New Orleans Pelicans Reach Play-offs with 108-103 Win against San Antonio Spurs
In NBA action,
The San Antonio Spurs narrowly edged the New Orleans Pelicans 108-103 on the final day of the NBA regular season on Wednesday at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans.
With the victory, the New Orleans Pelicans earned their first playoff berth since 2011.
Anthony Davis had 31 points for the Pelicans.
Other highlights from this morning,
Golden State beat Denver 133-126.
Houston beat Utah 117-91.
Cleveland beat Washington 113-108.
Memphis beat Indiana 95-83.
Chicago beat Atlanta 91-85.
Detroit beat New York 112-90.
Dallas beat Portland 114-98.
And it's Oklahoma City over Minnesota 138-113.
Raonic, Tsonga and Monfils Advance into the Third Round at Monte Carlo Masters
In tennis,
Canadian Milos Raonic pounded 12 aces and hit 26 winners to beat his Portuguese opponent Joao Sousa 6-3, 7-6 on Wednesday at the Monte-Carlo Masters.
The fourth seed will play Spaniard Tommy Robredo in the third round.
In other action,
Jo-Wilfried Tsogna reached the quarter-finals after dispatching his Belgian opponent David Goffin 6-3, 6-4.
The Frenchman will next face eighth seed Marin Cilic.
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14th seed Gael Monfils had a hard-fought 7-6, 7-6 over Ukraine's Alexandr Dolgopolov.
He will face second seed Roger Federer next.
Canadiens Take Senators 4-3 in Game 1
In National Hockey League,
Brian Flynn scored the game-winner for the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday to claim the opening game of their series with the Ottawa Senators, 4-3, on the opening night of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Andrew Hammond, who went 20-1-2 down the stretch for the Senators to clinch an improbable playoff berth, made 35 saves in the loss.
Game 2 of the best-of-seven series in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals is on Friday.
In other action,
The New York Islanders beat the Washington Capitals 4-1.
The Chicago Blackhawks beat the Nashville Predators 4-3.
And it's Calgary Flames beat the Vancouver Canucks 2-1, with the winner scored with just 30 seconds left in the game, preventing overtime.
Michael Phelps to Compete in Rio Olympics
In Swimming,
Michael Phelps announced on Wednesday that he is aiming to compete in a fifth Olympics in Rio de Janeiro next year.
Phelps has served a six-month suspension by USA Swimming after a second drunk driving arrest last fall.
The 29-year-old swimmer says he won't be swimming at the world championships in August as part of the punishment.
"It's obviously very challenging and hard for me to not be able to participate at world championships, and I do accept the decision that USA Swimming made back early in the Fall. You know, but by no means do I want this to be a distraction from the team. I know how hard it is to qualify for the team and I know how much hard work goes into the team and for me, by now way, would I ever want to displace a member of that team. For me, I will be in full support of everything they do over there, and I wish them all the luck in Kazan."
Phelps returns to competition this week at the Arena Pro Swim Series in Arizona.
He will race in the 100-metre butterfly on Thursday.
He is also entered in four other events, including the 100 meter backstroke and 400 meter freestyle on Friday, and the 200 meter individual medley and 100 meter freestyle on Saturday.
The meet has attracted some of the top U.S. swimmers, including Phelps's chief rival Ryan Lochte, who is entered in the same five events.
I.K. Kim Takes Lead in the Lotte Championship
In Golf,
I.K. Kim of South Korea started last and finished first Wednesday in the first round of the Lotte Championship.
The 27-year-old birdied her final three holes and four of the last five for a seven-under 65 and a two-stroke lead.
Inbee Park shares second place with three other South Korean players.
No. 3- ranked Park is the highest-ranked player in the field this week as both No. 1 Lydia Ko and No. 2 Stacy Lewis decided to skip the tournament.
Jordan Spieth Back to Work at Heritage
In other golf news,
Masters champion Jordan Spieth is to play in the opening round of the Heritage Classic this week after his sensational Masters triumph.
His major victory at Augusta National was followed by a two-day whirlwind trip to New York, complete with paparazzi.
But the 22-year-old American says he doesn't think the attention brought by his triumph will change him on or off the course.
"On course were not going to change anything we're doing and off course I don't want to change anything I'm doing but obviously there's more of a spotlight now and there will be things said that will not have any background or reason to say stuff. I understand there are positives and negatives to a spotlight and we're going to take advantage of the positives and push aside the negatives or those who are just looking for something to say so I don't want to change anything I'm doing on or off course but I think the only added pressure is going to be staying focused off course on how we want our brand to move forward."
Spieth added his name to golf's record books with a stunning wire-to-wire victory by four shots at the Masters last Sunday.
His 18-under total of 270 at Augusta National matched the tournament record set by Tiger Woods in 1997.
Spieth is now ranked number two in the world behind Rory Mcllroy.
Pacquiao Eager to Fight with Mayweather
In boxing,
Manny Pacquiao held a workout for the media on Wednesday ahead of his fight against Floyd Mayweather that will take place in Las Vegas on May 2.
The Filipino Congressman and eight-division world boxing champion shows great confidence.
"I'm not nervous because I believe God is with me and he strengthens me every day and I'm really, really I'm excited."
Boxing coach Freddie Roach also believes that Pacquiao is well prepared for the fight.
"He's doing really well. This fight really elevated his training. He's better than I've ever seen him before. Bob Arum asked me the other day, 'Is he faster than he used to be?' I said, 'I think so.' There is really a difference. The power is back. I mean, he can punch. I just don't know if that will carry onto the fight."
Pacquiao has a 57-5-2 record with 38 knockouts while Mayweather has a perfect record of 47-0 with 26 knockouts.
The welterweight bout is one of the most eagerly anticipated in boxing since the classic 1975 'Thrilla in Manila' between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier.
It has been five years in the making, and it will be the richest fight in boxing history.