Denouncing US, Venezuelan troops, militias stage drills

Venezuela's armed forces and civilian militias took the streets in cities, beaches and border regions on Saturday for drills ordered by President Nicolás Maduro, amid tensions between Washington and Caracas.

Despite the maneuvers, there are no indications that the U.S. plans any military intervention in Venezuela. Washington has focused on political and diplomatic pressure in its efforts to oust Maduro, only saying last year that it had not ruled out a military option.

Maduro called for the exercises as he comes under pressure from the U.S. and dozens of other nations backing a year-long campaign by opposition leader Juan Guaidó to force the leader from power.

Members of the Bolivarian National Militia arrive to take part in an invasion drill at the 23 de Enero neighborhood in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020. Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro ordered two days of nationwide military exercises, with the participation of civilian militias. (AP PhotoMatias Delacroix)

Residents in a pro-Maduro slum in Caracas participated in the exercises. They included a growing number of civilian militia members recruited by a cash-starved government that is struggling to keep Venezuela's shattered economy afloat.

“I answered the call to help prepare for our defense because my country, my homeland, is under threat from the U.S. empire,” said militia member Pablo Antonio Reyes, a 63-year-old electronics technician.

Militiamen and government supporters dressed in red shirts held combat drills on streets blocked off by city buses. They evacuated residents from buildings as tires burned on rooftops to simulate fires from attacks.

A member of a pro-government group takes part in an invasion drill at the 23 de Enero neighborhood in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020. Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro ordered two days of nationwide military exercises, including the participation of civilian militias. (AP PhotoMatias Delacroix)

"The purpose of this exercise is to keep us prepared," said militia member Carmen Ferrer, 50.

Maduro said that the two-day maneuvers were aimed at fending off “terrorist aggression” by Washington and its allies in the region including neighboring Colombia.

The Venezuelan military, which has received Russian support, deployed missile launchers, anti-aircraft batteries and radars in the streets. The government seeks to boost militia ranks, filled out by the old and young, housewives and students.

A couple drives past a member of the pro-government militias taking part in a foreign invasion drill in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020. Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro ordered two days of nationwide military exercises, including the participation of civilian militias. (AP PhotoMatias Delacroix)

Guaidó, who launched a campaign a year ago to end two decades of socialist rule, on Saturday call on the armed forces to abandon Maduro’s failed leadership and help him reconstruct a new Venezuela. His previous appeals to the military to change sides have fallen short.

“We are with you,” he said, lamenting the condition of what he called “malnourished soldiers" in Venezuela's once-proud military. A relatively small number of Venezuelan troops have defected in the past year.

Guaidó spoke a day after Maduro threatened the opposition leader with jail.

People peer from a window as soldiers take position during an invasion drill in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020. Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro ordered two days of nationwide military exercises, including the participation of civilian militias. (AP PhotoMatias Delacroix)

“The truth is that the risk is not only for Juan Guaidó,” the opposition leader said of himself, noting a list of jailed politicians and political allies. “But for everyone.”

Guaido this week returned from a three-week international tour aimed at increasing support for overthrowing Maduro. At a White House meeting, President Donald Trump reaffirmed his support for Guaidó, calling him Venezuela’s legitimate president and Maduro a “tyrant.”

In Caracas, Guaidó supporter María Blanco scoffed at the Venezuelan military display, expressing frustration by snarled traffic blocked by the maneuvers.

A woman sits next to an armored vehicle taking part in military exercises in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020. Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro ordered two days of nationwide military drills, including the participation of civilian militias. (AP PhotoMatias Delacroix)

"I do not think that this does anything,” Blanco said.

Associated Press writer Scott Smith contributed to this story.

