Sacramento Kings fire head coach Michael Malone

NBA

Kings fire coach Malone

The Sacramento Kings fired coach Mike Malone only 24 games into his second season because of philosophical differences about the team's style of play.

General manager Pete D'Alessandro said he decided to make the change because he wants the Kings to play a more freewheeling offense. "It wasn't about wins and losses," he said. "I don't really care what our record was [11-13]. It's really about who we want to be, what we want our identity to be as a team."

LeBron, Love lead Cavs past Hornets

LeBron James had 27 points and 13 assists and Kevin Love added 22 points and 18 rebounds as the Cavaliers beat the visiting Hornets, 97-88. The Cavs' 21-0 lead, according to Elias Sports Bureau, was the largest lead to start a game since Portland scored the first 22 points against Boston in 2004 . . . Khris Middleton hit a three-pointer at the buzzer to give the visiting Bucks a 96-94 win over the Suns, who received 25 points from Markieff Morris . . . LaMarcus Aldridge had 23 points and 14 rebounds and Damian Lillard added 23 points and 10 rebounds as the host Trail Blazers beat the Spurs, 108-95.

Lou Williams scored 18 points and Kyle Lowry had 17 as the Raptors earned a 95-82 victory over the visiting Magic, which received 18 points from Tobias Harris (Dix Hills) . . . Al Horford had 21 points as the Hawks won for the 10th time in 11 games, beating the visiting Bulls, 93-86 . . . Kelly Olynyk scored a career-high 30 points as the visiting Celtics beat the 76ers, 105-87 . . . Rodney Stuckey had 20 points and 10 rebounds as the host Pacers beat the Lakers, 110-91 . . . Blake Griffin scored 18 points and DeAndre Jordan had 16 points and 15 rebounds as the host Clippers beat the Pistons, 113-99.

BASEBALL

Harper, Nats reach two-year, $7.5M deal

Bryce Harper and the Nationals came to terms on a two-year, $7.5-million contract, avoiding a grievance hearing. A source said Harper will receive salaries of $2.5 million in 2015 and $5 million in 2016.

Lowrie agrees to contract with Astros

Infielder Jed Lowrie and the Astros have agreed to a three-year, $23-million contract. The agreement includes a 2018 club option.

Sources: Cubs sign Motte; Royals agree with Rios

A person with direct knowledge of the deal said reliever Jason Motte has agreed to a one-year, $4.5-million contract with the Cubs . . . A person with knowledge of the negotiations said outfielder Alex Rios and the Royals have agreed to a one-year, $11-million contract.

NHL

Felony domestic violence charge for Voynov

Slava Voynov's wife told police the Los Angeles Kings defenseman hit, choked and pushed her into a television in their bedroom during a fight in October, an officer testified yesterday. After hearing the description of the injuries to Voynov's wife, a judge ruled that there is enough evidence against the player for him to stand trial on a felony domestic violence charge.Penguins top Lightning

Bryan Rust and Brian Dumoulin scored their first NHL goals as the host Penguins beat the Lightning, 4-2 . . . Matt Moulson scored the only goal of the shootout to give the host Sabres a 5-4 win over the Senators . . . Dallas Eakins was fired as coach of the Oilers (7-19-5), who have lost 15 of 16 games. General manager Craig MacTavish will coach the team until the job is given to interim coach Todd Nelson. MacTavish took his share of the blame, saying there is "blood all over my hands" because he "put the lineup together." -- AP