LOS ANGELES — No defender made James Harden work harder for his points in last season’s playoffs than Oklahoma City’s Luguentz Dort, a stocky, little-known player.

If the performance didn’t make Dort a household name, it made sure he was a fixture of every scouting report. He has been a pain for opposing stars ever since, and was on the...Read more

LOS ANGELES — Kentavious Caldwell-Pope heard the boos at the start of last season. So did his new coach, Frank Vogel.

For a month it was miserable, a shooter who didn’t make shots drawing the ire of the Lakers’ home fans brick after brick.

But on Thursday night in the Los Angeles Lakers’ 113-106 win at Milwaukee, here was the same ...Read more

Two late turnovers proved costly as the Orlando Magic missed a chance to win in regulation and wound up suffering a 120-118 overtime loss to the host Indiana Pacers on Friday night at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

Malcolm Brogdon sank a 3-pointer with 2.8 seconds left in overtime to put Indiana on top. Evan Fournier had a chance at a game-winning 3,...Read more

Here’s one thing we know about the Nets: They have three superstar offensive talents.

Here are three more important things to note: They struggle defensively, struggle on the boards, and struggle taking care of the ball.

It’s a recipe for disaster, as evidenced in the Nets’ 125-113 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday. Kevin Durant ...Read more

There was a 13-0 surge in the third quarter.

A rally to a 61-61 tie after an early 21-point deficit.

A zone defense that helped torment the Toronto Raptors into 22 turnovers.

But, in the end Friday night, as it seemingly has been all season for the Miami Heat, there was not enough, in what turned into a 101-81 loss at Amalie Arena in Tampa, ...Read more

PHILADELPHIA — For Seth Curry, this was the return game.

This was the 76ers shooting guard’s first contest since Jan. 6. In all, he was sidelined seven games. The last six due to the NBA’s COVID-19 health and safety protocols.

His time away sure didn’t hinder his shooting in the Sixers’ 122-110 victory over the Boston Celtics Friday ...Read more

MINNEAPOLIS — The Atlanta Hawks aren't the Lakers, Clippers, Bucks or any other team that is billed as a title contender this season.

They are a young team currently going through their own struggles in finding an identity, and still they made the Timberwolves look like they didn't belong on the same floor in a 116-98 demolition at Target ...Read more

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Charlotte Hornets did themselves in Friday, committing 20 turnovers in a 123-110 home loss to the Chicago Bulls.

Those 20 turnovers resulted in 26 Chicago points, as the Bulls controlled the game throughout the second half. The Hornets lost their fourth straight game, falling to 6-9. The Bulls improved to 7-8.

Gordon ...Read more

NEW YORK — If you ask Kyrie Irving, it didn’t happen overnight.

Yes, Irving hit the fading, side-step shot over Stephen Curry’s outstretched arms to dethrone the 73-9 Golden State Warriors and deliver the 2015-16 Cleveland Cavaliers their first NBA title in franchise history.

But that moment, he says, was years in the making, not just ...Read more

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Video clips of North Carolina freshman guard Caleb Love alone on the Dean E. Smith Center court after midnight shooting by himself spread through social media following a 2-for-10 shooting performance against Syracuse last week.

Along with comments that praised his dedication, came the sarcastic ones too. Remarks that “...Read more

LeBron James and the Lakers took their undefeated road record into Milwaukee to face one of the NBA’s better teams in the Bucks.

James’ 34 points, eight assists and six rebounds helped carry the Lakers past the Bucks 113-106 and pushed L.A.'s record to 7-0 on the road.

Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 25 points and 12 rebounds ...Read more