NBA-SCHEDULE
Grizzlies try to stay unbeaten
UNDATED (AP) β Memphis tries to improve on the best start to a season in franchise history when the Grizzlies travel to Oklahoma City tonight. Memphis will be trying to match Houston’s 6-0 record and stay tied with the Rockets for the best mark in the NBA and the top spot in the Southwest Division. Marc Gasol (guh-SAWL’) is leading the way for Memphis with a 21.6 scoring average.
Injuries have plagued the 1-4 Thunder in the early part of the season. Stars Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook are expected to miss at least a month for the short-handed Thunder who finished Tuesday night’s loss to Toronto with just six players.
The Raptors play host to Washington tonight in a battle of division leaders. The Wizards have won four in a row to match Toronto’s 4-1 start.
Sacramento has also strung together four wins after a season opening loss. The Kings try to keep it going tonight at Phoenix.
Struggling Cleveland tries to get its act together tonight in Denver. The Cavaliers have had trouble finding the winning chemistry with the addition of LeBron James and Kevin Love, losing three of their first four this season.
There is an 11-game schedule in the NBA tonight.
NFL-COWBOYS-ROMO
Romo works out
LONDON (AP) β Tony Romo has practiced with the Cowboys for a second straight day as he continues to recover from fractures in two small bones in his back. Coach Jason Garrett says Romo looked comfortable but still hasn’t decided if he’ll start at quarterback against Jacksonville Sunday. If Romo can’t go, Brandon Weeden will get his second straight start for Dallas.
NASCAR-PHOENIX
Counting down to the title
AVONDALE, Az. (AP) β NASCAR rolls into the Southwest this weekend to close in on a new Sprint Cup champion. Qualifying for Sunday’s race at Phoenix is set for tonight.
The race will be the last of a three-round elimination series with four of the remaining eight drivers left in contention for the championship advancing to the season finale at Homestead next week.
If Sunday’s winner is among the eight still alive for the title, he will automatically advance into the final four. If a non-Chase driver wins, the top four in the points standings will advance. Right now Joey Logano and Denny Hamlin are tied for first, with Ryan Newman two points back and Jeff Gordon in fourth place.
GOLF-HSBC CHAMPIONSHIP
McDowell leads after two rounds
SHANGHAI (AP) β Graeme McDowell’s second straight 5-under 67 has him in the lead halfway through the HSBC Championship. The 10-under total gives him a three-shot lead over Bubba Watson and Ian Poulter. Watson closed with five straight birdies on the way to his 67. Poulter birdied four of the last five holes and also shot 67.
GOLF-LPGA MIZUNO CLASSIC
Pressel emerges to lead
SHIMA, Japan (AP) β Morgan Pressel (PREH’-sehl) shot a 5-under 67 Friday to lead the Mizuno Classic by one stroke after the first round. She’s trying to end a winless drought on the LPGA Tour that dates back to 2008.
Laura Davies and Chella Choi of South Korea are tied for second after shooting 68s. Stacy Lewis shot a 70.
NHL-SCHEDULE
Getzlaf set to return for Ducks
UNDATED (AP) β League leading Anaheim is expected to have captain Ryan Getzlaf back in the line-up when the Ducks host Arizona as part of a five-game NHL schedule tonight.
He and teammate Corey Perry missed Wednesday night’s overtime loss to the Islanders with flu-like symptoms. Perry leads the NHL with 11 goals this season and his status for tonight’s game is still uncertain.
Arizona has scored nine goals in the last two games after netting just six in its previous five.
Some of the league’s bottom feeders square off tonight. Edmonton plays at Buffalo in a meeting of last place teams in their respective divisions. The Oilers will be looking for their first road win of the season.
Columbus plays at Carolina in a game that will break their last-place tie in the Metropolitan Division.
