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2B – Daily News – Friday, February 5, 2010 NFL Super Bowl XLIV Sunday At Miami New Orleans vs. Indianapolis, 3:25 p.m., CBS NBA WESTERN CONFERENCE Pacific Division W L Pct GB Lakers 38 12 .760 — Phoenix 30 21 .588 8.5 Clippers 21 28 .429 16.5 KINGS 16 32 .333 21 WARRIORS 13 35 .271 24 Southwest Division W L Pct GB Dallas 31 18 .633 — San Antonio 28 19 .596 2 Houston 26 22 .542 4.5 Memphis 26 22 .542 4.5 New Orleans 26 23 .531 5 Northwest Division W L Pct GB Denver 33 16 .673 — Utah 30 18 .625 2.5 Okla. City 28 21 .571 5 Portland 29 22 .569 5 Minnesota 11 38 .224 22 EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic Division W L Pct GB Boston 31 16 .660 — Toronto 27 23 .540 5.5 New York 19 29 .396 12.5 Philadelphia 17 31 .354 14.5 New Jersey 4 44 .083 27.5 Southeast Division W L Pct GB Orlando 33 16 .673 — Atlanta 31 17 .646 1.5 Charlotte 24 24 .500 8.5 Miami 24 26 .480 9.5 Washington 16 32 .333 16.5 Central Division W L Pct GB Cleveland 40 11 .784 — Chicago 23 24 .489 15 Milwaukee 21 26 .447 17 Indiana 17 32 .347 22 Detroit 16 31 .340 22 ——— Thursday's results Cleveland 102, Miami 86 San Antonio at Portland, late Today's games Phoenix at Sacramento, 7 p.m., CSNCA Detroit at Indiana, 4 p.m. Washington at Orlando, 4 p.m. New Jersey at Boston, 4:30 p.m. Milwaukee at New York, 4:30 p.m. Houston at Memphis, 5 p.m. Philadelphia at New Orleans, 5 p.m. Chicago at Atlanta, 5 p.m., ESPN Minnesota at Dallas, 5:30 p.m. Denver at L.A. Lakers, 7:30 p.m., ESPN Wednesday's late results San Antonio 115, Sacramento 113 L.A. Lakers 99, Charlotte 97 Phoenix 109, Denver 97 NCAA Thursday's Top 25 results No. 8 Purdue 78, Indiana 75 No. 10 Duke 86, No. 21 Georgia Tech 67 No. 14 Tennessee 59, LSU 54 No. 17 Gonzaga vs. Portland, late No. 23 Butler 63, Detroit 58 Friday's Top 25 games No games scheduled NHL WESTERN CONFERENCE Pacific Division W L OT Pts GF GA SHARKS 37 11 9 83 193 140 Phoenix 34 18 5 73 155 145 Kings 34 19 3 71 168 152 Ducks 27 23 7 61 158 173 Dallas 25 21 11 61 162 181 Central Division W L OT Pts GF GA Chicago 37 15 4 78 182 132 Nashville 31 21 4 66 156 156 Detroit 27 20 10 64 147 152 St. Louis 25 23 9 59 148 159 Columbus 23 27 9 55 152 194 Northwest Division W L OT Pts GF GA Vancouver 34 20 2 70 181 138 Colorado 31 19 6 68 164 149 Calgary 28 21 8 64 147 146 Minnesota 28 25 4 60 159 169 Edmonton 18 32 6 42 144 190 EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic Division W L OT Pts GF GA New Jersey 35 18 2 72 146 125 Pittsburgh 35 21 1 71 180 161 Philadelphia 28 24 3 59 163 150 N.Y. Rangers 25 26 7 57 149 162 N.Y. Islanders 23 26 8 54 145 177 Northeast Division W L OT Pts GF GA Buffalo 32 16 7 71 155 136 Ottawa 33 21 4 70 164 160 Montreal 27 25 6 60 149 156 Boston 23 22 10 56 133 143 Toronto 18 28 11 47 152 197 Southeast Division W L OT Pts GF GA Washington 39 12 6 84 224 155 Tampa Bay 24 21 11 59 145 165 Florida 24 23 9 57 149 161 Atlanta 24 23 8 56 166 176 Carolina 19 30 7 45 148 184 NOTE: Two points for a win, one point for overtime loss. Thursday's results San Jose 4, St. Louis 2 Columbus 2, Dallas 1 Minnesota 4, Edmonton 2 Montreal 3, Boston 2, SO Nashville 5, Colorado 3 Ottawa 3, Vancouver 1 Tampa Bay 5, N.Y. Islanders 2 Washington 6, N.Y. Rangers 5 Anaheim at Los Angeles, late Today's games Atlanta at Washington, 4 p.m. Toronto at New Jersey, 4 p.m. Calgary at Florida, 4:30 p.m. Carolina at Buffalo, 4:30 p.m. Phoenix at Chicago, 5:30 p.m. Wednesday's late result Anaheim 3, Detroit 1 DEALS National Football League SAN FRANCISCO—Named Ray Brown assistant offensive line coach. ARIZONA—Signed LB Stevie Baggs to a one-year contract. BUFFALO—Named George Edwards defensive coordinator. JACKSONVILLE—Named Rob Boras tight ends coach, Earnest Byner running backs coach, Ben Albert assistant defensive line coach and Matt Griffin and Ron Heller offen- sive staff assistants. PHILADELPHIA—Named Phil Savage play- er personnel consultant. SEATTLE—Named Sherman Smith running backs coach, Kippy Brown wide receivers coach, Art Valero