NBA

More international players, broadcasts increase popularity for NBA Finals

19 June 2007 -- Washington – The popularity of the National Basketball Association (NBA) has been growing around the world as ever-increasing numbers of international players join NBA rosters and the games are broadcast to more places and in more languages.

The San Antonio Spurs symbolize this international movement in the NBA. The club had five players this season from outside the United States who played pivotal roles in winning the club its fourth NBA championship since 1999 on June 14.    » read more »

15 June 2007 -- The San Antonio Spurs are the National Basketball Association champions, sweeping the Cleveland Cavilers in four straight games in the best-of-seven title series.

The Spurs won their fourth NBA title in the last nine seasons with a 83-82 victory over the Cavaliers Thursday in Game Four of the championship series.

Manu Ginobili of Argentina came off the San Antonio bench to contribute a game high 27 points along with seven rebounds. French teammate Tony Parker scored 24 points and was named the finals most valuable player.    » read more »

6.7.07 - Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today issued the following statement in support of the Cleveland Cavaliers as they prepare to take on the San Antonio Spurs in Game 1 of the NBA Finals tonight.

“The Cavs have made Cleveland, and all of Ohio, proud,” Strickland said. “Throughout this season and the playoffs, the Cleveland Cavaliers have embodied the spirit of their hometown and sparked hope in the hearts of Ohioans young and old. Ohio stands behind our Cleveland Cavaliers with pride as they compete for the first of what will surely be many NBA Finals.”    » read more »

03 June 2007 -- The National Basketball Association championships are set after the Cleveland Cavaliers won four straight games to eliminate the Detroit Pistons in the Eastern Conference finals.

Cleveland beat visiting Detroit 98-82 Saturday to win the best-of-seven series four-games-to-two.

Rookie Daniel Gibson scored 19 of his season-high 31 points in the fourth quarter, including five three-point shots, to lead the Cavaliers' second-half surge. Superstar LeBron James added 20 points and 14 rebounds for Cleveland.    » read more »

31 May 2007 -- The San Antonio Spurs trounced the Utah Jazz 109-84 Wednesday to earn a trip to the National Basketball Association's championship finals.

The Spurs clinched the best-of-seven Western Conference final round in five games against an inexperienced Utah team. San Antonio is making its third trip to the NBA finals in five years, and won the title in 1999, 2003 and 2005.

The Spurs dominated the Jazz from the start, and held a 19-point lead after the first quarter. Tim Duncan and Tony Parker each scored 21 points.    » read more »

27 May 2007 -- The Utah Jazz remain undefeated on their home court in the National Basketball Association playoffs, after beating the San Antonio Spurs, 109-83.

The Jazz outscored the Spurs 66-36 in the second half Saturday to cut San Antonio's lead in the best-of-seven Western Conference finals to two games to one.

Deron Williams led Utah with 31 points and eight assists. Carlos Boozer added 27 points and grabbed 12 rebounds for the Jazz.

San Antonio star Tim Duncan got into early foul trouble, and was held to 16 points. He also committed eight turnovers.    » read more »

28 May 2007 -- In the National Basketball Association playoffs, the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Detroit Pistons 88-82 for their first victory in the Eastern Conference finals.

LeBron James scored 32 points and nine rebounds to lead the host Cavaliers Sunday in game three of the best-of-seven series. He hit a jump shot that gave Cleveland a four-point lead with just 16 seconds left in the game.

Drew Gooden sealed the victory, hitting a pair of free throws with six seconds to go. Lithuanian center Zydrunas Ilgauskas added 16 points for Cleveland.    » read more »

21 May 2007 -- The San Antonio Spurs have won the first game of their National Basketball Association Western Conference best-of-seven final series against the Utah Jazz, 108-100.

Utah rallied late in the game Sunday, hitting 10 straight baskets to cut deeply into the host Spurs' lead. But in the end, the Jazz fell short.

San Antonio's Tim Duncan led the Spurs with 27 points and 10 rebounds. Teammate Manu Ginobili contributed 23 points, and Tony Parker netted another 21 points. Utah's Deron Williams led all scorers with 34 points, including 18 in the fourth quarter.    » read more »

19 May 2007 -- The semifinal matchups in the National Basketball Association playoffs are set, after the Cleveland Cavaliers and San Antonio Spurs won their two playoff series Friday.

LeBron James scored 23 points to lead the Cavaliers to an 88-72 win over the New Jersey Nets. Cleveland jumped out to a 22-point lead in the first half, then overcame a furious New Jersey comeback.

Cleveland won the Eastern Conference best-of-seven series 4-2. The Cavaliers will meet the Detroit Pistons in the conference finals, beginning Monday on Detroit's court.    » read more »

17 May 2007 -- The New Jersey Nets avoided elimination from the National Basketball Association playoffs with an 82-72 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers Wednesday.

Jason Kidd scored 20 points for the Nets, who built a 22-point lead over Cleveland in the third quarter. The big lead was crucial as New Jersey scored only six points in the final quarter, while holding the Cavaliers to just 13 points. LeBron James led the Cavaliers with 20 points.

Cleveland now leads the best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinal series 3-2. Game six moves to New Jersey Friday.    » read more »

14 May 2007 -- The Chicago Bulls have avoided a four-game playoff sweep with a 102-87 victory over the Detroit Pistons in the quarterfinals of the National Basketball Association playoffs.

Luol Deng scored 25 points Sunday while Chicago teammates Kirk Hinrich and Ben Gordon added 19 each. Despite the loss, the Pistons hold a commanding 3-1 advantage in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinal series.

Detroit will try to wrap up the series Tuesday on their home court, where the Pistons blew out Chicago twice after sweeping the Orlando Magic in the first round.    » read more »

13 May 2007 -- The San Antonio Spurs and New Jersey Nets posted wins Saturday in their National Basketball Association quarterfinal playoff series.

San Antonio star Tim Duncan had 33 points and 19 rebounds to lead the Spurs to a 108-101 victory over the visiting Phoenix Suns. Manu Ginobili added 24 points for the Spurs, who took a two-games-to-one lead in their best-of-seven Western Conference semifinal series.

The Spurs host the Suns again Monday.    » read more »

06 May 2007 -- The Utah Jazz eliminated the Houston Rockets to reach the second round of the National Basketball Association playoffs.

The Jazz beat the Rockets 103-99 in Saturday's decisive game seven to win their Western Conference series. Carlos Boozer led the visiting Jazz with 35 points and 14 rebounds.

Utah is only the seventh team since 2001 to rally from a two-games-to-none deficit and win a series. The Jazz advance to the West semifinals where they will take on the Golden State Warriors. Game one is Monday on Utah's court.    » read more »

07 May 2007 -- The Cleveland Cavaliers and the San Antonio Spurs won their opening National Basketball Association second-round playoff games Sunday.

The Cavaliers defeated the visiting New Jersey Nets 81-77 to take an early lead in their best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinal series. LeBron James netted 21 points to help hold off New Jersey.

Action stays in Cleveland for Tuesday's game two.

The Spurs beat the host Phoenix Suns 111-106 for the lead in their best-of-seven Western Conference semifinal series. Tim Duncan led San Antonio with 33 points and 16 rebounds.    » read more »