Basketball

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Can it be 40 years since Maurice Cheeks dunked and punctuated the Philadelphia 76ers’ sweep of the Los Angeles Lakers to win the 1983 NBA championship? Forty years since Moses Malone predicted a four-game sweep? Forty years since

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Cleveland Browns owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam’s purchase of Marc Lasry’s 25% stake in the Milwaukee Bucks has received approval from the NBA’s board of governors.

The NBA fined the Dallas Mavericks $750,000 on Friday, saying the team engaged in “conduct detrimental to the league” by sitting out most of its key players against the Chicago Bulls on April 7 despite still having a chance to reach the postseason.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — The Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings have spent nearly four decades as California neighbors having never played a game with high significance.

For the Golden State Warriors, it’s a drive for five, as in five championships in nine years. It’s a similar thought for LeBron James, as the NBA’s all-time points leader is set to resume his quest for a fifth ring.

BOSTON (AP) — Joe Mazzulla has been navigating an opportunity he’s always wanted, but never expected to have this soon. Along the way, the Celtics coach hasn’t strayed too far from what put him in this position in the first place.

DENVER (AP) — Not since Jamal Murray was dropping 50 points on the Utah Jazz back in the NBA's bubble in 2020 have the Denver Nuggets entered the playoffs as healthy as they are now.

Atlanta Hawks (41-41, seventh in the Eastern Conference) vs. Boston Celtics (57-25, second in the Eastern Conference) Boston; Saturday, 3:30 p.m. EDT FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK NBA LINE : Celtics -9; over/under is 230.

Brooklyn Nets (45-37, sixth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Philadelphia 76ers (54-28, third in the Eastern Conference) Philadelphia; Saturday, 1 p.m. EDT FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK NBA LINE : 76ers -8.5; over/under is 214.

Golden State Warriors (44-38, sixth in the Western Conference) vs. Sacramento Kings (48-34, third in the Western Conference) Sacramento, California; Saturday, 8:30 p.m. EDT FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK NBA LINE : EVEN; over/under is 238.