SF 49ers free agent Alex Smith concludes visit with Dolphins

Brad Keselowski dominates to win NASCAR at Bristol

‘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.

NBA Playoff capsules

HEAT 95, BULLS 91

Sports news briefs

FOOTBALL

Parker leads Spurs past Warriors for 3-2 series lead

SAN ANTONIO (AP) - Tony Parker had 25 points and 10 assists, and the San Antonio Spurs held the Golden State Warriors' starting backcourt to 13 points for a 109-91 victory Tuesday night to take a 3-2 lead in the Western Conference semifinals.

Quick leads Kings past Sharks in opener

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Jonathan Quick made 35 saves in his sixth career playoff shutout, and the Los Angeles Kings opened their second-round series with a 2-0 victory over the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday night.

Zito struggles as Blue Jays beat Giants

TORONTO (AP) - Barry Zito battled as long as he could, though he had already buried the San Francisco Giants with a brutal first inning.

Rangers beat A’s on 2 homers in 10th inning

OAKLAND (AP) - Adrian Beltre hit a tiebreaking home run in the 10th inning, Mitch Moreland followed with his second of the game and the Texas Rangers held off the Oakland Athletics 6-5 Tuesday night.

Kings saga faces possible final chapter in Dallas

SEATTLE (AP) - Inside the small club on Seattle's Capitol Hill late Monday night, the chant would not be contained by the walls, drifting out onto the street with every urging scream from the performers on stage.

Sagan takes Stage 3 of Tour of California

SANTA CLARITA (AP) - Peter Sagan of Slovakia sprinted to the Stage 3 win and Colombian Janier Acevedo maintained the race lead Tuesday as strong winds replaced the heat at the Tour of California.

Boxer admits disorderly conduct in NYC gun case

NEW YORK (AP) - A boxer who went to the check-in counter at an airport with a handgun in his luggage and was arrested on firearm possession charges pleaded guilty on Tuesday to disorderly conduct.

NBA Playoff capsules

PACERS 93, KNICKS 82

NHL Playoff capsules

KINGS 2, SHARKS 0

Warriors, Spurs showing no quit

OAKLAND (AP) - Golden State Warriors coach Mark Jackson placed a prominent poem by an unknown author in every player's locker before Game 4 against the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday that had a simple title:

Sharks, Kings prepare for California clash

EL SEGUNDO (AP) - Although Joe Thornton and Dustin Brown might not agree on much else over the next two weeks, both captains believe hockey has never been bigger or better in California, from the thriving youth game all the way to their state's three winning NHL clubs.

ON THE HUNT

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - At around age 10, Hunter Pence acquired a Barry Bonds poster from his elementary school fair. It was then that Pence started choking up on his bat just as Bonds did in that prized picture that wound up on his wall.

Cespedes, Moss homer to push A’s past Rangers

OAKLAND (AP) - Sure, it's the Texas Rangers in town. The very team the Oakland Athletics rallied to beat in Game No. 162 last October for a stunning sweep to steal away the AL West crown from the two-time reigning AL champions.