NBA – National Basketball Association
Last Night
Washington Wizards 120, Detroit Pistons 99

Wizards 120, Pistons 99 – Beal limited by back, but Wizards roll past Pistons 120-99
Kyle Kuzma scored 25 points, and the Washington Wizards overcame Bradley Beal’s back issues to beat the Detroit Pistons 120-99. Beal was limited to 21:49 because of back tightness, although he was able to return late in the third quarter after missing the entire second. The Wizards actually broke the game open without him and cruised to a lopsided victory. Kristaps Porzingis scored 20 points, Will Barton contributed 16 and Beal was able to finish with 13. Bojan Bogdanovic led Detroit with 25 points and Cade Cunningham added 19.

Tonight
Atlanta Hawks at Detroit Pistons, 7:00 p.m.
Indiana Pacers at Chicago Bulls, 8:00 p.m.

NBA – NBA, NBPA seeking more respectful tone at all levels of game
The NBA and its players have announced a plan to encourage better and more respectful behavior within basketball, even at youth levels. It’s part of the league’s “Respect for the Game” initiative. The NBA has been using that term with players for nearly two decades, primarily hoping to foster more positive interactions between players and referees during games.

WNBA – Russian court rejects Griner appeal of her 9-year sentence
A Russian court has rejected an appeal by U.S. basketball star Brittney Griner of her nine-year prison sentence for drug possession, a step that could move her closer to a possible high-stakes prisoner swap between Moscow and Washington. The all-star center with the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury and two-time Olympic gold medalist was convicted Aug. 4 after police said they found vape canisters containing cannabis oil in her luggage at a Moscow airport. Reflecting pressure on the U.S. administration to do more to bring Griner home, the U.S. secretary of state revealed in July that Washington had made a proposal to get Griner home, along with Paul Whelan, an American serving a 16-year sentence in Russia for espionage.

NHL – National Hockey League
Last Night
New Jersey Devils 6, Detroit Red Wings 2
Chicago Blackhawks 4, Florida Panthers 2

Devils 6, Red Wings 2 – Bratt scores 2, Devils hand Wings first regulation loss, 6-2
Jesper Bratt had two goals and an assist as the New Jersey Devils beat the Detroit Red Wings 6-2. Jack Hughes, Dawson Mercer, Yegor Sharangovich and Nico Hischier also scored for the Devils. Vitek Vanecek stopped 20 shots to help the Devils bounce back from a 6-3 loss at home to Washington on Monday. Dominik Kubalik and Dylan Larkin scored for Detroit and Alex Nedeljkovic made 35 saves. The Red Wings (3-1-2) were the last remaining team without a regulation loss.

Blackhawks 4, Panthers 2 – Kane scores, Blackhawks hold off Panthers 4-2 for 4th in row
Patrick Kane had a goal and an assist, and the streaking Chicago Blackhawks withstood Florida’s late push to beat the Panthers 4-2. Taylor Raddysh, Philipp Kurashev and Jonathan Toews also scored in the Blackhawks’ fourth straight victory after dropping their first two games of the season. Chicago overcame two-goal deficits in its previous three wins, but had to hold on against the Panthers in the final 10 minutes. Eetu Luostarinen and Matthew Tkachuk scored for the Panthers. Tkachuk’s goal, on a nifty mid-air deflection of Carter Verhaeghe’s point shot, closed the gap to 3-2 with 7:13 to play. Chicago goalie Alex Stalock, stopped 29 shots.

MLB – Tigers hire Rays’ Rob Metzler as VP, assistant GM
The Detroit Tigers have hired Tampa Bay scouting director Rob Metzler as vice president and assistant general manager. Metzler spent 15 seasons with the Rays, working the past seven years as the team’s senior director of amateur scouting. He will lead the Tigers’ amateur and international scouting departments, working under president of baseball operations Scott Harris. Detroit finished 66-96 in 2022 and has not made the playoffs in eight years. Harris took over the front office after longtime general manager Al Avila was fired in August.

NFL – NFL says referees didn’t get Mike Evans’ autograph
The NFL says the two game officials seen interacting with Tampa Bay wide receiver Mike Evans in the tunnel of Bank of America Stadium after the Buccaneers’ 21-3 loss to the Carolina Panthers on Sunday didn’t ask for an autograph. The league released a statement saying the interaction “did not involve a request by the game officials for an autograph” and the officials were reminded of the “importance of avoiding even the appearance of impropriety” when interacting with players. NFL officials are banned from asking for autographs or memorabilia under their labor contract. Evans said Tuesday he was talking about golf with the referees.

