The focus of Rockets’ opponents since the beginning of the season has been on their duo of superstars, James Harden and Dwight Howard. But as he did in last year’s playoffs and throughout this season, forward Chandler Parsons is forcing Portland to pick its poison. In Game 1 of the first round playoff series against […]

The rust that plagued Rockets guard James Harden on Sunday night was still hanging around Wednesday. The leading scorer had another poor shooting performance, going 6-of-19 from the field for 18 points in the Rockets 112-105 loss to Portland in Game 2 of the first round of the playoffs. The Rockets now trail 0-2 in […]

The All-Star guard shoots 6 for 19 in Game 2 after shooting 8 for 28 in Game 1.

The Rockets are down 0-2 in their series against the Blazers as James Harden continues to struggle to find his shooting touch.

After the Rockets’ 112-105 loss in Game 2 of the first round of the playoffs, James Harden stressed the importance of picking up a win in Game 3. The Rockets are down 0-2 and will play the next two games in Portland, starting Friday night at 9:30 p.m. “Game 3 is our season,” Harden said. […]

The Houston Rockets and Portland Trail Blazers are 53-53 at halftime of Game 2 of their Western Conference playoff matchup. LaMarcus Aldridge (23 points) and Dwight Howard (25 points) are engaged in a battle of all-star big men.

LaMarcus Aldridge’s dominance of the Houston Rockets has reached historic levels. The former UT star had 43 points in the Blazers’ 112-105 Game 2 victory on Wednesday. He tallied a Blazers’ franchise playoff-record 46 points in the Game 1 win on Sunday. Aldridge’s 89 points in the first two playoff games are fewer than only […]

Through two games, LaMarcus Aldridge has scored 89 points and the Rockets, down 0-2, don't have any answers for him.

  The Portland Trail Blazers are where very few analysts expected them to be, up 2-0 in a playoff series for the first time since 2000 as they beat the Houston Rockets on the road, 112-105. The Blazers now come home to Portland to play 2 games. The game started with the Portland Trail Blazers […]LaMarcus...

LaMarcus Aldridge scored 43 points tonight as the Portland Trail Blazers defeated the Houston Rockets to leap into a 2-0 series lead in Round 1 of the 2014 NBA Playoffs. LaMarcus Aldridge scored 43 points tonight as the Portland Trail Blazers defeated the Houston Rockets to leap into a 2-0 series lead....

Pineda did it again.

Two weeks ago, the Red Sox seemed willing to look the other way. But not this time. Yankees starter Michael Pineda was ejected from tonight’s game at Fenway Park for having a foreign substance on the right side of his neck. The brownish gunk looked like pine tar, which he was presumably using to get...

"Right now we're all scratching our heads about how that actually took place," Cashman said

Yankee pitcher Michael Pineda was ejected from his start against the Red Sox Wednesday night after umpires checked him for a foreign substance at the request of Boston manager John Farrell.

Everybody does it, huh?

DALLAS -- Ryan Getzlaf will not play for the Ducks in Game 4 of the Western Conference quarterfinal series against Dallas due to an undisclosed upper-body injury, leaving the club with a big hole to fill Wednesday night. A Ducks spokesman said...

DALLAS – Ryan Getzlaf took a slap shot off the side of his mouth in Game 1 and starred for the Ducks in Game 2 while wearing a partial cage to protect a multitude of stitches. And that cage became a target for the Dallas Stars in Game 3, where...

Anaheim Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf is out of Game 4 against the Dallas Stars because of an upper-body injury.

Ryan Getzlaf will not play Wednesday night against the Stars because of an upper body injury, the Ducks announced during the pre-game skate. The Ducks sent out this e-mail: “Ducks center Ryan Getzlaf will not play tonight due to an …

After taking an early lead, the Ducks allowed 4 unanswered goals for Dallas to tie up the series. Final Score: Ducks 2, Stars 4 30 minutes prior to the game, it was reported that Ryan Getzlaf was not on the ice for warm-ups. A couple minutes later, he was ruled day-to-day with an upper body injury....

