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Down 11 in 3rd, Lakers rally by Nuggets

LOS ANGELES (AP)—Lamar Odom(notes) scored nine of his 20 points in the fourthquarter, Pau Gasol(notes) had 15 points and 14 rebounds, and the Los Angeles Lakersovercame an 11-point third-quarter deficit to beat the Denver Nuggets 95-89 onSunday.

Kobe Bryant(notes) was just 3 for 17 from the field, finishing with 14 points and12 assists. The two-time scoring champion was 1 for 9 during the first threequarters—the only field goal coming on a layup with 5:37 left in the openingperiod.

Carmelo Anthony(notes) scored 21 points for Denver before fouling out for thesecond time this season with 2:13 to play and the Nuggets down by four. The losswas their first in three meetings this season with the defending NBA champions,who beat them in last year’s Western Conference finals. Denver has blowndouble-digit leads in nine of its 20 losses this season.

Denver Nuggets' Carmelo An… AP – Feb 28, 6:24 pm EST Denver Nuggets' Nene, cent… AP – Feb 28, 5:23 pm EST Denver Nuggets' J.R. Smith… AP – Feb 28, 5:23 pm EST Denver Nuggets' Carmelo An… AP – Feb 28, 5:22 pm EST Denver Nuggets' Nene of Br… AP – Feb 28, 5:13 pm EST Denver Nuggets' Nene, left… AP – Feb 28, 5:00 pm EST Denver Nuggets' Carmelo An… AP – Feb 28, 4:59 pm EST Denver Nuggets' Carmelo An… AP – Feb 28, 4:57 pm EST YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index = 7; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_lazy_images = [http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100228/capt.92b060874a894f2d8bdd17d1ad8d2ec6.nuggets_lakers_basketball_cadm104.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=302&hc=336&q=70&sig=LMhsEtdymnehqdCpqWB_ag--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100228/capt.7085ccc652d341ab93cd76fc03638bb0.nuggets_lakers_basketball_cadm107.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=109&yc=1&wc=193&hc=214&q=70&sig=vU9GxCnOXBZxZLQA2EXb7A--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100228/capt.8e81386da24948958fbd1afd1c57bed1.nuggets_lakers_basketball_cadm106.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=77&yc=1&wc=257&hc=285&q=70&sig=EDVgGSL4Ua0Xzwc_qNze4A--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100228/capt.fa04b917a0724dfc9d9e37292b7c8461.nuggets_lakers_basketball_cadm105.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=259&hc=288&q=70&sig=6Y9YUW53m7DS0KeKFcumyg--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100228/capt.350eb08965ce47b99aa3adb616bb6363.nuggets_lakers_basketball_cadm102.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=80&yc=1&wc=251&hc=279&q=70&sig=CpANkSthwSoXw5SzvYx.jQ--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100228/capt.634f4cac870e45a9a5a6b4e3fba9a8fc.nuggets_lakers_basketball_cadm103.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=85&yc=1&wc=241&hc=268&q=70&sig=EeDqdOmy_e0JvYpCDmAKhQ--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100228/capt.e912b12382254a8b8d11b9f3414e9225.nuggets_lakers_basketball_cadm101.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=325&hc=361&q=70&sig=2i8sv6IbvHILayU_cPUjlA--]; YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(window,load,YAHOO.Sports.articleLazyLoadCarousel.init); 1 of 8 Den-LAL Gallery function prev_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index > 0) { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index – 1); } else { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index); }}function next_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index 0) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next); }*/}function goto_photo(p) { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { for(i = 0; i < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos.length; i++) { if (i == p) { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, ); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, none); } } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page) { YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page.innerHTML =(p + 1); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = p; } } update_buttons();}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init = function () { YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_prev, click, prev_photo); YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_next, click, next_photo); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = 0; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page = YAHOO.util.Dom.get(carousel_page); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos = YAHOO.util.Dom.getElementsByClassName(item, div, leadphoto); if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { goto_photo(0); }}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init();

Lakers guard Derek Fisher(notes), who picked up two fouls 57 seconds apart duringthe first 2 minutes of the game and went to the bench, didn’t get his thirduntil he fouled Chauncey Billups(notes) behind the 3-point line with 5 1/2 minutes left inthe game. Billups made all three free throws to tie the score at 82. But theNuggets did not make a field goal over the final 4:10, ending their three-gamewinning streak.

