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Chief of New Steroids Probe Criticized
(AP)
 AP - Baseball began its investigation Thursday into alleged steroid use by Barry Bonds and others, and the head of the inquiry immediately came under attack because of his close ties to the sport.
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BALCO Founder Denies Giving Bonds Steroids
(AP)
 AP - BALCO founder Victor Conte insisted Thursday that he never gave performance-enhancing drugs to Barry Bonds and that a new book that makes those claims is "full of outright lies."
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Marion Scores 29, Suns Slam Pacers 114-104
(AP)
 AP - The capacity crowd that showed up at Conseco Fieldhouse to watch Reggie Miller's jersey retirement ceremony had nearly vanished by the fourth quarter. That's because the Pacers didn't resemble the team Miller turned into a contender with his countless clutch shots.
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S.C. Wins Second-Straight NIT Championship
(AP)
 AP - With consecutive NIT championships, South Carolina coach Dave Odom and Hall of Famer Joe Lapchick now have something in common. And that's as far as Odom wanted to go with comparing his team to Lapchick's St. John's squads that won back-to-back titles in 1943 and 1944, when the NIT was even more prestigious than the NCAA tournament.
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Devils Top Sabres, Stay in Playoff Hunt
(AP)
 AP - Brian Gionta scored his team-leading 41st goal, Martin Brodeur reached a milestone and the New Jersey Devils beat Buffalo 3-1 on Thursday night to move a step closer to securing an Eastern Conference playoff berth.
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Jets Sign CB Andre Dyson
(AP)
AP - The New York Jets signed unrestricted free-agent cornerback Andre Dyson on Thursday to help replace Ty Law.
Duncan, Parker Help Spurs Edge Past Lakers
(AP)
 AP - San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich reacted quickly when his team got off to a horrendous start in the second half, calling a timeout after just 2 minutes had been played. Good move.
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Brewers Ace Sheets on DL for Opening Week
(AP)
 AP - Ben Sheets is on the disabled list, leaving the Milwaukee Brewers without their ace for the first week of the season. The Texas Rangers will be missing No. 2 starter Adam Eaton for much longer.
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Steaua, Rapid Tie 1-1 in UEFA Cup Quarters
(AP)
AP - Steaua Bucharest held rival Rapid to a 1-1 tie Thursday in the first leg of the UEFA Cup quarterfinals.
Reinprecht Helps Coyotes Defeat Sharks 5-2
(AP)
 AP - The Phoenix Coyotes' mastery of the San Jose Sharks is laughably implausible to Mike Johnson, who scored three points in his team's latest demolition of its Pacific Division rival. The Sharks aren't chuckling, however. Unless they figure out why Phoenix owns them, they might pay for it by missing the playoffs.
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Meetings notebook: Benson in the running
ORLANDO, Fla. – Cedric Benson will finally get his shot to be the Bears' No. 1 running back.
NFL curtails end zone celebrations (AP)
Dance all you want after a touchdown, gentlemen. Just do it alone. Spike the ball or, if you have the hops, dunk it over the crossbar. Anything else -- forget it. Touchdown celebrations have gotten more and more original lately, from Chad Johnson's putting the football to Steve Smith changing a diaper to Terrell Owens using the ball as a waiter's tray.
Jets sign free-agent CB Andre Dyson (AP)
The New York Jets signed unrestricted free-agent cornerback Andre Dyson on Thursday to help replace Ty Law. Dyson, released by Seattle earlier this month in a cost-cutting move, is coming off a Super Bowl appearance in his only season with the Seahawks. The 5-foot-10, 183-pound Dyson spent four years with Tennessee after the Titans selected him in the second round, 60th overall, in the 2001 draft.
Howard Hickey dies at the age of 89 (AP)
Howard "Red" Hickey, the NFL coach who invented the shotgun offensive formation with the 49ers, died Thursday, his son said. He was 89. Jeffrey Hickey didn't disclose the cause of his father's death. Hickey coached San Francisco from 1959-63, going 27-27-1 before resigning three games into the 1963 season.
Moss' agent arrested again in Florida (AP)
The agent for Oakland Raiders wide receiver Randy Moss was arrested last weekend for failing to appear at a hearing stemming from his March 14 arrest on crack cocaine charges. Dante DiTrapano was arrested Saturday in Clearwater, Fla., sheriff's department spokesman Mac McMullen said Wednesday. DiTrapano posted bond and was released Sunday.
Holmgren still not over Super Bowl loss (AP)
Nearly two months after his Seattle Seahawks lost the Super Bowl, Mike Holmgren is still feeling the pain. Especially about the officiating. "To have the story of the Super Bowl be the officials, that is crazy," Holmgren said Wednesday. Holmgren wasn't pounding-the-table angry. He was his normal self: calm, rational, even a little laid-back.
