preview Page 235 - Sports News, Headlines & Highlights

Hornets, Bulls come off four-day break seeking a turnaround
The Chicago Bulls conclude a three-game homestand on Friday when they host Eastern Conference counterpart Charlotte Hornets, with both returning to action after lengthy breaks.,Both Charlotte and Chicago last played on Sunday, going on hiatus the following four days due to their eliminations from th...

Riding hot stretch, Grizzlies out to avenge losses to Nets
The surging Memphis Grizzlies are a far different team than the one that lost twice to the Brooklyn Nets in the first two weeks of the season.,Winners of nine of their last 10, the Grizzlies look to maintain their momentum when they face the visiting Nets on Friday. Both teams are playing on four da...

Indiana tries to snap 3-game losing skid to Nebraska
Indiana aims to run its winning streak to five games Friday night when Nebraska welcomes the Hoosiers to Lincoln, Neb.,Indiana (8-2, 1-0 Big Ten) has lost the past three meetings with Nebraska after winning seven straight. The Hoosiers are led by center Oumar Ballo, a transfer from Arizona who avera...

Rested, healthier Sixers take on reeling Pacers
Over the last few weeks, the Philadelphia 76ers have gotten two things they desperately needed -- wins and rest., ,The improving Sixers hope to author another strong performance Friday when they host the scuffling Indiana Pacers., ,In a season where all three Philadelphia stars -- Joel Embiid, Paul ...

Cavaliers plan to regroup vs. NBA-worst Wizards
The Cleveland Cavaliers find themselves at home rather than spending a weekend in Las Vegas when they begin the post-NBA Cup portion of their schedule Friday night against the Washington Wizards.,The Cavaliers have won 21 of their first 25 games, giving them the best record in the NBA. But two of th...

Hurricanes hope D-men keep producing points vs. Senators
The Carolina Hurricanes have high-level producers on the offensive side, making the team a threat in many situations.,In the big picture, it might be offensive contributions coming from defensemen that determine how the season plays out.,"We need it from everyone," coach Rod Brind'Amour said.,The Hu...

Kraken up next as Bruins try to rebound from ugly loss
While the Boston Bruins received a bump under new coach Joe Sacco, it appears they haven't totally eliminated their penchant for lopsided losses.,The Bruins are 15-12-3 overall -- and 7-3-0 since Sacco took over for the fired Jim Montgomery on Nov. 19 -- yet they have a minus-19 goal differential th...

Lightning out to bolster defense against Flames
Coming off a 2-1 loss, the Tampa Bay Lightning are not focused on their offensive attack heading into a Thursday road clash with the Calgary Flames.,It is the Lightning's defensive game that was under scrutiny after a Tuesday defeat at the hands of the Edmonton Oilers, a result that snapped a two-ga...

On a roll, Utah tries to contain Avalanche's dynamic duo
The Utah Hockey Club make their first visit to Denver since relocating from Arizona and will face a revamped Colorado Avalanche team on Thursday night.,At least part of the team.,Colorado recently turned over its goaltending position, with Justus Annunen and Alexandar Georgiev leaving in separate tr...

Golden Knights open difficult trip against formidable Jets
Following a rare five-day break, the Pacific Division-leading Vegas Golden Knights depart for arguably their toughest road trip of the season., ,Vegas will play three games in four days, including games against the two teams that are tied for the NHL lead in points. It starts Thursday against the Wi...

High-scoring Kings, hot from long range, face skidding Pelicans
The Sacramento Kings have averaged 140.5 points in their past two games and 127.2 points over their past five games.,The New Orleans Pelicans have allowed an average of 122 points in their past four games.,The potential for lighting up the scoreboard will be high when the Kings visit the Pelicans on...

NC A&T, Virginia Tech out to improve shooting, end skids
Two teams struggling to put the ball in the basket will meet when North Carolina A&T takes on Virginia Tech in nonconference action Thursday night in Blacksburg, Va., where one losing streak will end.,Virginia Tech (3-6) has dropped its last six games, failing to score more than 64 points in any of ...

Blues host Sharks looking to keep winning under new coach
The San Jose Sharks are in the middle of a long-haul rebuilding effort. The St. Louis Blues are trying to retool more quickly.,These Western Conference rivals will each try to continue their process Thursday when the Blues host the Sharks at Enterprise Center.,The Blues are coming off a 3-1-0 road t...

Raptors hope to end road woes with visit to Heat
For the third time in less than two weeks, the Toronto Raptors will play the Miami Heat.,So far, each team has won on its home court, which may bode well for Miami as it plays host Thursday.,The Raptors, who have lost three straight games overall, are just 1-11 on the road. Their only road win was a...

Celtics host Pistons looking to avoid first back-to-back losses
The Boston Celtics will be looking to avoid losing back-to-back games for the first time this season when they face the visiting Detroit Pistons on Thursday.,The Celtics haven't played since they dropped a 127-121 decision to the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday at home. Boston overcame a 14-point seco...

No. 3 Iowa State brings balance into rivalry clash vs. Iowa
Iowa State rolled past winless Jackson State on Sunday, four days after posting a double-digit victory against then-No. 5 Marquette.,An opponent's pedigree hardly matters to the No. 3 Cyclones, who will shoot for their fifth straight win when they visit in-state rival Iowa on Thursday in Iowa City.,...

Rockets hope to have Fred VanVleet vs. Warriors in NBA Cup quarterfinals
The Rockets are well aware of what veteran guard Fred VanVleet provides, particularly his ability to score and distribute the basketball without committing turnovers.,When VanVleet is unavailable, the Rockets remain a work in progress. But Houston took a step forward on Sunday when VanVleet was side...

BYU keeps focus on court, takes on slumping Fresno State
Though BYU signing No. 1 recruit AJ Dybantsa is the buzz around campus, this season's iteration of the Cougars will return to action against Fresno State on Wednesday night in Provo, Utah.,The matchup against the Bulldogs (3-6) will be the first game for BYU (6-2) since an 83-64 loss against host Pr...

Zuby Ejiofor gaining steam as St. John's faces Bryant
Rick Pitino figured that if Bill Self had recruited Zuby Ejiofor to Kansas, the talent was there.,While Pitino caught glimpses of Ejiofor's ability last season after recruiting him to St. John's as Joel Soriano's backup, he is starting to see more breakout performances, including an impressive 28-po...

Eric Dixon dominating as Villanova prepares for FDU
After a productive senior campaign, Villanova forward Eric Dixon has taken his game to another level in his graduate season.,Dixon has emerged as one of the nation's most lethal scorers and hopes to continue his hot run Wednesday when the Wildcats host Fairleigh Dickinson.,Entering Tuesday's action,...