Reuters U.S. Sports Schedule at 2 PM EDT on Thursday, April 24

April 24 (Reuters) - Reuters U.S. sports schedule at 2 PM ET on Thursday: - - - - The duty editor is Steve Ginsburg, 202-898-8427 - - - - NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE Offseason updates/draft previews from all NFC North, AFC North teams - - Sherman named to TIME '100 Most Influential' list Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman is named one of TIME Magazine's 100 Most Influential People. (FBN-NEWS/, moved, The Sports Xchange, 250 words) - - NFL Draft preview: Vikings will not reach for QB EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. - Re-signing veteran Matt Cassel means the Minnesota Vikings will not reach for a franchise quarterback in the top 10, general manager Rick Spielman says. (FBN-VIKINGS-NEWS/, moved, The Sports Xchange, 550 words) - - NFL Draft preview: Browns enter pivotal draft with three of top 35 picks BEREA, Ohio - With three of the top 35 picks in the 2014 draft, the Cleveland Browns will likely be judged by the results of the May draft. (FBN-BROWNS-NEWS/, moved, The Sports Xchange, 600 words) - - NFL Draft preview: Packers point to needs GREEN BAY, Wis. - Depth is a general concern for the Green Bay Packers, who could also use immediate help at tight end and safety. (FBN-PACKERS-NEWS/, expect by 0000 GMT/8 PM ET, The Sports Xchange, 600 words) - - NFL Draft preview: Lions lurking around top WRs ALLEN PARK, Mich. - Of the team's 30 hosted workouts at their headquarters, nearly one-third of the prospects to meet with the team brass were wide receivers. (FBN-LIONS-NEWS/, expect by 0100 GMT/9 PM ET, The Sports Xchange, 600 words) - - NFL Draft preview: Bengals focused on Dalton's future CINCINNATI - The main focus this offseason remains the future of quarterback Andy Dalton. (FBN-BENGALS-NEWS/, expect by 2200 GMT/6 PM ET, The Sports Xchange, 600 words) - - - - NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION *The Sports Xchange covers all NBA games. Key matchups highlighted below. - - Aldridge owns Rockets as Blazers build 2-0 lead HOUSTON - It's been all LaMarcus Aldridge for the Portland Trail Blazers in the first-round playoff series with the Houston Rockets. (BKN-BLAZERS-NEWS/, moved, The Sports Xchange, 700 words) - - Conley wins NBA sportsmanship honor Memphis Grizzlies point guard Mike Conley is honored with the Joe Dumars Award. (BKN-GRIZZLIES-NEWS/, moved, The Sports Xchange, 300 words) - - Pacers at Hawks ATLANTA - Eight-seeded Atlanta hosts the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs, the Indiana Pacers, in the third game of a best-of-seven series currently tied at one game apiece. (BKN-HAWKS-PACERS-FIRSTLEDE-WRITETHRU/ (PIX), expect ASAP after 7 p.m. ET, The Sports Xchange, by David Purdum, 400-word first lede, 700-word writethru) See also: Frank Vogel's job is safe (BBO-PACERS-NEWS/, moved, The Sports Xchange, 250 words) - - Thunder at Grizzlies MEMPHIS - The third game of a best-of-seven Western Conference series between the Memphis Grizzlies and Oklahoma City Thunder, who hope to rebound after a late rally forced overtime but failed to net a victory Tuesday. (BKN-GRIZZLIES-THUNDER-FIRSTLEDE-WRITETHRU/ (PIX), expect ASAP after the 0000 GMT/8 PM ET game, The Sports Xchange, 400-word first lede, 700-word writethru) - - NBA Wrap: Pacers, Thunder and Clippers seek series leads The East's top-seeded Indiana Pacers visit the Atlanta Hawks, the Memphis Grizzlies host the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Clippers visit the Golden State Warriors with each best-of-seven conference quarter-final playoff series tied at 1-1. (NBA-HIGHLIGHTS/ (PIX), expect by 0330 GMT/11:30 PM ET, by The Sports Xchange, 450 words) - - The NBA schedule at a glance: Indiana at Atlanta, 7 PM ET Oklahoma City at Memphis, 8 PM ET Los Angeles Clippers at Golden State, 10:30 PM ET - - - - GOLF PGA Tour: Zurich Classic (to April 27) Horschel opens Zurich Classic title defense Defending champion Billy Horschel, looking to become the Zurich Classic's first back-to-back winner since 2000, will be joined in a field that includes U.S. Open champion Justin Rose and four-time major winner Ernie Els when play begins at the TPC Louisiana in New Orleans. (GOLF-PGA/, expect by 2330 GMT/7:30 PM ET, 450 words) - - Pinehurst U.S. Open attracts record entry total This year's U.S. Open at Pinehurst Resort & Country Club in Pinehurst, N.C., has attracted a record total of 