>>League Talks With Bulls About Tanking
(Chicago, IL) — The Bulls have been keeping in touch with the NBA regarding how they’re going to end their season. The league has kept an open dialogue with Chicago as they try to balance giving their younger players a chance versus the appearance of full-blown tanking. The Bulls have significantly reduced the roles of center Robin Lopez and guard Justin Holiday since the All-Star break. They’re both expected to re-join the rotation.
>>Bulls Host Grizzlies
(Chicago, IL) — The Bulls close out a three-game homestand against the Grizzlies at the United Center tonight. Chicago split the first two of the stretch with a win over Dallas and a loss to Boston. The Bulls are 21-and-42. Memphis is last in the West at 18-and-45.
>>Rockets Roll To 16th Straight Win
(Oklahoma City, OK) — The Houston Rockets keep rolling. Chris Paul scored 25 points as they beat the Thunder 122-112 in Oklahoma City for their 16th straight win. Houston became the first team to get to 50 wins this season, matched by Golden State later in the night. The Rockets remain a half-game ahead of the Warriors for the Western Conference lead.
>>Cavs’ Love Admits He Had Panic Attack
(Cleveland, OH) — Cavaliers star Kevin Love isn’t hiding from his mental health issues. Love admitted in a piece for The Players’ Tribune that he had a panic attack during a November 5th loss to Atlanta that led to him going to the hospital with stomach pain and shortness of breath. ESPN reports Love had another panic attack in January that had not been revealed.
>>Cardinals Tie Marlins
(Jupiter, FL) — Andrew Knizner homered to tie the game in the eighth inning and that’s the way it ended as the Cardinals and Marlins played to a 4-4 tie at Roger Dean Stadium. Starter Jack Flaherty stuck out seven over four innings of two-run ball. Dexter Fowler stole home in a three-run first. The Cardinals host the Nationals today.
>>Cubs’ Darvish Makes Spring Debut
(Mesa, AZ) — Yu [[ Yoo ]] Darvish took the mound for the first time in a Cubs uniform. Darvish gave up one run over two innings in Chicago’s 9-5 Cactus League win over the Dodgers in Mesa. He allowed the run without giving up a hit, walking two and striking out four. The Cubs continue spring action against the Indians in Goodyear tonight.
>>White Sox Top Brewers
(Glendale, AZ) — Avisail Garcia and Wellington Castillo each had two RBI as the White Sox beat the Brewers 6-4 at Camelback Ranch during Cactus League play. Tyler Saladino hit a solo homer in the victory. Starter Reynaldo Lopez pitched three scoreless innings for Chicago, which faces the Reds in Glendale this afternoon.
>>Blackhawks Chip Avalanche In OT
(Chicago, IL) — Jonathan Toews [[ Taves ]] nailed the game-winning goal less than 10 seconds into overtime to lead the Blackhawks past the Avalanche 2-1 at the United Center. Toews also assisted on Chicago’s first goal by Erik Gustafsson in the opening period. Jean-Francois Berube [[ beh-ROO-bay ]] stopped 33-of-34 shots for the Blackhawks, who improved to 29-30-and-8. They host the ‘Canes tomorrow.
>>Blues Skate Against Sharks Tomorrow
(San Jose, CA) — The Blues are back on the ice tomorrow night against the Sharks in San Jose. St. Louis opened a four-game road trip with a 3-2 overtime loss at Dallas on Saturday. The Blues will also visit the Kings and Ducks before returning home. With 75 points, the Blues are two out of the second wild card in the West.
>>Bears Put Transition Tag On Fuller
(Lake Forest, IL) — The Bears are making sure they will have the last say with cornerback Kyle Fuller. Chicago used the transition tag on Fuller, giving him a guaranteed 12.971-million-dollars for 2018 and the ability to match any offer sheet he signs with another team. If the Bears decide not to match, they would lose Fuller without compensation. The 26-year-old had 67 tackles and two interceptions during the 2017 season.
>>Steelers Franchise Tag RB Bell Again
(Pittsburgh, PA) — Le’Veon Bell is going to have to make a decision. The Steelers placed the franchise tag on their star running back for the second straight season. If Bell signs the tender, he’ll earn 14.5-million dollars next season. Pittsburgh has until July 16th to agree to long-term deal with Bell, who previously said he didn’t want to play 2018 under the tag.
>>College Basketball Roundup
(Undated) — In local college hoops action, Notre Dame beat Pittsburgh 67-64 in the first round of the ACC Tournament in Brooklyn. The Irish play Virginia Tech in the second round tonight. Also tonight, DePaul squares off with Marquette in the first round of the Big East Tournament at Madison Square Garden.
>>NFL Referees Hochuli, Triplette Retiring
(New York, NY) — The NFL is losing two of its most noted referees. Ed Hochuli [[ HOCK-yoo-lee ]] and Jeff Triplette are both retiring. Hochuli joined the NFL in 1990 as a back judge and was promoted to referee in 1992. His son, Shawn, will be promoted from back judge to replace him. Triplette first started in the NFL in 1996 and had been a referee since 1999.
>>Report: Memphis Could Fire Smith For Hardaway
(Memphis, TN) — Memphis basketball could be bringing back a familiar face to take over the program. CBS Sports reports Memphis is thinking about firing head coach Tubby Smith and having Anfernee Hardaway replace him. “Penny” played for the Tigers from 1991-to-1993 and was a four-time NBA All-Star. He currently coaches East High School in Memphis.