Basketball

MIAMI (AP) — The mission for the Denver Nuggets was clear: Come to Miami, get two wins and head back home with a chance to finally become NBA champions. It's officially there for the taking.

MIAMI (AP) — Get this series back to the 305. That’s what Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra repeated fervently after a loss to the Denver Nuggets on Friday night left them once again facing elimination.

MIAMI (AP) — What can Brown do for the Denver Nuggets? He has them one win from their first championship in franchise history.

MIAMI (AP) — Game 4 of the NBA final halted for about nine minutes Friday night after Miami's Bam Adebayo appeared to bend one of the rims on a missed dunk attempt. It happened with 2:07 left in the third quarter.

BOSTON (AP) — Celtics forward Grant Williams had surgery Friday to repair a torn ligament in his left hand and is expected to be sidelined from basketball activities for the next two months.

DENVER (AP) — Denver Nuggets rookie Christian Braun is showing that the NBA Finals is not too big of a stage for him.

MIAMI (AP) — There is some irony in the Denver Nuggets being the last team that Udonis Haslem will ever suit up against. They were the team that almost got him out of Miami.

MIAMI (AP) — Jimmy Butler showed up in plush blue slippers for what was officially called practice. Kyle Lowry was trying to distract him during an interview session. Nikola Jokic continued to say how he doesn’t care about statistics.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Michael Winger made it clear he’s got work to do as the Washington Wizards’ new top basketball executive.

IRVING, Texas (AP) — The Big 12 Conference is extending its reach into Mexico, announcing plans Thursday for men's and women's basketball games to be played in Mexico City late next year while also exploring a possible football bowl game in Monterrey