In this file photo, When the Magic escaped Indiana on Wednesday, Orlando needed a layup from Paolo Banchero with 7.5 seconds left in the contest to finish on top of the Pacers with a 2-point win at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Late-game heroics were needed once again game when the sides met at Kia Center for a Sunday matinee.

Desmond Bane (31 points...Read more

MIAMI – Having previously lost to the second to the second-worst team in the Western Conference, the Miami Heat made sure there was no misstep Sunday night at Kaseya Center.

More to the point, Norman Powell made sure.

So no repeat of the home humiliation against the Sacramento Kings, instead a 125-106 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans ...Read more

BROOKLYN, N.Y. — Reinforcements arrived in New York for the Denver Nuggets, but they didn’t play like a team revitalized.

With Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun returning to the rotation on minutes restrictions, Denver trailed for almost all 48 minutes in a 127-115 loss to the Brooklyn Nets Sunday — a reminder that even with the supporting...Read more

CLEVELAND — The Detroit Pistons led 106-93 with five minutes left in the fourth quarter. At the time, it appeared they would be on the verge of an easy win, but the Cleveland Cavaliers mounted a late rally. But by leaning upon the lessons of last season, the Pistons prevailed, taking a 114-110 win at Rocket Arena Sunday.

The Pistons improved ...Read more

MIAMI — It is an adage as old as the NBA, that talent finds a way. The question this season is whether talent comfortably can find a way back — especially when that talent no longer stands as a sole source of success.

With the Atlanta Hawks, the attempts to reintegrate Trae Young back into the mix have been uneven, to say the least.

Next ...Read more

Jaylen Brown believed he was robbed of the Eastern Conference Player of the Month award. That he, not Jalen Brunson, deserved that honor after outpacing the New York Knicks point guard in nearly every statistical category during a dominant December.

Coach Joe Mazzulla hoped Brown would take out his frustration on the Celtics’ upcoming ...Read more

SAN FRANCISCO — The foundation for a disappointing loss was in place.

Draymond Green was ejected in the final minutes of the second quarter. The Utah Jazz led by as much as 12 points in the first half behind Lauri Markkanen and Keyonte George. Steph Curry grinded through slow start from the field.

Then, there was that vintage Curry magic.

...Read more

COLUMBIA, Mo. — There's a small zoo in Gainesville, Fla., the city that's home to the University of Florida. There are about five dozen species of animals on display there, but no tigers.

Maybe it's because capital-T Tigers are rapidly becoming fauna non grata in greater Gatorland.

For the second year in a row, Missouri men's basketball has ...Read more

NEW YORK — The Knicks can’t get the stops they’ve paid their best players to string together.

It’s the common denominator in their newfound three-game losing streak, which took another left turn in a 130-119 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday.

Sixers All-Star Tyrese Maxey splashed a fading step-back 3-pointer with 3:34 left in ...Read more

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Down 19 with 9:12 left in the game at No. 14 Alabama, Kentucky had mounted enough of a rally to prompt a “Go Big Blue!” chant inside Coleman Coliseum.

Yet with the Wildcats within 11, 81-70, inside the game’s final TV timeout, the Crimson Tide went to their bread-and-butter.

From way, way, way behind the top of the ...Read more

MIAMI — The only thing predictable about the Minnesota Timberwolves is their unpredictability.

After turning in two of their worst performances of the season over the previous three games, the Wolves came out an turned in an impressive 125-115 victory over the scrappy Miami Heat.

The Wolves had an efficient night offensively with multiple ...Read more

IOWA CITY, Iowa — From an existential crisis to a gritty comeback, UCLA ran a gamut of emotions over the course of a few hours here.

The final sentiment was one of disappointment.

After whittling what had been a 24-point deficit to four with a little more than three minutes left Saturday, the Bruins could not find the miracle finish they ...Read more

FORT WORTH, Texas — The latest mockery of the college student-athlete made his debut Saturday, when a 2023 draftee of the Detroit Pistons and pro player in Spain came off the bench for the Baylor Bears here in 2026.

If James Nnaji was that good, he would be a pro. But he’s not, so he’s a Bear.

Whatever criticism one has of Baylor coach ...Read more

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — No team takes more 3-pointers a game than the Florida State Seminoles.

Not that the Noles lead the country in 3-point makes, just takes.

But when the 3s are going down, as they were Saturday against No. 6 Duke, the Seminoles are a dangerous team. Playing at home also helps and the energy and noise level in the Donald ...Read more

ORLANDO, Fla. — For a while, it felt like deja vu for the Kansas Jayhawks.

With less than five minutes to play, KU trailed UCF by nine points. Then came a dramatic run, as the Jayhawks — playing without Darryn Peterson — tied the score at 70-all and again at 72-all with just over a minute to play.

The feel was similar to KU’s overtime ...Read more

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The bad news for the Kentucky Wildcats? They lost to Alabama on Saturday afternoon. Again.

The good news for Mark Pope’s team? This is the only time the Cats will play Bama this season.

After going 0-3 against the Crimson Tide in Pope’s first year as UK’s head coach, the Wildcats dropped their SEC opener in Coleman ...Read more

RALEIGH, N.C. — Virginia’s Sam Lewis hit a corner 3. There were still nearly nine minutes remaining, but the basket was part of an 8-0 run that felt like a dagger to N.C. State’s comeback efforts.

Lewis led the Cavaliers with 23 points on 8-of-12 shooting, including 5-of-9 shooting from the perimeter, to lead Virginia to a 76-61 win over ...Read more

MANHATTAN, Kan. — Kansas State was unable to keep pace with one of the best college basketball teams in the nation and lost its conference opener, 83-73, against BYU on Saturday at Bramlage Coliseum.

The No. 10 Cougars were simply too strong for the Wildcats.

But K-State didn’t do itself any favors by going cold from beyond the arc.

...Read more

DALLAS — Joel Embiid says he’s beginning to feel like himself.

He thinks the Sixers’ 123-108 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday was the perfect example, as he made plays for his teammates.

“Taking what the defense gives me,” Embiid said after finishing with 22 points on 9-for-18 shooting along with six assists, four ...Read more