Pacific Division News Blog @newzblogz.com

Three home-invasion robbers broke into a Los Angeles police officer's home in Gardena and fled in his silver Toyota Avalon with two of the officer's guns, police said Wednesday.

The officer, whose name was withheld, answered a knock on his door about 11 a.m. Tuesday, and one of the three suspects pepper-sprayed him, said Gardena police Sgt. Mike Bartebaugh.

The trio then ransacked the house, took a flat-screen television and a pistol and fled in the Toyota with California license plate number 5TYZ290.

Link to full article

Add to Del.icio.us | Digg This | Post to Reddit

The San Jose Sharks will try to rebound from a close loss

when they visit the Chicago Blackhawks tonight at the United Center.The Sharks had won four straight contests before getting dealt an overtime

setback in Denver on Sunday.

Link to full article

Add to Del.icio.us | Digg This | Post to Reddit

The locker room was quiet and LeBron James was accepting blame - not what the Cleveland Cavaliers planned heading into tonight's showdown with NBA-leading Dallas.

Gerald Wallace had 27 points and 11 rebounds, Adam Morrison hit the go-ahead three-pointer in overtime and the host Charlotte Bobcats stunned Cleveland, 108-100, last night to snap the Cavaliers' eight-game winning streak.

Cleveland, which had been nearly flawless in its winning streak, fell apart down the stretch against one of the NBA's worst teams, blowing a 10-point, fourth-quarter lead.

Link to full article

Add to Del.icio.us | Digg This | Post to Reddit

There's a reason why the Condors are on the threshold of the greatest season in franchise history, and what happened Wednesday night at Rabobank Arena illustrates how far the team has come in the past few years.

Photo by Casey Christie / The Californian

Steve Rodberg of the Condors, left, John Wroblewski of the Falcons mix it up during first-period action Wednesday night at the Rabobank Arena. The Condors won 5-4 in overtime.

Link to full article

Add to Del.icio.us | Digg This | Post to Reddit

Los Angeles police Capt. Joan McNamara, who has led the LAPD's Harbor Division unit for just a year and a half, has been promoted and will leave her post next month, officials said Wednesday.

She has been named assistant commander of the LAPD's counterterrorism unit and begins her new duties May 1.

Community leaders said they're sorry to see her go.

Link to full article

Add to Del.icio.us | Digg This | Post to Reddit

CHICAGO - Joe Thornton says he is chasing playoff position, not a second straight NHL scoring title.The rugged center had three assists in leading San Jose to a 4-1 victory the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday night to move the Sharks ahead of Minnesota into fifth place in the Western Conference."Right now it's all team oriented," Thornton said. "We want to do well in the playoffs and win a Stanley Cup, so (individual) points aren't an issue."With 99 points, Thornton is closing in on his third 10...

Link to full article

Add to Del.icio.us | Digg This | Post to Reddit

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- For the Los Angeles Kings, eight games against the Dallas Stars were more than enough. Antti Miettinen and Krys Barch scored the tying and go-ahead goals 79 seconds apart early in the third period and the Stars completed an eight-game season sweep of their Pacific Division rivals with a 4-2 victory Wednesday night. Mike Ribeiro scored a power-play goal and Jeff Halpern had an empty-netter for the Stars, who outscored Los Angeles 30-14 this season while beating four differ...

Link to full article

Add to Del.icio.us | Digg This | Post to Reddit

Antti Miettinen and Krys Barch scored the tying and go-ahead goals 79 seconds apart early in the third period and the Dallas Stars completed an eight-game season sweep of the Los Angeles Kings with a 4-2 victory Wednesday night.

Mike Ribeiro scored a power-play goal and Jeff Halpern had an empty-netter for the Stars, who outscored Los Angeles 29-14 this season while beating four different goaltenders. Dallas' Mike Smith made 20 saves and finished 3-0 against the Kings. The other five wins went to Marty Turco.

This was the second time in the Kings' 40-year history a team swept them in a season series of eight or more games. They're the only NHL team to have that happen to them twice: They lost all eight meetings with St. Louis in 1969-70, while getting outscored 31-9.

Link to full article

Add to Del.icio.us | Digg This | Post to Reddit

Joe Thornton says he is chasing playoff position, not a second straight NHL scoring title. The rugged center had three assists in leading San Jose to a 4-1 victory the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday night to move the Sharks ahead of Minnesota into fifth place in the Western Conference.

