Feb 15 (Infostrada Sports) – Standings from the NBA on Thursday EASTERN CONFERENCEATLANTIC DIVISION W L PCT GB 1. NY Knicks 32 18 .640 – 2. Brooklyn 31 22 .585 2 1/2 3. Boston 28 24 .538 5 4. Philadelphia 22 29 .431 10 1/2 5. Toronto 21 32 .396 12 1/2 CENTRAL DIVISION W L PCT GB 1. Indiana 32 21 .604 – 2. Chicago 30 22 .577 1 1/2 3. Milwaukee 26 25 .510 5 4. Detroit 21 33 .389 11 1/2 5. Cleveland 16 37 .302 16 SOUTHEAST DIVISION W L PCT GB 1. Miami 36 14 .720 – 2. Atlanta 29 22 .569 7 1/2 3. Washington 15 36 .294 21 1/2 4. Orlando 15 37 .288 22 5. Charlotte 12 40 . …
U.S. U-20 coach Tab Ramos: We're never afraid to face Mexico
U.S. coach Tab Ramos spoke with Goal.com about the increasingly Hispanic makeup of his side and the role of globalization on the international game. 
(Reuters) – LeBron James cont inued his sizzling form with 39 points in the Miami Heat's 110-100 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday but missed a late three-pointer to bring his record scoring streak to an end. James became the first NBA player to score 30 points while shooting 60 percent in six straight games on Tuesday but was unable to extend the record to seven against the Thunder, his percentage dipping to 58 on 14-for-24 shots. … 
Josh Hazlewood has just one more format to conquer after making his international Twenty20 debut. The 22 year-old picked up one of the prize wickets in world cricket. While another of our region's stars has helped Australia to the final of the Women's World Cup. 
Josh Hazlewood has just one more format to conquer after making his international Twenty20 debut. The 22 year-old picked up one of the prize wickets in world cricket. While another of our region's stars has helped Australia to the final of the Women's World Cup. 
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- LeBron James had 39 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists, and the Miami Heat trampled the Oklahoma City Thunder 110-100 in a Thursday night showcase before the All-Star break. 
New U.S. women's coach Tom Sermanni has only been in charge two games but already his personality is starting to shine through. 
PACIFIC PALISADES, California (Reuters) – Sergio Garcia could hardly see the flagstick on his last three holes, yet the Spani ard finished with two birdies to end the Northern Trust Open first round a stroke off the lead on Thursday. As thick fog rolled across the iconic Riviera Country Club layout, the world number 14 completed a six-under-par 65 with only American Matt Kuchar ahead of him in a high-quality field. Making his first appearance on the PGA Tour this year, Garcia coolly sank a six-foot birdie putt on his final hole, the par-four ninth, after hitting an exquisite eight-iron … 
PACIFIC PALISADES, California (Reuters) – Matt Kuchar, revitalized after a three-week break, took advantage of ideal early scoring conditions to charge into a one-shot lead in the first round of the Northern Trust Open on Thursday. With hardly a breath of wind on a glorious morning of unbroken sunshine at Riviera Country Club, the 34-year-old American fired a flawless seven-under-par 64 to take control of the PGA Tour event. … 
PACIFIC PALISADES, California (Reuters) – Having spent six months on t he sidelines because of a lingering neck injury, Brandt Jobe could not wipe the grin off his face after making a strong start to the Northern Trust Open on Thursday. The 47-year-old American, who has had two nerve block procedures to help him cope with severe inflammation and a loss of control in his hands, fired a five-under-par 66 at Riviera Country Club to end the opening round two shots off the pace. … 
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Coming off a three-week b reak, Matt Kuchar might not remember golf feeling this easy. 
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- LeBron James changed his jersey number, won an NBA championship and still gets inevitably compared to Michael Jordan at nearly every opportunity. 
HOUSTON (AP) -- Yao Ming fed a giraffe, petted a rhino and watched an elephant do a headstand during a visit to the Houston Zoo on Thursday. 
PRETORIA, South Africa (AP) -- Oscar Pistorius, the double-amputee sprinter dubbed the Blade Runner, was charged Thursday in the Valentine's Day slaying of his girlfriend at his upscale home in South Africa, a shocking twist to one of the feel-good stories of last summer's Olympics. 
IRVING, Texas (AP) -- Monte Kiffin figures he could be 52 and coaching the 3-4 defense instead of 72 and running the 4-3. 
GUADALAJARA, Mexico - US Under-20 national team coach Tab Ramos is under no illusions: The task of guiding the team to the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Turkey later this year is his most important challenge since the end of his decorated playing days. 