Kenyon Martin(notes) missed his first seven shots in his return to the lineup andfinished 3 for 11 with six points in 36 minutes. He missed Friday night’s107-102 win over Detroit because of a bruised left knee, the same one thatforced him to miss two games earlier this month because of tendinitis.

Ron Artest(notes) scored 17 points for the Lakers, who gained a half-game to idleCleveland in the overall standings and trail the Cavaliers by one game for theleague’s best record. They lead Denver by 5 1/2 games for the Western Conferencelead.

Martin committed three fouls and two turnovers before making his first fieldgoal with 8:37 left in the third quarter to give the Nuggets a 54-50 lead afterthe Lakers had rallied from a 13-point deficit in the first half.

Bryant received his 11th technical foul of the season with 1:13 left in thefirst quarter for turning around and yelling at referee Ken Mauer about anon-call while play was going on, after a pass from Odom was slapped away fromBryant by J.R. Smith(notes) near the Lakers’ basket with Denver leading 25-21.

Nuggets reserve guard Ty Lawson(notes) left the game with 5:53 left in the firsthalf because of a bruised left shoulder.

This was the first meeting in which both teams had their regular startinglineups intact. On Nov. 3 at Denver, the Nuggets ended a six-game winning streakby the Lakers.

In the second meeting on Feb. 5 at Staples Center, Billups compensated forthe absence of the injured Anthony by equaling a career high with 39 points in a126-113 win that snapped an eight-game winning streak by the Lakers.

^Note: Denver coach George Karl, who missed Thursday’s game at Golden Stateto undergo treatment for throat and neck cancer, doesn’t expect to miss anotherone until March 10 at Minnesota. He also is doubtful for the game at New Orleanstwo nights later, and possibly another one during Denver’s five-game trip at theend of the month. “I’m not going to miss treatments. So when we’re on the roadduring the middle of the week, I’m probably going to miss those games,” saidKarl, who received good wishes and a warm handshake from Jack Nicholson atcourtside. “I’m going to be tough, but I’m not going to be stupid-tough. Theradiation and the chemotherapy treatment will get harsher and more difficult inweeks to come, but putting off the treatment would not have made any sense.”

Dirk leads Mavs to seventh straight win

DALLAS (AP)—Dirk Nowitzki(notes) scored 36 points, Caron Butler(notes) had 19 in his returnto the Dallas lineup and the Mavericks held on for a 108-100 victory over theNew Orleans Hornets on Sunday night to extend their NBA-high winning streak toseven games.

The Hornets had cut what had been a 25-point deficit to 101-97 after DarrenCollison’s(notes) 3-pointer with 2:44 left capped the rookie’s stretch of eightconsecutive points. But New Orleans didn’t get any closer and Collison, who hada season-high 35 points, had consecutive turnovers in the final minute thatDallas turned into baskets.

Nowitzki hit a 9-foot turnaround jumper after Collison’s first turnover, andthe first score for either team since Collison’s 3-pointer that capped hisstretch of eight consecutive points.

Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk … AP – Mar 1, 12:52 am EST Dallas Mavericks guard Jason K… AP – Mar 1, 12:44 am EST Dallas Mavericks guard Jason K… AP – Mar 1, 12:42 am EST Dallas Mavericks forward Caron… AP – Mar 1, 12:36 am EST New Orleans Hornets guard Darr… AP – Mar 1, 12:35 am EST Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk … AP – Mar 1, 12:33 am EST New Orleans Hornets forward Da… AP – Feb 28, 10:57 pm EST Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk … AP – Feb 28, 10:50 pm EST Dallas Mavericks center Brenda… AP – Feb 28, 10:24 pm EST New Orleans Hornets coach Jeff… AP – Feb 28, 10:23 pm EST New Orleans Hornets guard Darr… AP – Feb 28, 10:19 pm EST New Orleans Hornets forward Pe… AP – Feb 28, 10:17 pm EST YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index = 11; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_lazy_images = [http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100301/capt.7e28378644b446eab0e20ada0374a00b.hornets_mavericks_basketball_dna111.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=349&hc=388&q=70&sig=0mRpAeHHQ5NunT74Zqh0Xw--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100301/capt.02b02ceedcbb4a979869f0d424d9033b.hornets_mavericks_basketball_dna110.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=254&hc=282&q=70&sig=k0q1jSOYbt30DCXIkU.UkQ--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100301/capt.3dde3ec68bfa401c97bdf9fb5b92e729.hornets_mavericks_basketball_dna109.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=281&hc=312&q=70&sig=loK4B5Cm8DKtt69LU2O3iQ--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100301/capt.57e3381d09774a0b9e823b858c8e5d3f.hornets_mavericks_basketball_dna108.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=255&hc=283&q=70&sig=hbwbf_14LTyvL_hnhfj63g--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100301/capt.525d70fe3b9f4efbb39b46b1defabe2f.hornets_mavericks_basketball_dna107.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=295&hc=328&q=70&sig=9YPEfcZJoe_Uefy4AtQYGQ--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100301/capt.0f3c1658ca7e45768f0a3ec3d827d90f.hornets_mavericks_basketball_dna106.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=329&hc=366&q=70&sig=QPfHS6PW8v6X5Own4imqJA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100301/capt.9fc29a10cf54463eab6c10253682210b.hornets_mavericks_basketball_dna105.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=349&hc=388&q=70&sig=iEg.yQCceK65njjbUQvilA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100301/capt.d8e2f9ecce6944e8ba8f4ac97876a85b.hornets_mavericks_basketball_dna103.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=266&hc=296&q=70&sig=ZsK5VcEbMksO8yxa1wrxNg--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100301/capt.68146ecc094b43ac8881b91e940f5678.hornets_mavericks_basketball_dna104.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=306&hc=340&q=70&sig=GOAocQkr1QOXkDYKZOmCBg--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100301/capt.eda0ddd6b5074262b97a33726ee8815c.hornets_mavericks_basketball_dna102.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=349&hc=388&q=70&sig=QNGKWR_KNI8CvEo7_s6QGw--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100301/capt.2e9a7b9488184d7f9ac0b4aabd34d01b.hornets_mavericks_basketball_dna101.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=333&hc=370&q=70&sig=Y1HN4OV27UJ.n3QRXr_LMg--]; YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(window,load,YAHOO.Sports.articleLazyLoadCarousel.init); 1 of 12 NO-Dal Gallery function prev_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index > 0) { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index – 1); } else { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index); }}function next_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index 0) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next); }*/}function goto_photo(p) { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { for(i = 0; i < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos.length; i++) { if (i == p) { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, ); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, none); } } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page) { YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page.innerHTML =(p + 1); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = p; } } update_buttons();}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init = function () { YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_prev, click, prev_photo); YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_next, click, next_photo); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = 0; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page = YAHOO.util.Dom.get(carousel_page); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos = YAHOO.util.Dom.getElementsByClassName(item, div, leadphoto); if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { goto_photo(0); }}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init();

Butler then stole the ball from Collison near midcourt and drove to thebasket, missing the layup that Brendan Haywood(notes) slammed home.

It was the third consecutive 30-point game for Nowitzki. Butler played inhis sixth game for Dallas since being traded from Washington, but had missed thelast two after having a bad reaction to some medication.

Dallas took control with a 31-6 run early and appeared to have the luxury ofa lopsided game to start a stretch of two games inside a 24-hour span. Theirgame Monday night at Charlotte starts 21 1/2 hours after Sunday’s game tipped off.

But Collison, stepping up in the absence of All-Star guard Chris Paul(notes) (leftknee injury), helped made it a tight game at the end.

New Orleans was within 86-77 after David West(notes) hit two free throws in theopening minute of the fourth quarter, closing the gap to under 10 for the firsttime since last in the first quarter.

That 19-3 run for New Orleans came during an 8-minute shooting slump forDallas, who missed 12 consecutive field goals but where still shooting 55percent for the game at that point. The Mavericks finished 52 percent from thefield (45 of 87).

Jason Terry(notes) ended the Mavericks’ shooting slump with an 18-footer, thenafter West traveled Terry passed to Nowitzki for his own 18-footer.

