Pacers find secret weapon vs. Heat

MIAMI—With a sly grin Tuesday morning, Indiana Pacers coach Frank Vogel admitted he had an “aha” moment watching video of Game 1 between his team and the Miami Heat. “I don’t want to elaborate on it, but I feel good about our game,” Vogel said. …

Pacers too much for Heat’s ‘two’

MIAMI — LeBron James and Dwyane Wade did almost everything for Miami — until the final minute. And that has the Heat facing their first big problem of the postseason. David West scored 16 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, and the Indiana Pacers took home-court …

Sports Illustrated calls Jabari Parker ‘best since LeBron’

If Simeon junior Jabari Parker wasn’t feeling the pressure of being the No. 1 basketball recruit in the country, he might now.

Chris Bosh injury forces Ronny Turiaf into action

MIAMI — When LeBron James and Dwyane Wade were busy recruiting Ronny Turiaf, they viewed it as an insurance policy of sorts for the Miami Heat. It might really start paying off now. Turiaf will see many more minutes now that All-Star forward Chris Bosh …

Thunder humbles Lakers in 29-point blowout

OKLAHOMA CITY — For the second time in less than a week, Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers must figure out how to fight back after a humbling loss. Bryant responded the first time by calling out his teammates for lackluster effort. It might …

Kyrie Irving wins NBA Rookie of the Year

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio — Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving is the NBA’s Rookie of the Year, winning the award with the same ease as he dribbled past defenders this season. Irving received 117 of 120 possible first-place votes from a nationwide media panel of 120 writers and …

With Chris Bosh out, Heat will adjust

MIAMI — Chris Bosh will be out indefinitely, so the Miami Heat have to adjust. So do the Indiana Pacers. An MRI on Monday confirmed Bosh strained a lower abdominal muscle in Miami’s Game 1 victory. The diagnosis is clear, but the prognosis is not, …

Clippers defeat Grizzlies to advance in NBA playoffs

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Chris Paul played with an aching right hip and Blake Griffin’s sprained left knee stiffened up during the game. If the Clippers were truly a two-man team, then they would have been in trouble facing elimination by the Memphis Grizzlies. Good thing …

LeBron James wins third NBA MVP award: AP source

MIAMI — Heat forward LeBron James is the NBA’s MVP for a third time, putting him alongside some of the game’s all-time greats.

A person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press that James will be announced Saturday as this year’s winner of the …

Nuggets make Lakers look sick, force Game 7

DENVER — Kobe Bryant spent all day under the weather and the way his teammates let him down made him feel even worse. The Los Angeles Lakers star scored 31 points despite a stomach ailment, but was upset with the performance of his supporting cast …

Nuggets’ Chris ‘Birdman’ Andersen investigated for child porn

DENVER — Denver Nuggets reserve center Chris “Birdman” Andersen was excused indefinitely from all team-related activities after sheriff’s deputies searched his home Thursday as part of an investigation by the department’s Internet Crimes Against Children unit. The team announced its decision shortly before the Nuggets …

James Harden wins NBA’s Sixth Man award

OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma City’s James Harden is the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year after leading all bench players in scoring this season. Harden averaged 16.8 points on career-best 49 percent shooting this season, and he recorded his first career 40-point game last month …

Nuggets’ Chris Andersen has home searched by Internet crime unit

DENVER — Denver Nuggets reserve center Chris “Birdman” Andersen has been excused indefinitely from all team-related activities after Douglas County sheriff’s deputies searched his home Thursday as part of an investigation by the department’s Internet Crimes Against Children unit. So, Andersen won’t be on the …

Patrick Ewing to interview for Bobcats job

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Patrick Ewing is one of several candidates the Charlotte Bobcats will interview for their head coaching vacancy and the Hall of Fame center will meet with team officials next week, said people familiar with the situation. The people spoke to The Associated …

Raja Bell is done with Jazz, coach Tyrone Corbin

SALT LAKE CITY — Guard Raja Bell says his career with the Utah Jazz is over, calling the damage “irreparable” and saying coach Tyrone Corbin was “unprofessional” because of a lack of communication. The 35-year-old Bell has one more year left on his contract but …