preview Page 5 - Sports News, Headlines & Highlights

Darryn Peterson, Kansas gear up for sizzling TCU in Big 12 tourney
No. 14 Kansas is rested and ready to use this week's Big 12 tournament as a tune-up of sorts for the NCAA Tournament.,That won't be easy when the third-seeded Jayhawks face perhaps the hottest team in the conference, No. 6 seed TCU, in the nightcap of the Big 12 quarterfinals on Thursday in Kansas C...

Predators in hot playoff pursuit against hapless Canucks
The Nashville Predators will look to keep their playoff hopes alive when they visit the last-place Vancouver Canucks on Thursday.,The Predators gave their late-season playoff push a boost Tuesday night with a 4-2 come-from-behind victory over Seattle, which is just one point above them in the battle...

Contending Mammoth out to avoid sweep by Blackhawks
For the third time in less than two weeks, the Utah Mammoth will face the Blackhawks, with Chicago aiming to complete a four-game season sweep on Thursday in Salt Lake City.,While the Mammoth are in firm possession of a playoff spot and the Blackhawks are playing the final month with an eye toward n...

Lakers executing at both ends sans LeBron James; Bulls up next
On a charge up the Western Conference standings, the Los Angeles Lakers will be out to continue their momentum with a visit from the Chicago Bulls on Thursday.,The Lakers have won six of their past seven games and are unbeaten through three games of their current homestand after a 120-106 victory ov...

NHL-leading Avs aim to dent Kraken's wild-card aspirations
So, there is a way to defeat the Colorado Avalanche.,Make them play with just 10 forwards.,That's what happened to Colorado on Tuesday night against visiting Edmonton and the result was a 4-3 defeat that snapped the NHL-leading Avalanche's five-game winning streak.,The Avs will look to start a new r...

Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander pursuing record vs. restored Celtics
Coming off one of the best games of his career, Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will try to make history when the Thunder host the Boston Celtics on Thursday in a matchup of two of the top teams in the NBA.,With 20 or more points, Gilgeous-Alexander would break Wilt Chamberlain's ...

Pacific-leading Ducks eager to extend Maple Leafs' losing streak
The Anaheim Ducks aim to open their four-game road trip with a second consecutive win Thursday night when they visit the floundering Toronto Maple Leafs.,The Ducks started their trip Tuesday night with a 4-1 victory over the Winnipeg Jets on the strength of three consecutive goals in a 1:44 span of ...

Homestanding Devils plan to extend Flames' misery
While the playoffs don't appear to be in the cards for the New Jersey Devils this season, at least they're playing well on their longest home stretch of the season.,Meanwhile, the road continues to be a problem for the lowly Calgary Flames.,Vying to bounce back after its four-game winning streak cam...

Hurricanes hope to keep 'cashing in' vs. Blues
The Carolina Hurricanes continue to find answers as the regular season reaches its home stretch.,They'll try to stay hot at home when the St. Louis Blues visit for Thursday night's game in Raleigh, N.C.,Carolina now holds a nine-point lead atop the Metropolitan Division over second-place Pittsburgh....

Suns continue playoff climb vs. lowly Pacers
Devin Booker is heating up at the right time for the Phoenix Suns, who have won three straight heading into Thursday's matchup against the Indiana Pacers in Indianapolis.,With Booker leading the way, Phoenix has won five of its last six to move within one game of the Denver Nuggets for sixth place i...

Pistons clicking again, while short-handed Sixers dealing with another injury
The Detroit Pistons and their two All-Stars got back on track on Tuesday. Now they will look to build a winning streak when they host the banged-up Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday.,Detroit snapped a four-game losing streak -- its longest of the season -- by pounding the host Brooklyn Nets 138-100. Th...

Bruins chase 14th straight home win against Macklin Celebrini, Sharks
The Boston Bruins go for their 14th straight home win when they host the San Jose Sharks -- led by sophomore sensation and former Boston University star Macklin Celebrini -- for a crucial Thursday night game amidst a playoff race for both teams.,Boston earned a 2-1 overtime victory over the Los Ange...

Oklahoma rides late surge into SEC tourney vs. South Carolina with bubble at stake
Inching closer to the NCAA Tournament bubble, Oklahoma desperately needs to stay hot against South Carolina in the first round of the Southeastern Conference tournament on Wednesday in Nashville, Tenn.,Oklahoma (17-14) finished 11th in the SEC after winning its last four regular-season games, catapu...

Minnesota, Rutgers ride momentum into Big Ten tournament
Moments after his team's regular season ended, Rutgers coach Steve Pikiell turned his attention to the Big Ten tournament.,"A new season starts after this," Pickiell said. "We'll head to Chicago, and everyone has a chance.",Both teams have a legitimate chance to extend their season when No. 11 seed ...

Turnover-prone Knicks eager for fewer miscues against Jazz
The New York Knicks spent two nights in Los Angeles and struggled with turnovers.,Coming off two of their highest turnover totals all season, the Knicks attempt to avoid a third straight loss Wednesday night when they meet the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City.,New York, which won 16 of 21 before landing ...

Florida State coach knows value of ACC tournament with Cal up first
If there's a stealth team in the ACC tournament, it might be eighth-seeded Florida State.,Once buried at the bottom of the conference standings, the Seminoles (17-14) arrive in Charlotte under the radar as one of the hottest teams in the league, having won nine of their last 11 games.,Drawing the di...

Texas focuses on defense for SEC tourney game vs. Ole Miss
Texas head coach Sean Miller has been honest about his team's struggles on the defensive side of the ball. ,Ahead of the first round of the Southeastern Conference tournament against 15th-seeded Ole Miss on Wednesday in Nashville, Miller hopes to see the 10th-seeded Longhorns on the right side of th...

'Grateful' James Harden leads Cavaliers into battle with Magic
Cleveland Cavaliers point guard James Harden reached another career milestone, becoming the ninth member of the 29,000-point club Monday against the Philadelphia 76ers.,His quest to reach 30,000 begins Wednesday, when the Cavaliers hit the road to play the Orlando Magic.,"The Beard" put together ano...

Tre Carroll status in doubt as Xavier battles Marquette in Big East tourney
NEW YORK -- In his first season coaching in the Big East, Richard Pitino often praised the scoring prowess of Tre Carroll and lamented Xavier's shaky defense.,After four straight NCAA tournament appearances, Marquette could not compensate for the departures from last season's roster and is finishing...

Fiyers, Capitals meet with both hoping to ignite playoff push
Their season has been a bumpy road to this point, but the Washington Capitals continue to prove their resilience.,Fresh off a roller-coaster victory, the Capitals hope to ride the momentum into Wednesday's road game with the Philadelphia Flyers.,Washington had lost three straight games before postin...