Rockets end skid at 20, Wall has 1st triple-double since '16
Houston Rockets' John Wall (1) drives on Toronto Raptors' Fred VanVleet (23) during the third quarter of an NBA basketball game Monday, March 22, 2021, in Houston. But Wall had 19 points, 10 assists and 11 rebounds, his first triple-double since March 17, 2016. The Rockets closed out the third quarter with an 88-86 lead and opened the fourth quarter on a 9-1 run to pull away. AdThe Raptors led 28-27 at the end of the first quarter. In their losing streak, Houston led after the first quarter only three times, including on Feb. 26 when they led the Raptors 31-30.
Spurs end 4-game home skid, top short-handed Rockets 103-91
Kenyon Martin Jr. #6 of the Houston Rockets drives for two over Jakob Poeltl #25 of the San Antonio Spurs at AT&T Center on January 14, 2021 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)SAN ANTONIO – San Antonio couldn't match the intensity of the short-handed Houston Rockets for three quarters, yet a strong finish by the Spurs was enough to snap a four-game home losing streak. “We played our best defense in the fourth quarter,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. He had 23 points, seven rebounds and three assists in 36 minutes during Houston’s 109-103 victory on Thursday. Spurs: Spurs assistant coach Becky Hammon remains out, along with reserve center Drew Eubanks, due to the league’s health and safety protocols.
Rockets rally past Spurs 109-105 in 1st game without Harden
HOUSTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 17: Dejounte Murray #5 of the San Antonio Spurs controls the ball during the third quarter of a game against the Houston Rockets at the Toyota Center on December 17, 2020 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)SAN ANTONIO – Christian Wood had 27 points and 15 rebounds, and the Houston Rockets rallied to beat the San Antonio Spurs 109-105 on Thursday night in their first game since trading away franchise cornerstone James Harden. Spurs veteran DeMar DeRozan missed a 15-footer with 0.4 seconds left, and San Antonio fouled P.J. The teams meet again Saturday at the AT&T Center in the finale of a two-game set in San Antonio.
Bucks player agrees to $750K settlement over arrest
MILWAUKEE – Milwaukee Bucks guard Sterling Brown and the Milwaukee city attorney have agreed to a revised $750,000 settlement of a lawsuit Brown filed after getting taken to the ground, shocked with a Taser and arrested during an encounter with police in 2018. City Attorney Tearman Spencer is recommending the payment plus an admission that Brown's constitutional rights were violated during the arrest that began with a parking violation outside a Walgreen's store. Brown's attorney signed the agreement on his behalf Friday. The settlement is subject to approval by the city; it wasn't immediately clear when the council would take it up. Brown's attorney, Mark Thomsen, said at the time that any settlement without an admission of a civil rights violation would go nowhere.
Bucks resume NBA playoffs after sparking historic stoppage
The rescheduled Game 5 of the Bucks' series against Orlando began Saturday as the NBA postseason resumed after a historic stoppage that players hope will bring change in their communities. It was a moment in which the world needed and obviously we know this is going to be a long, ongoing process, Bucks guard Wesley Matthews said. Matthews said he was putting on his uniform shorts about 20 minutes before the game was set to begin Wednesday when the Bucks decided they wouldn't play. The Magic refused to accept the forfeit and NBA players stood behind the Bucks, even though some were frustrated the Bucks acted alone without consulting them. Matthews apologized for that but said the aftermath has confirmed for the Bucks that they made the right decision.
AP source says NBA postponing Thursdays postseason games
And other athletes across the sports world also said they weren't ready to resume playing. NBA players considered not playing again the rest of the postseason and going home to their communities, although they decided Thursday they wanted to continue, according to a person with knowledge of the details. NBA spokesman Mike Bass said the league hoped to resume Friday or Saturday. A second night of WNBA games were postponed and other teams and sports pondered whether they would play on. NBA players agreed to resume their season in July at Disney, making clear they intended to chase social justice reform just as passionately as a championship.
Giannis watches in 2nd half as Nets beat Bucks 119-116
Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 16 points playing only the first half for Milwaukee, which has lost two of three seeding games. Kyle Korver scored 13 points, and Ersan Ilyasova had 12 points and 10 rebounds. Chiozza scored on a reverse layup, then Luwawu-Cabarrot hit a 3 with 2:59 left to put the Nets ahead to stay. Milwaukee appeared ready to clinch from the opening tip as the Bucks scored eight of the first 10 points and hit 7 of 14 beyond the arc. Bucks: G Wesley Matthews sat out with a sore right calf with starting center Brook Lopez also out.
AP Interview: Floyd's death opens old wounds for Sefolosha
Thabo Sefolosha knows what its like to be a black man, on the ground, surrounded by police officers. People talk about a few rotten apples, Sefolosha said in an interview with The Associated Press. It changed me a lot, toward the way I see law enforcement in this country, Sefolosha said. Ill be happy to be with my teammates and reunited with basketball in general, Sefolosha said. I think its definitely time for change and that should be a priority for all of us.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports