Estimated read time: 9-10 minutes
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TOP STORIES:
BKN--HEAT-SPURS
SAN ANTONIO — Led by a no-frills coach, the San Antonio Spurs have long stated the regular season means little to them. Yet even the normally stoic Spurs couldn't hide their emotion on the court, and the satisfaction afterward, of toppling the two-time defending champion Miami Heat. Tim Duncan had 23 points and 11 rebounds, and San Antonio never trailed against the Heat, weathering a sluggish third quarter for an intense 111-87 victory Thursday night. By Raul Dominguez. SENT: 926 words, photos.
AF--PISTORIUS-TRIAL
PRETORIA, South Africa — A doctor who said he saw Oscar Pistorius weeping over his dead or dying girlfriend after he shot her resumed his testimony in the murder trial of the double-amputee runner. By Gerald Imray. SENT 114 words, photos. Will be updated.
VIDEO:
— After being inspired by a visit to the Warrior Games in the U.S., Britain's Prince Harry launches the Invictus Games in London — a Paralympic-style sporting event for wounded, injured and sick service personnel.
NEW AND DEVELOPING:
FBN--SHARPER-RAPE CHARGES
LOS ANGELES — Attorneys for Darren Sharper argue against extraditing him to New Orleans, one of several jurisdictions where the former NFL safety is under investigation on suspicion he drugged and raped women. They also say he should be released on bail because he hasn't been formally charged in New Orleans and hasn't violated the terms of his release on felony charges in Los Angeles. By Anthony McCartney. SENT: 434 words, photos. 500 words developing from 4:30 p.m. court hearing, photos.
BKC--HAWAII-UC SANTA BARBARA
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — A UC Santa Barbara basketball fan ran on the court and confronted Hawaii coach Gib Arnold during the Gauchos' 86-77 victory over the Rainbow Warriors on Thursday night. The male student stormed the court while Arnold was arguing with the referees after Hawaii's Brandon Spearman was called for an intentional foul. The tense scene came a week after New Mexico State's K.C. Ross-Miller hurled the ball at Utah Valley's Holton Hunsaker seconds after a game in Orem, Utah, triggering a brawl that involved fans on the court. SENT: 382 words.
GLF--CADILLAC CHAMPIONSHIP
DORAL, Fla. — The new Doral brought out a new look from Tiger Woods. That wasn't necessarily good news for the world's No. 1 player. On a day of raging weather but no visible sign of back pain, Woods was 2-over par after failing to make a single birdie in the 10 holes he played before darkness stopped the opening round. Harris English managed to finish before the horn sounded to stop play, making a 45-birdie putt on No. 9 for a 3-under 69. By Golf Writer Doug Ferguson. UPCOMING: 834 words, photos.
PRO BASKETBALL:
BKN--CLIPPERS-LAKERS
LOS ANGELES — Blake Griffin had 20 points and 11 rebounds during three thunderous quarters by the Los Angeles Clippers, who handed the Lakers the most-lopsided loss in franchise history with a 142-94 victory Thursday night that extended their winning streak to a season-best six games. By Joe Resnick. SENT: 917 words, photos.
BKN--THUNDER-SUNS
PHOENIX — Gerald Green scored 25 of his career-high 41 points in the third quarter and the Phoenix Suns erased a 16-point deficit to beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 128-122 Thursday night, overcoming 34 points from Kevin Durant and a season-high 36 from Russell Westbrook. By Bob Baum. SENT: 750 words, photos.
Also:
— NEW YORK — BKN--Nets-Garnett Out. Garnett (back spasms) to sit out fourth straight game, miss Nets' trip to Boston. SENT: 126 words.
PRO FOOTBALL:
FBN--EAGLES-VICK
Two people familiar with the situation say Michael Vick and the Eagles haven't ruled out the quarterback returning to Philadelphia. Vick will become a free agent next week, and the four-time Pro Bowl pick has made it clear he'll look for an opportunity to be a starter. One person says that if Vick doesn't find the right fit elsewhere, he would consider staying in Philadelphia. By Rob Maaddi. SENT: 423 words, photos.
Also:
— INDIANAPOLIS — FBN--Colts-Jackson. Colts sign free agent LB D'Qwell Jackson. By Michael Marot. SENT: 699 words.