assistant offensive line coach, Luke Butkus quality control/offensive line coach, Dave Canales quality control/offensive coach, Jerry Gray defensive backs coach, Kris Richard assistant defen- sive backs coach, Rocky Seto quality con- trol/defensive coach, Jeff Ulbrich special teams assistant, Chris Carlisle strength and conditioning coach and Mondray Gee and Jamie Yanchar assistant strength and condi- tioning coaches. National Basketball Association HOUSTON—Recalled G Jermaine Taylor from Rio Grande Valley (NBADL). L.A. CLIPPERS—Announced Mike Dun- leavy will step down as head coach and will remain general manager. Named Kim Hugh- es interim coach. National Hockey League ATLANTA—Traded F Ilya Kovalchuk and D Anssi Salmela to the New Jersey Devils for RW Niclas Bergfors, D Johnny Oduya, F Patrice Cormier and a first-round pick. CAROLINA—Reassigned F Jiri Tlusty to Albany (AHL). MINNESOTA —Recalled G Anton Khudobin from Houston (AHL). Placed G Niklas Back- strom on injured reserve. PHOENIX—Recalled C Joel Perrault from San Antonio (AHL). Major League Baseball MLB—Suspended Baltimore Orioles minor league pitcher Brian Parker for 50-games after a second positive test for a drug of abuse in violation of the Minor League Drug Preven- tion and Treatment Program. American League DETROIT—Agreed to terms with RHP Justin Verlander on a five-year contract. National League CHICAGO—Agreed to terms with RHP Car- los Marmol on a one-year contract and INF Kevin Millar on a minor league contract. NEW YORK—Agreed to terms with INF-OF Jolbert Cabrera, INF Luis Hernandez, LHP Bobby Livingston and LHP Travis Blackley on minor league contracts. College CLEMSON—Announced QB Willy Korn is transferring to Marshall. CONNECTICUT—Named Darrell Perkins defensive backs coach and Jonathan Whol- ley tight ends coach. NEW MEXICO—Announced the resignation of quarterbacks coach Tee Martin. SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA—Named Aaron Ausmus strength and conditioning coach. WISCONSIN—Named Chris Ash secondary coach. Scoreboard Scoreboard DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Ask anyone in NASCAR about the many, many industry ailments and the answer is that everything will be just fine. They better be right. NASCAR opened Daytona Inter- national Speedway on Thursday for the first practice session of what's expected to be one of the most critical seasons in sport history. Faced with slumping attendance and television ratings, and economic woes that have handcuffed teams and manufacturers, NASCAR has planned a series of adjustments designed to re-energize the industry. There's no doubt that it's a clear reaction to growing fan unrest. ''I think the fans want to see results,'' veteran driver Jeff Burton said. ''The fans have been speaking for the last several years saying we want to see different stuff. I think if we give it to them, and it's different, and the racing doesn't improve from it, then yeah, this is a critical year. ''When you make changes, because you are making it better, then it better be better.'' The first test was expected to be Saturday night in the exhibition Bud- weiser Shootout, when 24 drivers will run the first race under NASCAR's new ''Boys, have at it'' policy that green-lighted aggressive driving. But the drivers didn't even make it through Thursday's first practice ses- sion without incident. Contact between Denny Hamlin and Mark Martin triggered a multicar accident that destroyed several cars. It was a preview of what fans can expect during the lead-in to the Feb. 14 season-opening Daytona 500. ''Trust me, we're not finished,'' warned Greg Biffle. ''It's going to be awesome.'' NASCAR has relaxed its stance on bump-drafting and aggressive driving, and has encouraged participants to whittle down their obligatory sponsor plugs and start showing some real emotion. It's a clear response to fan complaints that drivers had become too corporate, and that NASCAR's restrictions had ruined the racing at Daytona and Talladega, typically the two most exciting tracks on