"Right now it's all team oriented," Thornton said. "We want to do well in the playoffs and win a Stanley Cup, so (individual) points aren't an issue."

With 99 points, Thornton is closing in on his third 100-plus point season.

Link to full article

Add to Del.icio.us | Digg This | Post to Reddit

Gilbert Arenas came up far short of 50 points and far away from the basket on a shot to tie the game at Portland.

He didn't fall short on entertainment, though.

Arenas promised he would score 50 points against the Trail Blazers as part of his campaign to get back at the coaches who cut him from the U.S. national team last summer. Not only did he manage just 19 points, more than nine below his average, but he missed Washington's final shot in a 100-98 loss Tuesday night.

Link to full article

Add to Del.icio.us | Digg This | Post to Reddit

Gilbert Arenas came up far short of 50 points and far away from the basket on a shot to tie the game at Portland.

He didn't fall short on entertainment, though.

Arenas promised he would score 50 points against the Trail Blazers as part of his campaign to get back at the coaches who cut him from the U.S. national team last summer. Not only did he manage just 19 points, more than nine below his average, but he missed Washington's final shot in a 100-98 loss Tuesday night.

Link to full article

Add to Del.icio.us | Digg This | Post to Reddit

The Suns (51-16) get a seeming schedule break as they bear down on a 60-win season and an almost certain No. 2 seed in the Western Conference.

They play two straight games versus the Kings (29-38), at home Thursday and on the road Sunday. The Suns have won four straight against them and are 2-0 this season.

The main goal: Kick up the pace and — when teams sag in the middle to stop Steve Nash's penetration and to hinder Amare Stoudemire, as they have lately — kick the ball out quickly to open shooters.

Link to full article

Add to Del.icio.us | Digg This | Post to Reddit

The Phoenix Suns are back on the winning end of a blowout and have a third consecutive Pacific Division title to show for it.

Raja Bell scored 16 of his 22 points in the decisive third quarter and the Suns regrouped from two one-sided losses to clinch the division crown with a 108-90 victory over Minnesota on Tuesday night.

Leandro Barbosa, inserted into the starting lineup to try to rev up the stuttering Suns' offense, added 20 points. Steve Nash had 18 points - including 4-of-5 3-pointers - and 11 assists.

Link to full article

Add to Del.icio.us | Digg This | Post to Reddit

Phoenix Suns guard Steve Nash drives the lane for two points in front of Minnesota Timberwolves' Marko Jaric, right, of Serbia, during the fourth quarter of their NBA basketball game, Tuesday, March 20, 2007, in Phoenix.(AP Photo/Roy Dabner)

Link to full article

Add to Del.icio.us | Digg This | Post to Reddit

NEW YORK ? Dirk Nowitzki and Josh Howard each scored 24 points, and the Dallas Mavericks hit the 55-win mark for the third straight season by beating the New York Knicks 92-77 Tuesday night.

Jason Terry added 15 points for the Mavericks, who pulled away from the banged-up Knicks early in the second half and improved the NBA's best record to 55-11. They have won three in a row after losing consecutive games for the first time since starting 0-4.

"We can score with the best of them," Nowitzki said. "I think even though we're a slower team now than we used to be with (Don Nelson), defensive-minded, we still have a lot of offense out there."

Link to full article

Add to Del.icio.us | Digg This | Post to Reddit

PORTLAND, Ore. LaMarcus Aldridge scored 25 points and had eight rebounds in Portland's 100-to-98 win over Washington.Fellow rookie Brandon Roy helped the Trail Blazers end a four-game losing streak, finishing with 19 points, 12 rebounds and three key baskets in the final three minutes.The Blazers erased a nine-point halftime lead and won without leading scorer and rebounder Zach Randolph, who was granted bereavement leave Monday.Antawn Jamison led the Wizards with 27 points and 12 rebounds. Gilb...

Link to full article

Add to Del.icio.us | Digg This | Post to Reddit

PHOENIX — The Phoenix Suns regrouped from two blowout losses to clinch their third consecutive Pacific Division title by beating the Minnesota 108-90 Tuesday night.

Raja Bell scored 16 of his 22 points in the decisive third quarter. Leandro Barbosa, inserted into the starting lineup to try to rev up the stuttering Suns' offense, added 20 points. Steve Nash had 18 points — including 4-of-5 3-pointers — and 11 assists.

Boris Diaw, replaced by Barbosa as a starter, had 11 points and nine assists. Shawn Marion added 12 points and 10 rebounds.

