Basketball

DENVER (AP) — It wasn't so much another slow start or Anthony Edwards' 43 points that bothered Denver Nuggets coach Michael Malone after the Minnesota Timberwolves thumped the reigning NBA champions 106-99 in the opener of the second-round series Sat

DENVER (AP) — Anthony Edwards scored a playoff career-high 43 points, Naz Reid had 14 of his 16 points in the fourth quarter and the Minnesota Timberwolves beat the defending NBA champion Denver Nuggets 106-99 in Game 1 of the second-round series Sat

DALLAS (AP) — Dallas Mavericks center Maxi Kleber has a separated shoulder that will sideline him indefinitely and raises doubts about his status for the rest of the playoffs, a person with knowledge of the injury said Saturday.

DENVER (AP) — Minnesota coach Chris Finch was in the second row of the bench when the Timberwolves opened their second-round series at Denver on Saturday after having knee surgery this week.

Preview capsules for the NBA’s conference semifinals: EASTERN CONFERENCE No. 2 NEW YORK KNICKS (50-32, 4-2) vs. No. 6 INDIANA PACERS (47-35, 4-2) Season series: Pacers, 2-1.

CLEVELAND (AP) — Donovan Mitchell pushed himself to his physical limits, leaving everything he had on the floor while trying to close out the precocious Orlando Magic. Cleveland's star came up short . He gets another shot. One more. Game 7.

NEW YORK (AP) — The NBA has fined Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell $25,000 for verbally abusing a game official shortly after the Lakers were eliminated from the playoffs by the Denver Nuggets earlier this week.

DALLAS (AP) — Tyronn Lue said he wants to be coach of the Los Angeles Clippers for the longterm and declined to address directly speculation that the Lakers would target him in their search after firing Darvin Ham .

DALLAS (AP) — Kyrie Irving wowed the crowd with a crossover move that helped create just enough space for him to let fly with a leaning 3-pointer.

Orlando Magic (47-35, fifth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (48-34, fourth in the Eastern Conference) Cleveland; Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT BETMGM SPORTSBOOK : LINE Cavaliers -3.5; over/under is 195.