Here is the latest Mid-America sports news from The Associated Press
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs have two picks apiece in each of the first four rounds and 12 in all, giving them a lot of flexibility heading into next week's draft. Some believe they will package those picks to move up in the first round and select a wide receiver that could replace Tyreek Hill, who was sent to Miami for a package of draft selections. Others think that Kansas City should use most of its draft capital on players that can not only fill holes but also play the next several years on relatively cheap rookie contracts.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs expect to resume discussions on a long-term contract with left tackle Orlando Brown Jr., whom they placed the franchise tag on earlier this offseason, following next week's NFL draft. During his annual pre-draft availability Friday, general manager Brett Veach said both sides had basically agreed to shelve the negotiations until later in the offseason. That means for now, Brown is due to play next season on a one-year contract worth $16,662,000, which represents the average of the top five salaries at his position.
SEATTLE (AP) — Rookie Julio Rodríguez lined a bases-loaded, two-run double, Jarred Kelenic followed with a two-run triple on the next pitch and the Seattle Mariners beat the Kansas City Royals 4-1. Seattle starter Chris Flexen threw seven strong innings and the Mariners relied on one big inning to reach 5-2 on their nine-game homestand. Salvador Perez homered in the sixth, his fifth straight game with a homer in Seattle. That was the only run Flexen allowed as he pitched seven innings for the first time this season, scattering six hits and striking out five.
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Brody Brecht's schedule is so full that sometimes he make notes as a reminder of where he needs to be and when. The Iowa freshman is working double-duty this spring as a pitcher on the baseball team and a wide receiver on the football team. Brecht is among at least a half-dozen Division I athletes who are playing baseball and participating in spring football this year. Others are Kansas outfielder-running back Devin Neal and first baseman-tight end Trevor Kardell, Michigan outfielder-linebacker Joey Velasquez, Georgia outfielder-receiver Randon Jernigan, Citadel outfielder-defensive back Dominick Poole and St. Thomas (Minnesota) pitcher-punter Kolby Gartner.
Update on the latest sports
NBA PLAYOFFS
Hawks, Bucks, Suns win
UNDATED (AP) — The Atlanta Hawks withstood a huge run by the Miami Heat to get within two games to one in the first round of the NBA playoffs.
Trae Young hit a floater in the lane with 4.4 seconds left and the Hawks rallied from a 16-point deficit in the second half to beat the top-seeded Heat, 111-110. The Hawks led 68-63 in the third quarter until P.J. Tucker provided eight points in a 21-0 run. Atlanta regrouped to outscore the Heat, 34-25 in the final period.
Young led the Hawks with 24 points and had eight assists, while Bogdan Bogdanovic added 18 points, eight rebounds and six assists.
Tyler Herro (HEE'-roh) delivered 24 points and seven rebounds off the bench, while Jimmy Butler and Max Strus (stroos) each added 20.
Game 4 is Sunday in Atlanta.
Also in the NBA playoffs, the Bucks led by 18 in the first quarter and held the Bulls to 41 points in the first half of any easy 111-81 win at Chicago, giving Milwaukee a two-games-to-one lead.
Grayson Allen drained five 3-pointers and had a team-high 22 points for the Bucks, who were missing All-Star Khris Middleton. Bobby Portis provided 18 points and 16 rebounds, while Giannis Antetokounmpo (YAH'-nihs an-teh-toh-KOON'-poh) contributed 18 points. The Greek Freak also had nine assists and seven boards.
Bulls forward DeMar DeRozan finished with just 11 points after setting a career playoff high with 41 in Game 2.
Game 4 is Sunday in Chicago.
The Suns overcame Devin Booker's absence to beat the Pelicans, 114-111 and take a two-games-to-one lead in the series.
Chris Paul scored 19 of his 28 points in the fourth quarter. Paul hit eight straight Phoenix points to give his team a 98-93 lead.
