Pro Basketball

Nets 104, Heat 95 (2OT)

LeBron James Seethes, and Nets Are Hotter, Winning 5th in Row

By ANDREW KEH

Al Bello/Getty Images

Miami’s LeBron James drew a flagrant foul on Mirza Teletovic. Angered, James was restrained by his teammates. He later fouled out.

With Miami missing three regular starters, the pressure was on James, and his 36 points were not enough as he lost his composure.

Despite Bumps, the Knicks’ Bandwagon Starts to Roll

By SCOTT CACCIOLA

Strange episodes have merely become part of the scenery for the Knicks as they have finally figured out how to play cohesive basketball.

N.B.A. Roundup: Each Team’s Star Struggles; Only Pacers Overcome It

N.F.L. Playoffs

Tom Gannam/Associated Press

According to game charting by the analytical website Pro Football Focus, only 28.4 percent of Jon Ryan’s punts were returned, the second-lowest percentage in the league.

Seahawks’ Punt Team Is Flashy With Play, Not Name

By BEN SHPIGEL

The unit, unlike other segments of one of the N.F.C.’s most dominant teams, lacks a nickname, but it shuts down return men.

N.F.L. Roundup: 2 Violated Policy on Concussions

Tom Brady passed for three touchdowns in the Patriots' 59-24 win over the Colts on Nov. 18, 2012.

Colts vs. Patriots: A Great Rivalry, Now Revised

By BENJAMIN HOFFMAN

Since Tom Brady’s first career start more than a dozen years ago, the rivalry between the New England Patriots and the Indianapolis Colts has been must-watch football.

Marshawn Lynch (24) and the Seahawks beat the Saints, 34-7, in Week 13.

N.F.L. Divisional Playoff Matchups

By BENJAMIN HOFFMAN

Seattle, which went 13-3 this season, is the favorite in Saturday’s game against New Orleans, especially after embarrassing the Saints in a 34-7 win in Week 13.

Hockey

Jason Decrow/Associated Press

Rick Nash after scoring the decisive goal against Dallas with less than two minutes remaining.

Rangers 3, Stars 2

From Ice Level, Rick Nash Helps Rangers Take Season to New Heights

By ALLAN KREDA

Nash scored the game-winning goal from his back as the Rangers beat the Stars to move three games over .500 for the first time this season.

Box Score

Australian Open

Julian Smith/European Pressphoto Agency

Novak Djokovic, left, hired Boris Becker after losing three Grand Slam finals last year.

Top Tennis Players Join Forces With Former Champions

By CHRISTOPHER CLAREY

Former champions are flocking to coach today’s tennis stars like never before, including Boris Becker joining Novak Djokovic’s team and Roger Federer hiring Stefan Edberg.

Baseball

Ángel Franco/The New York Times

Joe Tacopina, Alex Rodriguez's lawyer, and Rodriguez outside M.L.B. headquarters on Sept. 30, the first day of his arbitration hearings.

Q. and A.: Alex Rodriguez’s Suspension Appeal

By STEVE EDER

Questions and answers about Rodriguez’s appeal of his 211-game suspension from baseball, which may be decided as early as Friday.

Yankees Sign Reliever (Matt Thornton) and Cut Outfielder (Vernon Wells)

By DAVID WALDSTEIN

Thornton, the former White Sox and Red Sox pitcher, will replace Boone Logan as the main left-hander in the bullpen.

More Sports News

News From A.P. & Reuters »

Sochi 2014

The seamstress Barb Fritz mended the dress of Alyssa McDougal at the United States figure skating championships in Boston.

Deft Hands Keep Figure Skaters Looking Sharp

By JERÉ LONGMAN

Of the people working behind the scenes at the national figure skating championships, few provide a more urgent service than the seamstresses and technicians who repair costumes and skates.

After a Fall, Ashley Wagner Regains Her Balance

Americans Traveling to Winter Games Cautioned

By DAVID M. HERSZENHORN

The State Department issued a travel advisory cautioning Americans planning to travel next month to Sochi, Russia, that terrorists have threatened to attack the Games.

Mikaela Shiffrin’s Swift, if Unplanned, Ascent to World Champion

From the Magazine

The Flying Tomato Would Rather You Not Call Him That Anymore

By ELIZABETH WEIL

Shaun White cut his hair, changed his clothes and became a businessman. Now if only he could master that pesky triple cork.

St. John’s Coach Steve Lavin was comforted by his players last year when his father died. He in turn has consoled his players.

St. John’s Pulls Together While Playing Through Grief

By NATE TAYLOR

In the past two years, family members or friends of four Red Storm players have died, and through that shared sorrow, the team has drawn closer.

Jason Kreis signed a four-year contract in December to coach New York City F.C.

New York City F.C. Introduces a Philosophy Along With Its Coach

By ANDREW DAS

The club, Major League Soccer’s 20th, will not play until 2015, but Coach Jason Kreis said he welcomed the chance to immerse himself in the job.

Bill Conlin after being honored by the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Bill Conlin, Sportswriter Who Quit After Molestation Claims, Dies at 79

By DANIEL E. SLOTNIK

Mr. Conlin was honored by Baseball’s Hall of Fame in 2011, the same year a newspaper article detailed several accounts of sexual abuse he was accused of committing.

From Opinion

Room for Debate

Rethinking How Baseball's 'Greats' Are Chosen

Does the voting process for the Baseball Hall of Fame need to be changed?

Multimedia

Slide Show

A Return to the Ring

Pistol Robinson, who tours on the Professional Bull Riders circuit, returned to Madison Square Garden Friday after he broke his legs in an accident in 2012.

The Year in Sports

2013: A Look Back, and Beyond

Reporters and editors for The New York Times are recalling the people, teams and moments that made 2013 memorable, and in some cases looking ahead to next year.