Wizards' Stevenson fined for 'menacing gesure' (Yahoo! Sports)

The NBA has fined Washington Wizards guard DeShawn Stevenson $25,000 for making a "menacing gesture"...

James confident heading to Game 5 (AP)

LeBron James whistled an unrecognizable tune -- no, it wasn't one of Jay-Z's -- as he practiced free throws. He seemed blissfully serene. Staying that way will be tough. He's got to go at least one more round with the Washington Wizards. A target of taunts and physical abuse almost since the opening tip in Game 1, James and the Cavaliers can eliminate the Wizards from the playoffs for the third...

NBA playoffs: East is where surreal happens (SportingNews.com)

The Western Conference playoffs were supposed to provide all the drama, but so far, the Eastern Conference playoffs have been far more compelling, if bizarre.

The Internets are alive: Cavs at Wizards, Game 4 (Yahoo! Sports)

Scanning the blogs and beats following the Cavaliers' 100-97 win over the Wizards in Game 4 of the Eastern...

Wizards center says James should stop complaining (AP)

Overrated hasn't worked. Now one of the Washington Wizards is calling LeBron James another name: Crybaby. Following Cleveland's 100-97 win in Game 4 on Sunday, James, who has absorbed two flagrant fouls in this rough-and-tumble playoff series and has been banged around by the Wizards, was asked about Washington's tough-guy tactics.

On the seventh day of Game 4, LeBron passed (Yahoo! Sports)

LeBron James, the 6-foot-8 rock of a physical specimen, has nothing on LeBron James, the mentally superior...

West's 3 lifts Cavs over Wizards 100-97 in Game 4 (AP)

King James lost his crown. All right, so it was his burgundy headband that went flying when LeBron James took a shot to the noggin from DeShawn Stevenson, their simmering feud nearly boiling over. James kept his cool, allowing the flagrant foul to spark him and his Cleveland Cavaliers. At game's end, James was just as collected, drawing waves of Washington Wizards defenders before dishing to Delonte...

Cavaliers try to bounce back from Game 3 'indigestion' (AP)

After the Cleveland Cavaliers' worst playoff loss ever, coach Mike Brown got a text message from his junior college coach. "One hiccup does not mean indigestion," said Brown, recalling the note from Tom Bennett of Mesa Community College in Arizona. "I got a nice little laugh out of him. It's the truth.

Suns watch Spurs execute nearly 'perfect game' (Yahoo! Sports)

The Spurs' Tony Parker dropped 41 points on the Suns, who can't expect to win unless they improve their defense.

Suns watch as Spurs execute nearly 'perfect game' (Yahoo! Sports)

The Spurs' Tony Parker dropped 41 points on the Suns, who can't expect to win unless they improve their defense.

'Lot of antics going on' in Cavaliers-Wizards series (AP)

When LeBron James arrived for practice Friday, he spotted Gilbert Arenas in the hallway near the locker room. The two high-profile stars shared a hug while Arenas' father, standing nearby, gave James some good-natured banter about the ongoing series between Cleveland and Washington. "Off the court, me and Gilbert are really, really good friends," James said.

Wizards get off ropes, dominate Cavaliers 108-72 in Game 3 (AP)

LeBron James was serenaded with chants of "over-rated!" as he stood at the free throw line late in the third quarter, the latest humorous twist in an ongoing saga that had somehow snared -- yes, believe it or not -- one of his son's favorite rappers into a front-row seat near the basket. James couldn't help but laugh.

"Hack-a-Bron" continues: Wizards, Cavs ready to Game 3 (AP)

Two days after hosting its final hockey game of the season, the Verizon Center will be the site for Thursday's Game 3 between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Washington Wizards. Given all the rough stuff that went on in Games 1 and 2, maybe the work crews should just leave the ice uncovered and let LeBron James and Co.

No suspension for Wizards' Haywood for hard foul on James (AP)

Washington Wizards center Brendan Haywood was so steamed over his lack of playing time in last year's playoffs series against the Cleveland Cavaliers that he left the court before the final game was over and removed the nameplate above his locker. In this year's rematch, Haywood has very much made a name for himself.

Monday's NBA Playoff Capsules (AP)

LeBron James scored 30 points and Zydrunas Ilgauskas added 16 as the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Washington Wizards 116-86 Monday night to take a 2-0 lead in their opening-round playoff series. The 30-point margin of victory was the largest in Cleveland's postseason history. The Cavs were playing in their 112th playoff game.

Arenas will play Game Two with sprained wrist (Yahoo! Sports)

Gilbert Arenas proved he is still dangerous, even while playing on a surgically repaired left knee, by scoring...

