Numbers game at the Pro Bowl

Stanley takes lead in Torrey Pines play

Woods, McIlroy in contention in Abu Dhabi

Djokovic wins marathon match to set up Nadal final

Ski Report

Alpine Meadows - Fri 6:56 am packed powder machine groomed 36 - 40 base 80 of 100 trails

Why so little love for NFL kickers?

Ex-NFL players help raise concussion awareness

CHICAGO (AP) - Efforts to raise awareness about concussion dangers are getting an boost from a collection of former National Football League players. The five-month old Chicago Concussion Coalition announced on Friday they've enlisted and trained 10 former players to talk to young athletes, coaches and parents about causes and recognition and avoiding traumatic brain incidents. "Concussions are ...

Broncos hire Del Rio as defensive coordinator

NBA Capsules

MIAMI (AP) - LeBron James scored 31 points, Dwyane Wade scored 28 in his return from a sprained right ankle, and the Miami Heat beat the 3-point-obsessed New York Knicks 99-89 on Friday night.

NBA Capsules

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - The Orlando Magic trudged out of Boston this week, toting only embarrassment following a lopsided 31-point loss to the Celtics.

US women soccer Olympic hopes at stake

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - It doesn't matter that the U.S. women's soccer team is clearly one of the best - if not the best - in the world. It doesn't matter that the Americans have outscored their opponents by a combined score of 31-0 so far in Olympic qualifying. All that truly matters is one game. At least ...

AP Source: Raiders finalize 4-year deal with Dennis Allen

ALAMEDA - The Oakland Raiders formally agreed Thursday on a four-year deal to make Denver defensive coordinator Dennis Allen their new head coach. New general manager Reggie McKenzie had decided Tuesday to hire Allen to replace the fired Hue Jackson as head coach. The two sides finalized the details Thursday, a person familiar with the process said on ...

Jonny Gomes, A's finalize $1M deal

OAKLAND - Jonny Gomes takes pride in his versatility. He can play the corner outfie ld, and he's an experienced designated hitter. That certainly will be helpful for Oakland manager Bob Melvin with a young roster. The A's and Gomes finalized a $1 million, one-year contract Thursday after ...

Sharapova, Azarenka play for title, No. 1 ranking

MELBOURNE, Australia - The age gap only two years, the difference in experience is vast between Maria Sharapova and Victoria Azarenka. Sharapova will play her sixth Grand Slam final at the Australian Open on Saturday against Azarenka, who is making her debut. And it isn't just a major title on the line - the winner will claim the ...

Sports News Brief

MAJORS Giants agree to 1-year deal with Hensley: SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Free-agent right-hander Clay Hensley and the San Francisco Giants have reached agreement on a $750,000, one-year contract. The Giants said Thursday it is a non-guaranteed big league deal for Hensley, who still must pass a physical before the club makes a formal announcement. <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in ...

NBA capsules

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) - Stephen Curry had 22 points and eight assists, Andrew Bogut broke out with the best performance of his injury-saddled season and the Golden State Warriors eliminated the Denver Nuggets with a 92-88 victory in Game 6 on Thursday.

NHL capsules

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) - Alex Ovechkin's franchise-record 31st career playoff goal got the Capitals started before less-heralded teammates Marcus Johansson and Jason Chimera scored 46 seconds apart, and Washington beat the New York Rangers 3-1 Thursday night in Game 1 of their first-round series.

Sports news briefs

HORSERACING

Boyle, Marleau lift Sharks to 3-1 win over Canucks

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) - Dan Boyle and Patrick Marleau scored in the third period for the San Jose Sharks, who rallied to beat the Vancouver Canucks 3-1 on Wednesday night in the first-round Western Conference series opener. Boyle and Logan Couture both had a goal and an assist, and Marleau pushed San Jose's lead to 3-1. Antti Niemi made 28 saves for the Sharks, who were outshot 30-28. Kevin Bieksa scored ...

NHL capsules

PITTSBURGH (AP) - Pascal Dupuis scored twice, Marc-Andre Fleury made 26 saves, and the top-seeded Pittsburgh Penguins opened the playoffs with a 5-0 romp over the New York Islanders on Wednesday night.

Giants rally again, beat Diamondbacks 9-6

PHOENIX (AP) - Brandon Belt hit a three-run homer in the eighth inning and the San Francisco Giants rallied against Arizona's bullpen for the third straight game, beating the Diamondbacks 9-6 Wednesday night to complete a three-game sweep. Belt hit a two-run single off Brad Ziegler in the opener and Pablo Sandoval hit a two-run homer off Arizona closer J.J. Putz on Tuesday. Belt finished off the series of comebacks with his ...

Cespedes' gaffe costs A's in 5-4 loss to Angels

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) - Oakland Athletics slugger Yoenis Cespedes didn't have a problem beating Hank Conger's throw to second in the ninth inning.

NBA capsules

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - James Harden scored 31 points and sank seven 3-pointers while fighting through flu-like symptoms, and the Houston Rockets beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 107-100 Wednesday night to pull within 3-2 in their first-round playoff series.

Nuggets, Warriors ready for physical Game 6

OAKLAND (AP) - Kicks in the ankles. Forearms to the throat. Elbows at the head. Illegal screens. Hard shoves. Bloody lips. Puffy eyes. Body bruises. Some even done by "hit men." Denver Nuggets coach George Karl thought the reaction to his team's Game 5 win over the Warriors sounded like a "different movie than I'm watching." Golden State's Mark Jackson defended his accusations of dirty play Wednesday, and players on both sides practically ...

Guerrero likes chances of giving Mayweather loss

LAS VEGAS (AP) - Floyd Mayweather Jr. admitted this week what many have long suspected - that he hand picks every opponent who enters the ring with him. He also decides how much they get paid and what the contract details will be. So Robert Guerrero was somewhat prepared when Mayweather picked him to be the opponent for his first fight in a year Saturday night at the MGM Grand hotel. What ...

Damian Lillard is NBA Rookie of the Year

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - It's unanimous: Damian Lillard is the NBA's Rookie of the Year. No, it never was in question. Lillard, the sixth overall pick in last June's draft out of Weber State, led all rookies with a 19-point scoring average. He also averaged 6.1 assists and 3.1 rebounds, playing in all 82 games this season. He broke Stephen Curry's rookie record for 3-pointers in a season, finishing with 185, ...

Earthquakes' Lenhart suspended 2 games by MLS

NEW YORK (AP) - San Jose forward Steven Lenhart was suspended two games and fined an undisclosed sum by the MLS disciplinary committee on Wednesday for his violent play in last weekend's game against Chivas USA. Lenhart was penalized for cleating Chivas' Mario de Luna in the face and nearly stepping on it after the defender had slid to to knock the ball away from him in the 68th minute of the teams' ...

Warriors upset with dirty play in loss to Nuggets

DENVER (AP) - Mark Jackson is standing up for his smooth-shooting guard who's constantly getting knocked down.

Pokulok’s OT goal sends Thunder to Western final

NCHORAGE, Alaska &ndash; Defenseman Nik Pokulok parked a centering pass by Shawn Weller at the left post to lift the Stockton Thunder to another memorable, come-from-behind victory, 4-3 in sudden death overtime over the Alaska Aces in Game 6 to win the Western Conference Semifinal before 4,868 fans at Sullivan Arena on Tuesday.

Cespedes drives in 4 runs, A’s beat Angels

OAKLAND (AP) - Yoenis Cespedes drove in four runs, Seth Smith knocked in three with a bases-loaded double and the Oakland Athletics beat the Los Angeles Angels 10-6 on Tuesday.