Basketball

Sixers strengthen ‘sister-club’ pact with Shandong

THE Adelaide 36ers are heading for China and a four-game series against the CBA’s Shandong High Speed Golden Stars, with plans to secure a “sister club” arrangement.

NBA Wrap: LeBron leads Cavs to big win

LeBRON James came up big in a statement win for the Cleveland Cavaliers, while Jose Calderon played hero for the New York Knicks. It’s all in the NBA Wrap.

NBA Wrap: Warriors, Spurs extend streaks

STEPHEN Curry scored 15 of his 35 points in the fourth quarter as Golden State rallied to beat Phoenix. That, and more, in the NBA Wrap.

New home venue announced in Kings shake-up

THE NBL’s Sydney Kings have announced their ambitious new home venue, along with a shake-up in the front office.

‘Humiliating’ blow to Simmons’ draft prospects

FOR much of the season Aussie Ben Simmons was an unbackable favourite to be the NBA’s no. 1 draft pick this year. Then this happened.

Townsville breathe Fire to scorch Lynx

A SCORCHING final quarter from defending champions Townsville Fire gave them a 1-0 lead over Perth Lynx in the best-of-three WNBL finals series.

Warriors defeat Blazers in revenge game

THE Golden State Warriors defeated the Portland Trail Blazers in a payback game, while Ricky Rubio came up in the clutch for the Timberwolves. It’s all in the NBA Wrap.

Simmons’ LSU advance to SEC Tournament semis

BEN Simmons had a slow start but picked up his game in the second half, as LSU defeated Tennessee to advance to the SEC Tournament semifinal.

Boomers get USA in Rio, Opals avoid rival

THE Boomers have been drawn to face USA in the group stages of the Olympic basketball tournament but the Opals have avoided their traditional rivals.

Jackson ‘a long-shot’ for Rio, says Joyce

OPALS coach Brendan Joyce is more hopeful than optimistic four-time Olympian Lauren Jackson will be healthy enough to compete for Australia at the Rio Games.

Perth boss wins WNBL Coach of the Year award

FORMER Wildacts NBL assistant Andy Stewart has been named the WNBL Coach of the Year after steering Lynx into the grand final series.

NBA Wrap: Kobe, LeBron‘s epic final duel

KOBE Bryant outscored LeBron James in the 22nd and final battle between NBA superstars but it wasn’t enough for his struggling L.A. Lakers.

Premier League tip-off but fans in the dark

BASKETBALL SA’s top competition, the Premier League, tips off around Adelaide tonight but if you’re not directly involved, you probably don’t know it.

Athletic freak changing the game

WITH his 12-inch hands and superhuman wingspan, this Greek son of Nigerian parents is changing the way basketball is played.

Can this guy make it in the NFL?

NATE Robinson is one of the most dynamic athletes ever to have played in the NBA, but what he plans to do next will test him to his limits.

Randle collects 36ers’ MVP accolade

ADELAIDE 36ers import Jerome Randle Thursday night joined the NBL club’s list of “immortals” when he won its Most Valuable Player award.

Wrap: Westbrook’s wonder game, Curry’s freak shot

NBA WRAP: Russell Westbrook matched a feat last achieved by Magic Johnson in 1988 while Steph Curry was at it again from long range.

Ciabattoni wins WNBL rookie honours

ADELAIDE Lightning guard/forward Alex Ciabattoni has won the WNBL’s Betty Watson Rookie of the Year award for the 2015-16 season.

Video: Curry nails putt against world no. 1

NBA MVP Stephen Curry has already played a round at Augusta and might just have a future on the links if this putt-off is anything to go by.

NBL delays free agency period

THE probability of a third restricted player per NBL team and significant changes to player contracts has forced the league to postpone the start of its free agency period.

Curry beats Jordan in just two seasons

IT’S one of the most stunning feats yet to emerge from Steph Curry’s ludicrous NBA campaign. He just destroyed a Michael Jordan career tally.

Racing to Rio: Matildas in, Boomers revealed

THE Matildas are in, Boomers squad revealed and a shooter stars. All in this week’s RACING TO RIO.

