Magic acquires Gilbert Arenas, Hedu Turkoglu
In a major roster shakeup, the Orlando Magic acquired guard Gilbert Arenas from the Washington Wizards and Hedo Turkoglu and Jason Richardson from the Phoenix Suns on Saturday.
The Magic traded forward Rashard Lewis for Arenas, and sent Phoenix guards Vince Carter and Mickael Pietrus and backup center Marcin Gortat. Orlando also received Earl Clark from the Suns.
A preseason favorite in the Eastern Conference, Orlando had lost five of its last six games entering Saturday.
“We needed a little bit more punch,” Magic President Otis Smith said. “All those guys coming in have an ability to move the ball. After looking at our team through 25 games, we were missing a little something. I thought change was needed.”
Denver Nuggets Coach George Karl and Portland Trail Blazers guard Andre Miller have been fined $25,000 for separate incidents. . … Memphis Grizzlies star Rudy Gay has been suspended one game without pay after a flagrant foul in the fourth quarter of a game against Houston.
WINTER SPORTS
Vonn wins downhill, plus top AP honor
Lindsey Vonn won her first downhill race of the season to close the gap on overall World Cup leader Maria Riesch, who finished 24th at Val d’Isere, France.
The three-time defending World Cup and reigning Olympic downhill champion had finished second behind her German rival in both downhills at Lake Louise, Canada, two weeks ago. But Vonn turned the tables at Val d’Isere, one of her favorite stops.
“I love Val d’Isere, I’ve always had a good feeling here. It’s great to have another victory,” said Vonn, who won a downhill-Super-G world championship double and World Cup super combined race last year.
Vonn also was chosen as the Associated Press female athlete of the year. She’s the first skier — male or female — to win one of the annual AP awards, which began in 1931.
Silvan Zurbriggen of Switzerland won a World Cup downhill at Val Gardena, Italy, to take the lead in the overall standings. … Italy’s Simone Bertazzo and brakeman Sergio Riva won the World Cup two-man bobsled race at Lake Placid, N.Y.
ETC.
Polamalu might be out until playoffs
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu has an injured Achilles’ tendon but is expected to return for the postseason after sitting out Sunday’s game against the New York Jets, a team official said. Polamalu is unlikely to be put on injured reserve. He could be rested for the remainder of the regular season, unless the Steelers need to win one of their final games to wrap up the division title, the official said Saturday.
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers did not receive medical clearance after sustaining his second concussion of the season and was ruled out for Sunday night’s game at New England. Matt Flynn is expected to make his first career start for the Packers. … Brett Favre won’t play in Minnesota’s game Monday against Chicago.
Penn State won its fourth consecutive NCAA women’s volleyball title, sweeping California, 25-20, 27-25, 25-20, behind the power of Blair Brown and Deja McClendon.
Fans of the Greek soccer team Panathinaikos chased players off their home field in Athens and pelted them with objects after a surprising 1-0 loss to Volos. They also attacked the VIP stands, causing widespread damage. … Inter Milan won the Club World Cup, defeating TP Mazembe, 3-0, at Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, to end the surprising run by the African champion.
Jean Pascal knocked 45-year-old Bernard Hopkins down twice and held on for a majority draw to retain his WBC light-heavyweight title at Quebec City. … Germany’s Marco Huck retained his WBO cruiserweight title with a split decision over Russian challenger Denis Lebedev at Berlin. …Four-time winner Ernie Els will take a two-shot lead into a marathon last day of the South African Open at Durban. Els’ second straight 65 lifted him to the top of the leaderboard at 14-under 130, two strokes clear of Retief Goosen. … Don Fehr is the new executive director of the NHL Players’ Assn., the same position he held with baseball’s union from 1983-2009.
Walt Dropo, the 1950 American League rookie of the year with the Boston Red Sox, has died at 87. … Phil Cavarretta, the 1945 National League MVP who led the Chicago Cubs to their last World Series appearance, has died at 94.