The 10-man rotation, starring Redbird Rudy Gay (Yahoo! Sports)

A look around the league and the web that covers it. It's also important to note that the rotation order and...

Lakers' closing act netting lackluster reviews (Yahoo! Sports)

The Lakers turned back the Jazz in five games, but they know full well they have some work to do.

After lopsided series, Cavaliers resting up (AP)

Sweep, now sleep. Dusting Detroit has given the Cleveland Cavaliers some extensive down time in the NBA playoffs. Having broomed aside the once-Bad Boys-now-just-bad Pistons in four lopsided games while barely breaking a sweat in the opening round, LeBron James and his crew will sit back and wait for their next opponent -- the winner of the Atlanta-Miami series.

Low on fuel, Celtics find inspiration in epic series (Yahoo! Sports)

With injuries piling up and their title hopes flickering, the Celtics have found themselves in a series worth winning.

LeBron lifts Cavs past Pistons and into 2nd round (AP)

LeBron James earned a break. James had 36 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists to lead the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 99-78 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Sunday, sweeping the Eastern Conference first-round series. The top-seeded Cavs might be off for more than a week, waiting for Atlanta or Miami to advance.

Prideful Pistons hope to extend series with Cavs (AP)

One word kept coming up Saturday as Cleveland's players and coaches discussed their first-round playoff opponent from Detroit. Pride. After all, that's really all the Pistons are playing for at this point. The once-mighty team that reached at least the Eastern Conference finals the previous six seasons is in an 0-3 hole with very little reason to think it can win the series, even if it finds a way...

LeBron lifts Cavs to 3-0 series lead over Pistons (AP)

LeBron James huffed and puffed about being pushed and shoved by the Detroit Pistons. Then, he stopped lobbying for help from the officials and blew the Pistons down -- and almost out of the playoffs. James scored 11 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter, lifting the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 79-68 victory Friday night over Detroit and a 3-0 lead in the first-round series.

LeBron James-led Cavs cruise to Motor City up 2-0 (AP)

Richard Hamilton slipped into his white Bentley luxury sedan, decked out in Jordan Brand gear from head to flip flops, and chatted for a couple minutes in the Detroit Pistons parking lot. Hamilton was asked Thursday if he thought the Pistons could beat Cleveland in Game 3. "We ain't got a choice," Hamilton said.

For Anthony, playoff salvation a round away (Yahoo! Sports)

With Chauncey Billups as his guide, Carmelo Anthony hopes to finally find a path out of the first round.

For Anthony, playoff salvation is only a round away (Yahoo! Sports)

With Chauncey Billups as his guide, Carmelo Anthony hopes to finally find a path out of the first round.

Point guards making their mark in this year's playoffs (SportingNews.com)

From the rookie (Derrick Rose) to the veteran (Chauncey Billups), point guard are making a major impact in the playoffs.

LeBron & Cavs chill with 2-0 lead over Pistons (AP)

The Cleveland Cavaliers and Detroit Pistons had a day of rest Wednesday. Cavs coach Mike Brown and reserve Wally Szczerbiak had conference calls with reporters. The Pistons stayed quiet. At this point, perhaps there's not much more to say about the demise of Detroit basketball. The Pistons fell apart when they traded Chauncey Billups in November and their freefall dropped them to the bottom of the...

Cavs hold back rally to take 2-0 lead on Pistons (AP)

Their late comeback, impressive as it was by guys who hardly play, came up short. The Detroit Pistons have to finish the next one. Or else. Trailing by 29 points in the fourth quarter after letting LeBron James toy with them yet again, the Pistons -- led by their second unit -- cut Cleveland's lead to seven before losing 94-82 on Tuesday night, dropping Detroit into an 0-2 hole in their first-round...

Cavaliers hold off Pistons 94-82 (AP)

LeBron James slid into his seat on Cleveland's bench and slipped on his warmups, content to watch his teammates finish off the Pistons. They couldn't without him. Up by 29 points in the fourth quarter, the Cavaliers blew most of their big lead against Detroit's reserves and James had to go back in and restore order as Cleveland held on for a 94-82 win on Tuesday night to take a 2-0 lead in their...

