LOS ANGELES -- Goran Dragic scored 31 points and the Phoenix Suns beat the Lakers 114-108 Tuesday night, keeping Los Angeles winless with Kobe Bryant back in the lineup. Bryant led the Lakers with 20 points while playing 29 mostly sharp minutes in his second game back from a nearly eight-month absence with a torn Achilles tendon. He led a fourth-quarter rally by the Lakers, who got within four points with 3 minutes left before Phoenix held on for its first three-game winning streak of the season.

LOS ANGELES – Their best player is healthy and back on the court, but so far having Kobe Bryant in the mix hasn’t paid dividends for the Lakers. The Lakers on Tuesday lost their second game since Bryant returned, this one to the surprising...

LOS ANGELES -- Nobody on the Los Angeles Lakers was kidding himself by thinking Kobe Bryant's return would suddenly vault them from a team flirting with .500 to a squad shooting straight for the top of the Western Conference standings. "Of course we want to win, but we definitely know it's going to...

Kobe Bryant looked miles better in his second game back from injury, but the Lakers continued to struggle figuring out how to play with him on and off the court. In his second game back from injury, Kobe Bryant looked much, much better as a basketball player. He moved better. He attacked more. He turned...

From Chronicle Staff Writer Susan Slusser in Orlando, Fla. About five minutes after Billy Beane told reporters that it was “possible” the A’s would make a deal here at the winter meetings, the team got the final call they were waiting for from Colorado and they sent left-hander Brett Anderson to the Rockies for two Read More

Uncomfortable making a play for mediocre free agents because of a tight budget, the Rockies traded for starter Brett Anderson on Tuesday, a move to get a pitcher with upside and under the team's control for potentially two seasons.

Brett Anderson has potential to be a top starter, but has battled injuries for the last three years. (Jason O. Watson/) Shortly after the completion of the Winter Meetings’ first trade, the three-team Mark Trumbo deal involving the Angels, Diamondbacks and White Sox, the A’s and Rockies pulled off a swap of their own on […]

As expected, Paul Pierce showed up at the Barclays Center ready to play against his old team tonight.And Nets coach Jason Kidd isn’t at all concerned the former Celtics captain is being driven by a desire to play against you know who.

Both Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett spoke fondly of the Celtics in the aftermath of their new team’s 104-96 win over the organization that sent them to Brooklyn. Paul Pierce: “I love those guys. They’re going to fight. That’s that Celtics pride. They all wear it with pride. You see it in the way they [...]

NEW YORK (AP) — Deron Williams and Paul Pierce returned to the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday night against Boston, with Pierce coming off the bench against his former team after a quick return from a broken right hand.    

The Mariners' new $240 million man, Robinson Cano, was on his way to the Emerald City from his native Dominican Republic Tuesday evening, according to his father, Jose.   "He's heading for his physical," Jose Cano told the Daily News. Robinson Cano was originally supposed to take his physical ...    

Lloyd McClendon, the Mariners’ new manager, said he’ll take care of leading the team in the clubhouse. He’s just looking for Robinson Cano to provide leadership on the field by driving in runs.

Taboola Home/Section Front Player Joe Girardi says he’s going to miss Robinson Cano. And that Cano’s bat will be hard to replace. And that it’s hard to blame Cano for taking a 10-year deal worth $240 million. These were things everyone was expecting to hear from the Yankees manager. It might have...

As it appears the Pirates are less interested in a reunion with free agent Bronson Arroyo, the Reds have re-entered the picture, as general manager Walt Jocketty met with Arroyo's agent, Terry Bross, on Tuesday at the Major League Baseball winter meetings at the Swan and Dolphin Resort at Walt Disney World.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Even as their free-agent pursuit of veteran right-hander Bronson Arroyo grinds toward the finish line, the Twins are keeping a spot open for Mike Pelfrey.

Headlines after the Brooklyn Nets defeated the Boston Celtics on Tuesday: And a peak ahead to Wednesday's visit from former coach Doc Rivers: ESPN Boston: Sentimentality Pushed Aside / Feeling It

Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett are correct on this one. The only emotion left between those former members of the Big Three facing their old team will be when they come to TD Garden Jan. 26.    

