National Sports

Defending champ gone: Sharapova ousts Wozniacki in Australia

By HOWARD FENDRICH, AP Tennis Writer MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Maria Sharapova smacked a forehand winner — the sort she's hit so many times, at so many key moments, over the years — to take control against defending champion Caroline Wozniacki at the Australian Open. Sharapova balled ...

One of the sleepers, Berdych, reawakens rivalry with Nadal

By JOHN PYE, AP Sports Writer MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — The men's tennis tour picked four "sleepers" to watch at the Australian Open. One of them has reached the fourth round at the Australian Open as many times — 11 — as Stefan Edberg, who won two titles in five finals here. He also ...

Kuzma scores 32 as Lakers top Thunder in OT without LeBron

By CLIFF BRUNT, AP Sports Writer OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The young Los Angeles Lakers matured on Thursday night. With four-time MVP LeBron James still sidelined by a left groin strain, Kyle Kuzma scored 32 points to help the Lakers beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 138-128 in overtime. James ...

AP source: Ottavino, Yankees agree to $27M, 3-year contract

By RONALD BLUM, AP Baseball Writer NEW YORK (AP) — While shying away from high-priced free agents Bryce Harper and Manny Machado, the New York Yankees are boosting their bullpen. Reliever Adam Ottavino and the Yankees agreed to a $27 million, three-year contract, a person familiar with the ...

Andrade set for first defense of middleweight title at MSG

By BRIAN MAHONEY, AP Sports Writer NEW YORK (AP) — Demetrius Andrade is just a few months from winning a middleweight title but perhaps still far away from fights with the division's biggest names. Canelo Alvarez, Gennady Golovkin and Daniel Jacobs are the headliners at 160 pounds, and ...

James Harden has 58 points in Rockets’ OT loss to Nets

By The Associated Press HOUSTON (AP) — Spencer Dinwiddie scored 25 of his 33 points in the fourth quarter and overtime and the Brooklyn Nets spoiled James Harden's 58-point night with a 145-142 victory over the Houston Rockets on Wednesday. Harden had his second straight season high after ...

It’s all about offense in the conference championships

By ROB MAADDI, AP Pro Football Writer Offense wins championships in the new NFL. For the first time since the league expanded to 32 teams in 2002, none of the teams playing in the conference title game have a defense ranked in the top 10 in total yards. Only New England is among the top 10 in ...

Unbeaten Michigan could be No. 1 if it beats Badgers on road

By ERIC OLSON, AP Sports Writer A look at the upcoming week around the Big Ten Conference: GAME OF THE WEEKEND: No. 2 Michigan at Wisconsin. The Wolverines (17-0, 6-0) go into Madison on Saturday off six straight wins by at least 10 points. The Badgers (11-6, 3-3), who erased a 21-point ...

TCU travels to K-State in key Big 12 matchup

By LUKE MEREDITH, AP Sports Writer A look at the upcoming week around the Big 12 Conference. GAME OF THE WEEKEND: TCU at Kansas State. The Wildcats got preseason player of the year Dean Wade back on Saturday, and he helped K-State stun Iowa State 58-57. TCU followed up a two-point loss at ...

Stephen Curry scores 41 points as Warrior hold off Pelicans

By JANIE McCAULEY, AP Sports Writer OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Stephen Curry stepped back time and again and released the ball from way back. Most of the time with at least one defender in his face, too. "It's insane what he does," coach Steve Kerr said. Curry scored 41 points with nine ...