the cir- cuit. The decision by NASCAR to be more lenient has so far been applaud- ed, even though the true ramifications won't be known until the checkered flag falls on the Daytona 500. The policing of bump-drafting was to cut down on the spectacular accidents that typically mar Daytona and Talladega races. ''You should care about the racing, and (NASCAR's) not afraid of mak- ing changes,'' said Juan Pablo Mon- toya, who openly challenged presi- dent Mike Helton when he announced a ban on bump-drafting in the pre-race driver meeting at Talladega last November. ''Do they always get it right? No. But at least they admit when they don't get it right and they'll change it and make it better. Other series, if they make a huge screwup and racing is terrible, they live with it.'' NASCAR also is showing a softer side by finally relenting a bit on its strict stance concerning the current Sprint Cup Series car. The car was designed by NASCAR to improve safety and cut costs. Phased into com- petition in 2007, the car has been crit- icized by competitors who found it difficult to drive and lampooned by race fans who hated the design and blamed the car for ruining racing. Series officials had been strongly opposed to any major design changes, but recently announced a transition that will replace the rear wing with a more traditional spoiler. Testing on the spoiler has already started, and it could be introduced by late March. NASCAR has also tried to give relief to struggling track operators by reducing fees it charges to hold a race. The trickle down effect should allow tracks to lower ticket prices — poten- tially luring fans back into the stands. But the move has also led to a 10- percent cut in race purses, a reduction that directly effects the cash flow for race teams. Even with the belt-tightening, team owners seemed uniformly on message in gushing about the steps NASCAR has taken to cure its many ailments. ''I am probably as excited about the future of racing as I have ever been,'' team owner Joe Gibbs said. ''I can honestly say that everybody is pointed in the right direction, and we want this sport, we want it to bounce back and come roaring back. And we will.'' Team owner Roger Penske preached about a cooperative effort from competitors and NASCAR. ''We've got to be sure we do this together, build this back up, because we need the TV ratings up, we need more people in the stands and I think we need better competition,'' he said. ''I think the folks at NASCAR realize that.'' There's more to this season, though, then just fixing problems. The sport is still rife with competi- tion storylines, starting with Jimmie Johnson's bid to extend his historical roll to a fifth consecutive Cup title. He was the media's 2010 preseason pick to win the championship — the first time during his run he's not been over- looked in favor of another driver. ''I'm thinking it my be a curse,'' he laughed. ''We'll see how it turns out.'' Dale Earnhardt Jr., Johnson's Hen- drick Motorsports teammate, will try to bounce back from a horrendous season that rattled his confidence. If Earnhardt succeeds, it will only strengthen an organization that Rick Hendrick has established as the very best in NASCAR. All eyes will be on Hamlin, the trendy pick to upend Johnson based on a torrid close to last season. But he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee playing basketball two weeks ago, and a decision to postpone surgery until after the season has some questioning whether he'll still be a contender. Then there's his nemesis, Brad Keselowski. The two openly feuded over the final three months of last sea- son over incidents in the Nationwide Series. Hired by Penske for a full-time Cup ride this season, the controversial Keselowski will now be racing every week against Hamlin — and all the other drivers he's annoyed. He's not concerned. ''It's so hard to come into this sport and run well when you're worried about making everyone else happy,'' Keselowski said. ''I just don't see how you can do that because