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Spurs survive Grizzlies in OT, take 2-0 lead in West finals

Wed, 22 May 2013 08:04:37 GMT

When Tony Parker started running low on masterful plays, Tim Duncan was there to take over and lead the San Antonio Spurs to a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference finals.

Parker had 15 points and a career playoff-high 18 assists, Duncan scored San Antonio's first six points of overtime and the Spurs bounced back after squandering a 13-point lead in the fourth quarter to beat the Memphis Grizzlies 93-89 on Tuesday night.

Spurs scoreboard

"I hate that we gave up that big of a lead in that situation," Duncan said. "But we were resilient enough to go to overtime and not let it affect us."

Duncan opened the extra period with a layup, and then made a tiebreaking putback on Parker's missed jumper. He then made a runner that bounced high of the back iron and rattled in for a 91-87 lead with 1:08 to play.

The Grizzlies had a chance to tie after Jerryd Bayless hit a jumper and Parker missed one of two free throws with 14.6 seconds left, but Bayless' 3-pointer from the left wing was off-target.

Memphis has fallen behind in all three playoff series so far, including rallying from an 0-2 deficit in the first round against the Los Angeles Clippers.

Game 3 is Saturday in Memphis.

Spurs in Memphis web poll

"We're in the same boat we were when we left L.A. We're down 0-2. We've got to go home and take care of business at home," coach Lionel Hollins said. "It's not going to be easy, but that's where we are."

Bayless and Mike Conley each had 18 points to lead Memphis.

Duncan had 17 points and nine rebounds, missing most of the second half with foul trouble before coming up with the key baskets in overtime — even if it wasn't by design.

"It was just what was there more than anything," he said.

Memphis stormed back from a 13-point deficit with a 15-2 run over the final 8 minutes of regulation to tie it at 85 on Conley's runner in the lane with 18.2 seconds to play. The Grizzlies got the chance to pull even after Manu Ginobili was called for a flagrant foul for pulling down Tony Allen by his left arm on a fast-break layup try.

Allen hit both free throws and Memphis got possession, setting up Conley's tying basket at the end of a string of seven straight Grizzlies points.

But Memphis, which trailed by as much as 18 in the second half, could never pull ahead.

Up until the final stretch, Parker had been in control for 2½ quarters.

Parker kept San Antonio humming along after Duncan went to the bench with four fouls, the last three picked up within a span of 30 seconds, early in the third quarter. Parker provided the assist on the Spurs' first seven baskets of the second half, and then scored the next two on mid-range jumpers before getting pulled for a rest with a 72-54 lead.

The Grizzlies mounted a 16-6 comeback while Parker was on the bench, getting as close as 78-70 after Zach Randolph scored inside following back-to-back Bayless jumpers.

Parker checked back in and soon had the lead growing again, ducking under Darrell Arthur to hit a floater and then knocking down a 3-pointer from the right wing to make it 83-70 with 8:14 to play. But then Parker finally went cold, missing five straight shots down the stretch as the Grizzlies rallied back.

He had 14 assists in the second and third quarters and went past his career-high for the regular season of 17 during overtime.

Spurs Grizz game 2 slide

"He was unbelievable," Duncan said. "I know he's exhausted. We asked a lot of him. He was controlling the ball every time down the floor and he was making every right play there was.

"He was finding people, and people knocked down shots for him."

After Game 1, Memphis' guards outlined a game plan that involved picking up their defense earlier on Parker to keep him from getting into the lane and putting the Grizzlies into the scramble mode that allowed San Antonio to hit a franchise playoff record 14 3-pointers in the opener.

It wasn't until late that any of their plans started working.

"He's a Hall of Fame guard, people. He's been around, he's done great things in his career," Hollins said. "He just controlled the pace and got in the paint, found open guys. ... We battled him, though, and we wound up being in the game."

But then, Duncan — who missed a potential winning jumper from the left wing at the end of regulation — took over.

The Spurs put all five starters in double figures, getting 14 points from Tiago Splitter, 12 from Kawhi Leonard and 11 from Danny Green.

Randolph had 15 points and 18 rebounds after a two-point performance in Game 1, his lowest-scoring effort all season. Marc Gasol had 12 points and 14 rebounds.

