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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

Holiday, Williamson keep Pelicans rolling in 115-101 win

By MICHAEL WAGAMAN | February 24, 2020

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Zion Williamson has been a dominant force on the court for New Orleans since making his NBA debut a month ago. Against Golden State, the heralded rookie made his biggest impact in the locker room with a halftime speech that provided...

Millsap has 25 points as Nuggets beat Timberwolves, 128-116

By MICHAEL KELLY | February 23, 2020

DENVER (AP) — Paul Millsap followed one of his worst games of the season with his best, thanks to extra film sessions.Millsap scored a season-high 25 points on 9-of-11 shooting, and the Nuggets bounced back from their first loss in the Northwest Division...

Kyle Okposo scores 2 in Sabres’ 2-1 win over Winnipeg Jets

By JOHN WAWROW | February 23, 2020

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Kyle Okposo hopes he and the Buffalo Sabres provided general manager Jason Botterill a reason to rethink his approach a day before the NHL's trade deadline.For a team that looked like it was in need of major roster overhaul as recently...

LeBron’s clutch jumper sends Lakers past Celtics 114-112

By GREG BEACHAM | February 23, 2020

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Although LeBron James is still relatively new to the Los Angeles Lakers' rivalry with the Boston Celtics, he relishes the chance to participate in the history and passion behind this series.When James had the chance Sunday to make...

Raptors roll to biggest win of season, beat Pacers 127-81

By IAN HARRISON | February 23, 2020

TORONTO (AP) — Kyle Lowry had 16 points and 11 assists, extending his career-best streak of double-doubles to six, and the Toronto Raptors hammered Indiana 127-81 on Sunday, their 13th straight home win over the Pacers.Pascal Siakam scored 21 points...

Kylee Shook scores 17, No. 5 Louisville routs Pitt 79-47

By ALAN SAUNDERS | February 23, 2020

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Missing two starters, including one of the best overall players in the country, it took a little while for No. 5 Louisville to get going against Pittsburgh on Sunday.Specifically, it took 10 minutes. The Cardinals (25-3, 14-2 ACC)...

Zamboni driver, 42, gets win as emergency goalie for ‘Canes

February 23, 2020

TORONTO (AP) — David Ayres was sitting in the stands with his wife at Scotiabank Arena when Carolina Hurricanes goalie James Reimer went down with an injury.The on-call emergency netminder in Toronto, Ayers left his seat and got half-dressed into his...

Keller, Garland each score 2, power Coyotes past Lightning

By JOSE M. ROMERO | February 22, 2020

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) —The Arizona Coyotes had good reason to be lacking energy Saturday night, playing their fourth game in six days and their league-high 65th game of the season against one of the NHL's hottest teams.They responded with their highest...

Heat rout Cavs 124-105 as Wade is honored at halftime

By STEVEN WINE | February 22, 2020

MIAMI (AP) — The Miami Heat played so well early they didn't need a halftime meeting, which was exactly the plan.In a worthy warmup for Dwyane Wade's jersey retirement ceremony, the Heat broke a 23-year-old franchise record for points in the first half...

Collins, Hawks get hot late, rally past Mavericks 111-107

By GEORGE HENRY | February 22, 2020

ATLANTA (AP) — John Collins was in no mood to feel sorry for the Dallas Mavericks and their short-handed roster.“I feel like I definitely took advantage of the mismatches I had tonight," Collins said. “As you guys know, I can crash the basket pretty...

Fans heckling Astros spring opener get signs stolen

February 22, 2020

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Fans hoping to heckle the sign-stealing Houston Astros at their spring opener were met with quite the coincidence.

They got their signs stolen.

In the Astros’ first spring training game since their sign-stealing scandal rocked baseball, some fans brought signs jeering Houston, and ballpark personnel confiscated them before the exhibition opener against the World Series champion Washington Nationals on Saturday night.

In a Series rematch, the Nats got hearty cheers, while everyone in an Astros jersey — including the mascot, Orbit — was booed. Houston did not use any players implicated in MLB's probe.

Two men in Nationals gear sitting behind the Astros dugout briefly held up crudely drawn signs just before first pitch. One read: “You see my hate?” in large block letters. And another said: “Houston” with an asterisk below it, suggesting the Astros' 2017 World Series title should be permanently blemished because of the cheating.

The men didn’t get to show off their signs for long. A woman who worked for the ballpark quickly approached to take the signs. They didn't argue with the woman, but they did look confused as she walked away with them folded in her arms.

The Astros and Nationals share a spring training complex. Houston was designated the home team Saturday.

Matthew Silliman, who held one of the signs, said he didn’t know they were forbidden. He drove to the game from Tampa Bay and said he’s been waiting to let the Astros know what he thinks of them.

“I’m a big Nats fan and it’s wrong,” he said. “They’re cheaters.”

Commissioner Rob Manfred concluded last month the Astros violated rules by using a television camera to steal catchers’ signs during their run to the 2017 World Series title and again in the 2018 season. Manager AJ Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow were suspended for one season and then fired by the team, but players were not disciplined.

Fans booed loudly every time the public address announcer said “Astros,” and fans behind Houston’s dugout heckled Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa and Lance McCullers Jr. as they stood on the dugout steps before the game. A few fans banged on their metal seats, attempting to mimic the banging on a trash can the Astros used to relay stolen signs to hitters.

One fan in a Nationals jersey yelled: “Hey Altuve, are you scared to play tonight?” Others screamed “you suck!” and “cheaters!”

About a half-dozen fans wore shirts that read “bang foul poles, not trash cans” in reference to Howie Kendrick's decisive home run for Washington in Game 7 of last year's World Series.

First-year Houston manager Dusty Baker said he didn't think the reception was “too bad" and said his team will have to get used to it.

“You’ll probably get the same reception most places you go, especially the first go-round," he said. “So, you’ve just got to put your big-boy pants on and then just try to shut it out and just play baseball and realize this too shall pass."

Washington ace Max Scherzer, who started Game 7 to help the Nationals to their first title, also started Saturday and pitched two scoreless innings. He was asked if he thought Saturday night’s game would be more dramatic considering what’s going on with the Astros.

“Maybe, I don’t know,” he said. “We won the World Series, so it wasn’t like I have a vendetta to hold. So, for me over here we’re just trying to move forward and get ready for our season.”

Scherzer was a bit disappointed that none of Houston’s starters played Saturday when he allowed one hit and struck out two.

“You want to face the best,” Scherzer said. “They’re a great lineup but I get it, it’s early in the spring you’re not going to see them.”

And while Silliman didn't get to keep his signs, he said it wouldn't stop him from heckling the Astros with his voice.

“Oh yeah," he said. “They’re going to get it all."

He didn't have long. The game was delayed because of rain after two innings and canceled about 90 minutes later when rain continued.

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More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP—Sports

Sacramento Kings beat Clippers at Staples again, 112-103

By GREG BEACHAM | February 22, 2020

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Sacramento Kings realize they might have started playing their best basketball of the season too late to contend for a playoff spot.Beating the powerhouse Los Angeles Clippers on the road twice in less than a month still feels...