http://www.mail.com/subjects/3586-professional-basketball.html Mail.com - the best personalized free web-based Email en en http://sec-s.uicdn.com/mail.com/2.20/img/mailcom_logo_rss.png http://www.mail.com/subjects/3586-professional-basketball.html http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1766250-anthony-scores-30-knicks-beat-slumping-lakers.html NEW YORK (AP) — The pregame boos had barely finished, and Mike D'Antoni suddenly had much bigger problems. Carmelo Anthony had three 3-pointers in less than three minutes, and a look in his eye that he couldn't be stopped. "He has those games where he does that," D'Antoni said. "And when he does that, the Knicks are awfully tough to beat, obviously." ... Fri, 14 Dec 2012 08:17:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1766250-anthony-scores-30-knicks-beat-slumping-lakers.html 2012-12-14T08:17:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1765916-anthony-scores-30-knicks-beat-slumping-lakers.html NEW YORK (AP) — Sensing a fellow shooter had become gun shy, Kobe Bryant had a message for Carmelo Anthony last summer. Ignore the critics, he said. Stop worrying about fitting in and get back to a scorer's mentality. "You have to do what you do best," Bryant told him. That's what Anthony did in a spectacular first quarter Thursday night, and by the time ... Fri, 14 Dec 2012 04:28:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1765916-anthony-scores-30-knicks-beat-slumping-lakers.html 2012-12-14T04:28:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1764928-dantoni-hopes-lakers-start-playing-knicks.html NEW YORK (AP) — Mike D'Antoni never built the team he wanted in New York. Now he looks at the Knicks and sees what he would like his Lakers to become. D'Antoni returns to Madison Square Garden on Thursday for the first time since resigning as Knicks coach last March, hoping to see the type of performance his new team hasn't demonstrated nearly enough. ... Thu, 13 Dec 2012 19:59:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1764928-dantoni-hopes-lakers-start-playing-knicks.html 2012-12-13T19:59:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1763378-maya-moore-leaving-mark-chinese-basketball.html Maya Moore has excelled everywhere she's played, winning championships from college to the WNBA and Europe. Now she's leaving her mark on the Chinese women's basketball league. Averaging 45 points a game for the Shanxi Flame, Moore has helped bring new fans to the women's game in a basketball crazed nation. "They show maybe five NBA games a week here," Mo... Thu, 13 Dec 2012 17:38:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1763378-maya-moore-leaving-mark-chinese-basketball.html 2012-12-13T17:38:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1762462-column-1-athlete-year-2012-messi.html PARIS (AP) — 'Tis the season for making merry and for choosing our top sports men and women of the year, two distinctly separate annual rituals that in fact dovetail neatly, because part of the joy and merriment of following sports is debating who is best at them. This being an Olympic year, we were spoiled for choice in 2012. Oscar Pistorius is a temptin... Wed, 12 Dec 2012 21:03:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1762462-column-1-athlete-year-2012-messi.html 2012-12-12T21:03:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1762232-love-hes-happy-with-t-wolves-direction.html MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Kevin Love didn't apologize. He didn't make excuses or suggest his words were taken out of context. What the Minnesota Timberwolves power forward did do on Wednesday in the wake of some harsh words toward the organization was offer some balance to the idea of him as another unhappy star in a small market seemingly destined to move on to... Wed, 12 Dec 2012 19:44:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1762232-love-hes-happy-with-t-wolves-direction.html 2012-12-12T19:44:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1760238-griffin-leads-streaking-clippers-bulls-94-89.html CHICAGO (AP) — Chris Paul liked the way the Los Angeles Clippers grinded out an ugly win when they were challenged. Blake Griffin had 22 points and 10 rebounds to help Los Angeles beat the Chicago Bulls 94-89 on Tuesday night for its seventh straight victory, the team's longest winning streak in two decades. Marco Belinelli hit a 3-pointer with less than ... Wed, 12 Dec 2012 05:56:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1760238-griffin-leads-streaking-clippers-bulls-94-89.html 2012-12-12T05:56:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1759920-magic-johnson-lakers-play-inside-game.html LOS ANGELES (AP) — Magic Johnson questioned new coach Mike D'Antoni's system