Hollins talked before the game about wanting the Grizzlies — getting increased attention in their first Western Conference finals appearance — to avoid being like a boy in junior high school who suddenly decides he needs to change once he gets noticed by a pretty girl.

"We're who we are and we have to stay who we are, and we have to understand that no matter who's coming and talking to us, we have to be true to our identity," Hollins said, "and we can't go changing and shaving and taking a bath when we haven't taken one all along."

Memphis, with the league's best defense, looked like itself again early on while recovering from a 7-0 hole to turn it into a 15-13 slugfest after the first quarter. But after the Grizzlies went ahead for the first time, San Antonio surged back ahead with seven straight points. Just before halftime, the Spurs asserted control with a 13-0 run and went up 46-31 at the break.

Notes: There was a moment of silence before the game recognizing the deadly tornado that hit Moore, Okla., on Monday. ... The Grizzlies missed five shots on their next-to-last possession of the first half. Tony Allen's baseline drive was snuffed out by a Leonard block and he also missed the putback before Randolph missed two putback tries — one of them blocked by Duncan. Tony Wroten then missed the final follow shot. ... Parker's previous career best in the playoffs was 14 assists against Utah on May 22, 2007. Johnny Moore holds the franchise postseason record with 20 against Denver in 1983.

Urlacher retires after 13 years

Wed, 22 May 2013 15:57:15 GMT

Longtime Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher announced his retirement after 13 seasons in the NFL on Wednesday with a message on Twitter.

Urlacher walks away from football with a list of accomplishments that include an eight-time Pro Bowl selection, a five-time All-Pro and the 2005 Defensive Player of the Year award.

"Although I could continue playing, I'm not sure I would bring a level of performance or passion that's up to my standards," he said. "When considering this, along with the fact that I could retire after a 13-year career wearing only one jersey for such a storied franchise, my decision became pretty clear.

"I want to thank all of the people in my life that have helped me along the way. I will miss my teammates, my coaches and the great Bears fans. I'm proud to say that I gave all of you everything I had every time I took the field. I will miss this great game, but I leave it with no regrets."

The Bears released Urlacher after the 2012 season when they couldn't reach agreement on a new contract. Urlacher became a free agent and apparently was open to offers from other teams but decided to close the curtain on a career what many believe will ultimately win him election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Urlacher, the No. 9 overall draft pick in 2000 by the Bears, played safety in college at New Mexico but moved to linebacker with the Bears and became a defensive force that helped the Bears earn one trip to the Super Bowl.

Charles Woodson returns to Raiders

Wed, 22 May 2013 15:08:26 GMT

Charles Woodson's career has come full circle, as the defensive back signed with the Oakland Raiders following a visit with the team Tuesday.

It's a one-year deal worth a maximum of $4.3 million, according to multiple reports.

The fourth overall pick by the Raiders in 1998 out of the University of Michigan, Woodson was a four-time Pro Bowl player for Oakland before joining the Green Bay Packers in 2006 and going on to four more Pro Bowl selections and earning a Super Bowl ring over the past seven seasons.

Woodson was released by the Packers over the offseason and stated his desire to hook on with a serious playoff contender. However, there was tepid interest in the 36 year old on the free-agent market and visits with the San Francisco 49ers and Denver Broncos didn't result in contract offers. Woodson is admittedly in the final chapter of his storied career, and has suffered two broken collarbones in the past three years.

The Raiders, meanwhile, had a need in their secondary and an initial offer on the table before bringing Woodson in for a visit Tuesday.

"When this process first started out, that was my thing. I wanted to be on a contender," Woodson told the NFL Network earlier this week. "I know I'm getting toward the end of my career. But at this point, I want to play football. If it's a rebuilding stage at this point, and that's the circumstances that I have to play under, then that's what I'm going to do."

Over the weekend at a benefit for the C.S. Mott Children's Hospital at the University of Michigan, Woodson discussed the possibility of returning to Oakland with reporters.

"It would be a really big thing to go back to Oakland, being that I played there most of my career," Woodson said. "I played there eight years and Green Bay seven. So I spent most of my career in Oakland, and I still have a lot of friends there. I still know people in the organization. It would be a homecoming of sorts if it were to happen, so we'll see."

Woodson also has a relationship with Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie, who was a personnel executive in Green Bay when Woodson went there as a free agent in 2006.

