Hawks call up Kawasaki from farm team

FUKUOKA – Munenori Kawasaki has been promoted to the top team for this weekend’s three-game series against the Orix Buffaloes, Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks manager Kimiyasu Kudo said Thursday.

Kudo said he will __play the 35-year-old infielder, who signed a one-year deal with the Pacific League club earlier this month, in Friday’s game at Kyocera Dome, ahead of his initial plan to wait until the following weekend.

“I expect him to do well in everything — hitting, running, defending. I’ll decide tomorrow whether he’ll be in the starting lineup or __play as a sub,” Kudo said.

“I was thinking of (promoting him) around May 3 or May 4, but our situation has changed. He is in good shape.”

Kawasaki rejoined the Hawks after five years in the major and minor leagues.

In 13 farm team appearances since returning to Japan, Kawasaki batted .441 with one homer and 10 RBIs.

Kaneko goes distance as Buffaloes tame Lions

Buffaloes starter Chihiro Kaneko delivers a pitch during Orix's win over the Lions on Wednesday. | KYODO

OSAKA – Ace Chihiro Kaneko overcame a tough second inning to go the distance in the Orix Buffaloes’ 4-3 Pacific League win over the Seibu Lions on Wednesday.

Kaneko (4-0) pitched out of a second-inning jam to keep the game scoreless and the Buffaloes got to Seibu starter Kona Takahashi (0-3) in a four-run fifth.

A one-out infield single and a walk set the table for the Lions in the sixth before a two-run Sosuke Genda double and an RBI groundout made it a one-run game. Kaneko allowed only one baserunner after that.

The 33-year-old right-hander allowed four hits, struck out eight and walked two in his second complete game victory of the season for the second-place Buffaloes.

“I was struggling there in the middle, but I managed to get out of it with everyone’s help,” Kaneko said. “First of all the fielding was big behind me, and then they got us on the board with their bats and (center fielder Yuki) Miyazaki was in the middle of that.”

Miyazaki, by and large a disappointment since the Buffaloes drafted him third in 2010, has been a spark plug in the leadoff spot this season.

Brent Morel, back with the first team after an injury to outfielder Stefen Romero, drew a leadoff walk in the fifth. After a one-out walk, Miyazaki hit a grounder to third that somehow got through third baseman Shuta Tonosaki and down the left-field line for a two-run double.

Masahiro Nishino tripled home Miyazaki and scored on a Ryoichi Adachi single. Two more singles loaded the bases, but Takahashi stranded all three runners. In five innings, he allowed four runs on six hits and four walks, while striking out four.

Eagles 11, Marines 7

At Sendai’s Kobo Park Miyagi, Takahiro Norimoto (2-1) allowed a run in seven innings, while Hiroaki Shimauchi and Zelous Wheeler hit two run homers in the second and third innings, respectively, as Rakuten cruised past Chiba Lotte to its fourth straight victory.

Hawks 4, Fighters 1

At Yafuoku Dome, Nao Higashihama (2-1) allowed a run in seven innings and SoftBank hit two first-inning homers off former Cleveland Indian Toru Murata (0-1) as defending Japan Series champion Nippon Ham lost 10 straight games for the first time in 12 seasons.

CENTRAL LEAGUE

Carp 7, Giants 6

At Mazda Stadium, Tsubasa Aizawa’s two-run, sixth-inning single broke a 3-3 tie, while Seiya Suzuki scored twice, drove in a run and saved at least a run with a leaping seventh-inning catch in right field as Hiroshima came from behind and then held off Yomiuri.

Swallows 8, Dragons 7 (11)

At Nagoya Dome, Keiji Obiki’s three-run, eighth-inning homer tied it at 5-5 and Yakult completed its comeback against Chunichi in the 11th on Yuhei Takai’s two-run RBI single. Wladimir Balentien went 4-for-5 and scored three runs for the Swallows.

BayStars at Tigers — ppd.

Maeda regains form for Dodgers

Los Angeles starter Kenta Maeda delivers a pitch in the first inning against Philadelphia on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. | AP

Los Angeles – After floundering for the first month of the season, Kenta Maeda found his form Friday night.

Maeda threw seven solid innings to lead the Los Angeles Dodgers over the Philadelphia Phillies 5-3. Maeda (2-2) entered with an 8.05 ERA and had failed to reach the sixth inning in any of his four previous starts.

The second-year right-hander struck out a season-high eight and limited Philadelphia to five hits, a walk and two runs as Los Angeles snapped the Phillies’ six-game winning streak.

“It was great to see Kenta throw the way he did tonight,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “He had clarity and he threw with conviction. He kept the ball down and he threw it tight to left-handers. He and Honey (Rick Honeycutt) had an excellent game plan going in and he executed it.”

Maeda said his felt some pressure to perform well tonight.

