National sports briefs: Bobcats hammer Raptors

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Associated Press
CHARLOTTE ó Gerald Wallace scored 25 points and the Charlotte Bobcats beat Toronto 112-86.
D.J. Augustin added 15 points for the Bobcats, who moved within one game of idle Milwaukee and Chicago in the race for the final playoff spot in the East.
* SACRAMENTO, Calif. ó Sacramento guard Bobby Jackson (Salisbury) will undergo surgery to repair a broken cheekbone.
Jackson was hurt Friday. The Kings say his status for the season will be determined after the operation.
* NEW ORLEANS ó Ron Artest scored all of his 18 points in the second half, and Houston overcame the absence of Yao Ming in a 95-84 victory over New Orleans. Chris Paul had 29 points and 11 assists.
* OKLAHOMA CITY ó Kevin Durant had 25 points in Oklahoma City’s 78-76 win over San Antonio. Tony Parker missed a 3-pointer in the closing seconds.
* MEMPHIS, Tenn. ó LaMarcus Aldridge had 22 points in Portland’s 103-92 win over Memphis.
* DENVER ó J.R. Smith had 19 points in Denver’s 121-96 win over New Jersey.
The Nets’ Sean Williams was arrested Monday at a cell phone store in a mall in suburban Denver on accusations he got into an argument with a clerk and threw a computer monitor.
NHL
ATLANTA ó Kari Lehtonen made 49 saves to help the Atlanta Thrashers win their team-record sixth straight game in a 5-1 victory over Washington.
FOOTBALL
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. ó Florida State will appeal the part of an NCAA sanction that would take away wins in 10 sports, including as many as 14 in football.
* WICHITA, Kan. ó Running back Bryce Brown, the nation’s top-ranked recruit, has signed with Tennessee.
* ATHENS, Ga. ó Georgia announced linebacker Dexter Moody has been released from the letter of intent he signed last month.
BASEBALL
KISSIMMEE, Fla. ó The Houston Astros and catcher Ivan Rodriguez are closing in on a $1.5 million, one-year contract.
* MIAMI ó Ramon Hernandez was awarded a home run following a replay review, and Venezuela beat Puerto Rico 2-0 to secure a spot in the final four of the World Baseball Classic.
* MIAMI ó Marlins reliever Matt Lindstrom (strained right rotator cuff) miss the rest of the World Baseball Classic.
* KISSIMMEE, Fla. ó Tom Glavine threw under game conditions for the first time since elbow and shoulder surgery, working two innings in an intrasquad contest. He allowed two hits and one run.
* CLEARWATER, Fla. ó Phillies star pitcher Cole Hamels is scheduled to have his left elbow examined by the team physician.
* BRADENTON, Fla. ó Pedro Alvarez, Pittsburgh’s top pick last year, was among eight players sent to minor league camp.
* GLENDALE, Ariz. ó Kansas City right-hander Julio Pimentel (elbow) will be out at least six weeks and possibly the season.