Lagging Lakers in D.C.
UNDATED (AP) — The struggling Los Angeles Lakers take a four game losing streak into Washington to face the league’s worst team, the Washington Wizards. The Wizards are 3-16, but one of those victories is against the defending NBA champions, the Miami Heat. The Lakers lost last night to the Knicks in New York
Elsewhere in the NBA…..
— The Memphis Grizzlies still have the league’s best record, but they have cooled off a bit and have lost two in a row. They face a tough test in Denver. The Nuggets are struggling too, they have lost six of the last nine, but only one of those games was at home.
— The Golden State Warriors will go for a 6-0 start on their seven-game road trip tonight. They are in Orlando to play the Magic. Golden State has never won the first six games of any road trip but is in position to accomplish that after edging Miami 97-95 Wednesday. The Magic beat the Warriors earlier in the season on the road.
— The Utah Jazz are riding a season-best four-game winning streak into Phoenix to play the Suns. Phoenix just snapped a seven game losing streak.
— The Boston Celtics travel to Houston in hopes of getting their third straight win. The Rockets snapped a three-game losing streak Wednesday in a victory over Washington.
Also tonight, Dallas is at Toronto, Philadelphia visits Indiana, Milwaukee is at Cleveland, Detroit is in Brooklyn to play the Nets, Minnesota is at New Orleans and Sacramento visits Oklahoma City.
Kevin Youkilis, Yankees finalize $12 million deal
NEW YORK (AP) — Kevin Youkilis and the Yankees have finalized their $12 million, one-year contract, giving New York a third baseman for the first half of next season while Alex Rodriguez recovers from hip surgery.
The deal with the three-time All-Star had been agreed to Tuesday, pending a physical, and the Yankees announced it Friday.
Youkilis joined Babe Ruth, Wade Boggs, Roger Clemens and Johnny Damon as Boston players who made the switch to the Bronx in the heated rivalry. He’ll get an early look at his old club: The Red Sox are set to open at Yankee Stadium on April 1.
New York also is close to an agreement on a contract to retain outfielder Ichiro Suzuki.
Rex’s reversal: Tebow might run wildcat for Jets
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — Tim Tebow might not be done in the wildcat after all.
New York Jets coach Rex Ryan reversed his decision Friday, saying the backup quarterback could actually participate in the wildcat-style offense and on special teams as the personal punt protector at Tennessee on Monday night. On Thursday, Ryan said Tebow would be the backup to Mark Sanchez, but only in the conventional offense.
Ryan says Tebow “moved around great” in practice Thursday and looked the best he has in several weeks since breaking two ribs at Seattle on Nov. 11.
Of course, the sudden shift in thinking after one non-tackling practice could merely be an example of gamesmanship, trying to confuse the Titans. Tebow has not played in the last three games.