Deandre Ayton added 28 points and 17 rebounds for the Suns, who wasted a 13-point lead in the second half. Mikal Bridges finished with 17 points and JaVale McGee had 15 on 7 of 8 shooting.
Brandon Ingram had a game-high 34 points for the Pelicans, who host Game 4 on Sunday.
NBA-NEWS
Hornets fire Borrego
UNDATED (AP) — The Charlotte Hornets have fired coach James Borrego after blowout losses in back-to-back years in the play-in tournament.
Borrego was 138-163 in four seasons as the Hornets coach. Charlotte finished 43-39 this season and improved its win total by 10 in each of the past two seasons. However, the Hornets haven't made the playoffs since the 2015-16 season.
In other NBA news:
— Ben Simmons hopes to play for the Nets during their first-round series against Boston, though he said he probably won't be ready for Game 3 on Saturday. He says Game 4 on Monday is more likely, calling that "reasonable." Simmons hasn't played at all this season.
MLB-SCHEDULE
Judge carries Yanks past Guardians
UNDATED (AP) — Aaron Judge entered with just one home run this season after cutting off talks on opening day for a long-term contract. He came up big on Friday.
The New York Yankees outfielder hit a pair of opposite-field home runs and threw out a runner from center field in a 4-1 win over the Guardians. He put the Yankees ahead in the third inning against Eli Morgan by following a two-out walk to DJ LeMahieu with a drive into the right field seats.
Jameson Taillon (TY-ahn) allowed one run and seven hits in five innings, giving up a fourth-inning homer to Franmil (FRAHN'-meel) Reyes.
In other major league action on Friday:
— Xander Bogaerts (ZAN'-dur BOH'-gahrts) had three hits and scored twice in the first five innings of the Red Sox's 4-3 decision over the Rays. Trevor Story, Bogaerts, Alex Verdugo (vur-DOO'-goh) and Kike' (KEe'-kay) Hernandez hit four of Corey Kluber's first 14 pitches for singles, spotting Boston a 2-0 lead.
— Robinson Chirinos drove in three runs and Bruce Zimmermann pitched five-hit ball into the seventh inning of the Orioles' 5-3 victory over the Angels. Anthony Rendon hit a two-run homer in the seventh for the Angels, who struggled in their return to the Big A after an impressive 5-2 road trip.
— The Mariners picked up a 4-1 win over the Royals as rookie Julio Rodríguez lined a bases-loaded, two-run double in the fourth inning and Jarred Kelenic (KEHL'-nihk) followed with a two-run triple on the next pitch. Seattle starter Chris Flexen threw one-run ball over seven strong innings as Seattle moved to 5-2 on their nine-game homestand.
— White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson and first baseman José Abreu (ah-BRAY'-oo) each made throwing errors on the same sloppy play, allowing the Twins to score the go-ahead run in the eighth inning of a 2-1 victory over Chicago. Anderson made his sixth error in three games when he skipped a throw to first on Carlos Correa's two-out infield single that scored Ryan Jeffers from third.
— Glenn Otto earned his first major league win by outpitching former high school classmate Adam Oller in the Rangers' 8-1 pounding of the Athletics. Otto was called up from Triple-A Round Rock before the game and pitched two-hit ball for five innings.
— Matt Chapman doubled home Vladimir Guerrero Jr. with two outs in the ninth to give the Blue Jays their third straight win, 4-3 at Houston. Santiago Espinal and Bradley Zimmer homered on consecutive pitches in the fifth inning to tie the game for Toronto.
— The Mets are a major league-best 11-4 after Starling Marte legged out an RBI single in the 10th inning of a 6-5 decision over the Diamondbacks. Pete Alonso collected two RBIs and James McCann drilled a two-run homer before New York's bullpen wasted a 5-1 lead.
— Mookie Betts hit two home runs and Max Muncy homered and had three RBIs as the Dodgers beat the Padres for the 10th straight time, 6-1. Julio Urias (oo-REE'-uhs) pitched well for his first victory this season and combined with four relievers on a four-hitter.
