PAGE 8C - FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 2012 Sports DAILY NEWS, BOWLING GREEN, KENTUCKY WOMEN’S BASKETBALL NBA Miami gains on By The Associated Press one of Milwaukee’s top scorers, MIAMI — The earliest finished with 12 points on 5-for- Miami and Chicago could meet 14 shooting. Milwaukee lost its again is Game 1 of the Eastern third straight and is running out Conference finals. of time to catch Philadelphia for Good thing. The tempers the No. 8 spot in the Eastern could use a little time to cool Conference standings. down. And after a game filled with shoves and takedowns, the Hornets 105, Rockets 99, OT race for the No. 1 seed in the NEW ORLEANS — Eric East is still going strong. Gordon scored 27 points and LeBron James had 27 points Carl Landry had 20 points and and 11 rebounds, Dwyane Wade 10 rebounds as New Orleans Saul Young/AP scored 18 points and Miami dealt a blow to Houston’s play- Former Tennessee head coach Pat Summitt and her son, Tyler off hopes by handing the Rock- Summitt, high-five Thursday during a news conference in Knoxville, tightened up the race in the East Tenn. Summitt, the sport’s winningest coach, stepped aside Thurs- by beating the Bulls 83-72 on ets their sixth straight loss. day, taking the title of head coach emeritus. Thursday night in a scuffle-filled Goran Dragic scored 23 win that pulled the Heat within points and Chase Budinger tied a 1 1 ⁄2 games of Chicago in the con- season-high with 22 points for ference standings. Houston (32-31), which dropped “This is what the postseason one game behind Utah (33-30) Summitt had is all about,” James said. “Both for the final playoff spot in the teams struggling to score offen- Western Conference with three sively, and defensively, two very games left. good defensive teams. It’s a pos- Al-Farouq Aminu scored 17 session game. That’s what hap- points, Marco Belinelli had 13 a ‘great ride’ pens in the postseason. The points, and Gustavo Ayon had game slows down. Not many nine points and 10 rebounds for By TERESA M. WALKER “I made a choice early in my fast-break points. You’ve got to New Orleans, which went ahead The Associated Press career to challenge myself to step work for every attempt, work for for good in the overtime with a KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Pat up my game each and every day,” every shot.” 9-0 run. Summitt was relaxed, smiling and Summitt said. “You can be sure I Mario Chalmers scored 16 The Hornets have won seven even cracking jokes Ð looking and will take this same attitude into points and Udonis Haslem of their last 10 games. sounding totally at peace knowing my new role as head coach emer- grabbed 10 rebounds for Miami, Gordon missed a step-back she will never coach her beloved itus and continue to teach our which held the Bulls to a season- Wilfredo Lee/AP jumper in the final seconds of Tennessee Lady Vols again. players the same commitment. I low point total. The Bulls had Miami Heat forward LeBron James (left) goes up for a shot Thursday regulation. The Hall of Fame coach who can promise you ladies I’m here against Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah during the first half in been 23-0 this season when Miami. just eight months ago revealed for you. Trust me that that will holding teams to 86 points or Timberwolves 91, Pistons 80 she had been diagnosed with happen.” less. Ð the rest of the way. only two after the first quarter Ð AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — early-onset dementia, She capped her opening John Lucas scored 16 points Chicago (47-16) has games in just the third loss in 16 games Nikola Pekovic scored 23 points Alzheimer’s type, has turned the remarks by calling Warlick, her for Chicago, which was again with Dallas, Indiana and Cleve- for the Clippers. and Minnesota ended an 11- program over to longtime assis- former player and assistant the without reigning MVP Derrick game losing streak. tant Holly Warlick. land left, while Miami (45-17) Jared Dudley scored 18 points past 27 years, over and handing Rose because of injuries. Joakim still has matchups with Wash- and Channing Frye had 16 for The Timberwolves never “It was really a great ride for over her whistle. Summitt said it Noah had 15 points and 10 trailed and took a 49-31 halftime me,” Summitt said Thursday, ington (twice), Houston and the Suns, who moved into a tie was time, as she hugged Warlick rebounds, Luol Deng added 11 Boston. with Utah for the eighth and lead after shooting 57 percent speaking on the Tennessee bas- with the crowd giving them a (21 of 37) from the field. An 8-0 