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Final-Night Shake-Up Jumbles NHL Matchups
(AP)
 AP - Ottawa jumped past Carolina on Tuesday for the best record in the Eastern Conference, and New Jersey capped a sensational late-season run to win the Atlantic Division on the final night of the NHL's regular season.
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2 Duke Players Arrested on Rape Charges
(AP)
 AP - Two Duke University lacrosse players were arrested on rape charges Tuesday in a scandal that has rocked one of America's elite campuses and raised explosive questions of race, class and the privileged status of college athletes.
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Grizzlies Win, but Draw Mavs in Playoffs
(AP)
 AP - The Memphis Grizzlies won a game they were probably better off losing.
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Americans Gain Ground by Detroit Training
(AP)
 AP - Far enough outside Detroit to find the hills he needed, Kevin Hanson hung a replica of the landmark neon Citgo sign that hovers over Kenmore Square — part of a "course simulator" designed to train runners for the Boston Marathon.
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Trainer May Have to Testify About Bonds
(AP)
 AP - The head athletic trainer for the San Francisco Giants was told to appear before a federal grand jury investigating whether Barry Bonds lied about his connection to the BALCO steroids scandal, a newspaper reported.
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Cardinals Unveil $450 Million Stadium
(AP)
 AP - Looking something like a giant space ship amid the farmland at the western end of suburban Phoenix, the $450 million new home of the Arizona Cardinals is nearing completion.
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Wizards Close in on No. 5 Seed in East
(AP)
 AP - Rarely has so much fuss been made over fifth place. Gilbert Arenas and Michael Redd treated it like a golden prize Tuesday night, scoring 43 points apiece just for the chance to avoid Detroit, Miami or New Jersey in the first round of the playoffs.
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Garland, ChiSox Down Slumping Royals 4-1
(AP)
 AP - This is what the Chicago White Sox expect from Jon Garland: He kept his pitches down in the strike zone and kept the hitters off balance.
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Barcelona Edges AC Milan 1-0
(AP)
 AP - Ludovic Giuly scored off a pass from Ronaldinho in the 57th minute Tuesday night, giving Barcelona a 1-0 win over AC Milan in the first leg of the European Champions League semifinals.
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Flyers Beat Isles, Take 5th Seed in East
(AP)
 AP - Peter Forsberg and the Philadelphia Flyers ended up with a first-round playoff series against the Buffalo Sabres when the Eastern Conference matchups finally sorted out Tuesday night.
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Survival of the fittest
Shedding blocks in the Big Ten pales in comparison to the obstacles Tamba Hali faced while fleeing his native Liberia.
Union: Titans deny banning McNair (AP)
The Tennessee Titans deny they breached their contract with Steve McNair by not allowing the quarterback to work out on their property, a union spokesman said Monday. The Titans defended themselves in a response to a grievance filed on McNair's behalf by the NFL Players Association on April 7. The team counsel had declined to discuss the Titans' answer for why they told McNair on April 3 that they...
New Cardinals stadium is near completion (AP)
Looking something like a giant space ship amid the farmland at the western end of suburban Phoenix, the $450 million new home of the Arizona Cardinals is nearing completion. Michael Bidwill, Cardinals vice president and general counsel, gave the Arizona chapter of The Associated Press Sports Editors a tour of the spectacular building Tuesday, calling it "the most technologically advanced sports...
Chargers sign safety Andre Lott (AP)
Safety Andre Lott signed a two-year contract with the San Diego Chargers on Monday. "Andre has four years of valuable experience on the NFL level," general manager A.J. Smith said in a statement. "He's healthy now and looking for a second chance. I'm excited to see what he can do." Lott cracked the Washington Redskins' starting lineup for three games in 2004 before suffering a season-ending pectoral...
Niners hire former Browns VP Heneghan (AP)
The San Francisco 49ers finally added an experienced football man to their front office Monday, hiring former NFL and Cleveland Browns executive Lal Heneghan as their executive vice president of football operations. Owner John York has been under public pressure to hire a veteran executive ever since he turned over his franchise last year to coach Mike Nolan, a longtime NFL assistant who had never...
Packers, Favre delay roster bonus (AP)
The due date for Brett Favre's $3 million roster bonus -- originally scheduled last month -- has been moved to July 27, giving the three-time MVP more time to make a decision on retirement. A person with knowledge of the decision, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because no formal announcement had been made, confirmed the change.
Race in Tillman's honor raises $350,000 (AP)
Broncos quarterback Jake Plummer was one of more than 8,000 people who participated in the 4.2-mile "Pat's Run" Saturday, raising $350,000 for the foundation established to honor Pat Tillman's memory. The race finished at the 42-yard line of Sun Devil Stadium, where Tillman wore No. 42 as a Sun Devils linebacker.
