NBA – National Basketball Association

Yesterday

Phoenix Suns 135, Detroit Pistons 108

Suns 135, Pistons 108 – Booker, McGee help Suns rout Pistons in Michigan homecoming

Devin Booker scored 30 points and JaVale McGee added 20 in their Michigan homecomings to help the NBA-leading Phoenix Suns rout the Detroit Pistons 135-108 on Sunday. Booker grew up in Grand Rapids, and McGee is from Flint. Booker made 11 of his first 14 shots. McGee was 9 for 10, taking over after Suns starting center DeAndre Ayton left in the first quarter because of a sprained ankle. Cameron Payne also had 20 points for Phoenix. The Suns have won the first three games on their four-game trip and six of seven to improve to 33-9. The are an NBA-best 16-4 on the road. Pistons rookie Cade Cunningham had 21 points before being ejected in the third quarter.

Today

Chicago Bulls at Memphis Grizzlies, 3:30 p.m.

Indiana Pacers at Los Angeles Clippers, 3:30 p.m.

NBA – East-leading Bulls opening eyes, next up: suprising Memphis

The Chicago Bulls have been a one of the surprise teams in the NBA this season despite a recent rut. The Bulls own the best record in the Eastern Conference with DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine leading the way. They’re establishing themselves as a serious threat for the first time since Derrick Rose elicited “MVP! MVP!” chants from his thrilled hometown fans. DeRozan is now hearing those same chants. With the Bears siting out the NFL postseason and the Blackhawks struggling, the Bulls are in line for their first playoff appearance since the 2016-17 season. Chicago is looking to break a three-game losing streak Monday when it visits the surprising Memphis Grizzlies.

NFL – National Football League – Super Wild Card Weekend

Saturday

Cincinnati 26, Las Vegas 19

Buffalo 47, New England 17

Yesterday

Tampa Bay 31, Philadelphia 15

San Francisco 23, Dallas 17

Kansas City 42, Pittsburgh 21

Buccaneers 31, Eagles 15 – Brady throws for 2 TDs, SB champions dominate Eagles 31-15

Tom Brady threw for 271 yards and two touchdowns, helping the Tampa Bay Buccaneers launch their bid for a return to the Super Bowl with a dominating 31-15 NFC wild-card playoff victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. The defending champions set the tempo from the start, with Brady leading a pair of long TD drives in the opening quarter and building the lead to 17-0 by halftime. The seven-time Super Bowl winner finished off the Eagles with TD passes of 2 yards to Rob Gronkowski and 36 yards to Mike Evans, improving his dazzling playoff record to 35-11 in a record 46 postseason starts.

49ers 23, Cowboys 17 – 49ers hang on over Cowboys 23-17 in chaotic wild-card finish

Versatile receiver Deebo Samuel ran 26 yards for a touchdown the play after an interception by Dak Prescott and the San Francisco 49ers held on for a 23-17 wild-card victory over the Dallas Cowboys. The 49ers overcame an interception by Jimmy Garoppolo when they led by 13 in the fourth quarter. The Cowboys had a final chance with 32 seconds remaining and were at the San Francisco 41 with 14 seconds to go when Prescott took off up the middle intending to slide and spike the ball for a final play. But Dallas didn’t get the snap off from the 24 until after the clock hit 0:00.

Chiefs 42, Steelers 21 – Mahomes leads Chiefs to 42-21 wild-card romp over Steelers

Patrick Mahomes threw for 404 yards and five touchdowns, Travis Kelce caught a TD pass and threw another one, and the Chiefs sent Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger into his expected retirement with a 42-21 win in the wild-card round of the playoffs Sunday night. Byron Pringle caught touchdown passes from both Mahomes and Kelce, and Jerick McKinnon and Tyreek Hill also reeled in scoring catches for the Chiefs.