Nicolas Batum

Portland forward Nicolas Batum notched the second triple-double of his NBA career to lead the Trail Blazers to a 101-100 victory over the slumping Los Angeles Clippers.

Amare Stoudemire made his NBA season debut after an injury absence but couldn't lift the New York Knicks over the Portland Trail Blazers.

Thirteen proved to be the Washington Wizards' lucky number as they ended a season-opening 0-12 streak of futility with an 84-82 NBA victory over the Portland TrailBlazers.

Defending champions United States will play 2004 gold medallists Argentina and reigning European kings Spain will meet Russia in the Olympic men's basketball semi-finals after triumphs on Wednesday.

Nursing bruises and a grudge, reigning European champion Spain will face Russia in an Olympic men's basketball semi-final after outlasting France 66-59 in a punishing physical matchup on Wednesday.

Nursing bruises and a grudge, reigning European champion Spain will face Russia in an Olympic men's basketball semi-final after outlasting France 66-59 in a punishing physical matchup on Wednesday.

US NBA stars routed Argentina 126-97 Monday to remain unbeaten and set up showdowns in Wednesday's Olympic quarter-finals, with the alluring chance of a US-Russia gold medal final on Sunday.

France took a major step toward reaching the medal playoffs in the Olympic men's basketball tournament by beating Lithuania 82-74 on Thursday and Australia boosted playoff hopes by ripping China 81-61.

NBA star guard Tony Parker scored 27 points and France took a big step toward reaching the medal playoffs in the Olympic men's basketball tournament by defeating Lithuania 82-74 on Thursday.

With spectacular dunks and pressuring defence, the US Olympic team of NBA stars routed Tunisia 110-63 on Tuesday while France edged Argentina in a showdown of NBA teammates Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili.

With spectacular dunks and pressuring defence, the US Olympic team of NBA stars routed Tunisia 110-63 on Tuesday while France edged Argentina in a showdown of NBA teammates Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili.

Tony Parker shook off an eye injury that forces him to wear protective goggles and outplayed NBA teammate Manu Ginobili down the stretch Tuesday to give France a 71-64 Olympic victory over Argentina.

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.

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.

(Reuters) - Joakim Noah is considering a move to the French League if the NBA season is canceled because of the lockout, the Chicago Bulls center said on Thursday.

PARIS (Reuters) - New York Knicks center Ronny Turiaf will become the sixth NBA-based Frenchman to play in the French league when he joins Villeurbanne ASVEL during the NBA lock-out, the Pro A team said on Monday.

Spain became the first nation to defend their European title since Yugoslavia in 1997 as MVP Juan Carlos Navarro scored 26 points in Spain's 98-85 victory over France in Sunday's final.

Juan Carlos Navarro and reigning champions Spain ended Macedonia's fairytale run at the 2011 European Championship to set up a final against France, making their maiden trip to the final.

France and Russia lived up to their status as favourites to advance to the semi-finals of the 2011 European Championships on Thursday and take a step closer to the London Olympics.

France survived a late collapse to remain undefeated at the men's European Championships on Wednesday while Spain and Lithuania took a big step to reaching the quarter-finals.