Durant leads Thunder over Golden State
NBA: Kevin Durant scored 39 points, Russell Westbrook hit the winning free throw with 11.4 seconds left in overtime and the Thunder finished their longest homestand of the season with a 115-114 victory over the Golden State Warriors in Oklahoma City.
Durant scored eight of Oklahoma City’s nine points in overtime, but he served as a decoy to create room along the right side of the lane as Westbrook drove to the basket and got fouled.
Stephen Curry led Golden State with 35 points.
• Cavs down James’ Heat: Despite blowing a 23-point lead, the Cavaliers battled back to beat the Miami Heat 102-90 in Cleveland, getting a small dose of satisfaction against LeBron James, the franchise’s biggest star who was making his second homecoming visit to Cleveland since bolting last summer.
James finished with 27 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds and had to endure another night of constant booing from fans who once cherished his every move but now view him as a bitter enemy for betraying them.
• Anaheim approves bond to attract Kings: The Anaheim, Calif., city council has unanimously approved a $75 million bond deal to entice the Sacramento Kings to relocate to Orange County.
The city council voted 5-0 for the measure to a round of applause from a packed City Hall meeting room, calling it another major step in luring the Kings to Honda Center.
The Kings must file for relocation by April 18.
• Rose arrested for drunk driving: Former NBA and Fab Five standout Jalen Rose was arrested earlier this month on suspicion of drunken driving in West Bloomfield Township, Mich.
Police Lt. Tim Diamond said that Rose was arrested around 2 a.m. March 11. He’s accused of operating a vehicle while impaired.
Flyers pull away, stay atop East
NHL: Ville Leino scored twice in the third period, and the Philadelphia Flyers rallied to beat the Penguins 5-2 in Pittsburgh, and stay atop the Eastern Conference.
Philadelphia has led the conference and the Atlantic Division since Jan. 8, but the Penguins had won eight of 10 and had a chance to tie their cross-state rivals at 100 points with a regulation victory.
UCLA’s Lee among group eyeing NBA
NCAA Men: UCLA guard Malcolm Lee will put his name in the NBA draft, although he won’t hire an agent, leaving open the possibility of returning for his final year of eligibility.
Other players putting their names in for the draft, but not hiring agents, include Maryland sophomore center Jordan Williams and Pittsburgh junior guard Ashton Gibbs.
• Memphis extends contract of head coach Pastner: Memphis coach Josh Pastner signed a five-year contract extension after leading the Tigers to the NCAA tournament in his second year on the job.
Pastner was hired in April 2009 to replace John Calipari when he took the Kentucky job.
• Louisiana Tech hires coach: A person familiar with the situation says Louisiana Tech hired Mississippi assistant Michael White as its next head coach. White will replace Kerry Rupp, who was fired last week.
Ex-players testify during Bonds’ trial
MLB: One by one, they walked down the aisle of Courtroom 10 and took a seat on the witness stand for their public day of reckoning.
First Jason Giambi, the 2000 American League MVP. Then his brother Jeremy. And finally Marvin Benard, Barry Bonds’ San Francisco Giants teammate.
In the biggest mass confession to steroids use in baseball history, the three former players testified at Bonds’ trial in San Francisco. They all said they purchased and used performance-enhancing drugs from Greg Anderson, the trainer who is in jail for his refusal to testify against Bonds.
Bonds, in a gray suit, white shirt and gray tie, watched from the defense table, taking notes and occasionally looking to see how jurors reacted.
U.S. soccer team drops another match
Soccer: Oscar Cardozo scored in the 18th minute, and Paraguay held on for a 1-0 victory over the United States in Nashville, Tenn., that left the Americans winless in three games this year.
Michael Bradley nearly tied it late in the match, shooting for the top left corner from outside the penalty area. But goalkeeper Justo Villar just deflected the ball with the fingertips of his right hand.
It doesn’t get easier for the Americans, who play world champion Spain in their next match on June 4, their final prep for the CONCACAF Gold Cup. Paraguay is getting ready for the Copa America in July.