NFL-PANTHERS
Newton update
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) β Carolina Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman says quarterback Cam Newton remains hospitalized following an automobile accident and is still expected to be released today. Newton suffered two fractures in his lower back when his truck crashed and overturned in a two-car accident Tuesday. Gettleman says he still has no details on what happened or when Newton will return to action.
MLB-CUBS
Cubbies land Lester
SAN DIEGO (AP) β The Chicago Cubs improved their rotation overnight by coming to agreement on a multi-year contract with free agent Jon Lester. The six-year pact is worth $155 million and averages out to $25.8 million, second highest for a pitcher behind the deal Clayton Kershaw agreed to last year with the Dodgers. The Lester deal includes a seventh-year option that would make the contract worth $170 million.
Lester began last season with the Red Sox but was traded mid-season to the Athletics. He finished with a career-best earned run average of 2.46 and a record of 16-11. He also had 220 strikeouts.
NBA-SCHEDULE
Warriors are gunning for 14th straight
UNDATED (AP) β Golden State, the winningest team in the NBA with a record of 18-2, is looking for its 14th consecutive win this evening. The Warriors are home tonight to the Houston Rockets, who have won 4 straight and are 16-4 on the year.
The Clippers are breathing down the Warriors’ necks with a record of 15-5. L.A. has won its last 8 games and 9 of its last 10. This evening the Clippers are playing the Pacers in Indianapolis.
The two teams tied for first in the Southeast Division are in action tonight. Both the Hawks and Wizards are 14-6 and tonight Atlanta, which has won 9 of its last 10 games, is home to the Sixers, while the Wizards, who have won 7 of 10, are in Orlando.
Northwest Division leader Portland has won five straight and 9 of 10. Tonight the Blazers are at Minnesota.
The red-hot Cavaliers have the night off which means Chicago’s Bulls can close the gap between the clubs in the Central Division. Chicago starts the night a game back of Cleveland and this evening the Bulls are hosting the Nets.
The rest of the schedule has Boston playing the Bobcats in Charlotte, the Pelicans at Dallas, the Spurs at home to the Knicks and Miami at Denver.
NHL-SCHEDULE
Light NHL card tonight
UNDATED (AP) β The Red Wings have won two of the three games they’ve played this season with Toronto. Tonight the Atlantic Division leading Wings are playing host to the Maple Leafs in the third of their five scheduled games. Detroit has won three straight and seven of its last eight games while the Leafs have won two in a row.
Tonight’s other game has Edmonton skating at Anaheim. This game features the first and last place teams from the Pacific Division. The Ducks are on top with 41 points while the Oilers have just 19. Edmonton has lost 12 of its last 13 games. The Ducks will be playing without the injured Corey Perry who is sidelined with a banged up knee for the next three to four weeks.
T25 MEN’S BASKETBALL-SCHEDULE
Wildcats out for No. 10
UNDATED (AP) β The top-ranked Kentucky Wildcats are once again on the home court for a game tonight with Columbia. The ‘Cats of coach John Calipari enter the game unbeaten after nine games this season.
The only other top-5 game tonight has fifth-ranked Wisconsin at home to Milwaukee. Completing the schedule of top-10 teams in action, No. 9 Gonzaga (gahn-ZAG’-uh) is facing Washington State in Spokane (spoh-KAN’) while 10th-ranked Kansas is at Georgetown.
