NBA:
In the NBA, Boston beat Milwaukee 112-107, Brooklyn topped Phoenix 116-106, Houston defeated Portland 119-105, San Antonio won against Utah 96-78, New Orleans trumped Oklahoma City 123-119, and it was Golden State over Orlando 130-114.
Stephen Curry set one NBA record on Thursday, while the Golden State Warriors continued their quest for another. Curry was 10-for-15 from 3-point range while scoring 51 points as the Warriors won for the 15th time in 16 games, 130-114 at Orlando. Curry drained his first 3-pointer midway through the first quarter to set a league mark with 128 consecutive games with at least one trey. Overall, Curry shot a blistering 20-for-27 while furnishing eight assists and seven rebounds.
Seven-time NBA All-Star guard Joe Johnson has been waived by the Nets, allowing him to join a contending team. The Nets announced the move after agreeing to a buyout of the remainder of Johnson's contract, one of the largest in the NBA. Players have to be waived by March 1 in order to sign with another team and be eligible for the playoffs. Johnson will have to clear waivers before he can entertain other contract offers. Any team claiming him on waivers would have to pay the remainder of his $24.9 million salary.
Elsewhere:
— The Minnesota Timberwolves have waived veteran point guard Andre Miller after agreeing to terms on a buyout of his contract. His agent says the 39-year-old Miller will look to join a team that is making a playoff push.
NHL:
In the NHL, the Rangers beat St. Louis 2-1, the Islanders edged Calgary in overtime 2-1, Columbus blasted New Jersey 6-1, Toronto bested Carolina 3-1, Nashville won against Chicago 3-1, Winnipeg doubled up Dallas 6-3, Vancouver beat Ottawa 5-3, Los Angeles skated by Edmonton 2-1, Florida edged Arizona 3-2, and it was Philadelphia over Minnesota 3-2.
Andrew Ladd is back with the Chicago Blackhawks. The defending Stanley Cup champs have re-acquired the left wing from the Winnipeg Jets, along with forward Matt Fraser and defenseman Jay Harrison. The Jets receive two draft picks and prospect Marko Dano. The 30-year-old Ladd had 17 goals and 34 points in 59 games for Winnipeg this season. He previously played for Chicago for two-plus seasons, helping the Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup in 2010.
MLB:
Alex Rodriguez has arrived at spring training feeling relaxed. He reported last February after missing 2014 while serving a suspension for violations of baseball's drug agreement and labor contract. He was sidelined for most of 2013 following hip surgery. This year, there are no such issues for the 40-year-old, coming off his first season as a full-time designated hitter.
New York Yankees left fielder Brett Gardner will take a slow approach at spring training because of a lingering wrist injury. General manager Brian Cashman says Gardner bruised his left wrist running into the wall in last year's AL wild-card game against Houston.
The rules regarding how players slide into second base are being changed. Major League Baseball has announced that rolling block sides to break up potential double plays have been banned. The hope is to prevent a repeat of the takeout by the Los Angeles Dodgers' Chase Utley that broke a leg of Mets shortstop Ruben Tejada in last year's playoffs. The Pirates lost infielder Jung Ho Kang (gahng) for the playoffs following a similar collision late last season. Under the new rule, an umpire can call both the runner and batter out for a violation. In addition, takeout slides and neighborhood plays will be subject to video review.
Elsewhere in spring training news:
— The Orioles and right-hander Yovani Gallardo have finalized a two-year, $22 million contract with a team option for 2018. Gallardo, who is 102-75 with a 3.42 ERA in his career, has thrown at least 180 innings and started at least 30 times for the last seven seasons.
— Yasiel Puig wasn't able to take part in the Dodgers' first full team workout after recovering from surgery to have his wisdom teeth removed. Puig, who underwent surgery on Tuesday, is still in camp and is beginning his fourth season with the Dodgers.
— Outfielder Dexter Fowler is staying with the Chicago Cubs after all, spurning a three-year, $33 million offer from the Baltimore Orioles to accept a one-year, $13 million deal that includes a mutual option for 2017. Fowler gets $8 million this year, and the sides have a $9 million option for 2017 with a $5 million buyout. The 29-year-old Fowler hit .250 in 156 games and finished with 17 home runs, 149 hits, 102 runs scored and 84 walks.
NFL:
New York Giants general manager Jerry Reese didn't think that defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul would play last season after mangling his right hand in a fireworks accident on July 4th. Reese spoke yesterday at the NFL combine, calling it a miracle that Pierre-Paul played eight games last season. He refused to say whether the Giants plan to re-sign Pierre-Paul, who could become an unrestricted free agent next month.
A three judge panel will hear the NFL's appeal of the lifting of Brady's four-game suspension in "Deflategate" starting next Thursday. The judges will decide whether a lower-court judge was correct to negate Brady's suspension over a ball-deflation scandal last year. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell assessed the suspension, then upheld it on appeal.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel hasn't played too well in NFL stadiums. He's about to learn how he performs in a court room. Dallas police will take their domestic violence case against Manziel to a grand jury to decide whether he should be charged. Police say they had completed their investigation into a Jan. 30 incident in which the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner's ex-girlfriend alleged he attacked her. Manziel has not been arrested. Colleen Crowley has alleged that the former Texas A&M star accosted her several times at a Dallas hotel, then later struck her when they drove back to her apartment in Fort Worth. She says Manziel hit her so hard that she temporarily lost hearing in one ear.
In other NFL news:
— Indianapolis general manager Ryan Grigson says quarterback Andrew Luck should be healthy enough to participate in this season's offseason workouts. Luck missed the final six games last season with a lacerated kidney and a partially torn abdominal muscle. Grigson also says the Colts and Luck's agent, Will Wilson, are working on a contract extension, but did not establish a timeline for getting a long-term deal finished.
— Green Bay coach Mike McCarthy says quarterback Aaron Rodgers and receiver Jordy Nelson should be ready for offseason workouts. Rodgers had minor knee surgery last month, while Nelson missed the 2015 season with a right knee injury.
— Bills general manager Doug Whaley says he's had discussions with quarterback Tyrod Taylor's representatives regarding a contract extension. Taylor went 8-6 as a first-time starter last year.
PGA:
Sergio Garcia and Michael Thompson shot 5-under 65s to share the lead after the first round of the Honda Classic. Both birdied the par-5 18th hole to pull a shot ahead of William McGirt and Rickie Fowler. Garcia highlighted his round by holing out from 148-yards for an eagle 2 on the second hole. Phil Mickelson finished with a 69 and trails by four shots. Rory McIlroy three-putted from 10 feet for bogey on the 18th for a 72.
LPGA:
Lexi Thompson had two eagles in an 8-under 64 to grab a one-stroke lead at the LPGA Tour's Thailand tournament. Thompson is trying to become the first American to win the event in its 10-year history. Defending champion Amy Yang is two shots of the lead.
©2016 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.