AP Tuesday Sports Roundup

Broncos rally to beat Bengals

DENVER (AP) — The Denver Broncos were able to wrap up a playoff berth by outlasting Cincinnati in a matchup of AFC division leaders.

Brandon McManus hit a 37-yard field goal to cap the first possession of overtime before DeMarcus Ware recovered AJ McCarron's fumble to complete the Broncos' 20-17 victory over the Bengals in Denver. McManus came through in the extra session after he hooked a 45-yarder at the end of regulation.

The Broncos' defense allowed just 294 total yards and held the Bengals to a field goal after Cincinnati built a 14-0 lead.

Broncos quarterback Brock Osweiler was 27 of 39 for 299 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions while playing with an injury to his non-throwing shoulder. C.J. Anderson had 73 yards on just nine carries, including a 39-yard scoring burst that put Denver ahead 17-14.

McCarron completed 22 of his 35 passes for 200 yards, one TD and no interceptions.

Both teams are 11-4. Denver can earn the top seed in the AFC with a win over San Diego and a loss by New England at Miami next weekend.

Cincinnati blew a chance to earn a bye in the playoffs.

NFL-HGH REPORT

Packers players deny PED usage

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Green Bay Packers defensive players Clay Matthews, Gary Neal and Julius Peppers are strongly denying any ties to performance-enhancing drugs after they were named in a report by Al Jazeera on doping.

The report that aired Sunday was based on secret recordings of Charles Sly, a former intern at an Indianapolis anti-aging institute who now says he fabricated the allegations. The report named several athletes, including Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning.

Matthews called the allegations "100 percent false," and Peppers said it was "completely erroneous."

Meanwhile, the founder of an Indianapolis medical facility says Sly didn't even work at the clinic until two years after Manning was undergoing treatment there.

NFL-NEWS

Agent says Chargers' Weddle fined $10,000

UNDATED (AP) — Colts coach Chuck Pagano has confirmed that his team worked out Buccaneers quarterback Josh Freeman and that the front office was now debating whether to sign him. If they do, Pagano acknowledged Freeman could start the regular-season finale against Tennessee with the Colts beset with injuries to their quarterbacks.

Starting quarterback Andrew Luck has missed eight games this season and may sit out this Sunday's game. Backup Matt Hasselbeck has been knocked out of the last four games was wearing a sling at the end of Sunday's victory. Third-stringer Charlie Whitehurst injured his hamstring in yesterday's game.

In other NFL news:

— Oakland Raiders fullback Marcel Reece has been suspended four games without pay for violating the league's policy on performance-enhancing substances. The punishment was announced less than a week Reece was named to his fourth straight Pro Bowl. He will miss the season finale Sunday against Kansas City, the Pro Bowl and the first three games in 2016.

— The agent for Eric Weddle says the San Diego Chargers safety has been fined $10,000 by the team for remaining on the sideline at halftime of a Dec. 20 home game. The agent says Weddle did so to watch his daughter dance in a program sponsored by the team's cheerleaders. Weddle plans to file a grievance with the NFL Players Association to fight the fine, according to the agent.

NBA-SCHEDULE

Warriors get 28th win

UNDATED (AP) — The Golden State Warriors still have just one loss on their ledger after dominating the second half of a 122-103 win over Sacramento.

The Warriors trailed by three at halftime before outscoring the Kings 32-14 in the third quarter. The rally happened after DeMarcus Cousins received two technicals and an automatic ejection for arguing a foul called against him. Golden State scored the next 15 points following Cousins' ejection.

Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry combined for 11 of the Warriors' 20 3-pointers. Curry was 6-for-13 from beyond the arc and finished with a triple-double of 23 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists. Thompson's team-high 29 points included five buckets from downtown.

The Warriors are 29-1 and have won 33 straight home games dating to last season.

In other NBA action:

— San Antonio is 28-6 overall and 18-0 at home after Kawhi Leonard had 17 points and 11 rebounds in the Spurs' 101-95 win over Minnesota. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich was thrown out with 1:13 remaining in the first half after drawing two successive technical fouls following a non-call on LaMarcus Aldridge.

— Kyrie Irving nailed a 3-pointer as the shot clock expired with 21.9 seconds left to push Cleveland past Phoenix 101-97. Irving finished with 22 points in his fourth game since returning from knee surgery.

— Chris Paul scored 23 points and the Los Angeles Clippers picked up their third consecutive victory by downing the Wizards 108-91 in Washington. Jamal Crawford came off the bench to score 21 points and DeAndre Jordan had 15 and 13 rebounds as the Clippers ended the Wizards' four-game winning streak.

— Kemba Walker scored 18 of his 38 points in the fourth quarter of Charlotte's second straight win, 108-98 against the Los Angeles Lakers. Cody Zeller had 16 points and eight rebounds and Nicolas Batum added 15 points and 11 assists for the Hornets.

