Weekday Morning Sports – Monday 12/15/14

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Sports Radio 1400 WSJM     @wsjmsports     wsjmsports.com     Monday, December 15, 2014

NFL – National Football League – Week 15
Yesterday
Detroit Lions 16, Minnesota Vikings 14

NFC North Standings
1. Lions (10-4) *
2. Packers (10-4)
3. Vikings (6-8)
4. Bears (5-8)
*-Lions hold tiebreaker with Green Bay

Lions 16, Vikings 14 – Lions sweat out 16-14 win over Vikings
Matt Prater’s 33-yard field goal with 3:38 remaining lifted Detroit to a 16-14 victory over the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, pulling the Lions into a tie for first place in the NFC North. The Lions (10-4) are now even atop the division with Green Bay, which lost to Buffalo earlier in the day, but Detroit didn’t have an easy time, spotting the Vikings (6-8) a 14-0 lead before a pair of second-quarter interceptions helped the Lions start their rally. Even at the end, Detroit had to sweat out a 68-yard field goal attempt by Minnesota’s Blair Walsh on the final play. The kick was short.

Other NFL Scores
Kansas City 31, Oakland 13
Pittsburgh 27, Atlanta 20
N.Y. Giants 24, Washington 13
New England 41, Miami 13
Indianapolis 17, Houston 10
Baltimore 20, Jacksonville 12
Buffalo 21, Green Bay 13
Carolina 19, Tampa Bay 17
Cincinnati 30, Cleveland 0
Denver 22, San Diego 10
N.Y. Jets 16, Tennessee 11
Seattle 17, San Francisco 7
Dallas 38, Philadelphia 27

Tonight
New Orleans Saints at Chicago Bears, 8:30 p.m.

NFL – NFC North – Bills beat Packers
Aaron Rodgers completed just 17 of his 42 passes for 185 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions as Green Bay lost 21-13 to Buffalo, leaving the Packers in a tie with Detroit for the NFC North lead. The Bills’ offense produced only four field goals by Dan Carpenter, but Marcus Thigpen’s 75-yard punt return provided Buffalo’s lone touchdown. Mario Williams helped seal the victory when he forced Rodgers to fumble with 1:51 left, causing a safety.

NFL – Johnny Shutout
Johnny Manziel was silenced in his first NFL start as Cincinnati clobbered Cleveland 30-0 to stay a half-game ahead of Pittsburgh and Baltimore for the AFC North lead. Manziel was just 10 of 18 for 80 yards and two interceptions, while gaining just 13 yards on five carries.

NHL – National Hockey League
Last Night
Chicago Blackhawks 2, Calgary Flames 1

Blackhawks 2, Flames 1 – Saad’s goal lifts Blackhawks over Flames 2-1
Brandon Saad scored with 7:03 left in the third period, and the Chicago Blackhawks beat the Calgary Flames 2-1 on Sunday night for their 12th victory in the last 14 games. After motoring past Calgary defenseman Mark Giordano, Saad took a centering pass from Jonathan Toews and lifted a shot past Jonas Hiller’s glove. Toews also set up Patrick Sharp’s power-play goal as the surging Blackhawks dealt the Flames their fifth straight loss. Chicago had won eight in a row before Saturday night’s 3-2 loss at the New York Islanders. Jiri Hudler had his team-leading 12th goal for Calgary, which has scored just eight times during its slide.

NHL – Blackhawks send Morin to Blue Jackets for Erixon
The Chicago Blackhawks have traded forward Jeremy Morin to the Columbus Blue Jackets for defenseman Tim Erixon. Morin has no points in 15 NHL games this season. The winger was assigned to Rockford of the AHL for a conditioning assignment Tuesday because he wasn’t playing at all with the loaded Blackhawks. Erixon, 23, had one goal and five assists in 19 games with Columbus this season. He scored his first NHL goal on Oct. 26 at Los Angeles.

NHL – Pens’ star has the mumps
Add Pittsburgh Penguins star Sidney Crosby to the growing list of NHL players dealing with the mumps. The Penguins announced the diagnosis Sunday after holding the two-time MVP out of games Friday and Saturday as a precaution when swelling developed on the right side of Crosby’s face. Crosby underwent further testing Saturday. The team says Crosby should be through the infectious stage by Monday but will not play Monday night when Pittsburgh hosts the Tampa Bay Lightning. Crosby received a booster shot against the virus before traveling to Russia for the Winter Olympics in February. The NHL is dealing with a widespread outbreak of the virus, with players from Anaheim, Minnesota, the New York Rangers and New Jersey among those affected.

NBA – National Basketball Association
Last Night
Chicago Bulls 93, Miami Heat 75

Bulls 93, Heat 75 – Dunleavy scores 22 to help Bulls beat Heat 93-75
Mike Dunleavy scored 22 points and the Chicago Bulls overcame a sloppy start Sunday to beat the offensively inept Miami Heat, 93-75. Heat leading scorer Chris Bosh (calf strain) missed a game for the first time this season, which left them without enough punch or size to challenge Chicago. Miami shot a season-low 35 percent, including 4 for 22 from 3-point range. Dunleavy was shut out in the first half but scored 19 points on eight shots in the third quarter, when Chicago outscored Miami 33-16. Dunleavy finished 4 for 5 from 3-point range, while the Bulls shot 9 of 18 beyond the arc and 47 overall. Jimmy Butler had 17 points for the Central Division-leading Bulls. They improved to 11-3 on the road, best in the Eastern Conference. Dwyane Wade and Luol Deng led Miami with 17 points apiece. The Heat’s point total matched their season low.

