NBA:
In the NBA playoffs, The Cleveland Cavaliers shattered a pair of NBA playoff records for 3-pointers while taking a 2-0 lead in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
The Cavs set league marks with 18 treys in the first half and 25 total as they crushed the Atlanta Hawks 123-98. J.R. Smith led the 3-point barrage by hitting 7 of 13 attempts. LeBron James and Kyrie (KY'-ree) Irving each hit four 3s for the Cavaliers, who shot 56 percent from beyond the arc.
The Miami Heat and center Chris Bosh have announced that he will sit out the remainder of the playoffs, ending rampant speculation in recent days that Bosh would try to return to the court. Bosh has not played since the All-Star break after a blood clot was discovered in his left leg. It remains unknown if he has dealt with any other clots or if he remains on blood thinners.
NHL:
In the NHL playoffs, Pittsburgh beat Washington 3-2 to put the Penguins one game away from advancing, 3-1.
The Portland Pirates of the American Hockey League are poised to leave their Maine home in favor of Springfield, Massachusetts. Cross Insurance Arena board chairman Mitch Berkowitz says the Pirates are heading out of town after 23 years in Maine's largest city.
Washington's Alex Ovechkin, the New York Islanders' John Tavares and Nashville's Shea Weber are the finalists for the Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award. Messier selected the finalists Wednesday and will pick the winner. The winner will be announced June 22nd during the NHL Awards in Las Vegas.
A person familiar with the situation has told The Associated Press that the Arizona Coyotes will promote 26-year-old John Chayka to general manager, making him the youngest GM in NHL history. Chayka was hired as an assistant GM last year after serving as director of hockey operations for Stathletes, a hockey analytics firm he co-founded in 2009. Coach Dave Tippett is expected to have a larger role in Arizona's hockey operations under Chayka.
MLB:
In baseball in the American League, the Yankees blanked Baltimore 7-0, Boston defeated the White Sox 5-2, Houston crushed Minnesota 16-4, Toronto edged Texas 4-3, Cleveland shut out Detroit 4-0, and it was Seattle over Oakland 9-8.
In the National League, the Mets blanked Atlanta 8-0, Cincinnati bested San Francisco 7-4, the Cubs tripled up Pittsburgh 6-2, Colorado beat San Diego 2-0, Miami edged Arizona 4-3, and it was St. Louis over Philadelphia 5-4.
In interleague play, the Angels topped Milwaukee 7-3, Washington defeated Kansas City 13-2, and it was Tampa Bay over the Dodgers 8-5.
The Chicago Cubs are a major league-best 20-6 after completing a three-game sweep in Pittsburgh, beating the Pirates 6-2. Jon Lester is 3-1 with a 1.58 earned run average after tossing scoreless ball over 5 2/3 innings of the Cubs' seventh victory in eight games. Ben Zobrist (ZOH'-brihst) opened the scoring with a three-run homer in the third inning, and Anthony Rizzo was 3-for-5 with a solo homer and three runs scored.
Alex Rodriguez has been placed on the 15-day disabled list by the New York Yankees because of a strained right hamstring. The injury occurred Tuesday night while Rodriguez was running out a grounder in the fifth inning of a loss to the Orioles. The 40-year-old is batting .194 in 20 games.
NCAA:
Duke and Cincinnati, 2016 NCAA Tournament teams, highlight the eight-team field for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Tip-Off Tournament. The participants for the November 19th through 20th event were announced Wednesday. Also in the field are Rhode Island, Penn State, Grand Canyon, Albany, Marist and Brown.
Luge:
Three-time Olympian Erin Hamlin and Chris Mazdzer head USA Luge's national team that will race World Cup next season. Hamlin, the 2014 Olympic bronze medalist at Sochi, had one gold medal and three silvers in women's singles in the first half of last year's World Cup season and finished fourth in the overall standings. Mazdzer is a two-time Olympian.
NFL:
The NFL has warned players that some meat produced in China and Mexico may be contaminated with clenbuterol, a banned steroid. In a memo sent out by the league office, the NFL warned players that consuming large quantities of meat while visiting those countries may result in a positive test for the substance. The league also reminded players that they are responsible for any substances found in their bodies. The Oakland Raiders are scheduled to face the Houston Texans on Monday Night Football on Nov. 21 in Mexico City as part of the league's international series.
Horse Racing:
Nyquist has been made the early 3-1 favorite for the 142nd Kentucky Derby, with Exaggerator the second choice in the full field of 20 horses. Nyquist drew the No. 13 post as the colt tries to win the first jewel of the Triple Crown and improve to 8-0. Exaggerator drew the No. 11 post and is 8-1 for the 1 1/4-mile race Saturday at Churchill Downs. Creator, Gun Runner and Mohaymen are the co-third choices at 10-1. Creator will break from the No. 3 post with Gun Runner in the No. 5. Mohaymen drew the No. 14 post.
©2016 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
