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Spurs Shut Down LeBron's Cavs, 102-76 (AP)
 AP - Tim Duncan had 21 points and 10 rebounds and the San Antonio Spurs shut down LeBron James over the final three quarters of a 102-76 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night.
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Sixers Lose to Bobcats, Fall to 0-3 (AP)
 AP - Emeka Okafor had 24 points and 11 rebounds, and Brevin Knight added 14 points and 15 assists to lead the Charlotte Bobcats over the winless Philadelphia 76ers 110-93 on Friday night.
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Wizards Spoil Brown's Home Knicks Debut (AP)
 AP - The Washington Wizards turned Larry Brown's big night into another home-opening loss for the New York Knicks. Gilbert Arenas scored 27 points, and Antawn Jamison and Jarvis Hayes keyed the decisive spurt as the Wizards beat the Knicks 86-75 on Friday night in Brown's first home game as Knicks coach.
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T.O. Apologizes to Eagles for Latest Flap (AP)
 AP - Terrell Owens is causing more trouble with his mouth than his hands — again. Owens apologized to the Philadelphia Eagles on Friday, one day after blasting the organization for not publicly recognizing his 100th career touchdown catch two weeks ago.
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Thomas' Option Turned Down by White Sox (AP)
 AP - Frank Thomas' $10 million option for next year was declined Friday by the World Series champion Chicago White Sox, who chose to give the two-time AL MVP a $3.5 million buyout.
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Bears' Ayanbadejo Signs Two-Year Extension (AP)
AP - The Chicago Bears signed linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo to a two-year contract extension on Friday, a deal that keeps the special teams standout with the team through the 2007 season.
Nuggets Beat Blazers in Karl's Return (AP)
 AP - George Karl returned to the bench and the Denver Nuggets looked good again, getting 23 points and 17 rebounds from Marcus Camby in a 107-68 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday night.
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Angels Extend Manager Scioscia's Contract (AP)
AP - Mike Scioscia got a new deal Friday to manage the Los Angeles Angels through the 2009 season.
Juventude Punished for Fans' Racism (AP)
AP - Juventude was punished for the racist behavior of its fans in a Brazilian league match last month.
Stars Rout Blackhawks on Barnes' Hat Trick (AP)
 AP - Stu Barnes capped a hat trick with a short-handed goal and Jason Arnott scored twice and had an assist, leading the Dallas Stars past the Chicago Blackhawks 9-1 Friday night to match the most goals they've scored since moving to Texas.
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Must-win situations
Both the Colts and Patriots need a victory on Monday night, but no one needs a W more than Peyton Manning.
Owens apologetic after another flap (AP)
Terrell Owens is causing more trouble with his mouth than his hands -- again. Owens apologized to the Philadelphia Eagles on Friday, one day after blasting the organization for not publicly recognizing his 100th career touchdown catch two weeks ago. ``I've had an opportunity to talk with the Eagles organization and I have learned that the team does not recognize individual achievements,'' Owens...
Broncos' Carswell released from hospital (AP)
Broncos offensive lineman Dwayne Carswell was released from the hospital Friday, a week after he was critically injured in a car crash. Carswell suffered rib fractures, a ruptured diaphragm, a ruptured spleen and internal injuries in the Oct. 27 crash and is out for the season. He underwent a five-hour operation to remove his spleen and repair internal organ damage hours after the collision.
Favre's future might be tied to Sherman (AP)
Brett Favre says he would be reluctant to return to Green Bay next season if Mike Sherman isn't still coaching the Packers. The Packers (1-6) are off to their worst start since 1991, which has led to speculation about Sherman's future. In an interview with The Associated Press on Thursday, Favre said Sherman's status would play an important role in his annual decision to keep on playing or to call...
Seahawks coach Rhodes back in hospital (AP)
Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Ray Rhodes, who had a mild stroke two months ago, was hospitalized Friday after another ``episode'' and will miss Sunday's game at Arizona. ``It wasn't as severe as the first one,'' coach Mike Holmgren said, declining to say if Rhodes had another stroke. ``I'll let the medical people define that,'' he said.
Superdome's reopening date pushed back (AP)
The projected reopening date for the Louisiana Superdome has been pushed back about a month after a proposal for architectural design work was rejected. The Superdome, which became a symbol of the destruction wrought by the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and a shelter for thousands displaced by the storm, is not expected to be repaired and ready to host football games until November 2006.
Steelers RB Staley to play Sunday (AP)
Duce Staley is going to carry the ball for the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday for the first time in almost 11 months. The Steelers and their running back can only hope his return was worth the wait. With Jerome Bettis not expected to play because of a quadriceps injury, Staley will be activated for only the second time this season when the Steelers visit Green Bay on Sunday.
