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Bryant, Lakers Beat Suns to Tie Series
(AP)
 AP - Just enough Kobe Bryant and a load of Lamar Odom have the Los Angeles Lakers even with the Phoenix Suns two games into the playoffs. Bryant had 29 points and 10 rebounds, Odom scored 21 and the Lakers held off a late rally to beat the cold-shooting Suns 99-93 Wednesday night and square the best-of-seven series 1-1.
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Pistons Beat Bucks, Finally Win a Game 2
(AP)
 AP - The Detroit Pistons have made two major improvements over their recent runs to the NBA Finals: offense, and playing Game 2s.
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Mavs Keep Grizzlies Winless in Postseason
(AP)
 AP - The jerseys said Memphis. Otherwise, they might've been mistaken for the Vancouver Grizzlies. Although the former lottery regulars have become a first-round playoff staple since moving to Memphis, the Grizzlies regressed to their bad old days Wednesday night, going 16 straight possessions without a point and 10:47 between baskets in a 94-79 loss to the Dallas Mavericks.
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Report: Nash to Win Second Straight MVP
(AP)
 AP - Steve Nash will be named the NBA's most valuable player for the second year in a row, The Arizona Republic reported on Wednesday.
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Tanguay Moves Avalanche Closer to Sweep
(AP)
 AP - The Dallas Stars' inability to close out a game has them teetering on elimination. The Colorado Avalanche took a 3-0 lead in their best-of-seven series Wednesday night when they beat the Stars in overtime for the second straight game. This time it was 4-3 on Alex Tanguay's game-winner.
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Scout's Investigative Work Now NFL Norm
(AP)
 AP - Key information on the Seattle Seahawks' draft picks this weekend may have come from a college cafeteria. Or a dorm hallway. Or even a utility closet.
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Pistons power to second comfortable win over Bucks
(Reuters)
 Reuters - Led by 22 points from Tayshaun Prince
and double-figure efforts from six players the Detroit Pistons
motored past the Milwaukee Bucks 109-98 on Wednesday to take
control of their Eastern Conference quarter-final.
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Washburn Outduels Buehrle As Mariners Win
(AP)
 AP - Jarrod Washburn hasn't lost confidence in his new team, the Seattle Mariners.
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FC Barcelona in Champions League Final
(AP)
 AP - FC Barcelona used a 0-0 tie with AC Milan on Wednesday to advance to the Champions League final against Arsenal.
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Canadiens' Koivu to See Eye Specialist
(AP)
 AP - Montreal captain Saku Koivu suffered an unspecified eye injury Wednesday night during the second period of the Canadiens' 2-1 overtime loss to Carolina.
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Transcripts allegedly tie Bush to sports agency
Court transcripts uncovered by Yahoo! Sports allege a link between USC's Reggie Bush and a sports marketing agency.
Texans will draft Bush or Williams No. 1 (AP)
Sorry, Vince, but you won't be playing for your hometown team. The Houston Texans will take Southern Cal running back Reggie Bush or North Carolina State defensive end Mario Williams with the first pick in Saturday's draft, general manager Charley Casserly said Wednesday. The Texans dashed the hopes of Texas fans who have been clamoring for the team to pick Vince Young, a Houston native who led the...
QB Young rises, falls as NFL draft looms (AP)
Nobody quite knows what to make of Vince Young. A quarterback? For sure. The best one on this weekend's draft board? Well, it's funny how a player's stock can rise and fall in the span of weeks and months. The Texas quarterback, one of the best "athletes" in the draft, once struggled so much with the Longhorns that some felt he'd be better off at another position.
With Favre back, Packers get DB Woodson (AP)
The Green Bay Packers made their first major splash in the free-agent market this offseason, agreeing to terms with defensive back Charles Woodson on Wednesday. Woodson's agent, Kevin Poston, said the Packers agreed to a seven-year deal for $52.7 million, including $10.5 million in the first year of the contract.
Favre returning to Packers (AP)
Brett Favre certainly isn't the first star quarterback to have a difficult time deciding when the time is right to step aside. Johnny Unitas and Joe Namath are considered prime examples of NFL legends who held on too long. And Favre's fellow Green Bay Packers icon, Bart Starr, includes himself on that list.
Vikes let go suspended RB Onterrio Smith (AP)
Onterrio Smith proclaimed himself the "Steal of the Draft" after Minnesota picked him in the fourth round out of the University of Oregon in 2003. Three years later, it's clear why he didn't go any higher. The Vikings released Smith on Wednesday with at least six weeks left on his one-year suspension for violating league drug policy -- ultimately deciding there was too much trouble in his past to...