with the slumping Los Angeles Lakers, saying "it doesn't fit the talent the Lakers have." The Lakers (9-12) fell to 4-8 in the 12 games since D'Antoni took over from the fired Mike Brown with a 100-94 loss to the Cavaliers on Tuesday night in Cleveland. "I'm not down on him yet a... Wed, 12 Dec 2012 04:10:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1759920-magic-johnson-lakers-play-inside-game.html 2012-12-12T04:10:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1760066-anthony-scores-45-knicks-rally-to-beat-nets.html NEW YORK (AP) — Now, this Knicks-Nets rivalry is really on. If it hadn't started when the Nets left New Jersey and set up shop in the Knicks' city, it surely arrived when Jason Kidd delivered the tiebreaking 3-pointer Tuesday night, making himself an enemy of his former franchise. "I hate him," Nets guard Deron Williams said. Williams ... Wed, 12 Dec 2012 03:41:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1760066-anthony-scores-45-knicks-rally-to-beat-nets.html 2012-12-12T03:41:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1760036-irving-cavs-deal-lakers-loss-100-94.html CLEVELAND (AP) — There had to be a low point. The Los Angeles Lakers can only hope they've reached it. This chaotic season has gotten worse. Kyrie Irving scored 28 points in his return after missing 11 games with a broken finger, leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 100-94 win over Kobe Bryant and the Lakers, who look nothing like a team projected to win ... Wed, 12 Dec 2012 03:16:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1760036-irving-cavs-deal-lakers-loss-100-94.html 2012-12-12T03:16:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1757284-with-big-night-james-heat-top-hawks-101-92.html MIAMI (AP) — LeBron James leaped as high as he can soar. Dwyane Wade shot better than he ever has before. And when the Miami Heat stars are on their games like that ... "We probably won't lose," James said. Such was the case Monday night. James scored 27 points, Wade had 26 and the Heat pulled away in the second half to beat the Atlanta Hawks 101-92, impr... Tue, 11 Dec 2012 03:08:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1757284-with-big-night-james-heat-top-hawks-101-92.html 2012-12-11T03:08:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1753686-mayo-40-mavs-win-mchales-return.html HOUSTON (AP) — Chris Kaman scored half as many points as O.J. Mayo for the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday night. Considering the way Kaman's left ankle looked, those 20 points were just as impressive to coach Rick Carlisle. Mayo tied a career high with 40 points, including 10 in the last three minutes, to lift the Mavericks to a 116-109 victory over the Roc... Sun, 09 Dec 2012 03:59:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1753686-mayo-40-mavs-win-mchales-return.html 2012-12-09T03:59:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1752474-thunder-hold-lakers-late-charge-win-114-108.html OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — In a reversal of roles, Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers know they're the predators trying to track down Kevin Durant's Oklahoma City Thunder. They have some work to do. Durant had 36 points, Russell Westbrook scored 27 of his 33 in the first half to stake Oklahoma City to a commanding lead and the Thunder beat the short-handed ... Sat, 08 Dec 2012 05:48:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1752474-thunder-hold-lakers-late-charge-win-114-108.html 2012-12-08T05:48:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1752438-gay-leads-grizzlies-hornets-96-89.html NEW ORLEANS (AP) — As animated as Quincy Pondexter was on a night when he couldn't miss, it looked as though he wanted the team that traded him away to notice how well he's doing these days. Pondexter denied it, to which teammate Rudy Gay said, "I don't believe him at all." Gay tied a season-high with 28 points, Pondexter matched his season-high with 16, ... Sat, 08 Dec 2012 03:46:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1752438-gay-leads-grizzlies-hornets-96-89.html 2012-12-08T03:46:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1752390-turner-hits-winner-ot-76ers-top-celtics-95-94.html PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Evan Turner forgot about the missed shots and craved another chance. His short memory proved useful in the clutch for the 76ers. Turner drove past Courtney Lee and tossed up an off-balance, right-handed shot for the winner with 3.9 seconds left to lead Philadelphia to a 95-94 overtime win against the Boston Celtics on Friday night. ... Sat, 08 Dec 2012 03:26:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1752390-turner-hits-winner-ot-76ers-top-celtics-95-94.html 