Heat forward LeBron James took a forearm to the throat from Bobcats forward Josh McRoberts during the final minute of Miami’s 101-97 victory in Game 2 on Wednesday. McRoberts escaped with a common foul on the play, but it’s possible that the league office will deem it to be a flagrant foul upon a review.

LeBron James was outstanding again during Game 2's 101-97 win over the Bobcats on Wednesday, shooting 11-of-17 from the field for 32 points with six boards, eight assists, four steals and one 3-pointer.

Josh McRoberts, who had eight points, one rebound, four assists and two 3-pointers in Wednesday's Game 2 loss to the Heat, also appeared to get away with a flagrant foul against LeBron James.

Dwyane Wade, who took fewer three-pointers than he ever has this season, has been lofting more in recent games (at least before Game 2) and said he wants that “weapon in the playoffs, even more than the regular season.”

In a back-and-forth game, Charlotte managed to make it close in the fourth quarter, but to no avail as Miami takes a two game lead in the series. Things are looking fine in Miami, as the Heat managed to hold back a surging Bobcats squad in the fourth quarter. Despite leading by a ten-point cushion...

Over the course of a 162-game season, every team will go through some rough stretches. Oakland Athletics' Sonny Gray works against the Texas Rangers in the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, April 23, 2014, in Oakland, Calif. Oakland Athletics second baseman Nick Punto, top, is upended by Texas Rangers' Elvis Andrus in the fifth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, April 23, 2014, in Oakland, Calif. Rangers' Michael Choice was out at first base on the double play. Texas Rangers' Martin Perez celebrates at the end of a baseball game against the Oakland Athletics,...

Martin Perez has excelled versus everyone in this three-start run.Rangers lefty Martin Perez isn’t necessarily a dominant pitcher, but he’s finding ways to get through starts without allowing any runs. PerezPerez pitched his second straight shutout in beating the Athletics and has now thrown 26...

The left-hander pitches a second straight three-hit shutout, and Donnie Murphy homers in the 3-0 victory.

Martin Perez pitched his second consecutive shutout to extend his scoreless innings streak to 26 and the Texas Rangers wrapped up a three-game sweep of the Oakland Athletics with a 3-0 victory Wednesday. Texas Rangers' Donnie Murphy, center, is congratulated by teammates, including Elvis Andrus,...

Nursing a hamstring injury, Chris Paul hasn't practiced for two days. But he says he'll be ready to play in Game 3 of a playoff series against Stephen Curry and Golden State Warriors. Chris Paul stood before the assembled media Wednesday in his Clippers practice gear, a black brace loosely hanging from his lower right leg.

PLAYA VISTA – Chris Paul didn’t want to talk about his injured hamstring before Wednesday’s practice. “I’m OK. I’m good,” he said. “As long as I’m on the court, I’m OK.” Wednesday at practice, though, the plan was to keep Paul...

Chris Paul (hamstring) was able to participate in part of Wednesday's practice.

Taj Gibson was still waiting for an explanation for two calls made late in regulation of the Game 2 loss against the Wizards, but he realized he was waiting in vain. With 10.5 seconds left in the fourth quarter and the game tied 91-91, Gibson ran down an offensive rebound off a D.J. Augustin miss but was eventually tied up by Nene on the floor. The problem was that before Nene even got his hands on the basketball, Gibson was calling for a timeout in the direction of...

As far as Taj Gibson is concerned, the Bulls -- not the Wizards' Bradley Beal -- should've had the last shot in regulation of their 101-99 overtime loss Tuesday in Game 2 vs. Washington.

The Bobcats fell behind early but mounted comeback after comeback to make it tough for the Miami Heat. The defending champs held on in crunch time with the Big 3 making clutch plays. Things are looking fine in Miami, as the Heat managed to hold back a surging Bobcats squad in the fourth quarter to gut out the 101-97 victory. Despite leading by a ten-point cushion throughout the game, Charlotte was able to mount one more comeback in the latter half of the game pushing within three points. Nevertheless, it was Miami's veteran nature that won out as Dwyane Wade's calm and collected nature...