ketball court named after her points and Carlos Boozer had 10 Miami won despite playing final playoff spot in the Western standing ovation. for the Bulls, who split four without Chris Bosh, sidelined Conference. run pushed the lead to over 20 before a crowd of about 200 fans, points midway through the third faculty and friends. “I know this works because games with Miami this season for the second straight night to I’ve heard it a lot of times,” War- and could have clinched the top rest minor bumps and bruises. Pacers 118, Bucks 109 quarter. “I just felt like it was time for me Tayshaun Prince had 18 to step down knowing that Holly lick said, referring to the whistle. spot in the East with a win on “This season’s been a long, INDIANAPOLIS — Danny Warlick isn’t the only coach on Thursday. short year,” Wade said. “But this Granger scored 29 points to help points to lead to lead Detroit, was going to be in great hands,” which lost for the second time in Summitt said. “She’s a great coach the move. Tyler Summitt, Pat’s “We wanted it bad, but they is the time of the year we all love Indiana clinch homecourt and you know I’m going to contin- son, will be an assistant women’s wanted it more,” Noah said. and enjoy.” advantage in the first round of as many nights. ue to support her. You know it’s coach at Marquette. “That can’t happen.” the playoffs. Anthony Randolph added 15 never a good time, but you have to “This was her decision, and I The teams combined for four Suns 93, Clippers 90 George Hill had 22 points and points and 10 rebounds for Min- find the time that you think is the think that she took time after the individual technical fouls, two PHOENIX — Steve Nash hit eight assists and David West nesota, while Michael Beasley right time and that is now.” season, thought about everything flagrant fouls and Miami reserve a crucial driving layup, then added 21 points, 14 rebounds and J.J. Barea had 13 points She will become Tennessee’s and the thing my mom’s always James Jones was ejected. made two free throws for the and seven assists for the Pacers, each. Barea had 12 assists and new “head coach emeritus” with taught me is to put the team But above all else, Miami deciding points and Phoenix bol- who won their seventh straight six rebounds. the school paying her the $1 mil- before yourself,” Tyler Summitt decided this one with defense. stered its playoff hopes. and 11th of 12. The Pacers have Pekovic made 5 of his first six lion bonus she had been due once said. “She really felt like this was The Bulls went up 21-20 on a There were 24 lead changes in scored at least 100 points in 12 shots to start the game and had she coached her 40th season. the best thing for the Lady Vol layup by Deng with 3:36 left in the Suns’ 10th straight win over of their last 13 games. 13 points in the first half to pace There were season-long ques- program. She’s still going to be in the first quarter, making them 10 the Clippers in Phoenix. Brandon Jennings scored 27 the Wolves, who hadn’t won tions about Summitt’s health, but a mentoring role.” of 14 from the field at that point. Chris Paul scored 19 points points and Mike Dunleavy added since March 28 at Charlotte. He the mood at the press conference Tennessee football coach They shot 15 for 56 Ð 27 percent and Blake Griffin added 16 Ð 23 for the Bucks. Monta Ellis, finished with nine rebounds. was upbeat. Summitt, who turns Derek Dooley, men’s basketball 60 in June, joked how coming to coach Cuonzo Martin along with work every day in her new role members of the Lady Vols bas- and staying around students may ketball team were among those in help keep her young. the crowd. “I’m getting ready to turn the Summitt tried to show people Clock expiring on short NBA schedule big one ... yeah 30,” Summitt during the season that it was pos- authentic a season as possible, All-Stars in the previous two wouldn’t be interested in con- said, after which someone from sible to function even in the face the crowd chimed in. “Hardly!” Stern announces sufficient number of games for years, down from 43 last season. tributing to that. of dementia and Alzheimer’s. She competitive reasons.” Stern said it was “unfortunate Summitt won more games than had the blessing of Tennessee exhibition games “I think it’s turned out OK,” anyone else in NCAA college Chancellor Jimmy Cheek to keep The normal 82-game season Silver said, “but again, we prefer to not be able to deliver on what basketball during her 38 years at coaching. wasn’t possible when owners and the 82-game season to the 66- was a very promising situation,” Tennessee. She delegated