Will Oscar 2017 go all political this year?

If you’re looking to escape the glitz of Hollywood on Academy Awards night but still want to see which stars prevail, head north to Napa Valley, where The Westin Verasa Napa is offering a special Oscars package created to make you feel like an Oscars victor. Mel Gibson, nominated in the best director category for his work in the film Hacksaw Ridge, is apparently very disturbed by this latest trend.

Richaun Holmes, You Now Have The Floor

… Hornets at Spectrum Center. The 76ers defeated the Hornets 105-99. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports By passing Nerlens Noel off, the Philadelphia 76ers are committing to versatile center/power forward Richaun Holmes to back up Joel …

Meryl Streep denies she refused Chanel Oscar dress over getting paid

It’s a separate practice than a house signing an exclusive contract with a particular actress, like Jennifer Lawrence’s arrangement with Dior in which she appears in the house’s advertisement and exclusively wears Dior on red carpets. Lagerfeld claimed that days after his team had started working on an embroidered gray silk dress for the Florence Foster Jenkins star, someone from Streep’s team allegedly called him and said, “Don’t continue the dress”.

Malaysia: North Korea leader’s half brother suffered quick, ‘very painful death’

The official postmortem report came as Malaysian authorities question a number of detained suspects, including a North Korean national suspected of producing the VX used to kill Kim. A police chief in Malaysia announced on Saturday that authorities will seek an arrest warrant for the second secretary of the North Korean Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, who is wanted for the assassination of Kim Jong-nam, half brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, if he does not submit to investigation .

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. New Orleans Pelicans game preview, odds, and prediction

Ahead of the Oklahoma City Thunder and New Orleans Pelicans’ season finale, both franchises took advantage of a ripe trade-deadline market to reshape their rosters. And while New Orleans’ post-All Star game swap for DeMarcus Cousins garnered headlines, perhaps the Thunder’s less-heralded move to obtain Taj Gibson and Doug McDermott for Cameron Payne, Anthony Morrow, and Joffrey Lauvergne was a more immediately fitting transaction.

4-on-4: Detroit Pistons’ post trade deadline questions

Feb 12, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Detroit Pistons head coach Stan Van Gundy watches the warm up before the start of a game against the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre.The Detroit Pistons won 102-101. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports The Detroit Pistons weren’t players at the trade deadline.

The Read & React: Celtics crumble (again) vs. Raptors

Celtics paid the price for doing nothing : When I learned that Indiana wanted the whole boat for Paul George and the Bulls weren’t interested in moving Butler all that much, I excused Danny Ainge for not unboxing the fireworks now. My fury didn’t falter for the C’s not making some move to improve.

Impact on Raptors of trade-deadline deals

… defeating the Dallas Mavericks in overtime at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports There have been plenty of hosannas already offered to Raptors GM Masai Ujiri for pulling off this deal. I’m offering one more. …

DeRozan has career-high 43, Raptors beat Celtics 107-97

DeMar DeRozan scored a career-high 43 points and the Toronto Raptors rallied from a 17-point deficit to beat the Boston Celtics 107-97 on Friday night. DeRozan shot 15 of 28 from the floor as he surpassed his 42-point effort against the Houston Rockets on March 30, 2015, helping the Raptors overcome the absence of fellow All-Star Kyle Lowry.

Utah Jazz 109 – Milwaukee Bucks 95: Game Recap

The Utah Jazz took care of business on game one of their three-game road trip, defeating the Milwaukee Bucks by the final score of 109-95. Before this game started we were all made well aware of the Bucks ability to cause havoc on defense, and turn that into transition scoring opportunities.

On path to superstardom, Celtics’ Isaiah Thomas controls his own destiny

On path to superstardom, Celtics’ Isaiah Thomas controls his own destiny Thomas, who will be a free agent in 2018, is long overdue for a pay day. Check out this story on greenbaypressgazette.com: http://usat.ly/2mgxxtg When the NBA’s salary cap started spiking as if it had been hit with a defibrillator last summer, Boston Celtics point guard Isaiah Thomas was asked to share his perspective on how the league’s new landscape might ultimately impact his situation.

NBA Capsules

Russell Westbrook scored 17 points in his 28th triple-double of the season, and his new teammates fit in seamlessly as the Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 110-93 on Friday night. It was the first game for new Thunder players Taj Gibson and Doug McDermott, acquired Thursday in a trade with the Chicago Bulls.

Suns waive Mike Scott, Jared Sullinger; sign Ronnie Price

The Phoenix Suns waived forward Mike Scott and center/forward Jared Sullinger on Friday, a day after acquiring them in trades Suns waive Mike Scott, Jared Sullinger; sign Ronnie Price The Phoenix Suns waived forward Mike Scott and center/forward Jared Sullinger on Friday, a day after acquiring them in trades Check out this story on USATODAY.com: http://usat.ly/2mgttJG CHICAGO – The Phoenix Suns waived forward Mike Scott and center/forward Jared Sullinger on Friday, a day after acquiring them in trades. The Suns also signed guard Ronnie Price for the rest of the season.

Cousins can’t help Pelicans

The Pelicans’ tandem of newly acquired All-Star DeMarcus Cousins and All-Star Game MVP Anthony Davis was no match for the surging Houston Rockets on Thursday night. Reserve Lou Williams hit seven three-pointers and scored 27 points in his Rockets debut after a trade from the Lakers, and Houston crushed New Orleans 129-99.

Cousins could be D-mare in NOLA

DeMarcus Cousins has been traded to New Orleans, and it’s being called the biggest rip-off since the Dutch bought Manhattan Island from the Lenape tribe for $24 worth of beads and the rights to Carmelo Anthony. Everybody who’s anybody agrees Sacramento got fleeced.

Big names in NBA stay put

In this Jan. 11, 2017, file photo, New York Knicks’ Carmelo Anthony looks on during a break in an NBA basketball game against the Philadelphia 76ers in Philadelphia. Phil Jackson has made his relationship with Anthony worse and hasn’t made the Knicks better.

Green Taunts Pierce: ‘You Thought You Was Kobe?!’

Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors taunted Los Angeles Clippers forward Paul Pierce minutes into the two teams matchup in Oakland on Thursday. A once budding rivalry has now turned into a Warriors chokehold as Golden State has beaten their Pacific Division rivals ten consecutive times.

Green Taunts Pierce: ‘You Thought You Was Kobe?!’

Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors taunted Los Angeles Clippers forward Paul Pierce minutes into the two teams matchup in Oakland on Thursday. A once budding rivalry has now turned into a Warriors chokehold as Golden State has beaten their Pacific Division rivals ten consecutive times.

Feb. 23: Rockets vs. Pelicans

FEBRUARY 23: DeMarcus Cousins #0 of the New Orleans Pelicans Montrezl Harrell #5 of the Houston Rockets and James Harden #13 go for a rebound during the first half of a game at the Smoothie King Center on February 23, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.

Trail Blazers storm back to beat Orlando Magic, 112-103: Rapid reaction

The Portland Trail Blazers started the stretch run of the season on a positive note, storming back in the fourth quarter to beat the Orlando Magic, 112-103, on Thursday night at Amway Center. The Blazers weren’t sharp early, looking a lot like a team playing its first game in eight days, but surged ahead midway through the fourth quarter to win their first game at Orlando in four years.