A.P. Sports Roundup

NBA-SCHEDULE

Cavs knock off Warriors

UNDATED (AP) — The Cleveland Cavaliers remain white hot after LeBron James outplayed Stephen Curry in a win over the NBA's best team.

James scored a season-high 42 points and had 11 rebounds as the Cavs picked up their 18th victory in 20 games, 110-99 over Golden State. James shot 15-for-25 from the floor, including a 4-for-9 performance from 3-point range. Kyrie Irving added 24 points to help the Cavaliers pick up their 11th consecutive home win and take over the NBA's Central Division lead at 37-22, a half-game ahead of Chicago.

Curry scored 18 points but had only six after the first quarter and was 5 of 17 from the field.

The Warriors dropped to 44-11.

Russell Westbrook's triple-double wasn't enough to keep Oklahoma City from losing to Phoenix 117-113 in overtime. The Thunder star guard had 39 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists, but missed a game-tying layup with under six seconds to go.

The Suns' Eric Bledsoe nearly had a triple-double of his own, but wound up with 28 points, 13 rebounds and 9 assists. Markieff Morris scored 29 for the Suns, who pulled within 1½ games of the Thunder for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

NBA-BULLS-ROSE

Rose slated for Friday surgery

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Bulls say Derrick Rose will have surgery Friday to repair a medial meniscus tear in his right knee. The organization sounded upbeat Thursday that the procedure won't prevent the star point-guard from suiting up again this season.

The 2011 NBA MVP played in only 10 games last season before having surgery for a similar injury in November 2013. He was averaging 18 points and five assists when he was diagnosed with the latest injury on Tuesday.

NBA-PACERS-GEORGE

George practices

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana Pacers two-time All-Star forward Paul George has finished his first full practice since his compound fracture of his right leg. It's still unclear when George will play in games, and neither George nor coach Frank Vogel would give a timetable for that. George says his leg feels good, and he hopes to return this season.

NBA-KINGS-COLLISON

Surgery for Collison

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Sacramento Kings point guard Darren Collison will be out at least another month after he undergoes surgery on Tuesday to repair a core muscle injury. Collison has missed the past seven games with what the team said was a strained right hip flexor. He is averaging a career-high 16.1 points to go with 5.6 assists and 3.2 rebounds.

TOP 25 MEN'S BASKETBALL-SCHEDULE

Wildcats crush Buffs

UNDATED (AP) — Gonzaga's winning streak is now 28 games after the Bulldogs slogged through a 59-39 win over San Diego. No.3 Gonzaga improved to 29-1 despite scoring a season-low 22 points in a sloppy first half.

Przemek Karnowski led the way with scored 11 of his 14 points in the second half and Domantas Sabonis added 11 off the bench for the Bulldogs who improved to 17-0 in the West Coast Conference.

San Diego leading scorer Johnny Dee was hounded by Gonzaga's Gary Bell Jr. and held to six points on 2-of-10 shooting.

The seventh-ranked Arizona Wildcats took another step toward winning the Pac-12 title by ripping Colorado on Thursday.

Stanley Johnson scored 11 of his 15 points in the second half of the Wildcats' 82-54 rout of the Buffaloes. Kaleb Tarczewski and Gabe York added 14 points apiece for the Wildcats, who've won five in a row and can clinch the conference crown Saturday at No. 13 Utah.

The Utes prepared for their Arizona showdown by racing out to a 41-9 halftime lead in an 83-41 laugher against Arizona State. Utah had eight players with at least eight points, led by Delon Wright's 12 on 5-for-8 shooting.

Elsewhere in top-25 hoops:

— Nic Moore scored 14 of his 16 points in the second half as No. 21 SMU outlasted Memphis 66-57. The game was tied at 48 until the Mustangs when on a 15-4, capped by Moore's 3-pointer with 3:27 left.

T25 MEN'S BASKETBALL-LOUISVILLE

Former Cardinals guard denies rape

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Former Louisville guard Chris Jones has pleaded not guilty to charges of rape and sodomy, days after being dismissed from the team. It's the latest turn over eight tumultuous days for Jones, who was dismissed from the team Sunday. That came three days after he was reinstated following a one-game suspension on Feb. 17 for violating an unspecified team rule. Coach Rick Pitino said Jones returned to the team after meeting unspecified conditions for reinstatement.