“It was a great day for me,” Maeda said through a translator. “I’ve had a string of bad outings and I felt the pressure going into the game. I knew I had to pitch well or something could happen. We have a lot of great pitchers.

“I’m very appreciative that Dave let me pitch the seventh inning. Once I got into it, I knew I was going to finish it.”

Yankees 14, Orioles 11 (10)

In New York, Matt Holliday hit a three-run homer in the 10th inning and the Yankees completed a stunning rally from an eight-run deficit.

Red Sox 5, Cubs 4

In Boston, Andrew Benintendi hit a solo homer off Jake Arrieta during a five-run first inning.

Braves 10, Brewers 8

In Milwaukee, Freddie Freeman’s two-run home run snapped a tie in the ninth and Atlanta rallied from a four-run deficit in the final three innings.

Rays 7, Blue Jays 4

In Toronto, Logan Morrison hit a two-run homer, Evan Longoria and Corey Dickerson added solo shots and Tampa Bay connected three times in the eighth inning.

Mariners 3, Indians 1

In Cleveland, Ariel Miranda allowed two hits and pitched into the sixth inning, and Robinson Cano and Ben Gamel homered.

Pirates 12, Marlins 2

In Miami, Francisco Cervelli drove in three runs and Pittsburgh scored eight times in the second inning.

Ichiro Suzuki finished 0-for-2 for the Marlins.

Astros 9, Athletics 4

In Houston, Charlie Morton struck out a career-high 12, and George Springer singled home the tying run in his return from a leg injury.

Norichika Aoki finished 0-for-4 for the Astros.

Giants 4, Padres 3

In San Francisco, rookie Christian Arroyo homered, and Brandon Belt had three hits including a double.

Cardinals 7, Reds 5

In St. Louis, Dexter Fowler and Jedd Gyorko homered and Yadier Molina short-circuited a rally with a bases-loaded pickoff to lead the Cardinals to their ninth win in 11 games.

Angels 6, Rangers 3

In Arlington, Texas, Albert Pujols hit a tiebreaking three-run home run in the eighth inning.

Mets 7, Nationals 5

In Washington, Josh Edgin relieved Mets closer Jeurys Familia with the bases loaded in the ninth inning and got Bryce Harper to hit into a game-ending double play, stopping New York’s six-game losing streak.

White Sox 7, Tigers 3

In Detroit, Geovany Soto broke open a tie game with a two-run single in the eighth inning.

Twins 6, Royals 4

In Kansas City, Miguel Sano and Joe Mauer hit consecutive two-run doubles in the eighth inning and Minnesota handed the Royals their eighth straight loss.

Rockies 3, Diamondbacks 1

In Phoenix, Trevor Story homered and rookie Kyle Freeland pitched six effective innings.

Mariners’ Hernandez put on 10-day disabled list

DETROIT – The struggling Seattle Mariners will be without ace Felix Hernandez for at least a little while.

The Mariners placed Hernandez on the 10-day disabled list Wednesday with right shoulder inflammation after he lasted just two innings in his start at Detroit the previous night. Seattle also put outfielder Mitch Haniger on the DL with a strained right oblique.

Hernandez came out of the 19-9 loss to the Tigers after allowing four runs in two innings.

“He didn’t feel great warming up last night,” manager Scott Servais said Wednesday. “He went out for the second inning and just didn’t feel great, just dead. No sharp pain or anything like that, just the ball wasn’t coming out (well).”

Haniger left the game in the third inning.

The Mariners also optioned right-handers Chris Heston and Evan Marshall to Triple-A Tacoma on Wednesday. They recalled right-hander Chase De Jong, left-hander Dillon Overton and outfielder Ben Gamel from Tacoma, and purchased the contract of right-hander Casey Fien from Tacoma.

Hernandez, the 2010 AL Cy Young Award winner, made at least 30 starts for the Mariners every season from 2006-15. He made 25 last year but missed nearly two months with a calf injury.

The 31-year-old Hernandez is 2-2 with a 4.73 ERA in five starts this season. Seattle entered Wednesday night’s game at Detroit in last place in the AL West, but beat the Tigers 8-0 behind a fine performance from left-hander James Paxton.

The previous night, Hernandez threw only 48 pitches before Servais pulled him.

“Certainly didn’t look good from where I was sitting,” Servais said. “So, just make a change, have the doctors evaluate it and see where we’re at.”

De Jong is expected to take Hernandez’s spot in the rotation. He won Texas League pitcher of the year honors following last season and made his major league debut earlier this month with the Mariners.

Carp home runs kill off BayStars’ challenge

Hiroshima's Seiya Suzuki hits a home run in the fourth inning of the Carp's 6-1 win over the BayStars on Saturday. | KYODO

YOKOHAMA – Cleanup hitter Seiya Suzuki went deep twice as the Central League-leading Hiroshima Carp scored all their runs on four home runs, beating the Yokohama BayStars 6-1 behind eight strong innings from Akitake Okada on Saturday.

