The Americans are good but certainly beatable, and their coach envisions a way it can happen. Mike Krzyzewski likes his players but realizes they have shortcomings - starting with the fact that they're kind of short.

With the Spurs and Mavericks meeting again in the playoffs, it's easy to be lulled into thinking this is the same old, same old - two in-state rivals who know each other so well that the winner will simply be whichever team makes the most of its opportunities.

All the New Jersey Nets need in their final 12 games are two wins.

Alvin Gentry gets a kick out of the fact that the Oklahoma City Thunder roster lists Kevin Durant at 6 feet, 9 inches tall.

The Dallas Mavericks acquired Caron Butler and Brendan Haywood from Washington on Saturday, a seven-player deal that strengthens them for a playoff run and signals the breakup of a disappointing Wizards team.

The Mavericks traded forward Josh Howard and Drew Gooden to the Washington Wizards on Saturday in a seven-player deal that sends Caron Butler and center Brendan Haywood to Dallas.