MIAMI -- Under normal playoff circumstances, you’d want to say the two-time defending NBA champions shouldn’t need a game-saving defensive play from Dwyane Wade to beat a Charlotte Bobcats team with a hobbled star. You’d want to say the Miami Heat, despite...

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra questioned whether Mario Chalmers would play Wednesday night because of a shin contusion.

Just when it looked like Washington would be swept by the Angels, Jayson Werth's timely RBIs and a walk-off from Adam LaRoche helped the Nats escape with a win.

After all that happened Wednesday night, Washington Nationals first baseman Adam LaRoche walked up to bat in the bottom of the ninth inning to erase all the mistakes. The batter before him, Jayson Werth, tied the game with a one-out, two-run double off Los Angeles Angels closer Ernesto Frieri. Facing...

LOS ANGELES – Clayton Kershaw’s road back to the front of the Dodgers’ rotation will go through Rancho Cucamonga. On the DL for the first time in his career, the Dodgers left-hander is scheduled to start a minor league injury-rehabilitation...

LOS ANGELES – Clayton … who? Oh sure, the Dodgers miss their ace, Clayton Kershaw, and will welcome him back with open arms soon. But $250 million buys a lot of luxury and the Dodgers have had the luxury in Kershaw’s absence of reaching into...

After missing Tuesday’s practice with flu-like symptoms, Rockets guard Jeremy Lin went through Wednesday morning’s shootaround and said he felt better and would be available to play tonight. “I’m feeling good,” he said. “I feel alright. Everything is much better now.” Lin and the Rockets are down 0-1 to Portland headed into Wednesday’s game. Lin […]

Al Jefferson (foot) labored through his strained plantar fascia on Wednesday during Game 2's loss to the Heat, playing 40 minutes for 18 points, 13 boards, one assist and one turnover.

With the bases loaded, the count full and the game on the line in extra innings, Chad Bettis had no wiggle room for a breaking ball or an off-speed pitch. San Francisco Giants' Hector Sanchez, right, follows through on a grand slam as Colorado Rockies catcher Wilin Rosario watches during the 11th inning of the Giants' 12-10 victory in 11 innings in a baseball game in Denver on Wednesday, April 23, 2014. Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Chad Bettis sits in the dugout after giving up a grand slam to San Francisco Giants' Hector Sanchez in the 11th inning of the Giants' 12-10 victory in...

Hector Sanchez hit two of San Francisco's six homers, including a grand slam in the 11th inning Wednesday that gave the Giants a wild 12-10 victory over the Colorado Rockies. San Francisco Giants' Hector Sanchez strikes out swinging during the ninth inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, April 22,...

Aldridge finishes with 43 points, eight rebounds and three blocks and has 89 points and 26 rebounds in the first two games against the Rockets -- both wins.

The Portland Trail Blazers took a commanding 2-0 lead in their first-round series with the Houston Rockets, taking Game 2 112-105 Wednesday night at the Toyota Center.

Ryan Zimmerman and Scott Hairston each are making progress in their recovery from injuries, Nationals manager Matt Williams said Wednesday. Zimmerman, out since fracturing his right thumb on April 12, has begun conditioning exercises and has even performed some light fielding drills, using only his glove hand for now. The veteran third baseman is running…

Ryan Zimmerman (thumb) and Scott Hairston (oblique) are progressing in their return to the Nationals from injuries.

Phil Jackson hopes that Carmelo Anthony "is true to his word" and takes less than a maximum contract to re-sign with the Knicks.

Knicks president Phil Jackson said Wednesday that Carmelo Anthony (shoulder) will need to take less than a maximum contract to allow the team to have spending flexibility in the future.

Mets owner Fred Wilpon, the man who lavished a four-year contract worth $60 million on Curtis Granderson, cozied up to the struggling slugger behind the batting cage before Wednesday night's game against the Cardinals at Citi Field. Talk about bringing out the heavy artillery, the Mets will try almost anything to get Granderson going at the plate.

Granderson is hitting just .116 after finishing 0-for-3 in the Mets 3-0 loss to the Cardinals. The walk he earned during a failed ninth inning comeback was his first in 10 days.

