WPPA / T-102 SPORTS / Thursday

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - The 76ers knocked off the Rockets 108-97
last night. The Sixers put the game away with a 10-2 run early in
the fourth. Jrue Holiday had 24 points and 12 assists, and Thaddeus
Young scored 22 points Spencer Hawes and Jodie Meeks each scored 12
points.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - Penguins center Sidney Crosby has been cleared
to return to Pittsburgh's morning skates on gamedays, but he will
not participate in full practices, according to general manager Ray
Shero. Crosby, the Penguins' captain who has been out since early
January with a concussion, will travel with the team to Florida and
partake in the morning skate today prior to the game vs. Tampa Bay.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Charlie Morton allowed one hit in five
innings, Pedro Alvarez hit a two-run homer and the Pirates beat the
Phillies 4-1 yesterday in the final exhibition game for both teams.
The Pirates' Number 4 starter allowed just a single to Jimmy
Rollins. The Phillies' only other hit came against Pirates closer
Joel Hanrahan.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - The Phillies have released second baseman
Luis Castillo. The Phillies were looking for help at second base
because All-Star Chase Utley is still hobbled by knee trouble and
there's no timetable for his return. Castillo was cut by the Mets
earlier this month and signed a minor league contract with the
Phillies.

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) - Police have charged four Penn State
athletes - two football players and two basketball players - with
disorderly conduct in connection with a scuffle at an off-campus
apartment building last month. State College police identified four
of those charged as football players Curtis Drake and Derrick
Thomas and basketball players Tre Bowman and Taran Buie.

BRISTOL, Conn. (AP) - Jamie Moyer will work as an analyst for
ESPN while he rehabs toward a comeback to baseball. The 48-year-old
lefty had Tommy John surgery on his pitching elbow in December but
wants to play again next season. In the meantime, the 24-year major
league veteran will serve as a commentator on "Baseball Tonight."


SPRING TRAINING
Wednesday's Games
Minnesota 2, Atlanta 0
N.Y. Mets 6, Florida 3
San Francisco 2, Oakland 1
Pittsburgh 4, Philadelphia 1
Tampa Bay 5, Toronto 3
Boston 10, Houston 0
L.A. Dodgers 8, Seattle 1

NBA
Wednesday's Games
Atlanta 85, Orlando 82
Charlotte 98, Cleveland 97
Indiana 111, Detroit 101
Milwaukee 104, Toronto 98
Philadelphia 108, Houston 97
Miami 123, Washington 107
New York 120, New Jersey 116
Memphis 110, Golden State 91
Chicago 108, Minnesota 91
New Orleans 95, Portland 91
Denver 104, Sacramento 90
Oklahoma City 116, Phoenix 98
Dallas 106, L.A. Clippers 100
Thursday's Games
Boston at San Antonio, 8 p.m.
Dallas at L.A. Lakers, 10:30 p.m.

NHL
Wednesday's Games
Buffalo 1, N.Y. Rangers 0
New Jersey 3, N.Y. Islanders 2
Carolina 6, Montreal 2
St. Louis 10, Detroit 3
Anaheim 4, Calgary 2
Thursday's Games
Toronto at Boston, 7 p.m.
N.Y. Rangers at N.Y. Islanders, 7 p.m.
Atlanta at Philadelphia, 7 p.m.
Columbus at Washington, 7 p.m.
Pittsburgh at Tampa Bay, 7:30 p.m.
Ottawa at Florida, 7:30 p.m.
Edmonton at Minnesota, 8 p.m.
Nashville at Colorado, 9 p.m.
Los Angeles at Vancouver, 10 p.m.
Dallas at San Jose, 10:30 p.m.