Cavs' Smith mixes hoops, music (AP)

Joe Smith's hoops odyssey has spanned 14 years and bridged from Golden State to Cleveland with seven NBA stops in between. Strapped with the impossible expectations that come along with being the league's No. 1 overall draft pick, he has been labeled everything from colossal bust to consummate 'baller.

Cavs' Brown honored as NBA coach of year (AP)

Like his first year in Cleveland, LeBron James' second NBA season ended without a trip to the playoffs. The miss was inexcusable to Cavaliers rookie owner Dan Gilbert, who set out an immediate coaching search so it wouldn't happen again. Gilbert plucked a highly regarded assistant off Indiana's staff, a likable guy who vowed to instill a defense-first identity in Cleveland.

AccuScore: KG injury slashes Celtics' hopes (Yahoo! Sports)

Game simulations show Celtics' chances of winning championship drop substantially without Kevin Garnett.

Kobe, Lakers look unbeatable in West (Yahoo! Sports)

Boredom might be the only thing that can slow the Lakers' rampage toward the Finals.

Pistons regroup to stop James (AP)

Detroit coach Michael Curry got home Saturday night after his team's playoff loss and stayed up late watching a movie. It was like one of those slasher genre films: predictable plot, unstoppable villain, sequel-spawning finish. No blood or gratuitous gore in this one, though, just bodies everywhere. Pistons splayed all over the floor.

AccuScore: Home court big factor in NBA playoffs (Yahoo! Sports)

Teams' winning percentage usually takes noticeable drop when having to play Game 7 on the road.

Suicide lines: Ainge recovering from heart attack, Shaq rumors ... (Yahoo! Sports)

Each weekday morning, BDL serves up a handful of NBA-related stories to digest with your fancy cheese .

Cavaliers roll over Pistons (AP)

LeBron James crossed midcourt and launched the ball toward the basket more than 40 feet away as the horn sounded. As Cleveland's star, the Detroit Pistons, 20,000 fans and a TV audience watched the shot's arching flight, James never stopped running. "I was going to chase it until it went in the hoop," he said.

Cavs' Wallace plays in opener against Pistons (AP)

Cavaliers center Ben Wallace returned from a knee injury and played in the postseason opener against the Detroit Pistons. Wallace missed the final two games of the regular season with a strained patellar tendon in his left knee. He has been limited in practice, but Cavs coach Mike Brown dressed Wallace for Game 1 on Saturday and inserted him in the final two minutes of the first quarter.

AccuScore: Cavs, Lakers odds-on favorites (Yahoo! Sports)

With Kevin Garnett sidelined, the odds point to the Cavs and Lakers meeting in the NBA Finals.

NBA Playoff Power Poll: It's the Lakers-Cavs show (SportingNews.com)

With injuries crippling the playoff hopes of key rivals, the Lakers and Cavs seem destined to meet in an epic NBA Finals.

Cavs, Pistons ready to rumble (AP)

There's no love in the NBA playoffs. Now is not the time nor the place for fondness or friendship. With so much on the line, the pressure can be smothering. And with each possession, game and series the intensity increases to unmatched levels. "It's 100 times what it is in the regular season," said Cavaliers superstar LeBron James.

James joins Garnett in elite club (AP)

LeBron James has become the second player to win four conference player of the month awards in one season. Cleveland's All-Star forward was named the NBA Eastern Conference's top player for April. He also won it in November, January and March this season, and now has 11 overall. Kevin Garnett won the award four times with Minnesota in 2003-04, his MVP season.

LeBron James says Cavaliers respect Pistons (Yahoo! Sports)

Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James said the team hated the Washington Wizards , but that they respect the...

Cavs' Wright to have thumb surgery (AP)

Cavaliers forward Lorenzen Wright will undergo surgery after breaking his thumb in Cleveland's regular-season finale. Wright, who was not expected to play during the postseason, got hurt in the second half of Wednesday night's loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. The team said the 12-year veteran will have an operation on Friday at the Cleveland Clinic and his recovery will take six weeks.

Cavaliers set for title run (AP)

Their greatest regular season complete and another, more important campaign dawning, the Cleveland Cavaliers unveiled their new playoff logo and theme on Thursday. The two-word motto: One Goal. It's been the mantra of Cleveland's players for some time. "Since Day One," guard Mo Williams said. The Cavaliers shattered nearly every record in the books on their way to 66 wins, a 39-2 home record, a...

NBA Playoff Previews: No. 1 Cavaliers vs. No. 8 Pistons (Yahoo! Sports)

After 1230 regular season games and whole lot of Gatorade, the 2009 NBA Playoffs are finally upon us.

Cavaliers lose No. 2 at home to Sixers (AP)

Stumbling as the final seconds ticked off in a regular season that was anything but ordinary, Cavaliers guard Daniel Gibson got a look at the rim about 30 feet away. He then fell to the floor. Cleveland's last shot at history dropped with him. Gibson, whose 3-pointer in the last second of regulation forced overtime, fumbled away Cleveland's last possession as the Cavaliers, who sat superstar LeBron...

LeBron to sit in Cavs finale (PA SportsTicker)

The Cleveland Cavaliers have chosen reward over risk.

LeBron to sit out Cavs' season finale (AP)

The Cavaliers have chosen reward over risk. All-Stars LeBron James and Mo Williams and veterans Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Joe Smith will not play Wednesday night against Philadelphia to rest for the playoffs, despite Cleveland attempting to match the NBA record of 40 home wins in one season. Cavs coach Mike Brown said the decision was "easy" because his team has much bigger goals and he wasn't want to...

BDL Power Rankings: After the chalk settles ... (Yahoo! Sports)

The BDL NBA Power Rankings combine two parts Sex Panther with one part flippant observation to create the most...

LeBron James dancing as the Cavs crush the Celtics

Sideline cam of LeBron dancing on the Cavs sideline during big win over the Boston Celtics.

LeBron James Dancing with Mo Williams

LeBron and Mo Williams dance during the Cavs win over Boston.

Cavaliers clinch home court advantage (AP)

LeBron James expects to rest during Cleveland's regular-season finale, a well-earned reward for leading the Cavaliers to home-court advantage throughout the playoffs. James scored 37 points as the Cleveland beat the Indiana Pacers 117-109 on Monday night to clinch the league's best record. "It's one step, however, it's a big step," James said.

Cavs' Wallace has knee strain (AP)

Cavaliers forward Ben Wallace has a strained tendon in his left knee, putting his availability in doubt for the playoffs. Wallace left Sunday's game against Boston in the second quarter with what the team said was a bruise. An MRI taken at the Cleveland Clinic on Monday revealed a patellar tendon strain.

Lakers' Jackson will not rest regulars in finale (Yahoo! Sports)

Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson said he will not sit regulars Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol or Derek Fisher in...

Cavs romp past Celtics to improve to 39-1 at home (AP)

LeBron James sat on the scorer's table during a timeout waiting for play to resume when Boston coach Doc Rivers headed his way. As he approached Cleveland's superstar, Rivers raised his hands to his eyes and pretended to take a picture of James, who laughed and flashed that million-dollar smile. Rivers cracked up, too.

Cavs F Ben Wallace bruises knee (AP)

Cavaliers forward Ben Wallace left Sunday's game against the Boston Celtics with a bruised left knee and will not return. Wallace recently returned to the lineup after missing 17 games with a broken right leg. It's not clear how he got hurt, and the team did not immediately say if Wallace will undergo further medical tests.

Cavaliers clobber Celtics 107-76 (AP)

After every 3-pointer, every dunk and every block, LeBron James turned and glared at Boston's bench. The message was clear: Not here. James made five 3-pointers and scored 29 points before dancing in his seat, and the Cleveland Cavaliers throttled the NBA champions 107-76 on Sunday to move within one win of matching the 1985-86 Celtics for the best home record in league history.

Awards Watch: Howard deserves MVP consideration (SportingNews.com)

Sean Deveney breaks down the races for the six NBA end-of-season awards.

Suicide lines: A play for CP3, Deng done, VDN merits credit ... (Yahoo! Sports)

Each weekday morning, BDL serves up a handful of NBA-related stories to digest with your Waffelos .

