NBA:
In the NBA, Chicago topped Brooklyn 118-88, the Clippers won against Phoenix 116-98, Toronto beat Denver 105-102, and it was Atlanta over Sacramento 106-95.
The NBA moved up the start time for Tuesday night's Cleveland Cavaliers game because of the World Series. The game against Houston at Quicken Loans Arena will now begin an hour earlier at 6 p.m. The NBA champions requested the change to avoid an extended overlap with Game 6 of the World Series, which starts at 8:08 p.m. at neighboring Progressive Field.
The Minnesota Timberwolves say Ricky Rubio will be out indefinitely with a sprained right elbow. Rubio was injured in the fourth quarter of Saturday night's loss to the Sacramento Kings.
A person with knowledge of the situation tells The Associated Press that the Oklahoma City Thunder have agreed to terms on a four-year, $84 million contract with Victor Oladipo (oh-luh-DEE'-poh). The guard came to the Thunder in a trade with the Magic this summer, one that sent Serge Ibaka (ih-BAH'-kah) to Orlando.
NFL:
In the NFL on Monday Night Football, Jay Cutler was able to celebrate a victory in his return to the Chicago Bears' lineup, while a few of his teammates made life miserable for Minnesota's quarterback. Cutler completed 20 of his 31 passes for 252 yards and a touchdown as the Bears beat the Vikings, 20-10.
New York Jets coach Todd Bowles used plenty of choice language in his post-game news conference after the Jets 31-28 win over Cleveland Sunday. He was blunt about his stern message to his team at halftime after an awful first two quarters. Bowles says the Jets' administrative director is putting a "swear jar" in his office so he has to watch his mouth.
Giants GM Jerry Reese is saying little about the team's decision to cut loose placekicker Josh Brown after revelations he abused his wife over an extended period of time. Reese's only comment was that he wishes "healing" for Brown and his family.
The New England Patriots have dealt linebacker Jamie Collins to the Cleveland Browns, according to a person with knowledge of the trade. Today is the NFL's trade deadline. Collins has been one of the Patriots' better defensive players for just over three seasons but his rookie contract ends after this year. The Patriots will get a conditional draft pick.
— The Browns have acquired linebacker Jamie Collins from the Patriots for a conditional second- or third-round draft pick. Collins has been one of the Patriots' better defensive players for just over three seasons, but his rookie contract from 2013 ends after this season. He immediately becomes the best linebacker for the 0-8 Browns.
— Titans coach Mike Mularkey has announced that receiver Andre Johnson has retired after 14 NFL seasons, saying the player told him his heart wasn't in it. The seven-time Pro Bowl selection started four of the eight games he played this year but hadn't caught a pass in the last three. Johnson ranks ninth all-time with 1,062 catches, and 10th with 14,185 yards receiving.
— The Kansas City Chiefs are defending their treatment of quarterback Alex Smith after he twice had his head slammed into the turf Sunday at Indianapolis. Chiefs trainer Rick Burkholder says that Smith passed a battery of sideline tests and additional tests in the locker room following the first blow.
— Panthers coach Ron Rivera is backing Cam Newton in the quarterback's call for the same protection afforded to smaller quarterbacks. Newton blasted NFL officiating following Sunday's game against the Arizona Cardinals after taking a shot to his lower right leg. Rivera stood behind his quarterback on Monday, saying Newton's comments are "correct" and he supports him 100 percent.
— Arizona coach Bruce Arians says left tackle Jared Veldheer will be placed on injured reserve with a torn triceps, and that defensive back Tyrann Mathieu will be out three to six weeks with a shoulder injury. Both were hurt in Sunday's 30-20 loss at Carolina. Mathieu was working his way back to his old All-Pro form after undergoing knee surgery in the offseason.
— Arians also says the "fumble" ruling that resulted in the Panthers' first touchdown Sunday was not overturned because the NFL replay system had been shut down. Television replays showed that Carson Palmer had shoved the ball forward in the direction of running back David Johnson, and Arians said it was later confirmed to be an incomplete pass instead of a fumble. Carolina's Thomas Davis picked up the ball and ran 46 yards for a score, the conversion kick came quickly and the call stood.
