NBA:
In the NBA, Boston topped New York 115-94, New Orleans bested Brooklyn 102-96, Houston beat the Clippers 110-105, Atlanta defeated Dallas 104-87, Miami squeaked by Orlando in overtime 93-90, Charlotte won against Chicago 98-86, Milwaukee bested Philadelphia 104-88, Minnesota beat Washington 97-77, the Lakers edged Utah 100-97, Phoenix topped Denver 110-96, Sacramento defeated Memphis 102-90, and it was Portland over San Antonio 111-95.
The Mavericks suspended Rajon Rondo for Wednesday's game in Atlanta for conduct detrimental to the team. The punishment came a day after the point guard had a heated exchange on the court with coach Rick Carlisle and was benched. The Mavericks were trailing by nine when Rondo was pulled and rallied with backups Devin Harris and J.J. Barea running the offense along with leading scorer Monta Ellis.
NHL:
Over on the ice, Calgary beat New Jersey 3-1, Pittsburgh edged Washington 4-3, and it was Ottawa over Anaheim 3-0.
Chicago Blackhawks star Patrick Kane has undergone surgery to repair a broken left collarbone suffered in Tuesday's win over Florida. The injury will likely sideline the dynamic winger for the rest of the season unless the team makes a deep run in the playoffs. Kane was tied for the NHL lead with 64 points, producing 27 goals and 37 assists.
NFL:
The New York Giants have released running back Peyton Hillis. The Giants announced the move yesterday, a day after releasing veteran defensive lineman Mathias Kiwanuka. The two moves will save the team just under $6 million in salary cap space. Adding to the cuts were Detroit Lions running back Reggie Bush, and Baltimore Ravens’ Jacoby Jones.
The Inglewood City Council has approved plans to build a football stadium that includes St. Louis Rams owner Stan Kroenke as a partner. The vote clears a path for a return to the Los Angeles area of the NFL for the first time in two decades. The council approved the $2 billion plan Tuesday night with a 5-0 vote after a meeting with several hours of public comment and many vocal Rams fans wearing jerseys in attendance.
MLB:
Mariano Rivera is back with the New York Yankees as a guest spring training instructor. Baseball's career saves leader arrived at Steinbrenner Field yesterday. He wore a batting practice uniform with his old Number 42 on it and white pinstripe pants as he worked with pitchers. Rivera retired as a player following the 2013 season.
Meanwhile Boston Red Sox pitching great Pedro Martinez is on his way to the hall of fame. But first he’s making a pit stop at the New York State Capitol today where he will be honored by state legislators.
Nineteen-year-old Cuban prospect Yoan Moncada has arrived at the spring training headquarters of the Boston Red Sox. The Red Sox and Moncada's agent reached an agreement earlier this week on a deal with a $31.5 million signing bonus, a record for an under-23 international amateur player.
David Ortiz says he "might run out of money" if baseball enforces the new pace-of-play rule requiring hitters to keep at least one foot in the batter's box. Ortiz used part of his first spring training session with reporters yesterday to colorfully rant about the rule. He says he feels hitters have been unfairly targeted and that pitchers waste more time.
NCAA:
In men's college basketball, the UAlbany Great Danes have secured home-court advantage for the America East Tournament after beating UMBC 67-49. UAlbany has won the regular season championship for the first time since the 2005-06 season. UAlbany also gets an automatic bid to the NIT. If the Great Danes win the America East Tournament they grab an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, which they have done for the past two seasons.
Ryan Boatright scored 16 points and freshman Daniel Hamilton grabbed a season-high 17 rebounds to lead UConn to a 60-49 victory over East Carolina last night. Amida Brimah and Rodney Purvis each had 12 points for the Huskies, who used a 14-2 run to start the second half to sweep the season series against ECU.
John Carroll scored 12 of his 15 points in the second half to lift Hartford to a 63-60 win over Maine last night. Justin Graham had 13 points and Corban Wroe 12 for Hartford. Kevin Little finished with 22 points for Maine.
Justin Alston scored a career-high 18 points to go with seven rebounds to lead Boston University to a 63-57 victory over Army last night. The Terriers led from the opening minute, had their biggest lead of 15 points with 2:20 left in the half, and were up by 12 at the break.
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