AP Thursday Sports Roundup

NBA-SCHEDULE

Harden's 51 points lead Rockets

UNDATED (AP) — James Harden provided another MVP-type performance on Wednesday to help the Houston Rockets pull into a tie with Memphis for second in the NBA's Western Conference with seven games remaining.

Harden poured in a career-high 51 points and the Rockets improved to 51-24 by holding off Sacramento 115-111. The Kings trailed just 104-102 with 5 1/2 minutes remaining before Harden scored the next eight points, capped by a 3-point play. It was his league-leading ninth game with at least 40 points this season and comes two weeks after he scored 50.

Harden also tied a career high with eight 3-pointers, and Trevor Ariza added six to finish with 22 points.

In other NBA action:

— Chris Paul had a great game in the Los Angeles Clippers' 126-122 win at Portland, going 5-for-9 from 3-point range and finishing with 41 points and 17 assists. Blake Griffin had 24 points, eight assists and seven rebounds to help the Clippers stay one game ahead of San Antonio for fifth place in the West.

— Aron Baynes had 18 points and the Spurs wrapped up their 18th consecutive playoff berth by downing the Magic 103-91 in Orlando. Manu Ginobili added 13 points for San Antonio, which shot 13 of 29 from 3-point range and led by as many as 25 in their fifth straight win.

— Russell Westbrook's triple-double of 31 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists wasn't enough for Oklahoma City in a 135-131 loss to Dallas. Monta Ellis had a team-high 26 points for the Mavericks, who shot over 61% from the floor.

— Anthony Davis had a team-high 20 points as New Orleans beat the Los Angeles Lakers 113-92 to climb within 1 ½ games of Oklahoma City for the final Western Conference playoff berth. Norris Cole and Ryan Anderson each came off the bench to contribute 17 points apiece for the Pelicans.

— Six Toronto players scored at least 13 points in a 113-99 downing of Minnesota. Lou Williams scored 18 points and DeMar DeRozan added 17 for the Atlantic Division champs.

— Michael Carter-Williams had 21 points and 10 rebounds as the Bucks beat Chicago in Milwaukee for the first time in 10 tries, 95-91. Ersan Ilyasova finished with 16 points for the Bucks, who won for the third time in 11 games to keep their 2 1/2-game lead over Miami and Brooklyn for sixth place in the East.

— Washington topped Philadelphia 106-93 as Marcin Gortat scored 23 points and grabbed 14 rebounds. John Wall's 13 points and 15 assists helped the Wizards win for just the second time in seven games.

— Brook Lopez hit a follow-up with two seconds left to give Brooklyn its fifth straight win, 100-98 at New York. The Nets blew a 16-point, second-half lead before tying Miami for seventh place in the East.

— Kelly Olynyk scored 19 points as Boston dumped Indiana 100-87 to stay a half-game behind Brooklyn and Miami for the final two Eastern Conference playoff berths. Tyler Zeller scored 17 of his 19 points in the first half, and Evan Turner had a triple-double of 13 points, 12 assists and 11 rebounds for the Celtics.

— Marvin Williams dropped in 18 points and Charlotte won for only the third time in 10 games by blowing out Detroit 102-78. Kemba Walker had 17 points and Gerald Henderson added 14 as the Hornets stayed two games out of a playoff berth.

— Rudy Gobert scored a career-high 20 points, grabbed 12 rebounds and had two blocks as Utah topped Denver Nuggets 98-84. Derrick Favors scored 19, had seven rebounds and three blocks as the Jazz frontcourt dominated.

NBA-HEAT-NAPIER

Napier shelved for rest of season

MIAMI (AP) — The Miami Heat say rookie guard Shabazz Napier will miss the remainder of the regular season after undergoing surgery to repair a sports hernia today. Napier played in 51 games this season for the Heat, making 10 starts and averaging five points, 2 1/2 assists and two rebounds.

The Heat also are finishing the season without center Chris Bosh because of blood clots, and forward Josh McRoberts due to knee surgery.