Michael Huff, who would have returned to free safety as the starter in Oakland, was instead released by the Raiders when he declined to take a pay cut. The Raiders signed free agent Usama Young in the offseason, and he is currently running with the first team alongside strong safety Tyvon Branch.

"I don't fit into one particular scheme," Woodson said. "I can play the game of football and it really doesn't matter whether it's man defense, zone, 4-3, 3-4. I can play this game, so that really doesn't matter."

Woodson has played in 206 career games with 203 starts, and ranks second among active players with 55 interceptions - 11 of which he has returned for touchdowns, second-most in NFL history. He also has 17 sacks and 24 forced fumbles.

Sergio Garcia makes Tiger Woods 'fried chicken' joke

Wed, 22 May 2013 15:04:01 GMT

The feud between champion golfers Sergio Garcia and Tiger Woods has taken an ugly turn.

Garcia is under fire for saying he would serve his rival Woods fried chicken for dinner every night during next month's U.S. Open, according to ESPN.

"We'll have him 'round every night,'' Garcia said in response to a question at a European Tour awards dinner Tuesday night. "We will serve fried chicken.''

The two players have been verbally sparring since The Players Championship nearly two weeks ago, when Garcia took issue with Woods over what he perceived as a breach in golf etiquette.

Feud or no feud, Woods took to Twitter on Wednesday and called Garcia's latest remarks inappropriate.

"The comment that was made wasn't silly. It was wrong, hurtful and clearly inappropriate," he wrote in a series of tweets. "I'm confident that there is real regret the remark was made. The Players ended nearly two weeks ago and it's long past time to move (on) and talk about golf."

Garcia later issued an apology.

"I want to send an unreserved apology. I did not want to offend anyone," he said Wednesday, according to The Associated Press. "My answer was totally stupid and out of place."

Spurs escape in OT after blowing big lead

Wed, 22 May 2013 14:59:53 GMT

No lead can be too big in the NBA playoffs.

The San Antonio Spurs found that out Tuesday, but they received enough from Tony Parker and Tim Duncan to record a hard-fought win.

Parker notched 15 points and a playoff-career-high 18 assists to lead the Spurs to a 93-89 overtime win against the Memphis Grizzlies in Game 2 of the Western Conference finals Tuesday night.

The Spurs, who led by 18 points in the second half, emerged with a 2-0 lead in the series. Game 3 will be Saturday in Memphis.

"They just made a run," Parker said of the Grizzlies' fourth-quarter comeback. "It's hard to keep a lead against a very good team. It's the NBA. It's the Western Conference finals. Stuff like that is going to happen."

San Antonio led 83-70 with less than eight minutes remaining before Memphis went on a 15-2 run to pull even.

The margin was down to 85-81 before a Grizzlies steal forced Manu Ginobili into a flagrant foul 1 on Tony Allen with 26.1 left in regulation.

Allen made both free throws, and Mike Conley tied the game at 85 with a right-handed floater from seven feet with 18.2 seconds left.

Tim Duncan's turnaround jumper bounced off the rim at the buzzer, sending the game to overtime.

Duncan scored the Spurs' first six points in overtime, giving San Antonio a 91-87 lead with 1:07 remaining.

"Obviously, (Duncan) took over for us in that overtime scoring-wise, did a great job," said Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, who is now 2-1 in overtime playoff games. "Just took it upon himself to be aggressive, and it helped us win."

The Spurs appeared ready to put the Grizzlies away until Jerryd Bayless' jumper pulled Memphis within 91-89 with 16.9 seconds to go in OT.

Parker and Cory Joseph each hit one of two free throws down the stretch to give the Spurs the win.

San Antonio had all five starters score in double figures, with Duncan contributing 17 points, Tiago Splitter scoring 14, Kawhi Leonard 12 and Danny Green 11. The Spurs shot 43.4 percent from the field.

Conley and Bayless each had 18 to lead the Grizzlies. Zach Randolph had 15 points and 18 rebounds, rebounding from a two-point performance in Game 1. He shot 3-for-8 from the free throw line. Marc Gasol added 12 points and 14 rebounds.

Memphis made just 34 percent of its shots from the floor.

"Well, I can be comfortable with the team," Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins said. "We lost, we're down 0-2, but we played like us again. We just have to find a way to score earlier so they don't get out on us as far as they did and we have to battle back."

