PACERS-HEAT
Bosh aiming to be impactful against Pacers
MIAMI (AP) - Chris Bosh would have happily played against anybody for a chance to return to the NBA Finals.
But he's particularly thrilled that the opponent is the Indiana Pacers.
Bosh went down in Game 1 of the Miami Heat second-round series against the Pacers a year ago, after getting hurt on a dunk just before halftime. Miami eventually won the series in six games, though it was far from easy.
Bosh says it seems fitting that the Heat will play the Pacers again now, since it was the series that was essentially taken away from him a year ago.
The Heat and Pacers will meet again in the East finals starting Wednesday. And Bosh's matchup against Indiana's 7-foot-2 Roy Hibbert is going to likely be a big key to this series.
PHILLIES-MARLINS
Sanabia outpitches Hamels; Marlins beat Phils 5-1
MIAMI (AP) - Alex Sanabia outpitched Cole Hamels in a matchup of struggling starters, leading the Miami Marlins past the Philadelphia Phillies 5-1 on Monday night.
Justin Ruggiano and Nick Green each drove in two runs for Miami in front of a season-low crowd of 13,231 at Marlins Park. Sanabia (3-6) allowed one run and seven hits over 6 1-3 innings.
Hamels (1-7) struck out 10 in six effective innings but has not won since April 28 at the New York Mets. Domonic Brown homered for the Phillies.
Miami had 11 hits and struck out 13 times on its way to scoring more than three runs for just the second time in 13 games. The Marlins have won two straight after dropping seven in a row and 10 of 11.
RAYS-BLUE JAYS
Dickey wins 2nd straight, Blue Jays beat Rays 7-5
TORONTO (AP) - R.A. Dickey won his second straight start, Edwin Encarnacion hit a tiebreaking, bases-loaded double in the seventh inning, and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Tampa Bay Rays 7-5 Monday.
Dickey (4-5) allowed three runs - two earned - and four hits in a season-high eight innings as the Blue Jays won their fourth straight home game. The reigning NL Cy Young Award winner walked four and struck out five.
Casey Janssen gave up a two-run homer to former Toronto shortstop Yunel Escobar in the ninth. Booed by the crowd of 29,885, Escobar made a safe sign as he crossed the plate, prompting more jeers.
Desmond Jennings followed with a single and Matt Joyce walked, bringing the potential go-ahead run to the plate, but Janssen struck out Ben Zobrist on three pitches to end it.
JAGUARS-WAIVER-WIRE FINDS
Jaguars give castoffs Deaderick, Love fresh start
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) - Cast off by New England, Brandon Deaderick and Kyle Love are trying to catch on in Jacksonville.
The Jaguars claimed both defensive linemen off waivers last week, giving them a fresh start with a rebuilding team that desperately wants to improve its pass rush.
It remains to be seen whether they will fit in coach Gus Bradley's defense. But the Jaguars regard the claims as low-risk moves that could pay dividends for a team that failed to address its defensive line in the NFL draft.
Deaderick became expendable after the Patriots signed Tommy Kelly and Armond Armstead in free agency. Love was released after being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.
They found comfort in landing together in Jacksonville, even though it's clear they will have to fight for roster spots.
BUCCANEERS-FREEMAN
Schiano reiterates Freeman is Bucs QB
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - Josh Freeman is back on the practice field, feeling good about himself and the future of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The fifth-year pro who's entering the final season of his contract said Monday that he still considers the Bucs his team to guide to the playoffs, despite the club's decision to draft another young quarterback to potentially take his place.
Just importantly, coach Greg Schiano reiterated Freeman is his starter before making another attempt to dispel what he said is a misconception about his desire to increase competition at virtually every position, including quarterback
Freeman became Tampa Bay's first 4,000-yard passer a year ago, however his inconsistency contributed to a 7-9 finish and energized speculation about his future with the team.
SEC TOURNAMENT
Vanderbilt, LSU headline expanded SEC tournament
(AP) - Vanderbilt and LSU are the favorites to win this week's Southeastern Conference tournament after mowing through regular-season play with uncommon ease.
The real intrigue, however, is the new single-elimination format in the opening round of the tournament.
Instead of the usual double-elimination format, the league's coaches say the sudden-death round was done because of scheduling and the expansion of the tournament field from 10 to 12 teams.
The top four seeds receive a bye to the second round, where double-elimination play begins.
Several teams with borderline NCAA tournament hopes will play crucial games during the opening knockout round, including Auburn and Texas A&M.
Play begins Tuesday morning at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium in Hoover, Ala.
No. 1 seed Vanderbilt set an SEC record with 26 league wins this season.
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