FINAL FOUR-SECURITY

More security at Final Four

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indianapolis is preparing for the possibility of protests during this weekend's Final Four.

The city will increase police presence downtown amid objections over a new state law that critics say could allow discrimination against gays and lesbians.

Department of Public Safety spokesman Al Larsen says that the city will have a "noticeably higher" police presence and will designate an area immediately south of Lucas Oil Stadium for protesters to gather.

The measure signed last week by Gov. Mike Pence prohibits any laws that "substantially burden" a person's ability to follow his or her religious beliefs. Critics contend it is designed to shield businesses and individuals who don't want to serve gays and lesbians.

Lawmakers are working on language to address those concerns, but some college sports figures have already announced they are boycotting the Final Four.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL-KANSAS-OUBRE

Freshman Oubre heads to NBA

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Kansas swingman Kelly Oubre, Jr. says he is leaving for the NBA draft, skipping his final three seasons of eligibility after an up-and-down freshman year.

The 6-foot-7 Oubre started 27 games this past season, helping the Jayhawks win their 11th straight Big 12 title. He averaged 9.3 points and five rebounds, and showcased his potential when he poured in 25 points in a victory over TCU in the Big 12 Tournament.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL-ST. JOHN'S-MULLIN

Longhorns hope to get Smart

UNDATED (AP) — The Texas Longhorns have honed in on a head basketball coach.

A person with knowledge of the trip tells The Associated Press that Longhorns athletic director Steve Patterson is scheduled to travel Thursday to meet with VCU coach Shaka Smart about taking over for Rick Barnes. The person says Texas hopes to introduce Smart as its new coach as early as Friday.

Smart's teams have won at least 26 games each of the past six seasons.

In other men's basketball coaching news:

— Newly-hired St. John's coach Chris Mullin said at his introductory news conference that he wasn't worrying about tarnishing his legacy as a player at his alma mater, where he still ranks as the school's all-time leading scorer. Mullin comes in with no previous head coaching experience and takes over from Steve Lavin, who departed last week after leading the Red Storm to the NCAA tournament in two of his five years.

— Northern Iowa coach Ben Jacobson has been given a 10-year contract extension through the 2024-25 season after leading the Panthers to a school-record 31 wins and the Missouri Valley tournament title this past season. Jacobson is 197-104 in nine seasons with Northern Iowa.

— Xavier coach Chris Mack has received a one-year contract extension through the 2020-21 season after guiding the Musketeers to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament for the third time in his six years. The Musketeers are 134-71 under Mack, the third-most wins by a Xavier coach.

— The University of San Diego has hired former Torero Lamont Smith as its new head basketball coach. Smith played for the Toreros from 1994-99 and was twice named the team's defensive player of the year. He spent the last two years as assistant head coach under New Mexico's Craig Neal.

MLB-SPRING TRAINING

Nats Rendon to start on DL

UNDATED (AP) — Washington third baseman Anthony Rendon will start the season on the disabled list because of a sprained left knee.

Rendon was hurt March 9 diving for a ball in the field. The Nationals expected Rendon to return within a week, but pain lingered.

Rendon hit .287 with 21 homers and 83 RBIs last year but has been limited to nine exhibition at-bats.

Elsewhere in baseball:

— Doctors have told Miami reliever Aaron Crow he needs season-ending elbow ligament-replacement surgery. Crow will get a second opinion but expects to have the procedure. The four-year veteran went 6-1 with a 4.12 ERA in 61 appearances last season for Kansas City but was left off the Royals postseason roster.

— Marlins pitcher Jarred Cosart has denied ever betting on baseball, speaking directly about the topic for the first time since gambling-related tweets appeared on his Twitter account last week. The tweets discussed gambling advice received from a gambling expert and did not appear to involve baseball bets. A Major League Baseball spokesman said its investigation of Cosart and the tweets is ongoing.

