NBA: Kobe scores 65
Kobe Bryant scored 24 of his 65 points in the fourth quarter and added nine more in overtime last night as the Lakers snapped a seven-game losing streak with a 116-111 win over the Trail Blazers in Los Angeles.
It was the second-highest scoring game of Bryant’s career and his third with 60 or more points – including an 81-point outing against Toronto on Jan. 22, 2006 at Staples Center. He also had 62 against Dallas on Dec. 20, 2005, at Los Angeles.
* Wizards forward Caron Butler will miss a week to 10 days with a left knee injury.
* Heat forward Jason Kapono had a protective cast removed from his sprained left ankle, but the team isn’t sure when the NBA’s leading 3-point shooter will return to the lineup and said he’ll be day-to-day.
GOLF: Tiger falls back
Rocco Mediate shot a 5-under 65 that gave him a three-shot lead at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in Orlando, Fla.
Tied for the lead after a 64 in the first round, Tiger Woods hooked one tee shot into the water and hit plenty of others into the rough. He closed with four tough pars for a 73, leaving him six shots behind.
* Hale Irwin shot an 8-under 64 to take a two-stroke lead after the first round of the Champions Tour’s AT&T Champions Classic in Santa Clarita, Calif.
MLB: Rockies pitcher suspended
Rockies pitcher Jeff Francis and manager Clint Hurdle were suspended by the commissioner’s office for their roles in a dustup with the Padres this week.
Francis was suspended for five regular-season games for intentionally throwing at San Diego’s Kevin Kouzmanoff on Tuesday after a warning had been issued earlier. Hurdle was banned for one game. Both were fined an undisclosed amount.
* In Lakeland, Fla., former Yankees right fielder Gary Sheffield was expected to return to the Tigers today after missing several exhibition games.
* Randy Johnson is progressing well in his rehabilitation from back surgery, but the Diamondbacks still aren’t sure when the Big Unit will be ready to pitch in a spring training game.
* In San Cristobal, a Dominican court postponed a hearing for White Sox shortstop Juan Uribe to give prosecutors more time to investigate allegations he shot a farmer last October.
NFL: Eagles re-sign Buckhalter
Coming off his first healthy season since 2003, free agent running back Correll Buckhalter re-signed with the Eagles.
* Free-agent running back T.J. Duckett signed a one-year contract with the Lions.
BOXING: Duddy wins at Garden
Ireland’s John Duddy remained unbeaten last night, winning by decision when his fight with Anthony Bonsante at the Theater at Madison Square Garden was stopped after nine rounds. Bonsante couldn’t see due to the blood streaming into his eyes from a cut suffered high on his forehead by an accidental head butt in the fourth round. Duddy improved to 19-0 with 15 KOs, while Bonsante fell to 29-9-3. -George Willis