LeBron touts Durant

LeBron James of the Miami Heat says Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant would be a deserving winner of the NBA MVP award. It’s expected that Durant will be announced as this season’s MVP later this week. James has lauded Durant’s play this season several times in recent weeks, doing so again on Monday. James said, “Much respect to him and he deserves it. He had a big-time MVP season.” James is a four-time winner of the league’s MVP award, taking the honor in each of the previous two seasons. – AP

Today’s NBA playoff games

Brooklyn at Miami 4 p.m. (TNT)

Portland at San Antonio 6:30 p.m. (TNT)