Okada (3-1), who was 4-3 with a 3.02 ERA last year as a rookie, allowed a hit each in his first four innings but no runs until the eighth at Yokohama Stadium. He struck out six while scattering six hits and a walk in a 122-pitch outing.

Hiroshima led by two runs after as many pitches from Yokohama starter Shota Imanaga (1-2), Kosuke Tanaka singling off the lefty before Ryosuke Kikuchi connected on a fastball away for an opposite-field homer to right wall.

Imanaga recovered to retire his next 10 batters — including three strikeouts in the third inning — but was caught by Suzuki in the fourth with one out, who pulled it out to left.

“I’ve been passive recently so I was looking to swing whenever chances come my way, and I got to swing the way I’m capable of,” said Suzuki. “I just went for it and that paid off.”

Imanaga surrendered his third homer of the day in the seventh with one out to Takahiro Arai, who went 3-for-4. Imanaga allowed four runs on eight hits and a walk, while striking out six over 6⅔ innings.

It could have been worse for Imanaga as he left with the bases loaded. Shingo Hirata retired Kikuchi to end the inning, but the reliever issued a leadoff walk in the eighth before Suzuki, whose previous eight games as cleanup came in the absence of Arai, took him deep.

“I want him to think about overtaking Arai and grabbing it (the cleanup spot),” Carp skipper Koichi Ogata said. “If he can make his presence felt in this kind of manner then that possibility gets even higher.”

Dragons 6, Tigers 3

At Koshien Stadium, Hanshin closer Rafael Dolis (0-2) loaded the bases with two singles and a walk and Atushi Fujii hit a one-out, RBI single to plate the go-ahead run in Chunichi’s three-run ninth.

Swallows 2, Giants 1

At Jingu Stadium, Yasuhiro Ogawa (3-2) allowed a run in 7⅔ innings to win a pitcher’s duel and Yuhei Takai opened the scoring with a two-run home run off rookie reliever Shimpei Shinohara (1-1) as Tokyo Yakult beat Yomiuri.

PACIFIC LEAGUE

Fighters 3, Eagles 2

At Sapporo Dome, Kensuke Tanaka hit a walk-off RBI single off Tohoku Rakuten closer Yuki Matsui (2-1) as struggling Japan Series winner Hokkaido Nippon Ham snapped the PL-leading Eagles’ four-game winning streak.

Marines 6, Lions 3

At MetLife Dome, Kazuya Fukuura cleared the bases to give Chiba Lotte an early lead off Seibu starter Ryoma Nogami (2-3). Kota Futaki (1-0) allowed three runs over 7⅔ innings as the Lions lost their fourth straight.

Buffaloes 6, Hawks 4

At Kyocera Dome, Phil Coke (2-1) pitched four innings of scoreless relief and Brent Morel hit a game-breaking, three-run double as Orix outlasted Fukuoka SoftBank.

After 10-year delay, ground broken for Jackie Robinson Museum

NEW YORK – Ground was broken for the Jackie Robinson Museum after a 10-year wait — matching the length of the Hall of Famer’s barrier-breaking major league career.

Rachel Robinson, the 94-year-old widow of the Brooklyn Dodgers star, attended Thursday’s ceremony in the SoHo section of Manhattan along with her daughter, Sharon, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred and former National League president Leonard Coleman.

“There are a lot of American heroes. I think Jackie Robinson is in a class by himself,” Manfred said, “and really it is impossible to do enough to recognize what he means and continues to mean to process of change.”

About $23.5 million has been raised to build the museum, now scheduled to open in spring 2019 on the street level of an already-existing office building. The Jackie Robinson Foundation hopes to raise a total of $42 million — matching Robinson’s uniform number — to fund an endowment that will pay for the museum’s operations.

“Breaking ground allows us to show the country that we are for real,” Sharon Robinson said.

Robinson broke baseball’s color barrier in 1947 and died in 1972. Rachel Robinson started the Jackie Robinson Foundation a year later.

The nearly 5,640 square-meter space, which will include a 75-seat theater, originally was to open in 2009 or 2010 but was delayed when the Great Recession slowed fundraising.

“The bottom fell out,” foundation president Della Britton Baeza said.

Strada Education Network last month announced a $6.5 million gift to the foundation, which awards several dozen college scholarships annually.

Sharon Robinson, now 67, said her mother’s wedding dress, currently in their Connecticut home, will be among the exhibits, which will portray her father’s role in the civil rights movement.

“There will be a lot that kids, when you have a visual in addition to reading about something, I think they’ll understand the totality of the man and the importance of having a voice and using it,” Sharon Robinson said. “I think today is more complex. It is not just a black and white America. We have a great deal of work that needs to be done so that we really are an inclusive country.”

