Houston’s Ron Artest ejected from Game 3 against LakersHOUSTON — Ron Artest was ejected with less than a minute remaining in Houston’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night after a flagrant foul on Pau Gasol. Dwight Howard powers Magic to 117-96 win and 2-1 series lead over CelticsORLANDO, Fla. — The Orlando Magic seem to be at their best when they’re shorthanded. Dwight Howard had 17 points, 14 rebounds and five blocks to lift the Orlando Magic to a 117-96 victory over the Boston Celtics on Friday night and a 2-1 series lead in their Eastern Conference semifinal. Dwight Howard powers Magic to 117-96 win and 2-1 series lead over CelticsORLANDO, Fla. — The Orlando Magic seem to be at their best when they’re shorthanded. Dwight Howard powers Magic to 117-96 win and 2-1 series lead over CelticsORLANDO, Fla. — The Orlando Magic seem to be at their best when they’re shorthanded. Derek Fisher suspended for Game 3, Lakers expecting physical play to continue in HoustonHOUSTON — Round 3 might be a more fitting label than Game 3 when the Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets meet Friday night in the Western Conference semifinal series. Magic’s Courtney Lee to return for Game 3 against Celtics in Eastern Conference semifinalORLANDO, Fla. — The Orlando Magic will get a much-needed boost in their backcourt for Game 3 against the Boston Celtics with the return of Courtney Lee. Maybe they should stop this one: Cavaliers on a record roll, while Hawks are all banged upATLANTA — If this was a heavyweight fight, the referee might have already stepped in to stop it. Wizards forward Antawn Jamison has bone spur removed from right ankleWASHINGTON — The Washington Wizards say forward Antawn Jamison had surgery to remove a bone spur from his right ankle. Bill Russell writes book about Red Auerbach, describing the coach’s and player’s relationshipNEW YORK — Bill Russell noted with amusement that the coach in question didn’t make the playoffs this year. Former MSG Sports president Steve Mills to leave company in June, work with Magic JohnsonNEW YORK — Steve Mills, who hired Isiah Thomas and later was demoted after Thomas’ turbulent tenure at MSG, is leaving the company in June. Hornets say Scott will be back next season, West trade unlikelyNEW ORLEANS — The New Orleans Hornets are sticking with head coach Byron Scott for at least one more season. Lakers’ Fisher, Houston’s Artest ejected in Game 2 of Western Conference semifinalsLOS ANGELES — Los Angeles Lakers guard Derek Fisher and Houston Rockets forward Ron Artest were ejected in separate incidents in the second half of Wednesday night’s Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals. Al Horford, Marvin Williams don’t play for Hawks in Game 2 against CavaliersCLEVELAND — Already down one game in the Eastern Conference semifinals against Cleveland, the Atlanta Hawks went into Game 2 hurting. Nuggets hope to maintain momentum as series takes 3-day break before Game 3 in DallasDENVER — Chauncey Billups intends on keeping the Denver Nuggets levelheaded. Thursday’s NBA Playoff BoxEvans 7-12 1-1 16, Jos.Smith 2-13 4-4 8, Pachulia 2-6 3-4 7, Bibby 3-8 3-3 11, Johnson 5-15 0-2 10, Murray 2-5 3-4 8, Jones 0-3 2-2 2, M.West 0-2 1-2 1, Hunter 1-2 0-0 2, Gardner 4-11 1-1 12, Law 3-6 1-1 8. Totals 29-83 19-24 85. Kobe Bryant scores 40 to lead Lakers to volatile 111-98 victory over Rockets, tying series 1-1LOS ANGELES — Two ejections. A handful of technical fouls. One bloody cut on Derek Fisher’s shaved head. Oh yeah, the Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets actually played some basketball, too. Nowitzki acknowledges going through ‘tough time’ personally after woman arrested at his houseDALLAS — Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki says it’s “pretty obvious” he’s going through a tough time personally after a woman was arrested at his Dallas home. Down 2-0, Mavericks open wait for Game 3 in search of answers about how to slow the NuggetsDALLAS — Jason Terry is the Dallas Mavericks’ mood-lifter, the guy who pumps up teammates and fans every chance he gets. Mavs’ Nowitzki having ‘tough time’ personally; no explanation for arrest of woman at his homeDALLAS — Mavericks All-Star Dirk Nowitzki offered no explanation Thursday about the arrest of a woman at his home, saying only that he is having personal troubles now. Kobe Bryant scores 40 points in Lakers’ rough 111-98 playoff win over Rockets; series tied 1-1LOS ANGELES — Another rough-and-tumble game between the Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets turned bloody. This time, though, the Lakers defended their home court. Kobe Bryant scored 40 points, Pau Gasol added 22 points and 14 rebounds and the Lakers won Game 2 111-98 on Wednesday night to even the Western Conference semifinal series. Woman arrested at home of Dallas Maverick’s star Dirk NowitzkiDALLAS — FBI agents have arrested a woman on a probation violation and theft of service warrants at the home of Dallas Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki. Rafer Alston, Derek Fisher suspended by NBA for separate incidentsNEW YORK — Rafer Alston of Orlando and Derek Fisher of the Los Angeles Lakers have each been suspended for the next game of their playoff series. Magic’s J.J. Redick ejected in fourth quarter of Game 2BOSTON — Orlando Magic guard J.J. Redick was ejected from Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Boston Celtics on Wednesday night after picking up his sixth foul and then arguing with the official about it. Mavericks have distractions, Nuggets have swagger and 2-0 lead heading into Game 3DALLAS — Sure, the Dallas Mavericks have distractions. Two Easy: LeBron scores 27 as Cavaliers cruise past Hawks 105-85 to open 2-0 series leadCLEVELAND — While the rest of the NBA exchanges elbows, flagrant fouls and menacing stares in the playoffs, the Cleveland Cavaliers are looking for a fight. Rondo’s triple-double, House’s 3s deliver 112-94 win over Magic for Celtics and tie series 1-1BOSTON — Rajon Rondo took the pass from Eddie House and bolted for the basket, cutting between 6-foot-11 Dwight Howard and 6-10 Rashard Lewis for a thunderous dunk. Miami’s Pat Riley hoping to get Dwyane Wade signed to extension this summerMIAMI — Pat Riley’s plan to make the Miami Heat better in 2010 might start with signing Dwyane Wade in 2009. Bryant scores 40 points in Lakers’ rough 111-98 playoff win over RocketsLOS ANGELES — Another rough-and-tumble game between the Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets turned bloody. This time, though, the Lakers defended their home court. Lakers’ Fisher ejected late in 3rd quarter against HoustonLOS ANGELES — Los Angeles Lakers guard Derek Fisher was ejected with 13 seconds remaining in the third quarter of Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinal series against the Houston Rockets on Wednesday night. Costly cut: NCAA schools find that penny-pinching on academics can come with steep priceINDIANAPOLIS — NCAA president Myles Brand understands it’s expensive running a Division I athletic program, and it can be just as expensive to give student-athletes academic help. |