Basketball

DALLAS (AP) — Lance Blanks, who played in the NBA for three seasons and later worked as a scout and front office executive, has died, his family announced Thursday. He was 56.

DETROIT (AP) — A female former employee of the Detroit Pistons has filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against the team and its now-fired assistant general manager.

PHOENIX (AP) — Kevin Durant has done just about everything an NBA player can do: He has won two championships, was named league MVP once, made 13 All-Star games and now has a lifetime contract with Nike , joining LeBron James and Michael Jordan.

MIAMI (AP) — NBA playoff scoring leader Jimmy Butler was with the Miami Heat for their film session Thursday, without any clarity yet if his sprained ankle will be healed enough for him to play in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series a

TACOMA, Wash. (AP) — Former NBA star Shawn Kemp pleaded not guilty Thursday to an assault charge after prosecutors accused him of shooting at a man while attempting to retrieve a stolen cell phone.

NEW YORK (AP) — Jalen Brunson, like a good point guard, was trying to set up his teammate. Josh Hart wasn't ready for the pass. Not when he was busy with a mouthful of pizza . “You can finish chewing,” Brunson said.

Denver Nuggets (53-29, first in the Western Conference) vs. Phoenix Suns (45-37, fourth in the Western Conference) Phoenix; Friday, 10 p.m. EDT FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK NBA LINE : Suns -3.5; over/under is 224.

Boston Celtics (57-25, second in the Eastern Conference) vs. Philadelphia 76ers (54-28, third in the Eastern Conference) Philadelphia; Friday, 7:30 p.m. EDT FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK NBA LINE : 76ers -1.

BOSTON (AP) — The Celtics walked off the court angry and frustrated after giving up home-court advantage in their series-opening loss to the 76ers. Boston called on those emotions — and its defense — to dominate in Game 2.

BOSTON (AP) — Reigning NBA MVP Joel Embiid will play and start in Game 2 of the 76ers’ second-round playoff series against the Boston Celtics.