— DENVER — FBN--Broncos-Bye Bye Bailey. Broncos release 12-time Pro Bowl CB Champ Bailey after 10 seasons in Denver. By Pat Graham. SENT: 841 words, photos.
— LAKE FOREST, Ill. — FBN--Bears-Hester. Bears confirm Devin Hester won't return. SENT: 340 words.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL:
BKC--T25-IOWA ST-MOMENTUM
AMES, Iowa — Iowa State is more than ready for the postseason after playing 17 games in the nation's most grueling conference. Still, the Cyclones wouldn't mind picking up a little momentum before heading to the Big 12 tournament and beyond. No. 16 Iowa State (22-7, 10-7 Big 12) has dropped its last two games, road losses to Kansas State and Baylor, after going 7-1 in February. A win on Saturday over surging Oklahoma State (20-10, 8-9), winners of four in a row, would give the Cyclones a welcome boost of confidence ahead of the most important weeks of the season. By Luke Meredith. UPCOMING: 541 words, photos by 3:30 a.m.
Also:
— CINCINNATI — BKC--T25-Villanova-Xavier. Hilliard scores 19, No. 6 Villanova beats Xavier 77-70 to clinch Big East title. By Mark Schmetzer. SENT: 631 words, photos.
— COLUMBIA, S.C. — BKC--S Carolina-Martin Suspended. South Carolina AD suspends basketball coach Martin for using harsh language to player. By Pete Iacobelli. SENT: 669 words, photos.
— DURHAM, N.C. — BKC--T25-Duke-Krzyzewski. Coach K back at practice after dizzy spell led to precautionary exam at hospital. SENT: 138 words, photos.
BASEBALL:
BBO--OBIT-JOBE
LOS ANGELES — Dr. Frank Jobe, a pioneering orthopedic surgeon who was the first to perform an elbow procedure that became known as Tommy John surgery and saved the careers of countless major league pitchers, died Thursday. He was 88. By Beth Harris. SENT: 821 words, photos.
Also:
— CLEARWATER, Fla. — BBO--Yankees-Phillies. Jeter ends 0-for-10 slide, Tanaka gives up HR as Yanks beat Phils 4-3. SENT: 668 words, photos.
— FORT MYERS, Fla. — BBA--Red Sox-Hill. Hill arrives at Red Sox camp following death of infant son. By Maureen Mullen. SENT: 447 words, photos.
— CLEARWATER, Fla. — BBN--Phillies-Hamels. Hamels setback: Won't throw for at least a week. SENT: 423 words, photos.
FEATURES:
US--IDITAROD-5 THINGS
ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Punishing conditions along the early part of Alaska's nearly 1,000-mile Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race have brought many mushers literally to their knees, knocking some out of the running altogether. Here are some key things to know about the rough ride. By Rachel D'Oro. SENT: 609 words, photos.
ICE SAILING
BARRYTOWN, N.Y. — Sharp winds lash up the river as sailors launch boats onto the ice. Sails whip furiously as the long blades slide across a white sheet that spread for miles. Finally, a frigid winter has created excellent conditions for ice sailing on the river, as more than a dozen boats hit a wide stretch of the Hudson north of New York City. Many are one-person craft, while two are reconditioned 19th-century ice yachts, made of heavy lumber and fitted with tall sails. By Michael Hill. SENT: 641 words by 2 a.m., photos, video.
ALSO:
— DARTMOUTH, Mass. — US--Aaron Hernandez-Altercation. Sheriff seeks to charge Hernandez in jail fight. SENT: 149 words.
— INDIANAPOLIS — FBC-Targeting-Rule. NCAA panel OKs proposed change to wipe out 15-year penalty when targeting ejection overturned. SENT: 136 words.
— DETROIT — HKN--Red Wings-Lidstrom's Jersey. Red Wings retire Nicklas Lidstrom's No. 5 jersey, hoisting it to the Joe Louis Arena rafters. By Larry Lage. SENT: 603 words, photos.
— NEW YORK — BKL--WNBA-CBA. APNewsBreak: WNBA and players agree on new CBA. By Doug Feinberg. SENT: 415 words.
— SRINAGAR, India — AS--India-Kashmiri Students. Kashmiri students who rooted for Pakistan cricket team expelled from Indian university. By Aijaz Hussain. SENT: 601 words, photos.