2012-12-08T03:26:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1752356-miller-leads-nuggets-pacers-92-89.html INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Denver's Andre Miller brought back a blast from the past Friday night. The 36-year-old backup guard scored eight of his 15 points during a 10-0 run in the final three minutes, leading the Nuggets past the Indiana Pacers 92-89. Miller had a hand in all of the points, also getting an assist on JaVale McGee's dunk during the decisive spur... Sat, 08 Dec 2012 01:55:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1752356-miller-leads-nuggets-pacers-92-89.html 2012-12-08T01:55:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1752080-rubio-big-expectations-await-return.html MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Wait 'till Ricky comes back. It seems like that's been the hopeful mantra for the Minnesota Timberwolves all season long. Guards getting torched by opposing backcourts? Wait 'till Ricky comes back. Nikola Pekovic not getting the same clean looks in the paint he did last year? Wait 'till Ricky comes back. ... Fri, 07 Dec 2012 22:27:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1752080-rubio-big-expectations-await-return.html 2012-12-07T22:27:00Z http://www.mail.com/entertainment/lifestyle/1751536-nbas-stern-scolds-christie-sports-bet-effort.html NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — NBA Commissioner David Stern scolded Gov. Christie and said New Jersey "has no idea what it's doing" by seeking to allow sports betting in the state in a deposition published Friday in the ongoing legal battle between the governor, the four major professional sports leagues and the NCAA. Stern and the heads of Major League Baseball, th... Fri, 07 Dec 2012 20:54:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/entertainment/lifestyle/1751536-nbas-stern-scolds-christie-sports-bet-effort.html 2012-12-07T20:54:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1751610-pau-gasol-expected-to-lakers-game-thunder.html OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Los Angeles Lakers forward Pau Gasol is expected to miss his third straight game with tendinitis in his knees. Coach Mike D'Antoni said at the Lakers' shootaround that he hadn't received an official update from team doctors, but he took that to mean that Gasol is "not ready yet" for Friday night's game at Oklahoma City. D'Antoni says ... Fri, 07 Dec 2012 19:00:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1751610-pau-gasol-expected-to-lakers-game-thunder.html 2012-12-07T19:00:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1750196-mayos-23-lead-mavericks-skidding-suns-97-94.html PHOENIX (AP) — Fans were guaranteed a good time or their money back at the Phoenix Suns' game against Dallas. They were not guaranteed a victory, and they didn't get one — just another failed Phoenix comeback. A tough, fall-away 21-footer by O.J. Mayo proved to be the difference as the Mavericks handed the Suns their fifth loss in a row, 97-94 on Thursday... Fri, 07 Dec 2012 06:48:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1750196-mayos-23-lead-mavericks-skidding-suns-97-94.html 2012-12-07T06:48:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1749996-without-melo-knicks-top-heat-112-92.html MIAMI (AP) — Another Knicks-Heat game, another 20-point Knicks win. And if that isn't surprising enough, this one happened with Carmelo Anthony on the sideline. Raymond Felton scored a season-high 27 points, and the Knicks connected on 18 3-pointers to more than offset the absence of Anthony while dominating Miami for the second time this season, beating ... Fri, 07 Dec 2012 04:08:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1749996-without-melo-knicks-top-heat-112-92.html 2012-12-07T04:08:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1747088-bryant-eclipses-30000-lakers-beat-hornets-103-87.html NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Kobe Bryant grinned and uttered the word "irony" as he considered the fact that the team that drafted him nearly 17 years ago was his opponent on the night he eclipsed a scoring milestone to join an exclusive club of NBA greats. It's easy to forget that it was the Hornets who drafted and then traded Bryant away back in 1996. In the year... Thu, 06 Dec 2012 08:52:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1747088-bryant-eclipses-30000-lakers-beat-hornets-103-87.html 2012-12-06T08:52:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1747038-stern-spurs-rested-too-players-too-early.html NEW ORLEANS (AP) — NBA Commissioner David Stern said Wednesday his $250,000 fine of the San Antonio Spurs was justified because the club went beyond what