University police say the allegations involved two women, and the rape is said to have occurred on Saturday at a private apartment off campus. That was the same day Jones made his return and scored 17 points in a victory over Miami before his dismissal was announced a day later.

Two others are charged in the alleged attack on the second woman.

NFL-VIKINGS-PETERSON

Judge sides with Peterson

UNDATED (AP) — Adrian Peterson is a step closer to playing in the NFL again after a federal judge cleared the way for the Minnesota Vikings running back to be reinstated.

U.S. District Judge David Doty has ruled that an NFL arbitrator "failed to meet his duty" in Peterson's child abuse case that shook the league. The league suspended Peterson through at least April 15 under its personal conduct policy.

NFL-JAGUARS-BLACKMON

Jags drop Blackmon

UNDATED (AP) — The Jacksonville Jaguars have released veteran cornerback Will Blackmon, who played eight games last season before a finger injury that landed him on injured reserve. He finished with 28 tackles, a sack and a forced fumble. Blackmon has played eight years in the league, spending time with Green Bay, the New York Giants and Seattle.

Also in the NFL:

— The Kansas City Chiefs have waived veteran tight end Anthony Fasano, who had 25 receptions for 253 yards and four touchdowns last season. The move frees up about $2 million in salary cap space as the Chiefs try to retain All-Pro linebacker Justin Houston.

— The Atlanta Falcons have released running back Steven Jackson, who led the team with 707 yards rushing and six touchdowns last season, but averaged only 3.7 yards per carry.

— Indianapolis Colts quarterback Matt Hasselbeck has agreed to a one-year contract extension.

NHL-SCHEDULE

Habs win, Rangers stay hot

UNDATED (AP) — The Montreal Canadiens have padded their lead in the NHL's Eastern Conference and Atlantic Division races. Meanwhile, the New York Rangers have pulled into a first-place tie with the New York Islanders in the Metropolitan Division.

Max Pacioretty's 30th goal of the season was the game-winner in the Canadiens' 5-2 verdict over the Blue Jackets in Columbus. Pacioretty capped a three-goal first period in which P.K. Subban and Andrei Markov each had a goal and an assist. Jacob de la Rose added his first NHL goal and Carey Price stopped 25 shots as Montreal picked up its third straight win to move five points ahead of Tampa Bay in the Atlantic Division.

Both the Rangers and Isles are three points behind the East-leading Canadiens after Lee Stempniak scored with 2:14 remaining to give the Blueshirts a 4-3 comeback win over Arizona. The Coyotes led 3-1 in the second period until Stempniak notched the first of his two goals.

Chris Kreider also scored twice for the Rangers, who have two games in hand on the Islanders after improving to 11-1-2 in their last 14 contests.

Meanwhile, Nashville's lead in the Central Division is down to seven points over St. Louis. Vladimir Tarasenko and Alex Steen scored shootout goals as the Blues nipped Winnipeg 2-1. Brian Elliott stopped 30 shots and was perfect until Mark Scheifele beat him early in the third period.

The Predators were 4-2 losers to Minnesota, giving the Wild a 12-2-1 record in their last 15 games. Nino Niederreiter scored twice, including the game-winner midway through the third period to help the Wild jump a point ahead of Calgary in the scramble for the final Western Conference playoff berth.

Elsewhere on NHL ice:

— Andrew Hammond made 35 saves to earn his second straight shutout in just four career starts in Ottawa's 1-0 win over Los Angeles. The loss ended the Kings' eight-game winning streak. Hammond is an AHL veteran pressed into action in Ottawa by injuries to Craig Anderson and Robin Lehner. He extended his own scoreless streak to 171 minutes, 44 seconds. Mike Hoffman scored the only goal Hammond needed in the third period.

— Luke Glendening's goal with 1:15 gave Detroit a 3-2 comeback win over San Jose. Pavel Datsyuk tied the score with 6:23 to go for the Red Wings who snapped a two-game losing streak. The Sharks dropped their seventh straight at home.

