NBA:
Russell Westbrook poured in 41 points to take MVP honors and lead the Western Conference to a 163-158 win over the East in the NBA All-Star game at Madison Square Garden. The Oklahoma City Thunder guard fell one shy of the All-Star game record of 42 points set by Wilt Chamberlain in 1962. Westbrook broke records with 11 first-half field goals and 27 points by intermission, doing it in just 11 minutes.
The New York Daily News is reporting that the New York Knicks have agreed to a buyout with Amar’e Stoudemire. Stoudemire has battled injuries since signing a five-year contract worth about $100 million in 2010. He will be able to sign with another team once he clears waivers.
NHL:
Over on the ice, Chicago beat Pittsburgh in a shootout 2-1, Philadelphia topped Buffalo 2-1, St. Louis skated by Florida in a shootout 2-1, Tampa Bay bested San Jose 5-2, and it was Washington over Anaheim 5-3.
NASCAR:
Jeff Gordon will start from the pole in the final Daytona 500 of his career next Sunday. The four-time NASCAR champ and three-time Daytona 500 winner secured the pole with Hendrick teammate Jimmie Johnson locking down the other front row spot. Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Denny Hamlin failed post-qualifying inspection for the Daytona 500 pole.
Golf:
Brandt Snedeker has won the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am for the second time in three years by breaking his own scoring record. Snedeker played bogey-free in closing with a 5-under-par 67 for a three-shot win over Nick Watney. He was 22-under for the tournament, topping the scoring mark of minus-20 set in 2013.
©2015 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
