review Page 67 - Sports News, Headlines & Highlights
Dominic Smith, Braves try for encore in rematch vs. D-backs
When Dominic Smith signed a minor league deal with the Atlanta Braves in mid-February, it was hard envisioning him having much of a role with the team.,After all, Smith's best defensive position is first base and the Braves feature Matt Olson at that spot, and Olson hasn't missed a single game in fo...
Mets turn to Nolan McLean vs. Giants in bid to end skid
The task for right-hander Nolan McLean in his 10th major league start will be much like the task in his first nine outings: save the New York Mets from spiraling further out of control.,McLean again will look to serve as a stopper on Friday night when he takes the mound as the Mets visit the San Fra...
Two of West's worst face off as Pelicans visit Kings
The New Orleans Pelicans will visit the Sacramento Kings on Friday night with an opportunity to complete a three-game season sweep. ,New Orleans (25-52) arrives in California's capital city on a six-game losing streak, playing the second leg of a back-to-back set after a 118-106 loss in Portland on ...
Key cogs remain in question as Timberwolves visit 76ers
The Minnesota Timberwolves and 76ers could be without star players on Friday night when the teams meet in Philadelphia for an important late-season clash.,Philadelphia (42-34) sits in sixth place in the Eastern Conference playoff race, although there isn't much separation between fifth and 10th plac...
Hornets eager for rookies to continue strong play in matchup vs. Pacers
The Indiana Pacers and Charlotte Hornets have something in common -- they're both playing at perhaps their highest levels of the season.,It's just that the Hornets will have much more at stake when the teams meet Friday night in Charlotte, N.C.,The Hornets (41-36) have won seven of their last nine g...
Christian Yelich, Brewers ride potent offense into series opener vs. Royals
After a stellar homestand, the Milwaukee Brewers will take their high-octane offense on the road for the first time this season when they face the Kansas City Royals on Friday night.,Milwaukee won five of its first six games by averaging 7.5 runs per contest. The Brewers' 45 total runs are tied with...
Flyers, Islanders in 'must-win' mode amid playoff chase
The Philadelphia Flyers will look to inch closer to a playoff spot when they visit the New York Islanders on Friday in Elmont, N.Y.,The Flyers (37-26-12, 86 points) fell 4-2 to the visiting Detroit Red Wings on Thursday, keeping them two points back of the second wild card in the Eastern Conference ...
Rays, Twins out to shake off subpar starts to season
The start of the season has been far from perfect for the Minnesota Twins.,But manager Derek Shelton sees reason for optimism ahead of Friday's home opener against the Tampa Bay Rays.,"The one thing we're learning about this club," Shelton said, "is they fight.",After playing their first six games o...
Athletics' Shea Langeliers riding historic start into Astros series
Shea Langeliers is putting on a power display not seen by a catcher in 101 years.,The Athletics slugger will look to build on a start that includes five homers in six games when the club faces the Houston Astros on Friday night in the home opener at West Sacramento, Calif.,Hall of Famer Gabby Hartne...
Blues, running out of time to make playoff move, visit Ducks
In dire need of reversing their fortunes during their road swing, the St. Louis Blues will take their flickering playoff hopes to Anaheim to face the Ducks on Friday.,After a torrid stretch following the Olympic break, the Blues (31-31-12, 74 points) are winless in the first two outings of a four-ga...
Magic hope road run, starting vs. Mavericks, will create a spark
The Orlando Magic get a break from their frustrated home fans when they open a two-game trip against the Dallas Mavericks on Friday night., ,The Magic left their home court to boos after getting pummeled 130-101 by the visiting Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday, a loss that dropped Orlando (40-36) two game...
In Final Four rematch, UCLA out to solve Texas' tough defense
PHOENIX -- Texas is the only team to beat UCLA this season.,At this point of the season, the rematch is all that matters.,UCLA (35-1) and Texas (35-3) will meet in the NCAA Women's Final Four in the second of two games matching No. 1 seeds on Friday, with the winner advancing to the national champio...
Mariners hope stars' bats will warm up vs. Angels
Perhaps a trip to sunny Southern California is exactly what the Seattle Mariners need.,Because their bats have yet to warm up as they head into a three-game series with the Los Angeles Angels that begins Friday in Anaheim, Calif., ,The Mariners' Nos. 2-4 hitters -- Cal Raleigh, Julio Rodriguez and J...
Celtics rolling as they close road trip vs. injury-hampered Bucks
The red-hot Boston Celtics will put a bow on a four-game road trip on Friday night when they take on the Bucks in Milwaukee.,Boston has won four of its last five contests and eight of its last 10 overall, including a 147-129 drubbing of the Heat in Miami on Wednesday night.,The Celtics were dominant...
Raptors, vying for playoff spot, take on depleted Grizzlies
With six games remaining in the regular season and a guaranteed playoff spot at stake, the Toronto Raptors are in desperate need of a strong finish., ,The Raptors (42-34) need to finish in the top six of the Eastern Conference to secure a guaranteed berth. Currently, Toronto is tied with the Philade...
Rockets showing progress on ball control with Jazz up next
Down the stretch on Wednesday, when it became obvious that the short-handed Milwaukee Bucks refused to roll over, the Houston Rockets faced a defensive tactic that'd previously given them fits.,The Bucks aggressively double-teamed Kevin Durant in the fourth quarter, testing the Rockets to see if the...
Up-and-down Knicks look to get well vs. Bulls
The New York Knicks have five games in 10 days to figure it out.,It starts on Friday, when New York hosts the Chicago Bulls, who seemingly have already packed up for the summer.,Coach Mike Brown and his Knicks need to prove something over the next week and a half.,Are they the team that has twice po...
Hawks hope to keep soaring against youthful Nets
The last time the Atlanta Hawks visited the Brooklyn Nets, Trae Young injured his right knee and rarely played for them again before being traded to the Washington Wizards.,A little over five months later, the Hawks are firmly above the play-in teams in the Eastern Conference and hope to move up eve...
Young Nationals' first home series comes against champion Dodgers
The Washington Nationals will welcome the two-time defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers to the nation's capital Friday afternoon for their home opener.,Washington comes home having lost two straight to Philadelphia, including a 6-5 defeat in 10 innings Wednesday. The Nationals were a ...
Women's hoops powers UConn, South Carolina meet again in Final Four
PHOENIX -- For South Carolina, familiarity breeds respect.,"UConn has been the standard in women's basketball for a very long time," South Carolina coach Dawn Staley said Thursday, on the eve of another faceoff.,"When you have some traditionally rich program like that, it helps us all grow. It helps...