Raiders-Eagles to open NFL preseason (AP)
The NFL preseason will open with the Oakland Raiders playing the Philadelphia Eagles in the Hall of Fame game Aug. 6 in Canton, Ohio. The prime-time game will be the first televised by NBC under the new contract that gives it the rights to Sunday night telecasts. Analyst John Madden, the former coach of the Raiders, will be inducted into the hall that weekend.
Dungy learns to work through his grief (AP)
Three months removed from the worst day of his life, Tony Dungy has learned from the heartache of others. "My family and I have gotten a lot of cards and letters. I've learned that it's not as rare as I thought it had been," the Indianapolis Colts' coach said Tuesday at the NFL meetings. "A lot of people have been through it.
Here come the Monsters of the Meadowlands
Look out Detroit. New Jersey's defense looks good enough to win a conference championship.
Pacers retire Miller's No. 31 (AP)
The chant of "Reg-gie! Reg-gie!" filled Conseco Fieldhouse one more time. The cheer rang out from the full house Thursday night as Reggie Miller, surrounded by his four siblings, pulled a rope that raised a No. 31 banner into the rafters as the Indiana Pacers retired his jersey number. The halftime ceremony started with video highlights of Miller's career, and the chant that was heard after many of...
Suns top Pacers on Reggie Miller night (AP)
The capacity crowd that showed up at Conseco Fieldhouse to watch Reggie Miller's jersey retirement ceremony had nearly vanished by the fourth quarter. That's because the Pacers didn't resemble the team Miller turned into a contender with his countless clutch shots. Shawn Marion scored 29 points, Steve Nash nearly had a triple-double, and the Phoenix Suns beat Indiana 114-104 Thursday night to snap...
Spurs pull away in third to top Lakers (AP)
San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich reacted quickly when his team got off to a horrendous start in the second half, calling a timeout after just 2 minutes had been played. Good move. Tim Duncan had 20 points and 13 rebounds, Tony Parker added 19 points and six assists, and the Spurs took command in the third quarter to beat the Los Angeles Lakers 96-85 Thursday night.
NBA pulls out of Blazers negotiations (AP)
The NBA pulled out of negotiations Thursday between the Portland Trail Blazers and Rose Garden owners intended to help sell the team and its home arena. Last month, Blazers owner Paul Allen said the team was hemorrhaging money and appealed for a public partnership to keep it afloat. Allen suggested he may have to sell the team if a solution could not be found.
Cavs earn first playoff spot since '98 (AP)
LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers made certain there would be no collapse this year. A season after missing the playoffs by a game, the Cavaliers are headed to the postseason for the first time since 1998. "All of us are on cloud nine," James said. Cleveland (42-29) clinched a postseason spot with a 107-94 win over Dallas on Wednesday night and has won six straight.
Nets tie season high, win 10th straight (AP)
Richard Jefferson had a message that should provide some comfort for the New Jersey Nets' remaining opponents this season. "We will lose a game," the Nets forward conceded Wednesday night. "Things can change in one quarter, or in five minutes." Jefferson scored 27 points to help the Nets beat the weary Memphis Grizzlies 86-74 and tie a season high with their 10th straight win.
Wolves owner says he won't trade Garnett (AP)
While Kevin Garnett appears to be growing increasingly impatient with the direction of the Minnesota Timberwolves, owner Glen Taylor says he can't envision a scenario where he would trade the team's only star. "I do not see that as a possibility," Taylor said Wednesday night before the Timberwolves played the Orlando Magic.
Garnett powers Wolves past Magic 103-91 (AP)
In a matchup of the present and future of NBA power forwards, Kevin Garnett showed Dwight Howard that he still has a lot to learn. Garnett dominated with 27 points, 19 rebounds and six assists to lead the Minnesota Timberwolves to a 103-91 victory over the Orlando Magic on Wednesday night. "Howard is going to be a great player in this league," Timberwolves coach Dwane Casey said.
Pistons drop 76ers six games below .500 (AP)
With a balanced, dominant and deep roster, Detroit swept the season series against Philadelphia. With the way both teams are playing down the stretch, the Pistons can start thinking about another possible sweep over the Sixers, only this time in the postseason. Chauncey Billups and Antonio McDyess each scored 18 points to lead the Detroit Pistons over the slumping Philadelphia 76ers 101-91 on...
Power rankings
In the spirit of March Madness, the Power Rankings projects the NHL's Final Four.
Brodeur ties Plante in Devils' win (AP)
Another quality opponent produced another quality performance from the New Jersey Devils. Brian Gionta scored his team-leading 41st goal, Martin Brodeur tied Jacques Plante on the NHL's career victories list and New Jersey beat Buffalo 3-1 on Thursday night to move a step closer to securing an Eastern Conference playoff berth.
