LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Kevin Durant scored 17 points as the United States bounced back from consecutive defeats to score a convincing 108-80 victory over Argentina in a pre-Olympic exhibition on Tuesday. Gregg Popovich’s US squad, the reigning Olympic champions, had been jolted by defeats to Nigeria and Australia in the opening two games of their Las Vegas training camp before heading to Tokyo for the Olympics next week. But a more polished […]
Tag: basketball
Giannis joins Jordan, Shaq, LeBron in NBA Finals history
MILWAUKEE, United States (AFP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo joined an elite list of stars with back-to-back 40-point NBA Finals performances, but the Greek star forward stressed Sunday that “I’m no Michael Jordan.” Antetokounmpo became only the sixth player in NBA Finals history with 40 points in consecutive games, hitting 41 points and grabbing 13 rebounds in a 120-100 Bucks victory over Phoenix. Milwaukee pulled within 2-1 in the best-of-seven championship series while the 26-year-old Greek forward, […]
Giannis scores 41 as Bucks trim Suns’ lead in NBA Finals
MILWAUKEE, United States (AFP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 41 points and grabbed 13 rebounds on Sunday to lead Milwaukee over Phoenix 120-100, reviving the Bucks’ chances to win their first NBA title in 50 years. The 26-year-old Greek forward joined Shaquille O’Neal in 2000 and LeBron James in 2016 as the only NBA Finals players with back-to-back 40-point, 10-rebound performances. Two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Antetokounmpo, who had 42 points and 12 rebounds in a […]
Paul powers Suns over Bucks in NBA Finals opener
PHOENIX, United States (AFP) — Chris Paul, making his long-sought NBA Finals debut, scored 32 points to lead the Phoenix Suns over Milwaukee 118-105 in Tuesday’s opening game of the championship series. The 36-year-old backcourt maestro, in his 16th season, delivered clutch scoring and added nine assists while Devin Booker added 27 points and 22-year-old Bahamas big man Deandre Ayton had 22 points and 19 rebounds in dominating the Bucks. “I just kept trying to […]
NBA issues Beverley one-game ban for knocking down Paul
NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — Los Angeles Clippers guard Patrick Beverley was suspended one game without pay by the NBA on Saturday for knocking down Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul in a playoff loss. Beverley was banned for unsportsmanlike shoving Paul from behind onto the court during a stoppage in play with 5:49 remaining in the fourth quarter of Wednesday’s 130-103 Suns’ victory over the host Clippers. Paul’s Suns advanced to the NBA Finals […]
Giannis-less Bucks roll over Hawks to take 3-2 series lead
LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — The Milwaukee Bucks showed they are more than a one-man show, using a balanced attack on Thursday to beat the Atlanta Hawks 123-112 in game five of the Eastern Conference finals. Brook Lopez had 33 points, Jrue Holiday had 25 points and 13 assists and Khris Middleton finished with 26 points and 13 rebounds for the Bucks, who grabbed a 3-2 series lead and are one win away reaching […]
LeBron’s days on Team USA likely done says Colangelo
LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — NBA superstar LeBron James has probably played his final game for the United States national team, according to USA Basketball managing director Jerry Colangelo. James, a 36-year-old playmaker for the Los Angeles Lakers, is a two-time Olympic gold medal winner and four-time NBA champion, but he has opted out of the past two Olympic cycles. “Father Time takes its toll,” Colangelo said of James on ESPN on Wednesday. “If […]
George keeps Clippers alive as Suns downed
LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Paul George scored 41 points as the Los Angeles Clippers kept their NBA Western Conference finals series alive with a battling 116-102 road victory over the Phoenix Suns on Monday. With the Suns poised to clinch a series victory in front of an expectant home crowd, George once again put the Clippers on his back to stave off elimination from the postseason. The Clippers talisman exploded for 20 points […]
Durant named in US Olympic squad
LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Kevin Durant will spearhead a powerful United States basketball team chasing a fourth consecutive Olympic gold medal after being named in the squad for next month’s Tokyo Games on Monday. Brooklyn Nets star Durant was included in a 12-man roster which will be led by San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich with assistant coaches Steve Kerr, Lloyd Pierce and Jay Wright. Several notable NBA stars are not part […]
Middleton, Antetokounmpo spark comeback, Bucks grab 2-1 lead
LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Khris Middleton and Giannis Antetokounmpo combined for 71 points as the Milwaukee Bucks rallied to beat the Atlanta Hawks 113-102 in game three of the Eastern Conference finals on Sunday. Middleton scored 20 of his 38 points in the fourth and Antetokounmpo finished with 33 points and 11 rebounds as the Bucks grabbed a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series in front of a crowd of 16,600 at State […]
NBA Mavericks hire Jason Kidd as new coach: reports
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Jason Kidd, who won an NBA title with the Dallas Mavericks as a player in 2011, has agreed to a deal to coach the club, according to multiple media reports on Friday. The Mavericks also hired long-time Nike executive Nico Harrison as general manager, according to The Athletic, ESPN, USA Today and other media, citing unnamed sources. Kidd, who played on US Olympic gold medal squads in 2000 at Sydney […]
Young scores 48 to power Hawks over Bucks in NBA playoffs
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Atlanta’s Trae Young scored a career playoff high 48 points and the Hawks edged host Milwaukee 116-113 in Wednesday’s opening game of the NBA Eastern Conference finals. Young, who also contributed 11 assists and seven rebounds, scored 12 points in the fourth quarter to spark a rally that baffled the Bucks. “We just keep fighting until the end, no matter what the score is,” Young said. “That’s what we’re going […]





