Pacers end losing streak, rout Rockets
NBA: Paul George had 24 points and nine rebounds and Lance Stephenson added 16 points, leading Indiana to the 114-81 rout of visiting Houston on Friday night in Indianapolis.
The Pacers ended their only two-game losing streak of the season and maintained their grip on the Eastern Conference’s best record (21-5) with their most lopsided win of the season.
Dwight Howard finished with 19 points, 12 rebounds and five blocks for the Rockets. James Harden, the NBA’s No. 6 scorer, was held in check most of the night by George, finishing with 12 points on 3-of-14 shooting.
Former Indiana All-Star Danny Granger received a standing ovation when he made his season debut late in the first quarter.
• Sixers nip Nets: Evan Turner hit the winning basket at the buzzer and scored 29 points to lead the Philadelphia 76ers to a 121-120 overtime win over the visiting Brooklyn Nets. Paul Pierce hit a 3-pointer with 16.9 seconds left in OT to give the Nets the short-lived lead.
• Heat down Kings: Chris Bosh scored 25 points, Dwyane Wade added 20 and host Miami put up a season high for points in rolling past Sacramento 122-103. LeBron James had 18 points, eight assists and six rebounds.
• Lakers pick up Marshall : Point guard Kendall Marshall signed with the injury-riddled Los Angeles Lakers.
• Pondexter has surgery: Memphis forward Quincy Pondexter is out indefinitely after surgery to repair a stress fracture in his right foot.
Canucks rally, beat Blackhawks in SO
NHL: Ryan Kesler scored the deciding goal in an eight-round shootout, and the visiting Vancouver Canucks rallied from a two-goal deficit to defeat the Chicago Blackhawks 3-2.
• Ducks continue streak: Kyle Palmieri scored at 2:37 of overtime, and the Anaheim Ducks extended their winning streak to seven with a 3-2 victory over the New Jersey Devils in Newark, N.J.
• New Red Wings arena moves forward: The Detroit City Council approved two measures but postponed one vote tied to the development of a new 18,000 seat Red Wings hockey arena and entertainment complex just north of downtown.
The boundaries of the Downtown Development Authority district were expanded to include land where the project could be constructed. A tax financing plan also was green-lighted.
However, the six-member board postponed a vote on the transfer of city-owned land for the project until February.
• Rinne return delayed: Predators goalie Pekka Rinne’s will be out at least two more weeks as he continues to recover from a hip infection.
Wis.-Whitewater claims D-III title
College Football: Matt Behrendt threw four touchdown passes and Wisconsin- Whitewater’s defense stymied Gagliardi Trophy-winner Kevin Burke and Mount Union in a 52-14 victory in the Division III championship in Salem, Va.
• Quiteh best D-II player: Bloomsburg running back Franklyn Quiteh won the Harlon Hill Trophy as the NCAA Division II player of the year. Quiteh was the national leader with 2,195 yards rushing and 29 rushing touchdowns.
NFL hands out fines to Foles, others
NFL: Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Nick Foles was fined $10,000 by the NFL for an illegal peel-back block on Minnesota’s Erin Henderson during the Eagles’ loss Sunday.
Arizona’s Marcus Benard was fined $15,750 for roughing the passer on a hit on Tennessee’s Ryan Fitzpatrick. Cardinals linebacker Daryl Washington was also docked $5,000 for unsportsmanlike conduct. Also in that game, Titans defensive end Kamerion Wimbley was fined $10,000 for hitting Arizona quarterback Carson Palmer in the knee area.
• Welker held out: Denver Broncos slot receiver Wes Welker was officially ruled out of this weekend’s game at Houston. Welker has suffered two recent concussions.
• Rodgers still sidelined: The Packers ruled out Aaron Rodgers for Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers as continues to recover from a fractured left collarbone.
Hairston’s career at North Carolina over
Miscellany: P.J. Hairston’s career is over at North Carolina, as the school won’t seek Hairston’s reinstatement from the NCAA after the junior committed several rule violations related to the use of cars linked to a felon and party promoter earlier this year.
• Svindal takes super-G: Aksel Lund Svindal increased his overall World Cup lead by winning the Val Gardena super-G for the third time, while Ted Ligety skied off the course and Bode Miller finished eighth.