duties to War- at European sites players couldn’t agree to a new game season.” but that a “cooling off period” And while the ride on the lick, the associate head coach collective bargaining agreement Stern said the “early returns are might be best. coaching carousel may be over By BRIAN MAHONEY until Thanksgiving weekend. The excellent” from the new labor Also: who directed the Lady Vols dur- The Associated Press for her, but there are more chal- ing games and addressed sides agreed to fit in 66 games deal. The league expects to lose a ¥Stern revealed the sites of next lenges and honors ahead. NEW YORK — The shorter reporters postgame with other NBA season is on the way out. starting on Christmas, each team little money this season but pre- season’s overseas exhibition The White House says later this assistants taking on much more of playing about two extra games a dicts a profit in 2012-13 after say- games: Berlin; Istanbul; year Summitt will receive the Though the league says ratings the workload in an emotionally are up and attendance will be month. ing it lost hundreds of millions Barcelona, Spain; and Milan in Presidential Medal of Freedom, The result has been frequent annually every year of the old Europe; and Shanghai and Bei- the nation’s highest civilian honor. draining season that felt like a about the same as last season, farewell tour it wound up being. Deputy Commissioner Adam Sil- compelling matchups and tight deal that was ratified in 2005. jing in China. Boston and Dallas President Barack Obama said playoff races in both conferences Stern said he had nothing to are expected to play two games Summitt is an “inspiration” as the Yet Summitt’s every move was ver sees no future for a 66-game studied to see how she felt, down schedule. with a week left in what Commis- add on the future of the Kings in apiece in Europe. coach who has won more games sioner David Stern called a “barn- ¥International expansion may than anyone else in NCAA col- to how many officials she yelled “If you cut the season shorter, Sacramento after a tentative deal lege basketball history and for her at or her icy glares at a player we cut our revenues significantly burner of a season” during a for a new arena collapsed last be “inevitable” but not anytime willingness to “speak so openly while overseeing a Division I as well. Players would make less, meeting with Associated Press week. The agreement, with the soon. and courageously about her battle program with a busy national so no, and I think it’s not optimal Sports Editors. league negotiating on behalf of ¥Madison Square Garden and with Alzheimer’s.” travel schedule. After losing to to play a condensed season in this And though the compressed the Maloof family, which owns the Barclays Center, the future “Obviously, I didn’t see it eventual national champ Baylor fashion,” he said Thursday. schedule has been taxing on play- the Kings, had been reached dur- home of the Brooklyn Nets, have coming, but that’s a tremendous in a regional final, Warlick’s tears “I think both we and the play- ers’ bodies, Stern said injuries are ing All-Star weekend in Orlando. signaled interest in hosting an honor,” Summitt said of the during the postgame news con- ers’ union recognized that going about at the same rate as a normal But the Maloofs said they had upcoming All-Star game. Medal of Freedom honor. ference gave a glimpse of how in, but it was a compromise on season. NBA President Joel concerns about the terms and ¥The sale of the Hornets from In her new role at Tennessee, exhausting the season had been both our parts to maximize the Litvin said there were actually costs of the deal and might prefer the league to Saints owner Tom Summitt will report to athletic and the possibility it was Sum- amount of salary players would fewer injuries to top players Ð 35 renovating their arena. Mayor Benson is expected to close in director Dave Hart. mitt’s last game. get this season and to have as this season for players who were Kevin Johnson said the city May. NFL AP source: Indianapolis picking at No. 1 By MICHAEL MAROT process,” new Indy general man- through no fault of his own. yards and two touchdowns with of cases, it’s beneficial to come The Associated Press ager told reporters “I believe Andrew may strug- an interception. back and play that third and fourth INDIANAPOLIS — The Wednesday. “We’ve pretty much gle early simply because of the And while the Colts sent a larg- year in many cases,” he added. secret is out. made up our minds and we’re surrounding cast playing with er contingent of scouts to Griffin’s Luck will be