Ginobili, Duncan help Spurs force Game 7

By ELIZABETH WHITE

SAN ANTONIO - The San Antonio Spurs' Big Three came through. Now they have to win one on the road to keep their title defense alive. Manu Ginobili scored 25 points, Tim Duncan had 20 points and 15 rebounds, and Tony Parker added 15 points in the Spurs' 99-80 victory over the New Orleans Hornets in Game 6 on Thursday night.

Former Patriots assistant can't recall Walsh talk

NEW YORK - Former New England assistant coach Brian Daboll told the NFL he doesn't remember speaking with Matt Walsh about the St. Louis Rams' walkthrough Walsh attended the day before the 2002 Super Bowl.

Flyers hold off Penguins 4-2, force Game 5

By IRA PODELL

PHILADELPHIA - The Pittsburgh Penguins' road to the Stanley Cup finals along the Pennsylvania Turnpike took an unexpected detour.

Drew, Webb lead D'backs to 8-5 win over Rockies

By ANDREW BAGNATO

PHOENIX - Backed by Stephen Drew's career-high four hits, Brandon Webb became the major leagues' first nine-game winner when the Arizona Diamondbacks defeated the Colorado Rockies 8-5 on Thursday night.

Eight Belles had no diseases, bone abnormalities

By JEFFREY McMURRAY

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Eight Belles had no diseases or pre-existing bone abnormalities that caused the filly to break down after finishing second in the Kentucky Derby.

Brewers give Braun record $45 million contract

By COLIN FLY

MILWAUKEE - Ryan Braun grinned. He had just agreed to the largest contract in Milwaukee Brewers' history.

Barkley says he'll pay huge gambling debt

By KEN RITTER

LAS VEGAS - Charles Barkley acknowledged he owes a $400,000 gambling debt to a Las Vegas Strip casino and promised Thursday to repay it after a prosecutor said the retired NBA star faced criminal charges. "My mistake," Barkley said in an interview at a pro-am golf tournament in Hoover, Ala. "I'm not broke, and I'm going to take care of it."

Indians' scoreless streak ends, but sweep A's

By JOE MILICIA

CLEVELAND - An unearned run against Aaron Laffey caused by his own throwing error ended the scoreless streak by Cleveland Indians' starters at 44 1-3 innings but didn't interrupt their string of dominant outings.

Penn St.'s Paterno treated, released from hospital

By GENARO C. ARMAS

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. - Penn State coach Joe Paterno spent several hours at a hospital being treated for dehydration before returning home late Thursday.

Kazmir, Rays beat last-place Yankees 5-2

By FRED GOODALL

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Scott Kazmir sparkled in his first start since agreeing to a $28.5 million contract extension, and the surprising Tampa Bay Rays dropped the New York Yankees into last place with a 5-2 victory Thursday.