http://www.mail.com/organizations/3560-nba-northwest-division.html Mail.com - the best personalized free web-based Email en en http://sec-s.uicdn.com/mail.com/2.28/img/mailcom_logo_rss.png http://www.mail.com/organizations/3560-nba-northwest-division.html http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2101520-thunder-star-kevin-durant-1m-tornado-pledge.html MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Oklahoma City isn't just a place where Thunder star Kevin Durant lives these days. It's home. So as he watched the horrifying images Monday as a tornado ripped through suburban Moore, the emotions came bubbling to the surface and so did the need to help. Durant pledged $1 million for tornado relief through his foundation on Tuesday, eag... Tue, 21 May 2013 23:26:33 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2101520-thunder-star-kevin-durant-1m-tornado-pledge.html 2013-05-21T23:26:33Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2089536-grizzlies-uncertain-future-to-west-finals.html OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Midway through the season, the Memphis Grizzlies came through Oklahoma City and left with questions swirling about the franchise's future after leading scorer Rudy Gay was traded away in the club's second big deal in just over a week. Months later, the Grizzlies left town with a far different feeling. Memphis is headed to the Western ... Thu, 16 May 2013 07:19:08 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2089536-grizzlies-uncertain-future-to-west-finals.html 2013-05-16T07:19:08Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2089318-grizzlies-edge-thunder-88-84-reach-1st-west-final.html OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — With their trademark grit-and-grind mentality, the Memphis Grizzlies are making history for a franchise with little prior postseason success. Zach Randolph had 28 points and 14 rebounds, Mike Conley added 13 points and 11 assists and the fifth-seeded Grizzlies advanced to the Western Conference finals for the first time in franchise h... Thu, 16 May 2013 05:48:09 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2089318-grizzlies-edge-thunder-88-84-reach-1st-west-final.html 2013-05-16T05:48:09Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2085906-kevin-durant-thunder-risk-elimination.html OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The Memphis Grizzlies are showing a knack for closing out tight games against the Oklahoma City Thunder. All that's left to prove is whether they can finish off a playoff series that's been nip and tuck throughout and move on to the Western Conference finals for the first time in franchise history. In each of the first three games of ... Tue, 14 May 2013 21:52:32 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2085906-kevin-durant-thunder-risk-elimination.html 2013-05-14T21:52:32Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2083490-grizzlies-beat-thunder-ot-3-1-series-lead.html MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Lionel Hollins demands a certain standard from his Grizzlies that he didn't get in the first half against Oklahoma City. Well, they came through after halftime, and now the Grizzlies are just a win away from this franchise's first Western Conference final. Mike Conley scored 24 points, while Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol each had a do... Tue, 14 May 2013 07:28:50 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2083490-grizzlies-beat-thunder-ot-3-1-series-lead.html 2013-05-14T07:28:50Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2079572-grizzlies-take-2-1-lead-beating-thunder-87-81.html MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — The Memphis Grizzlies call it grit and grind, and it got them through another ugly game. Marc Gasol scored 20 points and hit two free throws with 1:03 left to put Memphis ahead to stay, and the Grizzlies held off Oklahoma City 87-81 Saturday to take a 2-1 lead in this Western Conference semifinal. Gasol scored 16 ... Sun, 12 May 2013 01:51:15 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2079572-grizzlies-take-2-1-lead-beating-thunder-87-81.html 2013-05-12T01:51:15Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2075278-parity-abounds-nba-conference-semifinals.html Parity has struck the NBA playoffs, where the conference semifinals are all fit to be tied. The four current series are all knotted at one game apiece — the first time that's happened in the second round of the NBA playoffs since the league went to its current format more than a quarter-century ago. For favorites like Miami, New York, San Antonio and Okla... Fri, 10 May 2013 03:16:16 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2075278-parity-abounds-nba-conference-semifinals.html 2013-05-10T03:16:16Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2074520-nuggets-ujiri-named-nbas-top-executive.html DENVER (AP) — Even as Masai Ujiri accepted the NBA's executive of the year trophy from club President Josh Kroenke on Thursday, the Denver Nuggets general manager said he would have given it up gladly in exchange for a deep playoff run. "It's a little bittersweet for me," Ujiri said at a news conference a day after the Nuggets' George Karl took the trophy... Thu, 09 May 2013 19:42:07 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2074520-nuggets-ujiri-named-nbas-top-executive.html 2013-05-09T19:42:07Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2071274-denvers-karl-earns-coach-year-honors.html DENVER (AP) — George Karl led the Denver Nuggets to a team-record 57 wins without a big name on his roster. For that endeavor, Karl earned the NBA's Coach of the Year on Wednesday. He received 62 first-place votes, followed by Erik Spoelstra of the Miami Heat with 24 votes from a panel of sports writers and broadcasters. New York's Mike Woodson finished t... Wed, 08 May 2013 15:42:48 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2071274-denvers-karl-earns-coach-year-honors.html 2013-05-08T15:42:48Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2070678-allens-defense-key-grizzlies-top-thunder-99-93.html OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Tony Allen thought it might have been out of desperation that he ended up guarding Kevin