On a Red Wing and a prayer, Ducks reach second finals

ANAHEIM, California: Rob Niedermayer and Ryan Getzlaf each had a goal and an assist as Anaheim held off Detroit 4-3 Tuesday to reach just their second Stanley Cup Finals in franchise history.

Yankees revival stopped

NEW YORK: The Boston Red Sox ended the Yankees's mini-revival with a 7-3 victory on Tuesday, a day after New York had completed back-to-back wins over their two main rivals to instil a belief they had recovered from a poor start.

Duncan earns his Spurs again

SAN ANTONIO: Tim Duncan has 26 points and 14 rebounds as San Antonio broke open a close game in the second quarter in posting a 105-96 win over Utah in game two of the Western Conference finals on Tuesday.

IN BRIEF (Page 24)

Sports

Scientists back Landis at doping hearing

MALIBU, California: Two scientists expressed doubts over Tour de France winner Floyd Landis's doping results at his public arbitration hearing on Monday.

Life's a lottery for NBA losers

NEW YORK: The NBA's biggest losers were to have a chance to reverse their fortunes oyesterday evening if they could pull off a triumph in the 14-team NBA Draft Lottery.

Gender no barrier to Indy glory: Patrick

NEW YORK: Danica Patrick may be one of a record three women on the starting grid for Sunday's Indianapolis 500, but to her, being part of that milestone is just a footnote in her quest to win U.S. racing's top prize.

Pistons shut down James, Cavs

AUBURN HILLS, Michigan: Richard Hamilton scored 24 points and Detroit's defense held Cleveland in the final minutes for a 79-76 victory here on Monday in their National Basketball Association playoff opener.

Taiwan hurler helps lift Yankees past Red Sox

NEW YORK: Taiwanese righthander Chien-Ming Wang allowed only two runs on seven hits in 6 1/3 innings on Monday while Alex Rodriguez and Jason Giambi belted home runs in the New York Yankees' 6-2 victory over Boston.

IN BRIEF (Page 24)

Wasps to defend trophy

LONDON: Heineken Cup winners Wasps are relishing the chance to defend the trophy next season after a boycott that threatened the tournament was averted.