Thunder run ends at dozen…James over 20 again

UNDATED (AP) — It was not a lucky No. 13 for the Oklahoma City Thunder, whose 12-game winning streak ended on the home floor of the Minnesota Timberwolves, 99-93.

Kevin Love had 28 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists to lead the T-Wolves. Nikola Pekovic had 24 points and 10 rebounds for Minnesota. But it was guard J.J. Barea who was the key. Barea scored 12 straight at one point for the Wolves to hold off the team with the best record in the league. Barea scored 14 of his 18 in the final quarter.

Kevin Durant had 33 points, seven rebounds and six assists and Russell Westbrook had 30 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists for the Thunder, who had not lost a game since Nov. 23 at Boston.

In other NBA action:

__ The defending NBA champion Miami Heat breezed past Dallas 110-95 for their 11th win in 14 games. LeBron James led the way with 24 points and nine boards in just under 31 minutes of play. James has scored at least 20 points in all 23 games, the longest streak to start an NBA season since Karl Malone’s 24 in a row opening the 1989-90 season.

Mavericks G Derek Fisher to miss at least 3 games

DALLAS (AP) — Dallas Mavericks point guard Derek Fisher will miss at least three games because of a strained right knee. He didn’t play against Miami Thursday night and will skip a two-game trip to Memphis and San Antonio. The team says there is no timetable for his return and Fisher will be re-evaluated next week.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL-TOP RECRUIT

Duke wins services of prized prospect Jabari Parker

CHICAGO (AP) — Duke has won the Jabari Parker sweepstakes.

The 6-foot-8 Parker from Chicago’s Simeon Career Academy, one of the most highly touted recruits in years, is headed to Duke.

With a national TV audience watching, he announced his decision at a news conference at his high school gym. Parker can’t sign his letter of intent until April 17, but he made his intentions clear with one highly anticipated oral commitment.

Duke beat out Michigan State, Florida, Stanford and Brigham Young for Parker’s services.

In the end, he chose to play for Mike Krzyzewski for at least a year before making what many believe will ultimately be a jump to the NBA.

Duke fares well on the court as well

DURHAM, N.C. (AP) — On the court, Duke did pretty well too. Mason Plumlee had 21 points and 15 rebounds, and top-ranked Duke beat Elon  76-54 for its 100th straight nonconference win at Cameron Indoor Stadium.

Ryan Kelly added 14 points, freshman Rasheed Sulaimon had 13 and Tyler Thornton hit a pair of key 3-pointers 30 seconds apart that helped the 11-0 Blue Devils pull away.

Playing on back-to-back nights, Duke counted on its defense to pick up an offense that was off on more open shots than usual. Duke shot 43 percent but forced 17 turnovers and turned them into 19 points while holding Elon to just five offensive rebounds.

Quinn Cook added 10 points for Duke, which hasn’t lost to a non-ACC team at Cameron since falling to St. John’s on Feb. 26, 2000.

In the only other Top-25 game of the night, Tim Hardaway Jr. had 17 points and a career-high seven assists to help No. 2 Michigan rout Eastern Michigan 93-54. The 12-0 Wolverines are off to their best start since winning the first 16 games of the 1985-86 season.

Michael Phelps voted AP male athlete of year

UNDATED (AP) — Michael Phelps has added another triumph to his list of accomplishments: The Associated Press male athlete of the year.

The retired swimmer edged out LeBron James in voting announced in a fitting payoff for winning four golds and two silvers at the London Games. Phelps is the most decorated Olympian ever.

Phelps finished with 40 votes in the media balloting, winning the award for the second time. James had 37, followed by track star Usain Bolt with 23.

Carl Lewis is the only other Olympic-related star to capture AP male athlete of the year more than once, taking the award in 1983 and ’84 for track and field. The only men honored more than twice are golf’s Tiger Woods, cyclist Lance Armstrong and basketball’s Michael Jordan.

BYU wins defensive tussle, 23-6

SAN DIEGO (AP) — BYU is this year’s Poinsettia Bowl champion — and the Cougars did it with defense.

Linebacker Kyle Van Noy forced a fumble in the end zone and recovered it for a touchdown, and scored on a 17-yard interception return, both in the fourth quarter, to lead BYU to a 23-6 victory over San Diego State.

BYU finished 8-5 with four of the Cougars’ losses coming by a total of 16 points. San Diego State, playing in its hometown bowl for the second time in three years, finished 9-4.

