AP Saturday Sports Roundup

It's that time again

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — The Triple Crown season gets underway today with Kentucky Derby 142. Undefeated Nyquist is the favorite in the full 20-horse field.

The Doug O'Neill trained horse will start from the 13th gate with Mario Gutierrez aboard.

The last unbeaten horse to win the first leg of the Triple Crown was Big Brown in 2008.

Exaggerator with Kent Desormeaux in the irons has the second-best odds.

Trainer Bob Baffert is trying to follow up his Triple Crown winning year with American Pharoah, with Mor Spirit in the field.

Victor Espinoza, who rode American Pharoah last year, is in today's field riding Whitmore.

NBA PLAYOFFS

NBA play in Portland and Miami

UNDATED (AP) — Two games are on the NBA Playoff schedule today with Game 3 of the Raptors-Heat series tipping things off in Miami. The teams split the first two games in Toronto with Miami winning the opener and the Raptors the second contest Thursday night. Following today's game the fourth game will take place in Miami before a return to Toronto for Game 5 Wednesday.

Tonight's second game features the Stephen Curry-less Warriors on the road facing the Blazers in Portland. Playing in front of their own fans the defending league champion Warriors walked off the court with a win in each of the first two games. Curry will miss the game nursing his injured right knee.

The Blazers will host the fourth game in the series on Monday.

GRIZZLIES-JOERGER

Grizzlies fire coach Dave Joerger

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — The Memphis Grizzlies have fired Dave Joerger after three seasons and three straight playoff appearances.

The Grizzlies announced the decision this morning.

General manager Chris Wallace said in a statement the Grizzlies needed a change to "foster the strong culture required to achieve sustainable, long-term success."

The Grizzlies used an NBA-record 28 players this season. They finished the regular season at 42-40 and were swept in the first round by San Antonio.

Joerger had been with Memphis since before the 2007-08 season. He was promoted to replace Lionel Hollins after the Grizzlies were swept in the Western Conference finals in 2013. Joerger is 147-99 overall, 9-13 in the postseason.

NHL PLAYOFFS

Pens hope to clinch

UNDATED (AP) — President's Trophy winner Washington will be trying to avoid elimination when they host Pittsburgh in Game 5 of their Eastern Conference semifinals series.

The Penguins have won three in a row to push the Caps to the brink of elimination.

The other two series in action today are knotted up at 2-2.

In Dallas this afternoon, the Stars are facing the Blues. Each team has won a game at home and on the road.

After losing the first two games to the Sharks in San Jose the Predators came back to win the next two games on their home ice in Nashville. It's back to San Jose for this evening's fifth game in the series.

MLB-SCHEDULE

Star pitchers in action

UNDATED (AP) — Three of baseball's best pitchers are on the mound in as part of the major league schedule.

The White Sox Chris Sale looks to improve to 7-0 when Chicago hosts Minnesota. Sale has been dominant in the early going of the season with a 1.66 ERA.

Boston sends major off-season acquisition David Price to the mound to face the Yankees. The left-hander is trying to run his record to 5-0.

Also in action is Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw who is facing the Blue Jays in Toronto. He starts the day with a 3-1 mark and impressive 1.96 earned run average.

The series involving the top two teams in the National League continues in Chicago as the Cubs face the Nationals. Chicago won the first two games of the series to improve to a major league-leading 22-6.

MADRID OPEN

Murray beats Nadal, reaches Madrid Open final again

MADRID (AP) — Continuing to impress on clay ahead of the French Open, Andy Murray defeated Rafael Nadal 7-5, 6-4 today to reach his second straight Madrid Open final.

Murray fought off a strong challenge by Nadal, serving eight aces and saving 11 break points to win a rematch of last year's final at the Masters tournament.

Murray needs to successfully defend his title on Sunday to avoid losing the No. 2 ranking to Roger Federer. Top-ranked Novak Djokovic plays No. 6 Kei Nishikori in the other semifinal on Saturday.

Nadal had his chances but failed on the decisive points, falling short on his attempt to win a third consecutive title this season.

It was Nadal's first loss after 13 straight wins in 2016.

PGA-WELLS FARGO CHAMPIONSHIP

Loupe eyes first win

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Andrew Loupe is in position to challenge for this first PGA Tour win. He's the leader heading into the third round of the Wells Fargo Championship.

Loupe enjoys a one-shot lead over Roberto Castro and a two-shot edge over Chessen Hadley and Mark Hubbard.

But bigger names lurk a little further down the leaderboard. Phil Mickelson and Rickie Fowler are just three shots back.

LPGA-YOKOHAMA TIRE CLASSIC

Ryu starts on top

PRATTVILLE, Ala. (AP) — So Yeon Ryu takes a two-shot lead into today's third round of the Yokohama Tire LPGA Classic.

The 2011 U.S. Women's Open champion enters the day with a 9-under total.

Minjee Lee, Morgan Pressel and Ryann O'Toole are tied for second.

CHAMPIONS TOUR-INSPERITY INVITATIONAL

Goodes in lead, Daly not far behind

THE WOODLANDS, Texas (AP) — Mike Goodes has a one-shot lead over Stephen Ames heading into the second round of the Champions Tour Insperity Invitational.

John Daly is making his debut in the 50-and-over tour, and starts the day four shots off the pace.

Daly is in a nine-man tie for 12th. In the first round, he hit 13 of 14 fairways, 16 of 18 greens in regulation and topped the field with a driving average of 317.5 yards on the two measuring holes.

NASCAR-KANSAS

Truex leads the pack

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Martin Truex, Jr. will lead the rush to the green flag for NASCAR's Spirit Cup race at Kansas tonight.

It's a track he knows well. Truex finished second there in both races in 2012. Last spring, he started fourth and led 95 laps before finishing ninth.

Matt Kenseth starts second followed by Denny Hamlin, Kurt Busch and Brad Keselowski. Points leader Kevin Harvick will start 26th.