Ex-RPI coach Appert lifts Sabres

BUFFALO — With Sabres coach Don Granato out with an illness, former RPI coach Seth Appert, coach of Buffalo’s minor league affiliate, the Rochester Americans, filled in behind the bench and led Buffalo to a 3-2 overtime victory over Columbus.

Jeff Skinner scored 1:20 into overtime, and Casey Mittelstadt and Jack Quinn also scored for Buffalo. Owen Power had two assists and UkkoPekka Luukkonen made 18 saves.

Appert coached at RPI from 2006-17, and had a 152-221-48 record. RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley to the Toronto Raptors and got back OG Anunoby, dealing two of their top offensive players but likely getting a boost to their defense with last season’s NBA leader in steals.

New York also got Precious Achiuwa and Malachi Flynn, while sending a 2024 second-round pick. The 6-foot-7 Anunoby is averaging 15.1 points. Barrett averages 18.2 points and Quickley 15.0 off the bench.

DETROIT — The Detroit Pistons ended their NBA record-tying losing streak at 28 games with a 129-127 victory over the short-handed Toronto Raptors as Cade Cunningham had 30 points and 12 assists. the Milwaukee Bucks, Dragic, 37, went unsigned in free agency.

ATLANTA — Chris Sale’s injuryfilled career with the Red Sox ended when the 34-year-old left-hander was traded to the Atlanta Braves for infielder Vaughn Grissom.

Boston also is sending cash to the Braves, covering a portion of the $27.5 million salary the seven-time All-Star is owed in 2024, the final guaranteed season of a $160 million, six-year contract. Grissom, 22, had a .287 average with five homers and 27 RBIs over 64 games with Atlanta during the past two seasons.