Members of the Bolivarian National Militia and soldiers take part in a military drill in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020. Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro ordered two days of nationwide military exercises, including the participation of civilian militias. (AP PhotoMatias Delacroix)

A member of a pro-government militia group stands on a roof overlooking the 23 de Enero neighborhood during an invasion drill in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020. Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro ordered two days of nationwide military exercises, including participation of civilian militias. (AP PhotoMatias Delacroix)

Military personnel crosses a highway during military drills in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020. Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro ordered two days of nationwide military exercises, including the participation of civilian militias. (AP PhotoMatias Delacroix)

Workers look at soldiers taking part in an invasion drill in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020. Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro ordered two days of nationwide military exercises, including the participation of civilian militias. (AP PhotoMatias Delacroix)

Soldiers line up on an overpass during military drills in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020. Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro ordered two days of nationwide military exercises, including the participation of civilian militias. (AP PhotoMatias Delacroix)

A member of the Bolivarian National Militia takes part in an invasion drill in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020. Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro ordered two days of nationwide military exercises, including participation of civilian militias. (AP PhotoMatias Delacroix)

A military drill at La Carlota airbase in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020. Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro ordered two days of nationwide military exercises, including participation of civilian militias. (AP PhotoMatias Delacroix)

Members of the National Bolivarian Militia seat in a military vehicle after taking part in a military drill in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020. Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro ordered two days of nationwide military exercises, including participation of civilian militias. (AP PhotoMatias Delacroix)

Members of the Bolivarian National Militias rest atop a building next to La Carlota air base during military excersices in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020. Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro ordered two days of nationwide military drills, including the participation of civilian militias. (AP PhotoMatias Delacroix)

Self-proclaimed interim president of Venezuela and opposition leader Juan Guaido speaks at a press conference in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020. Guaido returned this week from an international tour seeking support to oust President Nicolas Maduro, violating a travel ban. (AP PhotoAriana Cubillos)

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro gives a press conference at Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas, Venezuela, Friday, Feb. 14, 2020. Maduro said Friday that authorities haven’t detained opposition leader Juan Guaido because the courts haven’t ordered it, but he warned: “It will come.” (AP PhotoAriana Cubillos)

MILWAUKEE (AP) — The Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Clippers remain unsure just when they’ll have their top player back on the floor.

So far, they’ve still managed to do just fine in their respective first-round playoff series.

Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo hasn’t played since straining his left calf April 9 and Los Angeles’ Kawhi Leonard has been unavailable all month with inflammation in his surgically repaired right knee. Neither team is saying anything about their potential availability Tuesday when the Bucks attempt to take a 2-0 lead over the Indiana Pacers and the Clippers try to maintain home-court advantage against the Dallas Mavericks.

Bucks coach Doc Rivers said Antetokounmpo “went through a pretty good brisk workout” on Sunday and had been on the court four straight days before taking a maintenance day Monday. The NBA released an injury report Monday night that listed Antetokounmpo as doubtful for Game 2.

Leonard participated in a non-contact practice with the Clippers on Monday.

“He’s got to go through practice today, and we’ll see,” Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said about Leonard’s status for Game 2.

While the Bucks and Clippers are missing team leaders, the Phoenix Suns have their star trio intact with Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal all healthy. But the Suns find themselves in a more precarious position as they try to avoid falling behind 2-0 in their first-round series with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Timberwolves won 120-95 on their home court in Game 1 by flustering Booker into a 5-for-16 shooting performance.

Booker likened the Game 1 flop to Phoenix’s opening loss in the first round last year at home against the Clippers. The Suns snapped back to take the series in five.

“I’m not saying we’re going to win the next four games, but there was a lot of overreacting after we lost Game 1 to the Clippers,” Booker said after practice on Monday. “It’s just a series.”

Minnesota leads 1-0. Game 2, 7:30 p.m. EDT, TNT

— NEED TO KNOW: The Timberwolves leaned on their NBA-leading defense in Game 1 with relentless efforts by Rudy Gobert, Jaden McDaniels and backup Nickeil Alexander-Walker to help keep Booker and Beal relatively quiet. Their 52-28 rebounding edge was the best postseason margin in franchise history. And they turned 22-year-old superstar Anthony Edwards loose for 33 points.

