Firing head coach Sam Mitchell has provided no relief — the Raptors are 3-7 under replacement Jay Triano — but the move did shift the focus squarely on Toronto Raptors president and general manager Bryan Colangelo.

LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavilers are out to prove that they can beat any team in the Eastern or Western Conference. After a decisive 105-88 win over the Nuggets on Dec. 19, the Cavilers outshot and outhustled the Rockets down the stretch Tuesday night.

LOS ANGELES (AP) -The Lakers have been waiting more than six months for another shot at the Boston Celtics. Now that they'll get it, they might not like it.

The Celtics, winners of a franchise-record 19 straight games and off to the best two-loss start in NBA history, visit Staples Center on Thursday for a Christmas Day matchup with the Lakers.

Steve Francis will wind up with the Grizzlies, after all. Not the Vancouver Grizzlies -- the Memphis Grizzlies.

The Houston Rockets announced Wednesday they've dealt the injured former superstar to Memphis along with a 2009 second-round pick and cash. The Rockets get a conditional 2011 second-round pick.