Here we go!
UNDATED (AP) — A new NBA season gets under way tonight and the Heat will raise their championship banner and hand out rings ahead of their opener against the visiting Celtics. Former Boston sharpshooter Ray Allen will be watching from the Miami bench after an offseason move. Current teammate and reigning league MVP LeBron James will be getting his first championship ring.
Five-time NBA champion Kobe Bryant and the revamped Lakers will host Dallas this evening. Los Angeles added two-time MVP Steve Nash and Dwight Howard in the offseason. Bryant has been kept out of practice recently due to a foot injury and his status is up in the air. The Mavericks open without star forward Dirk Nowitzki, who is recovering from knee surgery and expected to miss at least the first 10 games of the season.
Washington at Cleveland rounds out the opening night slate.
Leyland has contract for 2013
DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Tigers are bringing back manager Jim Leyland. And his coaching staff also has been invited to return as well.
Next year will mark Leyland’s 22nd season as a major league manager and his eighth in Detroit. He led the Tigers to the World Series this year for the second time during his time in the Motor City. Detroit was swept out by San Francisco on Sunday.
The 67-year-old Leyland leads all active managers with 1,676 wins. That is good for 15th on the career list.
Tigers president and general manager Dave Dombrowski says Leyland has done a fantastic job and the organization is thrilled to have him back. Leyland says he couldn’t dream of a better place to manage.
Wheeling-dealing begins
UNDATED (AP)— Baseball’s offseason business began with the New York Yankees exercising $15 million options on second baseman Robinson Cano and center fielder Curtis Granderson, two of the disappointments in their AL championship series loss to the Detroit Tigers.
In other baseball news:
__Oakland, the surprise AL West champion with a major league-low $59.5 million payroll, exercised a $4.5 million option for closer Grant Balfour. But the Athletics declined their half of a $10 million mutual option for shortstop Stephen Drew, who receives a $1.35 million buyout.
__Minnesota declined a $9.25 million option on right-hander Scott Baker, who missed the entire season because of a torn elbow ligament. The Twins are interested in keeping him at a lower salary.
__The Los Angeles Dodgers, who haven’t made the playoffs in three years, declined options on first baseman Juan Rivera ($4 million), right-hander Todd Coffey ($2.5 million) and catcher Matt Treanor ($950,000).
— Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Alex Gonzalez has become a free agent after coming off the 60-day disabled list. The team said Monday Gonzalez joined Brewers right-handers Shaun Marcum and Francisco Rodriguez in choosing free agency.
NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
Washington at Cleveland 6:00 p.m.
Boston at Miami 7:00 p.m. (LISTEN LIVE on ESPN Radio 1410)
Dallas at L-A Lakers 9:30 p.m.