Warriors, Pacers eliminate selves...More Hockey...A call on Avery...Beasley leaving

UNDATED (AP) The Golden State Warriors and Indiana Pacers eliminated themselves from playoff contention last night. The Warriors blew an 11-point lead in the last seven minutes of a 122-116 loss at Phoenix, allowing Denver to claim the final Western Conference playoff berth. And the Atlanta Hawks clinched the last seed in the East playoffs when Indiana lost to Washington 117-110.

UNDATED (AP) The Detroit Red Wings and Minnesota Wild are now up two games to one in their respective Stanley Cup first-round series. The Wings blew a 3-2 lead in the last four minutes of a 5-3 loss at Nashville, and Minnesota earned a 3-2 overtime win at Colorado to take control of that series. Sidney Crosby and Jordan Staal scored 1:18 apart in the third period as Pittsburgh beat Ottawa 4-1, giving the Penguins a 3-0 series lead.

NEW YORK (AP) The NHL moved quickly to eliminate a method of screening used by New York Rangers forward Sean Avery against New Jersey Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur (broh-DOOR') Sunday night.

Avery planted himself in front of Brodeur and faceguarded the netminder, waving his stick from side to side to further distract Brodeur. There had been no previous rule against such acts, but now an unsportsmanlike conduct minor penalty will be assessed.

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) Kansas State power forward Michael Beasley announced yesterday he's leaving school three years early to enter the NBA draft. The Big 12 player of the year averaged 26.2 points and a nation-leading 12.4 rebounds last season, the third-most points and second-most boards of any freshman in NCAA history.

UNDATED (AP) Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz and New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter were back in their team's starting lineups last night. Ortiz was benched for Sunday's 8-5 win over the Yankees because of his .070 batting average. Jeter returned after missing six straight games with a strained left quadriceps.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 04-15-08 0430CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list