Two nights after scoring 40 points, West was held to 10 points on 3-of-15shooting.

Marcus Thornton(notes) had 21 points for New Orleans while Peja Stojakovic(notes) had 16.Emeka Okafor(notes) had a season-high 17 rebounds.

Jason Kidd(notes) had 13 points and passed Maurice Cheeks for fourth on the NBAcareer list with his 2,311th steal. Kidd had 10 of his points in the firstquarter.

After Stojakovic hit a 3-pointer that got New Orleans with 92-86 with justmore than 7 minutes left, Nowitzki hit a 13-foot fadeaway shot from thebaseline. Then after West got blocked on consecutive shots by Haywood before theshot clock expired, Nowitzki hit a 14-footer and then made the free throw afterHornets coach Jeff Bower got a technical foul.

Collison put the Hornets up 20-16 with a 7-foot running jumper with 5:22left in the first quarter. Nowitzki then drove for a layup that ignited the 31-6run over a nearly 8-minute span. Shawn Marion’s(notes) layup made it 47-26 with 9:14left in the first half.

NOTES: The last time Nowitzki had three consecutive 30-points games wasFebruary 2008. … Dallas played the eighth of 14 games in a 23-day span out ofthe All-Star break. … New Orleans is 6-8 without Paul. Bower said Paul isstill out “indefinitely” but is making encouraging progress. … The lastseven-game winning streak for Dallas was two seasons ago.

Raptors’ Bosh misses fifth straight game

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP)—All-Star forward Chris Bosh(notes) did not travel with the TorontoRaptors and missed his fifth straight game Sunday night due to a sprained leftankle.

Bosh is listed as day-to-day for the Raptors, who played at Oklahoma City onSunday night and are scheduled to play at Houston on Monday night.

Bosh ranks eighth in the NBA with a 24.5-point average and he’s also fifthin the league with 11.4 rebounds per game.

Toronto has gone 2-2 without Bosh, including an overtime loss againstCleveland on Friday night.

Evans helps Kings hold off Clippers

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP)—Tyreke Evans(notes) scored 22 points to help the SacramentoKings beat the Los Angeles Clippers 97-92 on Sunday night.

The Kings took the lead midway through the first quarter and never trailedagain in winning their second straight. Sacramento hadn’t won consecutive homegames since mid-December. The points allowed was a season low for Sacramento.

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Carl Landry(notes) scored 18 points, and Spencer Hawes(notes) had 16 points and ninerebounds for Sacramento. Omri Casspi(notes) added 12 points for the Kings, whocommitted just nine turnovers.

Chris Kaman(notes) had 18 points and 11 rebounds for the Clippers. Drew Gooden(notes)added 17 points, and Eric Gordon(notes), Rasual Butler(notes) and Baron Davis(notes) each had 13.

Landry scored 10 points in the fourth quarter and made two free throws with11.6 seconds left to give Sacramento a 97-92 lead.

A 3-pointer by Butler pulled the Clippers to 91-90 with 2:07 left. But onconsecutive possessions, Evans ventured inside and came up with layups, thesecond one putting the Kings ahead 95-90 with 42.9 remaining.

The road continues to be a difficult place for the Clippers. They droppedtheir fifth straight and ninth in 10 games since Jan. 25.

Hawes turned in another strong game for the Kings after his criticism ofcoach Paul Westphal’s rotation led to him not suiting up Tuesday night.Reconciled after a meeting with Westphal, Hawes was back in the starting lineupFriday night and responded with 15 points and 12 rebounds in a victory overUtah.

With the Kings playing uninspired and shooting 26 percent in the thirdquarter, the Clippers finally cut the lead under double figures. Kaman had eightpoints for Los Angeles, who outscored the Sacramento 26-20 and trailed 76-68heading into the fourth.

NOTES: The Kings closed the first quarter on a 20-4 run to take a 32-18lead. The Clippers shot 33 percent and had five turnovers. … The Clippers are3-2 under interim head coach Kim Hughes. … Evans scored nine points in thethird quarter, but needed nine shots to do it.

Timberwolves’ Jefferson arrested for DWI

MINNEAPOLIS (AP)—Minnesota Timberwolves center Al Jefferson(notes) faces an April 23court appearance after his arrest on suspicion of DWI near downtown Minneapolis.