NFL – Titans release renderings of proposed new domed stadium
The Tennessee Titans’ proposed domed stadium would seat approximately 60,000 people and cover 1.7 million square feet under renderings released Tuesday. The renderings show the stadium with porches and outdoor terraces providing views of Nashville, a circular translucent roof and a variety of areas for fans. An architect has not yet been hired. The new stadium would cost $1.2 billion in public funding and is considered to be the largest public commitment for an NFL stadium to date. The release follows last week’s announcement of a deal for $760 million in local financing that still must be approved by the Nashville council and sports authority.

Golf – LIV Golf team finale set for Doral, PGA Tour goes to Bermuda
LIV Golf heads to Trump National Doral in Miami this weekend for the finale of the Saudi-funded series’ inaugural season. A dozen four-man teams will play for a $50 million purse, the biggest ever in golf, with each winning team member getting $4 million. Dustin Johnson and his “4 Aces” are the top seed. The PGA Tour heads to Bermuda for the Butterfield Bermuda Championship. Lucas Herbert of Australia is not returning to defend his title. The field features only one player from the top 50 in the world ranking. The European tour is in Portugal for the Portugal Masters.

NCAAFB – Big Ten boasts some of nation’s top defenses in 2022
Just four Big Ten teams are ranked in the AP Top 25, but six of the top 12 defenses in college football reside in the conference. Illinois has the top-ranked defensive unit in the nation, followed by No. 2 Ohio State. Michigan is ranked fifth in defense. Iowa was propped up by its tough defense before running into the speeding Buckeyes last week. The Hawkeyes are still sixth best in the nation. Rutgers and Minnesota have needed the help of their defenses, ranked seventh and 12th, respectively, to stay above .500.

MCCAA – Junior College Athletics
Last Night
Women’s Volleyball
Lansing Community College 3, Southwestern Michigan College 0

MHSAA – High School Sports
Last Night
Boys Soccer – Regional Semifinals
Division 1 at Portage Northern
Rockford 2, Grand Haven 0
Portage Central 1, Traverse City West 0

Division 2 at Vicksburg
Gull Lake 3, Zeeland East 0
DeWitt 3, St. Joseph 1 – 2 OT

Division 3 at Grand Rapids South Christian
Holland Christian 2, GR Catholic Central 1 – Shootout
Paw Paw 2, Muskegon Oakridge 0

Division 4 at Lansing Christian
Lansing Christian 3, Hillsdale Academy 0
Ann Arbor Greenhills 2, Kalamazoo Hackett 0

Volleyball
St. Joseph at Vicksburg quad

St. Joseph ties Marshall 19-25, 25-19
St. Joseph ties Centreville 18-25, 25-20
St. Joseph beat Vicksburg 25-14, 25-18

Tonight
Boys Soccer – Regional Semifinals
Division 4 at Holland Christian
Hartford vs. Grandville Calvin Christian, 6:00 p.m.
Howardsville Christian vs. Muskegon West Michigan Christian, 8:00 p.m.

Volleyball
Lakeshore, Bridgman, Parchment at Coloma, 5:00 p.m.
Gobles, Gull Lake, at Plainwell, 5:00 p.m.

MHSAA – AP High School Football rankings
Division 1
1. Belleville (5)                                     (9-0)     50
2. Macomb Dakota                                    (9-0)     42
(tie) Rockford                                        (9-0)     42
4. Rochester Adams                                 (8-1)     32
5. West Bloomfield                                  (8-1)     29
6. Caledonia                                           (8-1)     24
7. Davison                                              (8-1)     20
8. Clarkston                                          (7-2)     10
9. Romeo                                                (7-2)     6
10. Brighton                                          (8-1)     5
(tie) Detroit Cass Tech                             (6-3)     5
(tie) Detroit Catholic Central                   (6-2)     5
Others receiving votes: Southfield A&T 3. 14, Saline 2.

Division 2
1. Dexter (4)                                          (9-0)     49
2. Warren De La Salle (1)                          (8-1)     46
3. Livonia Franklin                                   (8-1)     33
4. Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central          (9-0)     32
5. Midland                                              (8-1)     29
6. Muskegon Mona Shores                         (7-2)     26
7. Saginaw Heritage                                 (7-2)     13
8. Temperance Bedford                             (7-2)     9
9. South Lyon East                                  (7-2)     8
(tie) Byron Center                                   (7-2)     8
Others receiving votes: Battle Creek Central 7. Birmingham Seaholm 6. East Lansing 4. Waterford Mott 3. South Lyon 1. Port Huron Northern 1.

