mutombo played a key role this season in replacing the injured Yao Ming and helping Houston win 22 straight games.
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Fort Wayne Mad Ants’ President Jeff Potter announced today that Jaren Jackson will be the head coach for the 2008-09 season.
Josh Howard and Rick Carlisle went to dinner Wednesday night, and the new coach of the Mavericks picked up the bill. Looks like their relationship is off on the right foot. “From what I’ve heard, he’s a great coach,”Howard said Thursday afternoon. “The guys I talked to had nothing but good things to say. I’m looking forward to working with Coach next year. “He’s an X&O’s guy and he wants to win. He’s really excited about this situation and the pieces he has.?
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When Larry Bird visited Secaucus, N.J., a year ago, he hoped to beat the odds but expected to walk away empty-handed. On this trip to the NBA Draft Lottery, Bird knows he’ll leave with something good, even if his Pacers don’t land one of the coveted top three picks in Tuesday’s draw.
Manu Ginobili scored 25 points, Tim Duncan had 20 points and 15 rebounds, and Tony Parker added 15 points in the San Antonio Spurs’ 99-80 victory over the New Orleans Hornets in Game 6 on Thursday night.
The Spurs are facing elimination for the first time in two years. Can they stay alive and force a Game 7, or will the Hornets finish them off and move on to the Conference Finals for the first time in franchise history? NBA.com’s John Schuhmann is live blogging Game 6.
Utah Jazz forward Andrei Kirilenko missed practice Thursday because of a problem with his visa, a day before Utah hosts the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinals.
Cavaliers guard Daniel Gibson will miss Game 6 of Cleveland’s playoff against the Boston Celtics after separating his left shoulder during the second half Wednesday night.
All-Star point guard Chauncey Billups has practiced with the Detroit Pistons and is expected to be ready to play in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
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