Baseball has been concerned about the drop in African-American players — just 7.7 percent on opening-day rosters, according to The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport at the University of Central Florida, down from 18 percent in 1991. While there are three managers of color, down from 10 in 2009, and four general managers of color, the institute said people of color comprise 28 percent of central baseball’s professional staff

“It’s important to remember that baseball has a tremendously diverse workforce. I think it’s probably a mistake to focus on any single group, and we have more diversity in the game today than we’ve ever had,” Manfred said. “Having said that, baseball has in place numerous programs designed to promote African-American participation and we feel that our partnership with the Jackie Robinson Foundation is an important part of that programmatic effort.”

Hawks’ Kawasaki makes triumphant return in first NPB game since 2012

OSAKA – On a night when both teams were sporting throwback uniforms, the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks introduced a throwback player, former big leaguer Munenori Kawasaki, in Friday’s 3-1 Pacific League win over the Orix Buffaloes.

A crowd of 22,293 witnessed the return of the Hawks’ fan favorite on a night when the Buffaloes sported the red, white and blue of the defunct Kintetsu Buffaloes, while the Fukuoka-based Hawks wore the green of their Osaka-based forebearers, the Nankai Hawks.

Kawasaki made some small but crucial contributions in his return to NPB’s top flight. In his first game back with the Hawks since moving to the major leagues in 2012, he went 1-for-4 in the leadoff spot, but saved a run at second base when he made a diving stop and ended a fourth-inning Orix threat.

After the Buffaloes tied the game in the sixth inning, Kawasaki singled to open the seventh and scored the go-ahead run when Shuhei Fukuda homered off Yuki Nishi (2-1).

Fukuda started the game on the bench but entered for defense after star center fielder Yuki Yanagita was hit in the back of the leg with a pitch by Nishi in the third inning.

“My thought was to go after a fat pitch if I got one,” said Fukuda, whose homer was his first hit of the season.

Although Fukuda said Kawasaki told the team to “have fun!” before the game, it was clear afterward that Kawasaki was less than impressed by a homecoming in which he struck out twice.

“My batting was not how I pictured it,” he said.

Kenichi Nakata (2-2) allowed a run on four hits and two walks over six innings, while Nishi allowed three runs in his seven-inning stint.

SoftBank designated hitter Alfredo Despaigne opened the scoring with a leadoff homer in the second. Nishi survived one jam after another before taking the 1-1 tie into the seventh.

Former New York Mets reliever Ryota Igarashi worked a 1-2-3 seventh and Sho Iwasaki, looking more comfortable in the setup role, did the same in the eighth. Dennis Sarfate completed the trifecta with a perfect ninth, earning his ninth save.

Marines 2, Lions 2 (12)

At Tokorozawa’s MetLife Dome, Seibu’s Yusei Kikuchi and Chiba Lotte’s Hideaki Wakui each allowed two runs in seven innings in a game that was called after 12 innings.

CENTRAL LEAGUE

Giants 7, Swallows 0

At Tokyo’s Jingu Stadium, Hayato Sakamoto broke the ice with a first-inning RBI single and Casey McGehee capped the outburst with a three-run homer as Yomiuri scored seven runs off Tokyo Yakult ace Masanori Ishikawa (2-2) behind seven innings from Miles Mikolas (3-1).

BayStars 9, Carp 3

At Yokohama Stadium, Yokohama pounced on Hiroshima rookie Takuya Kato (1-3) with four runs in four innings.

BayStars pitcher Joe Wieland (1-0) worked five-plus innings to earn the win, while singling two runs.

Tigers 6, Dragons 0

At Koshien Stadium, Randy Messenger (4-0) scattered six hits and a walk over seven innings and Eric Campbell opened the scoring with an RBI single as Hanshin shut out Chunichi.

Former Mets pitcher Gooden honored 31 years later

New York – Former New York Mets pitcher Dwight Gooden has gotten a key to the city 31 years after the team’s thrilling World Series win over the Boston Red Sox.

Teammates from the 1986 Mets including Darryl Strawberry, Jesse Orosco and Bobby Ojeda joined Democratic Mayor Bill de Blasio for Friday’s ceremony honoring Gooden.

Gooden says it’s a day he “never thought would happen.”

Gooden won the Cy Young Award in 1985 and was selected for four All-Star Games. But he struggled with drug and alcohol addiction. He told ESPN in 2011 he missed the 1986 World Series parade because he was getting high.

Friday’s event was part of a documentary about Gooden and Strawberry being produced by sports radio host Amy Heart.

Strawberry says it meant the world “to have this day” with his friend and the mayor.

Nakata slugs three-run homer in 10th as Fighters snap 10-game slide

The Fighters' Sho Nakata rounds the bases after bashing a three-run homer in the top of the 10th inning on Thursday against the Hawks at Yafuoku Dome. Hokkaido Nippon Ham defeated Fukuoka SoftBank 5-4. | KYODO

FUKUOKA – Sho Nakata could not have picked a better time to hit his first home run of the season Thursday, a tiebreaking three-run shot in the 10th inning that lifted the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters past the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks 5-4.

