Billups, playing for his fourth team in five seasons, has spent the past few days studying the playbook in his hotel room while trying to get acclimated with the language of the offense.

The players are seeking “treble damages” _ meaning triple the amount of the more than $2 billion they would have made under a full 2011-12 season.

Union executive director Billy Hunter said the league again insisted it had to be split 50-50, while Stern said Hunter just walked out and left rather than discuss going below 52 percent.

The tickets sold at a rapid pace _ at $40 to $100. It didn’t matter that the entry process was exceedingly slow because both teams arrived after the scheduled 7 o’clock start.

The Grizzlies signed Randolph to a four-year contract extension in April during the first-round of the playoffs. He became only their second All-Star during the 2009-10 season.

The Sacramento Kings’ DeMarcus Cousins led the team dubbed “the Pros” with 28 points and 14 rebounds. Washington Wizards standout John Wall scored 15 points, while Jodie Meeks of the Philadelphia 76ers had 17.

BERLIN _ German Chancellor Angela Merkel has congratulated Dirk Nowitzki on winning the MVP in the Dallas Mavericks’ NBA finals triumph. Merkel spokesman Steffen Seibert said on Wednesday that Merkel wrote to Nowitzki to laud him for being “the first German to fulfill this great dream.” Merkel praised the Bavarian’s “industriousness, perseverance and outstanding performance.” [...]

When Jackson was asked Sunday if the Lakers should be blown up, as former star Magic Johnson loudly suggested last week, the NBA’s most successful coach gave one last smirk.

Kevin Garnett had 26 points and 10 rebounds, Rajon Rondo added 21 points and 12 assists, and the Celtics swept their way into the Eastern Conference semifinals, holding on for a 101-89 victory over the New York Knicks on Sunday.

“It’s an honor. I love being in L.A., I love the Lakers and more championships are coming,” said Bryant.

ORLANDO, Florida (AP) _ Marcus Jordan has always wanted to make a name for himself on the basketball court, and not be just known as the son of NBA great Michael Jordan. He found the place to do it at Central Florida. Though not exactly known for its basketball tradition, the 6-foot-3, 205 pound guard [...]

The Nets acquired first-round picks from the Lakers in 2011, and the Rockets in 2012.

There are very few basketball courts in Senegal. Despite the lack of resources, the NBA says Africa has one of the globe’s greatest reserves of untapped talent.

Shaquille O’Neal – The “Big Shamrock” signed a two-year deal with the Celtics at veteran’s minimum, forgoing more lucrative offers to join the defending Eastern Conference champions for a run at another championship or two.

The Lakers said last month that Bryant likely would have surgery this summer to clean up his knee. It wasn’t considered urgent, and he made a trip to South Africa for the World Cup before getting it done.