NBA: Karl bags 1,000th win
In Toronto, George Karl became the seventh coach in NBA history with 1,000 wins, as Al Harrington scored a season-high 31 points to help the Nuggets hold off the Raptors 123-116. Carmelo Anthony missed his second straight game because of a sore right knee.
“It’s unbelievable,” Chauncey Billups said of Karl. “He’s got 1,000 wins and he beat cancer twice.”
* In Chicago, Derrick Rose had 29 points and nine assists, and the Bulls held off a late rally by the Lakers for an 88-84 victory. . . . In San Antonio, Richard Jefferson and Manu Ginobili scored 18 points apiece, and the Spurs won their fourth straight, beating the Hawks 108-92.
* Outgoing Hornets minority owner Gary Chouest said he remains interested in keeping the team in New Orleans. The NBA is now purchasing 100 percent of the team.
COLLEGE: Hawaii to Mtn. West
The University of Hawaii is joining the Mountain West Conference for football and the Big West in other sports, abandoning the WAC after 32 years. Hawaii will make the move in 2012, following Boise State, Nevada and Fresno State to the MWC.
* Nebraska coach Bo Pelini said he is not getting ready to interview for the University of Miami’s head coaching job.
* Kentucky quarterback Mike Hartline pleaded not guilty to charges of disorderly conduct and alcohol intoxication charges after being arrested early yesterday morning.
* Duke freshman point guard Kyrie Irving has had his right foot placed in a hard cast to help an injured toe heal.
* In Albany, Warren Edney scored 16 points and Fairfield (6-3, 2-0 MAAC) rallied from an early nine-point deficit to notch a 72-55 win over Siena (2-6, 1-1). . . . In Poughkeepsie, C.J. McCollom scored 35 points to lead Lehigh (5-5) to a 91-78 win over Marist (2-8).
ETC.: Sawx confirm Crawford, ‘Tek
The Red Sox confirmed their seven-year, $142 million contract with speedy outfielder Carl Crawford and finished up their one-year, $2 million deal with 38-year-old catcher Jason Varitek.
* The Orioles reached agreement on a $1.5 million, one-year contract with shortstop Cesar Izturis. . . . Left-handed reliever George Sherrill finalized a $1.2 million, one-year contract with the Braves.
* Martina Navratilova was hospitalized in Kenya because of fluid accumulation in her lungs after attempting to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. The 54-year-old tennis great was expected to make a full recovery.
* In Naples, Fla., defending champions Steve Stricker and Jerry Kelly combined for a 9-under 63 and Dustin Johnson and Ian Poulter matched them to share the first-round lead at the Shark Shootout. . . . In Malelane, South Africa, newcomer Anthony Michael extended his lead to two shots at the Alfred Dunhill Championship, the European Tour’s 2011 season opener.