Colts’ Pagano expected back…RGIII ‘should be ready’…Jets consider options with Sanchez

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Colts coach Chuck Pagano has been medically cleared to return to the team by his physician and could be back as soon as Monday.

Dr. Larry Cripe tells The Associated Press it’s up to Pagano and the Colts to figure out when he’ll be back and how much he’ll do.

Pagano was diagnosed with leukemia Sept. 26 and took an indefinite leave from the team to undergo three rounds of chemotherapy. Cripe says that while the cancer remains in remission, Pagano will continue to take oral medication and will be closely monitored for the next couple of years.

Indy (9-5) has gone 8-3 since Pagano left and is on the cusp of clinching a playoff berth.

In other NFL news:

— Robert Griffin III looks good to go. The Washington Redskins rookie had a full practice Thursday for the second straight day as the team prepares for this week’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Coach Mike Shanahan says he likes what he sees and, “If there is no setback, he should be ready to go.” Griffin missed last Sunday’s game with a sprained right knee.

— The New York Jets are mulling what to do with their muddled quarterback situation. A person with knowledge of the situation tells The Associated Press that, while the Jets have not made any decisions involving Mark Sanchez, they will consider all their options in the offseason. Sanchez is due $8.25 million in guarantees next season and that could make it difficult for the Jets to trade or cut him. And the uncertainty is not limited to Sanchez. The futures of Tim Tebow, coach Rex Ryan and general manager Mike Tannenbaum also are undetermined.

— Bills cornerback and return specialist Leodis McKelvin has been placed on injured reserve because of a groin injury.

Marlins adding after purge…AP source: Jackson gets 4-year deal from Cubs

UNDATED (AP) — The Miami Marlines are now adding players, after their payroll purge.

A person familiar with the negotiations says Placido Polanco has agreed to terms with the Miami Marlins. The 37-year-old third baseman battled injuries this year, hitting .257 with two home runs and 19 RBIs in 90 games with Philadelphia. The 15-year veteran is a career .299 hitter with 103 homers.

In other Hot Stove news:

— A person familiar with the situation tells The Associated Press that the Chicago Cubs have agreed to a four-year, $52 million contract with right-hander Edwin Jackson. The Cubs will be the eighth team in 11 years for the 29-year-old Jackson, who also pitched for the White Sox. He is 70-71 lifetime with a 4.40 ERA. He was 10-11 with a 4.03 ERA for Washington last season.

— The Phillies and reliever Mike Adams have finalized a $12 million, two-year contract. The 34-year-old right-hander is expected to fill the eighth-inning role for the Phillies. He was 5-3 with a 3.27 ERA last season for the Texas Rangers. Adams is coming off October surgery for a condition that left his fingers numb and sidelined him the last week of the season.

— Right-hander Mike Pelfrey and the Minnesota Twins have finalized an incentive-laden $4 million, one-year contract. The 28-year-old made just three starts for the New York Mets last season and had elbow ligament-replacement surgery on May 1.

ESPN suspends Rob Parker for RG3 comments

NEW YORK (AP) — ESPN has handed commentator Rob Parker a 30-day suspension for questioning the “blackness” of Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III.

The network announced the suspension Thursday, a day after Parker apologized for comments he made during a Dec. 13 episode of “First Take”.

Posting to Twitter, Parker said, “I blew it and I’m sincerely sorry. I completely understand how the issue of race in sports is a sensitive one and needs to be handled with great care.”

Parker, who is black, was discussing Griffin’s role as an African-American quarterback when he noted that Griffin has a white fiance and is rumored to be a Republican.

Among his comments, Parker said, “Is he a brother or a cornball brother?”

A monster first half from Jordan Hooper propelled the Husker women’s basketball team past Oral Roberts 80-67 at the Devaney Center last night. Hooper scored 22 of her game high 33 points in the first 20 minutes as the Huskers rolled to a 44-20 halftime advantage. They would extend their lead to as many as 30 points early in the second half before coasting to the finish line. Lindsey Moore joined Hooper in double figures with 15 points. Hooper led the team with nine rebounds, while Moore pitched in eight assists. Those assists moved Moore into second place on Nebraska’s all-time list. The Huskers improve to 9-3 with the win. They’re off for the next eight days before resuming their season next Saturday, in the second of four consecutive home games, as they host Grambling State.

A staggeringly poor display of shooting spelled doom for the Denver Nuggets in a 101-93 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers in Portland. Denver missed all 22 of their three-point attempts, setting an NBA record for futility. The Nuggets did not even score a basket outside the paint until 38 seconds remained in the game. Ty Lawson, Andre Iguodala and Corey Brewer shared high scoring honors for the Nuggets with 13 points apiece. The Nuggets drop to 14-13 with the loss. They host the Charlotte Bobcats Saturday night.

