NBA – National Basketball Association
Last Night
Chicago Bulls 132, Cleveland Cavaliers 123 – 2 OT
Indiana Pacers 123, New Orleans Pelicans 114
Bulls 132, Cavaliers 123 – DeMar DeRozan scores 35 points, Bulls outlast Cavaliers 132-123 in 2OT
DeMar DeRozan scored 35 points, Andre Drummond had 26 rebounds and the Chicago Bulls outlasted the Cleveland Cavaliers 132-123 in double overtime Wednesday night. DeRozan scored 16 points in the 10 extra minutes. Nikola Vucevic added 24 points and 13 rebounds and Drummond had 17 points to help the Bulls rebound from a loss to lowly Detroit to beat one of the Eastern Conference’s best teams. The Cavaliers were coming off a wild 121-119 victory over Dallas, with Max Strus hitting a 59-footer as time expired. Evan Mobley led Cleveland with 25 points and 13 rebounds. Darius Garland scored 23 while making 7 of 14 3s. Donovan Mitchell finished with 19 points, but the Cavaliers came up short after winning 12 of 15.
Pacers 123, Pelicans 114 – Pacers beat Pelicans 123-114 to open home-and-home set
Pascal Siakam had 24 points and 11 rebounds, Tyrese Haliburton added 17 points and 13 assists — four on late consecutive possessions — and the Indiana Pacers beat the New Orleans Pelicans 123-114 on Wednesday night. The teams will complete the home-and-home set Friday night in New Orleans. Turner finished with 14 points and 10 rebounds for the Pacers, who shot 49% from the field and made 14 3-pointers. Obi Toppin added 16 points and six rebounds, and Bennedict Mathurin also scored 16 points. Brandon Ingram had 30 points and six rebounds for the Pelicans, who lost for the third time in their past four games. CJ McCollum added 23 points and six rebounds and Zion Williamson also scored 23 points.
NHL – National Hockey League
Tonight
New York Islanders at Detroit Red Wings, 7:00 p.m.
Colorado Avalanche at Chicago Blackhawks, 9:00 p.m.
NCAAMBB – Men’s College Basketball
Tonight
Michigan at Rutgers, 8:30 p.m. News/Talk/Sports 94.9 WSJM 8:00
NCAAWBB – Women’s College Basketball
Last Night
(2) Ohio State 67, Michigan 51
Central Michigan 76, Miami-OH 73 – 2 OT
Ohio 67, Western Michigan 64
Kent State 76, Eastern Michigan 64
(2) Ohio State 67, Michigan 51 – Ohio St knocks off Michigan 67-51 for 15th straight win and Big Ten title
Jacy Sheldon scored 22 points to lead No. 2 Ohio State to a 15th straight win and the Big Ten regular-season title, 67-51 over Michigan. Cotie McMahon had 18 points and seven rebounds for the Buckeyes, who had already clinched at least a share of the title and a No. 1 seed in the conference tournament with a win over Maryland on Sunday. The game was revenge for the Buckeyes, whose only conference loss this season came in a 69-60 shocker against Michigan in Ann Arbor on Dec. 30. Laila Phelia led Michigan with 13 points.
Tonight
(5) Virginia Tech at (17) Notre Dame, 7:00 p.m.
Illinois at Michigan State, 8:00 p.m.
NCAABB – Hazards of fans storming the court has run into a question: How to stop them?
Recent incidents in college basketball have underscored the potential dangers that come from jubilant fans storming the court after the game comes to an end. Finding a solution is proving to be a challenge. Duke center Kyle Filipowski and Iowa star Caitlin Clark both got caught in scary incidents recently. The incidents have prompted a renewed scrutiny on protecting visiting teams. Duke coach Jon Scheyer has called on immediate measures by the Atlantic Coast Conference to prevent court storming. Stopping such often-impromptu celebrations is easier said than done, especially with most student sections so close to the court.
NCAAFB – CFP discussing 14-team model with 3 automatic bids each for Power 4
College Football Playoff officials are considering a 14-team model that would guarantee multiple automatic bids for each of the four power conferences, starting in 2026. Two people with direct knowledge of the discussions told The Associated Press the format being discussed would guarantee three playoff spots each for the Big Ten and Southeastern Conference, two for the Atlantic Coast Conference and Big 12 and one for the highest-ranked team from the Group of Five leagues. The two people spoke on condition of anonymity the CFP management committee’s talks were not being made public.
NFL – Kirk Cousins and Chris Jones head list of free agents filled with star players
NFL teams could find a Pro Bowl quarterback, an All-Pro defensive lineman or a future Hall of Fame wide receiver and plenty more star-quality players when the free agency period begins on March 13. Kirk Cousins, Chris Jones and Mike Evans are among the best players who will be available on the open market unless their teams use a franchise tag by March 5. They’ll be joined by running backs Derrick Henry, Saquon Barkley and Josh Jacobs, edge rushers Josh Allen, Brian Burns and Danielle Hunter and several other talented players. Defensive line is the deepest position while offensive tackle has the fewest starting-caliber players on the list.
MLB – Major League Baseball – Spring Training
Yesterday
Detroit Tigers 5, Pittsburgh Pirates 3
San Diego Padres 3, Chicago White Sox 1
Chicago Cubs 6, Milwaukee Brewers 1
Today
Detroit Tigers at Boston Red Sox, 1:05 p.m.
Colorado Rockies at Chicago Cubs, 3:05 p.m.