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- Brad Keselowski strolled through the Daytona 500 Club with his cellphone in one hand and a half-empty bottle in the other. 
ROTTERDAM (Reuters) – Roger Federer failed to match the accuracy of Cupid's arrow on Valentine's Day but still cruised past Dutchman Thiemo de Bakker 6-3 6-4 in the second round of the World Indoor Tournament on Thursday. Defending champion Federer only landed 42 percent of his first serves during the first set but an early break helped him take the lead against an awkward opponent cheered on by a home crowd. "He had a clear game plan with a lot of variation so I never really got into a rally," Federer told reporters. "He was also unpredictable for me. … 
NEW YORK (AP) -- Classy, gracious, humble. 
The qualification process for the 2013 U-20 World Cup will be upon us in a matter of days, meaning fresh scrutiny for the youth development system in the United States, but also the opportunity for American soccer fans to catch what will be, for many, their first glimpse at the next generation of national teamers. 
(Reuters) – World number one Victoria Azarenka and second-ranked Serena Williams eased into the Qatar Open quarter-finals with dominant third-round victories on Thursday. Americ an Williams, the 15-times grand slam champion who could return to the top of the rankings if she wins the tournament, crushed Pole Urszula Radwanska 6-0 6-3. Belarussian Azarenka, who won last month's Australian Open, demolished American Christina McHale 6-0 6-0 in just over an hour and Russian third seed Maria Sharapova overpowered Czech Klara Zakopalova 6-3 6-3. … 
Welcome back to Star Search, youth soccer style. 
SOCHI, RUSSIA – FEBRUARY 14: Benjamin Farrow of the USA in action during the men's FIS World Cup Snowboard Half Pipe competition at the Rosa Khutor Extreme Park in Krasnya Polyana on February 14, 2013 in Sochi, Russia. Sochi is preparing for the 2014 Winter Olympics with test events across the venues. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Im ages) 
SOCHI, RUSSIA – FEBRUARY 14: Benjamin Farrow of the USA in action during the men's FIS World Cup Snowboard Half Pipe competition at the Rosa Khutor Extreme Park in Krasnya Polyana on February 14, 2013 in Sochi, Russia. Sochi is preparing for the 2014 Winter Olympics with test events across the venue s. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) 
SOCHI, RUSSIA – FEBRUARY 14: Ladies in tradition dress take part in the award ceremony during the FIS World Cup Snowboard Half Pipe competition at the Rosa Khutor Extreme Park in Krasnya Polyana on February 14, 2013 in Sochi, Russia. Sochi is preparing for the 2014 Winter Olympics with test events across the venues. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) 
SOCHI, RUSSIA – FEBRUARY 14: Ladies in tradition dress take part in the award ceremony during the FIS World Cup Snowboard Half Pipe competition at the Rosa Khutor Extreme Park in Krasnya Polyana on February 14, 2013 in Sochi, Russia. Sochi is preparing for the 2014 Winter Olympics with test events across the venues. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) 
Australian Holly Crawford competes in a Ladies' Half-Pipe final race during the Snowboarding and Free Style World Cup Test Event at the Snowboard and Free Style Centre in Rosa Khutor near the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi on February 14, 2013. US Kelly Clark won the race ahead of Australian Holly Crawford and French Sophie Rodriguez. AFP PHOTO / JAVIER SORIANOJA VIER SORIANO/AFP/Getty Images 
Swiss Iouri Podladchikov competes at the Snowboard World Cup Men's Final Halfpipe Test Event at the Snowboard and Freestyle Center in Rosa Khutor near the Black Sea resort of Sochi, on February 14, 2013. Podladchikov took second place. AFP PHOTO / NATALIA KOLESNIKOVANATALIA KOLESNIKOVA/AFP/Getty Images 
US Kelly Clark competes at the Snowboard World Cup Ladies' Final Halfpipe Test Event at the Snowboard and Freestyle Center in Rosa Khutor near the Black Sea resort of Sochi, on February 14, 2013. Clark won the competition. AFP PHOTO / NATALIA KOLESNIKOVANATALIA KOLESNIKOVA/AFP/Getty Images 
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. ( AP) -- Danica Patrick slid into her chair at NASCAR media day Thursday and promptly informed her audience it would be race questions only. 
