Sport Lakers name Magic Johnson president of basketball operations, fire GM Mitch Kupchak

Washington Wizards guard John Wall goes over the top of Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner for the ball during the second half in Indianapolis Feb. 16. Washington won 111-98.

LeBron, Irving power Cavaliers past Nuggets, 125-109

LeBron James and Kyrie Irving each scored 27 points and combined for three 3-pointers in Cleveland's long-range barrage in the third quarter that sent the Cavaliers to a 125-109 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Saturday night. James added 12 assists in 32 minutes as the defending NBA champions won for the fifth time in six February games after going 7-8 in January.BOX SCORE:  CAVALIERS 125, NUGGETS 109Back from a four-game road trip, the Cavs didn't find their range until after halftime, when they opened the third with an 18-0 run to take control.

Chicago Bulls guard Jerian Grant is defended by Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas during the first quarter in Chicago on Feb. 16. Chicago won 104-103.

Amir Johnson of the Boston Celtics is fouled by Robin Lopez of the Chicago Bulls as he rebounds at the United Center on Feb. 16 in Chicago. Chicago won 104-103.

Washington Wizards center Ian Mahinmi is fouled as he shoots between Indiana Pacers guard Glenn Robinson III, right, and center Al Jefferson during the first half in Indianapolis, Feb. 16. Washington won 111-98.

Lakers need more than Magic to turn things around

For Los Angeles Lakers President Jeanie Buss, the smart move on Sunday evening is to steer clear of the TNT network. Watch The Simpsons, The Walking Dead, or maybe Shark Tank, the show that stars her pal, Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban. All are on in the same time slot. Anything to avoid seeing this version of the NBA All-Star game that she surely hoped would never be a reality: For the first time since 1996, and  one year removed from the Kobe Bryant farewell weekend in Toronto that captured the global spotlight, the game is completely Laker-less.

The Warriors' Stephen Curry drives the ball against the Kings' Darren Collison during the first half on Feb. 15 in Oakland, Calif.

Magic guard C.J. Watson dives into fans courtside while trying to save the ball during the first half against the Spurs on Feb. 15 in Orlando, Fla.

Magic named Lakers president of basketball ops

GM Mitch Kupchak has been relieved of his duties and Jim Buss will no longer be EVP.In addition, longtime general manager Mitch Kupchak has been relieved of his duties, effective immediately, and Jim Buss will no longer hold his role as executive vice president of basketball operations.

Thunder guard Russell Westbrook goes up for a dunk in front of Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis during the fourth quarter on Feb. 15 in Oklahoma City.

76ers forward Dario Saric drives to the basket during the second half against the Celtics on Feb. 15 in Boston.

Andrew Wiggins of the Timberwolves handles the ball during a Feb. 15 game against the Nuggets in Denver.

Nuggets center Mason Plumlee goes up for a score past Timberwolves forward Nemanja Bjelica during the second quarter on Feb. 15 in Denver.

Andrew Wiggins of the Timberwolves shoots the ball against the Cavaliers on Feb. 14 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Cavaliers won 116-108.

Matt Barnes of the Kings scores past Ivica Zubac of the Lakers on Feb. 14 in Los Angeles. The Kings won 97-96.

Doug McDermott of the Bulls moves against Norman Powell of the Raptors on Feb. 14 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls won 105-94.

 Washington Wizards guard Sheldon McClellan, center, shoots in front of Oklahoma City Thunder forward Domantas Sabonis during the second half on Feb. 13 at Verizon Center in Washington. The Wizards won 120-98.

Why Lakers' Jeanie Buss fired her brother

For too long, she had watched as things continued to slideYou could never tell by watching her in that familiar Staples Center courtside seat, the 55-year-old Lakers governor always smiling and entertaining her high-profile friends who would watch her beloved team lose almost every time out.

San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard, left, drives to the basket against Indiana Pacers forward Glenn Robinson III on Feb. 13 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. San Antonio won 110-106.

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry heads to the bench with a towel over his head as the Warriors fell behind the Denver Nuggets in the second half on Feb. 13 in Denver. The Nuggets won 132-110.

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, left, and Detroit Pistons forward Marcus Morris eye a loose ball in the first quarter on Feb. 13 at BMO Harris Bradley Center in Milwaukee. The Bucks won 102-89.

Memphis Grizzlies' Marc Gasol, left, drives past Brooklyn Nets' Brook Lopez during the first half on Feb. 13 in New York. The Grizzlies won 112-103.

Feb 13, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz forward Joe Johnson (6) defends LA Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) during the first half at Vivint Smart Home Arena. The Clippers won 88-72.

Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas, center, shoots over Dallas Mavericks guard Yogi Ferrell during the second half on Feb. 13 at American Airlines Center in Boston. The Celtics won 111-98.

