NFL DRAFT
Three-day NFL draft opens
NEW YORK (AP) — The NFL opens it college player draft tonight with first round selections being made.
Houston is scheduled to kick off the proceeding with the first pick, followed by the Rams, Jacksonville, Cleveland and the Raiders.
Among those thought to be potential number one overall picks are South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon (jah-DAY’-vee-ahn) Clowney along with Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel (man-ZEHL’). Other quarterbacks who could go high in the draft are Blake Bortles of Central Florida and Louisville’s Teddy Bridgewater.
Each team has 10 minutes in the first round to make a selection.
NBA PLAYOFFS-SCHEDULE
Heat and Spurs host games tonight
UNDATED (AP) — This evening’s NBA playoff schedule features games in Miami and San Antonio as the Heat entertain the Nets and the Spurs take on the Blazers. Two nights ago the home teams won the opening game in each series. The Spurs shot down the Blazers 116-92 while the Heat got the Nets 107-86. In each case the third game of the series is slated to be played Saturday on the home floor of tonight’s visiting team.
NBA-SIXTH MAN
Clippers Crawford wins award
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Clippers’ Jamal Crawford has won the NBA Sixth Man Award. The 34-year-old guard is the oldest recipient and the first to win it for two different teams. Crawford won it while with Atlanta in 2009-10. Crawford led the league’s reserve players in scoring this season, averaging 18.6 points.
NHL PLAYOFFS-SCHEDULE
Kings hope to take 3-0 lead
UNDATED (AP) — In NHL action tonight the Kings are looking to take a commanding three-games-to-none lead over the Ducks. After winning the first two games of the series in Anaheim the Kings are now serving as the home team for not only tonight’s game but Saturday’s as well.
The fourth game in the Montreal-Boston series is tonight on the Canadiens’ ice. After splitting the first two games in Boston the Canadiens beat the Bruins Tuesday night 4-2. The fifth game will take place in Boston Saturday night.
NHL-MAPLE LEAFS
No change coming behind the bench
TORONTO (AP) — The Maple Leafs and coach Randy Carlyle have agreed on a two-year contract extension. However, assistant coaches Dave Farrish, Greg Cronin and Scott Gordon have been terminated. Toronto went 2-12 in its last 14 games this season and missed the playoffs. The Maple Leafs were as high as second place in the Atlantic Division.
MLB-SCHEDULE
Indians and Astros win
UNDATED (AP) — Detroit’s eight-game winning streak is over. The Tigers were beaten by the Astros 6-2 with the win snapping a five-game losing skid for Houston. Houston got two runs batted in from Jose Altuve (al-TOO’-vay) and Matt Dominguez.
— The Indians put an end to a home stand with a 9-4 win over the Twins. The victory gave the Indians wins in three of the four games the teams played. Justin Masterson earned the victory as Michael Brantley and Asdrubal Cabrera (ahs-DROO’-buhl kah-BREHR’-uh) each drove in three runs. The Tribe banged out seven doubles in the game.
MLB-YANKEES-TORRE
Yanks to honor Torre
NEW YORK (AP) — The Yankees will retire former manager Joe Torre’s No. 6, leaving Derek Jeter’s No. 2 as the last single digit in New York’s pinstripes.
Torre will also be honored with a plaque in Monument Park, along with Rich Gossage, Tino Martinez and Paul O’Neill.
Torre managed the Yankees to World Series titles in 1996 and from 1998-2000 and six AL pennants during 12 seasons as manager that ended in 2007. Currently Major League Baseball’s executive vice president for baseball operations, he is being inducted into baseball’s Hall of Fame this summer.
PGA-PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP
Kaymer ties TPC Sawgrass mark
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Former PGA champion Martin Kaymer (KY’-mur) has tied the course record with a 9-under 63 to take a two-shot lead in the opening round of The Players Championship.
Kaymer ended his round with four straight birdies.
He also he broke the nine-hole record with a 29. It gave the 29-year-old German a two-shot lead over Russell Henley on a day of low scoring.
Eight other golfers are tied for third, four shots off the pace, including reigning U.S. Open champ Justin Rose.
NBA-STERLING
Sterling wants to keep the Clippers
LOS ANGELES (AP) —Shelly Sterling, the estranged wife of Donald Sterling, says she will fight to retain her 50 percent ownership stake in the team. An attorney representing Mrs. Sterling says his client is considering a divorce from her embattled husband. The attorney says Mrs. Sterling “abhors” the racist comments made by her husband that led to his lifetime ban from the NBA. The league is trying to force the sale of the team to new owners.
