UNDATED (AP) β The San Antonio Spurs, Memphis Grizzlies, Atlanta Hawks and Cleveland Cavaliers earned victories in their NBA playoff openers. Chris Paul delivered 32 points in the Clippers’ 107-92 win against San Antonio, and Beno Udrih (BAY’-noh OO’-drihk) came off the bench to score 20 points in the Grizzlies’ 100-86 victory over Portland. The Hawks were 99-92 winners over Brooklyn behind Kyle Korver’s five 3-pointers and 21 points, and the Cavaliers rode Kyrie Irving’s 30-point assault to a 113-100 win against Boston.
UNDATED (AP) β The Montreal Canadiens enjoy a three-games-to-none lead in the first round of the NHL’s Eastern Conference playoffs after Dale Weise (wees) scored twice in a 2-1 win at Ottawa. The New York Islanders, Chicago Blackhawks and Calgary Flames all have 2-1 series leads after winning yesterday. The Isles beat Washingotn 2-1 on an overtime goal by John Tavares, Scott Darling stopped 35 shots in the Hawks’ 4-2 victory against Nashville and TJ Brodie had a goal and an assist as the Flames downed Vancouver 4-2.
SEATTLE (AP) β Seattle Mariners outfielder Nelson Cruz capped his outstanding week by going 3-for-6 with two home runs, a walk-off single and five RBIs in an 11-10 comeback win over Texas. Cruz batted .500 with six home runs and 10 RBIs in six games over the past week, but the Mariners went just 2-4. He opened the season 1-for-15 in his first four games before batting .485 with 14 RBIs during his current eight-game hitting streak.
BRISTOL, Tenn. (AP) β Pole-sitter Matt Kenseth ended a 51-race losing streak by holding off Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon to win the Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Kenseth led for just 47 laps yet came out on top in a race that had 21 lead changes and 11 cautions totaling 117 laps. The race went 11 laps past the scheduled 500 because of a quick rain shower, the fourth weather delay of the day.
HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. (AP) β Jim Furyk (FYOOR’-ihk) birdied the second playoff hole to win the RBC Heritage, ending his five-year victory drought on the PGA Tour. Furyk finished tied with Kevin Kisner at 18 under par after firing an 8-under 63. Kisner posted a 64.
