The NBA has a Coach of the Year...good news for the Hawks...NBA and NHL playoff preview

ATLANTA (AP) — Atlanta's Mike Budenholzer (BOO'-dehn-holz-urr) has been named NBA coach of the year. He led the Hawks, in his second year on the job, to a franchise record 60 wins against 22 defeats. Golden State's Steve Kerr was second in the voting by members of the media.

ATLANTA (AP) — Center Al Horford of the Hawks says he'll definitely play in tomorrow night's second game of Atlanta's first round playoff series with Brooklyn. Horford dislocated his right pinky finger in the series opener on Sunday when the Hawks won 99-92.

UNDATED (AP) — There are three NBA first-round playoff games tonight, and in two of the games the home team has a 1-0 advantage. In Cleveland, the Cavaliers are looking to go two-up on the Celtics, while in Houston, the Rockets are looking to do the same thing with Dallas. The third game has Washington playing in Toronto where the Wizards won the opening game.

SOCHI, Russia (AP) — Talks are underway to have NHL stars play in the 2018 Winter Olympics. That said, the president of the International Ice Hockey Federation, Rene Fasel, says it will "not be easy" to reach a deal for the North American pros to compete in South Korea. For the last Winter Olympics in Russia, a deal was reached just seven months before the start of the Games.

UNDATED (AP) — Tonight's NHL playoff schedule features four games. In Eastern Conference play, the Red Wings are facing the Lightning with the series tied at one-one, while the Islanders play the Capitals leading 2-1. In the West, it'll be game 3 for Chicago and Nashville with the Blackhawks leading 2-1, and in Calgary, the Flames are facing the Canucks with a 2-1 lead as well.

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