It's official now.  Josh Johnson will undergo his second Tommy John surgery tomorrow in Pensacola, FL. Josh Johnson will undergo Tommy John surgery tomorrow, per AJ Hinch. Dr. James Andrews will again perform the procedure. — Dennis Lin (@dennistlin) April 23, 2014 #Padres pitcher Josh Johnson will have TJ surgery tomorrow. Technically a revision of the UCL. — Corey Brock (@FollowThePadres) April 23, 2014 In March, Josh Johnson had a drop in velocity during the 5th inning of  his last Spring Training start and had swelling in his forearm and elbow afterwards.  In the days...

Is it OK to swear on the internet? Today, Corey Brock of mlb.com reported that Padres pitcher Josh Johnson will undergo his second Tommy John surgery tomorrow. Goldurnit. The Padres signed Johnson, who previously had Tommy John surgery in 2007, to a one-year, $8 million contract this offseason.  Johnson...

SAN ANTONIO – You’ll probably never hear Dallas Mavericks point guard Jose Calderon complain about minutes. If Devin Harris continues get the majority of playing time in this first-round series against the San Antonio Spurs, that’s cool with Calderon. “I just want to win games and try to help my teammates,” said Calderon, who played only 16 minutes in the Mavs’ Game 1 loss, the fewest of any game in which he wasn’t injured all season.

Devin Harris played well in his 24 minutes off the bench against the Spurs during Game 2's 113-92 win with 18 points, four boards, five assists, one steal and one block.

The NHL cracked down hard on Matt Cooke, suspending the Minnesota Wild left wing for seven games Wednesday for his knee-to-knee hit that injured Colorado Avalanche defenceman Tyson Barrie.

DETROIT — Paul Konerko surpassed Frank Thomas’ franchise record for total bases with two singles and a double, Marcus Semien erased a two-run deficit with a grand slam, and Jose Abreu cleared the 420-foot sign in center field for the second time during the first inning in two days for his seventh home run as the White Sox defeated the host Detroit Tigers 6-4 Wednesday night. Konerko, whose double in eighth inning off Justin Miller gave him 3,950 total bases --...

“Yes,” Terry Collins replied Wednesday when asked if Daisuke Matsuzaka has the ability to be a closer. That said, Collins was clear to point out that Kyle Farnsworth is still his closer. Matsuzaka tossed one scoreless inning in relief on Saturday, and three scoreless — and hitless — innings in relief on Sunday. He made only […]

2014 Detroit Lions schedule (All games at 1 p.m., unless noted.) Sept. 8 — vs. N.Y. Giants on Monday Night Football, 7:10 p.m. Sept. 14 — at Carolina Sept. 21 — vs. Green Bay Sept. 28 — at N.Y. Jets Oct. 5 — vs. Buffalo Oct. 12 — at Minnesota Oct. 19 — vs. New Orleans Oct. 26 — at Falcons (London’s Wembley Stadium), 9:30 a.m. Nov. 2  — Bye week Nov. 9 — vs. Miami Nov.  16 — at Arizona, 4:25 p.m. Nov. 23 — at New England Nov. 27 — vs. Chicago (Thanksgiving) Dec. 7 — vs. Tampa Bay Dec. 14 — vs. Minnesota Dec. 21 — at Chicago Dec. 28 — at...

Marcus Trufant, who started 125 games in a Seattle career that lasted from 2003 to 2012, has signed a contract with the team so he can then officially retire as a Seahawk on Thursday.

John Lackey was incredible, Derek Jeter was hilarious, and oh yeah, Michael Pineda got tossed for using pine tar. The Red Sox bounced back from their Tuesday night drubbing with a 5-1 win over the Yankees that was crazy in all the right ways. So, let's not waste time. After the Red Sox scored two runs off of Michael Pineda in the bottom of the first, the Yankees' young pitcher returned to the mound in the second with a big ol' smear of pine tar on his neck. NESN's cameras caught it immediately, John Farrell headed out to talk to the umpires with two outs (shortly after David Ortiz came...