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Houston Rockets guard James Harden, right, passes against Sacramento Kings guard Ty Lawson during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, April 9, 2017, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

MVP favorites Harden, Westbrook get first-round showdown

By KRISTIE RIEKEN - Associated Press

Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas celebrates from the bench late in the fourth quarter during an NBA basketball game against the Milwaukee Bucks in Boston, Wednesday, April 12, 2017. With the Celtics' regular-season finale 112-94 win, they claim the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Top seed Celtics carry expectations into matchup with Bulls

By KYLE HIGHTOWER - Associated Press

Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry (30) is fouled by Los Angeles Lakers' Tyler Ennis (11) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, April 12, 2017, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

Warriors ready to start another special postseason run

By JANIE McCAULEY - Associated Press

Florida forward Devin Robinson leaving college for NBA draft

Associated Press

FILE - In this April 2, 2017, file photo, Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James (23) drives to the basket against Indiana Pacers' Paul George (13) in the first half of an NBA basketball game, in Cleveland. Fierce rivals on the floor, LeBron James and Paul George have become good friends outside the arena. They share a mutual respect that will be on display when Cleveland and Indiana match up in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs starting Saturday. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak, File)

Rivals and friends, LeBron and George meet in playoffs again

By TOM WITHERS - Associated Press

San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich, center, looks on from the bench during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz Wednesday, April 12, 2017, in Salt Lake City. The Jazz won 101-97. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

Spurs, Grizzlies square off in 4th playoff series since ‘11

By TERESA M. WALKER - Associated Press

Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James watches from the bench in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Toronto Raptors, Wednesday, April 12, 2017, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

The NBA playoffs have arrived, and here’s 10 things to watch

By TIM REYNOLDS - Associated Press

San Antonio Spurs center Pau Gasol, right, drives around Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, April 12, 2017, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

There will be big international interest in the NBA playoffs

By TIM REYNOLDS - Associated Press

Clippers-Jazz playoff series is matchup of different styles

By BETH HARRIS - Associated Press

FILE - In this Saturday, March 11, 2017, file photo, Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook, center, goes up for a dunk in front of Utah Jazz guards Alec Burks (10) and Raul Neto (25) during an NBA basketball game in Oklahoma City. Westbrook had more triple-doubles than any player in history this season, and he'll need a few more if Oklahoma City expects to make a deep playoff run. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File)

Thunder’s Westbrook focused on playoffs, not historic season

By CLIFF BRUNT - Associated Press

Atlanta Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer reacts to a turnover during the second half of the team's NBA basketball game against the Indiana Pacers, Wednesday, April 12, 2017, in Indianapolis. Indiana defeated Atlanta 104-86. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

After strange season, Hawks hope they’ve figured things out

By PAUL NEWBERRY - Associated Press

FILE - In this Jan. 21, 2017, file photo, Milwaukee Bucks coach Jason Kidd talks with forward Giannis Antetokounmpo during the team's NBA basketball game against the Miami Heat in Miami. Antetokounmpo blossomed into an All-Star in his first full season since Kidd made him a primary ball-handler. He became the first player in NBA history to finish a season in the top 20 in total points, rebounds, assists, blocks and steals. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File)

Guarding Bucks’ Giannis presents Raptors a playoff puzzle

By GENARO C. ARMAS - Associated Press

FILE - In this April 4, 2017, file photo, North Carolina forward Justin Jackson talks on his cell phone in the locker room after the championship game against Gonzaga at the Final Four NCAA college basketball tournament, in Glendale, Ariz. The school said Thursday, April 13, 2017, that Jackson will enter the NBA draft as a junior and hire an agent. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)

North Carolina junior Justin Jackson entering NBA draft

By AARON BEARD - Associated Press

FILE - In this March 15, 2017, file photo, Milwaukee Bucks center Greg Monroe, center, vies for a rebound with Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul, left, and forward Blake Griffin during the first half of an NBA basketball game, in Los Angeles. The Clippers are heading into the playoffs on a seven-game winning streak, eager to atone for their postseason missteps the last three years. They'll open against the Utah Jazz, with Blake Griffin and Chris Paul still trying to get past the second round in their sixth season together. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson, File)

Clippers looking to avoid injuries, bad luck in playoffs

By BETH HARRIS - Associated Press

FILE - In this Feb. 5, 2015, file photo, Orlando Magic general manager Rob Hennigan pauses to answer a question during a news conference in Orlando, Fla. The Orlando Magic have fired general manager Rob Hennigan after missing the postseason for five straight seasons. The team confirmed the dismissal on Thursday, April 13, 2017. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel via AP, File)

Orlando fires GM Hennigan after missing playoffs for 5 years

By TERRANCE HARRIS - Associated Press

Denver Nuggets forward Nikola Jokic, center, reaches for a rebound with Oklahoma City Thunder forwards Taj Gibson (22) and Domantas Sabonis, left, during the second quarter of an NBA basketball game in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, April 12, 2017. Denver won 111-105. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Nuggets narrowly miss playoffs, find cornerstone in Jokic

By PAT GRAHAM - Associated Press

Capsule previews of every NBA first-round playoff series

By The Associated Press - Associated Press

Philadelphia 76ers' Ben Simmons speaks with members of the media at the team's NBA basketball training facility in Camden, N.J., Thursday, April 13, 2017. The 76ers finished another season out of the playoffs. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

76ers need injured players healthy for ‘Process’ to work

Associated Press

Brooklyn Nets guard Spencer Dinwiddie (8) is defended by Chicago Bulls forward Nikola Mirotic, left, and guard Jerian Grant, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Chicago, Wednesday, April 12, 2017. (AP Photo/David Banks)

Despite NBA’s worst record, Nets say steps toward the future

By ADRY TORRES - Associated Press

Miami Heat guard Goran Dragic looks for an opening past Washington Wizards forward Daniel Ochefu (32) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, April 12, 2017, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

Heat saved their season _ without a trip to the postseason

By TIM REYNOLDS - Associated Press