SOCHI, RUSSIA – FEBRUARY 14: Scott Lago of the USA in action during the FIS World Cup Snowboard Half Pipe competition at the Rosa Khutor Extreme Park in Krasnya Polyana on February 14, 2013 in Sochi, Russia. Sochi is preparing for the 2014 Winter Olympics with test events across the venues. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) 
SOCHI, RUSSIA – FEBRUARY 14: Scott Lago of the USA in action during the FIS World Cup Snowboard Half Pipe competition at the Rosa Khutor Extreme Park in Krasnya Polyana on February 14, 2013 in Sochi, Russia. Sochi is preparing for the 2014 Winter Olympics with test events across th e venues. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) 
French Sophie Rodriguez competes in a Ladies' Half-Pipe final race during the Snowboarding and Free Style World Cup Test Event at the Snowboard and Free Style Centre in Rosa Khutor near the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi on February 14, 2013. US Kelly Clark won the race ahead of Australian Holly Crawford and French Sophie Rodriguez. AFP PHOTO / JAVIER SORIANOJAV IER SORIANO/AFP/Getty Images 
US Kelly Clark competes in a Ladies' Half-Pipe final race during the Snowboarding and Free Style World Cup Test Event at the Snowboard and Free Style Centre in Rosa Khutor near the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi on February 14, 2013. US Kelly Clark won the race ahead of Australian Holly Crawford and French Sophie Rodriguez. AFP PHOTO / JAVIER SORIANOJAVIER SORIA NO/AFP/Getty Images 
Japan's Taku Hiraoka celebrates on podium his gold medal after Men's Half-Pipe final race during the Snowboarding and Free Style World Cup Test Event at the Snowboard and Free Style Centre in Rosa Khutor near the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi on February 14, 2013. Japanese Taku Hiraoka won the race ahead of Swiss Luri Podladtchikov and US Scott Lago. AFP P HOTO / JAVIER SORIANOJAVIER SORIANO/AFP/Getty Images 
France's Sophie Rodriguez competes at the Snowboard World Cup Ladies' Final Halfpipe Test Event at the Snowboard and Freestyle Center in Rosa Khutor near the Black Sea resort of Sochi, on February 14, 2013. Rodriguez took the third place. AFP PHOTO / NATALIA KOLESNIKOVANATALIA KOLESNIKOVA/AFP/Getty Images 
Australia's Holly Crawford competes at the Snowboard World Cup Ladies' Final Halfpipe Test Event at the Snowboard and Freestyle Center in Rosa Khutor near the Black Sea resort of Sochi, on February 14, 2013. Crawford took the second place. AFP PHOTO / NATALIA KOLESNIKOVANATALIA KOLESNIKOVA/AFP/Getty Images 
Japan's Taku Hiraoka competes at the Snowboard World Cup Men's Final Halfpipe Test Event at the Snowboard and Freestyle Center in Rosa Khutor near the Black Sea resort of Sochi, on February 14, 2013. Hiraoka won the competition. AFP PHOTO / NATALIA KOLESNIKOVANATALIA KOLESNIKOVA/AFP/Getty Images 
Team Britain cycling performance director David Brailsford attends the UCI Track Cycling World Cup at the Olympic Velodrome in London February 18, 2012. REUTERS/Eddie Keogh 
Team Britain cycling performance director David Brailsford attends the UCI Track Cycling World Cup at the Olympic Velodrome in London February 18, 2012. REUTERS/Eddie Keogh 
Japanese Taku Hiraoka (C), Swiss Luri Podladtchikov (L) and US Scott Lago pose for a photo on podium after Men's Half-Pipe final race during the Snowboarding and Free Style World Cup Test Event at the Snowboard and Free Style Centre in Rosa Khutor near the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi on February 14, 2013. Japanese Taku Hiraoka won the race ahead of Swiss Luri Podladtchikov and US Scott Lago. AFP PHOTO / JAVIER SORIANOJAVIER SORIANO/AFP/Getty Images 
SOCHI, RUSSIA – FEBRUARY 14: Kelly Clark of the USA in action on her way to winning the women's FIS World Cup Snowboard Half Pipe competition at the Rosa Khutor Extreme Park in Krasnya Polyana on February 14, 2013 in Sochi, Russia. Sochi is preparing for the 2014 Winter Olympics with test events acro ss the venues. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) 
SOCHI, RUSSIA – FEBRUARY 14: Kelly Clark of the USA in action on her way to winning the women's FIS World Cup Snowboard Half Pipe competition at the Rosa Khutor Extreme Park in Krasnya Polyana on February 14, 2013 in Sochi, Russia. Sochi is preparing for the 2014 Winter Olympics with test events acro ss the venues. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) 
