Cavs GM insists Blatt to remain coach

CLEVELAND — Cleveland Cavaliers general manager David Griffin insisted Sunday that first-year head coach David Blatt’s future is safe and his job security was never in question. “This narrative of our coaching situation is truly ridiculous,” Griffin told reporters before the Dallas Mavericks’ 109-90 victory over the Cavaliers. “It’s a non-story, it’s a non-narrative. Coach […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  15 Oct 2021
NBA roundup: Blatt gets vote of confidence

Cleveland Cavaliers general manager David Griffin insisted Sunday that first-year head coach David Blatt’s future is safe and his job security was never in question. “This narrative of our coaching situation is truly ridiculous,” Griffin told reporters before the Dallas Mavericks’ 109-90 victory over the Cavaliers. “It’s a non-story, it’s a non-narrative. Coach Blatt is […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  15 Oct 2021
Bucks hand Knicks 11th straight loss

NEW YORK — The Milwaukee Bucks held the Knicks to under 50 percent shooting, the eighth straight game they did so to an opponent, in a 95-82 win over New York Sunday at Madison Square Garden. New York shot 40.8 percent (31 of 76), making just 9 of its 25 3-point attempts. The Knicks are […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  15 Oct 2021
Heat hold off Nets for rare home win

MIAMI — Although the Miami Heat never trailed Sunday night, they still are not happy — not by a long shot. They can’t be thrilled when their record, even with the win, is just 15-20. After a 7-2 start to the season, the Heat are 8-18 since. They can’t be pleased when their home record […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  15 Oct 2021
Jennings leads Pistons past Kings

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Brandon Jennings has looked like an entirely different player over the last 10 days. Not coincidentally, the Detroit Pistons look like an entirely different team. Jennings poured in a season-high 35 points and the Pistons collected their fifth straight victory by defeating the Sacramento Kings 114-95 on Sunday at The Palace. […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  15 Oct 2021
Lakers 88, Pacers 87

LOS ANGELES — Guard Kobe Bryant scored the game-winning basket with 12.4 seconds remaining, lifting the Los Angeles Lakers to an 88-87 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Sunday at Staples Center. Bryant finished with 20 points, six assists and six rebounds as the Lakers (11-23) ended a three-game losing streak. Guard Nick Young scored […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  15 Oct 2021
Surging Suns roll over tired Raptors

PHOENIX — The Toronto Raptors still have the second-best record in the Eastern Conference. But the Phoenix Suns are playing their best basketball of the season, and it was too much for a tired Toronto squad to deal with. Guards Eric Bledsoe, Goran Dragic and Isaiah Thomas combined for 56 points and 14 assists, and […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  15 Oct 2021
NBA game roundup: Mavs rout ailing Cavs

CLEVELAND — Guard Monta Ellis scored 20 points, and the Dallas Mavericks won their fifth straight, beating the Cleveland Cavaliers 109-90 Sunday to spoil forward Kevin Love’s best game with his new team. Love scored a season-high 30 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for the Cavaliers, who were again without forward LeBron James (back, knee) […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  15 Oct 2021
Perfect storm leads to North Carolina rout

CLEMSON, S.C. — North Carolina played its best game of the season. Clemson played its worst. That combination produced a resounding 74-50 North Carolina victory against Clemson Saturday night in the Atlantic Coast Conference opener for both teams at Littlejohn Coliseum. “I told (Clemson coach) Brad Brownell that was the best we’ve played this year,” […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  15 Oct 2021