far from the only Andrew Luck will be the Indi- going to go from there. We feel him,” said Colts former vice pro day, it was Luck who had a new face in Indy. anapolis Colts’ new quarterback. good about it and we’ll go from chairman , acknowl- private workout for the Colts and Grigson replaced the father-son A person with direct knowl- there.” edging both rookies will have traveled to Indianapolis for a per- front office tandem of Bill and edge of the situation said Thurs- Grigson acknowledged that the their share of problems in 2012. sonal interview. Griffin did not, in January, then day that the Colts have notified Colts made their decision “a little “It was nowhere near where Pey- Grigson explained, partly because brought in new coach Chuck Luck that they plan to take the while” ago, though he declined to ton’s was, and he went 3-13. I the Colts had already made their Pagano to replace the fired Jim Stanford quarterback with the No. say whether the Colts would take think Andrew will struggle more decision. Caldwell. Pagano has almost an 1 pick in next week’s NFL draft Luck or Heisman Trophy winner because of the receivers around What the Colts will get with entirely new staff, and some play- barring some unforeseen event Robert Griffin III of Baylor. him. Only Reggie (Wayne) and Luck is a skilled player who’s had ers have even found new spots for between now and then. The per- The secret lasted less than 24 Austin (Collie) are back.” an extra year to mature from their lockers. son spoke on condition of hours. ESPN.com first reported Still, Luck was the obvious 2011, when even then he might The biggest change, of course, anonymity because the team has that the Colts’ had informed Luck choice as Manning’s successor all have been drafted ahead of is not seeing No. 18 around town. not publicly disclosed its plan. they will take him. That would along. Auburn star Cam Newton. Two days after Manning’s It’s hardly a surprise that the likely send Griffin to the Red- A pro-style pocket quarterback, “I tend to think because of my release, the Colts cut other veter- Colts are turning to Luck as the skins, who traded a first- and sec- Luck threw for 35 touchdowns position as an AD at a Division I ans including defensive captains cornerstone of their massive ond-round pick this year and first- last season Ð breaking his school school that spending a full four Gary Brackett and Melvin Bullitt, rebuilding project. Luck was pro- Paul Sakuma/AP rounders each of the next two record of 32 a year ago Ð and years is going to benefit almost Pro Bowl jected as the No. 1 pick in the Former Stanford quarterback years to St. Louis to move into the eclipsed John Elway’s career every player, not just from a foot- and running back Joseph Addai. 2011 draft before returning to Andrew Luck, shown here in No. 2 slot. record (77) at Stanford with 80 ball standpoint but walking away Longtime center Jeff Saturday, school for his fourth season. He 2010, will be selected by the Luck faces a challenging situa- touchdown passes in only three with a degree is important in receiver Pierre Garcon and back- gave up his final year of college with the No. 1 tion in Indy, which went 2-14 last years. today’s world, too,” West Virginia up tight end Jacob Tamme all left eligibility to enter this year’s pick in next week’s NFL draft, season after was He finished with 3,170 yards athletic director Oliver Luck, in free agency. draft, which was dubbed the according to a source for The lost with a season-ending injury passing, a 70 percent completion Andrew’s father, said Wednesday. Now, the Colts are looking to Andrew Luck Sweepstakes from Associated Press. that required neck surgery. percentage and only nine inter- “The emotional development that start fresh. the start. Manning was released March 7 ceptions without the benefit of an comes with completing the cycle “Barring any unforeseen prob- Contract negotiations are not Luck’s agent, did not immediately and eventually signed with Den- elite . In a 41-38 with the class that you came in lem we’re pretty sure what direc- expected to begin before the draft, respond to phone messages or text ver, and Luck will now serve as Fiesta Bowl loss to Oklahoma with, I think that last aspect is tion we want to go. Barring any the person familiar with the situa- messages Thursday. Manning’s successor. State, Luck was brilliant again, very special. unforeseen event, we know what tion told the AP. Will Wilson, “We’ve exhausted the He may get off to a rough start going 27 of 31 passing for 347 “Plus, I think the vast majority we’re doing,” Grigson said.