The Lakers’ dismal season reached a new low with a 123-75 loss to the Jazz. The 48-point margin of defeat marks the worst loss of Kobe Bryant’s career and matches the most lopsided loss in Laker history.
Jeff Teague scored 26 points as the Hawks held off the fading Bulls, 102-100. Derrick Rose poured in 20 points for the Bulls, while Pau Gasol had 19 points and 11 rebounds. Chicago has dropped four in-a-row to fall two-and-half games behind the Pistons for the final playoff spot in the East. The Bulls are right back in action tonight against the Pacers.
The Thunder ran their winning streak to eight games with a 119-100 rout of the Raptors. Russell Westbrook logged his 16th triple-double of the season with 26 points, 11 rebounds and 12 assists.
The UConn women’s basketball team is heading to the Final Four for the ninth straight year. The Huskies punched their ticket to the national semifinals with an 86-65 win over Texas. The Huskies have won 73 straight games and are seeking a record fourth consecutive national title.
The Capitals clinched the Presidents’ Trophy and home-ice advantage throughout the playoffs with a 4-1 win over the Blue Jackets. Washington, which leads the league with 113 points, is the only NHL team without consecutive regulation losses this season.
Carlos Martinez pitched six innings of one-run ball as the Cardinals beat the Mets 3-1 in Jupiter. He allowed just three hits and struck out four to get the win. Matt Holliday went 2-for-2 with a home run for St. Louis, which is 9-and-13 on the spring. The Cards host the Nationals today.
The Cubs and Angels played to an 8-8 tie in Cactus League action yesterday. Jason Heyward and Anthony Rizzo homered, while Kyle Hendricks allowed six runs, four earned, in five-and-two-thirds innings. The Cubs clash with the A’s this afternoon.
Carlos Sanchez homered twice to help power the White Sox to an 11-7 Cactus League win over the Rockies. Jose Abreu and Matt Davidson also went deep for Chicago, which has hit an MLB-best 46 home runs this spring. The White Sox host the Rangers this afternoon.
The Mets may not have Matt Harvey on the mound when they open the regular season Sunday night against the Royals. Harvey missed yesterday’s spring start with an undisclosed ailment. The Mets say the issue is not related to his arm, but his status for Opening Night is uncertain.