Denver Broncos offensive lineman Zane Beadles was named his team’s recipient of the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award yesterday. Each team recognizes a player for outstanding team leadership and community service each year. Beadles, who has started every game and played every snap at left guard for the Broncos, is involved with multiple charities in Denver, including the Boys and Girls Clubs. He is eligible for the league-wide award, which is announced at the Super Bowl.

Suzy Favor Hamilton says she has worked as escort 

Three-time Olympian runner Suzy Favor Hamilton has admitted leading a double life as an escort.

Thunder eye 13th straight win…Heat-Mavericks

UNDATED (AP) — The NBA has its usual limited Thursday night schedule in place with just three games on tap.

The best matchup of the night is the first as Oklahoma City takes on the Timberwolves in Minnesota. The Thunder have won an NBA season-high 12 straight games and area a league-best 21-4 following last night’s victory in Atlanta.

The Wolves have dropped two straight since a four-game winning streak, leaving them 12-11 this season. Minnesota has split the two games it has played with guard Ricky Rubio, who’s being slowly brought back into the lineup following major surgery.

It’s the first meeting of the season between the two teams. The Thunder were 3-0 against the Timberwolves last season, including a 149-140 overtime game last March.

Game 2 has the Miami Heat visiting the Dallas Mavericks, who’ve opened the season 12-13 while playing without forward Dirk Nowitzki. The Heat have the second best record in the East at 16-6, but they are just 4-4 on the road.

The two teams haven’t faced each other since March 29, when Miami beat the Mavericks 106-85 to complete a sweep of the two-game season series.

Nos. 1 & 2 in action on otherwise light schedule

UNDATED (AP) — The nation’s No. 1 and No. 2 teams in men’s college basketball are in action tonight while the rest of the top 25 have the day off.

Top-ranked Duke is playing its second game in as many nights, taking on Elon at Cameron Indoor Stadium. The Blue Devils improved to 10-0 with last night’s win over Cornell.

Duke and Elon haven’t met since December 2010, when the Blue Devils ripped the Phoenix 99-72 to take a 17-7 lead in the overall series. Elon is 6-4 and hasn’t beaten an ACC team since December 2005 against Clemson.

No. 2 Michigan goes against Eastern Michigan in the other game. The Wolverines are 11-0 for the first time in 24 years following an 81-66 win over West Virginia last weekend. The Eagles are 6-3 and come off Saturday’s 74-48 loss to Illinois-Chicago.

The two teams haven’t squared off since December 2008, when Michigan cruised to a 91-60 rout at Crisler Arena.

DePauw hires Bill Lynch as new football coach 

Thunder streak reaches a dozen…’Melo scores 31 in return

UNDATED (AP) — Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook were responsible for 68% of Oklahoma’s points Wednesday night, sending the Thunder to their 12th straight win.

Durant poured in a season-high 41 points on 14-of-23 shooting and had 13 rebounds as the Thunder topped the Hawks 100-92 in Atlanta. Westbrook added 27 points and 11 rebounds while helping the Thunder improve to a NBA’-best 21-4.

The winning streak matches the longest for the franchise since 1996, when it had a 14-game winning streak as the Seattle SuperSonics.

The Los Angeles Clippers ran their winning streak to a franchise record-tying 11 games with an easy win over New Orleans, which dropped its ninth in a row.

The Clippers are 19-6 after Blake Griffin scored 18 points and Jamal Crawford added 17 in a 93-77 win over the Hornets. Chris Paul had 12 assists to surpass 5,000 for his career as the Clippers matched the club-record winning streak set by the 1974-75 Buffalo Braves.

The New York Knicks had Carmelo Anthony back in the lineup following a two-game absence due to an ankle sprain.

Anthony helped the Knicks improve to 11-1 at home by scoring 31 points in a 100-86 win over Brooklyn. J.R. Smith added 19 points and Tyson Chandler had 16 points and 12 rebounds for the Knicks, who bounced back from their first home loss Monday against Houston.

The outcome keeps the Knicks atop the Eastern Conference at 19-6.

The Nets have dropped eight of 10 since an 11-4 start.

The NBA slate includes Indiana’s 104-84 romp over Utah. Paul George finished with 20 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks, while Gerald Green added a season-high 21 points.

Zach Randolph had 15 points and 17 rebounds as Memphis topped Milwaukee 90-80. Marc Gasol added 12 points and 12 rebounds to the Grizzlies’ third straight win.