Bengals' Jeremi Johnson gets 6-year deal (AP)
Fullback Jeremi Johnson got a six-year contract Friday from the Cincinnati Bengals, who value his blocking and versatility. Johnson, a three-year starter, was a restricted free agent before he signed a one-year, $712,000 deal on Thursday. He wanted to stay in Cincinnati long-term, and had agent Peter Schaffer continue negotiations.
The final analysis
For teams at the bottom of the rankings, it's time to reflect on what went wrong, particularly in Philadelphia and Minnesota.
Grizzlies claim undesirable No. 5 seed (AP)
The Memphis Grizzlies won a game they were probably better off losing. Jake Tsaklalidis scored 18 points and grabbed nine rebounds, while Lorenzen Wright finished with 17 points Tuesday night as the Grizzlies defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 101-95, giving Memphis a better seeding but less favorable matchup in the first round of the playoffs.
Wizards closer to No. 5 seed, top Bucks (AP)
Rarely has so much fuss been made over fifth place. Gilbert Arenas and Michael Redd treated it like a golden prize Tuesday night, scoring 43 points apiece just for the chance to avoid Detroit, Miami or New Jersey in the first round of the playoffs. Arenas came out on top, taking over the game early in the fourth quarter to lead the Washington Wizards to a 116-103 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks, a...
76ers, fans upset with Iverson, Webber (AP)
Allen Iverson and Chris Webber were probably hurt, definitely late, nowhere to be seen and left with a whole lot of explaining to do to the Philadelphia 76ers. The fans were upset, team president Billy King was irate and coach Maurice Cheeks looked like a fool. So much for that veteran leadership. Iverson and Webber did not play because of injuries, did not show up in the locker room until tipoff,...
Minus Riley, Shaq and Wade, Heat lose (AP)
The Atlanta Hawks doubled their victory total from last season Tuesday night. For perspective on that accomplishment, if they again double their win total next year, they'll match Miami's 52 wins this season. The Hawks then would have the same luxury as the Heat of resting starters in the final week of the regular season to prepare for the playoffs.
Spurs clinch top seed in West (AP)
Homecourt advantage and some rested players could mean a lot when the playoffs start. The defending champion San Antonio Spurs got both Monday night. Manu Ginobili scored 18 points and Tim Duncan added 16 to help the Spurs clinch the Southwest Division title and the best record in the Western Conference with a 115-82 rout of the Utah Jazz.
Nuggets struggling as playoffs approach (AP)
Instead of tuning up, the division-champion Denver Nuggets were resting up. Or so the story went after a loss at home to the Houston Rockets, their third straight embarrassing setback and the second in which Carmelo Anthony spent the entire fourth quarter on the bench. "I'm concerned," Marcus Camby said Monday night after the 86-83 loss.
Porter looking for investors in Portland (AP)
Former Trail Blazers star Terry Porter was in Portland on Tuesday to explore the possibility of putting together a group of investors to buy the beleaguered NBA team. Porter, who recently coached the Milwaukee Bucks for two seasons, played nine years for the Trail Blazers and remains the team's career assists leader.
Cavs beat Celtics without LeBron (AP)
The Cleveland Cavaliers continue to approach 50 wins even with LeBron James sidelined. Larry Hughes had 21 points, six assists and five steals to help the Cleveland Cavaliers overcome the absence of James and beat the Boston Celtics 93-88 on Monday night. Tony Allen scored a career-high 23 points, but was 3-of-11 from the free-throw line for Boston, which lost its fifth straight game.
Mullin: Montgomery to return to Warriors (AP)
Mike Montgomery will return to coach the Golden State Warriors next season, top executive Chris Mullin said Monday night before the Warriors beat the Portland Trail Blazers 93-79 in their home finale in their 12th consecutive losing season. Montgomery enters the final game against Utah with a 68-95 record in two seasons with the Warriors, who hired him away from Stanford after 18 seasons as a top...
Power rankings
Just two playoff spots remain, then the question becomes: Can anyone beat Detroit?
Sens rout Rangers, take top seed in East (AP)
What the Rangers wished for on opening night suddenly wasn't good enough when the regular season ended. New York is going to the playoffs for the first time in nine years, but the Rangers dropped their fifth straight game Tuesday night -- a 5-1 loss to the Ottawa Senators -- and blew their last chance to secure their first division title since the Stanley Cup-winning season of 1993-94.
Devils rally past Habs to win Atlantic (AP)
Brian Gionta's record-setting goal and an out-of-town result helped inspire the New Jersey Devils to complete a pair of stunning comebacks. Jamie Langenbrunner capped a sensational third-period comeback Tuesday night that earned New Jersey the Atlantic Division title with its 11th straight victory, 4-3 over Montreal.
