NBA News
US practices, expects to look sharper (AP)
After one lackluster victory during pool play, Mike Krzyzewski encountered some feistier competition in his news conference than the U.S. faced on the court. "Why didn't the USA score more?" one reporter asked. "Why isn't the team practicing?" questioned another. Maybe the two issues were related.
Fernandez gets Spain into quarters (AP)
Juan Carlos Navarro scored 22 points for Spain in an 80-72 victory that eliminated Greece from the basketball world championships Saturday. The Spaniards made 8 of 18 3-pointers and used a 13-3 run in the fourth quarter to push ahead during the game in the round of 16. Greece closed within 72-68 on Vasileios Spanoulis' layup with 1:01 left in the game, but Ricky Rubio answered with two free
Krstic helps Serbia beat Croatia 73-72 (AP)
Oklahoma City Thunder center Nenad Krstic had 16 points and Aleksander Rasic scored five points in the last 21 seconds to help Serbia edge Croatia 73-72 in the round of 16 at the basketball world championship Saturday. Croatian guard Marko Popovic made two free throws with 5 seconds left to tie the game at 72, but Rasic was fouled by Davor Kus as he attempted a shot with 1 second left.
Bucks sign 2nd-round pick Hobson (AP)
The Milwaukee Bucks have signed second-round draft pick Darington Hobson. The 6-foot-7, 210-pound junior was taken 37th overall out of New Mexico in this year's draft. Terms were not disclosed when the signing was announced Friday. Hobson averaged 16.4 points, 8.8 rebounds and 3.6 assists over three college seasons, the first two at Eastern Utah.
James may see Miami-Ohio St. in Columbus (AP)
LeBron James didn't change all his teams this summer. James posted on his Twitter feed Thursday that he's considering going to Columbus, Ohio, on Sept. 11 to see the matchup between No. 2 Ohio State -- his longtime team of choice -- and No. 13 Miami. And no, the former Cleveland Cavaliers star isn't rooting for the Hurricanes.
Hawks sign free agent C Etan Thomas (AP)
The Atlanta Hawks have signed free agent center Etan Thomas to add bulk in the frontcourt. The 6-foot-10 Thomas spent most of his career with the Washington Wizards but finished last season with Oklahoma City. He's averaged 5.8 point and 4.8 rebounds per game over his eight-year career, which includes 74 starts.
Dragic, Slovenia in elimination stage (AP)
Goran Dragic of the Phoenix Suns scored 18 points, and Slovenia surged into the elimation stage of the world championship with a 65-60 victory over Iran on Thursday. The Slovenians (4-1) won their last three games after losing to the United States to take the No. 2 seed from Group B. They will face Australia, the No.
Mills lifts Australia into next round (AP)
Australia beat Angola 76-55 Thursday to clinch third place in Group A of the basketball world championship. Patty Mills had 11 points for Australia, which broke open the game with an 11-0 run in the second quarter. No player scored in double figures for Angola, which played without top scorer Olimpio Cipriano.
Barea, Puerto Rico ousted from worlds (AP)
Charles Abouo scored 19 points to lead Ivory Coast to an 88-79 win over Puerto Rico on Thursday at the basketball world championship. Despite the win, China will move on to Istanbul on a point differential ahead of the Ivory Coast and Puerto Rico in Group C. Mohamed Kone had double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds and Mamadou Lamizana added 17 points for the Ivory Coast.