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TOP STORY
SWM--PHELPS COMEBACK
Don't expect the same Michael Phelps in his return to swimming after a nearly two-year retirement. Even if Phelps' comeback is a success, it will be different this time around. No more swimming seven or eight events at the Olympics or world championships. No more grueling individual medleys. This time, it's about taking on fewer and shorter races than the 22-time Olympic medalist did in his prime. Phelps will compete for the first time since the 2012 London Games at a meet in Mesa, Ariz., on April 24-26. By Beth Harris. SENT: 850 words, photos. UPCOMING: 760 words by 4 a.m.
With:
— SWM--Phelps Comeback-Legacy. By National Writer Paul Newberry. SENT: 663 words.
NEW/DEVELOPING
HEAT-WIZARDS
WASHINGTON — LeBron James' only visible significant role was that of postgame heckler, interrupting Michael Beasley's interview amid a loose, upbeat locker room that normally wouldn't jibe with a 21-point loss — or throwing in a towel in the race for a No. 1 seed. James and Chris Bosh took the night off Monday, and the Heat were beaten 114-93 by the Washington Wizards in a no-contest game that guaranteed the Eastern Conference's top seed for the Indiana Pacers. Figuring it would be better to be fresh for the postseason, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra sat two of his Big Three, saying they were dealing with "minor ailments" from "the residual of a long season." By Joseph White. SENT: 705 words.
HKN--PREDATORS-TROTZ
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — General manager David Poile hopes he sent the strongest message possible by making the first coaching change in Nashville's history: missing the playoffs is not acceptable for the Predators. Poile announced Monday that Barry Trotz, the NHL's longest tenured head coach with one team, would not be back for a 16th season after the Predators missed the postseason for a second straight year. Poile said at a news conference a few hours later that won't get it done. By Teresa M. Walker. SENT: 732 words.
BKL--WNBA DRAFT
UNCASVILLE, Conn. — It was a busy draft night for the Connecticut Sun. Minutes after taking Chiney Ogwumike with the top pick in the WNBA draft Monday night, the Sun made a blockbuster deal to trade 2012 MVP Tina Charles to the New York Liberty. The Sun acquired the Liberty's fourth pick, which turned out to be Alyssa Thomas, in the deal. Ogwumike joined her sister Nneka, drafted by Los Angeles in 2012, as the only siblings to be chosen first in the WNBA. Odyssey Sims of Baylor went second to Tulsa, San Antonio took Notre Dame's Kayla McBride with the third pick. Indiana selected Natasha Howard of Florida State with the fifth pick. By Doug Feinberg. SENT: 580 words.
BKC--DUKE-PARKER
OKLAHOMA CITY — Jabari Parker says he plans to meet with Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski when he returns to Durham, N.C., on Tuesday, and he will decide Wednesday whether to declare for the NBA draft or return to college for his sophomore year. The All-American was in Oklahoma City with his parents to accept the Wayman Tisdale Award as college basketball's top freshman. He says his decision will be based on where he can grow the most. Parker was the highest-scoring freshman in Duke history (19.1 per game) and is the first freshman to lead the Blue Devils in scoring and rebounding. The draft is June 26. SENT: 317 words.
BKN--GRIZZLIES-SUNS
PHOENIX — The Memphis Grizzlies are back in the playoffs and the upstart Phoenix Suns are staying home. Mike Conley and Zach Randolph made the critical plays in the final 68 seconds and the Grizzlies pulled out a 97-91 victory over Phoenix that clinched the last playoff spot in the West and eliminated the Suns from postseason competition. Randolph scored 32 points to lead the inside power game that was just enough for Memphis to beat the Suns for the fourth time in four games this season. By Bob Baum. SENT: 872 words.
BOSTON MARATHON BOMBING-ANNIVERSARY
BOSTON — The anniversary of the Boston Marathon bombings promises to be a day of tributes to the three people who died, the more than 260 people who were hurt, and the first responders, doctors and nurses who helped them. Vice President Joe Biden, Gov. Deval Patrick and former Mayor Tom Menino will be among the dignitaries expected to honor the victims Tuesday during a program at the Hynes Convention Center. Speakers at the event also will include survivors of the bombing. Between 2:30 p.m. and 3 p.m., a flag-raising ceremony and moment of silence will be held at the marathon finish line, to mark the time and place where two bombs exploded on April 15, 2013. SENT: 231 words.
NBA
BKN--NBA PLAYOFF PICTURE
A look at where things stand in the NBA playoff picture, with two days remaining in the regular season and all 16 teams that will head to the postseason this weekend now having clinched their spots. Indiana will be the No. 1 seed, wrapping that up when Miami lost at Washington. So the Heat are the No. 2 seed, and Atlanta will play the Pacers starting this weekend. Everything else? Who knows. In the West, Memphis grabbed the final available playoff spot by winning in Phoenix on Monday night. The loss eliminated the Suns, who were one of the feel-good stories in the league all season. Meanwhile, Oklahoma City still hasn't clinched the No. 2 seed. By Tim Reynolds. UPCOMING: 480 words by 4 a.m.