Durant in crunch time. Whatever it was, it worked out perfectly for the Memphis Grizzlies. Mike Conley scored 26 points and fueled a late Memphis run while Allen was harassing Durant, and the Grizzlies beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 99-93 on Tuesd... Wed, 08 May 2013 08:12:57 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2070678-allens-defense-key-grizzlies-top-thunder-99-93.html 2013-05-08T08:12:57Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2070358-grizzlies-drop-thunder-99-93-series-1-1.html OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The Memphis Grizzlies wouldn't let Kevin Durant come through in the clutch for the second straight time. This was Mike Conley's time to shine. Conley scored 26 points and fueled a late Memphis run as the Grizzlies beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 99-93 on Tuesday night to tie the series at one and gain home-court advantage in the Wester... Wed, 08 May 2013 06:03:46 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2070358-grizzlies-drop-thunder-99-93-series-1-1.html 2013-05-08T06:03:46Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2067164-kevin-durant-coming-through-closer.html OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Pondering Kevin Durant's latest big-time shot on the playoff stage, Lionel Hollins started listing a who's who of NBA greats from days gone by: Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Isiah Thomas, Sam Jones, John Havlicek, George Mikan, Bob Pettit. What do they all have in common? "If you just go through the history, all the great... Mon, 06 May 2013 22:10:59 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2067164-kevin-durant-coming-through-closer.html 2013-05-06T22:10:59Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2065518-thunder-strike-first-take-1-0-lead-grizzlies.html OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Kevin Durant was in just the right spot and, once he had the ball, knew exactly what to do with it. Derek Fisher poked the ball away from Memphis' Mike Conley and it squirted right to Durant standing under his own basket. The three-time NBA scoring champion raced into the open court, pulled up and connected on a jumper with 11.1 secon... Mon, 06 May 2013 07:13:06 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2065518-thunder-strike-first-take-1-0-lead-grizzlies.html 2013-05-06T07:13:06Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2064656-durant-thunder-edge-grizzlies-93-91-game-1.html OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Derek Fisher turned a tough situation for the Oklahoma City Thunder into the worst-case scenario for the Grizzlies. With the Thunder down by one in the final minute, Fisher poked the ball away from Memphis' Mike Conley, springing three-time NBA scoring champion Kevin Durant into the open court with a chance to put Oklahoma City on top... Mon, 06 May 2013 00:23:01 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2064656-durant-thunder-edge-grizzlies-93-91-game-1.html 2013-05-06T00:23:01Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2062392-thunder-beat-rockets-103-94-to-advance.html HOUSTON (AP) — The Oklahoma City Thunder were unhappy about coming back to Houston for Game 6. They left town in a much better mood. Kevin Durant scored 27 points and Kevin Martin added 25 to lead the Thunder to a 103-94 victory over the Rockets on Friday night, sending Oklahoma City to the second round of the playoffs for the third straight season. ... Sat, 04 May 2013 07:43:01 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2062392-thunder-beat-rockets-103-94-to-advance.html 2013-05-04T07:43:01Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2061104-flip-saunders-returning-to-timberwolves.html MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor sat before a throng of media, swallowed hard and said what many in and around the organization had been thinking for about nine years. It was a mistake for him to sign off on the decision to fire Flip Saunders as coach back in 2005, less than a year after Saunders led the team to the Western Conf... Fri, 03 May 2013 20:25:14 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2061104-flip-saunders-returning-to-timberwolves.html 2013-05-03T20:25:14Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2060378-warriors-relent-series-win-denver.html OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — The Golden State Warriors never relented. They didn't back down when Andrew Bogut sat out rehabilitating his left ankle. They didn't buckle when they lost Game 1 at Denver. And they didn't quit when All-Star forward David Lee tore his right hip flexor in that playoff opener — and neither did Lee, for the matter. For only the second ... Fri, 03 May 2013 07:51:19 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2060378-warriors-relent-series-win-denver.html 2013-05-03T07:51:19Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2060160-warriors-eliminate-denver-with-92-88-win-game-6.html OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Draymond Green threw his arms in the air and ran to Golden State Warriors coach Mark Jackson for an emotional hug. Jarrett Jack squatted down, put his right hand on his head and closed his eyes. Stephen Curry wanted to see it all — teammates parading around the court, gold confetti in the air, smiles all around the announced sellout crowd of 19,596. ... Fri, 03 May 2013 06:38:53 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2060160-warriors-eliminate-denver-with-92-88-win-game-6.html 2013-05-03T06:38:53Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2059756-warriors-coach-mark-jackson-fined-25000-nba.html OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — The NBA fined Golden State coach Mark Jackson $25,000 on Thursday for making public comments in an attempt to influence the officiating in the Warriors' playoff series with Denver. After Golden State's 107-100 loss in Game 5 at Denver on Tuesday night, Jackson said the Nuggets sent "hit men" and took "cheap shots" at point guard Ste... Fri, 03 May 2013 01:43:23 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2059756-warriors-coach-mark-jackson-fined-25000-nba.html 