Link to full article

Add to Del.icio.us | Digg This | Post to Reddit

PHOENIX - The Phoenix Suns regrouped from two blowout losses to clinch their third consecutive Pacific Division title by beating the Minnesota 108-90 Tuesday night.

Raja Bell scored 16 of his 22 points in the decisive third quarter. Leandro Barbosa, inserted into the starting lineup to try to rev up the stuttering Suns' offense, added 20 points. Steve Nash had 18 points and 11 assists.

Boris Diaw, replaced by Barbosa as a starter, had 11 points and nine assists. Shawn Marion added 12 points and 10 rebounds.

Link to full article

Add to Del.icio.us | Digg This | Post to Reddit

Phoenix, AZ -- (Sports Network) - Raja Bell led a balanced attack with 22 points and Steve Nash had another strong effort with 18 points and 11 assists, as the Suns secured their third consecutive Pacific Division title with a 108-90 pounding of the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Leandro Barbosa tallied 20 points and Shawn Marion added 12 points and 10 boards for Phoenix, which snapped a two-game skid.

"This is a piece of the puzzle," Bell said of the division title. "It means we've had a good regular season, and positioned ourselves well for the playoffs. But the ultimate goal is winning a championship, so we know we have a lot of work to do."

Link to full article

Add to Del.icio.us | Digg This | Post to Reddit

The Rockets outrebounded Indiana 53-41 to make up for 39 percent shooting and kept pace with Utah in the race for the fourth-best record in the Western Conference. The Jazz beat Golden State 104-100 and lead Houston by 1 1/2 games.

Jermaine O'Neal scored 25 and grabbed nine rebounds for the Pacers, who have dropped eight straight road games and 12 of 13 overall.

PHOENIX (AP) - The Phoenix Suns regrouped from two blowout losses to clinch their third consecutive Pacific Division title. Raja Bell scored 16 of his 22 points in the decisive third quarter. Leandro Barbosa, inserted into the starting lineup to try to rev up the stuttering Suns' offense, added 20 points. Steve Nash had 18 points and 11 assists.

Link to full article

Add to Del.icio.us | Digg This | Post to Reddit

The Timberwolves hope to end an 11-game road losing streak Wednesday night when they face the Kings at Arco Arena.

Wins anywhere have been hard to come by recently for the Timberwolves (28-38), but they've been particularly rare on the road, where they haven't won since a 101-87 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Jan. 27.

Minnesota's road woes continued Tuesday with a 108-90 loss to Pacific Division champion Phoenix despite an outstanding game from Kevin Garnett, who had 30 points and 16 rebounds for his league-leading 57th double-double.

Link to full article

Add to Del.icio.us | Digg This | Post to Reddit

CHICAGO No one needed to ask Elton Brand how important this was. The urgency showed.

Cuttino Mobley scored 25 points, Corey Maggette added 22, and Brand finished with 21, leading the struggling Clippers to a 103-89 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday night.

"It was imperative to get this win," Brand said.

Link to full article

Add to Del.icio.us | Digg This | Post to Reddit

As the NBA season begins to wind down the quest for post season berths is heating up. A check of Tuesday's schedule shows ten games with every contest featuring at last one team fighting for a playoff spot.

Denver and New Jersey are two teams trying to claim at least the eighth and final playoff spot in their respective conference. The Nuggets enter play Tuesday in seventh place in the East while the Nets are in the same position in the West.

Detroit, Cleveland and Chicago are duking it out for the top spot in the East and Tuesday all three clubs are in action. The Pistons top the Cavs by a game and a half and Detroit is home to Philadelphia while the Cavaliers are at Charlotte. Chicago starts the night just four and a half games back of the Pistons and they are home to the Los Angeles Clippers. The Clips are a game back of Golden State for the final playoff berth in the West.

Link to full article

Add to Del.icio.us | Digg This | Post to Reddit

The Phoenix Suns are back on the winning end of a blowout and have a third consecutive Pacific Division title to show for it.

Raja Bell scored 16 of his 22 points in the decisive third quarter and the Suns regrouped from two one-sided losses to clinch the division crown with a 108-90 victory over Minnesota on Tuesday night.

Leandro Barbosa, inserted into the starting lineup to try to rev up the stuttering Suns' offense, added 20 points. Steve Nash had 18 points - including 4-of-5 3-pointers - and 11 assists.

