(Undated) — Here is the latest sports news: NFL makes rules changes. Durant set to return. Heat quiet LeBron James. Vlad Junior puts in show in Montreal. Pitt and Louisville bring on new coaches.
>>NFL Expands Helmet Contact Rule, Approves Simplified Catch Rule
(Orlando, FL) — The NFL is expanding its rules for helmet-to-helmet contact. League owners passed the measure yesterday at the NFL owners meetings in Orlando. Players who lower their head to initiate contact with the crown of their helmet on any play will be flagged 15 yards and be subject to possible ejection. Teams also approved the simplified catch rule, eliminating the “going to the ground” provision.
>>Durant Says He’s Coming Back Tomorrow
(Oakland, CA) — Kevin Durant is tired of watching his teammates play without him. Golden State head coach Steve Kerr said he thinks Durant will play tomorrow night against the Bucks. Durant himself told ESPN he’s going to play right before sitting out his sixth straight game last night. The Warriors have lost six of their last nine games.
>>Heat Pummel Cavs
(Miami, FL) — The Heat defense led the way in a 98-79 win over the Cavaliers in South Beach. Miami held Cleveland’s potent offense to 36.5-percent shooting, including a 7-of-18 effort with six turnovers from former Heat star LeBron James. The Cavs are currently third in the Eastern Conference, but just a half-game ahead of the 76ers and Pacers.
>>Vlad Junior Hits Walk Off In Montreal
(Montreal, Quebec) — An MLB exhibition game finished with a dramatic ending. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit a walk-off home run in the Blue Jays’ 1-0 win over the Cardinals in Montreal. The blast came where Guerrero Junior’s dad, Vladimir, spent a good chunk his career. Guerrero Sr. hit 234 homers in eight seasons with the Expos. Junior is only 19 years old and is considered one of baseball’s top prospects.
>>Pitt And Louisville Find New Coaches
(Undated) — The college basketball coaching carousel is starting to spin. Pitt has hired Duke assistant Jeff Capel to take over its struggling program. According to ESPN, Louisville has hired Chris Mack away from Xavier. Mack is replacing interim coach David Padgett, who stepped in after Rick Pitino was fired following a FBI investigation into fraud and corruption in college basketball.
>>TUESDAY’S SCOREBOARD
NBA
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Washington Wizards 116, San Antonio Spurs 106
Toronto Raptors 114, Denver Nuggets 110
Miami Heat 98, Cleveland Cavaliers 79
Houston Rockets 118, Chicago Bulls 86
Portland Trail Blazers 107, New Orleans Pelicans 103
Dallas Mavericks 103, Sacramento Kings 97
LA Clippers 105, Milwaukee Bucks 98
Indiana Pacers 92, Golden State Warriors 81
NHL
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New Jersey Devils 4, Carolina Hurricanes 3
Detroit Red Wings 5, Pittsburgh Penguins 2
New York Islanders 4, Ottawa Senators 3
Winnipeg Jets 5, Boston Bruins 4 (SO)
Nashville Predators 2, Minnesota Wild 1 (SO)
St. Louis Blues 3, San Jose Sharks 2 (OT)
Dallas Stars 3, Philadelphia Flyers 2 (OT)
Columbus Blue Jackets 7, Edmonton Oilers 3
Vancouver Canucks 4, Anaheim Ducks 1
MLB Grapefruit League
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Pittsburgh Pirates 5, Philadelphia Phillies 5
MLB Cactus League
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Seattle Mariners 5, Colorado Rockies 3
MLB Exhibition
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Detroit Tigers 2, Tampa Bay Rays 1
Houston Astros 8, Milwaukee Brewers 1
Boston Red Sox 4, Chicago Cubs 2
Cincinnati Reds vs. Texas Rangers (Cancelled)
Miami Marlins 22, Miami Florida Hurricanes 2 (F/7)
Cleveland Indians 3, Arizona Diamondbacks 3
Minnesota Twins 3, Washington Nationals 1
Toronto Blue Jays 1, St. Louis Cardinals 0
Atlanta Braves 5, Braves Future Stars 4
San Francisco Giants 3, Oakland Athletics 0
Los Angeles Dodgers 4, Los Angeles Angels (F/5)
Men’s College Basketball (NIT Semifinals at New York, NY)
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#2 Utah Runnin Utes 69, #4 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers 64
#4 Penn State Nittany Lions 75, #4 Mississippi State Bulldogs 60
>>WEDNESDAY’S SCHEDULE (All times are Eastern)
NBA
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7:00 p.m. – Cleveland Cavaliers at Charlotte Hornets
7:00 p.m. – New York Knicks at Philadelphia 76ers
7:00 p.m. – Brooklyn Nets at Orlando Magic
8:00 p.m. – Portland Trail Blazers at Memphis Grizzlies
8:00 p.m. – Atlanta Hawks at Minnesota Timberwolves
9:30 p.m. – Boston Celtics at Utah Jazz
10:00 p.m. – LA Clippers at Phoenix Suns
10:30 p.m. – Dallas Mavericks at Los Angeles Lakers
NHL
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7:30 p.m. – Florida Panthers at Toronto Maple Leafs
8:00 p.m. – New York Rangers at Washington Capitals
10:00 p.m. – Philadelphia Flyers at Colorado Avalanche
10:00 p.m. – Arizona Coyotes at Vegas Golden Knights
MLB
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No Games Scheduled