Also:
— AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — BKN--Pistons-Future. By Noah Trister. SENT: 707 words.
— INDIANAPOLIS — BKN--Pacers-Deal. By Michael Marot. SENT: 739 words.
— ATLANTA — BKN--Hawks-Ownership. SENT: 756 words.
NHL PLAYOFFS
HKN--WILD-AVALANCHE
DENVER — As the season went along and the Colorado Avalanche kept winning and winning, they broadened their ambitions: From simply making the playoffs to accumulating 100 points to capturing a division title. This youthful squad pretty much accomplished everything they set their minds to, even if "nobody expected to see us where we are," first-year coach Patrick Roy said. One year after finishing last in the Western Conference, the Avalanche not only matched a franchise record for wins (52), but secured the Central Division as they return to the postseason for the first time in four years. They host the Minnesota Wild in the opener of a best-of-seven series Thursday night. By Pat Graham. UPCOMING: 610 words by 4 a.m.
HKN--BLUES-AVALANCHE
ST. LOUIS — Exactly as advertised, Ryan Miller came to the St. Louis Blues and the goals-against number went down. Until the Blues started losing bodies. They're hoping to get everyone on a lengthy injury list back sometime in the first round of the playoffs against the rival Chicago Blackhawks, and help Miller again be the cool, calm save machine they assumed they'd acquired. The Blues, who had been contending for the Presidents' Trophy before their late-season fade, open Thursday at home as the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference against the defending Stanley Cup champions. By R.B. Fallstrom. UPCOMING: 783 words by 4 a.m.
Also:
— HKN--NHL Playoffs-10 Things. By Larry Lage. SENT: 923 words.
— BOSTON — HKN--Bruins-Playoffs. By Howard Ulman. SENT: 734 words.
— CHICAGO — HKN--Blackhawks-Playoff Push. By Andrew Seligman. SENT: 563 words.
— COLUMBUS, Ohio — HKN--Blue Jackets-Sticking Around. By Rusty Miller. SENT: 815 words.
— SAN JOSE, Calif. — HKN--Kings-Sharks. By Josh Dubow. SENT: 682 words.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
FBC--WISCONSIN-GORDON
MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin running back Melvin Gordon put up some new art work on the walls of his apartment. Nothing trendy though, just some pictures to give him some extra motivation: the logos for the 2014 season opener between LSU and the Badgers and the season-ending college football playoffs are among the additions. The most precious item represents a goal that will be the toughest to attain: a picture of the national championship trophy. Gordon is dreaming big after bypassing an opportunity to go to the NFL. By Genaro C. Armas. UPCOMING: 492 words by 4 a.m.
FEATURE
UNION COLLEGE'S MOMENT
SCHENECTADY, N.Y. — After tiny Union College toppled hockey heavyweights for the national crown, college president Stephen Ainlay couldn't hold back his pride. "How about them Dutchmen!?" Ainlay asked a room full of accepted students, who quickly exploded into cheers. There have been plenty of hoarse voices on campus since Union (enrollment 2,200) defeated Minnesota (enrollment 48,000) Saturday for its first NCAA hockey title. Administrators, students and alumni say the exposure for the academically rigorous liberal arts college is incalculable. By Michael Hill. SENT: 520 words.
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ALSO
— BBO--Paternity Leave In Sports. By Jon Krawczynski. SENT: 850 words.
— SAN DIEGO — BBN--Padres-Gyorko. By Bernie Wilson. SENT: 581 words.
— BEREA, Ohio — FBN--Browns-Mack Stays. By Tom Withers. SENT: 663 words.
— DENVER — FBN--Broncos-Miller. By Arnie Stapleton. SENT: 733 words.
— TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — BBC--Florida St-Winston Watch. By Kareem Copeland. SENT: 566 words.
— INDIANAPOLIS — NCAA-Unions. SENT: 649 words.
— TORONTO — HKN--Leafs-Shanahan. SENT: 315 words.
— MONACO — TEN--Monte Carlo Masters. By Jerome Pugmire. SENT: 353 words.
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Tuesday's Time Schedule
BASEBALL
Pittsburgh at Cincinnati, comp. of susp. game, 5:50 p.m.
Tampa Bay at Baltimore, 7:05 p.m.
Atlanta at Philadelphia, 7:05 p.m.
Chicago Cubs at N.Y. Yankees, 7:05 p.m.
Cleveland at Detroit, 7:08 p.m.
Pittsburgh at Cincinnati, 7:10 p.m.
Washington at Miami, 7:10 p.m.
Seattle at Texas, 8:05 p.m.
Boston at Chicago White Sox, 8:10 p.m.
Kansas City at Houston, 8:10 p.m.
Toronto at Minnesota, 8:10 p.m.
St. Louis at Milwaukee, 8:10 p.m.
N.Y. Mets at Arizona, 9:40 p.m.
Oakland at L.A. Angels, 10:05 p.m.
Colorado at San Diego, 10:10 p.m.
L.A. Dodgers at San Francisco, 10:15 p.m.
NBA
New York at Brooklyn, 8 p.m.
Denver at L.A. Clippers, 10:30 p.m.
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