Link to full article

Add to Del.icio.us | Digg This | Post to Reddit

The Kings played with emotion and a sense of purpose Sunday.

The Ducks did not.

The Kings pounced on mistakes, turning scoring opportunities into easy goals en route to a 5-3 victory in front of a sellout crowd of 17,174 at the Honda Center.

Link to full article

Add to Del.icio.us | Digg This | Post to Reddit

DENVER, Colo. Allen Iverson poured in 44 points and doled out 15 assists to lead an offensive explosion by the Denver Nuggets, who scored 70 points before the half, led by 40 points early in the fourth quarter, and torched the Phoenix Suns, 131-107.

Carmelo Anthony scored 29 points and grabbed eight rebounds for the Nuggets, who won their fourth straight to pull into a virtual tie with the LA Lakers for the sixth seed in the Western Conference. Denver is 33-31, while the Lakers are 34-32. Nene scored 14 points and raked in 10 boards, and Marcus Camby had 12 points and eight rebounds.

Leandro Barbosa scored 25 points for the Suns, who would have clinched the Pacific Division with a win. Steve Nash scored 15 points and tallied 10 assists for Phoenix, which has lost two straight.

Link to full article

Add to Del.icio.us | Digg This | Post to Reddit

The Magic scored just 31 points over the final two quarters against one of the NBA's weaker defensive teams and lost 95-83 to the Kings at Amway Arena. For a team that still hasn't won consecutive games since early February, this might have been a new low point.

"We've had a few days off here, and Sacramento is playing a fourth game in five days," Magic guard J.J. Redick said. "And they're the team that had more energy in the second half."

Leading 52-42 at halftime and 62-50 well into the third quarter, the Magic (30-37) quickly went into the tank and never recovered. And it could only get worse from here. Beginning tonight at Miami, four of their next five games are away from home, a schedule that should do nothing to help their chances of making the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Link to full article

Add to Del.icio.us | Digg This | Post to Reddit

15 assists to lead an offensive explosion by the Denver Nuggets, who scored 70

points before the half, led by 40 points early in the fourth quarter, and

torched the Phoenix Suns, 131-107.Carmelo Anthony scored 29 points and grabbed eight rebounds for the Nuggets,

Link to full article

Add to Del.icio.us | Digg This | Post to Reddit

Bryant hit 23-of-39 shots from the floor, including a three-pointer with 44 seconds left in overtime to give the Lakers the lead for good.Saturday, March 17, 2007

College Hoops Madness: Brackets, news, polls and more!

Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) - Kobe Bryant scored a season-high 65 points to lead the Los Angeles Lakers over the Portland Trail Blazers, 116- 111, at the Staples Center.

Link to full article

Add to Del.icio.us | Digg This | Post to Reddit

LOS ANGELES, Calif. Kobe Bryant scored a season-high 65 points to lead the Los Angeles Lakers over the Portland Trail Blazers, 116- 111, at the Staples Center.

Bryant hit 23-of-39 shots from the floor, including a three-pointer with 44 seconds left in overtime to give the Lakers the lead for good. He also hit a game-tying trey at the end of regulation.

"Before the tip-off tonight, Kobe talked to all the guys about playing physical," said Lakers coach Phil Jackson. "That finish was incredible. Those three-pointers by Kobe were remarkable. There was a desperation for a win."

Link to full article

Add to Del.icio.us | Digg This | Post to Reddit

NASCAR Nextel Cup/Kobalt Tools 500, qualifying, 5 p.m. (Speed Channel).

Craftsman Trucks/American Commercial Lines 200, qualifying, 10:30 a.m. and race, 7 p.m. (Speed Channel).

Formula One/Australian Grand Prix, qualifying, 9:30 p.m. (Speed Channel).

Link to full article

Add to Del.icio.us | Digg This | Post to Reddit

State warns not to eat big mouth bass, pike caught in Comins Lake

As We See It

This Week's Cartoon

Link to full article

Add to Del.icio.us | Digg This | Post to Reddit

twice to lead Anaheim over Chicago, 5-2 in a high-spirited affair at Honda

Center.Scott Niedermayer recorded three assists for the second consecutive game for

the Ducks, who have won six of their last seven. Ryan Getzlaf had a pair of

Link to full article

Add to Del.icio.us | Digg This | Post to Reddit

The Miami Heat put a trio of streaks on the line this evening when they welcome the Sacramento Kings to AmericanAirlines Arena.