James expects foul play from Wizards (AP)

LeBron James didn't complain about them at the time, but those hard shoves, well-placed elbows and rougher-than-normal fouls that the Washington Wizards inflicted upon him in Game 1 had an effect. One day later, James wasn't sore. But the 6-foot-8, 250-pounder said he was a lot shorter and lighter. "I'm about 6-4, 215 today," he joked.

LeBron rolled with Washington's punches in Game One (Yahoo! Sports)

LeBron James was knocked to the floor in the first period after Andray Blatche hit him in the mouth.

LeBron James scores 32 as Cavaliers beat Wizards (AP)

Flanked by security personnel, one of his own bodyguards and several close friends, LeBron James was escorted from the arena. He was untouchable. He could have used the protection earlier. Bumped and banged by the Wizards on every drive, James scored 32 points, making two tough shots in traffic down the stretch as the Cleveland Cavaliers opened the NBA playoffs with an intense 93-86 win over...

Arenas will come off the bench in Game One (Yahoo! Sports)

Gilbert Arenas came off the bench in the five games he has played since making his return on April 2, and he...

Cavs, Wizards square off for third straight year in playoffs (AP)

Maybe the NBA should get Jerry Springer and Dr. Phil to referee the Cavaliers-Wizards series. With all the long distance name calling and trash talking going on, who better than those two TV arbiters of peace and harmony to officiate the first round of the playoffs? Weeks of back-and-forth yapping, some of it very personal, between Cleveland star LeBron James and Washington guard DeShawn Stevenson...

East Matchup: No. 4 Cavaliers vs. No. 5 Wizards (SportingNews.com)

The Wizards split the regular-season series wtih the Cavs, 2-2, and now, Gilbert Arenas is healthy. But do they have enough to slow down LeBron James?

Games to pay attention to, regular season-ending edition (Yahoo! Sports)

The regular season ends tonight, and for the junkie, this is one of the stranger days of the season.

Save the Sonics! Rock the NBA Board of Governors vote! (Yahoo! Sports)

If you're an NBA basketball fan, you are no doubt sickened by what Clay Bennett and his Raiders are trying to...

Pistons reserves outplay Cavs backups, 84-74 (AP)

Chauncey Billups looked up from his chair in Detroit's crowded locker room and addressed the days ahead. "The real season," he said, "is about to start." Playoff time. For the Pistons, that's all that matters. With its reserves playing most of the minutes, Detroit closed the regular-season Wednesday night with an 84-74 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers, the team that beat the Pistons four straight...

James sits Cavs' season finale (AP)

LeBron James ended his season as the NBA's scoring champion. Cleveland's All-Star forward was not expected to play Tuesday night in the Cavaliers' final regular-season game against the Detroit Pistons so he could get some extra rest for the playoffs. James, bothered by back spasms in recent weeks, finished with a 30.0 scoring average and became the first Cavaliers player to lead the league in...

Cavs' Pavlovic out with ankle sprain (AP)

Cavaliers swingman Sasha Pavlovic will miss at least the first round of the playoffs with a sprained ankle. Pavlovic injured his left ankle in the third quarter of Monday night's 91-90 win at Philadelphia. He's expected to miss two to three weeks. It's been a lost year for Pavlovic, who started the season with a contract holdout, missed 23 games with a sprained left foot, was benched recently and...

Cavs' Pavlovic exits game at 76ers (PA SportsTicker)

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Sasha Pavlovic left Monday's matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers in the third quarter with a leg injury.

Power poll: Playoff picture coming into focus (SportingNews.com)

The next-to-last week of the regular season offers some hints about which teams will perform come playoff time.

LeBron scores 24 for Cavaliers in first quarter against Bulls (AP)

LeBron James made all 10 of his shots and scored 24 points in the first quarter as the Cleveland Cavaliers grabbed a 33-25 lead over the Chicago Bulls on Friday night. James, averaging a league-leading 30.2 points showed no sign of the recent back trouble that caused him to miss practice on Monday and Tuesday.

Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James making strong case in tight MVP race (AP)

Kicking back near the rear of a charter bus, a sleepy LeBron James pulled up his sweatshirt's hood and contemplated a cat nap on a rainy afternoon in New Orleans. As Cleveland's superstar was about to doze off before departing for a community service event during a busy All-Star weekend, Jason Kidd came aboard and hustled down the aisle as if he were leading a three-on-one fastbreak.

Oddmakers make Kobe favorite to win MVP (Yahoo! Sports)

With the NBA regular season close to an end, supporters of the Los Angeles Lakers ' Kobe Bryant should feel good...

Cavs cautious with James, want him healthy for playoffs (Yahoo! Sports)

The Cleveland Cavaliers are trying their best to rest LeBron James, but their intentions will be tested.