SOCHI, RUSSIA – FEBRUARY 14: Kelly Clark of the USA after winning the women's FIS World Cup Snowboard Half Pipe competition at the Rosa Khutor Extreme Park in Krasnya Polyana on February 14, 2013 in Sochi, Russia. Sochi is preparing for the 2014 Winter Olympics with test events across the venues. (Ph oto by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) 
SOCHI, RUSSIA – FEBRUARY 14: Taku Hiraoka of Japan in action on his way to winning the men's FIS World Cup Snowboard Half Pipe competition at the Rosa Khutor Extreme Park in Krasnya Polyana on February 14, 2013 in Sochi, Russia. Sochi is preparing for the 2014 Winter Olympics with test events across the venues. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) 
SOCHI, RUSSIA – FEBRUARY 14: Taku Hiraoka of Japan in action on his way to winning the men's FIS World Cup Snowboard Half Pipe competition at the Rosa Khutor Extreme Park in Krasnya Polyana on February 14, 2013 in Sochi, Russia. Sochi is preparing for the 2014 Winter Olympics with test events across the venues. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) 
SOCHI, RUSSIA – FEBRUARY 14: Taku Hiraoka of Japan in action on his way to winning the men's FIS World Cup Snowboard Half Pipe competition at the Rosa Khutor Extreme Park in Krasnya Polyana on February 14, 2013 in Sochi, Russia. Sochi is preparing for the 2014 Winter Olympics with test events across the venues. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) 
SOCHI, RUSSIA – FEBRUARY 14: Taku Hiraoka of Japan in action on his way to winning the men's FIS World Cup Snowboard Half Pipe competition at the Rosa Khutor Extreme Park in Krasnya Polyana on February 14, 2013 in Sochi, Russia. Sochi is preparing for the 2014 Winter Olympics with test events across the venues. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) 
Japanese Taku Hiraoka celebrates on podium his gold medal after Men's Half-Pipe final race during the Snowboarding and Free Style World Cup Test Event at the Snowboard and Free Style Centre in Rosa Khutor near the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi on February 14, 2013. Japanese Taku Hiraoka won the race ahead of Swiss Luri Podladtchikov and US Scott Lago. AFP PHOTO / JAVIER SORIANOJAVIER SORIANO/AFP/Get ty Images 
French Sophie Rodriguez celebrates on podium after of Ladies' Half-Pipe final race during the Snowboarding and Free Style World Cup Test Event at the Snowboard and Free Style Centre in Rosa Khutor near the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi on February 14, 2013. US Kelly Clark won the race ahead of Australian Holly Crawford and French Sophie Rodriguez. AFP PHOTO / JAVIER SORIANOJAVIER SORIANO/AFP/Getty Images 
US Kelly Clark celebrates on podium her gold medal after of Ladies' Half-Pipe final race during the Snowboarding and Free Style World Cup Test Event at the Snowboard and Free Style Centre in Rosa Khutor near the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi on February 14, 2013. US Kelly Clark won the race ahead of Australian Holly Crawford and French S ophie Rodriguez. AFP PHOTO / JAVIER SORIANOJAVIER SORIANO/AFP/Getty Images 
US Kelly Clark (L) and French Sophie Rodriguez pose on podium after of Ladies' Half-Pipe final race during the Snowboarding and Free Style World Cup Test Event at the Snowboard and Free Style Centre in Rosa Khutor near the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi on February 14, 2013. US Kelly Clark won the race ahead of Australian Holly Crawford and French Sophie Rodriguez. AFP PHOTO / JAVIER SORIANOJAVIER SORIANO/AFP/Getty Images 
France's Sophie Rodriguez competes at the Snowboard World Cup Ladies' Final Halfpipe Test Event at the Snowboard and Freestyle Center in Rosa Khutor near the Black Sea resort of Sochi, on February 14, 2013. Rodriguez took the third place. AFP PHOTO / NATALIA KOLESNIKOVANATALIA KOLESNIKOVA/AFP/Getty Images 
US Scott Lago competes at the Snowboard World Cup Men's Final Halfpipe Test Event at the Snowboard and Freestyle Center in Rosa Khutor near the Black Sea resort of Sochi, on February 14, 2013. Lago took the third place. AFP PHOTO / NATALIA KOLESNIKOVANATALIA KOLESNIKOVA/AFP/Getty Images 
JUPITER, Fla. (AP) -- The St. Louis Cardinals announced a three-year contract extension with general manager John Mozeliak on Thursday and exercised the 2014 option for manager Mike Matheny, hoping the pair will keep the team contending for the World Series. 
As the MLS season approaches, MLSsoccer.com marks each passing day with a different statistic, observation or talking point, setting the stage for March 2.16 - Points required in the Hex to grab a World Cup berth