Minnesota State Patrol spokesman Lt. Eric Roeske (RAW’-skee) says a trooperstopped the 25-year-old Jefferson on Interstate 394 early Sunday for speedingand changing lanes without signaling.

Roeske says after taking a field sobriety test, Jefferson was taken to ahospital for a blood test, then to Hennepin County Jail on suspicion offourth-degree driving while impaired. Jefferson was released after an hour injail.

Jefferson led the Timberwolves with 19 points in Saturday night’s 110-91loss to Portland.

The 6-foot-10 Jefferson missed the last 2 1/2 months of last season afterinjuring his right knee and undergoing surgery. Telephone calls to his agent’soffice were not immediately returned Sunday.

Defensive players shine at NFL combine

INDIANAPOLIS (AP)—Ndamukong Suh thinks he should be the No. 1 pick.

Gerald McCoy and Eric Berry both contend they should go first, too.

Suddenly in the quarterback-driven NFL, defense is becoming all the rage.Early draft projections have Suh and McCoy, defensive tackles, going among thetop four picks. Berry could join them in the top five, and none of the threedefenders are shy about making their cases for who is the best.

“In my eyes, I feel like I’m the best player in the draft because I bring alot to the table,” Berry said Sunday. “I was a game-changer in college. If youwant to compare the big playmaking ability, you can put that there. As soon as Istepped foot on campus, I was a star for three years.”

Auburn's Ben Tate runs dri… AP – Feb 28, 4:39 pm EST California's Jahvid Best (… AP – Feb 28, 3:53 pm EST Georgia Tech's Jonathan Dw… AP – Feb 28, 3:45 pm EST Clemson's C.J. Spiller run… AP – Feb 28, 3:09 pm EST North Alabama's Preston Pa… AP – Feb 28, 1:42 pm EST Tulane's Jeremy Williams r… AP – Feb 28, 1:37 pm EST Notre Dame's Golden Tate r… AP – Feb 28, 1:36 pm EST Texas' Jordan Shipley runs… AP – Feb 28, 1:35 pm EST Cincinnati's Tony Pike run… AP – Feb 28, 1:27 pm EST New Orleans Saints quarterback… AP – Feb 28, 1:27 pm EST Notre Dame's Jimmy Clausen… AP – Feb 28, 1:18 pm EST Florida's Tim Tebow runs t… AP – Feb 28, 1:17 pm EST Texas' Colt McCoy runs the… AP – Feb 28, 1:16 pm EST Troy's Levi Brown(notes) r… AP – Feb 28, 1:06 pm EST YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index = 13; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_lazy_images = [http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100228/capt.73266bafd78d485f9b11a1aeee608ae2.nfl_combine_football_nas117.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=52&yc=1&wc=308&hc=342&q=70&sig=TAwkU.b7ZmtbBM078vomew--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100228/capt.30502b5ef253432ba772ae0567eb240f.nfl_combine_football_nas116.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=267&hc=297&q=70&sig=1RuFm4jHY7s0rtFa8jhTrg--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100228/capt.9e1c6a3434c74c46825878500c3d2d0d.nfl_combine_football_nas211.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=30&yc=1&wc=350&hc=389&q=70&sig=INsY5yMvN8alIm4ReRjiAQ--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100228/capt.16402795d87f48629ddacde0e3db3004.nfl_combine_football_nas115.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=289&hc=321&q=70&sig=1hrD1vnQEpvukeBZQZUaww--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100228/capt.4dd8ffad9f184ce298c584db89d657c3.nfl_combine_football_nas114.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=68&yc=1&wc=275&hc=306&q=70&sig=3OgsLK5kMKRaxqwavTilBA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100228/capt.7fa53b85fbbe4165a2ef716c9bb79615.nfl_combine_football_nas112.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=346&hc=384&q=70&sig=.k7Z8S5VzXp9n5nSeQanZg--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100228/capt.d6e097d656f347b9861a8bad5f38e485.nfl_combine_football_nas113.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=318&hc=353&q=70&sig=QIgWu0VzNJIdkbJjBzk5xA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100228/capt.6686324159b34cb2a8ea13e6214a0008.nfl_combine_football_nas111.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=70&yc=1&wc=272&hc=302&q=70&sig=9vQuH3DlNTg8SybR3nZa3w--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100228/capt.dc180e1e55d14a1084d2d1545b0aeaa7.nfl_combine_football_nas110.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=65&yc=1&wc=282&hc=313&q=70&sig=FzVPwdQhlHk4LfeXfIzhmw--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100228/capt.a017998b22ed49d4a0a83e1783974f5c.nfl_combine_football_nas209.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=59&yc=1&wc=293&hc=325&q=70&sig=ceY7RtDQ0tezdpXaT7HDPw--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100228/capt.63073c1bee114f949ddd59b50ea5898d.nfl_combine_football_nas208.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=246&hc=273&q=70&sig=u.beOtxEc6d7U.jDSiTK7g--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100228/capt.91d8e988c9614f359dc6373a1c921176.nfl_combine_football_nas108.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=275&hc=306&q=70&sig=aXdOurleyByNRKcLhQ1hvA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100228/capt.3d40940f4e2a43fe8caec409c459dd27.nfl_combine_football_nas206.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=75&yc=1&wc=260&hc=289&q=70&sig=dSdkRsNb29v3oIXmUoR6nQ--]; YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(window,load,YAHOO.Sports.articleLazyLoadCarousel.init); 1 of 14 NFL Gallery function prev_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index > 0) { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index – 1); } else { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index); }}function next_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index 0) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next); }*/}function goto_photo(p) { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { for(i = 0; i < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos.length; i++) { if (i == p) { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, ); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, none); } } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page) { YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page.innerHTML =(p + 1); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = p; } } update_buttons();}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init = function () { YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_prev, click, prev_photo); YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_next, click, next_photo); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = 0; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page = YAHOO.util.Dom.get(carousel_page); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos = YAHOO.util.Dom.getElementsByClassName(item, div, leadphoto); if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { goto_photo(0); }}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init();