league owners agreed was a reasonable approach to resting healthy players. Stern said coaches should have the authority to rest players at the end of the season, but that teams should not rest four start... Thu, 06 Dec 2012 02:08:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1747038-stern-spurs-rested-too-players-too-early.html 2012-12-06T02:08:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1747016-bryant-youngest-to-reach-30000-points.html NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Kobe Bryant has become the youngest player in NBA history to eclipse 30,000 career points and only the fifth overall to hit that mark. Bryant entered the elite scoring club during the first half of the Los Angeles Lakers' game against the New Orleans Hornets. He arrived in New Orleans 13 points short, and scored his 13th and 14th points... Thu, 06 Dec 2012 01:13:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1747016-bryant-youngest-to-reach-30000-points.html 2012-12-06T01:13:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1744124-wizards-stun-heat-105-101-2nd-win-season.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Before his NBA-worst, one-win Washington Wizards took on LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and the reigning NBA champion Miami Heat, coach Randy Wittman gathered his team for a heart-to-heart. "I told the guys ... 'The only people that think you have a chance tonight are the people here in this room,'" Wittman recounted. The prevaili... Wed, 05 Dec 2012 07:30:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1744124-wizards-stun-heat-105-101-2nd-win-season.html 2012-12-05T07:30:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1743714-wizards-beat-heat-105-101-2nd-win-season.html WASHINGTON (AP) — His feet soaking in a tub of ice, his eyes scanning a box score, LeBron James chuckled a bit at the notion that his Miami Heat might learn something from a surprising setback against the Washington Wizards. "Nah, man, there's not no lesson. This ain't a lesson for us. We just lost," James explained. "We've seen and been through everythin... Wed, 05 Dec 2012 03:13:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1743714-wizards-beat-heat-105-101-2nd-win-season.html 2012-12-05T03:13:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1739604-lebron-james-chosen-sis-sportsman-year.html MIAMI (AP) — When LeBron James learned he was Sports Illustrated's Sportsman of the Year, the Miami Heat star was surprised. Not because he thought his achievements in 2012 weren't worthy, but because he figured what happened in 2010 was still holding him back. Apparently, that's no longer the case. The magazine announced its annual choice Monday, with Ja... Mon, 03 Dec 2012 14:22:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1739604-lebron-james-chosen-sis-sportsman-year.html 2012-12-03T14:22:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1739094-hockey-talks-resume-tuesday-with-owners-players.html NEW YORK (AP) — The cast of characters in the ongoing NHL labor saga is about to get a bit of a makeover, at least for one day. So far, Commissioner Gary Bettman and the league's negotiating committee have failed to hammer out a new collective bargaining agreement with the players' association — led by executive director Donald Fehr — that would end the l... Mon, 03 Dec 2012 08:33:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1739094-hockey-talks-resume-tuesday-with-owners-players.html 2012-12-03T08:33:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/hockey/1738684-nhl-owners-players-set-to-meet-without-leaders.html NEW YORK (AP) — Traditional labor talks have made little progress in the ongoing NHL lockout, so the league and the players' association are going to try something different in an attempt to save the season that is slipping away. A crew of six owners will meet with a handful of players on Tuesday in New York — one day before the league's board of governor... Sun, 02 Dec 2012 23:32:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/hockey/1738684-nhl-owners-players-set-to-meet-without-leaders.html 2012-12-02T23:32:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1738280-rasheed-draws-1st-ejection-return-to-nba.html NEW YORK (AP) — Rasheed Wallace picked up two technical fouls and was ejected for the first time since returning to the NBA in the first quarter of the Knicks' victory over Phoenix on Sunday. Wallace played only 1:25 off the bench before getting upset after fouling Luis Scola. He was called for a first technical for hitting Scola across the arm after the ... Sun, 02 Dec 2012 20:57:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1738280-rasheed-draws-1st-ejection-return-to-nba.html 2012-12-02T20:57:00Z