The Fighters snapped their 10-game losing streak.

Nakata homered off Yuito Mori (0-1) with two outs in the top of the 10th at Yafuoku Dome as the defending Japan Series champions halted their worst slide in 12 years.

The Hawks scored two runs in the bottom half, but Hirotoshi Masui (1-0), who pitched the last two innings, managed to close out the game to pick up the win — Nippon Ham’s first in 14 days.

After Nakata led off the seventh with a double to break up Rick van den Hurk’s no-hitter, Brandon Laird homered to give the visitors the lead, but Yuki Yanagita tied it at 2-2 with a two-run blast of his own in the eighth to invite extra innings.

Despite the victory, however, the Fighters are 13 games off the .500 mark. Nakata, who is hitting .191 on the year after missing a chunk of time due to injury, vowed to make up for his early-season struggles.

“I’ll try to win back everyone’s trust,” Nakata said. “I wanted to swing as hard as I could. And it turned out great.”

Buffaloes 3, Lions 2

At Osaka’s Kyocera Dome, with the game tied at 2-2, an error by Seibu third baseman Takeya Nakamura after Eiichi Koyano’s infield single scored Shunta Goto from second as Orix produced its first walk-off win of the year.

CENTRAL LEAGUE

Carp 1, Giants 0

At Hiroshima’s Mazda Stadium, Daichi Osera (1-0) won his first start in two years with seven scoreless innings against Yomiuri.

The Giants dropped to third place after wasting six strong innings from Ryosuke Miyaguni (0-1).

Tigers 5, BayStars 2

At Koshien Stadium, Yoshio Itoi’s two-run single keyed a three-run first for Hanshin, which held on to move into second place.

Yokohama’s Yoshitomo Tsutsugo hit his first homer of the season in the fifth, a solo shot off Shintaro Fujinami (2-1), who held the BayStars to one earned run over five innings.

Dragons 2, Swallows 0

At Nagoya Dome, Katsuki Matayoshi (2-0) threw seven shutout innings without issuing a walk as Chunichi climbed out of the cellar into fifth, trading places with Tokyo Yakult.

NBA Draft 2017: Early-entry list finalized with top 50 prospects to declare

UCLA guard Lonzo Ball and Arizona forward Lauri Markkanen (Getty Images)

The 2017 NBA Draft is slowly approaching, and with it comes an endless stream of NBA prospect rankings and mock drafts that will last until draft day on June 22.

But who should be officially included in these rankings and mocks? We're keeping track of all the top prospects who have declared for the NBA Draft with the early-entry list below. You can see the full early-entry list here.

The 2017 NBA Draft class is one of the deepest in recent memory. Washington guard Markelle Fultz is the popular choice for the No. 1 overall selection, but there's plenty of talent behind him for NBA franchises in rebuild mode.

We'll keep track of all the players who stay in the 2017 NBA Draft, as well as the ones returning to college for another year. Underclassmen who have declared for the 2017 NBA Draft must withdraw by Wednesday, May 24, to retain NCAA eligibility. Check out the list of our top 50 early entrants. 

NBA Draft 2017: Top 50 early entry list

Declared

(* denotes player plans to sign with agent)

Markelle Fultz — 6-4, Fr., G (Washington)*

Josh Jackson — 6-8, Fr., F (Kansas)*

Lonzo Ball — 6-6, Fr., G (UCLA)*

T.J. Leaf — 6-10, Fr., F (UCLA)*

Ike Anigbogu — 6-10, Fr., F (UCLA)

Dennis Smith Jr. — 6-3, Fr., G (N.C. State)*

Omer Yurtseven — 7-0, Fr., C (N.C. State)

De'Aaron Fox — 6-3, Fr., G (Kentucky)*

Malik Monk — 6-3, Fr., G (Kentucky)*

Bam Adebayo — 6-10, Fr., F (Kentucky)*

Jayson Tatum — 6-8, Fr., F (Duke)*

Harry Giles — 6-10, Fr., F (Duke)*

Lauri Markkanen — 7-0, Fr., F (Arizona)*

Kobi Simmons — 6-5, Fr., G (Arizona)*

Zach Collins — 7-0, Fr., C (Gonzaga)*

Jarrett Allen — 6-11, Fr., F (Texas)

Justin Patton — 7-0, Fr., C (Creighton)*

Tony Bradley — 6-10, Fr., F (North Carolina)

Jonathan Isaac — 6-10, Fr., F (Florida State)*

Dwayne Bacon — 6-7, So., G (Florida State)*

Luke Kennard — 6-6, So., G (Duke)*

John Collins — 6-10, So., F (Wake Forest)