— Cowboys rookie running back Ezekiel Elliott says he's been interviewed by the NFL this season about an abuse claim made against him. Team owner Jerry Jones has acknowledged having a conversation with the league's special counsel for domestic violence investigations. Prosecutors in Ohio declined to press charges over the summer in a domestic violence case involving Elliott.
MLB:
The Chicago Cubs and the Cleveland Indians meet in Game 6 tonight at 8 at Progressive Field.
Indians manager Terry Francona said Monday that he still wasn't sure who he'd use in left field for Game 6 of the World Series Tuesday night against the Chicago Cubs. Francona inserted Carlos Santana in left field while the two teams played without a designated hitter in the National League park, but he plans to make Santana his DH again and go with Rajai Davis or Coco Crisp in left on Tuesday. Francona said Monday that he was leaning toward Crisp, although Davis had two hits and three stolen bases in Game 5.
Cubs manager Joe Maddon anticipates closer Aroldis Chapman will be available for another long outing in Game 6 of the World Series despite throwing 42 pitches in an eight-out save on Sunday. Rookie catcher Willson Contreras is set to start with Jake Arrieta on the mound for Game 6 at Cleveland against Josh Tomlin. Contreras and Dave Ross are a combined 2-for-18 in the series, with Ross going 1-for-4.
NHL:
A judge will dismiss the charges against Buffalo Sabres forward Evander Kane stemming from scuffles with women in a bar if he stays out of future trouble, according to a prosecutor who described the athlete's behavior as "arrogant, boorish and surly, but not criminal." The arrangement is contingent on the 25-year-old player avoiding legal issues for the next six months. Kane did not speak during or after his brief appearance in Buffalo City Court on Monday. Kane's lawyer says the action does not include an admission of guilt, and Kane still denies the allegations.
Kane was arrested in July, a month after he was accused of grabbing three women by the hair and neck in separate encounters on the same night in a downtown Buffalo bar. Kane was removed from the club by bouncers. He was charged with misdemeanor trespass and noncriminal violations of harassment and disorderly conduct.
The Boston Bruins face division rival Florida Panthers tonight. The Bruins have largely had their way with Florida, winning three of the teams' four matchups last season, including both games on the Panthers' home ice.
NCAA:
There has been a shakeup at the top of this week's USCHO.com college hockey rankings, with North Dakota falling to third after being dealt its first two losses over the weekend, to new No. 1 Minnesota-Duluth. Quinnipiac remains at No. 6 in the new poll, while Yale moved up one spot, to 16th. UMD is No. 1, followed by Denver, Boston University and Boston College.
Duke and Kentucky will begin the season atop the AP's college men's basketball rankings as the season opens in the coming weeks. UConn is ranked 18th, with Rhode Island at No. 23.
Horse Racing:
California Chrome is the early even-money favorite in a field of 10 for the $6 million Breeders' Cup Classic. The 2014 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner is 6-0 this year and is already the richest horse in North American history with career earnings of $13.4 million. California Chrome will break from the No. 4 post on Saturday at Santa Anita under Victor Espinoza. Arrogate drew the far outside post and is the 5-2 second choice for the 1 1/4-mile race against older horses.
Exotic Animal Mascots:
A football team that had a live tiger cub mascot on the sidelines for decades before Ohio cracked down on exotic animal ownership will have to wait to repeat the tradition. Boosters for Massillon's Washington High School had said a live tiger would be brought in from Syracuse, New York, for last Saturday's rivalry game against Canton McKinley. Booster club president Matt Keller tells The (Massillon) Independent that didn't happen because there were logistical and staffing problems. Ohio's rules enacted several years ago included an exemption for Massillon's "Obie" mascot under certain stipulations. Boosters had trouble meeting those requirements, so the live mascot has become a rarity. The booster club had said the estimated $2,000 cost for bringing a tiger from Syracuse would be paid through donations.
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