NBA: Lamar Odom proved Wednesday why he won this year's Sixth Man of the Year Award. Odom scored 16 points off the bench, guiding the Lakers to an 87-78 victory over the New Orleans Hornets to tie the series at one apiece. Andrew Bynum led the Lakers in scoring with 17 points, while Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol were held to 11 and eight points respectively. ... Manu Ginobili's return to the Spurs' lineup ignited the Western Conference's top seed, as San Antonio defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 93-87 to even the series at 1-1. Ginobili, who led the Spurs with 17 points, missed Game 1 with an elbow sprain. ... The dynamic duo of Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook dominated again Wednesday, combining for 44 of Oklahoma City's points en route to a 106-89 Thunder victory over the Denver Nuggets. Durant scored 23 points, while Westbrook knocked in another 21, giving Oklahoma City a 2-0 first-round series lead
NHL: The Phoenix Coyotes became the first team to be eliminated from this year's postseason. The Detroit Red Wings defeated Phoenix 6-3 Wednesday night to complete a four-game sweep. It was the first time the Coyotes were swept out of the playoffs since 1987, nine years before the franchise moved from Winnipeg to Phoenix. ... Two of Wednesday's opening-round playoff games needed double overtime. The New York Rangers were up 3-0 early in the third period but allowed the Washington Capitals to storm back and score four unanswered goals, giving the Capitals a 4-3 win in the second overtime. The Rangers failed to even the series at two apiece. ... Just like the Rangers, the Tampa Bay Lightning failed to tie up their series. The Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Lightning 3-2 in double overtime and will take a 3-1 series lead back to their home ice for Game 5. ... Ryan Miller had 32 saves and registered his second shutout of the series in the Buffalo Sabres' 1-0 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers. The series is now tied 2-2. The team that has scored first in each of the four games has gone on to win the game. ... The Anaheim Ducks also tied their series at two games each, crushing the Nashville Predators 6-3.
MLB: Major League Baseball announced Wednesday that it will be seizing control of the Los Angeles Dodgers, a team whose owners are in the midst of a bitter divorce. Jamie McCourt filed for divorce in October 2009 after 30 years of marriage, just one week after her husband, Frank McCourt, terminated her as the chief executive of the team. Frank accused Jamie of performing poorly at work and for having extramarital affairs with her bodyguard. Commissioner Bud Selig notified Frank McCourt that he will be appointing a trustee to oversee all aspects of the organization, including the day-to-day operations of the team.
Men's college basketball: One day after freshman Doron Lamb announced he would return to Kentucky for his sophomore season, his teammates Brandon Knight, Terrence Jones and DeAndre Liggins announced they have declared for the NBA draft. None of the three have signed with an agent, allowing them to return to the Wildcats' program if they change their minds about going pro by May 8.
College football: Harvey Updyke Jr., the Alabama fan accused of poisoning trees at Auburn's Toomer's Corner, told police he was attacked after getting out of his car at a gas station on Birmingham Highway, shortly after leaving the courthouse Wednesday, said Opelika Police Capt. Allan Elkins. Updyke was punched in the head and treated for small bruises and scratches at a hospital, according to Elkins.
