http://www.mail.com/subjects/3786-nba-playoffs.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/subjects/3786-nba-playoffs.html http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2109702-east-title-series-shifts-to-indy-knotted-1-1.html MIAMI (AP) — Chris Bosh stood up in a relatively quiet Miami Heat locker room and offered a concise, blunt and accurate assessment of where things stand so far in the Eastern Conference finals. "Our backs are against the wall," Bosh said. He's absolutely correct. Advantage, Indiana. Over the first two games of these Eastern Conference finals in Miami, it ... Sat, 25 May 2013 14:59:37 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2109702-east-title-series-shifts-to-indy-knotted-1-1.html 2013-05-25T14:59:37Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2109206-pacers-steal-game-2-heat-miami-97-93.html MIAMI (AP) — David West was more than a little disappointed when the Indiana Pacers failed to make a defensive play at the end to win Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals. So in Game 2, he made those plays himself. Twice, in fact. And he victimized the game's best player to make them happen. LeBron James had two turnovers in the last minute — both when... Sat, 25 May 2013 07:21:39 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2109206-pacers-steal-game-2-heat-miami-97-93.html 2013-05-25T07:21:39Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2109148-pacers-steal-game-2-heat-97-93.html MIAMI (AP) — David West punched two passes from LeBron James away in the final minute, then punched the air. He had plenty of reason to celebrate. The Eastern Conference finals are tied, and home-court advantage now belongs to West and the Indiana Pacers. Roy Hibbert scored a postseason career-high 29 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, West broke up two pass... Sat, 25 May 2013 04:28:34 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2109148-pacers-steal-game-2-heat-97-93.html 2013-05-25T04:28:34Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2108800-grizzlies-memphis-ready-to-believe-vs-spurs.html MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — The towels are showing up all around Memphis. They hang over neighborhood signs and even at a door to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. The sentiment? Believe Memphis. The Grizzlies certainly do. Yes, they are down 0-2 to San Antonio in their first Western Conference final, but they take heart in knowing they dug themselves out ... Fri, 24 May 2013 21:33:51 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2108800-grizzlies-memphis-ready-to-believe-vs-spurs.html 2013-05-24T21:33:51Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2106534-heat-pacers-game-2-better.html MIAMI (AP) — Losing a game at the final buzzer, no less than a playoff game on the road against the reigning NBA champion Miami Heat, would seem to have potential to demoralize the Indiana Pacers. Or not. "Our belief," Pacers coach Frank Vogel said Thursday, "has strengthened." Barely 12 hours after LeBron James scored on a drive as time expired in overti... Thu, 23 May 2013 21:21:40 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2106534-heat-pacers-game-2-better.html 2013-05-23T21:21:40Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2102216-spurs-ease-up-despite-2-0-lead-grizzlies.html SAN ANTONIO (AP) — If the Western Conference finals seem the slightest bit over after two San Antonio wins, hold that thought for a minute. The Spurs have been here before and don't feel at all comfortable with a 2-0 lead. And if there's any team that's not fazed by such a hole, it's the Memphis Grizzlies. With the series shifting to Tennessee for Game 3 ... Wed, 22 May 2013 07:30:01 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2102216-spurs-ease-up-despite-2-0-lead-grizzlies.html 2013-05-22T07:30:01Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2101798-spurs-blow-late-lead-beat-grizzlies-93-89-ot.html SAN ANTONIO (AP) — When Tony Parker started running low on masterful plays, Tim Duncan was there to take over and lead the San Antonio Spurs to a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference finals. Parker had 15 points and a career playoff-high 18 assists, Duncan scored San Antonio's first six points of overtime and the Spurs bounced back after squandering a 13-po... Wed, 22 May 2013 05:13:30 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2101798-spurs-blow-late-lead-beat-grizzlies-93-89-ot.html 2013-05-22T05:13:30Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2101296-clippers-wont-offer-del-negro-deal-coach.html LOS ANGELES (AP) — Vinny Del Negro is out as coach of the Los Angeles Clippers after a season in which the team won its first division title but lost in the first round of the playoffs. The team said Tuesday he won't be offered a contract when his current