Talks between Seahawks, Holmgren ongoing (AP)
Seahawks team president Tim Ruskell said Wednesday that talks with Mike Holmgren about the coach's future with the team beyond this season are ongoing. Holmgren is in the final year of a $32 million, eight-year contract. As recently as this month, weeks after the franchise's most successful season ended with a Super Bowl loss to Pittsburgh, Holmgren said he was unsure whether he wanted to extend...
Ricky Williams suspended for 2006 season (AP)
With another long layoff looming, Ricky Williams is already looking ahead to his latest comeback. The Miami Dolphins running back faces a one-year suspension for his fourth violation of the NFL's substance abuse policy, but said he plans to play again. Williams' appeal of his latest failed drug test was rejected, the league announced Tuesday.
The unselfish Kobe
Kobe Bryant stuck to Phil Jackson's game plan, again playing team basketball in leading the Lakers past Phoenix.
Bryant and Odom help Lakers pull even (AP)
Just enough Kobe Bryant and a load of Lamar Odom have the Los Angeles Lakers even with the Phoenix Suns two games into the playoffs. Bryant had 29 points and 10 rebounds, Odom scored 21 and the Lakers held off a late rally to beat the cold-shooting Suns 99-93 Wednesday night and square the best-of-seven series 1-1.
Mavs drop Grizzlies to 0-10 in playoffs (AP)
The jerseys said Memphis. Otherwise, they might've been mistaken for the Vancouver Grizzlies. Although the former lottery regulars have become a first-round playoff staple since moving to Memphis, the Grizzlies regressed to their bad old days Wednesday night, going 16 straight possessions without a point and 10:47 between baskets in a 94-79 loss to the Dallas Mavericks.
Pistons avoid losing another Game 2 (AP)
The Detroit Pistons have made two major improvements over their recent runs to the NBA Finals: offense, and playing Game 2s. Tayshaun Prince scored 22 points and Chauncey Billups had 20 to lead Detroit to a 109-98 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night, and a 2-0 lead in their first-round series.
Report: Nash to win second straight MVP (AP)
Steve Nash will be named the NBA's most valuable player for the second year in a row, The Arizona Republic reported on Wednesday. The newspaper cited a league source familiar with the voting, but said the official announcement may not come for two weeks. The NBA did not comment on the report, posted on the Republic's Web site Wednesday.
Agent: Yao doing well, may play worlds (AP)
Houston Rockets center Yao Ming is recovering well from foot surgery and could still play in this summer's world championships, his agent said. Yao will start a physical rehabilitation program soon and plans to be back on the court by late June, Zhang Mingji was quoted as saying by the Web site of China Radio International.
Pacers could be short-handed for Game 3 (AP)
Any hopes the Indiana Pacers had of getting through the playoffs relatively healthy vanished by the end of their Game 2 loss at New Jersey. The Pacers enter Game 3 on Thursday with starters Peja Stojakovic and Stephen Jackson, and reserve Jamaal Tinsley nursing injuries. The situation is all too familiar for a team that has used 32 different starting lineups this season while player after player...
Nuggets know they can win without Martin (AP)
The Denver Nuggets know they can win without Kenyon Martin. They've gone 29-9 in games he's missed due to injury since signing a seven-year, $93 million contract two years ago, including 19-6 this season, when his surgically repaired left knee limited him to a career-low 56 games and drove to Nuggets to hold him out of the regular season finale, as well.
Bulls look to defend homecourt vs. Heat (AP)
Not too long ago, the Chicago Bulls owned the NBA's stingiest defense. And then, the playoffs began. A Bulls team that led the league in field-goal percentage defense during the regular season has allowed the Miami Heat to shoot 50.3 percent, and, no shocker, trails 2-0 as this first-round playoff series shifts to Chicago for Games 3 and 4 Thursday and Sunday.
Wizards to make LeBron earn his points (AP)
Brendan Haywood wasn't even supposed to be starting this series. His play for the Washington Wizards has been overlooked so often that he started referring to himself and Jared Jeffries as the "Little Two" -- as opposed to Big Three that lead the team in scoring and publicity. The 7-foot center made his mark, however, against none other than LeBron James in Game 2 of the Wizards' first-round series...
Proud Senator
Returning to the Ottawa lineup shortly after the death of his mother, Wade Redden gave his team a lift.
Jagr returns, but Devils blank Rangers (AP)
Martin Brodeur made the heads of the New York Rangers sag as low as Jaromir Jagr's achy shoulder. The goaltender's job got a lot easier when Patrik Elias wrecked the long-awaited playoff party at Madison Square Garden just over a minute into the game. Brodeur stopped 25 shots in his 21st career playoff shutout and Elias had a goal and assist within the first 10 minutes to lift the Devils to a 3-0...
Forsberg lifts Flyers over Sabres (AP)
Often considered one of the premier hockey players in the world, Peter Forsberg only needed to be the best in Philadelphia to get the Flyers back into their playoff series. Embarrassed after two road losses, Forsberg scored two goals and Robert Esche made 26 saves to give the Flyers some home-ice tonic in a 4-2 victory over the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday night.
