Update on the latest sports
NBA SCHEDULE
Clippers-Bucks highlight 10-game schedule
UNDATED (AP) — The Los Angeles Clippers visit Milwaukee tonight, opening a six-game Eastern swing against a formidable opponent. The Bucks have won 13 games in a row and are tied with the Lakers for the league’s best record. They lead the league in scoring, field-goal percentage, rebounds and scoring margin. But the Clippers are right up there in the league’s top tier, just three games behind the Lakers in the Pacific division.
The Lakers will look to keep pace when they tip-off against the Trail Blazers in Portland tonight.
The rest of the schedule has Charlotte hosting Brooklyn, Indiana at Detroit, Orlando visiting Cleveland, Boston home against Denver and the Bulls hosting Golden State. The Timberwolves are in Oklahoma City, Miami gets a visit from the Wizards, and Sacramento is at San Antonio.
NBA-ANTHONY
Anthony gets guarantee
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The Portland Trail Blazers have given forward Carmelo Anthony a fully guaranteed contract for the remainder of the season.
The team had signed Anthony to a non-guaranteed contract last month and had until a January deadline to guarantee the deal.
Anthony, who hadn’t played for more than a year before he was formally signed last month, has meshed well with the Blazers, averaging 16.9 points and 5.9 rebounds since joining the team.
The 10-time NBA All-Star was named Western Conference Player of the Week after he averaged 22.3 points, 7.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists over Portland’s three-game winning streak last week.
NHL SCHEDULE
Kessel returns to Pittsburgh
UNDATED (AP) — Phil Kessel returns to the town where he became known as “Stanley Cup Champion Phil Kessel.”
After scoring two goals to lead Arizona to a 3-1 victory over the Philadelphia last night, Kessel and the Coyotes travel west to Pittsburgh for tonight’s game. The Penguins traded Kessel to Arizona in the off-season for forward Alex Galchenyuk.
Elsewhere around the NHL, Chicago’s road trip continues with a visit to New Jersey, the Rangers host Montreal, The Los Angeles Kings are in Edmonton, and Anaheim gets a visit from the Washington Capitals.
MLB-NATIONALS-KENDRICK
Howie Kendrick will stay with champs
WASHINGTON (AP) — Postseason star Howie Kendrick and the World Series champion Washington Nationals have agreed to a $6.25 million, one-year contract. That’s according to two people with knowledge of the negotiations. They say an agreement is in place for Kendrick to return to Washington for what will be his 15th season in the majors.
The 36-year-old Kendrick, who was a free agent, provides Washington with a middle-of-the-order bat and some flexibility in the field. He primarily plays at first base now, but started games at every infield position except shortstop in 2019.
MLB-RANGERS-GIBSON
Rangers complete 3-year deal with Kyle Gibson
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The Texas Rangers have completed a $28 million, three-year contract with right-hander Kyle Gibson. The deal adds another veteran in the middle of their starting rotation.
Gibson spent the first seven years of his big league career with the Minnesota Twins. He was 13-7 with a 4.84 ERA in 34 games last season for the Twins, making 29 starts and five relief appearances.
Gibson joins the Texas rotation with fellow 30-something pitchers Mike Minor and Lance Lynn, who both threw 208 1-3 innings last season.
TOP 25 COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Utah seeks Pac-12 title, playoff berth vs. Oregon
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — No. 5 Utah seeks its first Pac-12 championship since joining the conference in 2011 when the Utes take on No. 13 Oregon in the Pac-12 championship game. A win would also bolster Utah’s chances of earning a spot in the four-team playoff.
The Ducks are looking for their third win in the title game and a spot in the Rose Bowl. The Ducks have won eight of the past 11 in the series but lost 32-25 last year on the road.
A key matchup will be Oregon QB Justin Herbert vs. Utah’s defense. Herbert is one of the top QBs in the nation and a projected first-round pick. His 94 TD passes are the most of any active player and the Ducks are averaging 37.5 points per game in his 40 starts. He faces a tough challenge against a Utes defense that ranks fourth in the FBS with 4.2 yards per play allowed, leads the Pac-12 with 185.3 yards passing allowed per game and has held six opponents to seven points or fewer.
TOP 25 COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Louisville, Michigan, Duke all in action
UNDATED (AP) — Top-ranked Louisville resumes Atlantic Coast Conference play at home against Pittsburgh tonight. Louisville is coming off a 58-43 victory over No. 4 Michigan in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge Tuesday night. It’s Pitt’s second ACC game of the season. The Panthers beat Florida State to open their season.
Michigan could see it’s ranking drop after its loss to Louisville, but it can probably stay in the top 10 with a win against Iowa at home tonight. Iowa is coming off a 68-54 victory over Syracuse Tuesday.
After dominating Michigan State in East Lansing Tuesday night, No. 10 Duke stays on the road to face Virginia Tech tonight. Big man Vernon Carey Jr. led the way against the 11th-ranked Spartans. The 6-foot-10, 270-pound freshman has 26 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks in the 87-75 victory.
TENNIS
Former No. 1 Wozniacki to retire after Australian Open
UNDATED (AP) — Former No. 1 and 2018 Australian Open champion Caroline Wozniacki says she will retire from professional tennis after competing in Melbourne next year. The 29-year-old from Denmark wrote in an Instagram post that she realized she has a lot she wants to accomplish off the court. Wozniacki says her decision to stop playing is not related to her health. She announced in October 2018 that she has an autoimmune condition that can cause pain and swelling in the wrist and other joints. She is currently ranked No. 37 after going 20-15 without a singles title in 2019.
