Associated Press
DORAL, Fla. ó Even Tiger Woods has an opinion on one of the NBA’s hottest topics ó the MVP race.
In Woods’ mind, Miami’s Dwyane Wade merits consideration for the top NBA individual honor, but the world’s No. 1 golfer expects either Cleveland’s LeBron James or the Los Angeles Lakers’ Kobe Bryant to actually win the award.
“D-Wade has now gotten himself into the conversation,” Woods said after finishing his final round in the CA Championship at Doral, only a few miles from the Heat’s arena. “He’s doing more with less, obviously. But I think it’s probably going to come down to LeBron and Kobe.”
BASEBALL
KISSEMMEE, Fla. ó Atlanta’s Derek Lowe pitched five innings in his longest stint of the spring in Atlanta’s 3-2 win over Houston.
He allowed two runs and four hits, struck out six and walked two.
“I’ll take it. I’m happy where things are,” Lowe said. “This was more of a struggle than my last time, but my location was good.”Brandon Jones hit a two-run double off Tim Byrdak in the Braves’ three-run eighth.
– FORT MYERS, Fla. ó Red Sox left-hander Jon Lester finalized a $30 million, five-year contract on Sunday, a deal that could be worth $42.75 million over six seasons if Boston exercises a club option for 2014.
NFL
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. ó Jay Cutler finally met face-to-face with Josh McDaniels over the weekend, but nothing was resolved, leading to doubt the quarterback will show up for the new coach’s first team meeting Monday.
The Denver Broncos’ coach and Pro Bowl quarterback, who are involved in a simmering feud over trade talks, met Saturday at the team’s training facility, and both sides agreed to regroup and continue conversations.
TENNIS
INDIAN WELLS, Calif. ó Roger Federer took the first step toward another possible final against Rafael Nadal by beating Marc Gicquel 7-6 (4), 6-4 in the second round of the BNP Paribas Open.