Staal's OT goal lifts 'Canes by Habs (AP)
Carolina felt like it finally caught a few breaks and the Hurricanes can only hope they came soon enough to get their playoff run back on track. Eric Staal scored a power-play goal 3:38 into overtime Wednesday night to give Carolina a 2-1 victory over the Montreal Canadiens as the Hurricanes avoided falling into an 0-3 hole in their first-round playoff series.
Habs' Koivu suffers eye injury in loss (AP)
Montreal captain Saku Koivu suffered an unspecified eye injury Wednesday night during the second period of the Canadiens' 2-1 overtime loss to Carolina. Following the game, Canadiens GM-coach Bob Gainey said Koivu had suffered an eye injury, including a cut around his left eye, and that he will be re-examined Thursday -- if not sooner -- by team opthalmologist Dr.
Avs top Stars in OT to take 3-0 lead (AP)
The Dallas Stars' inability to close out a game has them teetering on elimination. The Colorado Avalanche took a 3-0 lead in their best-of-seven series Wednesday night when they beat the Stars in overtime for the second straight game. This time it was 4-3 on Alex Tanguay's game-winner. Tanguay attempted a cross-ice pass to Ian Laperriere that went off Willie Mitchell's skate and into the net at 1:09...
Red Wings' Yzerman could miss Game 4 (AP)
As if a double-overtime loss wasn't enough for Detroit to worry about, the Red Wings are now facing the possibility of playing Game 4 without their captain. Steve Yzerman only played two shifts in the first overtime of the 4-3 loss to Edmonton on Tuesday night because of back trouble and his status is questionable heading into Thursday night's game.
Bertuzzi's lawyers seek change of venue (AP)
Todd Bertuzzi's lawyers are seeking to have the civil lawsuit filed against the Vancouver forward by Steve Moore heard in a British Columbia court instead of in Ontario. Lawyers for Bertuzzi, the Vancouver Canucks and the NHL club's parent company Orca Bay want the case to be heard in British Columbia, where Moore was injured on March 8, 2004, after Bertuzzi knocked him to the ice with a...
Redden's return inspires Senators (AP)
Hockey is providing a release for Wade Redden at a difficult time for him and his family, and the Ottawa Senators are drawing inspiration from the defenseman's desire to help them advance in the playoffs. Redden returned to the ice Tuesday night after missing Game 2 of Ottawa's first-round series against Tampa Bay because of the death of his mother, and had a goal and two assists in an 8-4 victory...
Preds slow Thornton, Sharks still thrive (AP)
Joe Thornton sometimes seems to be playing a one-man game of keep-away in the playoffs -- and the Nashville Predators are losing it. Both coaches agree the San Jose center's physical presence is the defining difference in the clubs' first-round playoff series, even though Thornton has no goals and just one assist in three games.
WWD: Subway Fresh 500
AVONDALE, Ariz. – Kevin Harvick had plenty of gas left to charge to a dramatic win at Phoenix.
Earnhardt to honor father with replica car (AP)
One object in any NASCAR driver's rearview mirror that may have appeared closer than it actually was: Dale Earnhardt's black No. 3 Chevrolet.
Two fans electrocuted outside Talladega track (AP)
Two NASCAR fans were electrocuted in a campground outside Talladega Superspeedway when a flagpole they were erecting touched power lines. Donny Lynn Wright, 42, of Remlap and Keith Alan Stell, 39, of Birmingham died Monday, said track spokeswoman Kristi King. Talladega County Coroner Jerry Castleberry pronounced them dead at the scene.
Drama in the Desert: Stewart, Biffle and Busch all have up-and-down day in Phoenix (AP)
Tony Stewart is in championship form, Greg Biffle has the worst luck imaginable and Kyle Busch is eerily similar to his big brother.
Desert sweep has Harvick happy again (AP)
His nickname is ``Happy Harvick,'' a moniker earned early in his career when things rarely went wrong.
Busch brothers run into trouble again in Arizona (SportsTicker)
AVONDALE, Arizona (Ticker) - When it comes to the Busch Brothers latest weekend in Phoenix, Kevin Harvick said it best after he won Saturday night's NASCAR Nextel Cup Subway Fresh 500.
Harvick grabs lead late, wins NASCAR Subway Fresh 500 (SportsTicker)
Harvick perfect in Phoenix (AP)
If Kevin Harvick had any doubts about the direction his race team was headed, they were eased with a dominating performance in the desert that ended a 38-race winless drought.
Stewart sent to the back of the field after tire mishap (AP)
A rare mistake by Tony Stewart's championship race team cost him a prime starting spot Saturday night at Phoenix International Raceway.
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