Associated Press
INDIANAPOLIS ó Mo Williams is finally an All-Star.
Twice snubbed, the Cleveland Cavaliers point guard was added to the roster Tuesday by NBA commissioner David Stern as a replacement for injured Toronto forward Chris Bosh.
Williams’ teammates and Cleveland’s owner Dan Gilbert were dismayed last week when Williams was twice left off the Eastern Conference roster but approved the move unanimously Tuesday.
“It has a beautiful ring to it,” Williams said before playing at Indiana. “I’m excited for myself and my teammates and the coaches. It’s a great thing, it’s one thing people can’t take away from you.”
– PHOENIX ó Rookie of the Year Kevin Durant and O.J. Mayo, a favorite for this season’s award, highlight the field for a H-O-R-S-E competition during All-Star Saturday night.
Atlanta Hawks guard Joe Johnson is the other competitor in TNT’s special event, the network announced Tuesday. Johnson will play in the All-Star game, while Durant and Mayo were selected for the rookie challenge.
– PHOENIX ó Denver Nuggets swingman J.R. Smith will replace Memphis forward Rudy Gay in the slam dunk contest.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
LYNCHBURG, Va. ó Former South Carolina quarterback Tommy Beecher of Concord has signed a scholarship offer from Liberty.
Liberty coach Danny Rocco said Tuesday that the Flames plan to seek permission from the NCAA for a fifth year of eligibility for Beecher after he earns his mathematics degree in four years from South Carolina in May.
Beecher was a redshirt junior and began the 2008 season as South Carolina’s starter. But he threw four interceptions against North Carolina State before being knocked out of the game with a concussion. He played in only one game the rest of the season.
– CHARLOTTEó Several influential business and community leaders will lead Charlotte’s fundraising efforts to start a football program.
The school announced on Tuesday that businessmen Mac Everett and Johnny Harris will work on the capital campaign. Former Carolina Panthers Mike Minter and Mike Rucker will also help raise the $45 million needed to begin play in 2013.
– LOS ANGELES ó Eddie Ayers, who played on UCLA’s 1976 Rose Bowl championship team under coach Dick Vermeil, has died. He was 54.
PRO FOOTBALL
CHARLOTTE ó The Carolina Panthers have hired Richard Smith as linebackers coach and Ron Milus to work with the secondary.
Smith had been defensive coordinator with the Houston Texans the past three seasons. Milus has worked on the defensive staffs of four NFL teams, most recently in St. Louis.
NHL
BOSTON ó Patrick Marleau, Milan Michalek and former Boston captain Joe Thornton scored in a 6:16 span of the third period to rally the San Jose Sharks to a 5-2 victory over the Boston Bruins in a matchup of the NHL’s top two teams on Tuesday night.
Red Wings 5, Predators 3
NASHVILLE, Tenn. ó Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk each had two goals and an assist for Detroit, which held off Nashville for its fifth straight victory.
Zetterberg has 18 points in his past 15 games.
Blue Jackets 3, Avalanche 0
COLUMBUS, Ohio ó Dan LaCosta made 31 saves ó including a toe stop on Marek Svatos with seconds remaining ó for his first career shutout in his second NHL start.
Kings 4, Islanders 3, SO
UNIONDALE, N.Y. ó Jack Johnson scored the only goal of the shootout in the final round as Los Angeles beat the New York Islanders.
Panthers 5, Maple Leafs 4, OT
SUNRISE, Fla. ó Richard Zednik, exactly one year after he suffered a severe neck injury, scored his second goal at 1:02 of overtime to give Florida a 5-4 victory against Toronto.
Thrashers 3, Lightning 1
TAMPA, Fla. ó Kari Lehtonen made 40 saves to lead Atlanta past Tampa Bay.