AP - No team in NBA playoff history has overcome an 0-3 deficit. Los Angeles superstar Kobe Bryant made sure the Lakers won't have to overcome that hurdle. Bryant poured in a game-high 36 points in leading the Lakers past Boston 87-81 in game three of the NBA Finals. That cuts Boston's lead to 2-to-1 with the home team winning every game so far.

AP - One of NASCAR's most storied race teams gave up majority control Wednesday when a private equity firm took over Petty Enterprises.

AP - NBA commissioner David Stern dismissed allegations from a former referee at the center of a gambling scandal that the 2002 playoff series was rigged by league referees and officials, calling the claims baseless.

AP - Last year, he almost won a major.

AFP - World number one Roger Federer said on Tuesday he is looking forward to exorcising some of the frustrations from Sunday's Roland Garros defeat when he starts his grass-court season at Halle's ATP tournament.

AP - UCLA's Josh Shipp has withdrawn from the NBA draft and will return to the Bruins for his senior season.

AP - Mike Babcock is returning to the bench for the Detroit Red Wings. Babcock and the Stanley Cup-winning team agreed to a three-year contract, a person in the NHL told The Associated Press on Tuesday night.

AFP - Sweden beat defending champions Greece 2-0 here on Tuesday in their opening Euro 2008 Group D match here with Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Petter Hansson on target with quickfire second half efforts to get the Scandinavians off to a flier.

AP - It was a tough day and night for the Atlanta Braves.

AFP - An aggressive 36-point performance from National Basketball Association Most Valuable Player Kobe Bryant powered the Los Angeles Lakers past Boston 87-81 here Tuesday in the NBA Finals.