The Heat come into tonight's game as winners in eight straight overall and 13 in a row at home. Those winning runs have moved the Heat to within one-half game of Washington for the lead in the Southeast Division.

______________

Link to full article

Add to Del.icio.us | Digg This | Post to Reddit

Section One, Class AAA, championship, Austin vs. Winona, at Mayo Civic Arena, 6:30 p.m.

Section One, Class AAAA, championship, Lakeville South vs. Owatonna, at Mayo Civic Arena, 8:15 p.m.

(No local events scheduled).

Link to full article

Add to Del.icio.us | Digg This | Post to Reddit

Yogi Berra may be the greatest philosopher of the modern age. He massacred the King’s English, but came out with some simply profound thoughts.“Always go to other people’s funerals, otherwise they won’t come to yours.”“A nickel ain’t worth a dime any more.”And, perhaps my all-time favorite: “No one goes there any more. It’s too crowded.”But Yogi once made a statement that applies to a couple of the insti...

Link to full article

Add to Del.icio.us | Digg This | Post to Reddit

Knocking over coin-operated laundries may be a low-rent crime, but two alleged thieves arrested Thursday by Hermosa Beach police are suspected of doing it in style.

Hermosa Beach officers said they discovered a thick wad of $1 bills and up to $300 in loose quarters inside a stolen, brand-new Mercedes-Benz sport utility vehicle the men allegedly were using.

The men were booked on suspicion of auto theft and detectives were working to tie in burglary charges against the pair.

Link to full article

Add to Del.icio.us | Digg This | Post to Reddit

PHOENIX, Ariz. -- The Bakersfield Condors held off the Phoenix RoadRunners 4-3 in front of 3,244 at the US Airways Center Thursday, putting the Condors in sole possession of first place in the Pacific Division.

Alexandre Bolduc scored two goals, and Alex Rogosheskeand Sean Venedam each scored as Bakersfield built a 4-1 lead.

Phoenix pulled to within 4-3 at 13:10 of the third period.

Link to full article

Add to Del.icio.us | Digg This | Post to Reddit

ANAHEIM, Calif. - All the spin doctoring by the Anaheim Ducks couldn't erase the fact that the Pacific Division leaders are 0-2 against the lowly Columbus Blue Jackets.

Nikolai Zherdev scored twice and David Vyborny got the only goal in a five-round shootout, leading Columbus to a 5-4 victory Wednesday night.

It was the Blue Jackets' second stunning road victory over the Ducks this season. On Jan. 5, they rallied from a 3-0 deficit and beat the Ducks with four goals in the final 10:02 against Ilya Bryzgalov. Anaheim has 14 more victories and 33 more points than the Blue Jackets, who have the fourth worst record in the Western Conference.

Link to full article

Add to Del.icio.us | Digg This | Post to Reddit

shootout sent Columbus over Anaheim, 5-4, at the Honda Center.Rick Nash and Fredrik Modin had a goal and two assists each for the Blue

Jackets, who stopped a two-game slide. Nikolai Zherdev scored twice, and

Fredrik Norrena made 34 saves to post his 19th win of the season.

Link to full article

Add to Del.icio.us | Digg This | Post to Reddit

SAN JOSE, Calif. Bill Guerin (GEHR'-ihn) capped his eighth career hat trick by scoring on a penalty shot with 13 seconds left in San Jose's 7-to-1 blowout win over Chicago.Guerin also had an assist as San Jose moved within eight points of the Pacific Division-leading Anaheim Ducks. He had failed to record a point in his first six games since arriving in a trade with St. Louis.Joe Thornton had a three-point night, finishing with a goal and two assists. Mike Grier, Milan Michalek and former Blackh...

Link to full article

Add to Del.icio.us | Digg This | Post to Reddit

ANAHEIM, Calif. — All the spin doctoring by the Anaheim Ducks couldn't erase the fact that the Pacific Division leaders are 0-2 against the lowly Columbus Blue Jackets.

Nikolai Zherdev scored twice and David Vyborny got the only goal in a five-round shootout, leading Columbus to a 5-4 victory Wednesday night.

It was the Blue Jackets' second stunning road victory over the Ducks this season. On Jan. 5, they rallied from a 3-0 deficit and beat the Ducks with four goals in the final 10:02 against Ilya Bryzgalov. Anaheim has 14 more victories and 33 more points than the Blue Jackets, who have the fourth worst record in the Western Conference.