Where to for LeBron James?

LEBRON James’ career is slowly running out of time, so were he to leave the Cleveland Cavaliers, where would’The King’ end up?

What happened to NBA rookie phenom?

KRISTAPS Porzingis was incredible for the Knicks early in the NBA season. Now, the giant rookie has hit the wall. Two factors have been touted as to why.

The saddest press conference ever

IF you have a problem with looking deep into a person’s soul, and seeing that they are broken, then don’t watch this.

NBA Wrap: Lakers’ young core shines again

THE Los Angeles Lakers’ young stars had another great game, while the Trail Blazers picked up a big overtime win. It’s all in the NBA Wrap.

Is this guy LeBron’s biggest problem?

WHEN James tweets random nonsense or goes to hang out with his former Miami Heat teammates, most of us figure he’s taking shots at Kevin Love.

New Boomers squad for Rio in name only

THE camaraderie and commitment of the Aussie Boomers in their quest to medal at the Rio Olympics played a significant role in selection of today’s 26-man squad.

Why Boomers are nightmare for Dream Team

BOOMERS coach Andrej Lemanis says America’s NBA stars have lost their fear factor, adamant Australia’s basketballers can come home from Rio with gold.

Ogilvy glaring omission from Boomers squad

THE big NBA names are all there — even injured Dante Exum — but the absence of AJ Ogilvy from the Boomers’ 26-man Rio squad is a shock.

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Adelaide The ‘rock’ says defence ready to roll

DANIEL Talia deflects acclaim as the irreplaceable ‘rock’ integral to Adelaide’s spine and premiership ambition with the assured calm that dismantles elite spearheads. Richard Earle reports.

Power Mr Fixit suddenly elder statesman

NEARING his 30th birthday and 10th year at Alberton, Port Adelaide big-man Justin Westhoff admits he does sometimes wonder where the time has gone.

Return Rest a necessary evil for Broxham

LEIGH Broxham endured a horror night during Melbourne’s five-goal loss to Brisbane, but the midfielder says he’s OK with Kevin Muscat’s decision to rest him.

Redemption Victory out to shrug off Roar shame

AFTER suffering a humiliating defeat against Brisbane Roar, Kevin Muscat says Melbourne Victory’s ACL against clash can’t come soon enough.

Scored NRL players ratings: Tigers v Sea Eagles

JAMES Tedesco set down an early claim for a NSW Origin jersey with an all-action display in the Tigers’ 36-22 victory over the Sea Eagles.

NRL 2016 Young guns dominate in Tigers’ win

THREE tries, two straight wins, one Blues jumper. James Tedesco, come on down. The fullback led Wests Tigers to an epic victory over Manly at Leichhardt Oval.

Pitch disease Surface tensions simmer ahead of ACL clash

MELBOURNE’S ACL clash against Suwon Bluewings has been thrown into chaos with AAMI Park ground staff struggling to come to grips with a disease affecting the grass.

Unlucky curse Is this NRL player cursed?

LEAGUIES are often unlucky due to injury, but Brayden Wiliame might be the NRL’s most cursed player for a completely different reason.

No fluke Time to take notice of teenage stars

AN Olympic champion has predicted brilliant futures for teenagers Dan Fitter and Callum Scotson after the pair defended their Bendigo International Madison title.

Shoulder Roar backing Borrello to be fit for City clash

BRISBANE Roar coach John Aloisi has backed in-form attacker Brandon Borrello to overcome his shoulder injury in time for the crunch match with Melbourne City

Paul Kent Ricky can stick it to the haters

OH, how they love to hate Ricky Stuart, with his chest-thumping, heart-on-his-sleeve antics. But something is stirring in Canberra, writes PAUL KENT.

Adelaide United sweat on Carrusca for Wanderers clash

ADELAIDE United midfielder Marcelo Carrusca remains touch and go for Saturday’s clash with Western Sydney.

Club legend Chiellini: Juve made me a man

JUVENTUS legend Giorgio Chiellini revealed that the influence of club royalty early on “made me a man” and have helped him revive a seemingly lost season.