Upset Vikings organize TV boycott (AP)
Minnesota Vikings players have encouraged teammates to boycott a local TV station in response to a report Thursday night related to the infamous boat party. At least 10 signs -- reading ``Boycott Channel 5'' above a red circle/slash through the KSTP-TV logo -- were posted in the locker room Friday. After getting a tip that offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie and running back Mewelde Moore were seen...
Green will start at QB for Chiefs (AP)
Trent Green looked sharp and ready Friday in his first practice of the week and will start on Sunday when the Kansas City Chiefs play Oakland, coach Dick Vermeil said. Vermeil had expressed concern on Thursday that Green might not be ready by Sunday. Services for Green's father, who died suddenly on Oct.
Randy Moss held out of practice again (AP)
Randy Moss was held out of practice Thursday for the second straight day, and Oakland's star receiver is listed as questionable for Sunday's game at Kansas City. Moss' sore body is still recovering after a hard fall against San Diego on Oct. 16, when he bruised his ribs, strained a groin and bruised his pelvic area.
Front-page news
MIAMI – In beating the Heat, the Pacers proved they're capable of making headlines for positive on-court actions.
LeBron's Cavs no match for Duncan, Spurs (AP)
Bruce Bowen's main job was hounding LeBron James on defense. He also threw in a shooting lesson for the Cleveland Cavaliers' star. Bowen made all three of his 3-point attempts while leading a San Antonio defense that held James to 10 points over the final three quarters of the Spurs' 102-76 victory on Friday night.
Wizards spoil Brown's homecoming (AP)
Larry Brown wants to get his first win as Knicks coach behind him. New York's dismal start ruined any chance of that happening Friday night. Gilbert Arenas scored 27 points, and Antawn Jamison and Jarvis Hayes keyed the decisive spurt as the Washington Wizards beat New York 86-75 in Brown's first home game as Knicks coach.
Hamilton, Pistons burn Celts at buzzer (AP)
Richard Hamilton's previous buzzer-beater was in 1998, one of the more famous shots in NCAA tournament history that gave Connecticut a win over Washington and a berth in round of eight. He made another one on Friday night, a 20-foot jumper as time expired that gave the Detroit Pistons an 82-81 victory over the Boston Celtics.
Shaq out 2 to 4 weeks with ankle sprain (AP)
Heat center Shaquille O'Neal will miss two to four weeks with a sprained right ankle, adding to the team's early season injury woes. O'Neal, who is wearing a protective cast, flew with his team to Milwaukee on Friday after learning results of an MRI exam performed earlier in the day. The updated diagnosis was formally announced after the team's arrival in Milwaukee, where they'll play the Bucks on...
Karl enjoys successful return to Nuggets (AP)
In search of their first win this season, the Denver Nuggets were glad to have George Karl back on their bench and the perfect opponent sitting on the other one. Marcus Camby had 23 points and 17 rebounds Friday night to lead the Nuggets to a 107-68 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers in Karl's return from a two-game suspension to open the year.
Okafor, Bobcats bury winless Sixers (AP)
Brevin Knight's enthusiasm over a victory heading into Charlotte's home opener was tempered a bit because of the realization of how close the Bobcats came to winning their first two games on the road. ``We expect to finish games when we have leads and we believe in ourselves that we can win games,'' Knight said.
Jefferson leads Nets past Raptors (AP)
Jason Kidd didn't think Richard Jefferson could shoot when he entered the NBA four years ago. He does now. Jefferson had 35 points and 11 rebounds to lead the New Jersey Nets to a 102-92 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Friday night. ``He couldn't shoot from five feet. Everything was a dunk,'' Kidd said.
Jones shoots Grizzlies over Magic (AP)
The Memphis Grizzlies found out things are a lot better when you hit shots. The Grizzlies, who shot only 34 percent in their season-opening loss, warmed up nicely on a visit to Florida, hitting 47 percent from the field, including 10 3-pointers, in a 94-85 victory over the Orlando Magic on Friday night.
Pacers to retire Reggie Miller's No. 31 (AP)
The Indiana Pacers will retire Reggie Miller's No. 31 in March. Miller played his entire NBA career with Indiana and retired after last season as the Pacers' leader in points, assists and steals. He also was a five-time All-Star and set NBA records for 3-point goals made and attempted. ``This is a truly deserving honor for Reggie,'' Pacers CEO Donnie Walsh said Thursday.
Power Rankings
There's a lot to like about the new NHL, but don't count the schedule – void of a Power Rankings showdown – on the list of positives.
