INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Paul George hit three 3-pointers and finished with 24 points and seven assists as the Pacers beat the Heat 107-96 in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals in Miami. David West and Roy Hibbert each had 19 points for the Pacers, who shot 8-for-19 from three-point range and 52 percent from the field for the game. George Hill also hit three 3-pointers and finished with 15 points, while Lance Stephenson added 17 points and eight assists.
CHICAGO (AP) — Corey Crawford needed to make just four of his 25 saves in the third period as the Chicago Blackhawks completed a 3-1 triumph over the Los Angeles Kings in Game one of the NHL’s Western Conference finals. Duncan Keith snapped a 1-1 tie midway through the second period before Jonathan Toews (tayvz) added an insurance goal with 3:50 remaining. Brandon Saad (sahd) had a goal and an assist, while Marian Hossa set up two scores.
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Ed Carpenter has won the Indianapolis 500 pole for the second straight year, grabbing the top spot for this year’s race by posting a four-lap average of 231.067 mph. He was the last of the nine fastest qualifiers to hit the track at Indianapolis Motor Speedway before knocking James Hinchcliffe from the top spot. Will Power also earned a spot in the front row for the May 25 race, just ahead of three-time Indy 500 champion Helio Castroneves (EHL’-ee-oh cas-troh-NEHV’-us).
BALTIMORE (AP) — California Chrome might abandon his Triple Crown bid if New York officials do not allow the colt to wear a nasal strip in the Belmont Stakes. Trainer Art Sherman made no threats about the Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner passing on a chance to become horse racing’s 12th Triple Crown winner, but he suggested it was a possibility. Neither the New York State Gaming Commission nor the New York Racing Association stewards has received a request to use nasal strips in the Belmont on June 7.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — Kenny Perry won his third Champions Tour major in the past year with a one-stroke victory over Mark Calcavecchia (kal-kah-VEK’-ee-uh) in the Regions Tradition at Shoal Creek. Perry closed with an even-par 72 to finish at 7-under. Perry bogeyed No. 15 but retook the lead with a birdie on the next hole and lined up an easy par putt on the closing hole.
