Sports News

Tony Parker had 20 points and nine assists, Kawhi Leonard scored 18 points and the San Antonio Spurs struck first in the Western Conference finals by beating the Memphis Grizzlies 105-83 on Sunday. The Spurs avoided a repeat of their Game 1 loss from when the teams met two years ago in the first round.

Matt Moore pitched seven innings of five-hit ball to stay unbeaten, Luke Scott and Matt Joyce homered and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Baltimore Orioles 3-1 Sunday for a three-game sweep. Moore (8-0) gave up one run, struck out three and walked one.

Lance Stephenson scored nine of his playoff career-high 23 points during a late 11-2 run Saturday night, leading the Indiana Pacers past the New York Knicks, 106-99 and into the Eastern Conference finals for the first time since 2004. The New York native also had 10 rebounds and the Pacers were spurred by the return of point guard George Hill two days after he was diagnosed with a concussion. Next up is a rematch with Miami, the team that eliminated Indiana last season.

The San Antonio Spurs held off a furious final rally to beat the Golden State Warriors 94-82 in Game 6 on Thursday night and advance to the Western Conference finals. Tim Duncan had 19 points and six rebounds, Kawhi Leonard scored 16 points and the Spurs won the series in six games. Tony Parker shook off a poor start to score 10 of his 13 points in the fourth quarter.

Authorities in North Carolina say former NASCAR driver Dick Trickle has died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was 71.

David Beckham is retiring from soccer after the season, ending a career in which he become a global superstar since starting his career at Manchester United.

The Memphis Grizzlies advanced to the Western Conference finals for the first time in franchise history by beating the Oklahoma City Thunder 88-84 on Wednesday night. Zach Randolph had 28 points and 14 rebounds, Mike Conley added 13 points and 11 assists for Memphis, the fifth seed. Kevin Durant missed a 16-foot jumper from the left wing to tie it with 6 seconds left, finishing off a miserable shooting night for the three-time NBA scoring champion. Durant ended up with 21 points on 5-for-21 shooting, the third-worst performance of his playoff career.

Paul Martin and Chris Kunitz scored power-play goals and Pascal Dupuis added his sixth goal of the playoffs and the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Ottawa Senators 4-1 in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals on Tuesday.

Top basketball prospect Andrew Wiggins is headed to Kansas.

Buddy Nix is stepping down as the Buffalo Bills general manager, the team has announced.

Southern California is coming off a historically disappointing season that has put Lane Kiffin in a tough situation heading into his fourth season as Trojans coach. The Trojans will have a new quarterback and are still dealing with a roster limited by NCAA sanctions.

Pablo Sandoval splashed a home run into McCovey Cove, Brandon Belt and Marco Scutaro also connected to back Tim Lincecum, and the San Francisco Giants beat the Atlanta Braves 5-1 on Sunday to wrap up a strong homestand. Lincecum (3-2) struck out seven in seven scoreless innings to end a three-start winless stretch in which he went 0-2.

Stephen Curry scored 22 on an injured left ankle, Harrison Barnes had 26 points and 10 rebounds, and the Golden State Warriors rallied past the San Antonio Spurs 97-87 in overtime Sunday to even the Western Conference semifinal at two games apiece. Jarrett Jack added 24 points in reserve and Andrew Bogut grabbed 18 rebounds to help the Warriors overcome an eight-point deficit in the final five minutes of regulation.