NUGGETS SET FRANCHISE RECORD FOR WINS IN A SEASON
DENVER (AP) – Andre Iguodala (ihg-woh-DAH’-lah) scored 28 points and the Denver Nuggets set an NBA franchise record with their 55th win Sunday, beating the short-handed Portland Trail Blazers 118-109 but losing another starter. On the day Ty Lawson (right heel) returned to Denver’s starting lineup for the first time since March 27, forward Kenneth Faried sprained his left ankle in the opening minutes while driving for a layup. X-rays were negative and the Nuggets said he’s day to day. The Nuggets will go for win number 56 tonight in Milwaukee.
ROCKIES SWEEP PADRES
SAN DIEGO (AP) – Todd Helton had a pinch-hit, two-run homer in the seventh inning and Jorge De La Rosa and three relievers combined on a two-hitter to carry the Colorado Rockies to a 2-1 victory Sunday over San Diego, their second three-game sweep of the Padres this season. Colorado also swept San Diego at Coors Field last weekend. The Rockies are home tonight to begin a four game series with the New York Mets.
Elsewhere in sports…
AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) – Adam Scott holed a 12-foot birdie putt on the second playoff hole to beat Angel (AHN’-hehl) Cabrera and win the Masters. Not only is this the first major title for Scott, he becomes the first Australian to wear the green jacket at the Masters.
CHICAGO (AP) – The Chicago Cubs tied a major league record yesterday when Edwin Jackson and Michael Bowden combined to throw five wild pitches in an inning. Jackson threw two and Bowden three as the San Francisco Giants scored four runs in the sixth to take a 5-4 lead in what became a 10-7, 10-inning win over Chicago.
SAN DIEGO (AP) – San Diego’s Carlos Quentin has dropped his appeal and began serving an eight-game suspension yesterday. He was punished for rushing the mound and inciting a brawl during a game Thursday in which Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Zack Greinke (GREHN’-kee) broke his left collarbone.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) – Associated Press national player of the year Trey Burke has announced he is leaving Michigan two years early for the NBA draft. The 6-foot point guard averaged 18.6 points and 6.7 assists per game last season and helped the Wolverines reach the NCAA title game. Meanwhile, Georgetown star and AP First Team All-American Otto Porter will announce today whether he’s declaring his eligibility for the NBA draft.
UNDATED (AP) – A person familiar with the situation tells the Associated Press that former Rutgers star and current Los Angeles Lakers assistant Eddie Jordan is nearing an agreement with the Scarlet Knights to replace Mike Rice as men’s basketball coach. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because Jordan and Rutgers interim athletic director Carl Kirschner are meeting to finalize the language in the contract before an announcement can be made. A deal could be in place by Monday, with a press conference later in the week.
CHICAGO (AP) – The historic home of the Chicago Cubs will get a $500 million facelift, including its first electronic outfield video board, as part of a hard-fought agreement announced last night between the team and the City of Chicago. Wrigley Field also will host an expanded number of night games under the announced pact, as part of Cubs owner Tom Ricketts’ plans to renovate the second-oldest ballpark in the major leagues, boost business and make baseball’s most infamous losers competitive again.
PHILADELPHIA (AP) – Doug Collins has told the Philadelphia 76ers he will quit as head coach following this season with a year left on his contract. Two people with knowledge of the situation tell The Associated Press that Collins informed ownership he’s not coming back for a fourth season on the bench.