McCoy and Suh can’t exactly say the same thing though they are clearly thebigger stars now.

Suh came to the league’s annual scouting combine a little shorter than6-foot-4 and 307 pounds, two months after joining the other Heisman Trophyfinalists in New York. McCoy, a playful character with oodles of charisma,checked in at 6-4, 295.

Those two and Berry, of Tennessee, are presumably battling a pair ofquarterbacks, Oklahoma’s Sam Bradford and Notre Dame’s Jimmy Clausen, to becomethis year’s draft lottery winner.

History does not bode well for these defenders.

Quarterbacks have gone first in nine of the last 12 drafts. The lastdefensive tackle to go No. 1 overall was Cincinnati’s Dan Wilkinson(notes) in 1994. Ofthe five defensive tackles taken No. 1 since 1964, only one—Dallas’ RussellMaryland—played in a Pro Bowl. He made it once.

Coaches think McCoy, of Oklahoma, or Suh, of Nebraska, could change thelegacy.

“You have to talk about a dominant defensive tackle, somebody that changesthe game, somebody that changes schemes, changes how you would block it,” St.Louis coach Steve Spagnuolo said, when asked to describe a franchise defensivetackle. “He gives offensive coordinators in the run game or the pass game alittle bit of a headache. I think that’s the type of guy you describe. Both ofthose guys are good football players.”

The Rams have the No. 1 pick, the Lions are No. 2, and McCoy said he hasalready spoken to both teams. Suh had not spoken with the Rams as of Sundayafternoon.

Do they fit the mold of franchise-type players?

In McCoy’s case, he says yes and illustrates the point by recounting thestory of a 238-pound, 12-year-old kid from Oklahoma City.

“One time in little league, I tackled three people,” McCoy said. “I camethrough and the quarterback didn’t know who to give it to, so I just grabbedeverybody.”

Now that’s chaos.

Suh has a more serious approach. He emerged as a Heisman contender afteralmost single-handedly stifling Texas’ high-scoring offense in the Big 12 titlegame. He’s also gaining a reputation as a serious, cerebral player with amassive body.

The questions about Suh are more about whether he can adapt to the NFLstyle, which will require him to play the run on the way to the pass.

