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AP - Diana Taurasi is facing one of the most difficult challenges to her stellar basketball career.

AFP - Super Bowl champions New Orleans can punch their post-season ticket with a victory over Atlanta on Monday, one of a host of teams still in the hunt as the NFL heads into the Christmas weekend.

AFP - Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp has said Jonathan Woodgate could go out on loan in a bid to boost the defender's recovery from a longstanding groin injury.

AP - Monique van der Vorst's competitive spirit thrived even after she lost the use of her legs as a teenager. She won two silver medals at the Beijing Paralympics and hoped to win gold in London in 2012.

AP - After coaching the underachieving New Jersey Devils for the first time this season, Jacques Lemaire laughed about their chances of making the playoffs.

AFP - LeBron James again defended his decision to form a superstar trio with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami, saying that an NBA with more stars per team would be more popular.

AP - Two players from Mississippi State's basketball team fought in the stands Thursday night between games at the Diamond Head Classic

AP - Jarret Stoll scored the deciding goal in the sixth round of a shootout, defenseman Jack Johnson had a goal and an assist and Justin Williams connected on a power play, leading the Los Angeles Kings to a 3-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday night.

AP - LeBron James scored 36 points, Chris Bosh had a double-double and the Miami Heat beat the Phoenix Suns 95-83 on Thursday night to set up a Christmas Day showdown with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Reuters - The Orlando Magic ended a poor run of form by surging to a 123-101 victory the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday, the stunning triumph snapping the visiting team's 10-game winning streak.

Reuters - The Pittsburgh Steelers tightened their grip on top spot in the AFC North and a first-round bye in the playoffs by routing the Carolina Panthers 27-3 Thursday.

AP - There was no drama, no surprises. The Pittsburgh Steelers are closing in on a division title and a bye in the first round of the playoffs, and the Carolina Panthers provided little resistance.

AP - LeBron James thinks contraction could help the NBA.

AP - Freshman Ronnie Hillman scored four touchdowns and tied his career best with 228 yards rushing on 28 carries to lead San Diego State to its first bowl victory since 1969, 35-14 over Navy in the Poinsettia Bowl on Thursday night.

AP - Matt Cullen had two goals and an assist, Niklas Backstrom stopped 36 shots and the Minnesota Wild beat the Colorado Avalanche 3-1 on Thursday night.

AP - Gilbert Arenas had 14 points and nine assists off the bench, and the reconstructed Orlando Magic cruised past San Antonio 123-101 on Thursday night to snap the Spurs' 10-game winning streak.

AP - The Colorado Rockies bolstered their bullpen by acquiring right-handed reliever Matt Lindstrom from the Houston Astros on Thursday.

AP - The Miami Heat and Phoenix Suns are without two of their biggest stars.