Ivan Rabb — 6-11, So., F (Cal)*

Jawun Evans — 6-1, So., G (Oklahoma State)*

Tyler Lydon —  6-9, So., F (Syracuse)*

Edmond Sumner — 6-6, So., G (Xavier)*

Caleb Swanigan — 6-9, So., F (Purdue)

Donovan Mitchell — 6-3, So., G (Louisville)

OG Anunoby — 6-8, So., F (Indiana)*

Thomas Bryant — 6-10, So., F (Indiana)

Tacko Fall — 7-6, So., C (Central Florida)

Isaiah Briscoe — 6-3, So., G (Kentucky)*

Isaac Humphries — 7-0, So., F (Kentucky)* 

Moritz Wagner — 6-11, So., F (Michigan)

Tyler Dorsey — 6-4, So., G (Oregon)*

Dillon Brooks — 6-7, Jr., F (Oregon)*

Jordan Bell — 6-9, Jr., F (Oregon)*

Justin Jackson — 6-8, Jr., F (North Carolina)*

Theo Pinson — 6-6, Jr., F (North Carolina) 

Nigel Williams-Goss — 6-3, Jr., G (Gonzaga)*

D.J. Wilson — 6-10, Jr., F (Michigan)

Johnathan Motley — 6-10, Jr., F (Baylor)

Trevon Bluiett — 6-6, Jr., G (Xavier)

Semi Ojeleye — 6-7, Jr., F (SMU)

Melo Trimble — 6-3, Jr., G (Maryland)*

Austin Nichols — 6-9, Jr., F (Virginia; dismissed from team in November)*

L.J. Peak — 6-5, Jr., G (Georgetown)*

James Blackmon Jr. — 6-4, Jr., G (Indiana)

Hamidou Diallo — 6-5, Fr., G (Kentucky)

Thomas Welsh — 7-0, Jr., C (UCLA)

Returning to college

Miles Bridges — 6-7, Fr., F (Michigan State)

Robert Williams — 6-9, Fr., F (Texas A&M)

Tyus Battle — 6-6, Fr., G (Syracuse)

Allonzo Trier — 6-5, So., G (Arizona)

Grayson Allen — 6-5, Jr., G (Duke)

E.C. Matthews — 6-5, Jr., G (Rhode Island)

Marcus Foster — 6-3, Jr., G (Creighton)

Joel Berry II — 6-0, Jr., G (North Carolina)

Charles Barkley hated being auto-tuned on 'Inside the NBA'

Charles Barkley's facial expression said it all. During Tuesday's episode of 'Inside the NBA,' someone thought it would be funny to auto-tune Shaquille O’Neal as he sang about Russell Westbrook.

When Barkley started to speak, the auto-tune was kept on.

Despite it being hilarious, Barkley was clearly irritated by it.

Death of Auto-Tune 🎤 😂 pic.twitter.com/ticmq8JNvh

— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) April 26, 2017

Barkely seemed to embrace the auto-tune as it continued later in the show.

Crying at Charles Barkley with auto-tune kdmaskjd pic.twitter.com/bGtpbjUZLv

— Balvin Wick (@Balvinsanity) April 26, 2017

NBA playoffs 2017: Rockets advance while Spurs, Jazz take 3-2 leads

Rockets guard James Harden drives past Thunder guard Andre Roberson (Getty Images)

Russell Westbrook did not go gentle into that good night, and try as he might to rage against the dying of the light, the Rockets took flight and ended his fight.

Now that we've tipped our caps to Dylan Thomas, let's get back to the NBA playoffs. James Harden and the Rockets kicked off Tuesday night's slate of games by eliminating the Thunder in a 105-99 win. (Thanks to Russ for making the 2016-17 season a ton of fun.) As for the other series, the Spurs and Jazz both gained 3-2 leads in key Game 5 matchups. The Jazz will travel back home to Utah for Game 6 while the Spurs head to Memphis in the hopes of closing things out and meeting Houston in the second round.

Let's take a look at what happened in each playoff game, along with the turning points and X-factors that helped shape the final scores.

NBA playoffs: Scores, highlights

Rockets 105, Thunder 99

OKC was outscored 27-9 in the six minutes Westbrook sat in Game 5. For the entire series, the Thunder finished plus-15 with Westbrook on the floor and minus-58 when he sat. Yes, the offense dropped significantly without a singular driving force like Westbrook available, but as ESPN's Tom Haberstroh pointed out prior to Game 5, the defense was even worse. Donovan didn't stagger Steven Adams' minutes and separate him from Westbrook this series, and the Thunder's defensive efficiency plummeted as a result.

Spurs 116, Grizzlies 103

Jazz 96, Clippers 92

Both teams struggled offensively, but for different reasons. The Jazz created good scoring chances yet couldn't get open shots to fall consistently. The Clippers looked completely out of sync at times and relied far too much on isolations and contested jumpers. You could even hear Doc Rivers on the game broadcast imploring his guards to drive to put stress on the defense. Chris Paul and J.J. Redick played well, but there wasn't much else to be excited about if you're a Clippers fan.

