NBA – National Basketball Association
Yesterday
Phoenix Suns 135, Detroit Pistons 108
Suns 135, Pistons 108 – Booker, McGee help Suns rout Pistons in Michigan homecoming
Devin Booker scored 30 points and JaVale McGee added 20 in their Michigan homecomings to help the NBA-leading Phoenix Suns rout the Detroit Pistons 135-108 on Sunday. Booker grew up in Grand Rapids, and McGee is from Flint. Booker made 11 of his first 14 shots. McGee was 9 for 10, taking over after Suns starting center DeAndre Ayton left in the first quarter because of a sprained ankle. Cameron Payne also had 20 points for Phoenix. The Suns have won the first three games on their four-game trip and six of seven to improve to 33-9. The are an NBA-best 16-4 on the road. Pistons rookie Cade Cunningham had 21 points before being ejected in the third quarter.
Today
Chicago Bulls at Memphis Grizzlies, 3:30 p.m.
Indiana Pacers at Los Angeles Clippers, 3:30 p.m.
NBA – East-leading Bulls opening eyes, next up: suprising Memphis
The Chicago Bulls have been a one of the surprise teams in the NBA this season despite a recent rut. The Bulls own the best record in the Eastern Conference with DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine leading the way. They’re establishing themselves as a serious threat for the first time since Derrick Rose elicited “MVP! MVP!” chants from his thrilled hometown fans. DeRozan is now hearing those same chants. With the Bears siting out the NFL postseason and the Blackhawks struggling, the Bulls are in line for their first playoff appearance since the 2016-17 season. Chicago is looking to break a three-game losing streak Monday when it visits the surprising Memphis Grizzlies.
NFL – National Football League – Super Wild Card Weekend
Saturday
Cincinnati 26, Las Vegas 19
Buffalo 47, New England 17
Yesterday
Tampa Bay 31, Philadelphia 15
San Francisco 23, Dallas 17
Kansas City 42, Pittsburgh 21
Buccaneers 31, Eagles 15 – Brady throws for 2 TDs, SB champions dominate Eagles 31-15
Tom Brady threw for 271 yards and two touchdowns, helping the Tampa Bay Buccaneers launch their bid for a return to the Super Bowl with a dominating 31-15 NFC wild-card playoff victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. The defending champions set the tempo from the start, with Brady leading a pair of long TD drives in the opening quarter and building the lead to 17-0 by halftime. The seven-time Super Bowl winner finished off the Eagles with TD passes of 2 yards to Rob Gronkowski and 36 yards to Mike Evans, improving his dazzling playoff record to 35-11 in a record 46 postseason starts.
49ers 23, Cowboys 17 – 49ers hang on over Cowboys 23-17 in chaotic wild-card finish
Versatile receiver Deebo Samuel ran 26 yards for a touchdown the play after an interception by Dak Prescott and the San Francisco 49ers held on for a 23-17 wild-card victory over the Dallas Cowboys. The 49ers overcame an interception by Jimmy Garoppolo when they led by 13 in the fourth quarter. The Cowboys had a final chance with 32 seconds remaining and were at the San Francisco 41 with 14 seconds to go when Prescott took off up the middle intending to slide and spike the ball for a final play. But Dallas didn’t get the snap off from the 24 until after the clock hit 0:00.
Chiefs 42, Steelers 21 – Mahomes leads Chiefs to 42-21 wild-card romp over Steelers
Patrick Mahomes threw for 404 yards and five touchdowns, Travis Kelce caught a TD pass and threw another one, and the Chiefs sent Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger into his expected retirement with a 42-21 win in the wild-card round of the playoffs Sunday night. Byron Pringle caught touchdown passes from both Mahomes and Kelce, and Jerick McKinnon and Tyreek Hill also reeled in scoring catches for the Chiefs. Their pursuit of a third straight AFC title now includes a date with the Bills next week. The 39-year-old Roethlisberger finished with two TD passes in his likely finale.
Tonight
Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Rams, 8:15 p.m.
NHL – National Hockey League
Today
Detroit Red Wings at Buffalo Sabres, 1:00 p.m.
Chicago Blackhawks at Seattle Kraken, 5:00 p.m.
NCAAMBKB – Men’s College Basketball
Today
Notre Dame at Howard, 2:30 p.m.
NCAAWBKB – Women’s College Basketball
Last Night
(20) Notre Dame 70, (21) North Carolina 65
Michigan State 65, Northwestern 46
(11) Michigan 69, (8) Maryland 49
(20) Notre Dame 70, (21) North Carolina 65 – Mabrey scores 24, No. 20 Irish women top No. 21 Tar Heels
Dara Mabrey hit a season-high six 3-pointers and scored 24 points in her 100th career start and No. 20 Notre Dame held off No. 21 North Carolina 70-65. Mabrey also made a pair of free throws with 39 seconds left to make it a three-possession game after the Tar Heels had cut a 10-point deficit to five with 43 seconds to play. Deja Kelly had a pair of four-point plays and scored 22 points for the Tar Heels. North Carolina was without Eva Hodgson, an 11-point scorer, because of COVID-19 protocols.
(11) Michigan 69, (8) Maryland 49 – No. 11 Michigan shuts down No. 8 Maryland in 69-49 rout
Maddie Nolan scored 21 points — all on 3-pointers — and No. 11 Michigan routed No. 8 Maryland 69-49. Maryland coach Brenda Frese guided the team after her father, Bill, died of cancer Sunday morning. The Wolverines made their first seven shots from the field and led by 10 after the first quarter. Michigan star Naz Hillmon barely touched the ball as her team was building that lead. Michigan held the Terrapins to only three points in the second quarter and led 34-19 at the break. Maryland lost to the Wolverines for only the second time in 12 meetings.
Tennis – With Djokovic gone, Osaka starts her Australian Open defense
The Australian Open has started without nine-time champion Novak Djokovic. Finally, the focus is on the tennis. Naomi Osaka opened her title defense with a win in straight sets over Camila Osorio in the second match on Rod Laver Arena. Fifth-seeded Maria Sakkari started the program on the tournament’s main court with a straight-sets win over Tatjana Maria. Rafael Nadal, the only past champion in the men’s bracket after Djokovic’s late withdrawal, was set to renew his bid for a men’s record 21st major singles title with a first-round match against Marcos Giron. Djokovic was heading home after a losing a legal battle Sunday to have his visa reinstated despite not being vaccinated for COVID-19.
MHSAA – High School Sports
Saturday
Boys Basketball
East Lansing 50, Lakeshore 43
Benton Harbor 76, Westland John Glenn 35
Kalamazoo Central 69, Hamtramck 60
Edwardsburg 66, Wyoming Lee 47
Gull Lake 65, Kalamazoo Loy Norrix 46
Girls Basketball
Non-Conference
Brandywine 86, Cassopolis 38
Tonight
Boys Basketball
Kalamazoo Central at Kalamazoo Loy Norrix, 4:15 p.m.
Battle Creek Central at Wayne Memorial, 5:00 p.m.
Girls Basketball
Three Rivers at St. Joseph, 7:00 p.m.
Lake Michigan Catholic at River Valley, 7:30 p.m.
Bangor at Lawrence, 7:00 p.m.
Vicksburg at Plainwell, 7:15 p.m.
Parchment at Saugatuck, 7:00 p.m.
Wrestling
Lakeshore at Gull Lake, 5:00 p.m.