2013-05-03T01:43:23Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2059294-ap-sources-kahn-wolves-president-flip.html MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Goodbye, David Kahn. Hello, Flip Saunders. Again. The Minnesota Timberwolves announced Thursday that owner Glen Taylor will not to pick up the option for next season on Kahn's contract. Three people with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press that Taylor has agreed on a deal to hire Saunders as Kahn's replacement. The peop... Fri, 03 May 2013 01:13:52 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2059294-ap-sources-kahn-wolves-president-flip.html 2013-05-03T01:13:52Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2057922-durant-thunder-struggling-to-close-rockets.html OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Without All-Star Russell Westbrook running the point, Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder are struggling to close out the Houston Rockets. So much for a sweep. This is suddenly a series. James Harden scored 31 points and sank seven 3-pointers while fighting flu-like symptoms, and the Rockets beat Oklahoma City 107-100 Wednesday... Thu, 02 May 2013 07:32:49 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2057922-durant-thunder-struggling-to-close-rockets.html 2013-05-02T07:32:49Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2057742-harden-powers-illness-lifts-rockets-107-100.html OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — James Harden lacked the energy to get through a morning shoot-around. Then he found the strength to fill the Houston Rockets with life in a playoff series that had started to look hopeless. Harden scored 31 points and sank seven 3-pointers while fighting flu-like symptoms, and the Rockets beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 107-100 Wednesd... Thu, 02 May 2013 05:38:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2057742-harden-powers-illness-lifts-rockets-107-100.html 2013-05-02T05:38:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2057470-damian-lillard-nba-rookie-year.html PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — It's unanimous: Damian Lillard is the NBA's Rookie of the Year. No, it never was in question. Lillard, the sixth overall pick in last June's draft out of Weber State, led all rookies with a 19-point scoring average. He also averaged 6.1 assists and 3.1 rebounds, playing in all 82 games this season. Thu, 02 May 2013 01:30:31 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2057470-damian-lillard-nba-rookie-year.html 2013-05-02T01:30:31Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2055482-faried-leads-denver-warriors-107-100.html DENVER (AP) — Kenneth Faried would like to punch a hole in Mark Jackson's theory that he's a dirty player who tried to hurt Stephen Curry. "We were just playing physical," Faried said after setting the tone in Denver's 107-100 win over Golden State that sent the series back to Oakland for Game 6. "They say we were playing dirty, but we were just playing p... Wed, 01 May 2013 07:49:16 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2055482-faried-leads-denver-warriors-107-100.html 2013-05-01T07:49:16Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2055092-faried-leads-nuggets-warriors-107-100.html DENVER (AP) — Kenneth Faried put his foot down 48 hours after putting his size-16 sneaker through the wall in the visiting locker room in Oakland, sparking a debate about dirty play. The fiery forward energized the Denver Nuggets, who rediscovered their toughness in time to stave off elimination Tuesday night with a 107-100 win over the Golden State Warri... Wed, 01 May 2013 04:25:33 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2055092-faried-leads-nuggets-warriors-107-100.html 2013-05-01T04:25:33Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2054700-rockets-heat-up-3-force-game-5-vs-thunder.html OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The Houston Rockets are heating up from 3-point range, just in time to avoid playoff elimination and create some drama in their first-round series against the Oklahoma City Thunder. After setting a franchise record for 3s in the regular season, Houston has steadily improved its accuracy over the course of the series against Oklahoma C... Tue, 30 Apr 2013 21:23:30 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2054700-rockets-heat-up-3-force-game-5-vs-thunder.html 2013-04-30T21:23:30Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2052914-hansen-no-plans-to-up-fight-kings.html The recommendation has been made, the vote is set and the Sacramento Kings seem all but assured of staying in California's capital city. Or are they? In yet another twist to this unprecedented fight between two West Coast cities, investor Chris Hansen has vowed to "move forward with the transaction" he has with the Maloof family to buy the Kings and move ... Tue, 30 Apr 2013 07:36:33 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2052914-hansen-no-plans-to-up-fight-kings.html 2013-04-30T07:36:33Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2052916-rockets-extend-series-with-game-4-win-thunder.html HOUSTON (AP) — The Houston Rockets know the odds are stacked against them in their playoff series with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Still, they believe momentum is on their side. Chandler Parsons scored 27 points and the Rockets escaped playoff elimination with a 105-103 win over the Thunder on Monday night in Game 4. With point guard Jeremy Lin out with a ... Tue, 30 Apr 2013 07:35:29 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2052916-rockets-extend-series-with-game-4-win-thunder.html 2013-04-30T07:35:29Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2052742-rockets-survive-with-105-103-win-okc.html HOUSTON (AP) — The Houston Rockets finally found a way to close out a game in their playoff series with the Oklahoma City Thunder. And it allowed them to escape playoff elimination with a 105-103 win over the Thunder on Monday night. Chandler Parsons scored 27 points and Patrick Beverley added 16 points with point guard Jeremy Lin out with a bruised chest... Tue, 30 Apr 2013 05:38:52 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2052742-rockets-survive-with-105-103-win-okc.html 2013-04-30T05:38:52Z