Pat Riley says Magic Johnson will win with the Lakers

Pat Riley has never doubted Magic Johnson, and isn't about to start now. Riley believes Johnson will succeed in what looks like a daunting task of getting the Los Angeles Lakers back to prominence. After the Lakers cleaned house this past week, Johnson and Riley are contemporaries — Riley as president of the Miami Heat, Johnson in the same role out in L.A., where they won four titles together in the 1980s.Trade talks, he cautioned, will be dangerous for both sides."He's going to try to rifle my pockets and I'm going to try to rifle his," Riley said. "But I'm happy for him, and I'm also happy for the Lakers.

Devin Booker, second right, of the Phoenix Suns attempts to control the ball as he drives against Anthony Davis, right, of the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half on Feb. 13 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix. The Pelicans won 110-108.

Miami Heat's Tyler Johnson, left, is blocked under the basket by Orlando Magic's Nikola Vucevic in the second quarter on Feb. 13 at the AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami, Fla. The Magic won 116-107.

Detroit Pistons forward Marcus Morris #13 celebrates with Pistons guard Ish Smith, right, after defeating the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre. The Pistons won 102-101 on Feb. 12.

New York Knicks guard Derrick Rose #25 reacts after being fouled by San Antonio Spurs guard Danny Green #14 during the second half at Madison Square Garden on Feb. 12.

New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony #7 falls in front of Knicks executive chairman James Dolan during the second half against the San Antonio Spurs at Madison Square Garden on Feb. 12.

New York Knicks guard Courtney Lee #5 battles for a loose ball with San Antonio Spurs guard Danny Green #14 during the second quarter at Madison Square Garden on Feb. 12.

Aron Baynes #12 of the Detroit Pistons battles under the basket with Terrance Ross #31 and Lucas Nogueira #92 of the Toronto Raptors during the first half of an NBA game at Air Canada Centre on Feb. 12, in Toronto, Canada.

In first half action, Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry #7 and Detroit Pistons forward Marcus Morris #13 battle for the ball under the Pistons' net on Feb. 12.

New Orleans Pelicans guard Tyreke Evans #1 drives to the basket through Sacramento Kings defenders Malachi Richardson #5 and Darren Collison #7 during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., on Feb. 12.

Chicago Bulls guard Michael Carter-Williams #7 passes the ball away from Minnesota Timberwolves' Karl-Anthony Towns #32, Gorgui Dieng #5, of Senegal, and Brandon Rush #4 during the second quarter of an NBA basketball game on Feb. 12, in Minneapolis.

New Orleans Pelicans guard Jrue Holiday #11 on a fast break after a turnover against Sacramento Kings forward DeMarcus Cousins #15 during the first quarter at Golden 1 Center on Feb. 12.

Chicago Bulls center Robin Lopez #8 dribbles in the first quarter against Minnesota Timberwolves center Gorgui Dieng #5 at Target Center on Feb. 12.

The Pacers' Monta Ellis shoots against the Bucks' Greg Monroe during the second half on Feb. 11 in Indianapolis.

Suns center Alex Len fouls Rockets guard Patrick Beverley in the second half Feb. 11 at Toyota Center in Houston.

Jazz forward Joe Ingles dribbles the ball as Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas defends during the first quarter Feb. 11 at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City.

Mavericks guard Yogi Ferrell drives to the basket past Magic guard D.J. Augustin during the second quarter Feb. 11 in Dallas.

Nuggets forward Johnny O'Bryant III loses the ball going to the basket against the Cavaliers during the first half Feb. 11 in Cleveland.

Blake Griffin of the Clippers blocks the Hornets' Jeremy Lamb during their Feb. 11 game in Charlotte, N.C.

Cavaliers forward Kevin Love is fouled by Nuggets forward Wilson Chandler, right, during the second half Feb. 11 in Cleveland.

76ers guard Sergio Rodriguez, left, passes to forward Nerlens Noel past Heat forward Willie Reed (35) and guard Goran Dragic during the second quarter on Feb. 11.

Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo draws a blocking foul against Pacers forward Glenn Robinson III on Feb. 11.

Clippers center Marreese Speights, right, reacts to a big dunk by forward Blake Griffin in the first half against the Hornets on Feb. 11.

Karl-Anthony Towns (32) of the Minnesota Timberwolves drives to the basket against Anthony Davis (23) of the New Orleans Pelicans on Feb. 10.

Los Angeles Lakers' Julius Randle (30) drives against Milwaukee Bucks' John Henson on Feb. 10.

Stephen Curry (30) of the Golden State Warriors goes to the basket against the Memphis Grizzlies on Feb. 10.

Boston Celtics forward Amir Johnson (90) dunks over the Portland Trail Blazers in the second half at Moda Center on Feb. 10.

Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder (0) looks to make a pass against Kyrie Irving (2) and Tristan Thompson of the Cleveland Cavaliers at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City on Feb. 9. The Thunder won 118-109.

TJ McConnell of the Philadelphia 76ers, left, celebrates with teammate Nik Stauskas after making the game-winning shot to defeat the Orlando Magic 112-111 in Orlando, Fla., on Feb. 9.

Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James, left, talks with teammate Kevin Love on the bench in the final minute against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Oklahoma City on Feb. 9. The Thunder won 118-109.

Montrezl Harrell of the Houston Rockets dunks against, from left, Marco Belinelli, Miles Plumlee and Frank Kaminsky III of the Charlotte Hornets during the first half in Charlotte, N.C., on Feb. 9.

James Harden of the Houston Rockets (13) goes for a layup against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C., on Feb. 9. The Rockets won 107-95.

Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap, right, drives against Denver Nuggets forward Wilson Chandler during the first half on Feb. 8 in Atlanta. The Hawks won 117-106.

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving, right, reaches around to defend Indiana Pacers forward Paul George during the first half on Feb. 8 in Indianapolis. The Cavaliers won 132-117.

Utah Jazz guard George Hill shoots as New Orleans Pelicans guard Tim Frazier and forward Anthony Davis, left, defend during the second half on Feb. 8 at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans. The Jazz won 127-94.

Tobias Harris, right, of the Detroit Pistons drives to the basket against Larry Nance Jr. of the Los Angeles Lakers on Feb. 8 at the Palace of Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills, Mich. The Pistons won 121-102.

San Antonio Spurs forward David Lee, center, and Philadelphia 76ers forward Robert Covington, left, and forward Dario Saric battle for the ball during the second quarter on Feb. 8 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. The Spurs won 111-103.

Blake Griffin of the LA Clippers shoots a lay up against the New York Knicks on Feb. 8 at Madison Square Garden in New York. The Clippers won 119-115.

Miami Heat guard Goran Dragic, right, drives for the basket around Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo during the second quarter on Feb. 8 at BMO Harris Bradley Center in Milwaukee. The Heat won 106-88.

Washington Wizards guard John Wall, second left, drives to the basket against Brooklyn Nets guard Spencer Dinwiddie, second right, and forward Rondae Hollis-Jefferson during first half on Feb. 8 at Barclays Center in New York. The Wizards won 114-110 in overtime.

Memphis Grizzlies forward JaMychal Green, center, shoots between Phoenix Suns forward P.J. Tucker, left, and center Tyson Chandler in the second half on Feb. 8 in Memphis, Tenn. The Grizzlies won 110-91.

Toronto Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas, left, and Minnesota Timberwolves forward Gorgui Dieng go for a rebound during the third quarter on Feb. 8 in Minneapolis. The Timberwolves won 112-109.

The Mavericks' Devin Harris gives chase as the Trail Blazers' Damian Lillard handles the ball on Feb. 7 in Dallas. The Trail Blazers won 114-113.

The Rockets' Trevor Ariza drives for a layup against the Orlando Magic on Feb. 7 at Toyota Center in Houston. The Rockets won 128-104.

The Hornets' Kemba Walker is fouled by the Nets' Rondae Hollis-Jefferson on Feb. 7 in Charlotte, N.C. The Hornets won 111-107.

New Orleans Pelicans guard Jrue Holiday, bottom, goes to the basket against Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe in the second half on Feb. 6 New Orleans. The Pelicans won 111-106.

Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward, center, drives to the basket against the Atlanta Hawks in the fourth quarter on Feb. 6 at Philips Arena in Atlanta. The Jazz won 120-95.

Memphis Grizzlies forward JaMychal Green dunks the ball between Grizzlies guard Tony Allen, left,, San Antonio Spurs guard Jonathon Simmons, second from right, and Spurs forward LaMarcus Aldridge, right, in the first half on Feb. 6 in Memphis, Tenn. The Grizzlies won 89-74.

DeMar DeRozan of the Toronto Raptors goes up for a shot as Blake Griffin, left, of the Los Angeles Clippers defends during the second half on Feb. 6 at Air Canada Centre in Toronto. The Raptors won 118-109.

LeBron James, left, of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots the game-tying shot against the Washington Wizards on Feb. 6 at Verizon Center in Washington. The Cavaliers won 140-135 in overtime.

Tyler Johnson of the Miami Heat goes up for a dunk during a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Feb. 6 at the Target Center in Minneapolis. The Heat won 115-113.

Detroit Pistons forward Tobias Harris, center, drives to the basket during the second quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers on Feb. 6 at The Palace of Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills, Mich. The Pistons won 113-96.

Los Angeles Lakers point guard D'Angelo Russell is fouled as he shoots by New York Knicks shooting guard Courtney Lee, right, during the third quarter on Feb. 6 at Madison Square Garden in New York. The Lakers won 121-107.

Gary Harris, right, of the Denver Nuggets drives to the basket against the Dallas Mavericks on Feb. 6 at the Pepsi Center in Denver. The Nuggets won 110-87.

Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner, right, is fouled as he shoots by Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jerami Grant during the second half on Feb. 6 in Indianapolis. The Pacers won 93-90.

Russell Westbrook ofthe Thunder, left, drives to the basket against Portland's Mason Plumlee in Oklahoma City on Feb. 5.. The Thunder won 105-99.