In brief: Maloofs want stake in Kings if team is sold

NBA: The family that owns the Sacramento Kings wants to maintain a say in how the team is run if they sell it to Chris Hansen, creating a possible snag in the sale negotiation, an NBA source told The Seattle Times.

The Maloof family has owned the team since 1998, and brothers Joe and Gavin have been particularly involved and visible presences in the franchise since day one.

An initial Yahoo Sports report on the sale, since confirmed by others, is that the family would retain a small percentage in the team. But the question now, according to the source, is whether that percentage also would allow the Maloofs some say in how the team is run.

The source said it “goes beyond dollars and cents” and stressed how important being involved in the NBA has been to the family. “Everyone is underestimating what being owners means to them,” the source said.

Negotiations between Hansen’s group and the Maloofs have reportedly been ongoing for a week or so, and some reports Wednesday characterized them as almost a done deal. Yahoo Sports quoted a source saying it was “first and goal at the one.”

• George leads Pacers past Anthony-less Knicks: Paul George scored seven points in a 13-0 fourth-quarter run and finished with 24, leading the Indiana Pacers past the short-handed New York Knicks 81-76 in Indianapolis.

New York was led by J.R. Smith with 25 points on a night they clearly missed Carmelo Anthony. The NBA’s second-leading scorer was suspended by the league for Monday’s postgame confrontation with Boston’s Kevin Garnett.

• Blazers rally past Heat : Nicolas Batum had 28 points, seven rebounds and five assists as the Portland Trail Blazers rallied past the Miami Heat 92-90 in Portland, Ore.

Portland outscored Miami 53-38 in the second half.

LeBron James scored 15 points on 16 shots.

No. 22 Michigan State holds off pesky Iowa

College Basketball: Branden Dawson scored a career-high 17 points, including a late steal and tiebreaking dunk that helped No. 22 Michigan State hold off Iowa 62-59 in Iowa City, Iowa.

Gary Harris had 14 points for the Spartans (13-3, 2-1 Big Ten).

The Hawkeyes (11-5, 0-3) played without leading scorer Devyn Marble, who sprained his ankle in practice this week.

Zach McCabe led Iowa with 15 points and fellow reserve Melsahn Basabe added 14.

• No. 10 Maryland women beat No. 24 Miami: Freshman Chloe Pavlech scored a season-high 20, Tiana Hawkins had 18 points and 11 rebounds and No. 10 Maryland pulled away to an 84-62 victory over No. 24 Miami in College Park, Md., ending the Hurricanes’ five-game winning streak.

• Kentucky women fend off Texas A&M: A’dia Mathies scored 23 points and No. 6 Kentucky overcame a sluggish first half to rally past No. 20 Texas A&M 65-62 in Lexington, Ky.

NHL players to begin voting on new deal

NHL: NHL players will have 36 hours from Thursday night until Saturday morning to vote on the new labor deal that would end the four-month lockout.

The electronic voting began Thursday at 8 p.m. EST and will last until Saturday at 8 a.m. If a majority of the more than 700 players choose to accept the deal that NHL owners unanimously ratified on Wednesday, training camps will open Sunday, and a 48-game regular season will begin Jan. 19.

The new deal is for 10 years, but either side can opt out after eight.

Azarenka, S. Williams in same part of draw

Miscellany: Defending champion Victoria Azarenka and title favorite Serena Williams are in the same half of the draw at the Australian Open, meaning they could meet in the semifinals.

• Langley debuts with 62 at Sony Open: Scott Langley made a rookie debut on the PGA Tour he won’t soon forget.

Langley thrived on a penetrating ball flight and a pure putting stroke for an 8-under 62, giving him a one-shot lead over Russell Henley in the Sony Open in Honolulu. Scott Piercy and Tim Clark were at 64.

• No Patrick for Indy 500: Danica Patrick said she does not plan to race in this year’s Indianapolis 500 because she wants to concentrate on her first full-time season in NASCAR’s Sprint Cup series.

• Judge hears arguments on Sandusky trial fairness: A judge has heard arguments from Jerry Sandusky’s attorneys about the fairness of his trial but did not issue a ruling.

The proceeding in Bellefonte, Pa., related to Sandusky’s claim that his lawyers didn’t have enough time to prepare.

The former Penn State assistant football coach wants to have his 45-count conviction thrown out and a new trial granted.