preview Page 184 - Sports News, Headlines & Highlights

Northwestern prepares for rivalry game vs. struggling DePaul
Northwestern senior guard Brooks Barnhizer enters Saturday's visit from DePaul in Evanston, Ill., on a four-game double-double streak.,He's quick to point out that the scoring part of the equation doesn't always come easily. If that's the case, Barnhizer channels tutelage from coach Chris Collins, m...

Spurs working on ‘win-now’ attitude as they host Trail Blazers
The improving San Antonio Spurs have all their key players back in the fold and will attempt to build on one of their best stretches of the season when they host the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday in a Western Conference clash.,The Spurs, who have coped with injuries to several key players and t...

Mavs get Kyrie Irving back as Clippers seek two-game sweep
Squaring off in Dallas for the second time in three days, the visiting Los Angeles Clippers will look to earn a two-game sweep of the Mavericks on Saturday.,The Western Conference foes met on Thursday for the first time since the first round of last year's playoffs, when the Mavericks topped the Cli...

Frustrated stars face off when Warriors visit Wolves
One team is bound to bounce back when the Golden State Warriors visit the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday night in Minneapolis.,Golden State is coming off a 51-point loss against the Memphis Grizzlies that marked the team's third defeat in a row. Minnesota is recovering from a 26-point loss again...

Knicks visit New Orleans with sights on big year-ending run
Even without their optimal roster, the New York Knicks could not have fared better Thursday against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first meeting between the teams since their blockbuster trade signaled the Knicks' shift to a championship-or-bust mentality.,The Knicks will hope for similar results...

Bulls, Celtics reconvene in Chicago after lopsided fourth quarter
The Boston Celtics didn't look like themselves during Thursday's 117-108 home loss to the Chicago Bulls. Boston tied a franchise record by missing 42 3-point attempts (14 of 56) and was outscored 35-22 in the fourth quarter.,The Celtics will try to regain their form and avoid losing to the Bulls for...

Cameron Johnson, Nets welcome woeful Jazz
Cameron Johnson is enjoying the best season of his six-year career, putting together performances that not only help the Brooklyn Nets win some games, but perhaps increase his trade value, as well.,As the rumors continue to swirl around Johnson, his next opportunity to produce another big game is Sa...

Hawks' defense faces challenge of Grizzlies' high-powered offense
The Atlanta Hawks' defense will get another fierce test on Saturday when they begin a four-game homestand by hosting the Memphis Grizzlies, the NBA's top offensive team.,Atlanta allows 119.3 points per game, fourth-worst in the league. But more ominous has been the team's lack of acuity guarding the...

Flyers strive to get back on track, face familiar foe in Blue Jackets
The Philadelphia Flyers have only won two of their last eight games, but one of those victories came against the Columbus Blue Jackets.,The Flyers hope to duplicate that effort Saturday when they host the Blue Jackets in the second of four meetings between the teams this season.,The first matchup ca...

With top line flying high, Penguins visit Devils
The Pittsburgh Penguins' potent top line has led the charge when it comes to the team's recent success.,Bryan Rust, superstar captain Sidney Crosby and Rickard Rakell will try to continue producing points on Saturday when the Penguins visit the New Jersey Devils in Newark, N.J.,Rust and Crosby each ...

Vanderbilt puts takeaway-heavy defense up against Austin Peay
Vanderbilt brings a four-game winning streak into its next-to-last tune-up for Southeastern Conference play with Austin Peay on Saturday in Nashville, Tenn.,The Commodores (10-1) come off their most lopsided win of the season, a 105-53 victory over The Citadel on Wednesday. That victory gave Vanderb...

New-look Colorado still needs cohesion on D, faces Bellarmine
Colorado lost its top five scorers from last year's NCAA Tournament team, so the start of this season was centered on replacing those points.,Colorado (8-2) has found some of that scoring and heads into its final game of nonconference play with a chance for momentum before Big 12 play. The Buffaloes...

Lakers chasing another victory in rematch with Kings
The Sacramento Kings hope limiting turnovers and fouling less can make a difference when they seek to split an NBA-style doubleheader with the Los Angeles Lakers in a rematch Saturday afternoon in the California capital.,When the Kings and Lakers met at Sacramento on Thursday, Austin Reaves had 25 p...

Louisville continues in 'rediscovery' mode vs. Florida State
Louisville ventures on the road for the second time in a week when it faces Florida State on Saturday in Tallahassee, Fla.,Coach Pat Kelsey's Cardinals (6-5, 0-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) had the week off after a close 93-85 loss at then-No. 5 Kentucky last Saturday. Given the injuries that have sl...

Skidding Minnesota rested and ready to face Terrence Brown, FDU
Minnesota has been waiting for almost two weeks to turn the page on a pair of ugly losses.,On Saturday afternoon, Minnesota finally will get the chance to do just that. The Golden Gophers (6-5) will return to the court to host Fairleigh Dickinson (4-9) in Minneapolis.,Minnesota will try to avoid its...

Strong at home, Texas Tech remains cautious of Lamar
Texas Tech and visiting Lamar each close out their pre-Christmas schedule with a Saturday matinee in Lubbock, Texas, as both teams seek momentum for their respective conference seasons.,Lamar (6-5) is on a five-game winning streak, with four of those triumphs on the road, while Texas Tech (8-2) has ...

Surging Oilers out to exploit Sharks' late-game breakdowns
The Edmonton Oilers could get a chance to catch their breath when they host the struggling San Jose Sharks on Saturday afternoon, but they don't plan to slow down.,The Oilers have won six of their past seven games and nine of 11, knocking off several of the NHL's top teams along the way.,Edmonton mo...

Kings visit Predators riding hot streak
The Los Angeles Kings look to stay hot when they visit the Nashville Predators on Saturday.,The Kings head into the matchup on a 9-2-1 streak over their past 12 games, a stretch that includes a six-game winning streak from Nov. 27-Dec. 10. They're 3-1-1 on their current seven-game road trip, which c...

Strong offenses on display when FAU visits No. 20 Michigan State
If the season statistics are any indicator, it should be a high-octane contest when Florida Atlantic pays a visit to No. 20 Michigan State on Saturday afternoon in East Lansing, Mich.,Both the Owls and Spartans figure to provide plenty of entertainment, given they each have balanced scoring attacks ...

Mississippi St. out to protect ball vs. No. 21 Memphis' pressure
No. 21 Memphis will use its full-court press on Saturday to try to shake up a visiting Mississippi State team that ranks among the best at taking care of the ball.,The Bulldogs (10-1) have a 1.97 assists-to-turnover ratio (193 assists, 98 turnovers), which ranked sixth in Division I entering Thursda...