Early on, San Antonio again forced its game plan on the Grizzlies with precision ball movement and 3-point shooting in a first-half assault on the NBA's best defense.

The Spurs handed out an efficient 16 first-half assists on 18 field goals, with Parker getting eight of them.

The Spurs started off hot, hitting four 3-pointers in the second quarter to jump-start a 15-3 run that ended with Duncan hitting two free throws with 16.5 seconds left in the half. San Antonio led 46-31 at the break.

San Antonio's defense stepped up and held the Grizzlies to one point, a free throw in the final second by Bayless, in the last 4:44 of the half.

Memphis shot 26 percent in the first half, leaving the Grizzlies grasping for answers.

"We were breaking down too easily," Gasol said on his team's first-half play. "But it's a great team. We've got to give them credit. They do what they do, and they're good for a reason. But we've got to take some stuff away in order to be able to beat them."

Memphis outrebounded San Antonio 60-46, but the Spurs blocked 12 shots to the Grizzlies' six.

NOTES: Popovich is third all time in career playoffs wins with 128. He trails only Phil Jackson (229) and Pat Riley (171). ... Duncan, the all-time leader in postseason blocks, notched the 500th playoff block of his career Tuesday. He finished with four blocks on the night. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is second with 476 postseason blocks. ... A moment of silence was observed before the game to honor the victims of the tornado that hit Oklahoma on Monday.

Cavs win top pick in NBA Draft

Wed, 22 May 2013 14:57:10 GMT

For the second time in three years, the Cleveland Cavaliers will have the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft.

"It's huge for us," Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert said after Cleveland won the draft lottery Tuesday. "This is our third year in a row in the lottery. Hopefully, it's our last for a long, long time."

The Cavaliers chose LeBron James No. 1 overall in 2003 and took Kyrie Irving No. 1 overall in 2011.

The 2013 draft is scheduled for June 27 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.

The Orlando Magic, who had the best chance to receive the No. 1 pick at 25 percent in the lottery draw, will choose second. The Washington Wizards got the No. 3 pick despite having just a 3.5 percent shot at the No. 1 overall pick.

Cleveland, still reeling from James' decision to head to Miami, now has had some good luck. The Cavaliers had a 15.6 percent chance of getting the top pick.

"Two out of three years -- we'll take it," Gilbert said. "For us, it's about the city of Cleveland, giving them more hope as we build the franchise and try to get to the level we all want it to go to."

The lottery included the NBA's 14 non-playoff teams with chances for the top picks weighted based on regular-season records. Orlando posted a 20-62 record and was guaranteed a top-four pick.

The top overall prospect is arguably Nerlens Noel, the Kentucky freshman recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament with a projected return date around Christmas. Noel injured his left knee Feb. 21, and his defined NBA skill -- defense -- isn't going to create a queue of trade suitors. However, he's just 19 years old, and at 6-foot-10, he brings obvious potential because of his athleticism and length. Best-case scenario: Noel is an instant protector of the rim with his penchant for blocked shots and rebounds and eventually develops a modest offensive game.

"I feel I should be the top pick because I'm a great teammate, I really care about where I'm going to play and I'm going to give all my heart and 100 percent effort to get my team back to the promised land, which is where we all want to be," he said before the lottery.

A shooting guard hasn't been selected first since the 1975 NBA Draft, but David Thompson could be joined by Kansas freshman Ben McLemore, whom some NBA executives describe as a "safe" choice. But McLemore, 6-5, 200 pounds, with enough range to adjust quickly to the NBA game, didn't stand out in a positive way at last week's draft combine in Chicago.

"Just coming from nowhere, coming from nothing, just being able to have the opportunity get a No. 1 spot is just a blessing," McLemore said. "I'm going to work for it the same way as (Noel). He's going to work for it, and I'm going to work for it. It definitely is neck-and-neck."

Other potential top picks include Michigan sophomore point guard Trey Burke and UCLA freshman small forward Shabazz Muhammad.

Trout hits for cycle as Angels rout Mariners

Wed, 22 May 2013 14:55:23 GMT

He had never done it before. Not high school, little league, not even T-ball.

Maybe that's why Mike Trout was so excited hitting for the cycle in leading the Los Angeles Angels to a 12-0 victory over the Seattle Mariners Tuesday night at Angel Stadium.

