The San Antonio Spurs opened the Western Conference finals resembling the past champions who've been there so many times before.

A year ago when Miami and Indiana faced off in the postseason, there were blood-drawing hits, flagrant fouls, technical fouls, choke signs being directed toward LeBron James and more than a few sharp-tongued comments.

Colin Greening wore six stitches on his left cheek, and a wide smile, after Ottawa's double overtime playoff victory against Pittsburgh.

David Murphy's three-run shot was barely enough against Miguel Cabrera's three home runs.

Another year, another Triple Crown hopeful unable to come through.

After all these years, Rafael Nadal still knows how to dominate Roger Federer.

Claude Julien wanted his Bruins to play more aggressively in the third period. The Boston coach got his wish with the help of some shaky defense by the New York Rangers.

The San Diego Chargers agreed Saturday to a two-year deal with aging star pass rusher Dwight Freeney that could be worth $13.35 million.

New York Jets running back Mike Goodson is facing drug and weapons charges after he was found in a car with an acquaintance early Friday morning on Interstate 80 in New Jersey.

Seattle Seahawks defensive end Bruce Irvin was suspended for the first four games of the 2013 season on Friday after the league announced he violated the NFL policy on performance-enhancing substances.

Charles Woodson pushed back a visit to Oakland to pursue a reunion with the Raiders because extending his career in the NFL isn't his only mission.

The Chicago Bears and first-round draft pick Kyle Long agreed to a four-year contract Friday.

The Dallas Cowboys have significantly reduced right tackle Doug Free's salary after a difficult season that ended with him as a part-time player.

The Oakland Raiders have signed free agent punter Chris Kluwe as a possible replacement for the departed Shane Lechler.

A year ago when Miami and Indiana faced off in the postseason, there were blood-drawing hits, flagrant fouls, technical fouls, choke signs being directed toward LeBron James and more than a few sharp-tongued comments.

The San Antonio Spurs opened the Western Conference finals resembling the past champions who've been there so many times before.

A team built to win a title now didn't get close.

Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson announced to screaming throngs of Kings fans Friday that the deal to sell the NBA franchise to a group led by software tycoon Vivek Ranadive has been signed.

Victor Oladipo mentions the late nights at the gym, the wear and tear on his key card, and he's quick to point out he's just a tad unusual, too.

Rookie forward Draymond Green walked out of Golden State's practice facility Friday holding a yellow ``We Are Warriors'' shirt, taking home the small souvenir to savor the team's captivating playoff run.

The next time he suits up for a game, there's a good chance Derrick Rose will actually be in a uniform and not in a jacket and slacks.

Colin Greening wore six stitches on his left cheek, and a wide smile, after Ottawa's double overtime playoff victory against Pittsburgh.

Claude Julien wanted his Bruins to play more aggressively in the third period. The Boston coach got his wish with the help of some shaky defense by the New York Rangers.

Sweden became the first home team to win the world hockey championships in 27 years, beating Switzerland 5-1 on Sunday for its ninth title.

The Detroit Red Wings got much younger this year, rebuilding with rookies and prospects pushed onto the ice.

When Logan Couture limped off the ice in the middle of a tied game San Jose desperately needed to win, it looked as if he was taking the Sharks' playoffs hopes with him.

With two days off in an all-California series, the Los Angeles Kings seized the opportunity to fly home for two days of practice before Game 4.

The NHL fined the San Jose Sharks $100,000 on Saturday for general manager Doug Wilson's comments criticizing the league for forward Raffi Torres' suspension for the rest of the second round of the playoffs.

The University of New Mexico says it has reached an agreement in principal with former basketball coach Steve Alford over his buyout.

Washington guard C.J. Wilcox has undergone surgery on his left foot to stabilize a stress fracture that bothered him for much of his junior season.

Kansas State says sophomore forward Brandon Bolden is joining the Wildcats after leaving Georgetown.

Damon Stoudamire was one of most popular players in Arizona history, an electrifying, high-scoring guard with a cool nickname.

West Coast Conference Commissioner Jamie Zaninovich has received a three-year contract extension that takes him through May 31, 2017.

Evan Gordon is coming home.

After a year away, Raphael Chillious is returning to work as an assistant coach under Lorenzo Romar at Washington.

David Murphy's three-run shot was barely enough against Miguel Cabrera's three home runs.

Matt Moore isn't only breaking records set by Cy Young winner David Price, he's performing at a level that's drawing comparisons to a pretty good southpaw named Babe Ruth.

Cy Young himself wouldn't want to mess with the Indians right now.

At least John Lackey and the Boston Red Sox had something to keep themselves entertained during a long rain delay on Sunday.

Ramiro Pena got a fierce wakeup call with the bases loaded and the scored tied in the eighth inning.

Top prospect Jurickson Profar will get most of the playing time at second base for the Texas Rangers while Ian Kinsler is on the 15-day disabled list with bruised ribs.

Freddy Galvis has a memory to cherish forever, and Cliff Lee feels a lot better because Galvis does.

It's only fitting that Jimmie Johnson's latest romp through the record books was shrouded in post-race controversy.

Danica Patrick said she can't explain why she's popular among NASCAR fans.

Jamie McMurray won the Sprint Showdown to transfer into the $1 million All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

At the height of his father's success at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Dale Earnhardt Jr. would sit in the Turn 1 condos overlooking the track.

Kyle Busch showed he can still be dominant in the NASCAR Truck Series, even when facing adversity.

Carl Edwards captured the pole for the Sprint All-Star race at Charlotte Motor Speedway, paying tribute to the late Dick Trickle along the way.

Kyle Busch holds a 3-0 advantage over Kasey Kahne this season and understands Kahne may be planning some retaliation.

Sang-Moon Bae watched anxiously after hitting his tee shot at the par-3 17th hole Sunday in the Byron Nelson Championship.

Graeme McDowell won the Volvo World Match Play Championship on Sunday, beating Thailand's Thongchai Jaidee 2 and 1 in the final at Thracian Cliffs.

Jennifer Johnson got a hug and congratulations from the defending Mobile Bay LPGA Classic champion before it even sunk in Sunday that she had won her first tour title.

Louis Oosthuizen has withdrawn from the Byron Nelson Championship before the final round because of a neck issue.

American Peter Uihlein won the Madeira Islands Open on Sunday in his 16th European Tour start for his professional title, closing with a 4-under 68 for a two-stroke victory.

Ken Venturi was a 14-year-old with a camera trying to get a picture of Byron Nelson when he first met the golfer who would become a mentor and dear friend.

It turns out Northern Ireland won't have its own team for the World Cup.

The Big Ten released its first football schedule with Rutgers and Maryland included, and the Scarlet Knights are getting quite a welcome to conference in 2014.

The Eastern Michigan Eagles need new bathrooms, and coach Ron English is ready to jump out of a plane to get them.

As the power conferences work to secure spots in the most desirable bowl games, the Mid-American Conference and Sun Belt also are trying to expand their postseason lineups.

Virginia coach Mike London says junior running back Clifton Richardson has decided to transfer.

Rutgers named Julie Hermann its new athletic director Wednesday, and the former No. 2 athletic administrator at Louisville promised a restart for the scandal-scarred program following the ouster of its men's basketball coach and the resignation of other officials.

Penn State coach Bill O'Brien is fervently disputing suggestions raised in a report that player medical care has been compromised after the team doctor was replaced.

TCU defensive end Devonte Fields has been suspended for the first two games of the 2013 season due to an unspecified violation of ``university and team policy.''