HOOPS: Bucks part ways with Skiles
Scott Skiles is out as coach of the Bucks. Assistant coach Jim Boylan will take over on an interim basis. … Hawks GM Danny Ferry was fined $15,000 for inappropriate interaction with game officials following Saturday’s game against the Celtics.
Dwight Howard, Pau Gasol and Jordan Hill all will miss the Lakers’ upcoming road trip with injuries. Howard has a torn labrum in his right shoulder, and Gasol has a concussion after taking an elbow in the face late in Sunday night’s loss to Denver. Hill, a key backup, has a right hip injury.
Christian Watford scored 16 points as No. 5 Indiana (14-1, 2-0 Big Ten) beat host Penn State (8-6, 0-2) 74-51. … Jerian Grant scored 19 points for No. 17 Notre Dame (14-1, 2-0 Big East), which won its 12th straight game in a 66-60 victory over No. 21 Cincinnati (13-3, 1-2).
GOLF: Dustin Johnson leads at Kapalua
The first and second rounds of the weather-delayed Tournament of Champions were completed yesterday at Kapalua, Hawaii, with Dustin Johnson posting rounds of 69 and 66 to take a three-shot lead over Steve Stricker heading into today’s final round. Bubba Watson trails by four shots and Keegan Bradley trails by five.
College: Syracuse to hire Shafer as coach
Syracuse defensive coordinator Scott Shafer will be promoted to head football coach to replaceDoug Marrone, CBSSports.com reported last night. Marrone was named coach of the Buffalo Bills earlier this week.
SOCCER: Messi voted player of the year
Lionel Messi won the FIFA Ballon d’Or award for his astonishing 91-goal year for Barcelona and Argentina in 2012. It’s the fourth straight year he has been voted the world’s best player.Vicente del Bosque won the coaching award for guiding Spain to its third straight major tournament victory at Euro 2012. Abby Wambach, who scored five goals at the London Games, was named the best women’s player.
MLB: Valentine hired for radio gig
Bobby Valentine has been hired to work as a commentator for NBC Sports Radio. The former Mets and Red Sox manager will be the part-time co-host of a weekday talk show that debuts in April.
Former All-Star infielder Jose Lopez is headed to Japan to play for the Yomiuri Giants. According to Nikkan Sports, he agreed to a one-year deal worth $911,000. … Left-handed reliever Mike Gonzalez and the Brewers finalized a $2.25 million, one-year contract. Last year, he pitched for the Nationals. … The Rangers completed a $10 million, one-year deal with Lance Berkman.