— CHICAGO — SOC--WCup-US-Warmups. United States to host Azerbaijan, Turkey and Nigeria in World Cup warmups. SENT: 258 words, photos.
Friday's Time Schedule
TOP 25 BASKETBALL
Men
No. 2 Wichita State vs. Evansville at the Scottrade Center, St. Louis, 1:05 p.m.
Women
No. 2 Notre Dame vs. Florida State at Greensboro (N.C.) Coliseum, 2 p.m.
No. 4 Stanford vs. Colorado at KeyArena, Seattle, 3 p.m.
No. 5 South Carolina vs. Georgia at The Arena at Gwinnett Center, Duluth, Ga., Noon
No. 6 Tennessee vs. LSU at The Arena at Gwinnett Center, Duluth, Ga., 6 p.m.
No. 8 Maryland vs. No. 13 North Carolina at Greensboro (N.C.) Coliseum, 8:30 p.m.
No. 10 Duke vs. Georgia Tech at Greensboro (N.C.) Coliseum, 6 p.m.
No. 11 Penn State vs. Ohio State at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Noon
No. 12 Kentucky vs. Florida at The Arena at Gwinnett Center, Duluth, Ga., 2:30 p.m.
No. 14 N.C. State vs. Syracuse at Greensboro (N.C.) Coliseum, 11 a.m.
No. 15 Texas A&M vs. Auburn at The Arena at Gwinnett Center, Duluth, Ga., 8:30 p.m.
No. 16 Nebraska vs. Minnesota at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, 8:55 p.m.
No. 17 Purdue vs. No. 23 Iowa at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, 2:25 p.m.
No. 19 Michigan State vs. Michigan at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, 6:30 p.m.
No. 20 California vs. Washington State at KeyArena, Seattle, 9 p.m.
No. 21 Gonzaga vs. San Francisco at Orleans Arena, Las Vegas, 9 p.m.
NBA
Memphis at Chicago, 7 p.m.
Sacramento at Toronto, 7 p.m.
Cleveland at Charlotte, 7 p.m.
Brooklyn at Boston, 7:30 p.m.
Utah at New York, 7:30 p.m.
Detroit at Minnesota, 8 p.m.
Milwaukee at New Orleans, 8 p.m.
Portland at Dallas, 8:30 p.m.
L.A. Lakers at Denver, 9 p.m.
Indiana at Houston, 9:30 p.m.
Atlanta at Golden State, 10:30 p.m.
NHL
N.Y. Rangers at Carolina, 7 p.m.
New Jersey at Detroit, 7:30 p.m.
Buffalo at Florida, 7:30 p.m.
N.Y. Islanders at Calgary, 9 p.m.
Pittsburgh at Anaheim, 10 p.m.
EXHIBITION BASEBALL
Philadelphia vs. Baltimore at Sarasota, Fla., 1:05 p.m.
Minnesota vs. Pittsburgh at Bradenton, Fla., 1:05 p.m.
Atlanta vs. Boston at Fort Myers, Fla., 1:05 p.m.
Miami vs. St. Louis (ss) at Jupiter, Fla., 1:05 p.m.
Houston vs. Washington at Viera, Fla., 1:05 p.m.
Tampa Bay vs. Toronto at Dunedin, Fla., 1:05 p.m.
St. Louis (ss) vs. N.Y. Mets at Port St. Lucie, Fla., 1:10 p.m.
Chicago White Sox vs. Cincinnati (ss) at Goodyear, Ariz., 3:05 p.m.
Chicago Cubs (ss) vs. L.A. Angels (ss) at Tempe, Ariz., 3:05 p.m.
Texas vs. L.A. Dodgers at Glendale, Ariz., 3:05 p.m.
San Francisco vs. Kansas City at Surprise, Ariz., 3:05 p.m.
Cincinnati (ss) vs. Seattle at Peoria, Ariz., 3:05 p.m.
Arizona vs. Oakland at Phoenix, 3:05 p.m.
San Diego vs. Milwaukee at Phoenix, 3:05 p.m.
Cleveland vs. Chicago Cubs (ss) at Mesa, Ariz., 3:05 p.m.
L.A. Angels (ss) vs. Colorado at Scottsdale, Ariz., 3:10 p.m.
Detroit vs. N.Y. Yankees at Tampa, Fla., 7:05 p.m.
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