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Betting interest expected to be down with NBA, NHL finals lacking marquee matchups

Betting interest expected to be down with NBA, NHL finals lacking marquee matchups

LAS VEGAS (AP) — The NBA Finals could've featured glamour teams like the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers, and conventional thinking before the NHL playoffs stated the dominant Boston Bruins and star-studded Edmonton Oilers were on a near-collision course to meet in the Stanley Cup Final. All four teams

2 teams, 2 chances at titles: Heat, Panthers ready for their finals tests

2 teams, 2 chances at titles: Heat, Panthers ready for their finals tests

DENVER (AP) — They were No. 8 seeds. They barely got into the playoffs after up-and-down regular seasons. They had to face the No. 1 overall seeds in Round 1 of the postseason. They had to win Game 7s in Boston just to keep their seasons alive. They are Eastern

With matchup finally set, Nuggets' Malone says beating Heat will be 'biggest challenge of our lives'

With matchup finally set, Nuggets' Malone says beating Heat will be 'biggest challenge of our lives'

Aaron Gordon bristled at the notion the Denver Nuggets must operate the "rust versus rest" seesaw with 10 days between their Western Conference title celebration in Los Angeles and the start of the NBA Finals against the Miami Heat. Rest? "We've been working," Gordon declared about 15 hours after the

Jimmy Butler told tennis star Coco Gauff his Miami Heat would reach NBA Finals

Jimmy Butler told tennis star Coco Gauff his Miami Heat would reach NBA Finals

PARIS (AP) — To hear tennis star Coco Gauff tell it, basketball star Jimmy Butler assured her his Miami Heat would make it to the NBA Finals before they were guaranteed of so much as participating in the playoffs. Before the French Open began, 2022 runner-up Gauff — who lives

Jimmy Butler helps Heat to 103-84 Game 7 win over Celtics and spot in NBA Finals

Jimmy Butler helps Heat to 103-84 Game 7 win over Celtics and spot in NBA Finals

BOSTON (AP) — No unprecedented comeback, no last-tick miracle, no cavalcade of higher seeds is going to prevent these Miami Heat from playing for the NBA title. Eastern Conference finals Most Valuable Player Jimmy Butler scored 28 points, and Caleb Martin had 26 points and 10 rebounds to help the

West final feels different with Stars home for G6 after losing 1st 3 to Vegas

West final feels different with Stars home for G6 after losing 1st 3 to Vegas

DALLAS (AP) — Jason Robertson is frequently scoring goals again for the Dallas Stars, Jake Oettinger is stopping shots and captain Jamie Benn is about to return from a two-game suspension. The Western Conference Final isn't over yet, and suddenly feels much different. After the Vegas Golden Knights won the

NBA Finals berth at stake as Heat, Celtics prepare for Game 7

NBA Finals berth at stake as Heat, Celtics prepare for Game 7

BOSTON (AP) — Moments after Boston's dramatic win at Miami on Saturday night, Jaylen Brown began thinking about the future. He raised his hands, put up seven fingers and began yelling, "Game 7! Game 7!" Game 7, indeed. Brown and Boston are on the brink of history after Derrick White's

White's putback as time expires lifts Celtics past Heat, forces Game 7 in East finals

White's putback as time expires lifts Celtics past Heat, forces Game 7 in East finals

MIAMI (AP) — The Boston Celtics were a tenth of a second away from elimination. The Miami Heat were a tenth of a second from the NBA Finals. Derrick White owned that final moment.

Bucks finalizing deal to make Raptors' Adrian Griffin their head coach, AP source says

Bucks finalizing deal to make Raptors' Adrian Griffin their head coach, AP source says

MILWAUKEE (AP) — The Milwaukee Bucks are finalizing a deal to make Adrian Griffin their head coach after he spent the last five seasons as a Toronto Raptors assistant, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity Saturday

Heat still lead East finals, but Celtics roaring back with eye on history

Heat still lead East finals, but Celtics roaring back with eye on history

MIAMI (AP) — Maybe Kevin Garnett was right. Maybe, as he screamed in celebration of Boston's 2008 NBA championship, anything truly is possible. Even the impossible. The Celtics are halfway to history, and that alone has gotten them entry into a very small club. Of the first 150 teams that

Heat head home to Miami, confident as ever with another chance to clinch

Heat head home to Miami, confident as ever with another chance to clinch

BOSTON (AP) — The Miami Heat insist they are as confident as ever, even after missing two chances to eliminate the Boston Celtics. They will get the next one, Jimmy Butler said. "It's going to be all smiles," Butler said after the Celtics won 110-97 on Thursday night to cut

Celtics thrive on 3s, beat Heat 110-97 in Game 5 to extend East finals

Celtics thrive on 3s, beat Heat 110-97 in Game 5 to extend East finals

BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Celtics have looked elimination in the face four times this postseason and still haven't blinked. Derrick White had 24 points, including six 3-pointers, and the Celtics dominated the Miami Heat 110-97 on Thursday night in Game 5 to extend the Eastern Conference finals. Marcus Smart

Heat to start Lowry for injured Vincent in Game 5 of East finals vs. Celtics

Heat to start Lowry for injured Vincent in Game 5 of East finals vs. Celtics

BOSTON (AP) — The Miami Heat will start Kyle Lowry at point guard against the Celtics in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals Thursday after starter Gabe Vincent was ruled out with a sprained left ankle. Vincent got hurt late in Miami's Game 4 loss when he landed awkwardly

Still down 3-1 to Heat, Celtics cling to hope as East finals shift back to Boston

Still down 3-1 to Heat, Celtics cling to hope as East finals shift back to Boston

BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Celtics' season didn't end in Game 4 of their Eastern Conference finals matchup with the Miami Heat, and now there is a flicker of hope. Whether Boston's 116-99 victory on Tuesday night was the start of a miraculous revival or simply a momentary reprieve from

Tatum scores 33, Celtics stave off elimination by topping Heat 116-99 in Game 4

Tatum scores 33, Celtics stave off elimination by topping Heat 116-99 in Game 4

MIAMI (AP) — Down nine early in the third quarter, down 3-0 in the series, the Boston Celtics knew their season was completely on the brink. Three minutes later, everything looked different. Jayson Tatum had 33 points and 11 rebounds, Jaylen Brown added 17 points and the Celtics staved off