Anderson Varejao playfully mocks LeBron's 'Chosen 1' tattoo (Yahoo! Sports)

We already knew the Cleveland Cavaliers were a fairly loose bunch with their pre-game photo-ops and ten...

Cavaliers beat 76ers to clinch No. 1 spot in East (AP)

Division title: Check. No. 1 playoff seed: Check. Next goal for LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers is securing the NBA's best record. James had 27 points and 10 assists, Wally Szczerbiak scored a season-high 18 and the Cavaliers beat the struggling Philadelphia 76ers 102-92 Friday night to clinch home-court advantage in the Eastern conference playoffs.

Cavaliers F Hickson to miss at least 2-3 weeks (PA SportsTicker)

Cleveland Cavaliers rookie forward J.J. Hickson will be sidelined indefinitely with a stress reaction in his back.

Cavaliers sign F Williams (PA SportsTicker)

The Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday signed rookie forward Jawad Williams, who is eligible to be on the team's playoff roster.

Cavs sign F Jawad Williams (AP)

The Cleveland Cavaliers have signed forward Jawad Williams, filling the roster spot left open by the loss of injured Eric Snow. Snow was released because of a career-ending knee injury. Williams played in nine games for the Cavaliers earlier this season. After his second 10-day contract with Cleveland expired in February, Williams played in 19 games for Rio Grande of the NBA's Development League.

Cavaliers feeling right at home (AP)

During a timeout in the fourth quarter of Wednesday night's easy win over Washington, LeBron James and a few of his teammates cut loose. As the arena's booming sound system pumped "Poison," a 1990 pop hit by R&B boy band Bell Biv DeVoe, James did his karaoke rendition of the song and busted a few moves as guards Mo Williams and Delonte West playfully danced near Cleveland's bench.

Spurs limping into the playoffs (Yahoo! Sports)

With Manu Ginobili out and Tim Duncan’s knees hurting, the Spurs know today’s woes could be tomorrow’s shortcomings.

Power Poll: Suns making last playoff push (SportingNews.com)

Lost amid Shaq's Twittering antics is the fact that Phoenix has won five straight games. That helps the Suns rise three spots to No. 12 in Sean Deveney's latest NBA Power Poll.

Cavaliers slam Wizards 98-86 (AP)

LeBron James dropped to one knee and swung his right arm overhead several times, windmilling like a guitar hero in sneakers. Rock on, Cavaliers. James scored 21 points before spending part of the fourth quarter on the bench playing air guitar and dancing as the Cavs avenged an embarrassing loss to one of the league's weaker teams by thumping the rival Wizards 98-86 on Wednesday night to improve to...

Cavs' rookie Hickson out with sore back (AP)

Cleveland Cavaliers rookie forward J.J. Hickson will miss two to three weeks with a sore lower back. Hickson underwent an MRI on Wednesday and the club said the test revealed a "stress reaction" in his back. He has been advised to get rest and treatment. Hickson has had his minutes reduced in recent weeks as fellow rookie Darnell Jackson has gotten more time in coach Mike Brown's rotation.

BDL Power Rankings: Magic ascending (Yahoo! Sports)

The BDL NBA Power Rankings combine two parts blackberry brandy and a small beer chaser (why?

Stress fracture sidelines Ginobili for season (Yahoo! Sports)

Spurs guard Manu Ginobili will miss remainder of season, including playoffs, with injury.

Cavs' Varejao nursing minor wrist injury (Yahoo! Sports)

The Cleveland Cavaliers said Anderson Varejao is day-to-day with a sore and swollen wrist, according to the...

Suicide lines: Will Bynum's big fourth, embarrassed Suns ... (Yahoo! Sports)

Each weekday morning, BDL serves up a handful of NBA-related stories to digest with your coffee and cigarettes.

Cavaliers release G Snow (PA SportsTicker)

The Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday made what the team termed the medically necessary release of guard Eric Snow.

Cavs' Varejao out with wrist injury (AP)

Cavaliers starting forward Anderson Varejao missed Sunday's game against San Antonio with a bruised right wrist. Rookie Darnell Jackson made his first career start in place of Varejao, who is averaging 8.7 points and 7.1 rebounds and had played in all 76 games this season. The Cavs had no information on when the perpetually hustling Varejao hurt his wrist.

Cavaliers thump Spurs 101-81 to stop slump (AP)

Back to basics. Back to winning. The Cleveland Cavaliers didn't need long to remember what's made them so good. Locked into attack mode from the start, LeBron James scored 38 points -- 18 in the first quarter -- and Mo Williams and Delonte West added 22 apiece as the NBA's best home team avoided its first three-game losing streak by beating the San Antonio Spurs 101-81 on Sunday.

Cavs release Eric Snow (AP)

The Cleveland Cavaliers have made a "medically necessary release" of guard Eric Snow because of a career-ending knee injury. Snow has been sidelined all season with an injured left knee. The Cavaliers made a medical insurance claim, which was approved by the NBA and the team will not have to pay Snow's salary.

Kobe shows MVP race far from over (Yahoo! Sports)

Quicker than he could hit a 3 against Houston, Kobe Bryant silenced those who tout LeBron James as a sure thing for MVP.

Magic throttle Cavs 116-87, eye possible series (AP)

The Orlando Magic won't see the Cleveland Cavaliers again unless both make it to the Eastern Conference finals. If that happens, the Magic like their chances. Dwight Howard had 20 points and 11 rebounds, and the Magic built a 41-point lead before handing the Cavaliers their most lopsided loss of the season, 116-87 Friday night.

Magic throttle Cavaliers, James 116-87 (AP)

Never in LeBron James' entire basketball life could he recall being down by more than 40 points. Not in the NBA. Not in high school. Not even playing pickup basketball as a kid. The Orlando Magic gave him a first. Dwight Howard had 20 points and 11 rebounds, and the Magic rode a strong second-half start to go ahead by 41 points and hand the Cleveland Cavaliers their most lopsided loss of the season...

Game to pay attention to: Cavaliers vs. Magic (Yahoo! Sports)

Cleveland at Orlando We could get cute with this. There are a lot of great games to watch tonight, my Tivo will...

Washington Wizards win make believe NBA championship (Yahoo! Sports)

WASHINGTON, DC -- The Washington Wizards (18-59) won their own make believe NBA championship Thursday night...

Wizards snap Cavs' team-record win streak at 13 (AP)

LeBron James and the best-in-East Cleveland Cavaliers will continue toward the playoffs, with barely a passing thought about a late-season loss to the worst-in-East Washington Wizards. For the Wizards, however, this was their playoff game. The biggest win of the season. The first time all year they used a lineup that included Gilbert Arenas, Caron Butler, Antawn Jamison and Brendan Haywood.

Worst beats best: Wizards top Cavaliers 109-101 (AP)

For the first time all season, the Washington Wizards used a lineup resembling the one they envisioned when training camp opened last fall. The result: The team leading the league in losses beat the team leading the league in wins. In the closest thing they'll have to a playoff game this year, Gilbert Arenas and the Wizards fed off a sellout crowd Thursday night and ended the franchise-record...

Celtics' title hopes rest on K.G.'s ailing knee (Yahoo! Sports)

The Celtics say Kevin Garnett will be back for the playoffs. What they don't know is if he'll be strong enough to lift them.

The Internets are alive: Celtics shelve Kevin Garnett (Yahoo! Sports)

Kevin Garnett's sore right knee has led the Celtics to decide to shut him down until the playoffs approach .

Cavs center not interested in milestone ball (AP)

The case of the missing basketball took a heartwarming bounce. The ball Cleveland Cavaliers center Zydrunas Ilgauskas used to score his 10,000th career point turned up in the hands of a local youngster who left with it after it was thrown into the seats at Quicken Loans Arena following a March 21 game against Atlanta.

Cavaliers win 13th straight (AP)

LeBron James fired down the lane at full speed, ignored Rasheed Wallace's feeble attempt to stop him and scored. Cleveland's star then stood under the basket, flexing his biceps like a bodybuilder for all to admire. Make no mistake, there's a new bully in the Central Division. James made two crucial three-point plays down the stretch and finished with 25 points and 12 rebounds as the Cavaliers won...