‘Sacramento Kings hand Wolves third straight loss

SACRAMENTO (AP) - Marcus Thornton scored 24 points and the Sacramento Kings used a strong second half to beat the slumping Minnesota Timberwolves 115-99 on Sunday. The Kings were tied at halftime, but gained the lead for good by outscoring Minnesota 33-25 in the ...

Ignorance & racism a losing combination

Manning update: Broncos, Titans and 49ers are left

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - The stealthy 49ers are in the chase for Peyton Manning. The Dolphins and Cardinals are out. And the Broncos and Titans want to make sure the four-time NFL MVP is healthy.

Monta Ellis beats Warriors in Bucks debut

OAKLAND (AP) - Monta Ellis returned to Oracle Arena in his much-hyped Bucks debut and finished with 18 points, four rebounds and four assists as one of six Milwaukee players in double figures in a 120-98 win over the Golden State Warriors that was plenty emotional for both sides.

49ers sign RB, special teams player Cartwright

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Rock Cartwright still believes Alex Smith will be the 49ers' starting quarterback - or at least he's speaking as if that's the case.

Raiders sign OL Brisiel, CB Bartell

ALAMEDA (AP) - After starting the free agency period by cutting salaries, the Oakland Raiders started spending money Friday by signing offensive lineman Mike Brisiel and cornerback Ron Bartell to contracts.

Monta Ellis returns to face Warriors with Bucks

OAKLAND (AP) - Monta Ellis pulled on his padded tank top and St. Patrick's Day green Milwaukee Bucks jersey in the visiting locker room Friday night with a Celtics-Warriors game film showing a few feet in front of him - Golden State's first game without the dynamic guard from two days earlier.

Saint Mary's can't finish in 72-69 loss to Purdue

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - Saint Mary's won't reprise its 2010 run to the round of 16 in the NCAA tournament.

Kings pound Celtics

SACRAMENTO (AP) - Marcus Thornton hit five 3-pointers scored a season-high 36 points and the Sacramento Kings snapped a three-game losing streak with a 120-95 win over the Boston Celtics on Friday night.

Zito strong again as Giants top Mariners

PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) - Barry Zito managed to turn in a solid spring start despite throwing his curveball and fastball higher in the strike zone than he wanted.

Norris Grand Slam in ninth lifts A's

SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) - Oakland manager Bob Melvin wasn't surprised by Jemile Weeks' power display.

Clowe scores in shootout to lead Sharks over Preds

SAN JOSE (AP) - Ryane Clowe scored in a shootout and Antti Niemi came up with a big save to give the San Jose Sharks a 2-1 victory over the Nashville Predators on Thursday night.

NBA Capsules

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - John Wall had 26 points and 12 assists, and the Washington Wizards won hours after making a multiplayer deal at the NBA trade deadline, 99-89 over the New Orleans Hornets on Thursday night.

NHL Capsules

NEW YORK (AP) - Sidney Crosby's return after three months of inactivity didn't hurt the chemistry of the Pittsburgh Penguins one bit as they surged closer to the Eastern Conference-leading New York Rangers.

49ers release cornerback Shawntae Spencer

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) - Shawntae Spencer became the odd man out in San Francisco's secondary.

Sports news briefs

CYCLING