NBA Northwest

(Reuters) - Paul Millsap scored 14 straight points for Utah in the critical fourth quarter to carry the Jazz to a 106-96 triumph over the Northwest Division rival Denver Nuggets on Sunday.

The star-studded Miami Heat fell 117-104 to the Denver Nuggets, a defeat made all the more painful by an ankle injury to Dwyane Wade.

Kobe Bryant, who pumped in 48 points against Phoenix the night before, continued his hot hand by scoring 40 to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a 90-87 overtime win over Utah.

(Reuters) - The starter's gun sounds Christmas Day on an National Basketball Association (NBA) sprint of a season that will reward cohesiveness and fitness in a compressed 66-game campaign that has the Miami Heat as clear front-runners.

(Reuters) - The Denver Nuggets re-signed Arron Afflalo to a multi-year contract after the starting guard had a breakout season, the National Basketball Association team said on Tuesday.

- (Reuters) - Boston Celtics forward Jeff Green will undergo surgery for an aortic aneurysm next month and miss the 2011-12 season, the National Basketball Association (NBA) team said on Saturday.

BELGRADE (Reuters) - Kyle Singler took a road less travelled for a player with a college basketball title under his belt and his decision to swap the NBA for Europe was vindicated in an impressive Euroleague debut for Real Madrid Thursday.

(Reuters) - The Minnesota Timberwolves injected some energy into their backcourt by signing free agent guard Jose Juan "J.J." Barea, the National Basketball Association (NBA) club said on Thursday.

(Reuters) - The Denver Nuggets have re-signed free agent center Nene, a model of consistency since overcoming injury and cancer, the National Basketball Association (NBA) team said on Wednesday.

(Reuters) - The NBA champion Dallas Mavericks continued their roster changes on Tuesday by trading away Spanish guard Rudy Fernandez and forward Corey Brewer to the Denver Nuggets.

SEATTLE (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp co-founder Paul Allen is planning to build a spaceship that could replace the Space Shuttle and put paying passengers into orbit this decade.

SEATTLE (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp co-founder Paul Allen is planning to build a spaceship that could replace the Space Shuttle this decade.

SEATTLE (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp co-founder Paul Allen is planning to build a spaceship that could replace the Space Shuttle this decade.

The Milwaukee Bucks matched an offer from NBA rival Denver on Tuesday in order to keep free agent forward Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, signing the Cameroon veteran to a multi-year contract.

SEATTLE (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp co-founder Paul Allen is planning to build a spaceship that could replace the Space Shuttle this decade.

SEATTLE (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp co-founder Paul Allen is planning to build a spaceship that could replace the Space Shuttle this decade.

The Los Angeles Clippers rejected a trade offer that would have sent playmaker Chris Paul from the New Orleans Hornets, but claimed NBA veteran Chauncey Billups off waivers.

(Reuters) - The Los Angeles Clippers have claimed Chauncey Billups off waivers and re-signed restricted free agent DeAndre Jordan, the NBA team announced Monday.

The Los Angeles Clippers rejected a trade offer that would have sent playmaker Chris Paul from the New Orleans Hornets, but claimed NBA veteran Chauncey Billups off waivers.

Brandon Roy, the NBA's rookie-of-the year in 2007, has decided to retire after just five seasons because of serious knee problems, The Oregonian newspaper reported.