The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Utah Jazz on Friday, winning their Western Conference semifinal series 4-2.

The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Boston Celtics on Friday to even their best-of-7 Eastern Conference semifinal series 3-3. Game 7 is Sunday in Boston.

Pats coach says of ex-employee Walsh: 'There's not a lot of credibility'

Mets manager Willie Randolph called a closed-door meeting in response to the latest remarks by closer Billy Wagner, who said Friday he was being critical of the media, not his teammates.

May 16: Gary Stevens invites you to a round-table discussion on the safety of horses in the wake of Eight Belles' death. (NBC Sports)

May 16: Matty Blake returns from the Kentucky Derby frustrated with Matt Walsh and Arlen Specter. (NBC Sports)

May 16: Oscar Pistorius says this is the happiest day of his life after being awarded eligibility to run in the Beijing Olympics. (NBC Sports)

At a time when attention should be fixed on Big Brown, an exciting colt with a legitimate shot to become racing’s 12th Triple Crown winner, racing industry leaders are instead issuing press releases touting the industry’s commitment to the safety of its performers and responding to a barrage of criticism and difficult questions from the media, lawmakers, fans and even some industry insiders.

Brunker: Sometimes you just have to go with the obvious. Facing only one Kentucky Derby rival and 11 other horses whose trainers and owners are just taking a shot, Big Brown will cruise to victory in Saturday’s 133rd running of the Preakness Stakes, setting up a bid for a long-awaited Triple Crown three weeks hence.

Interactive: Want to learn how to pick the Preakness winner? We'll take you step-by-step through the factors, then let you rank what you think is important and find your horse!

NFL owners could opt out of their agreement with the players union next week, leaving open the possibility of a 2010 season without a salary cap.

Hank Steinbrenner sounded optimistic on Friday, one day after his struggling New York Yankees fell into last place in the American League East.

Jayson Werth homered in his first three at-bats and tied a Philadelphia Phillies record with eight RBIs in a 10-3 win over the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday night.

Leaping LeBron, riled-up refs, jumbled jockeys and more in this week’s edition.