Sports

He is upset that the Lakers’ lackluster play has allowed teams to be extra confident against the defending champs.

He is upset that the Lakers’ lackluster play has allowed teams to be extra confident against the defending champs.

The Japanese media keeps an eye on everything the new Angels’ slugger does, waiting for him to slip up, literally.

The Japanese media keeps an eye on everything the new Angels’ slugger does, waiting for him to slip up, literally.

Text messages from press row …

Willie Davis was not the best player ever to wear a Dodgers uniform, but he ranked among the most exciting. …

Dodgers owner says Jamie McCourt can maintain her lifestyle by selling or renting property and tapping $11 million in liquid assets. She is seeking $988,845 in monthly living expenses.

Frank McCourt says he should not be obligated to support his estranged wife during their divorce proceedings, claiming in a court filing Tuesday that Jamie McCourt can maintain her lifestyle and pay her legal fees without any contribution from him.

L.A. gets only three hits, and key relievers Jonathan Broxton and George Sherrill combine to allow four runs.

Colorado Rockies 12, Dodgers 0 >>> Phoenix

Carl Edwards is put on probation for apparently intentionally bumping Brad Keselowski and sending his car airborne in Atlanta race. But beyond that incident, officials want to make sure that cars aren’t prone to lift off the track.

The idea seemed simple enough: NASCAR would let its drivers race a bit more aggressively and give the fans a better show.

The 18-year-old who had great success at the U.S. Open now carries with her expectations as she goes into BNP Paribas Open as the highest-ranked American woman.

Melanie Oudin was a happy girl Tuesday morning.

German squad tops Fiorentina on away goals. Arsenal blanks FC Porto, 5-0.

Two games, 10 goals — a couple of them of memorable quality — and two teams knocked out of the race.

The Japanese media keeps an eye on everything the new Angels slugger does, waiting for him to slip up, literally.

Some 30-40 Japanese media members were outside the Angels' spring-training complex Tuesday afternoon, waiting to speak to Hideki Matsui while he addressed a handful of American reporters.

The conference, accustomed to getting at least half its teams into the NCAA tournament, is so far down this season, it is expected to get no more than two bids, and perhaps only one.

The Pacific 10 Conference's basketball resume includes the first NCAA champion (Oregon), a dynasty that may never be duplicated ( UCLA) and a team that has the longest active streak for appearing in the NCAA tournament (Arizona).

New DH strikes out and singles against the Padres. Scot Shields and Kevin Jepsen feel good after simulated innings.

Hideki Matsui's first scheduled exhibition debut with the Angels was rained out Sunday. The Japanese slugger was in the lineup again Tuesday against San Diego, but when a heavy downpour forced a 30-minute delay, it was beginning to seem like "Matsui" was Japanese for rain.

Four-run sixth inning is the key.

Angels 6, San Diego 5 >>>

The Ducks and Cougars meet in what amounts to a play-in game; the winner faces No. 1-seeded California.

Pacific 10 Conference

Cal State Fullerton faces Cal State Northridge, then Cal Poly takes on UC Irvine in Wednesday's opening round.

Big West Conference

After another sluggish L.A. effort, Bryant makes his sixth game-winning shot of the season to end Lakers' three-game losing streak.

After another sluggish L.A. effort, Bryant makes his sixth game-winning shot of the season to end Lakers' three-game losing streak.

The team severs ties with the general manager, who had stepped down from coaching duties last month.

Welcome to two-stage firing ... Clippers' style.

Columbus wins, 5-2, as the Ducks drop fourth straight coming out of Olympic break and see playoff hopes dwindle.

Maybe Tuesday night wasn't the end of the Ducks' playoff hopes, but it certainly felt like it. It sounded like it too, with boos echoing from the crowd of 13,700 at the Honda Center.

Severing ties with the general manager, who gave up his coaching duties last month, opens up a world of possibilities for the star-crossed franchise, almost all of them good.

Severing ties with the general manager, who gave up his coaching duties last month, opens up a world of possibilities for the star-crossed franchise, almost all of them good.

Bryant and Andrew Bynum are the only Lakers playing more minutes this season than last.

Not that the suddenly overtaxed Lakers need the reminder, but their top player is spending a lot more time on the court.