Today's Top Sports Rumors & News

AP PHOTOS: Heat's overtime escape to defend title

Miami Herald — The Miami Heat were so close to elimination from the NBA championships that the team noticed officials bringing yellow tape out to block off the court for the Spurs' trophy presentation. But a couple of big 3-pointers later and powered by LeBron James' fourth-quarter surge, the defending champions stayed alive, edging San Antonio 103-100 in overtime. Game 7 is in Miami on Thursday, the NBA's first do-or-die game to determine its champion since the Lakers beat the Celtics in 2010. Here are some of the best images from Game 6:

LeBron James helps Heat stave off elimination with Game 6 win over Spurs

Watch: LeBron reacts to Game 6 win (video)

Hossa 'fine,' expected to play in Game 4

Chicago Blackhawks Blog | ESPN Chicago — Chicago Blackhawks winger Marian Hossa did not participate in morning skate on Wednesday but is expected to play in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup finals against the Boston Bruins. Read the entire story.

Marian Hossa absent, Bruins lineup unchanged in morning skate

Poll: Which team do you think will win Game 7?

NBA Blog | Houston Chronicle — The San Antonio Spurs were mere seconds away from capturing the franchise’s fifth NBA title on Tuesday night. But thanks to a furious Heat rally, which featured a lively (and headbandless) LeBron James and was highlighted by Ray Allen’s game-tying 3-pointer with 5.2 seconds remaining in regulation, the Spurs face the tall task of trying [...]

Cowboy re-ups: Justin Smith signs two-year extension that runs through 2015

49ers Hot Read | San Jose Mercury News — Defensive lineman Justin Smith signed a two-year contract extension Wednesday that ties him to the 49ers through 2015, the club announced. Smith, a 12-year veteran, has made the past four Pro Bowls. He was due to make $7.5 million this season in the final year of a six-year, $45 million contract he landed as a [...]

Plenty of media but no police visible at Patriot Hernandez's house Wednesday

Patriots Blog | Providence Journal — By Tom MooneyNORTH ATTLEBORO -- Several New England Patriot players live in the wealthy neighborhood of Westwood Estates but for a second consecutive day the home of tight end Aaron Hernandez garnered even the curiosity of neighbors used to celebrities in their midst. Several walked or drove by Wednesday morning where a media encampment has been set up ever since Hernandez's name was linked to the discovery of a man's body found Monday a short distance from here. More than a half dozen television satellite trucks were parked outside his house at 22 Ronald C Meyer Drive that police reportedly...

Mets' mix-up ends another no-hit bid for Harvey

New York Post — ATLANTA — No apology was needed, but Lucas Duda felt compelled to tell Matt Harvey he was sorry. The Mets ace took a no-hitter into the seventh inning of Game 1 of yesterday’s doubleheader against the Braves, but watched that bid disappear when Duda was delinquent covering first base on...

Goldschmidt homers in 9th, Arizona beats Marlins

Miami Herald — Paul Goldschmidt hit a leadoff home run in the bottom of the ninth inning and the Arizona Diamondbacks ended a four-game losing streak, beating the Miami Marlins 3-2 Tuesday night.

Chase Utley to begin rehab assignment tonight in Reading

Phils-ville | phillyBurbs — The Phillies have announced that Chase Utley, on the disabled list since May 23 with a right oblique strain, will begin a rehab assignment tonight in Reading where the Fightin' Phils host the Portland

Notebook: Decision made: Buchholz on DL

Boston Herald — The throwing session that everyone was waiting for finally happened yesterday, albeit a few hours later than expected. It ended with Clay Buchholz bumping fists with a bullpen catcher and jogging back to the Red Sox dugout.Alas, he went on the disabled list anyway.

Buckley: Campbell’s heroics occupy special place in B’s lore

Boston Herald — Gregory Campbell probably doesn’t know it yet, but his life has been completely, inalterably changed.No matter where his hockey travels take him, be they as a player, coach, broadcaster or front-office suit, he is always going to be The Guy Who Played With the Broken Leg. He is always going to be a symbol of this Bruins season, a symbol of toughness, of blue-collar values, of putting team ahead of self.

Manny Ramirez ends three-month stint in Chinese baseball league

Red Sox Blog | Providence Journal — By Corey BourassaThe EDA Rhinos of the Chinese Professional Baseball League announced on Wednesday that Manny Ramirez is leaving the team. Ramirez signed a three-month deal with the team but the contract doesn't expire until June 30. He will leave the country on June 21. The Rhinos did not give a reason for Ramirez's departure, only saying that he was homesick. It is being reported that Ramirez is being pursued by the Chiba Lotte Mariners of the Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball League. Ramirez, who was a huge draw in Taiwan, hit .352 with eight home runs and 43 RBI in 49 games.

Yankees add OF Martinez from Astros

Yankees Blog | ESPN New York — NEW YORK -- The Yankees have acquired outfielder Fernando Martinez from the Astros, according to GM Brian Cashman. The Yankees reportedly gave up Single-A right-hander Charles Basford for Martinez, a former Mets top prospect. Martinez will head to Triple-A and is being brought in to help replenish the outfield depth in the farm system, Cashman said. The Yankees called up Zoilo Almonte on Tuesday. Martinez, 24, was ranked as an elite prospect as he came up in the Mets system, but he never lived up to the expectations.

Nicks: OTAs absence not contract-related

Giants Blog | ESPN New York — Hakeem Nicks didn't want to delve into the reasons why he was not at voluntary OTAs this offseason. But the New York Giants receiver said in an interview with NFL Network on Wednesday morning that his absence was not because of his desire for a new long-term contract. Listen to the complete interview: "I really don't talk about my contract in the media and stuff like that," Nicks said. "But contract wasn't related." Nicks was asked on ESPN Radio's "Mike & Mike" if he wants to remain a Giant long term and if he would sacrifice dollars to stay.

Atlanta Falcons sign former Brown tight end Cloherty

Patriots Blog | Providence Journal — By Corey BourassaFormer Brown University tight end Colin Cloherty has signed a two-year deal with the Atlanta Falcons. Cloherty was originally signed by the Indianapolis Colts has an undrafted free agent in April of 2009. He's also played for the Cleveland Browns, San Francisco 49ers and Jacksonville Jaguars. Cloherty, 25, scored his first NFL touchdown with the Jaguars on a fumbled punt attempt during a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2011. He has five career catches for 59 yards. A 6-foot-2, 245-pound tight end, Cloherty was a first team All-Ivy League selection in 2008 and a sec...

Examining the Graves factor

Jets Blog | ESPN New York — The hiring of former Cardinals GM Rod Graves as the senior director of football administration didn't garner big headlines -- it occurred the same day as Tim Tebow to the Patriots -- but this was an important decision by GM John Idzik. Because Idzik's expertise is on the business side (salary cap, contracts, etc.), Graves becomes the Jets' highest-ranking official with a personnel background. Idzik has a comfort level with Graves; he worked under him with the Cardinals from 2001 to 2004.