Link to full article

Add to Del.icio.us | Digg This | Post to Reddit

A matchup of the top two teams in the NBA takes place tonight, as the Dallas Mavericks welcome the Phoenix Suns to American Airlines Center.

The Southwest Division-leading Mavericks own a 3 1/2-game lead over the Pacific Division-leading Suns for the top seed in the Western Conference playoff race.

This is the third of four meetings between the clubs this season. The Mavericks won both contests between the clubs, while the Suns have lost two of their last three at Dallas.

Link to full article

Add to Del.icio.us | Digg This | Post to Reddit

The performance of Funston's troops, which seems from reports to consist mostly of needless brutality and looting, suggests strongly complete lack of oversight and supervision. There do not appear to be many documented cases of heroism or bravery among Funston's soldiers.Fort never in dangerFunston apparently never assumed a position of central control where he could track the course of the fire and effectively direct the movement of troops. At one critical point in the fire, he was de...

Link to full article

Add to Del.icio.us | Digg This | Post to Reddit

Among his proclamations Mayor Eugene Schmitz ordered that profiteering be ended by any practical means. Funston's Army obliged, and their means were practical. When a shopkeeper demanded 75 cents for a loaf of bread, a soldier “frog marched” him out of his shop and summarily executed him. Harry Lafler's description of the atmosphere in San Francisco being like that of a city “captured in war” was by all accounts both perceptive and accurate.Army breaking the lawDe...

Link to full article

Add to Del.icio.us | Digg This | Post to Reddit

A few days after the fire Mary Austin left the Hittell home and made her way to the Ferry Building, where she caught a ferry across the bay to Oakland. From Oakland the prophetess made her way back to Carmel. Fortunately, she had not lost anything in the disaster.Priceless photos safeArnold Genthe soon followed in Austin's path and returned to Carmel, where he had a second home. He was completely dispossessed in San Francisco, but he still had the beginnings of a new life and career safely ...

Link to full article

Add to Del.icio.us | Digg This | Post to Reddit

HOUSTON (82) - Battier 3-4 0-0 7, Hayes 5-8 3-4 13, Yao 1-9 8-9 10, McGrady 8-28 2-5 19, Alston 3-14 0-0 7, Head 5-13 0-0 12, Howard 7-7 0-0 14, Muto

Link to full article

Add to Del.icio.us | Digg This | Post to Reddit

Two points for a win, one point for overtime loss or shootout loss.

Tuesday's Games

Carolina 3, Florida 1

Link to full article

Add to Del.icio.us | Digg This | Post to Reddit

Records: Falcons 32-22-5 for 69 points, Wranglers 34-12-14 for 82 points

The skinny: After taking two of three games from Idaho, Fresno is two points behind the Steelheads for fourth place in the Western Conference standings with four weeks left in the regular season. Las Vegas is tied for the lead in the Pacific Division with Bakersfield.

By the numbers: The Falcons' Luke Curtin and John Morlang are running hot. Curtin has 21 points (9 goals, 12 assists) in his past 14 games and Morlang has 16 points (7 goals, 9 assists) in his past 12.

Link to full article

Add to Del.icio.us | Digg This | Post to Reddit

PHOENIX, Ariz. Leandro Barbosa scored 32 points to lead the playoff-bound Phoenix Suns to a 103-82 win over the Houston Rockets at U.S. Airways Center.

Boris Diaw added 15 points and Shawn Marion tallied 14 points with 15 rebounds for the Suns, who clinched a Western Conference playoff spot on Sunday without even taking the floor.

Amare Stoudemire had only 12 points and Steve Nash registered just 10 points and eight assists for Phoenix, which lowered its magic number for clinching its third straight Pacific Division title to three games.

Link to full article

Add to Del.icio.us | Digg This | Post to Reddit

Phoenix, AZ -- (Sports Network) - Leandro Barbosa scored 32 points to lead the playoff-bound Phoenix Suns to a 103-82 win over the Houston Rockets at U.S. Airways Center.

Boris Diaw added 15 points and Shawn Marion tallied 14 points with 15 rebounds for the Suns, who clinched a Western Conference playoff spot on Sunday without even taking the floor.

Amare Stoudemire had only 12 points and Steve Nash registered just 10 points and eight assists for Phoenix, which lowered its magic number for clinching its third straight Pacific Division title to three games.

