NBA-SCHEDULE
Hawks take on pesky Nets
NEW YORK (AP) β The top-seeded Atlanta Hawks had 22 more regular-season wins than the Nets but have struggled to put them away in their first-round playoff series.
The Hawks try again tonight on the road in Game 6. After four wins in the regular season against Brooklyn, Atlanta has just managed to outscore the Nets by nine points so far in the series.
First-quarter play has been critical. The Hawks outscored the Nets 94-60 in Games 1, 2 and 5, while the Nets were a plus-16 in their two victories.
MLB-SCHEDULE
Lester looks for first win
UNDATED (AP) β Jon Lester was the Cubs’ big free agent acquisition in the offseason. So far he’s yet to pay dividends. The left-hander will again try to notch is first win of the season when he takes the mound against Milwaukee this afternoon. Lester is 0-2 with a 6.23 ERA in four starts for his new team.
Max Scherzer returns to the Washington rotation and faces Mets ace Matt Harvey at Citi Field tonight. Scherzer missed his previously scheduled start after jamming his right thumb while batting. Washington has put together a three-game winning streak in which they’ve scored 33 runs. Scherzer is 1-2 with a 1.26 ERA. Harvey has opened the season with a 4-0 mark.
The Orioles open a “home” series at Tampa Bay. The three games were moved from Camden Yards to Tropicana Field this week after violence broke out in Baltimore following the funeral of Freddie Gray, who died in police custody after suffering a spinal cord injury under mysterious circumstances. The Orioles officially will remain the home team and bat last at the Rays’ park.
The Los Angeles Angels will see how Albert Pujols (POO’-hohlz) is feeling after he was forced to leave Wednesday night’s game because of tightness in his left hamstring. The Angels begin a series at San Francisco.
The Houston Astros hope to carry over their April success into the new month when they host Seattle. The AL West-leading Astros went 15-7 in the opening month of the season for their best April winning percentage in 29 years.
There is a full 15-game schedule in the majors.
NHL-SCHEDULE
Two second round series open
UNDATED (AP) β Montreal won the Atlantic Division in the regular season and has the home ice advantage, but the Canadiens could be the underdog when they open their NHL second-round series against Tampa Bay tonight. Even though the Lightning finished two points back of Montreal in the standings, they dominated the Canadiens, winning all five regular-season games. Tampa Bay led the league in scoring during the regular season. Montreal goalie Carey Price posted a 1.96 goals-against average during the regular season, but allowed 16 goals in the five losses to Tampa Bay.
Chicago hosts Minnesota in the opener of their conference semifinals. Special teams could take on added importance in this series between familiar foes. Minnesota leads the NHL in power-play percentage through the first round of the postseason. Chicago allowed a league-worst six power-play goals against Nashville in their opening-round series.
NFL-DRAFT
Draft goes on
CHICAGO (AP) β Day two of the NFL draft is set today after round one was completed last night.
Florida State quarterback Jameis (JAY’-mihs) Winston was taken by Tampa Bay with the top overall pick and Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota (mar-ee-OH’-tuh) was taken next by Tennessee.
Nebraska linebacker Randy Gregory was thought to be a first-round pick, but is still available after testing positive for marijuana at the NFL combine in February.
Of the 27 players invited to the draft, the other five that went unselected in round one were: Alabama safety Landon Collins, Ohio State wide receiver Devin Smith, Penn State tackle Donovan Smith, Arizona State wide receiver Jaelen Strong, and Mississippi State linebacker Bernardrick McKinney.
GOLF-WORLD MATCH PLAY
Spieth, McIlroy need wins
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) β Masters champion Jordan Spieth (speeth) and top seed Rory McIlroy are unbeaten in the first two matches at the World Match Play Championship but could be eliminated in the final of the round-robin matches.
Spieth is set to take on unbeaten Lee Westwood while McIlroy goes up against 2-0 Billy Horschel. Under the new format, only the top golfers in the 16 groups advance to the quarterfinals
Rickie Fowler and John Senden have already won their groups.
LPGA-NORTH TEXAS SHOOTOUT
3 share lead
IRVING, Texas (AP) β Juli Inkster, Cristie Kerr and Sydnee Michaels head into today’s second round of the LPGA’s North Texas Shootout with a share of the lead. Sandra Gal, Natalie Gulbis, Angela Stanford and Lexi Thompson are among 10 golfers tied for second.
HORSE RACING-KENTUCKY OAKS
Competitive field entered in Kentucky Oaks
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) β Stellar Wind will be looking for a fourth-straight victory when the 7-2 favorite takes on 13 rivals in today’s Kentucky Oaks, the top 3-year-old race for fillies run the day before the Kentucky Derby.
The filly trained by John Sadler has won both starts this year by a combined eight lengths and will be ridden by Victor Espinoza. He’ll be aboard favorite American Pharoah in the Derby tomorrow.
The field is a tough one that includes Condo Commando, who has won five of six starts, and I’m a Chatterbox, unbeaten in three starts this year. They are co-second choices at 4-1.
Lovely Maria is 5-1 with two wins in three starts.
NASCAR-TALLADEGA
Practice at Talladega
TALLADEGA, Ala. (AP) β The Sprint Cup drivers get in a round of practice in superspeedway racing in at Talladega today. Qualifying for Sunday’s 500-mile race is set for tomorrow.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. has five Talladega victories, winning a record four straight from 2001-2003. Jeff Gordon leads active drivers with six Talladega victories. He’s retiring at the end of the season. Brad Keselowski won at the track in November.