Kansas City Royals at Chicago White Sox, 3:05 p.m.
MLB – Despite long free agency and short contract, Bellinger is back with the Cubs
Cody Bellinger’s free agency dragged into spring training, and it ended without the long-term deal he wanted. The process led him back to the Chicago Cubs, though, and that was still enough to leave the 2019 NL MVP smiling. Projected by many to earn well over $100 million when the offseason began, the 28-year-old Bellinger and agent Scott Boras settled for a shorter contract that includes opt outs after the first two seasons. Teammates wanted Bellinger back after he shined at Wrigley Field in 2023. The team wanted him back, too. Bellinger had hoped for a longer deal, but his focus was on the reunion with Chicago when he spoke Wednesday.
MLB – MLB wants to make starting pitching more prominent, tough task in today’s game
Major League Baseball wants to put a greater emphasis on starting pitching. But it’s a tricky situation in the era of openers and hard-throwing relievers. Big league starters averaged 15.4 outs and 85.1 pitches last year, according to Sportradar, and 15.6 outs and 84.9 pitches in 2022. But the numbers were 17.4 and 93.1 as late as 2015, and 17.8 and 98.6 in 2000. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said in October that the league is considering lowering the maximum of 13 pitchers per team to 12 possibly as soon as the 2025 season — with the goal of making starting pitching more prominent.
WNBA – WNBA Draft moves to Brooklyn and will have space for 1,000 fans to attend
The WNBA Draft will have a new home this year and for the first time in eight seasons have the space for 1,000 fans to attend. The league will hold the annual event at the Brooklyn Academy of Music on April 15. Recent drafts, which were held in Manhattan, were in smaller, more intimate venues that didn’t have room for fans. There’s a lot of excitement around this year’s draft with Iowa star Caitlin Clark potentially eligible if she decides to forego her fifth year of college eligibility. The Indiana Fever have the top pick in the draft for the second consecutive year. Last season the team drafted Aliyah Boston with the No. 1 pick.
AHL – American Hockey League
Last Night
Grand Rapids Griffins 3, Iowa Wild 2 – OT
MHSAA – Michigan High School Athletic Association
Last Night
Boys Basketball (District Semifinal)
Division 1 at Portage Central
Portage Central 59, Mattawan 52
Kalamazoo Central 66, Kalamazoo Loy Norrix 54
Division 1 at Gull Lake
Battle Creek Lakeview 56, Harper Creek 36
Gull Lake 56, Battle Creek Central 30
Division 2 at Edwardsburg
Benton Harbor 60, Lakeshore 42
Niles 59, Berrien Springs 50
Division 2 at Parchment
Paw Paw 55, South Haven 45
Plainwell 46, Otsego 44
Division 2 at Vicksburg
Vicksburg 53, Three Rivers 31
Battle Creek Pennfield 58, Marshal 56 – OT
Division 3 at Bloomingdale
Delton-Kellogg 67, Holland Black River 60
Saugatuck 48, Fennville 33
Division 3 at White Pigeon
White Pigeon 76, Cassopolis 74
Brandywine 69, Buchanan 30
Division 3 at Schoolcraft
Kalamazoo Hackett 45, Kalamazoo Christian 35
Schoolcraft 75, Galesburg-Augusta 20
Division 3 at Bangor
Lawton 49, Hartford 47
Watervliet 71, Coloma 36
Division 3 at Bronson
Union City 64, Bronson 56
Centreville 58, Homer 54
Division 4 at New Buffalo
Our Lady of the Lake 53, Eau Claire 41
Michigan Lutheran 63, New Buffalo 42
Division 4 at Gobles
Gobles 64, Kalamazoo Heritage 23
Kalamazoo Phoenix 61, Lawrence 48
Division 4 at Athens
Howardsville Christian 67, Burr Oak 59
Colon 50, Marcellus 35
Tonight
Girls Basketball (regular season)
Non-Conference
Buchanan at Lakeshore, 7:00 p.m.
St. Joseph at Brandywine, 7:00 p.m.
Berrien Springs at Kalamazoo Hackett, 7:00 p.m.
GR Ottawa Hills at South Haven, 6:00 p.m.
Portage Central at Coldwater, 7:00 p.m.
Schoolcraft at Portage Northern, 7:15 p.m.
Battle Creek Pennfield at Gull Lake, 7:00 p.m.
Battle Creek Lakeview at Marshall, 7:00 p.m.
BC St. Philip at Galesburg-Augusta, 6:00 p.m.
GR Northpointe at Kalamazoo Christian, 7:00 p.m.
Loy Norrix at Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard, 7:00 p.m.
Wolverine
Three Rivers at Niles, 7:00 p.m.
Plainwell at Edwardsburg, 7:00 p.m.
Paw Paw at Sturgis, 7:00 p.m.
Otsego at Vicksburg, 7:00 p.m.
BCS
Howardsville Chistian at Michigan Lutheran, 7:30 p.m.
New Buffalo at Eau Claire, 6:00 p.m.
Watervliet Grace Christian at River Valley, 6:00 p.m.
SAC
Watervliet at Allegan, 7:00 p.m.
Coloma at Comstock, 6:00 p.m.
Constantine at Saugatuck, 7:00 p.m.
Southwest 10
Bloomingdale at Centreville, 6:00 p.m.
Cassopolis at Decatur, 6:00 p.m.
Bangor at Hartford, 7:30 p.m.
White Pigeon at Marcellus, 6:00 p.m.
