AP Tuesday Sports Roundup

Irving, James combine for 82 as must-win Cavs force Game 6 in Cleveland

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) —This time LeBron James got plenty of help.

Kyrie Irving and James each poured in 41 points -- the first time teammates have scored at least 40 in an NBA Finals game -- the Cavaliers staved off elimination by beating Golden State 112-97 to cut the Warriors lead to 3-2 in the NBA championship.

Irving was an efficient 17 of 24 from the field. James added 16 rebounds and seven assists to give him a near triple double.

James called Irving's game "probably one of the greatest performances I've ever seen live."

The Cavaliers clamped down defensively in the final period, holding the Warriors to 12 points.

Klay Thompson led the Warriors with 37 but scored only 12 in the second half. Stephen Curry added 25. But the Warriors sorely missed All-Star swingman Draymond Green, who was suspended after striking James in the groin in Game 4.

Game 6 is in Cleveland Thursday night. No team has ever come back from a 3-1 deficit in the NBA Finals to win the title.

NBA-BUCKS-KIDD

AP Source: Kidd near new contract

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Three people with direct knowledge of the situation tell The Associated Press that the Milwaukee Bucks are close to reaching a three-year contract extension with coach Jason Kidd.

The three spoke on condition of anonymity Monday because the deal was not final. It is expected to be announced in the next few days.

Kidd is entering the last year of a three-year deal with Milwaukee initially signed in 2014. He is 74-90 over his first two seasons in Milwaukee, including a 41-win season and playoff appearance in 2014-15.

MLB-SCHEDULE

Nats give Cubs some payback...Greinke beats old team for sixth straight win

UNDATED (AP) — The Chicago Cubs swept the Washington Nationals in a four-game series last month in the Windy City. The Nats hope to return the favor this week in the Nation's Capital.

In the opener of a three-game series between NL division leaders, Max Scherzer struck out eight of the first nine batters he faced and batterymate Wilson Ramos hit his 10th home run in leading the Nationals past the Chicago Cubs 4-1.

Scherzer and two relievers combined on a two-hitter. Cubs batters struck out 16 times.

Scherzer finished with 11 strikeouts in seven innings as the Nationals won their fourth in a row to move 16 games over .500 at 40-24.

In other baseball:

— Zack Greinke pitched seven strong innings in his first game against his old team since leaving Los Angeles, and the Arizona Diamondbacks got home runs from Paul Goldschmidt and Jake Lamb to beat the Dodgers 3-2. Greinke is 9-3. He has won his last six starts.

— Khris Davis homered and drove in five runs, Marcus Semien and Jake Smolinski each had three hits and the Oakland Athletics pounded first-place Texas 14-5. The AL West-leading Rangers had won eight of 10.

— Adam Eaton singled home the winning run in the 12th inning for his fourth hit of the night, and the Chicago White Sox rallied from seven runs down in a wild 10-9 victory over the Detroit Tigers.

— Trevor Plouffe hit a three-run homer, Byron Buxton and Robbie Grossman also homered and the Minnesota Twins beat the slumping Los Angeles Angels 9-4. The Angels have lost eight of 10.

— The NL West-leading San Francisco Giants rapped out 14 hits in their 11-5 rout of Milwaukee. Denard Span went 3 for 5, including a leadoff home run. Brandon Crawford drove in three for the Giants.

— Whit Merrifield hit his first career homer, Edinson Volquez tossed seven scoreless innings of two-hit ball and Kansas City beat Cleveland 2-1 to end a five-game skid against the Indians.

— Philadelphia blanked Toronto 7-0. Ryan Howard and Odubel Herrera homered. Jerad Eickhoff pitched six shutout innings to improve to 4-8.

— Adeiny Hechavarria had four RBIs and the Miami Marlins had a season-high 19 hits in a 13-4 rout of San Diego.

— Tyler Holt drew a bases-loaded walk from Arodys Vizcaino to force home the tiebreaking run in the ninth inning, and Cincinnati edged Atlanta 9-8 in a matchup of teams with the worst records in the National League.

MLB-NEWS

Manager Collins OK

NEW YORK (AP) — Mets manager Terry Collins has been cleared to leave a Milwaukee hospital. He was admitted prior to Sunday's game against the Brewers and was kept overnight for observation. He plans to return to New York and be back in the dugout for tonight's game against Philadelphia.

The 67-year-old Collins, the oldest manager in the major leagues, felt sick before Sunday's game against the Brewers. The Mets say all tests were negative.

In other baseball news:

— Yu Darvish has been placed on the 15-day disabled list with shoulder discomfort after making only three starts for the Texas Rangers in his return from major elbow surgery. He returned this month after not making a start for the Rangers in 22 months.

NFL-EAGLES

Defensive tackle agrees on 6-year deal

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Standout defensive tackle Fletcher Cox agreed to a six-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles that could earn him nine figures.

The first-round draft pick in 2012 has been a starter since midway in his rookie season. The 25-year-old Cox is coming off his best NFL season with 104 tackles (80 solo) and 9 1-2 sacks.

COLLEGE ATHLETICS

Florida AD retiring

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Longtime Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley will step down from the job on Oct. 1.

On his watch the Gators have won 27 nationals titles in 13 different sports. They had won nine national titles in five sports prior to his takeover.

The 63-year-old joined the department as an intern in 1976 and took over as AD in 1992.

NHL-HOWE VISITATION

Howe family urging fans to pay respects

DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Red Wings and the family of hockey legend Gordie Howe are encouraging fans to attend a public visitation at Joe Louis Arena.

Mark Howe says his father "always had a special connection with the fans, so it was important to us to allow the public into the funeral service because it's the way he would have done it."

Gordie Howe died Friday at the age of 88. He led the Red Wings to four Stanley Cups during his 25 years with the team.

The public visitation is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. today. The Howe family will greet the public at the arena. Gordie Howe's body will lie in state inside the arena bowl.

OBIT-ROBINSON

Ex-Bear passes away 41

MILWAUKEE (AP) — The Chicago Bears report that former defensive lineman Bryan Robinson has died at 41. Robinson was found at a Milwaukee motel Saturday night and an autopsy is being conducted. Robinson was with the Bears from 1998 to 2003 and also played for the St. Louis Rams, Miami Dolphins, Cincinnati Bengals and Arizona Cardinals.