in competitive sports, the only time your competitors are happy with you is when they're beating you.'' And don't forget Danica Patrick. The enormously popular Indy- Car driver will begin her transition into NASCAR via the second-tier Nationwide Series driving a car owned by Hendrick and Earnhardt. She'll make her stock-car debut Saturday in the ARCA race, and has not fully decided on whether or not she'll run next week's Nation- wide race at Daytona. But the crowd of reporters and photographers surrounding her at Thursday's media day was at least three-deep, and the buzz about her arrival has been a tremendous boost to NASCAR at a time it clearly needs some positive press. ''You'll have people come in and watch a race that would never watch a NASCAR race in their life just because she's there,'' said defending Daytona 500 winner Matt Kenseth. ''It's good for all of us, and NASCAR, to get some new people to come in and watch the sport. ''Hopefully, they'll like what they see and want to come back.'' NASCAR ready to fix its issues Daytona practice marred by multicar crash DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — If the first practice is any indication, Speedweeks could be filled with aggressive dri- ving, big wrecks and backup cars. An on-track tangle between Mark Martin and Denny Hamlin triggered a seven-car accident Thurs- day that may set the tone for two weeks of ramped- up racing at Daytona International Speedway. ''Trust me, we're not finished,'' said Greg Bif- fle, who was involved in the wreck. Jamie McMurray, Joey Logano, Kyle Busch and Clint Bowyer also were part of the melee, which happened halfway into the first practice for the Budweiser Shootout. Martin was in front of Hamlin in a pack of cars when Hamlin hooked the rear of Martin's car. The contact turned Martin into the wall. Hamlin and Martin agreed that the wreck started because each driver anticipated the other doing something different. ''Ultimately, every- one's out there jockeying for position and every- thing to find out what their car can do,'' Hamlin said. ''I mean, it's hairy out there for sure, and those things are going to happen whenever you're running that close and there's miscommunica- tion, you're going to have guys running into each other.'' Hamlin, Martin, Biffle, McMurray and Bowyer — driving in place of Kevin Harvick, who missed practice because of flulike symptoms — were forced into backup cars for the Saturday night exhibition race that kicks off Speedweeks. ''It's a huge disap- pointment,'' Martin said. ''I feel for my team, to be down a car already. It's not a good way to start off Speedweeks. I was really happy with my car there and I wish that we would- n't have torn it up.'' It could be just the beginning. Last month, NASCAR relaxed its rules on bump- drafting and gave drivers permission to be more aggressive on the track. When Hamlin hit Martin, he was being pushed hard from behind by Logano in a tight line of cars. The relaxed rules could lead to more intense rac- ing. ''Yeah, it's aggressive bump-drafting,'' Biffle said. ''That's what we were looking for — aggressive bump-draft- ing.'' Then he added, per- haps sarcastically, ''What are we, 20-30 minutes into practice? It's gonna be awesome.'' The second practice offered more car carnage. Juan Pablo Montoya turned Kurt Busch into the wall, sending him to the garage with all the others. Busch also went to a backup car. In a draw Thursday night, Carl Edwards won the pole. Harvick took the second spot, and Brian Vickers was third. had the effect of generating substantial additional rev- enues, 50 percent of which go to NFL players. And the union knows that's true, because the union has absolute rights to audit those expenses.'' Echoing NFL commis- sioner Roger Goodell, Pash said Smith's assertion that players are being asked to accept an 18 percent pay cut — the $340,000 per-player- average figure — was among the ''misrepresenta- tions of what our proposal is.'' ''We have never said it would result in players hav- ing to