ESPN.com

ESPN.com

• Pats' Brady not surprised Welker left team
  New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady said on Thursday morning that Wes Welker's free-agent departure to the Denver Broncos did not come as a surprise, as he's played in the NFL long enough to understand the nature of the business.
  
  
• Source: Carmelo has small tear in shoulder
  New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony suffered a small left shoulder tear late in the regular season that was revealed during an MRI on Wednesday, a league source confirmed.
  
  
• LeBron rescues Heat with OT winner in Game 1
  LeBron James made a layup as time expired in overtime, and the Miami Heat found a way to beat the Indiana Pacers 103-102 in a wild Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals Wednesday night.
  
  
• LeBron rescues Heat with OT winner in Game 1
  LeBron James made a layup as time expired in overtime, and the Miami Heat found a way to beat the Indiana Pacers 103-102 in a wild Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals Wednesday night.
  
  
• Red Sox avoid sweep behind Buchholz, Ortiz
  Clay Buchholz pitched five-hit ball over seven innings to improve to 7-0, and the Boston Red Sox beat the Chicago White Sox 6-2 on Wednesday night to avoid a three-game sweep.
  
  
• Pens erupt for 4 in 3rd period, take 3-1 lead
  Jarome Iginla and James Neal each scored twice and the Pittsburgh Penguins routed the Ottawa Senators 7-3 on Wednesday night to take a 3-1 lead in the Eastern Conference semifinal series.
  
  
• Japanese man, 80, oldest to reach Everest top
  An 80-year-old Japanese mountaineer on Thursday became the oldest person to reach the top of Mount Everest -- although his record may last only a few days. An 81-year-old Nepalese man, who held the previous record, plans his own ascent next week.
  
  
• Yanks' Kuroda hit in calf with liner, later leaves
  The New York Yankees suffered yet another injury on Wednesday night when Hiroki Kuroda was forced out of his start against the Baltimore Orioles due to a bruised right calf.
  
  
• Jarrett, Maurice Petty enter NASCAR HOF
  NASCAR honored a pair of its most famous and successful families with inductions into the Hall of Fame on Wednesday.
  
  
• Canucks fire coach Vigneault after 7 seasons
  The Vancouver Canucks have fired coach Alain Vigneault on Wednesday.