Pistons send Pacers to first loss at home
NBA: Josh Smith had 30 points, Greg Monroe finished with 13 points and 12 rebounds, and the Detroit Pistons handed Indiana its first home loss Monday night, stunning the Pacers 101-96 in Indianapolis.
The Pistons won for the second time in six games, ending a six-game skid in the series and a nine-game losing streak on the Pacers’ home court.
Lance Stephenson had a season-high 23 points for Indiana, which came in 11-0 at home.
• Clippers get past Spurs: Blake Griffin scored 27 points, hitting 11 of 15 free throws, and the Los Angeles Clippers defeated the San Antonio Spurs 115-92, 48 hours after completing a seven-game road trip.
Chris Paul added 23 points, eight rebounds and seven assists for L.A. Tim Duncan had 17 points and 11 rebounds for the Spurs.
Royals finalize deal with free agent Infante
Baseball: The Kansas City Royals filled the most glaring hole in their roster when they finalized a $30.25 million, four-year deal with Omar Infante to become their primary second baseman.
• Braves sign Floyd: The Atlanta Braves added a needed veteran for their rotation when they agreed to a $4 million, one-year contract with right-hander Gavin Floyd.
• Posting agreement reached: Major League Baseball and Nippon Professional Baseball have finalized a new posting system that caps the fee for players at $20 million, a deal that may lead to star pitcher Masahiro Tanaka going on the market.
• Ellis joins Cardinals: The St. Louis Cardinals signed free-agent second baseman Mark Ellis to a one-year, $5.25 million contract.
Croat banned 10 games for pro-Nazi chant
Soccer: FIFA has banned Croatian defender Josip Simunic for 10 games – including the entire World Cup – for leading fans in a pro-Nazi chant after the team qualified for next year’s tournament in Brazil.
Simunic invoked a World War II-era slogan used by Croatia’s then-puppet regime.
“I know him for long as a player and a person and I’m sure he did not want to offend anyone,” said coach Niko Kovac, who added that Croatia’s soccer federation will appeal to FIFA.
• Contractor wants to get back to work: The contractor at a World Cup stadium in Brazil where a worker fell 115 feet to his death is trying to reverse a labor court ruling that halted work on part of the venue. Construction company Andrade Gutierrez said it is trying to show officials that all safety measures are in place for workers installing the roof structures at the Arena Amazonia.
• Sounders keep Gonzalez: The Seattle Sounders have re-signed defender Leo Gonzalez, one of seven remaining players from the club’s first MLS season.
Bruins’ Thornton to appeal suspension
NHL: Boston Bruins forward Shawn Thornton has decided to appeal his 15-game suspension for punching and injuring unsuspecting Penguins defenseman Brooks Orpik.
The appeal first goes to commissioner Gary Bettman. If he upholds the suspension, Thornton and the NHLPA can then elect to appeal to a neutral arbitrator.
• Kane returns, lifts Jets: Evander Kane returned from an injury to score a goal and add an assist, leading the visiting Winnipeg Jets to a 3-2 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets.