ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) - Rookie Bobby Ryan scored two goals, Jonas Hiller made 31 saves in his second playoff shutout, and the Anaheim Ducks rocked the top-seeded San Jose Sharks again, winning 4-0 Thursday night to take a 3-1 lead in the first-round series.

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - Deron Williams hit a fadeaway jumper with 2.2 seconds left to give Utah an 88-86 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night, getting the Jazz back into the first-round playoff series.

Paul Pierce scored 24 points, Rajon Rondo added 20 and the defending NBA champions beat the Bulls 107-86 to take a 2-1 series lead. The teams split two dramatic games in Boston, but this one never really was in doubt. The Celtics led by 11 after one quarter and 22 at the half on their way to an easy win.

Instead of delivering his guaranteed hard foul, Dampier and the Dallas Mavericks slapped around the San Antonio Spurs with tight defense, the return of Dirk Nowitzki's shooting touch and the energy of their home crowd, turning it into an 88-67 victory Thursday night and a 2-1 lead in their first-round series.

TORONTO (AP) - The Texas Rangers traded left-handed pitcher Kason Gabbard to Boston Red Sox on Thursday, sending him back to his original team for cash.

Nevada Athletic Director also defends Armon Johnson in afternoon press conference at Legacy Hall.

The 42-year-old Mutombo said he was retired after rupturing a quadriceps tendon in his left knee early in Houston's 107-103 loss Tuesday to Portland in Game 2 of their playoffs.

Proving their faith in Jake Delhomme is unwavering, the Carolina Panthers have given their quarterback a five-year extension.

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina juniors Ty Lawson and Wayne Ellington will enter the NBA draft, ending their college careers a few weeks after leading the Tar Heels to the national championship.

ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons obtained tight end Tony Gonzalez from the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday for a draft pick next year.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - The Sacramento Kings have dismissed interim coach Kenny Natt and his four assistants after the club finished with the NBA's worst record.

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) - Scott Niedermayer and Chris Pronger provided the template two years ago. Dan Boyle and Rob Blake are just trying to fit it before time runs out for their San Jose Sharks.

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Louisiana's House speaker says he doesn't want the state to rush a deal to keep the Saints in New Orleans, even if it means Louisiana could miss hosting the 2013 Super Bowl.

MONTREAL (AP) - Former Montreal forward Michael Ryder scored twice and assisted on David Krejci's goal to help the Boston Bruins complete a four-game sweep of the Canadiens with a 4-1 victory Wednesday night.

The bird was perched atop the scoreboard at tipoff, refusing to go to his handler. Then he swooped around the arena while the game was going on, landing on a railing in the lower deck before he settled on the top of the basket at the Hawks end of the court.

DENVER -- Chauncey Billups hasn't had this much fun on the basketball court in Denver since he was winning two high school state titles back in the mid-1990s.

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Fouled out and reduced to a spectator, Dwight Howard stood on the Orlando Magic sidelined with one thought as he watched the Philadelphia 76ers erase another big lead.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Bengie Molina's pinch-hit double with two outs in the 10th inning drove in Andres Torres to give the San Francisco Giants a 1-0 win over the San Diego Padres on Wednesday.

The club said Wednesday it will increase signage and security patrols in the parking lots to enforce its policy of not allowing alcohol onto the premises. Violators will be subject to ejection.

Wade scored 33 points, 13 straight to close the first half before he banked in a 3-pointer with 2½ minutes left to finish off the Atlanta Hawks in a 108-93 victory Wednesday night that evened the series before it headed to south Florida.

HOUSTON (AP) - Ivan Rodriguez drove in the go-ahead run after a wild pitch on an intentional walk put a runner on third, and the Houston Astros beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-5 on Wednesday night.

NEW YORK (AP) - Melky Cabrera turned on a fastball and sent it soaring into the right-field stands, down an entryway in the bleachers that sparked remaining fans to sprint for the sought-after souvenir.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) - Authorities say former Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Jimmy Smith was pulled over and found with crack cocaine and marijuana in his car.

CHICAGO -- Reds left fielder and resident environmentalist Chris Dickerson had planned a subtle way to mark Earth Day on Wednesday.

RENO, Nev.—The Aces hopped out to a quick 5-0 lead in the first inning Wednesday, but the Colorado Springs Sky Sox proceeded to score 16 times over the next eight innings to run away with a 16-8 victory over Reno at Aces Ballpark.