"Iso Joe" is a bad, bad man.

14 worst choke-jobs in NBA playoff history — and yeah, sorry, Warriors

A list like this is not somewhere any NBA player wants to find his team. It’s difficult enough, of course, to get to the NBA playoffs, and even more difficult to win games once there. But what can be truly difficult is to find yourself in a comfortable position in a playoff game or series, then blow it utterly.

(AP Photo)

(Getty Images)

Lakers blow 3-1 lead over the Suns.

(AP Photo)

Suns (again) can’t close out Rockets.

(Getty Images)

MORE: Conspiracy theorists will happily say this was rigged

(Getty Images)

Lakers ‘superteam’ loses to Pistons.

(AP Photo)

Lakers lose Game 7 vs. Celtics.

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Spurs blow Game 6 against Heat.

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Magic lose 3-1 lead to Pistons.

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Blazers blow 16-point lead in Game 7.
What you remember: The Lakers were on the ropes, having already blown a 3-1 series lead to even open the way for a Game 7. They trailed, 75-60, with 10:28 to play, and Lakers coach Phil Jackson would say, “I never …  had a team that I thought had run out of gas as much as I thought they had in the third quarter.” But the Lakers got some spark together in the fourth quarter, going on a 15-0 run to tie the game, and taking an 85-79 lead on a memorable alley-oop pass from Kobe Bryant to Shaquille O’Neal that nearly blew the roof off the Staples Center.

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Clippers blow 3-1 lead to the Rockets.

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Sixers blow 3-1 lead to Celtics.

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Top-seeded Sonics lose to Nuggets.

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No. 1 Mavericks lose to eighth-seeded Warriors.

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You remember this one. It started so well. The Warriors were the greatest team in NBA regular-season history and dominating the Finals through four games. Then Draymond Green got suspended for Game 5. Then Andrew Bogut missed Games 6 and 7. Then LeBron James went absolutely nuts. And it was over. No team had ever come back from 3-1 in the Finals. To do it against the best regular-season team ever. Whew. 

Who has the most to lose in Game 7 of NBA Finals?

The Cavaliers and Warriors enter Game 7 of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena on Sunday with everything to gain.

For Golden State, it’s a chance for the greatest season in NBA history. For Cleveland, it’s a chance to win the city's first pro sports championship since 1964. There's everything to gain. There's also everything to lose, especially for some of the personalities involved in this year's Finals.

Here's a look at the 15 people (one object included) with the most to lose in Game 7.

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Blatt admitted that he can’t watch the Finals, and with good reason. The Cavs fired him with a 30-11 record, and now they might win the championship.

Do you think Blatt is secretly rooting for the Warriors?

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He’s averaging 27.3 points per game in the Finals, and you can make the argument he’s been the second-best player on the floor behind LeBron James.

If anything, Irving has a chance to gain "best point guard in the league" status here.

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They have nothing to gain. The losing team’s fans — and possibly players and coaches — will blame the officiating if they lose.

They can’t escape those four dreaded words: "The NBA is rigged." They stand to lose no matter what.

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Ezeli was a non-factor in Game 6 with four points and a -17 plus/minus rating. The Cavaliers owned the paint, and somebody for the Warriors needs to step up with Andrew Bogut out.

Can Golden State count on Ezeli?

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Lue’s job appears to be safe, but it’s worth noting he would be the fourth coach to lose in the NBA Finals with LeBron James.

Still, Cleveland should stick with Lue for next season no matter what.

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Stephen Curry’s mouthpiece likely peaked when he launched it after being ejected from Game 6, but people are actually willing to bid on these things.

How much money would you pay for a game-worn mouthpiece from Game 7? More than the one from Game 6? Did you gag reading those last two sentences? Please say "yes."

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Smith is an unrestricted free agent this offseason, and he wants to come back to Cleveland. Smith has scored just 18 points on 6-of-18 shooting in the three Finals games at Oracle Arena.

He could make a lot of money with a big game — one of those J.R. specials —  but he could also lose a lot with a clunker.

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Kerr already has five rings as a player and one as a coach, so there’s not much more for him to win.

He will face fewer questions about his health if the Warriors win here, but if they lose, the fact that Luke Walton went 39-4 in Kerr’s place this season will be brought up more than it needs to.

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Curry blamed the officiating after the Game 6 loss (she was wrong) and had a back-and-forth with ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith on Friday (she was right).

If Golden State loses, then Curry will be pegged as a distraction. Watch Twitter get ridiculous with that. It’s unavoidable at this point.

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Barnes turned down a four-year, $64 million deal from the Warriors last season, and that might prove costly.

He’s been a non-factor in the last two Golden State losses — shooting 2 of 22 from the floor and 1 of 11 from 3-point range. Barnes' shooting struggles will be a hot topic all summer if the Warriors lose Game 7.