Barnes' hat trick leads Stars over Hawks (AP)
Stu Barnes capped a hat trick with a short-handed goal and Jason Arnott scored twice and had an assist, leading the Dallas Stars past the Chicago Blackhawks 9-1 Friday night to match the most goals they've scored since moving to Texas. Dallas, which hadn't scored more than three times in a period this season, had four goals in each of the first two periods.
Blue Jackets' Nash out with knee injury (AP)
Columbus Blue Jackets star forward Rick Nash was put on injured reserve Friday and could miss four to six weeks after injuring his left knee. The 21-year-old Nash, 21, the No. 1 pick in the 2002 draft, injured his knee when he was hit in the third period of Thursday night's 2-1 loss in Calgary. He has played in three of Columbus' 14 games this season after spraining his right ankle in training camp.
Oilers rout Blues for fifth straight win (AP)
Edmonton took advantage of the St. Louis Blues' worst game of the season. Jarrett Stoll had his first career two-goal game and added two assists to help the Oilers win their fifth straight and hand the St. Louis Blues their seventh consecutive loss, 7-2 Friday night. ``We're not a very competent team right now,'' Blues coach Mike Kitchen said.
Habs top Sabres, still perfect on road (AP)
The current version of the Montreal Canadiens are accomplishing something not even Scotty Bowman's great teams of the 1970s ever achieved. Niklas Sundstrom deflected Steve Begin's shot from the right point with just under three minutes remaining to lift the Canadiens to a 3-2 win over the Buffalo Sabres on Friday night.
Ovechkin's shootout goal gives Caps win (AP)
Until someone proves they can stop him, rookie Alex Ovechkin will keep using his stutter-step move in the shootout. Ovechkin scored the only shootout goal Friday night, lifting the Washington Capitals to a 3-2 victory over the Atlanta Thrashers. ``He had three or four moves in the space of four or five feet,'' Washington coach Glen Hanlon said.
Caps get restraining order on Semin (AP)
The Capitals on Friday were granted a temporary restraining order against holdout Alexander Semin, preventing the Russian forward's representatives from negotiating contracts with any team other than Washington. U.S. District Court Judge Henry H. Kennedy Jr. ruled that Semin, New Jersey-based agent Mark Gandler and Gandler's International Sports Advisors Company, Inc., are forbidden to make ``any...
Bettman meets Congress about steroids (AP)
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman's celebration of the first month of the season included a meeting Friday with congressmen leading the push for steroids legislation. After delivering what amounted to a rosy state-of-the-sport speech at the National Press Club -- goals, attendance and TV ratings are up, while fighting is down in the NHL's first post-lockout month -- and before catching a game, Bettman...
Crosby scores twice in Penguins' 5-1 win (AP)
Mario Lemieux chuckled when asked what he thought about Sidney Crosby's first two-goal game in the NHL. ``Everything that he is doing now is quite amazing at his age,'' Lemieux said after his 18-year-old linemate had three points in the Pittsburgh Penguins' 5-1 victory over the New York Islanders on Thursday night.
Senators blow lead, rally past Lightning (AP)
Martin Havlat and Daniel Alfredsson kept up the goal scoring for the Ottawa Senators, even if the numbers were scaled back a bit from the gaudy totals they fashioned in Buffalo. Havlat and Alfredsson both scored for Ottawa, one night after each tied the team record with four goals, leading the Senators to a 4-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday night.
Notes: Full of hot air
FORT WORTH, Texas – Mandated air pressures might have put a stop to NASCAR's season-long tire problems.
Todd Bodine wins NASCAR Trucks Silverado 350 (SportsTicker)
Bodine wins another NASCAR trucks race at Texas (AP)
Todd Bodine slipped under Mike Skinner with 23 laps to go and then held the lead after a final restart to win the NASCAR truck race Friday night at Texas Motor Speedway.
Newman wins Busch pole at Texas, where he goes for sixth straight win (AP)
Ryan Newman made it two poles in one day at Texas when he had the fastest qualifying lap Friday for the NASCAR Busch race.
Newman doubles up, wins Busch pole (SportsTicker)
Biffle ready to make his move in Chase (AP)
For Greg Biffle, the real Chase for the Nextel Cup championship begins Sunday at Texas Motor Speedway.
Newman wins NASCAR pole but will start last after crash (SportsTicker)
Childress switching crew chiefs now to get head start for '06 (AP)
Jeff Burton was going to have a new crew chief next season. He's got him three races early.
Rocketman wins pole and crashes (AP)
Despite having the fastest car in qualifying, Ryan Newman is going to have to race from the rear of the field in Sunday's NASCAR Nextel Cup race at Texas Motor Speedway.
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