NBA:
In the NBA, Boston beat Orlando 109-92, Toronto defeated Brooklyn 105-89, Atlanta bested Cleveland 127-98, Phoenix topped Charlotte 111-106, Dallas won against Detroit 117-106, Memphis squeaked by San Antonio in triple overtime 117-116, Portland bested Milwaukee 104-97, Houston beat Denver in overtime 115-111, and it was the Clippers over Indiana 102-100.
NHL:
Over on the ice, Ottawa blanked New Jersey 2-0, Boston edged Minnesota in overtime 3-2, and Dallas shut out Vancouver 2-0.
Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby has returned from a bout with mumps, while several teammates were tested for the virus as a precaution.
Crosby worked out for the first time after missing three games over the weekend. He could return to the lineup as early as Thursday night when the Penguins face Colorado.
The Penguins held goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury and defensemen Olli Maatta and Robert Bortuzzo out of practice while they were tested for mumps. All three players tested negative for mumps earlier in December.
NFL:
On Thursday Night Football, Tennessee is in Jacksonville to take on the Jaguars at 8:25.
The San Francisco 49ers have released defensive end Ray McDonald as San Jose police investigate him on suspicion of a sexual assault on Monday.
49ers general manager Trent Baalke said the decision was prompted by a pattern of poor decision making, adding that "we expect a lot from our players, hold them accountable for their actions."
MLB:
New Braves outfielder Nick Markakis has undergone surgery to repair a herniated disk in his neck. The Braves say the operation was a success and Markakis should be able to resume baseball activities before spring training in late February.
The 31-year-old was diagnosed with the condition before the 2013 season with the Orioles. He left to sign a $44 million, four-year contract with the Braves, who felt the neck condition was not a serious risk.
In other baseball news:
A person with knowledge of the deal says the San Diego Padres have acquired outfielder Wil Myers, catcher Ryan Hanigan and minor league pitchers Jose Castillo and Gerardo Reyes from the Tampa Bay Rays for catcher Rene Rivera. Myers was the 2013 AL Rookie of the Year but was limited to 87 games this year due to a right wrist injury, hitting .222 with six home runs and 35 RBIs.
The Giants are close to completing a deal that keeps Sergio Romo in San Francisco. A person with knowledge of the negotiations says the reliever and the team are hammering out on a two-year, $15 million contract. Romo went 6-4 with a 3.72 ERA with 23 saves in 64 outings last season.
Cleveland second baseman Jason Kipnis has had surgery to repair a damaged tendon in his left ring finger. Kipnis injured his finger while working out at home in Chicago. The Indians say they expect Kipnis to be ready for the start of the 2015 season.
Free agent right-hander Brandon Morrow and the San Diego Padres have agreed to a $2.5 million, one-year contract. Morrow was 1-3 with a 5.67 earned run average in six starts and seven relief appearances for Toronto last season.
Seattle has acquired Justin Ruggiano from the Cubs for minor league pitcher Matt Brazis. Ruggiano appeared in 81 games last season for the Cubs, hitting .281 with six homers and 28 runs batted in.
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