— KEEP AN EYE ON: Timberwolves reserves. Naz Reid, who’s a finalist for the Sixth Man of the Year award, missed the 2023 postseason with a broken left wrist. He was a beast off the bench along with Alexander-Walker as the backups outscored the Suns bench 41-18.

— INJURY WATCH: The Suns lost sharpshooter Grayson Allen to a sprained right ankle in Game 1, and he’ll be listed as questionable for Game 2 after going 0 for 3 from the floor in 25 minutes in the opener. Minnesota’s Kyle Anderson suffered a hip pointer in a Game 1 collision with Beal’s knee and was limited to five minutes. Anderson practiced Monday.

— PRESSURE IS ON: Suns coach Frank Vogel. When the Suns remade their entire roster over the past year, it wasn’t with the intent of going one-and-done in the playoffs. Vogel — in his first season with Phoenix after coaching the Los Angeles Lakers to the 2020 championship in the pandemic bubble — and his assistants will certainly have some counterpunches ready for defending Edwards and getting Booker going.

Milwaukee leads 1-0. Game 2, 8:30 p.m. EDT, NBA TV

— NEED TO KNOW: Damian Lillard scored all 35 of his points in the first half as the Bucks defeated Indiana 109-94 while holding the Pacers to their lowest point total of the season. The Pacers have lost 10 straight postseason games.

— KEEP AN EYE ON: The tempo. The Pacers won four of five regular-season matchups with Milwaukee because the older Bucks roster couldn’t keep up with the fast pace that Indiana employed while scoring a league-high 123.3 points per game. The Bucks controlled the tempo much better Sunday and didn’t allow the Pacers many transition opportunities.

— INJURY WATCH: All eyes are on Antetokounmpo as the Bucks await the availability of their two-time MVP.

— PRESSURE IS ON: Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton. The two-time All-Star averaged 27 points against the Bucks during the regular season but attempted only seven shots in Game 1 and was limited to nine points. The pressure also is on all of Indiana’s outside shooters after the Pacers went just 8 of 39 from 3-point range Sunday.

Los Angeles leads 1-0. Game 2, 10 p.m. EDT, TNT

— NEED TO KNOW: James Harden had 28 points and Ivica Zubac had 20 points and 15 rebounds in the Clippers’ 109-97 Game 1 triumph. The Mavericks scored just eight second-quarter points and trailed 56-30 at halftime.

— KEEP AN EYE ON: The Clippers’ ability to keep switching things up. Lue is a master strategist who knows Doncic and Irving will pounce if the Clippers keep feeding them a steady diet of the same defensive looks. The Mavs scored 25 points in transition and 25 points at the free-throw line. “We got to do a good job of playing defense without fouling, especially when they get in the bonus,” Lue said.

— INJURY WATCH: Leonard hasn't played since March 31 and hasn't participated in any contact practices.

— PRESSURE IS ON: Dallas’ supporting cast. Luke Doncic scored 33 points and Kyrie Irving had 31 in Game 1, but the other Mavericks combined to score just 33 points while shooting 10 of 36 from the floor.

AP Sports Writers Dave Campbell and Beth Harris contributed to this report.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards celebrates after a dunk during the second half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Phoenix Suns, Saturday, April 20, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) goes up for a dunk during the second half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Phoenix Suns, Saturday, April 20, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Phoenix Suns head coach Frank Vogel and guard Devin Booker (1) walk toward the bench during the first half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Saturday, April 20, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Phoenix Suns head coach Frank Vogel walks toward the bench during the first half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Saturday, April 20, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) defends against LA Clippers guard James Harden (1) during the first half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series in Los Angeles, Sunday, April 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) defends against LA Clippers guard James Harden (1) during the first half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series in Los Angeles, Sunday, April 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo reacts from the bench in front of Indiana Pacers' Obi Toppin during the first half of Game 1 of the NBA playoff basketball game Sunday, April 21, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo reacts from the bench during the first half of Game 1 of the NBA playoff basketball game Sunday, April 21, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)