Grizzlies ax Fizdale amid 8- game skid
The Grizzlies fired coach David Fizdale on Monday, a day after he benched center Marc Gasol for the fourth quarter of an eighth consecutive loss. The Grizzlies are 7- 12 and were 50- 51 in a season- plus under Fizdale.
General manager Chris Wallace announced the move and said associate coach J. B. Bickerstaff has been named interim coach.
Gasol, who got a maximum deal from the Grizzlies in July 2015, sat out the fourth quarter of a 98- 88 loss Sunday to the Nets. Gasol leads the Grizzlies in points, rebounds and assists.
Afterward, Fizdale said he simply was trying to win a game while sticking with his reserves. He said taking a risk as a coach sometimes means upsetting a player or two.
LeBron James scored 30 points and grabbed 13 rebounds, and the Cavaliers won their eighth game in a row with a 113- 91 victory against the host 76ers.
Dwyane Wade added 15 points and Jeff Green 14 points and 10 rebounds for the Cavaliers. Joel Embiid had 30 points and 11 rebounds for the 76ers, but Ben Simmons was held to 10 points before leaving with a sprained ankle in the fourth quarter.
Guard Stephen Curry ( bruised right hand) and forward Kevin Durant ( sprained left ankle) sat out the Warriors’ game against the Kings with injuries.
Barrett probable for OSU
Ohio State coach Urban Meyer said quarterback J. T. Barrett is probable for the Big Ten championship game Saturday against Wisconsin in Indianapolis. Barrett left the Buckeyes’ game Saturday against Michigan with an injury to his right knee in the third quarter.
Minnesota officials said starting quarterback Demry Croft is leaving the team. School spokesman Paul Rovnak said Croft asked coach P. J. Fleck to be let out of his scholarship and didn’t attend the team’s seasonending banquet Sunday.
Iowa State agreed to terms with coach Matt Campbell on a new six- year, $ 22.5million contract. Campbell was 3- 9 in his first season with the Cyclones but guided them to a 7- 5 record and their first bowl appearance in five years in his second.
Rice fired coach David Bailiff after a 1- 11 season. Bailiff was a two- time Conference USA coach of the year who went 57- 80 in 11 seasons at the school.
Rangers, Fister strike deal
Multiple outlets reported the Rangers agreed to terms with right- hander Doug Fister on a one- year, $ 4 million contract with a team option for 2019. Fister, 33, was 5- 9 with a 4.88 ERA last season for the Red Sox.
Avs’ captain suspended
The NHL suspended Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog for four games without pay for his crosscheck Saturday on Flames forward MatthewTkachuk.