— The Braves posted a 3-0 shutout of the Marlins as Kyle Wright had a career-high 11 strikeouts in six dominant innings. Matt Olson doubled in two runs to back Wright, who lowered his ERA to 1.06 through three starts.
— Alec Bohm (bohm) hit a go-ahead, two-run single in the eighth inning to give the Phillies a 4-2 win over the Brewers. Bryce Harper, Jean Segura, Nick Castellanos (kas-tee-AH'-nohs) and J.T. Realmuto (ree-al-MOO'-toh) each had two hits for Philadelphia, which won for just the third time in the last 10 contests.
— The Reds suffered their 10th consecutive loss as Steve Matz held them to a run on seven hits over five innings of the Cardinals' 4-2 win at Cincinnati. Paul Goldschmidt poked a two-run single and had three hits in the victory.
— Austin Slater smacked a three-run homer as part of a seven-run second that carried the Giants past the Nationals, 7-1. Brandon Crawford doubled twice during the big rally, including a three-run hit as San Francisco chased Patrick Corbin.
— Roberto Perez supplied a two-run single and a solo homer in the Pirates' 4-2 downing of the Cubs. Michael Chavis broke a tie with a home run in the fourth inning.
— Miguel Cabrera's bid for 3,000 hits was put on hold while the game between the Tigers and Rockies was postponed by rain in Detroit. The teams will make up the washout with a split doubleheader Saturday.
MLB-NEWS
DeSclafani sidelined
UNDATED (AP) — The San Francisco Giants have placed right-hander Anthony DeSclafani on the 10-day injured list with right ankle inflammation.
The move comes a day after DeSclafani surrendered five runs and nine hits over five innings of the Giants' 6-2 loss to the Mets. He is 0-1 with a 6.08 ERA this season.
In addition, outfielder Steven Duggar (DUH'-gur) was placed on the 60-day injured list with a moderate left oblique strain.
Also around the majors:
— White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson has received a one-game suspension and an undisclosed fine for his inappropriate actions towards fans during Wednesday's game in Cleveland. Anderson has appealed to penalty and will be allowed to play when the process is completed.
— Cubs outfielder Clint Frazier has been placed on the injured list with an appendicitis. Frazier is batting .143 in 10 games this season.
NHL-SCHEDULE
Oilers double up Avs
UNDATED (AP) — The Colorado Avalanche have picked a very bad time to drop three straight as they try to clinch home-ice throughout the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Evander Kane had three goals and an assist as the Oilers earned a 6-3 win over the Avs. Connor McDavid had three assists for Edmonton, which clinched a playoff berth while improving to 12-0-1 in its last 13 home games.
Valeri Nichushkin had two goals for the Avalanche, who trail Florida by two points in the battle for the NHL's best regular-season record. The Panthers have five games remaining, one more than Colorado.
Elsewhere on NHL ice:
— Kirill Kaprizov (kah-REEL' kah-PREE'-zahv) because the first Wild player in team history with at least 100 points as he collected a goal and three assists in a 6-3 win versus the Kraken. Kevin Fiala (fee-AH'-lah) had a team-record five assists for Minnesota, which also established all-time bests with its 50th win and 107 points.
— Conor Sheary scored in the first period and Vitek Vanecek (VEE'-tehk VAN'-eh-chehhk) got his fourth shutout of the season as the Capitals won for the seventh time in ine games, 2-0 versus Arizona. John Carlson scored his 16th into an empty net with 25 seconds remaining.
Tim Stutzle (STUT'-sul) scored in the shootout, Brady Tkachuk (kah-CHUHK') also scored and Filip Gustavsson stopped 33 shots in the Senators' 2-1 win at Columbus.