Link to full article

Add to Del.icio.us | Digg This | Post to Reddit

Charlotte, NC -- Charlotte, NC (Sports Network) - Derek Anderson scored 24 points off the bench and dished out 10 assists, as the Charlotte Bobcats eased by the Orlando Magic, 119-108. Gerald Wallace had 20 points and nine assists for the Bobcats, who drilled a franchise high 14 three-pointers on 22 attempts. Charlotte also set a franchise mark with 39 assists. Raymond Felton added 21 points and seven assists for Charlotte, which snapped a season-h...

Final Score: New Jersey 113, Memphis 102

Memphis, TN (Sports Network) - Vince Carter scored 30 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead the New Jersey Nets over the Memphis Grizzlies, 113-102, at Fed-Ex Forum. Mikki Moore added 24 points for the Nets, who ended a five-game skid and pulled within one-half game of the New York Knicks for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Richard Jefferson tallied 18 points for New Jersey, which improved to 1-4 on its current six-game road trip that ends on Tuesd...

Link to full article

Add to Del.icio.us | Digg This | Post to Reddit

Mike Modano has found his scoring touch again, and that's good news for the Dallas Stars.

Modano scored his 499th career goal 35 seconds into overtime to give Dallas a 4-3 victory over the Los Angeles Kings on Sunday.

Modano's 14th goal of the season and third in five games on a quick shot from the high slot, beating Sean Burke to move three goals behind Joe Mullen for the career lead among U.S.-born players.

Link to full article

Add to Del.icio.us | Digg This | Post to Reddit

ANAHEIM, Calif. - Age isn't slowing down Teemu Selanne. The All-Star scored two goals to become the first player to have two 40-goal seasons after turning 35, and the Anaheim Ducks beat the Vancouver Canucks 4-2 in a hard-hitting matchup of division leaders Sunday night.

The 36-year-old Selanne has 41 goals this season after scoring 40 last season. He's reached 40 goals in seven seasons, tops among active players.

Andy McDonald also had two goals and an assist for Anaheim. Defenseman Francois Beauchemin had three assists and goaltender Jean-Sebastien Giguere made 22 saves for the Ducks, who have won five consecutive games and seven of eight.

Link to full article

Add to Del.icio.us | Digg This | Post to Reddit

Mike Modano has found his scoring touch again, and that's good news for the Dallas Stars.

Modano scored his 499th career goal 35 seconds into overtime to give Dallas a 4-3 victory over the Los Angeles Kings on Sunday.

Modano's 14th goal of the season and third in five games on a quick shot from the high slot, beating Sean Burke to move three goals behind Joe Mullen for the career lead among U.S.-born players.

Link to full article

Add to Del.icio.us | Digg This | Post to Reddit

The All-Star scored two goals to become the first player to have two 40-goal seasons after turning 35, and the Anaheim Ducks beat the Vancouver Canucks 4-2 in a hard-hitting matchup of division leaders Sunday night.

The 36-year-old Selanne has 41 goals this season after scoring 40 last season. He's reached 40 goals in seven seasons, tops among active players.

Andy McDonald also had two goals and an assist for Anaheim. Defenseman Francois Beauchemin had three assists and goaltender Jean-Sebastien Giguere made 22 saves for the Ducks, who have won five consecutive games and seven of eight.

Link to full article

Add to Del.icio.us | Digg This | Post to Reddit

Josh Harding is off to superb start with the Minnesota Wild. The third-string rookie goalie made 35 saves, and Dominic Moore scored twice to lift the Wild to a 5-1 win over the Buffalo Sabres on Friday night.

Since being called up from AHL Houston in January, Harding has stopped 90 of 92 shots in four games, and came within 4 minutes of picking up his second straight shutout.

"Surprised? No, not really," Minnesota forward Brian Rolston said. "Obviously you don't expect him to come in and do what he's done, but we know how good he is."

Link to full article

Add to Del.icio.us | Digg This | Post to Reddit

Josh Harding is off to superb start with the Minnesota Wild. The third-string rookie goalie made 35 saves, and Dominic Moore scored twice to lift the Wild to a 5-1 win over the Buffalo Sabres on Friday night.

Since being called up from AHL Houston in January, Harding has stopped 90 of 92 shots in four games, and came within 4 minutes of picking up his second straight shutout.

"Surprised? No, not really," Minnesota forward Brian Rolston said. "Obviously you don't expect him to come in and do what he's done, but we know how good he is."

Link to full article

Add to Del.icio.us | Digg This | Post to Reddit