— The Mets are working to complete a new contract with Juan Lagares that would guarantee the center fielder $23 million from 2016-19, including a buyout of a $9.5 million option for 2020. The 26-year-old hit .281 with four homers, 47 RBIs and 13 stolen bases last year, when he won his first Gold Glove.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL-ALABAMA-TAYLOR ARREST

Woman recants assault charge against Tide player

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — The woman who said former Alabama football player Jonathan Taylor assaulted her has recanted the allegations. Tuscaloosa police say the 24-year-old woman has been arrested on a charge of False Reporting to Law Enforcement.

Taylor was arrested on Saturday and coach Nick Saban dismissed the defensive lineman from the team the following day.

Alabama did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL-TENNESSEE-RAPE INVESTIGATION

Probe of former Vols player closed

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Knoxville police say they are closing the rape case involving former Tennessee cornerback Riyahd Jones because the woman has decided not to prosecute. Authorities said on Feb. 9 that Jones was a suspect in a rape investigation, though no arrest was ever made and no charges were filed.

Jones didn't play last season and announced via Twitter on Feb. 2 that he was leaving the Vols.

NHL-SCHEDULE

Flyers dump Pens

UNDATED (AP) — Sidney Crosby notched his 300th NHL goal on Wednesday, but his Pittsburgh Penguins moved no closer to clinching a Stanley Cup playoff berth.

Brayden Schenn scored twice and the Philadelphia Flyers ended a nine-game road losing streak by downing the Pens 4-1. Crosby opened the scoring just 3:29 into the first period, but the Flyers tied it on Vincent Lecavalier's first goal in nearly three months before Schenn tallied in each of the next two periods.

Steve Mason stopped 24 shots in the Flyers' seventh consecutive victory in Pittsburgh.

The Pens are in a virtual tie with the Islanders for fourth in the Eastern Conference, but the Isles have more victories.

Elsewhere on NHL ice:

— The Anaheim Ducks have clinched the Pacific Division title and grabbed a four-point lead in the President's Trophy race by whipping Edmonton 5-1. Andrew Cogliano capped the scoring on a penalty shot and had an assist to help the Ducks become the league's first 50-win team.

— Logan Couture had an empty-net goal and an assist while San Jose scored four times in the third period of a 5-1 verdict over Colorado. The Sharks are five points out of a playoff spot with five games remaining.

— Buffalo scored the last three goals in a 4-3 win against Toronto, leaving the Sabres just two points behind Arizona for the NHL's worst record. The Sabres trailed 3-2 early in the third period until Matt Moulson and Matt Ellis scored 1:41 apart.

NFL-LEBARON-OBIT

NFL great and war hero LeBaron dies

STOCKTON, Calif. (AP) — College football Hall of Famer, former NFL quarterback and war hero Eddie LeBaron Jr. has died at 85. The four-time Pro Bowl selection played 11 NFL seasons for Washington and Dallas, throwing for 13,399 yards and 104 touchdowns.

LeBaron served as a U.S. Marine in the Korean War and was awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star for heroism.

NFL-TRADE

Broncos acquire center from Ravens

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — The Denver Broncos continued addressing their needs along the offensive line by acquiring fourth-year center Gino Gradkowski from the Baltimore Ravens for 2016 draft considerations.

Gradkowski started every game in Baltimore in 2013 but only saw action in eight games last year after the Ravens obtained Jeremy Zuttah from the Buccaneers.

SOCCER-SENATE

13 senators ask FIFA to move World Cup out of Russia

WASHINGTON (AP) — Thirteen U.S. senators are asking FIFA to consider taking the 2018 World Cup out of Russia because of what they call that country's "ongoing violations of the territorial integrity of Ukraine."

In the letter, lawmakers including Wisconsin Republican Ron Johnson, Illinois Democrat Richard Durbin and Arizona Republican John McCain are telling FIFA head Sepp Blatter that letting Russia host the event "inappropriately bolsters the prestige" of President Vladimir Putin's "regime at a time it when it should be condemned."

They suggested that FIFA hold an extraordinary congress to vote on whether to move the 2018 tournament to another site.

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