At 21 years of age, Trout became the youngest player ever to hit for the cycle in an American League game, and he is the sixth player in Angels history to do it.

Trout had an infield single in the third inning, an RBI triple in the fourth and a three-run double in the sixth before coming to the plate in the bottom of the eighth with one out. The pitch from Mariners reliever Lucas Luetge appeared below the knees, but Trout golfed it over the fence in center field for his ninth homer of the year.

"It's just a feeling I can't explain," Trout said of hitting for the cycle. "I didn't really think about it until the eighth inning, and when I got on deck, I started feeling it a little bit. I wasn't going to go up and swing first pitch and swing as hard as I could. I just stayed with my approach, got a good 2-0 count, the ball was down but I like the ball down, and just hit it out.

"It's just a dream come true. To stand here after a night like this, it's definitely up there at the top of my list, personally. Hopefully there's some more to come."

It was the first time an Angels player hit for the cycle since Chone Figgins accomplished the feat in 2006. Trout finished with five RBIs on the night.

The Angels pounded out 15 hits, including three home runs, four doubles and two triples. Josh Hamilton had a home run and triple, Albert Pujols had two hits and two RBIs, Erick Aybar had two doubles, and Howie Kendrick hit a two-run homer.

It was more than enough support for Jerome Williams (3-1), who shut out the Mariners on six hits for eight innings to get the win. He struck out six and walked two.

"I wanted to have quick innings so the guys could keep on hitting," Williams said.

Mariners starter Aaron Harang (1-5) was pounded early and often. He gave up seven runs and nine hits in 3 2/3 innings, and it included a horrific fourth inning, when he surrendered two doubles, two triples and a home run and was knocked out of the game.

The victory was the Angels' third in a row, matching their longest winning streak of the season, accomplished twice previously. For the Mariners, the loss was their season-worst fifth in a row.

The Angels scored three times in the first inning, two coming on Hamilton's sixth homer of the year. Hamilton led off the fourth with a triple, leading to a four-run inning.

"After the first two at-bats, I thought Josh was going to have a chance at (the cycle) because you get the two toughest ones out of the way," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "Mike, just seeing his talent, you have to continue to shake yourself and say this kid's 21 years old. He just has so many ways he can help you win a game. He stole a base tonight, looked good in the outfield, and obviously in the batter's box he had an incredible night. If I'm a betting man, I've got to believe there's another cycle in his career somewhere."

NOTES: Angels RHP Jered Weaver, recovering from a broken bone in his left (non-throwing) elbow, will throw about 80 pitches to live hitters at extended spring training Wednesday in Arizona. Manager Mike Scioscia said that if all goes well, it might be Weaver's last rehab outing. If so, Weaver would be on schedule to pitch Monday against the Los Angeles Dodgers. ... Angels LHP Sean Burnett (forearm strain) was activated from the disabled list before the game. Burnett had been the Angels' most effective reliever before his injury, compiling a 1.04 ERA in 11 games (8 2/3 innings). To make room on the roster for Burnett, the Angels optioned RHP Ryan Brasier to Triple-A Salt Lake. ... Mariners 3B Kyle Seager was the only American League player with a minimum of 90 plate appearances who had not grounded into a double play this season going into Tuesday's game. However, in his second at-bat Tuesday, he grounded into a 6-4-3 double play. ... Mariners 1B Justin Smoak, who walked in the second inning, has reached base safely in 15 consecutive starts dating back to April 29. During that stretch, he raised his on-base percentage from .311 to .363.

Hot start proves enough as Sharks even series

Wed, 22 May 2013 14:36:48 GMT

Dominant through two periods, the San Jose Sharks held on for dear life in the third to beat the Los Angeles Kings 2-1 Tuesday and even their Western Conference semifinal series at two wins apiece.

Los Angeles outshot San Jose 14-2 in the final 20 minutes but could not rally from a 2-0 deficit. Game 5 of the best-of-seven series is Thursday in Los Angeles.

"They had a couple power plays, and we were on our heels a bit in the third," San Jose's T.J. Galiardi said. "But Nemo (goalie Antti Niemi) shut the door for us."

Mike Richards jammed home a power-play goal at 9:46 of the third period to cut Los Angeles' deficit to one. The Kings enjoyed a long cycle in the San Jose end and finally solved Niemi after Brent Burns boarded Anze Kopitar at 8:14.

