Knicks dump two top scorers for cap space
The New York Knicks traded Zach Randolph and Jamal Crawford in separate deals Friday, parting with their two top scorers to free up coveted salary-cap space for the summer of 2010.
Crawford was sent to Golden State for forward Al Harrington. Hours later, Randolph was shipped to the Los Angeles Clippers along with reserve guard Mardy Collins for Cuttino Mobley and Tim Thomas.
The Knicks gave up 40 points per game for a chance to cash in on something much bigger.
Knicks president Donnie Walsh has repeatedly said his goal was to get under the cap in time for a potentially sensational free-agent crop that could be headlined by LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.
“I think that opening up cap space down the road for us is a big plus on our side and I hope our fans understand that that can give us an opportunity to make the team better according to the plan that I’ve outlined,” Walsh said on a conference call. “So I’m trying to be true to what I said from day one, and that’s what I’m doing.”
•Brand hits winner: Elton Brand hit a 15-footer with 57 seconds left and finished with 17 points in his first game against his former team, leading the Philadelphia 76ers to an 89-88 victory over the short-handed Los Angeles Clippers at Philadelphia.
•Fast start for Lakers: The defending Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers (10-1) defeated the visiting Denver Nuggets 104-90 and are off to their best start through 11 games since the 2001-02 championship season, when they won 16 of their first 17.
NFL
Report: Vick abused pets
Michael Vick put family pets in rings with pit bulls and thought it was funny watching the trained killers injure or kill the helpless dogs, a witness told federal investigators during the dogfighting investigation that brought Vick down.
In a 17-page report filed Aug. 28, the witness said Vick and co-defendants Purnell Peace and Quanis Phillips “thought it was funny to watch the pit bull dogs belonging to Bad Newz Kennels injure or kill the other dogs.”
•Jones can practice: The NFL confirmed that suspended cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones can join the Dallas Cowboys on Monday and that he can play again Dec. 7 against Pittsburgh – but only if he stays on his best behavior.
Commissioner Roger Goodell issued a brief statement confirming the details of Jones’ return, noting that it can only happen “if he avoids any further incidents and fully complies with each and every condition that has been established for him.”
•Ocho Cinco back to work: Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Ocho Cinco was back at work, a day after being sent home before the Pittsburgh game for disciplinary reasons.
NHL
Bruins on a roll
Marc Savard and Patrice Bergeron had a goal and an assist each to lead Boston to its eighth victory in nine games, a 4-2 decision over Florida that moved the Bruins into a tie for the Eastern Conference lead.
The Bruins, 11-1-1 in their last 13 games and the winners of seven straight at home, matched the idle New York Rangers with 30 points in the conference race.
•Staal scores three: Eric Staal scored three goals in less than 24 minutes to lead Carolina to its season-high third straight victory, a 5-2 decision over visiting Phoenix.
GOLF
Armour sharp
Defending champion Tommy Armour III eagled the 18th hole at Spyglass Hill en route to a 1-under-par 71, joining Arron Oberholser in a one-stroke lead after two rounds of the Callaway Golf Pebble Beach Invitational.
Oberholser shot a 6-under 66 with seven birdies and one bogey – the day’s low round – at Spyglass Hill. He and Armour were at 7-under 137.
The 37th annual tournament features players from the four major tours as well as mini-tour players, club pros and amateurs. •Hull has lead: Katherine Hull shot 71 to get to 5 under, making her the leader after two rounds at the ADT Championship in West Palm Beach, Fla.
MISCELLANY
Davis Cup final 1-1
Feliciano Lopez upset Juan Martin del Potro 4-6, 7-6 (2), 7-6 (4), 6-3, allowing Spain to escape the first day of the Davis Cup final at Mar del Plata, Argentina, tied 1-1 with Argentina.
David Nalbandian brushed aside David Ferrer 6-3, 6-2, 6-3 in the opening singles and del Potro was expected to comfortably handle Lopez on his favored hard court.
•Fresno State may bowl: Chastin West’s 49-yard punt return for a touchdown gave struggling Fresno State (7-4, 4-3 WAC) the spark it needed, leading the Bulldogs to a 24-10 victory over San Jose State (6-6, 4-4) at San Jose, Calif., in what might have been a bowl elimination game.
•Hung jury: The murder trial of a former University of Montana football player ended with a hung jury in Los Angeles County Superior Court, but prosecutors quickly refiled homicide charges.
Former cornerback Jimmy Wilson, 22, is accused of fatally shooting his aunt’s boyfriend, 29-year-old Kevin Smoot, of Lancaster, Calif., on June 2, 2007.
Jurors were unable to reach a verdict after a week of deliberations, voting 11-1 in favor of Wilson’s innocence.
•Caballero stops Molitor: Panama’s Celestino Caballero beat previously undefeated Steve Molitor at Rama, Ont., stopping the Canadian 52 seconds into the fourth round to retain the WBC super featherweight title and take Molitor’s IBF crown.
•Hartford women stun Duke: Lisa Etienne scored 15 points to help Hartford (3-0) upset sloppy No. 6 Duke (2-1) 53-51 in the first game of the DePaul Invitational at Chicago.
The Hawks beat a ranked team for the fourth straight season.
In another upset, Alexis Gray-Lawson hustled all over the court on the way to 25 points, nine rebounds and four assists and No. 7 California defeated third-ranked Rutgers 66-52 at Berkeley, Calif.