Heat shrink in 116-105 loss to Hawks, now with all-or-nothing Friday game to salvage season  —  MIAMI — One game, one chance, one night to salvage the season.  —  That is what it has come down to for the Miami Heat.  —  Failing to take advantage of the first of two chances to advance …

Were 9-year-old Diar DeRozan's screams the Chicago Bulls' secret weapon as the Toronto Raptors missed 18 free throws?  —  TORONTO — As the tide turned in the favor of the Chicago Bulls during Wednesday's 109-105 play-in tournament win over the Toronto Raptors, one constant sound was like a metronome …

Salt Lake City group joins MLB expansion chase  —  A Salt Lake City consortium led by the former owner of the Utah Jazz plans to pursue a Major League Baseball franchise in the coming years, touting the area's population growth, strong economy and baseball history as draws for a coveted expansion slot …

Mets fail to get big hit, fall to Padres  —  Making the final out of the Mets' 4-2 loss to the Padres on Tuesday night was the unproductive prodigy, Francisco Alvarez, who in his second game of the year — seventh of his life in the majors — struck out against Josh Hader, San Diego's combustible closer.

Slow rollers help Mets beat Padres in 1st game between teams since NL Wild Card series  —  Home field advantage typically refers to bigger locker rooms, shorter commutes and friendly fans, but facing the San Diego Padres on Monday night at Citi Field, the Mets received an advantage in the form of some dirt and paint.

Nets Playoff Intel: Priority No. 1 — Keep Joel Embiid off the foul line  —  Priority No. 1 for the Nets in their upcoming first-round playoff series against the Philadelphia 76ers is keeping MVP favorite Joel Embiid off the free throw line — and hopefully, lower on the scoreboard.

Yankees Notebook: Carlos Rodon throwing but delayed by back tightness  —  Carlos Rodon recently experienced some back stiffness while recovering from a left forearm strain suffered early in spring training, but Aaron Boone said the southpaw threw on Tuesday and is scheduled for a Wednesday bullpen.

Orioles break out new ‘homer hose’ celebration and blast their way to 5-1 win over Athletics  —  The Orioles are all about hydrating.  —  Baltimore hit three home runs Monday in its 5-1 win over the Oakland Athletics — ample opportunity to debut its new home run celebration.

Tim Anderson exits the Chicago White Sox's 4-3 win over the Minnesota Twins with a sore left knee  —  MINNEAPOLIS — Chicago White Sox starter Dylan Cease was in trouble in the fourth inning Monday at Target Field.  —  The Minnesota Twins had Matt Wallner on second and Christian Vázquez …