take a reduction,'' Pash said. ''The entire point here is to generate a pool of resources to have continued investment and continued growth, which would lead to higher salaries and benefits for players.'' For now, some players say they're bracing for issues. ''We've told them, 'Don't go out and buy a new boat. Don't go out and buy a new car. Pay off whatever debts you have,' '' said Jeff Satur- day of the Indianapolis Colts. ''These are things we've been learning from history.'' Smith and Mawae said that if next season goes for- ward with no salary cap, it would be highly unlikely to have a new CBA with a cap reinstated. ''Virtually impossible,'' Smith said. ''A very difficult task,'' Mawae said. Asked about the owners' assertion that the 18 percent pay cut request was false, Mawae said did not hold back: ''That is not true,'' he said. ''That is absolutely true they've asked for 18 per- cent.'' Meantime, the union is increasing dues for now with the idea of returning the money as income to players, if needed, during a lockout. ''Our guys get it,'' Mawae said. ''Our guys understand.'' (Continued from page 1B) NFL Dustin Johnson takes lead LOS ANGELES (AP) — Dustin Johnson was deter- mined to get off to a good start in the Northern Trust Open, so for the first time, he decided against trying to drive the 10th green at Riviera and instead laid up with a 4-iron. He made par, which never hurts. And then he took off. Johnson birdied three of his next four holes, one of them with a 65-foot putt, and he kept bogeys off his card during a cool, gentle morning for a 7-under 64 to build a one-shot lead Thursday over Andres Romero and Kevin Stadler. ''Had good vibes going all day, and just hit the ball really good all day long,'' Johnson said. Romero had good vibes going for most of the day. The dynamic Argentine had eight birdies to offset a double bogey on the ninth hole when he didn't listen to his caddie. Romero finished with four straight birdies for a 65. Stadler had the best score among late starters, opening with a 30 on the back nine. He played the final eight holes in 1 over. Brandt Snedeker, coming off a runner-up finish last week at Torrey Pines, and Ricky Barnes were at 66. Steve Stricker had a 67 despite a three-putt bogey at No. 3, missing his par putt from 2 feet when he couldn't get the sound of a nearby jackhammer out of his head. David Duval and Ernie Els were in the large group at 68. Phil Mickelson thought he might be among the leaders. Going for an unprecedented third straight victory at Riviera, he was 3 under midway through his round. He finished with three bogeys over his last four holes — the exception was a 6-foot birdie putt he missed — and wound up with a 1-over 72. ''I had it right there with five or six holes to go, and I let it go,'' Mickelson said. Mickelson took the Ping Eye2 wedge with square grooves out of his bag this week, although one wish was fulfilled when two players continued using it — Hunter Mahan and Fred Couples, who had a 69. The wedge is approved for play under a legal settlement from two decades ago. Couples was inspired by the fuss from last week, generat- ed mainly by Scott McCarron saying it was ''cheating'' for players like Mickelson to use it. He also was impressed that Mickelson was willing to take any criticism by using the club. Niners hire Ray Brown as assistant offensive line coach SANTA CLARA (AP) — The San Francisco 49ers have hired Ray Brown as assistant offensive line coach. The 49ers are looking to upgrade their offensive line heading into the 2010 season after the unit dealt with injury and inconsistency last season. The team made the announcement of Brown's hiring Thursday. The 47-year-old Brown served the past two seasons as assistant offensive line coach for the Buffalo Bills. Before that he spent the second half of the 2006 season as a spe- cial assistant on the Washington Redskins' coaching staff, working with the offensive linemen. San Francisco also signed tight end Tony Curtis and cornerback Keith Smith to future contracts.