GOLF-MASTERS
Bubba leads the pack
AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — Bubba Watson has his eyes on a second Masters title in three years. The 2012 champ takes a three-shot lead over Australian John Senden into today’s third round at Augusta National.
With more warm, dry weather in the forecast the course is expected to harden up, making scoring more difficult. Winds are expected in the 5-10 mph range.
Adam Scott is in position to challenge for his second straight green jacket. The defending champ is bunched in a group at 3-under par along with 20-year old Jordan Spieth (SPEETH).
Fifty-four year old Fred Couples is hoping to avoid a weekend slump that dropped him out of contention in each of the last three years. The 1992 champ is just five shots back, tied with Jim Furyk and three-time PGA Tour winner Jimmy Walker.
Watson and Senden tee off at 2:45, Eastern time.
NBA-SCHEDULE
Heat back in action
UNDATED (AP) — Now that they’ve taken the overall lead in the NBA’s Eastern Conference, Miami will try to put more distance between themselves and Indiana.
The Heat are in Atlanta tonight, one day after beating the Pacers to move ahead of them for the conference lead. Miami starts the day a half-game in front of Indiana with three games remaining.
Dallas and Phoenix are two of the three teams in the hunt for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. They meet tonight in Dallas, with the Mavericks holding a half-game lead.
The Suns suffered a blow to their playoff chances by coughing up a 21-point, first-quarter lead in a loss at San Antonio last night.
The loser tonight is likely facing the prospects of missing out on the post-season.
There are eight games on the NBA slate today and tonight.
MLB-SCHEDULE
Brewers try to stretch winning streak
UNDATED (AP) — Milwaukee has established itself as the early season class of the major league with their seven-game winning streak and 8-2 record. That’s the best start for the Brew Crew since the opened 13-0 in 1987.
The Brewers try to keep it going tonight at home against Pittsburgh. Yovani Gallardo gets the start for Milwaukee after winning his first two games without allowing an run in 12 2/3 innings.
Zach Greinke is 2-0 for the Dodgers heading into his scheduled start tonight against Arizona’s 2-1 Wade Miley.
Boston’s John Lackey tries to join the early-season 3-0 club when he gets the start against the Yankees as part of the six afternoon games.
There is a full schedule of 15 games.
NASCAR-DARLINGTON QUALIFYING
Harvick takes first Darlington pole
DARLINGTON, S.C. (AP) — Kevin Harvick starts from the pole when the green flag is dropped in the Southern 500 at Darlington tonight. Joey Logano starts from outside on the front row just five days after he won the rain delayed Sprint Cup race at Texas.
Harvick and Logano will be trying to become the first multiple race winners of the season. In seven races, seven different drivers have taken the checkered flag.
Jeff Gordon takes a four-point lead over Matt Kenseth into tonight’s race. Gordon starts ninth, Kenseth 25th.
NHL-SCHEDULE
Ducks poised to claim conference title
UNDATED (AP) — Anaheim can celebrate clinching the NHL Western Conference title if they can beat the Kings tonight. The Ducks head into tonight’s second-last game of the season holding a one-point lead over Colorado and St. Louis for the top spot in the conference after both of those teams lost last night. The Ducks have a game in hand over the Avalanche and Blues.
Should Anaheim fail to win tonight, they’ll face a showdown with Colorado in the season finale tomorrow.
There are nine games in the NHL tonight.
FROZEN FOUR-Championship
Union, Minnesota meet for hockey title
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Union College and Minnesota face off tonight to decide the NCAA ice hockey championship.
It’s the first title game for the 31-6-4 Dutchman who take a 16-game unbeaten streak into the showdown, including 11 straight wins.
Minnesota is looking for its sixth national title and first since 2003.