Oilers shut out Kings, aid playoff hopes (AP)
Dwayne Roloson's timing was perfect for the Edmonton Oilers. Roloson made 20 saves for his first shutout with Edmonton, a 4-0 victory over the Los Angeles Kings 4-0 on Thursday night that moved the Oilers into a tie three-way tie for sixth place in the Western Conference. "It's important for any goalie coming to a new team to get his first shutout," Oilers coach Craig MacTavish said.
Undermanned Senators top Rangers 4-1 (AP)
The Ottawa Senators found a way to overcome the absence of three top defensemen -- and keep NHL-scoring leader Jaromir Jagr in check. Ray Emery made 24 saves, and Chris Neil, Patrick Eaves, Dany Heatley and Peter Schaefer scored in Ottawa's 4-1 victory over the New York Rangers on Thursday night. The Eastern Conference-leading Senators played without defensive partners Zdeno Chara (hand) and Chris...
Shanahan, Williams lift Wings past Preds (AP)
The NHL-leading Detroit Red Wings pushed aside the Nashville Predators in the third period to pick up yet another road victory. Brendan Shanahan and Jason Williams each had a goal and an assist in the third period to help the Red Wings beat the Predators 4-2 on Thursday night. Tomas Holmstrom and Kris Draper also scored, Steve Yzerman assisted on the two third-period goals and Manny Legace made 32...
Koivu snaps goal drought in OT, Habs win (AP)
Saku Koivu's breakaway goal prevented the Montreal Canadiens' fans from seeing rookie sensation Alexander Ovechkin go to work in a shootout. They were just fine with that -- and so was goalie Cristobal Huet. "Of course with a minute remaining you're going to have to start thinking about it but I'm lucky, I didn't face him," Huet said after Koivu scored his first goal in more than two months to give...
Afanasenkov's pair lift Lightning to win (AP)
Dmitry Afanasenkov and the Tampa Bay Lightning made a big playoff push Thursday night -- at the Atlanta Thrashers' expense. Afanasenkov scored two goals to help the Lightning beat the Thrashers 4-3 on Thursday night, leaving ninth-place Atlanta seven points out of the final Eastern Conference playoff spot with 10 games left.
NHL suspends Sabres C Briere two games (AP)
Sabres co-captain Daniel Briere was suspended for two games by the NHL on Thursday, a day after striking Boston defenseman Brian Leetch with a high stick. The suspension will cost Briere $19,775 in pay and he will miss Buffalo's game at New Jersey on Thursday and at Toronto on Saturday. He will be eligible to return when the Sabres complete a two-game series at Toronto on Monday.
Coyotes earn sixth win in eight games (AP)
The Phoenix Coyotes' mastery of the San Jose Sharks is laughably implausible to Mike Johnson, who scored three points in his team's latest demolition of its Pacific Division rival. The Sharks aren't chuckling, however. Unless they figure out why Phoenix owns them, they might pay for it by missing the playoffs.
Sharks' McCauley sits, ends long streak (AP)
San Jose center Alyn McCauley sat out the Sharks' game against Phoenix on Thursday night with an undisclosed lower-body injury, ending his streak of consecutive games played at 169. The streak was the sixth-longest in the Sharks' franchise history. McCauley has 12 goals and 12 assists in a disappointing offensive season, but the veteran leads the Sharks' forwards with 60 blocked shots.
Martin trucks along
Mark Martin has increased his slate of truck races for '06, starting this weekend at Martinsville.
Notes: Australian star Ambrose ready for NASCAR debut (AP)
One of the most famous road racers in the history of Australian motorsports finally is ready to see if he can...
Harvick taking time to decide next move (AP)
CHARLOTTE – Kevin Harvick is at a crossroads in his career. As NASCAR's top free agent, he will be able to...
Johnson wrecks, speeds reach record highs during tire test at Lowe's Motor Speedway (AP)
A flat tire caused Jimmie Johnson to wreck Wednesday during an important test at Lowe's Motor Speedway, sending Goodyear officials searching to find the right rubber to use on the freshly paved surface.
NASCAR fines Jeff Gordon $10,000 (SportsTicker)
DAYTONA BEACH, Florida (Ticker) - Jeff Gordon lost his head after a heated race at Bristol Motor Speedway on Sunday. Two days later, he suffered the consequences.
Gordon fined $10,000 for shove at Bristol (AP)
Jeff Gordon has always been a model of good behavior off the track, the rare driver able to keep his emotions in check.
Spencer to drive for BAM Racing at Martinsville (AP)
Jimmy Spencer will replace rookie Brent Sherman for this week's race at Martinsville Speedway, BAM Racing said Tuesday.
Miss. House honors late NASCAR driver Earnhardt (AP)
JACKSON, Miss. – The Mississippi House passed a resolution Tuesday designating April 29 each year as "Dale...
Bristol bump and bad-mouthing puts Busch back in spotlight (AP)
Poor Kurt Busch. He tries his best to avoid controversy, yet still ends up smack in the middle of it.
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