NBA FINALS
King James finally crowned
MIAMI (AP) – The Miami Heat are NBA champions for the second time since 2006.
LeBron James had 26 points, 11 rebounds and 13 assists in an NBA Finals-clinching 121-106 rout of the visiting Oklahoma City Thunder.
James was named Finals MVP after capturing the first title of his nine year career. It’s his second season with Dwyane (dwayn) Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami after his self-proclaimed botched departure from Cleveland. Wade had 20 points in the clincher and Bosh contributed 23. And teammate Mike Miller went 7-of-8 from 3-point range en route to a 23-point performance.
Kevin Durant scored 32 points for the Thunder, who took Game 1 of the series and then dropped four straight.
MLB NEWS
Peralta appealing 8-game suspension…Beachy done for the season
UNDATED (AP) – Tampa Bay reliever Joel (joh-EHL’) Peralta has been suspended eight games for having pine tar on his glove.
Major League Baseball issued the penalty Thursday. Peralta has appealed, and pitched and gave up the go-ahead hit in a 5-2 Rays’ loss in Washington on Thursday night.
Peralta was ejected from Tuesday night’s game in Washington after umpires found pine tar on his mitt.
In other baseball news:
– L.A. Dodgers slugger Matt Kemp hopes to play in the All-Star game next month in Kansas City – as long as he’s sure he will be healthy for the stretch run with NL West-leading Los Angeles. He’s been on the DL all month with a hamstring problem.
– The Braves say right-hander Brandon Beachy has had successful elbow ligament-replacement surgery in his pitching elbow. Beachy faces a recovery period of at least one year. The Braves will recall right-hander Jair Jurrjens (jah-EER’ JUR’-jehnz) from Triple-A Gwinnett to fill Beachy’s spot in the rotation. Jurrjens will start Friday in Boston.
INTERLEAGUE
Athletics 4, Dodgers 1
Tigers 2, Cardinals 1
Pirates 9, Twins 1
Red Sox 6, Marlins 5
Nationals 5, Rays 2
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Rockies 4, Phillies 1
NBA FINALS
Miami 121, Oklahoma City 106 (MIA wins series, 4-1)