— Tony Snell scored 19 points of his 22 points in the final 17 1/2 minutes of Chicago's 104-97 victory against Toronto. Pau Gasol also had 22 points and Derrick Rose finished with 20 as the Bulls improved to 12-5 at home.

— Wesley Matthews hit a pair of 3-pointers in the fourth quarter and finished with 22 points as Dallas downed Milwaukee 103-93. Zaza Pachulia added 17 points and eight rebounds for the Mavericks, who trailed by 13 in the second half before grabbing their third straight win.

— The Nets were 111-105 winners over Miami behind Wayne Ellington's seven 3-pointers and 26 points. Brook Lopez added 26 points and 12 boards for Brooklyn, which trailed by 16 before beating the Heat for the first time in eight tries.

— Monta Ellis scored 26 points and Ian Mahinmi finished with 13 points and nine rebounds as the Pacers beat the Hawks 93-87. Mahinmi scored seven points during a 16-2 run that allowed the Pacers to take a 52-40 halftime lead.

— Nik Vucevic scored 28 points and matched his career high with seven assists in leading the Magic to a 104-89 victory over the Pelicans. Evan Fournier had 20 points, and Tobias Harris added 14 and Andrew Nicholson scored 13 for the Magic.

— The Philadelphia 76ers are a league-worst 2-31 after Gordon Hayward scored 24 points and Trey Burke added 14 in Utah's 95-91 triumph over the Sixers. The Jazz blew a 19-point lead in the third quarter and were trailing 91-89 until Hayward hit a 3-pointer with 33.5 left.

NBA-GRIZZLIES-BARNES

Barnes suspended for altercation with Knicks coach

NEW YORK (AP) — The NBA has suspended Memphis Grizzlies forward Matt Barnes two games without pay.

The league says the punishment was for a "physical altercation" with Derek Fisher and for "threatening" the Knicks coach in October.

A person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press in October that the incident occurred while Fisher attended a gathering at the home of Barnes' estranged wife, Gloria Govan.

NBA-SUNS-COACHES

Suns shake up coaching staff

PHOENIX (AP) — The Phoenix Suns have fired assistant coaches Mike Longabardi and Jerry Sichting after a 5-15 slide.

Nate Bjorkgren was promoted to take Longabardi's job as defensive coordinator. Assistant Earl Watson also was promoted to a bench coach position.

The Suns are 12-21 and are 12th in the Western Conference.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL-BOWL GAMES

Middies take Military Bowl

UNDATED (AP) — Keenan Reynolds has wrapped up his record-setting college career at Navy by running for three touchdowns and throwing for another to lead a 44-28 win over Pittsburgh in the Military Bowl. Reynolds ran for 144 yards on 24 carries, completed 9 of 17 passes for 126 yards and had a reception for 47 yards on a trick play. He leaves school as the NCAA career leader with 88 touchdowns and 530 points, and his 4,559 yards rushing are the most by a quarterback in NCAA history.

In Monday's other bowl game, quarterback Mitch Leidner ran 13 yards for a touchdown with 4:26 remaining to send Minnesota to a 21-14 win over Central Michigan in the Quick Lane Bowl. The Gophers were one of three teams to carry a 5-7 record into a bowl game, and all three teams earned postseason victories.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL-SCHEDULE

Tar Heels win ACC tuneup

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — The seventh-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels were winners in their final non-conference game.

Brice Johnson had 16 points and 16 rebounds as the Tar Heels hammered UNC Greensboro 96-63. Marcus Paige added 14 points for the 1-2 Tar Heels, who led by 19 at halftime.

North Carolina shot 55 percent and had six players score in double figures.

In other top-25 action:

— No. 9 Butler hammered IUPUI 92-54 as Kelan Martin scored 19 points and Roosevelt Jones had 17 and five steals. The 11-1 Bulldogs have won eight straight since a November loss to Miami.

— Freshman Brandon Ingram matched a season high with 26 points and grabbed 11 rebounds as No. 15 Duke routed Elon 105-66. Luke Kennard added 18 points and Grayson Allen and Matt Jones had 17 apiece for the Blue Devils.

— Freshman Jalen Brunson scored 22 points and 16th-ranked Villanova grabbed a 30-3 lead before completing a 77-57 rout of Penn. Daniel Ochefu had 12 points and 10 rebounds for the 10-2 Wildcats.

— Dakarai Tucker and Kyle Kuzma both scored 17 points in No. 21 Utah's 115-74 rout of College of Idaho. Jakob Poeltl made all six of his field goal attempts on his way to 15 points and 10 rebounds for the 11-2 Utes.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL-POLLS

Spartans, Huskies sit atop hoops polls

NEW YORK (AP) — The top nine remain the same in the latest Associated Press men's basketball poll, with Kentucky climbing two spots to 10th.

Michigan State was ranked No. 1 on 64 of 65 ballots, while second-ranked Kansas picked up the remaining first-place vote. Oklahoma is third, followed by Maryland, Virginia, Xavier, North Carolina, Arizona and Butler.