“I think I can do that, I just haven’t had the opportunity just yet to dothat because of the scheme that we were in,” Suh said Saturday in Indy. “I’mnot saying that was a problem because there’s opportunities in our scheme when Ihad a chance to do that, but it wasn’t as much as some of the teams did. Geraldhad that opportunity a little bit more.”

Berry has more significant obstacles to overcome.

Safeties have rarely gone in the top 10, much less the top five. The lastdefensive back taken No. 1: Safety Gary Glick of Colorado A&M, who went toPittsburgh in 1956.

Most teams place a premium on cornerbacks or pass rushers instead ofinterior linemen or big-hitting safeties.

Those days could be changing.

“I look at those two players, McCoy and Suh, and from my opinion, they’rethe two best players in the draft,” said Mike Mayock, draft analyst for the NFLNetwork. “They’re both clean off the field. I like McCoy ahead of Suh, onlybecause he’s more disruptive in the pass game, but they’re both great players.”

The talent pool runs deep on defense this year.

Nearly two-thirds of the first round picks could come on defense. Among thepossibilities are Florida cornerback Joe Haden and Gators defensive end CarlosDunlap and linebackers Sergio Kindle of Texas and Rolando McClain of Alabama.

But in a year when half of the six players given franchise tags weredefensive tackles, there could be up five or more defensive tackles taken in thefirst round. Mayock said he has 14 defensive tackles projected to go in thefirst three round.

And it all starts with McCoy and Suh.

“Either one would be fine with me,” McCoy said when asked about goingfirst or second. “A one or two pick, a third pick, a 15th pick, a pick, I justwant to get picked. I love football. I just want to play in the NFL. It’s adream and passion of mine. I just really want to play.”

Nets G Lee out with sprained ankle

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP)—Shooting guard Courtney Lee(notes) missed the New JerseyNets’ game with the Washington Wizards on Sunday because of a sprained leftankle.

Lee hurt the ankle on Saturday in a win against the Boston Celtics.

Chris Douglas-Roberts(notes) replaced Lee in the starting lineup.

Citadel QB charged in armed robbery case

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP)—A quarterback for The Citadel has been charged withthree others in connection with an armed robbery of a man at his home,Charleston police said Sunday.

Miguel Starks, 19, and former Citadel player linebacker Reginald AnthonyRice, 22, were charged Saturday with armed robbery, first-degree burglary,kidnapping and possession of a firearm during the commission of a violent crime,Charleston police spokesman Charles Francis said in a news release.

Francis said two College of Charleston students also were arrested inconnection with the case. Stephen Horace Francois, 20, was charged with armedrobbery, kidnapping and first-degree burglary and Sasha Gaskins, 18, was chargedwith accessory after the fact.

The arrests were first reported by The Post and Courier of Charleston.

Francis said a woman who knew the victim got him to open his garage door bysaying she was having car trouble. Three men forced the victim back into thehouse at gunpoint, tied him up and took his wallet, electronic equipment andjewelry.

The victim freed himself, reported the robbery and described the suspects.

Francis said he did not know whether any of the four had attorneys.

The school said Sunday it would not comment on the investigation, butreleased a statement from head football coach Kevin Higgins.

“Like the rest of The Citadel community we are shocked, angry and saddenedby the alleged events involving Miguel Starks,” Higgins said. “Senseless doesnot begin to describe the situation. Miguel is an only child, loved and providedwell for by his parents Michael and Sharon. He has many talents and football isjust one of them.

“We will continue to cooperate with the investigation in any way that weare asked.”

Duke cruises behind Singler, Scheyer

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP)—With a showdown at Maryland for the ACC titlelooming, Kyle Singler and Jon Scheyer gave No. 5 Duke exactly what it needed onSunday night—a big lead and a chance to cruise to the finish.

Singler scored 21 points and Scheyer had 20 and both watched the lastseveral minutes from the bench as the Blue Devils cruised to a 67-49 victoryagainst shorthanded Virginia.

More than getting to rest in a lopsided game, Singler said “it was moreimportant that we all played pretty well and (we’ll) have good momentum goinginto the Maryland game.”

The Blue Devils (25-4, 12-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) have won eightstraight and will arrive in College Park, Md., with a one-game lead over theTerrapins.