Cavaliers' LeBron James starts against Nets (AP)

A little rest was all LeBron James needed. James, who sat out of practice for two days to rest his ailing back, started Wednesday night when the Cleveland Cavaliers hosted the New Jersey Nets. Cavs coach Mike Brown wants to be cautious with the NBA's leading scorer, who has been bothered by back spasms for weeks.

James scores 33 points as Cavaliers beat Nets 104-93, keeping firm hold of 4th place in East (AP)

LeBron James showed he doesn't need practice to stay at the top of his game. After resting for two days because of back spasms, James scored 33 points to rally the Cleveland Cavaliers from a 14-point deficit to beat the New Jersey Nets 104-83 Wednesday night. The NBA's leading scorer moved stiffly at times during his 35 minutes on the floor, though he shot 11-for-21 from the field, made 10-of-13...

LeBron cleared to play vs. Nets (PA SportsTicker)

LeBron James will be in the lineup Wednesday when the Cleveland Cavaliers host the New Jersey Nets.

Cavaliers' LeBron James cleared to play against Nets (AP)

A little rest was all LeBron James needed. James, who sat out of practice for two days to rest his ailing back, will play Wednesday night when the Cleveland Cavaliers host the New Jersey Nets. Following the morning shootaround, Cavs coach Mike Brown said James will play. The NBA's leading scorer has been bothered by back spasms for weeks.

LeBron James misses practice to rest ailing back, could miss game with New Jersey (AP)

LeBron James didn't practice for the second straight day in order to rest his troublesome back before the Cleveland Cavaliers begin their final push heading into the NBA playoffs. James, who has been dealing with back spasms for a few weeks, received treatment while his teammates prepared for Wednesday night's game against the New Jersey Nets.

Cavs won't give playoff shares to traded players (Yahoo! Sports)

There hasn't been an official team vote yet, but according to a couple of influential Cleveland Cavaliers , it...

Fourth seed in sight, so LeBron playing through back spasms (Yahoo! Sports)

LeBron James' back spasms didn't visibly start to show until the past few days, but he has been dealing with...

LeBron James rests troublesome back as Cavaliers prepare for stretch run into playoffs (AP)

While his teammates practiced their free throws, LeBron James worked on a trick shot where he stands under the basket and heaves a ball off a nearby wall, trying to ricochet it back through the hoop. He hasn't made one yet. "I'm working on it," he said. He's got time to. James was held out of Cleveland's practice on Monday to rest his back, which has been tightening up and bothering the Cavaliers'...

Too much Rod Benson: Bus rides, hecklers and accolades (Yahoo! Sports)

I just got off a bus after an eleven-hour ride. We don't bus often, but I've still figured out a very good...

Magic lock up No. 3 seed for playoffs with 101-86 win over Cavaliers (AP)

They're the East's third-best team, the one being overlooked and even underrated as the playoffs approach. And that's just fine with the Orlando Magic. "If you listen to what the experts are saying, all the teams are jockeying to play us," Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said. Hedo Turkoglu scored 23 points, Rashard Lewis added 21 and the Magic, one of this season's biggest surprises, locked up the...

Power poll: Celtics reclaim No. 1 spot (SportingNews.com)

The continuously-improving Celtics beat last week's No. 1, the Hornets, to jump back to the top of this week's rankings.

Thursday's NBA Capsules (AP)

Ben Gordon made five clutch free throws down the stretch and Larry Hughes scored 19 of his 25 points in the second half against his former team, rallying the Chicago Bulls to a 101-98 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday night. The Bulls, with nothing to play for in the season's final weeks, came back from 17 points down in the second half to snap a six-game road losing streak.

Davidson star Stephen Curry returns favor, watches Cavs' LeBron James play Charlotte Bobcats (AP)

The bus carrying LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers pulled into the arena at the same time Stephen Curry and his father arrived Wednesday night. And despite all of King James' magazine covers, the commercials and NBA accomplishments, the baby-faced Davidson star was getting all the attention. Returning the favor after James watched Curry score 33 points in Davidson's upset of Wisconsin last...

Cavaliers G Gibson expected to play; Wallace likely out (AP)

The Cleveland Cavaliers will have guard Daniel Gibson available against Charlotte, but forward Ben Wallace will likely miss his second straight game. Coach Mike Brown said after Wednesday's shootaround that Gibson has recovered after being forced out of Sunday's win over Philadelphia with recurring pain in his left ankle.

Wallace, Gibson injuries not serious, Gibson back Wednesday (Yahoo! Sports)

Cleveland Cavaliers doctors have examined Ben Wallace and Daniel Gibson and reported there is no structural...