The Pacers are ready to declare Miami their chief rival, but LeBron James isn’t ready to take the relationship to that level. While the talk out of Indiana leading up to tonight’s game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse has been about getting revenge for last year’s Game 7 loss in the Eastern Conference Finals. According to James, though, there is not yet enough material to call this a rivalry. In fact, he believes rivalries no longer exist. “What is a rivalry these days?” he pondered rhetorically. “A rivalry is Celtics-Lakers. They met like four out of five years. Bulls-Pistons. Those...

The Miami Heat and LeBron James are back in the Fieldhouse to face the Pacers in a clash between the top two teams in the Eastern Conference. This ain't South Beach, LeBron. With temperatures fighting to get in the 20's today in Indianapolis, the Miami Heat are back in town for a matchup between the...

Is Jeff Teague the real deal? We'll get to find out when he takes on Russell Westbrook. 2013-2014 NBA Season @ 15-4Won 2 11-10 Won 2 December 10th, 2013 Philips Arena, Atlanta, Georgia 6:30 PM CST TV: Fox Sports Network Oklahoma, Fox Sports Network South Radio: WWLS The Sports Animal (98.1 FM/640 AM), WCZG 92.9FM Injury Report: Gustavo Ayon (Out) Previous Matchups: None (Last Season's Series Was Tied at 1-1) Probable Starters Russell Westbrook PG Jeff Teague Thabo Sefolosha SG Kyle Korver Kevin Durant SF DeMarre Carroll Serge Ibaka PF Paul...

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — A.J. Pierzynski lives a few miles from Walt Disney World, so when Chicago White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf asked if he wanted to meet for lunch here yesterday, he gladly made the short drive to the Swan and Dolphin hotels, where baseball’s annual winter meetings are being held.“I was trying to go unnoticed,” Pierzynski said with a smile, “but apparently that didn’t work so well.”

Five teams have emerged as the most serious suitors for Los Angeles Dodgers centerfielder Matt Kemp: Seattle, Detroit, Boston and two unidentified National League teams. As trade talks between those five clubs and the Dodgers proceed, Kemp is beginning to lessen concerns about his recovery from ankle and shoulder injuries. He recently shed the walking […]

A year ago, David Wright told us about the master rebuilding plan that convinced him to sign the $138-million extension with the Mets. On Tuesday, we again heard a similar sales pitch, only this time delivered by Curtis Granderson, who had 60 million reasons to believe general manager Sandy Alderson's futuristic vision of a winning franchise in Flushing.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- During his daily winter meetings briefing with reporters Tuesday, Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington said the club intends to broach the subject of a contract extension for playoff ace Jon Lester later in the offseason or in spring training.And if the sides are seeking a basis of comparison for their negotiations, they need only look to the Philadelphia Phillies' dealings with Cole Hamels.

Corey Hart #1 1BMilwaukee Brewers 2013 STATS GM- HR- RBI- R- OBP- AVG- LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- The Milwaukee Brewers would like a decision from Corey Hart soon about whether he will re-sign with the ballclub. If he balks, the Brewers may be prepared to try to complete a trade for Ike Davis before the winter meetings close, according to insiders. The Tampa Bay Rays and Brewers appear among the most viable options for the Mets in trying to find a trade partner for Davis.

First baseman-outfielder Garrett Jones and the Miami Marlins finalized a two-year, $7.75 million contract.

Steve Patterson denies everything. [CBS Sports] Brown's buyout is kinda low. [ESPN] Did Mack just tell Pete Thamel he is getting fired? [Roll Bama Roll] Need some ideas for Mack's replacement? [The Big Lead] Here is Mack's farewell speech. [EDSBS] Here are some pointers for our coaching search. [SI] Big 12 Who cares about the conference today? Mack is stepping down! Open Range The Sun Belt Conference held a gun to the bowl game's heads and made them take their conference teams. [CBS Sports] Junior college recruits can help a program. [CBS Sports] The shame of Auburn football....