— Torrey Mitchell's second goal of the night was the game-winner with 8:17 remaining in Buffalo's 6-3 win over Vancouver. Brian Gionta had a goal and two assists as the Sabres kept the Canucks 10 points behind the Pacific Division-leading Anaheim Ducks.

— Chicago completed a home-and-home sweep of Florida as Cory Crawford stopped 20 shots in a 3-0 win over the Panthers. Brandon Saad had a goal and an assist in the Blackhawks' first game since losing leading scorer Patrick Kane to a broken collarbone.

— Philadelphia remains four points out of a playoff berth after Jonathan Bernier  stopped 47 shots in Toronto's 3-2 triumph against the Flyers. Phil Kessel had a goal and an assist, and Dion Phaneuf scored the game-winner in his return to the lineup after missing a month with a hand injury.

NHL-TRADES

Panthers get Jagr for stretch run...Jackets snare Clarkson

UNDATED (AP) — One of the NHL's all-time leading scorers is on the move.

The Florida Panthers have acquired veteran forward Jaromir Jagr from the New Jersey Devils for a second-round pick in this year's draft and a conditional third-rounder in 2016. Jagr is fifth in NHL history with 1,784 points and sixth with 716 goals, one behind Phil Esposito. Jagr has scored 11 goals and 29 points in 59 games this season.

Also, the Columbus Blue Jackets have acquired right wing David Clarkson from the Toronto Maple Leafs for right wing Nathan Horton. Clarkson has 10 goals and 15 points in 58 games this season. Horton hasn't played this season because of a degenerative condition in his back.

MLB-BREWERS-RODRIGUEZ

Brew Crew keeps K-Rod

MILWAUKEE (AP) — The Milwaukee Brewers are keeping their closer.

A person familiar with the agreement says the Brewers will re-sign free-agent closer Francisco Rodriguez to a two-year, $13 million contract.

The 33-year-old Rodriguez revived his career last season by converting 44 of 49 save opportunities while going 5-5 with a 3.04 ERA. The move solidifies a bullpen in which presumed closer Jonathan Broxton now figures to move back into a setup role.

MLB-CARDINALS-WAINWRIGHT

Cards ace has abdominal strain

JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — Adam Wainwright has been diagnosed with an abdominal strain, but the St. Louis ace could be available to pitch the team's opener at Wrigley Field on April 5.

Wainwright strained the muscle on Monday while putting a 45-pound weight back on a rack. He walked off a practice field Tuesday following the team's stretch, returned to St. Louis on Wednesday and was examined by Dr. Michael Brunt on Thursday.

MLB-BLUE JAYS

Bad break for Toronto's Saunders

DUNEDIN, Fla. (AP) — Toronto Blue Jays left fielder Michael Saunders won't be able to play until the All-Star break after stepping on a sprinkler while shagging fly balls and tearing cartilage in his left knee. Saunders said he felt a pop after stepping on a sprinkler head Wednesday while going for a ball at the team's training facility.

The 28-year-old was acquired by the Blue Jays in December from Seattle for pitcher J.A. Happ and was projected to be a starter. Saunders hit .273 with eight home runs and 34 RBIs in 78 games with the Mariners last season.

PGA-HONDA CLASSIC

Herman leads, Rory struggles

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Jim Herman fired a bogey-free 5-under 65 to take the first-round lead at the PGA's Honda Classic in Florida. Brendan Steele is one shot back and one ahead of Padraig Harrington, Patrick Reed and Martin Flores. Top-ranked Rory McIlroy struggled in his first round in the US this year, shooting a 3-over 73 that leaves him eight back.

LPGA-THAILAND

Americans share the lead

CHONBURI, Thailand (AP) — Americans Stacy Lewis and Brittany Lang share the lead with Yani Tseng after the first round of the LPGA event being played in Thailand. Each shot an opening 6-under 66, with Tseng's round featuring seven birdies and a bogey. Lewis opened with an eagle and finished with six birdies, while Lang had five of her eight birdies on the back nine.

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