10,127 entries, the United States Golf Association says. (GOLF-OPEN/ENTRIES, moved, 300 words) - - Dyson enjoys happy return to China, shares lead with Quiros Englishman Simon Dyson, who was handed a suspended two-month ban for cheating in December, fires a five-under-par 67 to grab a share of the first round lead at the European Tour's China Open. (GOLF-EUROPEAN/ (PIX), moved, 425 words) - - - - MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL *The Sports Xchange covers all MLB games. Key matchups highlighted below. - - Column: Pujols' historic HR lands with a yawn Albert Pujols swatted his 500th career home run this week, but why didn't the sports world notice? (BBO-ANGELS-COLUMN/, includes notes on White Sox LHP Chris Sale, Arizona Diamondbacks management, a breakout player for the Cincinnati Reds and more, moved, The Sports Xchange, by John Perrotto, 850 words) - - Reds closer Chapman close to return Sidelined since March 19 with facial fractures, Cincinnati Reds closer Aroldis Chapman could return in the next two weeks. Manager Bryan Price says he was in midseason form during a batting price session Wednesday. (BBO-REDS-NEWS/, moved, The Sports Xchange, 250 words) - - McGrady makes independent league roster Former NBA All-Star Tracy McGrady shows enough promise as a pitcher that he lands a spot on the opening day roster with the Sugar Land Skeeters. (BBO-NEWS/, moved, The Sports Xchange, 200 words) - - D'backs slugger Trumbo (foot) to DL Outfielder Mark Trumbo is placed on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to Tuesday, with a stress fracture in his left foot and the Arizona Diamondbacks recall outfielder Roger Kieschnick from Triple-A Reno. (BBO-DIAMONDBACKS-NEWS/, moved, The Sports Xchange, 200 words) - - White Sox at Tigers DETROIT - Max Scherzer and the Detroit Tigers attempt to salvage a split of their four-game series with the Chicago White Sox at Comerica Park. (BBO-TIGERS-WHITESOX-FIRSTLEDE-WRITETHRU/ (PIX), expect ASAP after the 1710 GMT/1:10 PM ET game, The Sports Xchange, Dana Gauruder, 400-word first lede, 700-word writethru) - - Phillies at Dodgers LOS ANGELES - Unbeaten Dan Haren (3-0) and the Los Angeles Dodgers meet winless Kyle Kendrick and the Philadelphia Phillies in the finale of a three-game series. (BBO-DODGERS-PHILLIES-FIRSTLEDE-WRITETHRU/ (PIX), expect ASAP after the 0210 GMT/10:10 PM ET game, The Sports Xchange, by Forrest Lee, 400-word first lede, 700-word writethru) - - Pineda: The pine tar bandit A pitcher using pine tar to improve grip in cold weather appears to be standard procedure in MLB, but smearing it on your neck for easy access is a no-no, as Yankees pitcher Michael Pineda found out. (BASEBALL-YANKEES/PINEDA, expect by 1930 GMT/3:30 PM ET, by Larry Fine, 700 words) - - Ibanez: Loving the game more than ever WASHINGTON - At this point in Raul Ibanez's career, an All-Star season culminating in a World Series championship might be the only thing that could send the 19-year major league veteran into retirement. (BASEBALL-ANGELS/IBANEZ, expect by 1900 GMT/3 PM ET, by Steve Ginsburg, 550 words) - - MLB Wrap: Tigers' Scherzer in action, Red Sox host Yanks Reigning American League Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer takes the mound for the Detroit Tigers against the visiting Chicago White Sox while the Boston Red Sox wrap up their three-game set with the arch-rival New York Yankees at Fenway Park in two of the 11 games on the Major League Baseball schedule. (BASEBALL-HIGHLIGHTS/ (PIX), expect by 0330 GMT/11:30 PM ET, by The Sports Xchange, 975 words) - - The full MLB schedule: American League Kansas City at Cleveland, 12:05 PM ET Chicago White Sox at Detroit, 1:08 PM ET Minnesota at Tampa Bay, 1:10 PM ET Baltimore at Toronto, 7:07 PM ET New York Yankees at Boston, 7:10 PM ET Oakland at Houston, 8:10 PM ET - - National League Cincinnati at Pittsburgh, 12:35 PM ET St. Louis at New York Mets, 1:10 PM ET Arizona at Chicago Cubs, 2:20 PM ET San Diego at Washington, 7:05 PM ET Philadelphia at Los Angeles Dodgers, 10:10 PM ET - - - - NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE *The Sports Xchange covers all Stanley Cup Playoff games. Key matchups highlighted below. - - Toews chasing Selke Trophy repeat Finalists for Selke Trophy, including 2013 winner Jonathan Toews, are announced. (HKN-NEWS/, moved, The Sports Xchange, 300 words) - - Bruins at Red Wings DETROIT - Boston leads the best-of-seven series 2-1 over the Detroit