one expires at the end of June. He is just the second coach to leave the team with a winning record, ... Tue, 21 May 2013 21:42:44 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2101296-clippers-wont-offer-del-negro-deal-coach.html 2013-05-21T21:42:44Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2101228-experienced-heat-upstart-pacers-ready-to.html MIAMI (AP) — Dwyane Wade's rookie season ended with a playoff loss to the Indiana Pacers. The next year, the Miami Heat were headed to the Eastern Conference finals and certain that an NBA championship was in their sights. That's when Wade learned a valuable lesson: Never take playoff chances for granted. Wade hurt his rib cage on a simple crossover dribb... Tue, 21 May 2013 20:32:03 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2101228-experienced-heat-upstart-pacers-ready-to.html 2013-05-21T20:32:03Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2098710-bosh-aiming-to-impactful-pacers.html MIAMI (AP) — This is the matchup Chris Bosh wanted in the Eastern Conference finals. No, he might not necessarily enjoy going head-to-head with 7-foot-2 Roy Hibbert when the Miami Heat open this series against the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night, especially since the Pacers' biggest man is arguably enjoying the best postseason run of his career to date.... Mon, 20 May 2013 21:31:12 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2098710-bosh-aiming-to-impactful-pacers.html 2013-05-20T21:31:12Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2097314-spurs-hot-randolph-cold-west-finals.html SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Mike Conley wouldn't let Zach Randolph take the blame for the Memphis Grizzlies' blowout loss in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals. No one on either team expects him to play so poorly the rest of the series. Tony Parker had 20 points and nine assists, Kawhi Leonard scored 18 points and the Spurs neutralized Randolph in beating the... Mon, 20 May 2013 07:11:49 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2097314-spurs-hot-randolph-cold-west-finals.html 2013-05-20T07:11:49Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2096766-spurs-rout-grizzlies-105-83-west-finals-opener.html SAN ANTONIO (AP) — The San Antonio Spurs opened the Western Conference finals resembling the past champions who've been there so many times before. The Memphis Grizzlies looked like the first-timers still trying to adapt to their first conference finals appearance. Tony Parker had 20 points and nine assists, Kawhi Leonard scored 18 points and the Spurs st... Sun, 19 May 2013 23:22:48 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2096766-spurs-rout-grizzlies-105-83-west-finals-opener.html 2013-05-19T23:22:48Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2095774-pacers-knock-knicks-with-106-99-win-game-6.html INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana spent the entire season perfecting its defense. On Saturday, it produced the biggest payoff for the Pacers in nearly a decade. Roy Hibbert's block of Carmelo Anthony's dunk attempt midway through the fourth quarter spurred an 11-2 run that rallied the Pacers to a 106-99 victory in Game 6 of their second-round series, sending th... Sun, 19 May 2013 04:26:09 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2095774-pacers-knock-knicks-with-106-99-win-game-6.html 2013-05-19T04:26:09Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2093970-unlikely-big-3-memphis-1st-western-finals.html MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — The Miami Heat have LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. The Spurs have dominated for years with the trio of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili. Now the Memphis Grizzlies, who traded their leading scorer in January, have surged into their first Western Conference finals behind an unlikely Big Three of their own. Marc Gaso... Fri, 17 May 2013 21:31:16 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2093970-unlikely-big-3-memphis-1st-western-finals.html 2013-05-17T21:31:16Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2092244-anthony-28-knicks-beat-pacers-to-stay-alive.html NEW YORK (AP) — Carmelo Anthony made two jumpers to open the game, knowing it wouldn't stay that easy. The defenses in this series are too good, so the difference is something else. "It's just a matter of who wants it more," Anthony said. On Thursday night, that was the Knicks. Anthony scored 28 points and New York avoided elimination in the Eastern Confe... Fri, 17 May 2013 07:46:16 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2092244-anthony-28-knicks-beat-pacers-to-stay-alive.html 2013-05-17T07:46:16Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2092568-eliminating-warriors-spurs-to-memphis.html OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili and the San Antonio Spurs are back in the Western Conference finals for the second straight season with the same style that has carried them to four NBA titles. Don't call these guys old just yet. After wearing down the younger Golden State Warriors in a grueling six-game series, the Spurs look... Fri, 17 May 2013 07:24:07 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2092568-eliminating-warriors-spurs-to-memphis.html 2013-05-17T07:24:07Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2092450-spurs-hold-warriors-advance-to-west-finals.html OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Slow at the start of the series and strong at the end, the San Antonio Spurs wore out the Golden State Warriors the way they have so many other opponents. Tim Duncan had 19 points and six rebounds, Kawhi Leonard added 16 points and 10 rebounds and the Spurs held off a furious final rally to beat the Warriors 94-82 in Game 6 on Thurs... Fri, 17 May 2013 06:22:25 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2092450-spurs-hold-warriors-advance-to-west-finals.html 2013-05-17T06:22:25Z 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/baseball/2086622-bruins-rangers-to-carry-boston-new-york-lore.html BOSTON (AP) — After the marathon bombings, the cities of Boston and New York put aside their bitter rivalries and joined in their mutual love of sports and country. Well, that time may be ending, at least when it comes to sports. The Knicks beat the Celtics in an NBA first-round playoff series this year, and now the NHL's Rangers and Bruins will play in t... Wed, 15 May 2013 07:20:48 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/baseball/2086622-bruins-rangers-to-carry-boston-new-york-lore.html 2013-05-15T07:20:48Z http://www.mail.com/sports/baseball/2086470-rangers-beat-as-6-5-2-homers-10th-inning.html OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Rangers manager Ron Washington kept calm and stuck with his reliable closer even as Joe Nathan pitched himself into serious trouble. Nathan delivered for his toughest save of the year after Adrian Beltre hit a tiebreaking home run in the 10th inning and Mitch Moreland followed with his second of the game to help Texas edge the Oakla... Wed, 15 May 2013 06:48:37 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/baseball/2086470-rangers-beat-as-6-5-2-homers-10th-inning.html 2013-05-15T06:48:37Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2085020-heat-home-chance-to-finish-bulls.html MIAMI (AP) — Dwyane Wade is limping around in obvious pain. LeBron James' shooting percentage is down. Shane Battier and Ray Allen have struggled to get anything going from 3-point range. The Eastern Conference semifinals have been far from perfect for the Miami Heat. And the reigning NBA champions are now in absolute control of this series nonetheless. B... Tue, 14 May 2013 17:34:22 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2085020-heat-home-chance-to-finish-bulls.html 2013-05-14T17:34:22Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2080700-james-shrugs-flopping-accusations.html CHICAGO (AP) — The suggestion that he's a flopper drew a grin as wide as his wingspan from LeBron James. Miami's superstar shot down the accusations from the Chicago Bulls, saying they reminded him of the days when some claimed he was overrated and questioned his ability to lead a team to a championship. "It's kind of the same (as when... Mon, 13 May 2013 00:26:17 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2080700-james-shrugs-flopping-accusations.html 2013-05-13T00:26:17Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2079736-pacers-protect-court-beat-knicks-82-71.html INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The Indiana Pacers kept everything in front of them Saturday night. The Pacers didn't let the Knicks get away from them on fast breaks, didn't let the Knicks get good 3-point looks and didn't even give New York a chance to challenge late. Instead, Roy Hibbert, Paul George and Indiana showed what it can do when it plays its game. ... Sun, 12 May 2013 04:20:59 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2079736-pacers-protect-court-beat-knicks-82-71.html 2013-05-12T04:20:59Z 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/2075072-bulls-heat-prepare-fridays-pivotal-game-3.html DEERFIELD, Ill. (AP) — It started with the flu, and turned into a hospital stay. There were terrible headaches and weakness. Just walking was a chore. All at the worst time for Luol Deng and the Chicago Bulls. The All-Star forward made an appearance at Chicago's practice facility on Thursday, but it was clear from his drawn appearance and measured tone th... Thu, 09 May 2013 22:16:49 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2075072-bulls-heat-prepare-fridays-pivotal-game-3.html 2013-05-09T22:16:49Z 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