NHL-OBIT-LAFLEUR
NHL great Guy Lafleur dies
MONTREAL (AP) — Hockey Hall of Famer Guy Lafleur (gee la-FLUR'), who helped the Montreal Canadiens win five Stanley Cup titles in the 1970s, has died at age 70.
The No. 1 pick in the 1971 NHL draft, Lafleur registered 518 goals and 728 assists in 14 seasons with Montreal. He holds the Canadiens' all-time record for assists and points. He scored at least 50 times in six straight campaigns from 1974-75 to 1979-80.
Lafleur was named one of the NHL's 100 greatest players of all-time in 2017. He finished with 560 goals and 793 assists in 1,126 games in his 17 seasons.
Lafleur was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2019 when tumors were discovered by doctors performing emergency quadruple bypass heart surgery.
NFL-NEWS
Former teammates, coaches honor Haskins at Pittsburgh memorial service
UNDATED (AP) — Former teammates and coaches paid tribute to former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Dwayne Haskins Friday during an emotional memorial service, a little less than two weeks after the 24-year-old was killed on a South Florida highway.
Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin, former Ohio State coach Urban Meyer and current Ohio State coach Ryan Day were among several hundred mourners who attended the 90-minute service at Allegheny Alliance Church in Pittsburgh's North Side neighborhood.
Additional memorials are scheduled to be held in New Jersey, where Haskins grew up, and in Maryland, where Haskins attended high school.
In other NFL news:
— The Chiefs expect to resume discussions on a long-term contract with left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. following next week's NFL draft. Brown received the franchise tag earlier this offseason and is currently due to play next season on a one-year contract worth more than $16.6 million.
— The Titans have taken a step closer to financing a new, enclosed stadium estimated to cost between $1.9 billion and $2.2 billion. The Tennessee legislature approved $500 million in bonds late Thursday night.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL-NEWS
Edey stays in West Lafayette
UNDATED (AP) — Zach Edey plans to return to Purdue for his junior season.
The 7-foot-4 center from Toronto averaged 14.4 points, 7.7 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.2 blocks this past season while playing just 19 minutes per game.
Edey shot 64.8% to rank third among all Division I players in field-goal percentage.
In other college basketball news:
— Kevin Obanor is returning to Texas Tech as a super senior after starting all 37 games in his first season with the Red Raiders. Obanor averaged 10 points and 5.5 rebounds this past season after coming over from Oral Roberts.
— Nahiem Alleyne is transferring to UConn after helping Virginia Tech to the ACC tournament title in March. Alleyne started all 36 games last season for Virginia Tech, averaging 9.6 points a game, shooting 37% from 3-point range.
— North Carolina State is adding Mississippi transfer Jarkel Joiner and La Salle transfer Jack Clark. He led the Rebels in scoring last year at 13.2 points.
— University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee forward Patrick Baldwin Jr. has announced he is entering the NBA draft. The 6-foot-9 Baldwin is a former top-10 recruit who chose Milwaukee for the opportunity to play for his father, Pat Baldwin, who was fired as coach after the season.
PGA-ZURICH CLASSIC
Cantlay/Schauffele team still leads Zurich Classic
AVONDALE, La. (AP) — Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele (SHOW'-flee) shot a 4-under 68 in alternate-shot play to maintain a one-stroke lead in the Zurich Classic of New Orleans.
Cantlay and Schauffele opened with a tournament-record 59 on Thursday in best-ball play. They were at 17 under.
The teams of David Lipsky-Aaron Rai and Doc Redman-Sam Ryder were second after 67s.
PGA-TOUR CHAMPIONS
Kelly leads
IRVING, Texas (AP) — Jerry Kelly had a hole-in-one on the par-3 sixth hole and shot a 5-under 66 to take the first-round lead in the PGA Tour Champions' ClubCorp Classic.
The 55-year-old Kelly has eight victories on the 50-and-over tour after winning three times on the PGA Tour.
Woody Austin, Scott Parel and Gene Sauers were a stroke back.