UCLA re-entered the poll at No. 25.

Connecticut is the unanimous No. 1 team in the women's poll, taking all 32 first-place votes. Second-ranked South Carolina is followed by Notre Dame, Baylor and Texas. Maryland, Kentucky, Mississippi State, Ohio St. and Oregon State round out the top 10.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL-TEXAS-RIDLEY

Ridley breaks foot

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas center Cameron Ridley is out indefinitely with a broken left foot suffered during Sunday's practice.

Ridley will undergo surgery Tuesday. There is no timetable for his return, though coach Shaka Smart says he hopes to have Ridley back this season.

Ridley leads the Longhorns with 10 rebounds and 3.4 blocks a game. He's also second in scoring at 12.7 points a game.

MLB-HOT STOVE LEAGUE

Yanks land Chapman

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Yankees may have holes in their starting rotation, but their bullpen continues to get better.

The New York Yankees have added another flame-thrower to their relief corps, getting All-Star closer Aroldis Chapman from the Reds for four minor leaguers. Chapman joins a bullpen that already includes Andrew Miller and Dellin Betances, giving the Yankees the top three relievers by strikeouts and strikeouts per nine innings in the majors.

Chapman went 4-4 with a 1.63 ERA and 33 saves while averaging a whopping 15.7 strikeouts per nine innings. He became available after the Reds' deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers fell through during baseball's winter meetings three weeks ago. The deal was scrubbed when it was learned Florida police investigated an accusation of domestic violence involving the Cuban left-hander.

The Reds get right-handers Caleb Cotham and Rookie Davis and infielders Eric Jagielo and Tony Renda from New York.

NHL-SCHEDULE

Caps win again

UNDATED (AP) — Braden Holtby and the Washington Capitals have continued their great start.

Holtby turned back 31 shots and the Caps picked up their eighth consecutive victory by blanking Buffalo 2-0. He notched his second shutout of the season and improved to 23-4-1 with a 1.86 goals-against average.

Holtby is 15-0-1 in his last 17 games.

Alex Ovechkin put the Capitals ahead 19 seconds into the second period before Jay Beagle scored 12 minutes later. The goals helped Washington improve to 27-6-2, the best 35-game start in team history.

Also on NHL ice:

— Montreal had dropped 11 of 12 before Brian Flynn and Max Pacioretty scored shootout goals to give the Canadiens a 4-3 win at Tampa Bay. Jason Garrison and Ryan Callahan scored 21 seconds apart to put the Lightning ahead 3-2 late in the third period before Dale Weise tallied with 5:46 left in regulation to force overtime.

— James Neal scored twice and Mike Ribeiro had three assists while Nashville was building a 5-1 lead in a 5-3 verdict over the New York Rangers. The Rangers are 4-10-2 since opening the season 15-3-2.

— Tyler Toffoli notched his second career hat trick and Anze Kopitar  had four assists as Los Angeles ripped Vancouver 5-0. Jonathan Quick stopped 27 shots in his third shutout of the season and 40th of his career.

— Nathan MacKinnon capped his second career hat trick by scoring a pair of third-period goals in Colorado's 6-3 victory at San Jose. Carl Soderberg had a goal and two assists as the Avalanche dropped the Sharks' home record to 4-10-0.

— Mikko Koivu scored twice in the third period and Devan Dubnyk turned away 28 shots as Minnesota knocked off Detroit 3-1. Zach Parise collected two assists and Charlie Coyle also scored in the Wild's second victory in five games.

NHL-KANE

Sabres' Kane claims innocence

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Buffalo Sabres forward Evander Kane says he's done nothing wrong and is looking forward to clearing his name after being the subject of a sex offense investigation.

Kane spoke for about 30 seconds in the Sabres locker room Monday morning, the first time he was able to comment since The Buffalo News reported that he was the subject of a sex offense investigation by Buffalo police.

A person with direct knowledge of the investigation told The Associated Press that Buffalo Police are in the preliminary stages of investigating a sexual offense claim made against Kane. No police report or charges have been filed.

NHL-TRADE

Habs, Oilers make a swap

MONTREAL (AP) — The Montreal Canadiens have traded forward Zack Kassian to the Edmonton Oilers for goaltender Ben Scrivens.

The 29-year-old Scrivens has spent the entire season in the minors, going 2-6-1 with a 3.47 goals-against average and an .893 save percentage for Bakersfield. He is 42-56-17 with a 2.90 goals-against average in 129 NHL regular-season games.

The Canadiens also sent netminder Dustin Tokarski to the minors.

OBIT-LEMON

Globetrotter great dies

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — The Harlem Globetrotters have announced that Meadowlark Lemon has died at 83.

Known as the "clown prince" of the barnstorming basketball team, Lemon used a blend of hook shots and humor to entertain millions of people around the world.

The showman was known as much for his confetti-in-the-water-bucket routine as his hook shot and no-look passes.