review Page 687 - Sports News, Headlines & Highlights
Heat hope for bounce-back season ahead of opener vs. rising Magic
Despite making the NBA Finals two seasons ago, the Miami Heat are expected by some to have a down year in 2024-25. ESPN, for example, ranked Miami 18th out of 30 teams in its season preview on Monday.,The Heat will aim to invalidate those dull expectations this season, which begins on Wednesday agai...
Overachieving Pacers open vs. Pistons with another run in mind
The Indiana Pacers won 47 regular-season games last year and made a surprising playoff run to the Eastern Conference Finals. The Pacers, who open their season at the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday night, didn't lose any starters or key reserves during the offseason.,Yet the oddsmakers and bettors don'...
Hawks focused on defense entering opener vs. rebuilding Nets
Since making a surprise run to the Eastern Conference finals in the 2020-21 season, the Atlanta Hawks have seen their defense gradually regress no matter how productive star guard Trae Young is.,Last season, Young and the Hawks were tied for 28th in scoring defense, allowing 120.5 points per game, a...
Cavs, Raptors head toward season opener with injury concerns
Injury concerns will be at the forefront when the Cleveland Cavaliers visit the Toronto Raptors in the season opener for both teams on Wednesday.,The Cavaliers will try to fill the void of Max Strus, who will be out at least six weeks due to a sprained ankle.,The Raptors listed RJ Barrett (shoulder)...
Rivals Michigan State, Michigan on opposite paths entering annual clash
In recent years, the football programs of Michigan State and Michigan have trended in opposite directions, culminating last season when Michigan State won four games and Michigan captured the national championship. ,The teams again are headed in opposite directions going into this year's annual show...
Injuries hamper West Virginia, Arizona in Big 12 matchup
West Virginia and Arizona enter Saturday's game at Tucson, Ariz., with significant injury concerns and disgruntled fan bases over their performances this season.,It will be the first meeting between the football programs. Both are now in the expanded Big 12.,West Virginia (3-4, 2-2) was uncertain ea...
Determined Bucks to take on short-handed 76ers
The Milwaukee Bucks and 76ers each failed to meet expectations last season, but a new opportunity begins Wednesday when the teams meet in Philadelphia in the season opener for both squads., ,It is the third straight season in which Milwaukee and Philadelphia have met in their respective season opene...
Golf Glance: PGA, LPGA in Asia; Champions vie for spots in finale
Field Level Media's Golf Glance provides weekly news and storylines from each of the major North American golf tours.,PGA TOUR,LAST TOURNAMENT: Shriners Children's Open (J.T. Poston),THIS WEEK: Zozo Championship, Chiba, Japan, Oct. 24-27,Course: Accordia Golf Narashino CC (Par 70, 7,079 Yards),Purse...
Seeking Sweet 16: Kansas State vies to extend run in Sunflower Showdown
No. 16 Kansas State will seek its 16th straight victory over in-state rival Kansas when the teams meet in a Big 12 game Saturday night in Manhattan, Kan. ,While Wildcats fans will boast about the longest winning streak in the history of the Sunflower Showdown, Kansas fans will point to the fact tha...
No. 1 Oregon aims to continue home dominance in clash with No. 20 Illinois
Oregon football is ranked No. 1 in the nation for the first time in 12 years. ,The Ducks' first game at the top will be Saturday afternoon in a Big Ten matchup against No. 20 Illinois in Eugene, Ore. ,Oregon (7-0, 4-0) is 6-1 all time as a No. 1 team and is one of only 10 undefeated FBS teams this s...
No. 14 Texas A&M gets shot to raise profile vs. No. 8 LSU
If it's possible for a team to lead the Southeastern Conference and fly under the radar, No. 14 Texas A&M might just qualify for that distinction.,Since losing the season opener at home against Notre Dame, the Aggies (6-1, 4-0) have quietly won six straight games and are one of just two unbeaten tea...
No. 3 Penn State braces for battle with improving Wisconsin
Third-ranked Penn State might be facing a tougher challenge than expected when the well-rested Nittany Lions travel to face improving Wisconsin in a Big Ten matchup on Saturday in Madison, Wis.,Penn State (6-0, 3-0 Big Ten) is coming off a bye week. The Nittany Lions have not played since a wild 33-...
Slumping squads clash in first-ever Rutgers-USC matchup
Sputtering Rutgers and Southern California meet for the first time ever on Friday in Los Angeles, each looking to pull out of a midseason tailspin.,USC (3-4, 1-4 Big Ten) has endured a rough introduction in its inaugural season in its new conference, losing four of its past five games -- all in eith...
UNLV gets next crack at slowing Boise State's Ashton Jeanty
Heisman Trophy candidate Ashton Jeanty had a week to rest his body, and that can't be comforting for the UNLV defense.,Jeanty aims to continue his superlative season when No. 17 Boise State comes off a bye to visit the Rebels in a Mountain West showdown on Friday night in Las Vegas.,The Broncos (5-1...
Leafs G Joseph Woll might return to face Blue Jackets
Toronto goaltender Joseph Woll could make his first start of the season Tuesday night when the Maple Leafs visit the Columbus Blue Jackets.,"It's possible, yes," Toronto coach Craig Berube said on Monday before the Leafs' 5-2 victory over the visiting Tampa Bay Lightning.,Woll has missed the first s...
Devils hope home edge helps as Lightning visit
The New Jersey Devils hope to make better use of home-ice advantage when they host the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday evening.,After earning just 37 points in 41 home games last season (17-21-3) and surrendering 149 goals at Prudential Center, second most by a home team in the NHL, the Devils are 1-...
Ducks look to beat winless Sharks a second time
The Anaheim Ducks will aim for another early-season win over the Sharks when they host San Jose on Tuesday.,The Ducks opened their season by blanking the Sharks 2-0 on Oct. 12. Isac Lundestrom and Trevor Zegras scored for Anaheim, and Lukas Dostal made 30 saves for his second career shutout.,However...
No. 19 Pitt prepares for Syracuse tilt as schedule gets tougher
No. 19 Pitt is off to its best start in more than 40 years, but Syracuse should present a formidable challenge when the teams match up Thursday night on the Panthers' home field.,The Panthers (6-0, 2-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) have not been 7-0 since 1982, but they can continue their splendid seas...
Knights, back from disappointing trip, aim to recover vs. Kings
After managing just one point during a three-game eastern road trip that featured back-to-back blown third-period leads, the Vegas Golden Knights look for a positive reset as they open a four-game homestand Tuesday night against the Los Angeles Kings.,The three-game trek, which started with a 4-2 lo...
Lights on LeBron, Bronny James as Lakers open vs. Wolves
Two teams with every expectation that they will be in the mix come the spring will open the season against each other Tuesday when the Los Angeles Lakers play host to the Minnesota Timberwolves.,The Lakers will try to squeeze another quality season out of a veteran duo in LeBron James and Anthony Da...