>>Hawks Storm Past Rockets
(Houston, TX) — The Hawks staged a furious fourth-quarter comeback to sink the Rockets, 113-108. Trailing by as many as 20, Atlanta outscored Houston 40-to-22 in the final frame. Dwight Howard had 24 points and 23 rebounds in his return to Houston. James Harden finished with 41 points in the loss.
>>Duke’s Krzyzewski Returning Saturday
(Durham, NC) — Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewsk is returning to the bench. “Coach K” will be back on the sidelines when the 21st-ranked Blue Devils host Pitt tomorrow. Krzyzewski missed the last seven games recovering from back surgery. Duke went 4-and-3 in his absence.
>>Blackhawks Clip Coyotes
(Glendale, AZ) — Marian Hossa, Ryan Hartman and Patrick Kane all scored in the first and the Blackhawks held on for a 4-3 win over the Coyotes. Artemi Panarin lit the lamp in the second to help Chicago end a three-game slide. The ‘Hawks visit the Stars tomorrow night.
>>Blues Blow By Leafs
(St. Louis, MO) — The Blues spotted the Maple Leafs a 1-0 lead before scoring five unanswered goals in a 5-1 win at Scottrade Center. Paul Stastny tallied twice for St. Louis, which had lost five-of-six. The Blues are fourth in the Central Division with 55 points. They host the Penguins tomorrow.
>>Blues Retire Plager’s Number-Five Jersey
(St. Louis, MO) — The Blues are formally honoring one of their original players. They retired the number-five jersey of defenseman Bob Plager before last night’s game against Toronto. The 73-year-old was on the Blues’ original 1967-68 team. Brothers Billy and Barclay also played for the Blues.
>>Cardinals Sign Martinez To Five-Year Extension
(St. Louis, MO) — The Cardinals are locking up starting pitcher Carlos Martinez long term. The 25-year-old has signed a five-year contract extension worth a reported 51-million dollars. The deal includes club options for 2022 and 2023. It’s the largest ever given to a first-time arbitration-eligible player.
>>Tiger’s Struggles Continue In Dubai
(Dubai, United Arab Emirates) — Tiger Woods continues to struggle in his return from multiple back surgeries. Woods stumbled to a five-over-par 77 in the first round of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic. The 41-year-old likely needs to shoot a five-under 67 in today’s second round to make the cut.
>>Patriots Face Falcons Sunday
(Houston, TX) — The Lombardi Trophy will be on the line when the Patriots face the Falcons in Super Bowl 51 Sunday in Houston. Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is in search of his fifth Super Bowl ring. Brady can match Charles Haley for the most championships won by a player in NFL history.
>>Suspect In RB McKnight Killing Indicted
(Jefferson Parish, LA) — The man accused of shooting and killing former NFL running back Joe McKnight is being indicted on charges of second-degree murder. Richard Gasser Jr. shot and killed McKnight in an apparent road rage incident on December 1st. McKnight was 28.
>>Illinois Host Minnesota Tomorrow
(Champaign, IL) — Illinois is at home tomorrow afternoon against Minnesota. The Fighting Illini are looking to snap a two-game skid after losses to Penn State and ninth-ranked Wisconsin. Illinois has lost five-of-six overall to fall to 13-and-10. The Golden Gophers have lost five straight to fall to 15-and-7.
Coming up tonight on the Talk 101 High School Game of the Week presented by World of Powersports the eisenhower Panthers are on the road against Springfield Sacred Heart Griffin. The Dales Southlake Pharmacy Pregame Show gets underway at 7:15 p.m. and the tipoff follows at 7:30 p.m. Join Scott Busboom and Kevin Hale with the call tonight from Springfield on Talk 101 FM and online at decatur radio dot com.