Division 3
1. Mason (4)                                           (9-0)     46
2. Muskegon                                           (7-2)     42
3. Mount Pleasant                                   (8-1)     41
4. St. Joseph                                         (8-1)    29
5. Detroit King (1)                                  (5-3)     28
5. Walled Lake Western                            (8-1)     28
7. Zeeland West                                     (8-1)     24
8. River Rouge                                        (6-3)     15
9. Gibraltar Carlson                                (8-1)     12
10. Trenton                                           (8-1)     7
Others receiving votes: DeWitt 2. Fenton 1.

Division 4
1. Grand Rapids South Christian (5)           (9-0)     50
2. Whitehall                                           (9-0)     45
3. Riverview                                           (9-0)     40
4. Redford Union                                     (9-0)     35
5. Edwardsburg                                    (8-1)    27
6. Goodrich                                            (8-1)     24
7. Tecumseh                                            (9-0)     21
8. North Branch                                     (8-1)     13
9. Charlotte                                           (8-1)     9
10. Croswell-Lexington                           (7-2)     4
(tie) Freeland                                         (7-2)     4
Others receiving votes: Hastings 2. Fruitport 1.

Division 5
1. Grand Rapids Catholic Central (5)          (8-1)     50
2. Frankenmuth                                       (9-0)     44
3. Gladwin                                             (9-0)     38
4. Portland                                            (8-1)     35
5. Muskegon Oakridge                              (8-1)     31
6. Kingsley                                             (7-2)     20
(tie) Belding                                           (8-1)     20
8. Corunna                                             (7-2)     13
9. Williamston                                        (7-2)     9
10. Marine City                                       (7-2)     7
Others receiving votes: Flint Hamady 2. Detroit Country Day 2. Armada 2. Olivet 1. West Branch Ogemaw Heights 1.

Division 6
1. Clinton (4)                                         (9-0)     48
2. Grand Rapids West Catholic (1)             (8-1)     44
3. Negaunee                                           (9-0)     39
4. Durand                                              (9-0)     37
5. Boyne City                                          (9-0)     25
6. Warren Michigan Collegiate                  (8-1)     22
7. Constantine                                      (8-1)    14
8. Reed City                                            (8-1)     13
(tie) Madison Heights Bishop Foley             (9-0)     13
10. Millington                                        (8-1)     10
Others receiving votes: Standish-Sterling 8. Buchanan 2.

Division 7
1. Traverse City St. Francis (5)                  (9-0)     50
2. Detroit Central                                   (9-0)     44
3. Ithaca                                                            (8-1)     35
4. Hudson                                              (8-1)     34
5. Napoleon                                            (9-0)     32
6. North Muskegon                                  (8-1)     25
7. Jackson Lumen Christi                           (7-3)     24
8. Charlevoix                                          (8-1)     12
9. Elkton-Pigeon Bay Port Laker                (7-1)     10
10. New Lothrop                                      (7-2)     5
Others receiving votes: Lawton 2. Union City 2.

Division 8
1. Ottawa Lake Whiteford (5)                    (9-0)     50
2. Beal City                                            (9-0)     44
3. Ubly                                                 (9-0)     39
4. Iron Mountain                                     (8-1)     36
5. Fowler                                               (8-1)     26
6. Evart                                                 (8-1)     24
7. Frankfort                                           (8-1)     18
8. Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary       (8-1)     17
9. Harbor Beach                                     (8-1)     10
10. St. Ignace LaSalle                              (7-2)     7
Others receiving votes: Reading 3. Carson City-Crystal 1.

Division 1 (8-player)
1. Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian (4) (9-0)     49
2. Merrill (1)                                          (9-0)     41
3. Munising                                            (9-0)     40
4. Bridgman                                          (9-0)    31
5. Rogers City                                        (9-0)     24
6. Adrian Lenawee Christian                      (7-2)     21
7. Newberry                                           (8-1)     17
(TIE) Kingston                                        (9-0)     17
9. Martin                                              (7-2)    15
10. Brown City                                       (8-1)     9
Others receiving votes: Auburn Hills Oakland Christian 8. 12, Lincoln-Alcona 2. 13, Deckerville 1.

Division 2 (8-player)
1. Powers North Central (5)                     (9-0)     50
2. Colon                                               (9-0)    44
3. Marion                                               (9-0)     39
4. Climax-Scotts                                   (8-1)    37
5. Au Gres-Sims                                      (8-1)     28
6. Mendon                                             (7-2)    20
7. Crystal Falls Forest Park                      (7-2)     19
8. Morrice                                              (7-2)     14
9. Lake Linden-Hubbell                             (6-3)     8
10. Peck                                                 (7-2)     6
Others receiving votes: Gaylord St. Mary 5. Posen 4. Central Lake 1.