Charlotte’s losing streak has grown to an NBA season-high 13 games after Shannon Brown scored a season-high 26 points to lead Phoenix past the Bobcats 121-104. Goran Dragic added 21 points and Jared Dudley had 20 in the Suns’ fourth straight win.

Sacramento ended a five-game losing streak as DeMarcus Cousins scored 24 points and Aaron Brooks had 23 in a 131-127 win over Golden State. Brooks hit a pair of three-pointers in the final minute after the Kings blew a 15-point lead.

Houston was a 125-103 winner against Philadelphia as James Harden chipped in 33 points and seven assists. Toney Douglas hit five 3-pointers and scoring all 17 of his points in the final period.

J.J. Redick scored 17 points and fellow reserve E’Twaun Moore had 15 to lead Orlando past Washington 90-83. Redick had four 3-pointers in leading the Magic to their fourth straight win.

Boston’s Paul Pierce scored 25 of his season-high 40 points in the second half of a 103-91 win over Cleveland. Rajon Rondo had 20 points and eight assists as the Celtics ended a three-game skid.

Alan Anderson scored 12 of his 16 points in the fourth quarter to help Toronto close out its fourth straight win, a 97-91 decision over Detroit. DeMar DeRozan finished with 23 points and Jose Calderon had 17 assists.

Nowitzki practices, still unsure of return

DALLAS (AP) — Dirk Nowitzki has gone through his first full practice with the Dallas Mavericks since undergoing knee surgery that forced the 11-time All-Star to miss every game so far this season.

After practice, Nowitzki gave no real timetable on when he might make his season debut, except to say “maybe any time after Christmas.”

Nowitizki had arthroscopic surgery on his ailing right knee Oct. 19.

Griffin takes full practice for Redskins

ASHBURN, Va. (AP) — Robert Griffin III has taken part in his first full practice since spraining his right knee. The Washington Redskins quarterback said he did all of his usual work as the team held its first workout ahead of this week’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Coach Mike Shanahan said doctors will examine Griffin’s knee on Thursday to see if there’s any swelling. He could then be cleared to play against the Eagles.

Washington has won five in a row to move into a three-way tie atop the NFC East.

Elsewhere around the league:

— LeSean McCoy will start at running back for the Eagles against Washington in his first game back after missing four because of a concussion. Michael Vick will be the No. 3 quarterback behind starter Nick Foles and Trent Edwards because of his extended layoff.

— Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall returned to practice after serving a one-game suspension for deciding not to show up at Heinz Field for Pittsburgh’s game with the San Diego Chargers on Dec. 9. Mendenhall, who was inactive during the game, declined to talk about his decision to stay away but later added “there’s a lot of thought” that goes into anything he does.

— Running back Trent Richardson of the Browns doesn’t think his college coach, Alabama’s Nick Saban, will follow him to Cleveland. Saban will lead the Crimson Tide against Notre Dame in the BCS national championship game and has been mentioned as a possible replacement in Cleveland if the Browns fire second-year coach Pat Shurmur at season’s end.

— Giants receiver Victor Cruz hopes meeting with the family of a 6-year-old boy killed in the Connecticut school shootings has helped them cope with the tragedy. Cruz described to reporters his meeting with Jack Pinto’s family and said he was most affected when asked about their decision to bury their son in his No. 80 jersey. The family said Cruz was their son’s favorite player.

Angels and M’s pull off deal/Red Sox sign Dempster

UNDATED (AP) — Ichiro Suzuki will remain with the New York Yankees after the 10-time Gold Glove outfielder accepted a two-year, $13 million contract. The 39-year-old will make $6.5 million in each of the next two seasons and needs 394 hits to reach 3,000 for his major league career. Suzuki’s batting average jumped from .261 with the Mariners to .322 with the Yankees, with five homers, 27 RBIs and 14 steals.

In other baseball news:

— The Los Angeles Angels have traded Kendrys Morales to the Seattle Mariners for left-hander Jason Vargas. The 29-year-old Morales. Morales hit .273 with 22 home runs and 73 RBIs last season. Vargas led Seattle in wins last season, going 14-11 with a 3.85 ERA.

— The Red Sox have signed right-hander Ryan Dempster to a two-year contract. The signing came six days after two people familiar with the negotiations said Dempster had agreed to a $26.5 million deal. The 35-year-old has pitched more than 200 innings in four of the past five seasons. He went 12-8 with a 3.38 ERA this year playing for the Cubs and Rangers.