Sports briefs

NFL

Challenge rule review

Ray Anderson, the NFL's director of football operations, says the rule that negated using video replay to confirm a Houston touchdown against Detroit Thursday "may be too harsh" and will be re-examined immediately. He says a 15-yard penalty for throwing the challenge flag on a play that is automatically reviewed might be enough. For now, throwing the challenge flag also eliminates the use of replay; all scoring plays otherwise are reviewed.

NBA

Grizzlies top Lakers

Rudy Gay scored 21 points to lead the host Grizzlies to a 106-98 victory over the Lakers. Memphis (9-2) has the best record in the NBA . . . Paul Pierce scored 22 of his 27 points in the second half to lead the host Celtics to a 108-100 victory over the Thunder . . . Tony Parker scored 33 points and the visiting Spurs erased a 17-point, third-quarter deficit in a 104-97 win over the Pacers.

COLLEGES

Coach suspended a game

Morehead State athletic director Brian Hutchinson suspended men's basketball coach Sean Woods for one game after he pushed an Eagles player during Wednesday's loss at No. 8 Kentucky.

LSU tops Arkansas

Jarvis Landry helped LSU keep the SEC championship in reach with a 20-13 win over Arkansas. Landry's one-handed touchdown catch in the first quarter helped LSU (10-2, 6-2 Southeastern Conference) beat the Razorbacks. GOLF

Sergio shoots odd 64

Rory McIlroy, Luke Donald and Marc Warren are tied for the lead after two rounds of the season-ending Dubai World Championship, but it was Sergio Garcia's 64 yesterday that stood out. Playing his first event after laser eye surgery, Garcia had nine birdies, two eagles, two bogeys and a triple bogey. -- AP