PORTLAND (AP) β The Golden State Warriors have been the top team of the NBA pretty much all season long and last night they clinched the Pacific Division championship. By beating the Blazers in Portland, the Warriors secured their first division title in 39 years. As has been the case all season, Stephen (STEH’-fehn) Curry led the way, this time with 33 points.
UNDATED (AP) β The St. Louis Blues are now tied with Anaheim for first place in the NHL’s Western Conference. The Blues beat the Penguins last night, 3-2, while the Ducks were dumped by the Blue Jackets, 5-3. Both St. Louis and Anaheim have 99 points to lead their division, the Central for the Blues and the Pacific for the Ducks.
PHOENIX (AP) β The NFL owners had a busy day at their meetings in Phoenix yesterday, shooting down nearly every video replay proposal brought to their attention. The only replay proposal to be approved will allow game officials to use replay for clock issues at the end of a half, game or overtime if more than one second remains.
PHOENIX (AP) β Browns coach Mike Pettine (PET’-ihn) told reporters yesterday at the owner’s meetings in Phoenix that he expects quarterback Johnny Manziel (man-ZEHL’) to take part in the team’s practices next month after leaving rehab. The coach said the team has received “good” feedback about Manziel, who entered a treatment facility on Jan. 28 for an undisclosed problem.
STARKVILLE, Miss. (AP) β Former UCLA basketball coach Ben Howland has a new job. He’s been hired as the men’s basketball coach at Mississippi State where he replaces the fired Rick Ray. The 57-year-old Howland led UCLA to three straight Final Fours from 2006 to 2008.
