Ballesteros’ brain tumor is malignant; surgery set

Seve Ballesteros’ brain tumor is cancerous and the two-time Masters winner will undergo another operation to relieve pressure caused by swelling and bleeding that have recently developed.

The remaining parts of the malignant tumor, located in a very deep part of the brain, will be removed in today’s procedure in Madrid.

La Paz Hospital officials said Thursday that the surgery is “of great complexity.” Three doctors will operate on Ballesteros.

The 51-year-old Ballesteros was in stable, but serious, condition before the operation, hospital officials said.

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LaBelle, Mallinger share lead at 63

Doug LaBelle II and Jeff Mallinger shot seven-under-par 63s to share the first-round lead in what promises to be a flurry of birdies at the Frys.com Open at Scottsdale, Ariz.

Richard Johnson, the 2007 Nationwide Tour earnings leader who has struggled in his first PGA Tour season, was one shot back at 64.

Aaron Oberholser was among six players to shoot 65s under ideal conditions -- cloudless and temperatures in the mid-80s, on the 7,125-yard Raptor Course at Grayhawk Golf Club.

Oberholser, winner of the AT&T; Pebble Beach Pro-Am two years ago, is in his second tournament after recovering from two surgeries on his left wrist in nine months.

PRO BASKETBALL

Maloofs’ casino to take NBA bets

Palms casino operator George Maloof Jr. says the NBA Board of Governors has voted to allow the casino to accept bets on the league’s games even though the Maloof family owns both the casino and the Sacramento Kings.

Maloof says Thursday’s unanimous vote allows the Las Vegas casino to take wagers on all NBA teams for the first time, except the Kings.

The arrangement is similar to a deal between the league and Harrah’s Entertainment Inc., whose chief executive Gary Loveman owns a 2.4% stake in the Boston Celtics.

The Board of Governors also approved the expanded use of instant replay for the 2008-09 season.

Referees will be allowed to review video to determine if a field goal was a two- or three-point attempt, or to decide if a shooting foul was committed behind the arc and warrants three shots instead of two.

Owners also approved the use of replay if the game clock malfunctions in the final seconds of a quarter or overtime, helping the officials better determine how much time should have come off the clock or if the period should have ended.

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Nuggets waive Parker, four others

The Denver Nuggets have waived five players, including former Lakers and Clippers guard Smush Parker. The others were guard Mateen Cleaves and forwards Nick Fazekas, James Mays and Ruben Patterson.

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Allan Houston ends comeback attempt

Allan Houston’s latest attempt to come back with the New York Knicks ended and he began discussions with the team about a role within the organization. The Knicks also waived swingman Dan Grunfeld, whose father, Ernie, played with the team and was general manager.

ETC.

Jim Murray awards to be presented

The Jim Murray Memorial Foundation’s 10th anniversary “Legends of Sports and Media Awards” will be held next Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at the Beverly Hilton Hotel’s Wilshire Ballroom. Sugar Ray Leonard will be presented the Great Ones Award. Ashley Force will be honored as Female Athlete of the Year, Howard Bingham will be honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award, and The Times’ Helene Elliott will be presented with the Sportswriter of the Year Award.

Camping World will replace Craftsman as the title sponsor for NASCAR’s truck series in 2009. . . . Two-time defending champion Roger Federer endured a shaky start before defeating Finland’s Jarkko Nieminen, 7-6 (6), 7-6 (1), in the second round of the Swiss Indoors at Basel. . . . Top-seeded Andy Roddick beat Robby Ginepri, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (3), to set up a quarterfinal match against big-serving Robin Soderling at the Lyon Grand Prix in Lyon, France. . . . Defending champion Andy Murray beat Ernests Gulbis, 6-4, 6-2, to advance to the quarterfinals of the St. Petersburg Open in Russia. . . . Olympic champion Elena Dementieva beat Gisela Dulko of Argentina, 6-2, 6-2, to reach the quarterfinals of the Fortis Championships at Luxembourg.

Point guard Cashmere Wright, a freshman who was expected to play a big role for Cincinnati, tore a knee ligament and is out for the season. . . . FC Dallas midfielder Bobby Rhine, one of 17 players in MLS history to play at least 200 games for one team, will retire after the season. . . . Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delany agreed to a contract extension through June 2013.