Duke took command right away, opening the game on a 20-4 run. Singler had 11points before Virginia had two field goals, and the Cavaliers never got closerthan 10. They trailed 35-21 at halftime and went the first 5 minutes without afield goal after the break.

Coach Mike Krzyzewski called the victory “a workmanlike performance” andScheyer said he’s pleased with where the Blue Devils are heading into theirbiggest game of the season.

“I think we’re in a good place now,” he said. “We’ve improved a lotoverall. … Our defense is really good and it’s been a strength all year. Weneed to keep getting better.”

Getting them rest in the game was not a priority, Krzyzewski said.

“I rest my guys in practice,” he said. “Playing time, in the games, isreally irrelevant. It’s what you do between games. Our practices this week,teamwise, were no more than 50 minutes. … That’s how you take care of yourguys. Guys want to play. They want to play.”

The Cavaliers (14-13, 5-9) lost their seventh straight and played withoutscoring leader Sylven Landesberg, who sustained a bruised right thigh inVirginia’s loss at Miami last week.

“He couldn’t really go,” first-year Cavaliers coach Tony Bennett said.“If we would have thrown him out there, it would have been bad for him and hecouldn’t have kept up.”

Jerome Meyinsse scored 21 points for Virginia, seven more than his previouscareer best, but was the only Cavaliers player to make up for Landesberg’smissing 17.4 points.

Mike Scott, the Cavaliers No. 2 scorer with a 12.8 average, went scorelessfor a second straight game, going 0 for 6 in just 12 minutes. He’s now 0 for 13in the past two games.

“I don’t know what to tell you,” Bennett said of Scott’s struggles. “Ithought (Meyinsse) battled his butt off and he gave us some stuff and Mike, Ididn’t see it from Mike tonight.

“He just wasn’t himself in the last couple of games.”

Singler and Scheyer had an easy time offensively. Singler finished 6 for 10from the field and Scheyer was 8 for 14, and both coaches emptied their benchesfor the finish.

Xavier beats No. 23 Richmond in 2OT

CINCINNATI (AP)—Terrell Holloway scored seven of his 24 points during thesecond overtime Sunday, and Xavier held on for a 78-76 victory over No. 23Richmond in an Atlantic 10 first-place showdown.

Both teams came into the game as part of a three-way tie with No. 20 Templefor a share of first. Xavier (21-7, 12-2) is trying to win a fourth straightA-10 regular-season title. It played out in championship form.

The Musketeers haven’t lost an A-10 home game since the end of the 2005-06season, running off 31 in a row—the second-longest such streak in leaguehistory. Richmond (22-7, 11-3) was best suited the break the streak, bringingthe A-10’s best road record at 5-1. The Spiders kept their poise and twiceprevented Xavier from finishing them off.

David Gonzalvez hit a tying 3 with 24 seconds left in regulation, andXavier’s Jordan Crawford missed a 3 at the buzzer. Crawford also missed a12-foot jumper at the end of the first overtime, keeping it tied at 70. It endedwhen Richmond’s Justin Harper missed a driving layup at the final buzzer.

Gonzalvez led Richmond with 18 points. Crawford scored 19 points inregulation, but failed to make a shot in either overtime and had a pair ofturnovers.

The victory stretched Xavier’s overall home-court winning streak to 23, tiedfor the third-longest active streak in Division I. It also snapped Richmond’seight-game winning streak, its longest in a dozen years.

There were 12 ties and 14 lead changes, with neither team up by more thansix in the second half or overtime.

Holloway got going in the first overtime, hitting a pair of driving basketsand taking a charge. Crawford’s miss sent it to another overtime, which startedwith Holloway hitting a 3, a pull-up jumper and a pair of free throws. He alsotook another charge that helped Xavier pull ahead to stay.

Xavier had a chance to take control at the outset, pulling ahead 22-15 forthe biggest lead of the game. The Spiders hung in by hitting tough 3s. Eight ofRichmond’s first 11 baskets came from behind the arc, including five in a row.Xavier led 38-34 at halftime, when the Spiders were 8 of 17 from behind the arc.

The second half matched the first—back-and-forth scoring, neither teamable to put together a run, repeatedly making it come down to a final shot.

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