Tonight
Chicago Bulls at Atlanta Hawks, 7:30 p.m.
Detroit Pistons at Los Angeles Clippers, 10:30 p.m.

NBA – Kobe passes MJ
Kobe Bryant passed Michael Jordan for third place on the NBA scoring list before finishing with 26 points in the Los Angeles Lakers’ 100-94 win at Minnesota. Bryant scored 10 points in the final five minutes to help the Lakers clinch the win.

NBA – Sacramento fires coach Michael Malone
The Sacramento Kings fired coach Michael Malone late Sunday night just 24 games into his second season with the team. A person with knowledge of the move confirmed the firing Sunday night on condition of anonymity because the team has not announced it yet. The firing was first reported by Yahoo Sports. A formal announcement was expected Monday. Malone went 39-67 after being hired in June 2013 by new owner Vivek Ranadive. Malone was hired before general manager Pete D’Alessandro in what was considered an unusual order of events. Now D’Alessandro will get the opportunity to hire his own coach. Lead assistant Tyrone Corbin will take over as interim coach.

NCAA Basketball – Men’s 
Yesterday
Michigan State 87, Oakland 61
Western Michigan 80, Pacific 72

Michigan State 87, Oakland 61 – Valentine scores 19, Michigan State crushes Oakland, 87-61
Denzel Valentine scored 19 points with 5-for-6 3-point shooting and Michigan State beat Oakland 87-61 on Sunday night. Branden Dawson had 15 points, Bryn Forbes and Marvin Clark Jr. 12 each and Matt Costello 11 for the balanced the Spartans (7-3). Dante WIlliams scored 15 to lead the Golden Grizzlies (4-6). Corey Petros and Kahlil Felder each had 13. Petros also pulled down 10 rebounds. The Spartans built a 13-point lead in the first half and repeated that feat in the second half en route to the 26-point margin of victory. Michigan State shot 58.8 percent from beyond the arc and 55.7 percent from the field, assisting on 25 of 34 baskets. The Spartans also had 10 steals, contributing to 15 Oakland turnovers.

WMU 80, Pacific 72 – Western Michigan knocks off Pacific 80-72
Connar Tava scored 19 points on 8-of-11 shooting to lead Western Michigan over Pacific 80-72 last night. The Broncos shot 56 percent from the floor. David Brown scored 16 points. Dulani Robinson led Pacific with 23 points.

NCAA Basketball – Women’s
Yesterday
(19) Michigan State 90, Loyola (IL) 38
Ohio State 83, Western Michigan 46

(19) Michigan State 90, Loyola (IL) 38 – No. 19 Michigan St. routs Loyola of Chicago 90-38
Aerial Powers had 14 points, 14 rebounds, five assists and a career-high three blocks to lead the No. 19 Michigan State women to a 90-38 rout over Loyola of Chicago yesterday. Becca Mills scored 22 points to lead the Spartans. It was the largest margin of victory for Michigan State and the second by more than 40 points this season.

Ohio State 83, Western Michigan 46 – Buckeyes Run Past Broncos 83-46
Four Buckeyes scored in double-figures and redshirt-sophomore Lisa Blair recorded the first double-double of her career as Ohio State rolled to an 83-46 victory over Western Michigan.

MLB – AP source: Lester $30M signing bonus sets record
Jon Lester has set Major League Baseball records for largest signing bonus and biggest upfront payment with his $155 million, seven-year deal with the Chicago Cubs. The pitcher’s contract calls for a $30 million signing bonus, of which $15 million is due by April 1, according to a person familiar with the agreement. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Sunday because those details have not been announced. Lester’s remaining signing bonus is due in three payments through 2020. The previous signing bonus high had been Vernon Wells’ $25.5 million under a $126 million, seven-year deal with Toronto that covered 2008-14, with money spread over three payments through 2010. Lester’s upfront payment tops the $14 million mark set this month by Cuban defector Yasmany Tomas, who gets his signing bonus from Arizona within 30 days of the deal’s approval by Major League Baseball. A person familiar with the negotiations says the Boston Red Sox have agreed to trade outfielder Yoenis Cespedes to the Detroit Tigers for pitcher Rick Porcello. Right-handed pitching prospect Alex Wilson also will go to Detroit as part of the trade, the person said Thursday, speaking on condition of anonymity because no announcement had been made.

ECHL – East Coast Hockey League
Last Night
Toledo Walleye 5, Fort Wayne Komets 4 – OT

MHSAA – High School Sports
Tonight
Boys Basketball
Countryside Academy at Lake Michigan Catholic       Sports Radio 1400 WSJM, 7:15
Hartford at Cassopolis
River Valley at Brandywine
Centreville at Kalamazoo Home School
Kalamazoo Christian at Schoolcraft
Battle Creek Central at Battle Creek Harper Creek

Girls Basketball
Countryside Academy at Lake Michigan Catholic
Kalamazoo Christian at Schoolcraft

ISHSHL – High School Hockey
Yesterday
Zionsville 5, Lakeshore/St. Joseph 1