Red Wings and a win tonight would put them in firm control. (HKN-REDWINGS-BRUINS-FIRSTLEDE-WRITETHRU/ (PIX), expect ASAP after the 0000 GMT/8 PM ET game ends, The Sports Xchange, 400-word first lede, 700-word writethru) - - Avalanche at Wild MINNEAPOLIS - Game 4 of the best-of-seven playoff series between the Colorado Avalanche, who hold a 2-1 advantage, and the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center. (HKN-WILD-AVALANCHE-FIRSTLEDE-WRITETHRU/ (PIX), expect ASAP after the 0130 GMT/9:30 PM ET game, The Sports Xchange, 400-word first lede, 700-word writethru) - - NHL Wrap: Bruins, Avs seek commanding series leads The Boston Bruins and Colorado Avalanche look to take commanding 3-1 leads in their best-of-seven series versus the Detroit Red Wings and Minnesota Wild, respectively, while the San Jose Sharks try to sweep the Los Angeles Kings in NHL playoff action. (NHL-HIGHLIGHTS/ (PIX), expect by 0330 GMT/11:30 PM ET, by The Sports Xchange, 450 words) - - The NHL schedule at a glance: Boston at Detroit, 8 PM ET Colorado at Minnesota, 9:30 PM ET San Jose at Los Angeles, 10:30 PM ET - - - - SWIMMING Phelps gets back into the pool PHOENIX - Michael Phelps makes his comeback to competitive swimming when he competes in the heats of the 100 meters butterfly at a U.S. Grand Prix meet at Mesa in Arizona. (SWIMMING-PHELPS/ (PIX), expect by 1700 GMT/1 PM ET, by Julian Linden, 500 words) - - - - AUTO RACING Friendly rivals? Pagenaud warns Power BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Race car drivers are famously good at looking toward the next corner in the road, but excuse Simon Pagenaud if he's still looking somewhat in the mirror. (CAR-INDY-NEWS/, moved, The Sports Xchange, 525 words) - - NASCAR weekend preview Richmond is the next stop on the NASCAR circuit, where Kyle Busch and Kenny Hamlin enter as favorites. (CAR-SPRINT-NEWS/, expect by 5 p.m. ET, NASCAR Wire Service special to The Sports Xchange, 400 words) - - F1 boss Ecclestone denies bribery at German trial MUNICH, Germany - Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone denies bribery charges at the start of a trial in Germany that threatens to break his decades-long dominance of motor racing. (GERMANY-ECCLESTONE/TRIAL (UPDATE 3, PIX, TV), moved, by Keith Weir and Jörn Poltz, 700 words) - - Reuters will be running a package of stories to mark the 20th anniversary of the deaths of Brazilian triple Formula One champion Ayrton Senna and Austrian Roland Ratzenberger at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix. The accidents at Imola on April 30 and May 1 remain the last driver fatalities during a grand prix weekend. The multi-media package will move on Friday at 0001 GMT/8:01 PM ET Thursday. It will include interviews with Senna's sister Viviane, former FIA President Max Mosley, Senna's Williams teammate Damon Hill and the reminiscences of the Brazilian's former McLaren team boss Ron Dennis. MOTOR RACING-SENNA/INSTITUTE MOTOR RACING-SENNA/MOSLEY MOTOR RACING-SENNA/HILL MOTOR RACING-SENNA/DENNIS There will be a story on Ratzenberger and other pieces from Sao Paulo, where Senna is buried, and Imola. North American sports editor Julian Linden, who attended the 1994 race, recalls that weekend while we also look at why IndyCar racing in the United States has seen seven deaths in the last two decades. MOTOR RACING-SENNA/RATZENBERGER MOTOR RACING-SENNA/CEMETERY MOTOR RACING-SENNA/IMOLA MOTOR RACING-SENNA/WITNESS MOTOR RACING-SENNA/INDY Pat Symonds, current Williams technical head and Senna's race engineer at Toleman in his first F1 season, looks back 10 years earlier to happier times and the Brazilian's sensational 1984 race in Monaco. MOTOR RACING-SENNA/SYMONDS There will be two factboxes issued: one a timeline of the weekend and the other on Senna's career. MOTOR RACING-SENNA/FACTBOX MOTOR RACING-SENNA/WEEKEND - - - - MIXED MARTIAL ARTS UFC 172 preview Glover Teixeira hopes to bring the Ultimate Fighting Championship light heavyweight belt back to The Pit. (MSC-NEWS/, expect by 2000 GMT/4 PM ET, The Sports Xchange, by Dave Doyle 400 words) - - - - TENNIS LONDON - Novak Djokovic is set to become a father after announcing that he and fiancée Jelena Ristic are expecting their first child. (TENNIS-DJOKOVIC/FATHER, moved, 150 words) - - - - NORTH AMERICAN SPORTS Roundups of off-field developments in the major North American professional sports leagues. (Expect by 0000 GMT/8 PM ET, by The Sports Xchange, 400 words)