Flyers win, but fail to clinch Atlantic (AP)
Peter Forsberg and the Philadelphia Flyers ended up with a first-round playoff series against the Buffalo Sabres when the Eastern Conference matchups finally sorted out Tuesday night. "All the teams that get in the playoffs are tough," Forsberg said after the Flyers' 4-1 victory over the New York Islanders in the regular-season finale.
Thornton, Cheechoo take scoring titles (AP)
Joe Thornton and Jonathan Cheechoo have been teammates for just 58 games with the San Jose Sharks, and their potent partnership already has earned them two NHL trophies. The Sharks' dynamic duo clinched hockey's top two scoring titles Tuesday night when Jaromir Jagr picked up just one assist in the New York Rangers' season-ending 5-1 loss to the Ottawa Senators.
Kings fire GM Taylor, coaching staff (AP)
President and general manager Dave Taylor was among those dismissed by the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday during a major housecleaning. The moves came after the Kings stumbled down the stretch of the season and failed to make the playoffs for the third consecutive year. The entire coaching staff, including interim head coach John Torchetti, will not have their contracts renewed.
Hurricanes fall to second in East (AP)
The Carolina Hurricanes were playing for the top seed in the Eastern Conference, an opportunity for home ice through the first three rounds of the playoffs. The Buffalo Sabres? Simply winning another game was all the motivation they needed. "Give these guys credit," Buffalo goaltender Martin Biron said.
Kariya helps Preds end Red Wings' streak (AP)
The Red Wings felt they had nothing left to prove. The Nashville Predators wanted to finish the regular season having at least beaten Detroit once on their own ice. Paul Kariya's first goal was denied by video review, but he scored three more that counted for his ninth career hat trick, and the Nashville Predators snapped the Detroit's 20-game points streak with a 6-3 victory Tuesday night.
Forsberg returns for Flyers' finale (AP)
Peter Forsberg started at center in the Philadelphia Flyers' regular-season finale against the New York Islanders on Tuesday night after missing five of the last six games because of a groin injury. Sidelined four times by groin injuries in his first season with the Flyers, Forsberg entered play Tuesday with 19 goals and 56 assists in 59 games.
Fedorov power Jackets by Stars in OT (AP)
Sergei Fedorov has played 1,060 games in his 15 NHL seasons yet never tires of creating memorable moments. His one-timer 35 seconds into overtime gave the Columbus Blue Jackets a season-ending 5-4 victory over the Dallas Stars on Tuesday night and touched off a wild celebration. It was Fedorov's 14th career overtime goal, tying Mats Sundin for the NHL record.
'Tomorrow' can wait
NASCAR may want to put the brakes on its Car of Tomorrow until the U.S. auto industry gains stability.
Martin thrilled with Lowe's repaving (AP)
If there's anything wrong with the freshly paved surface at Lowe's Motor Speedway, Mark Martin would be the driver to find it.
Graves steps down as team manager, Stremme gets new crew chief in Ganassi shakeup (AP)
Andy Graves, the first employee hired by car owner Chip Ganassi when he started his NASCAR operation, resigned as team manager Tuesday as part of a shakeup within the three-car operation.
Roush trio, Penske drivers among top names needing to get on the gas -- quickly (AP)
Matt Kenseth proved last year that a driver can have a horrible start to the season and still recover in time to make the Chase for the championship. Stuck near the bottom of the standings, he used a frantic summer push to put himself back into contention.
Smith, first lady of racing, dies at 89 (AP)
Louise Smith, the first woman inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1999, has died. She was 89. Smith, remembered as "the first lady of racing," was on the NASCAR circuit from 1945-56. Known for her fearless style, she won 38 modified events. "It was hard on me," she told The Associated Press in an interview in 1998.
Harvick pads series lead with victory in Pepsi 300 (AP)
Nextel Cup driver Kevin Harvick raced to his first NASCAR Busch Series victory of the year Saturday, taking the lead with 52 laps to go and holding off teammate Clint Bowyer after a late caution in the Pepsi 300.
NASCAR's Kyle Busch pulled over for reckless driving (AP)
NASCAR driver Kyle Busch said Friday that he was ticketed for reckless driving after he "chirped" his tires while pulling out of a gas station and into a fast-food restaurant next door. Busch received the ticket Wednesday night in a Richmond suburb. The misdemeanor charge carries up to a year in jail, a $2,500 fine and a driver's license suspension, said Sgt.
Edwards calls shakeup way to spark McMurray's team (AP)
Carl Edwards sees Jack Roush's decision to shift crew chief Bob Osborne to Jamie McMurray's car as a move to spark McMurray's season, not his own.
Roush shakes up Edwards and McMurray's struggling teams (AP)
Carl Edwards and Jamie McMurray got new crew chiefs Thursday in a Roush Racing shakeup designed to jump-start their struggling teams.
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