LeBron James scored 27 points and the Miami Heat nearly matched a franchise record for points allowed in a playoff game, pounding the listless and short-handed Chicago Bulls 88-65 on Monday night to take a 3-1 lead in the Eastern Conference semifinals. The 65 points allowed were only two more than the all-time postseason low for a Miami opponent, and it was easily the worst offensive performance by a Chicago team. Read More

Allen Barra remembers the exact moment that eventually spurred him to write “Mickey and Willie,” when he was a young boy in New Jersey. “I got a Topps package of baseball cards which had both Mantle and Mays in it,” he said, in a telephone conversation. “I thought it was a natural pairing, and I still do.” Read More

Javier Acevedo of Colombia bolted to the front with about 700 yards left in final steep climb, winning Monday’s second stage in scorching heat to take the overall lead at the Tour of California. The 27-year-old rider completed the 124.1-mile Murrieta to Greater Palm Springs road race in 5 hours, 7 minutes and 40 seconds as temperatures approached 110 degrees. Acevedo, who rides for American team Jamis-Hagens Berman, leads American Tejay van Garderen (BMC) by 12 seconds with six stages remaining. Read More

Although Joe Thornton and Dustin Brown might not agree on much else over the next two weeks, both captains believe hockey has never been bigger or better in California, from the thriving youth game all the way to their state’s three winning NHL clubs. The Sharks and the Los Angeles Kings are eager to highlight this renaissance in their second-round playoff series. It’s the fourth postseason meeting between Golden State teams, but the first beyond the opening round. Read More