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Is this too low? James, for once, is in a great spot.

After leading the Cavs’ back with consecutive 41-point games, James has Cleveland on the cusp of its first pro sports championship since 1964. Win, and James might get the biggest statue ever made. Lose, and it’s just another Finals loss. James could win NBA Finals MVP even if he loses.

Unless James totally flops in Game 7, that’s a feasible scenario.

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Thompson called out LeBron James by saying it’s a "man’s league," and James has responded like a monster.

Thompson averaged just 12 points per game in the first three games, but he’s picked it up with 29 points per game in the last three. Thompson could score 40 in Game 7, but if the Cavaliers win, he’ll be blamed for coming at the King and missing.

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Cleveland needs a scapegoat if they lose, and Love is the presumed winner if that happens.

He suffered a concussion in these Finals and has scored just 6.7 points per game since returning. The Cavs have seemingly played better when he’s not on the floor, and trade offers could be coming. Love might not be in Cleveland next year either way.

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The two-time reigning MVP lost his cool in Game 6. If the Warriors can’t close the deal and put the finishing touch on the greatest season in NBA history, then that falls on the best player.

That means Curry, who has battled foul trouble and struggled in the first three games, will take the hit. Same goes for the Curry vs. LeBron debate, if that’s still a debate. Curry can erase all that with a big Game 7.

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If the Warriors lose, then most of the blame will fall on Green, who was suspended for Game 5 for swiping LeBron James in the groin. Golden State led 3-1 at that point and Green, who has emerged as the heel of the NBA playoffs, made a bad decision.

Green had 22 points per game in Games 1-2. He’s had 7.7 points per game in three games since. He’s the X-factor for the Warriors, and the player with the most on the line here.

NBA playoffs 2017: Wizards, Celtics take control of Eastern Conference series

Bradley Beal (Getty Images)

John Wall didn't have a great shooting night, but good thing for the Wizards, Bradley Beal did.

Beal scored a team-high 27 points while Wall scored 20 on 9-of-20 shooting to lead the Wizards to a 103-99 win over the Hawks and grab a 3-2 series lead in the first-round Eastern Conference series. 

The winner of the series will face the winner of the series between the Celtics and Bulls in the second round. The Celtics gained a 3-2 series advantage Wednesday with a 108-97 victory at TD Garden. It was the first time in the series that the home team won. 

While Wall didn't shoot the ball particularly well, the Washington offense ran through him with 14 assists. He also scored the game-sealing shot, a 21-foot jumper with 47 seconds remaining. Wall's bucket answered a basket by Atlanta's Dennis Schroder that brought the Hawks within 101-99. Schroder scored a game-high 29 points and had 11 assists. 

Isaiah Thomas had 24 points for the Celtics, but so did backcourt mate Avery Bradley, who was 11 of 19 from the floor while Thomas struggled, going 6 for 17 and just 1 of 1 from 3-point range. Bradley picked up the slack and was a huge reason the Celtics were able to wrestle control of the series. 

Bulls guard Jimmy Butler had just 14 points on 6-of-15 shooting and Chicago was minus-11 with Butler on the floor. Butler also went to the free-throw line just once and missed his only attempt. 

The Bulls were feeling good at the end of the third quarter when Butler drained a go-ahead 3-pointer at the buzzer. 

Jimmy Buckets! 💦

Butler beats the buzzer from deep to help give the @chicagobulls a 81-79 lead at the end of 3Q. #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/xzdPAw1g5K

— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) April 27, 2017

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  Rockets owner fined $100K for confronting official during playoff game

  Brandon Schlager

Rockets owner fined $100K for confronting official during playoff game

Leslie Alexander (Getty Images)

Rockets owner Leslie Alexander has been fined $100,000 by the NBA for leaving his courtside seat to confront an official during live action of Tuesday's Game 5 against the Thunder, the league announced Wednesday.

Apparently upset over a no-call, Alexander took it upon himself to complain to referee Bill Kennedy in the final seconds of the first quarter.

Kennedy was watching the court while play was going on when Alexander approached from behind and gave the official an earful for several seconds before walking away.

Rockets Owner Leslie Alexander went to talk to the ref about something?? 🤔🤔 🤔 🤔 pic.twitter.com/QxXgnkTZJK

— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) April 26, 2017

Alexander, 73, declined to discuss the matter during halftime of the Rockets' 105-99 series-clinching win, saying only he was "upset, really upset."

The NBA announced immediately afterward that it was conducting an investigation into the matter. The resulting fine is a stiff message from the league, which has come down hard in the past on public-facing criticism of its officiating from owners, coaches and players.

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  Rockets owner's in-game words with official prompts NBA investigation

  Brandon Schlager

Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, never shy about vocalizing his opinion on NBA referees, said he was fined $25,000 in January for postgame remarks about an official.

There doesn't appear to be a recent precedent involving an owner who left his seat to address an ref during a game.