Niemi turned back the Kings' final seven shots to close out San Jose's fourth straight playoff win on home ice in as many tries. He wound up with 22 saves while posting his second consecutive 2-1 victory.

"We feel great at home, and we feel confident in our group," Burns said. "Obviously it's a lot better to be 2-2 than 3-1, so it was a big game."

The ice that was tilted in San Jose's favor for one period carried over to the second session. The Sharks scored the only goal in the second -- Logan Couture's power-play tally made it a 2-0 game at 3:55 -- and San Jose tightened up defensively late in the period when the Kings finally made their first push of the game.

"There comes a point where you have to look at things and see what we can do, look at what we did in the second period," Richards said. "We have had success whether it's being aggressive down the wall or being a little more patient."

Kings forward Colin Fraser roughed San Jose's Andrew Desjardins in the L.A. end at 3:14 of the middle period, and it took the hosts just 41 seconds to convert after two failed opening-period 5-on-4s.

Couture scored his fifth goal of the playoff season by redirecting Dan Boyle's point drive past Kings goalie Jonathan Quick. It appeared Boyle's blast might have hit the stick of Kopitar as well.

Los Angeles was held without a shot on two late-period power plays. However, the Sharks dodged a bullet early in the second short-handed situation when Kings defenseman Jake Muzzin lifted a puck in front over an open cage.

The visitors also had an apparent goal waived off at 6:06 of the second when the referee lost sight of a puck that trickled through Niemi and was pushed over the line by Los Angeles forward Dustin Penner.

"I'm sure it's in the rulebook," Kings coach Darryl Sutter said. "When the whistle blows, what are they (refs) going to come and tell us? Are they going to come and say they lost the puck and they blew the whistle?

The Sharks scored the only goal of a first period they completely dominated.

San Jose outshot the Kings 15-3 in the period, had two power plays and scored at even strength. The Sharks won 17 of the period's 22 draws (15 of 17 at even strength) and had another 14 drives toward the Los Angeles net blocked.

Joe Thornton's line caused trouble for Kings defensemen Drew Doughty and Robyn Regehr the entire period, and it was the San Jose captain's line that struck 5-on-5 when Thornton hooked up with Burns.

"They were very good early, established a relentless forecheck and used their size to their advantage," Sharks coach Todd McLellan said of Thornton's line. "The momentum they created ran throughout the rest of the lines and everyone jumped on board."

Richards blocked a Burns attempt off a Thornton feed, but the puck bounced back to the San Jose center, who found Burns alone to the right of Quick. Burns' one-timer beat Quick high at 6:09 on the host's fifth shot of the game.

"It's a passer's dream to have a guy that size," Thornton said of Burns. "Instead of a three-foot range, it's like a 10-foot range to get him the puck. It's easy playing with him."

Justin Williams put the Kings' third shot on goal at 10:02, but Los Angeles didn't force a save from Niemi the rest of the period.

San Jose put a combined four shots on goal on consecutive power plays -- Fraser for hooking Patrick Marleau at 13:19 and Doughty for slashing Marc-Edouard Vlasic at 15:26.

Tommy Wingels rang a drive off the crossbar with eight seconds left in the

second minor.

"I think we battled back and made it close, but you don't get much for making it close," Sutter said.

NOTES: After much conjecture what line juggling might occur in the two idle days between Games 3 and 4, it turns out the Sharks and Kings made only one change each up front. San Jose promoted James Sheppard to play alongside Scott Gomez and Tommy Wingels on a third line that lost LW Martin Havlat to a recurring injury after just one period of Game 3. Tim Kennedy slid into Sheppard's former left wing spot on the fourth line next to Andrew Desjardins and Bracken Kearns. ... The Kings inserted rugged Kyle Clifford on to a fourth line that included Brad Richardson and Colin Fraser, as Tanner Pearson took a seat in the press box. Los Angeles made a change on defense, dressing Matt Greene in place of Keaton Ellerby. ... Injured Sharks D Jason Demers (ankle) and RW Adam Burish (hand) skated with the team, and they could see action before the series ends.

Bruins open commanding 3-0 lead

Wed, 22 May 2013 14:33:32 GMT

One of the universal truths in the Stanley Cup playoffs is that the teams that receive secondary scoring are usually the ones that win games and series.

It is a axiom that the Boston Bruins and New York Rangers are experiencing firsthand with drastically different results.

Daniel Paille's goal with 3:31 left in regulation was the winner in the Bruins' 2-1 victory over the Rangers in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series on Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden.

The Bruins lead 3-0 in the best-of-seven series. Game 4 is Thursday night in New York.

"Every game is a tough game," Zdeno Chara said. "So we enjoy this win tonight and then get up and get ready for the next one."

Paille shoved a rebound of a Shawn Thornton popup past Henrik Lundqvist at 16:29 of the third period for the winner. Lundqvist made the initial save on Thornton's shot but lost track of the rebound and Michael Del Zotto was unable to pick up Paille cruising behind the net.

Boston has received major contributions from its fourth line of Gregory Campbell, Paille and Thornton in the series. The trio has two goals and four assists.

"They were working hard," Bruins coach Claude Julien said. " They've scored some big goals for us in the playoffs.

"We have confidence in that line."

Paille's goal was Boston's second of the period. Johnny Boychuk tied the score at 1 with a slap shot which eluded Lundqvist. Boychuk gathered a Paille pass at the blue line and ripped a rocket that the New York netminder did not see.

Boychuk has goals in consecutive games,and has scored four in the playoffs.

"They are a good team at an important time of the year," New York captain Ryan Callahan said. "We knew they were going to push. I thought we had a pretty good third period, but we gave up (the tying and winnings goals) and we don't get one."

The two goals were Lundqvist's lone mistakes, as he stopped 33 of 35 shots.

Taylor Pyatt scored the only goal for the Rangers at 3:53 of the second period. Pyatt's second goal of the playoffs opened the scoring in Game 3. While tying up Dougie Hamilton and Chara in front of Rask, Pyatt tipped Ryan McDonagh's point shot.

"Well, we were down, but we weren't playing that poorly," Chara said. "So we needed to stay aggressive, try to tie the game, and we just wanted to get pucks to the net. We did that and we were rewarded."

But the Rangers were unable to expand their lead because of an inefficient power play (0 of 2 in the game and 2 of 38 in the playoffs) and Boston's defensive structure. New York was not able to get in front of Tuukka Rask, who had a relatively easy night for the third game in a row. Rask made 23 saves.

"At times, we struggled to get through and when we got through we just didn't sustain our forecheck," John Tortorella said. "A team that is rolling their lines like they are, we need to have some time in their end zone. As the game went on, we were there less and less So it pops up on you.

"It's pretty much a Catch-22. They kept on rolling and their fourth line scores a couple goals."

NOTES: The Rangers-Bruins series was expected to be a war of attrition. Instead, one of the themes in the first two games was Boston's ability to use its speed effectively against the not-as-fleet-afoot Rangers. "Our transition game has been much better," Julien said. "Against the Rangers, you know you have to have a good transition game. You have less time to spend in your own end and I think our guys have understood that from the back end and the forwards. Our transition game has been better, no doubt, this round compared to the first (against the Toronto Maple Leafs)." ... Count Tortorella among Brad Richards' strongest backers. "He has made plays," Tortorella said when asked if he was surprised that Richards only has one point in nine playoff games. "He has made some plays along the way." ... After the Rangers' loss, home teams fell to 40-19 in the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs. "I think today's game, it's a lot different from back in the (1970's) where there was really a distinct advantage playing at home," Tortorella said. "I don't think there is but there must be. The records show it." ...The Original Six rivals have met nine previous times in the Stanley Cup playoffs. Even though the Bruins have won six of the nine series, Boston has never swept New York in a best-of-seven playoff series. ...The Bruins did not have a power play in the game. New York's only penalty was Derek Dorsett's rough of Brad Marchand at 7:42 of the first period, but that was offset by the Boston forward's matching penalty for a cross-check on the New York right winger.

3 Indy 500 teams penalized for infractions

Wed, 22 May 2013 14:27:32 GMT

Three teams entered in the Indianapolis 500 were penalized by IndyCar following qualification technical inspections.

Ryan Briscoe's car was fined $5,000 for an improper height with the mainplane trailing edge, Graham Rahal's entry was fined $10,000 for not complying with a rule regarding cooling forms outside of the assigned garage and Michel Jourdain Jr.'s entry was fined $1,000 for a bodywork infraction involving underwing parts.

All three entries are able to contest the penalties if they desire.