Sports in brief

NBA

Kings fire Westphal

The Sacramento Kings fired coach Paul Westphal Thursday, cutting ties after two-plus seasons amid a slow start and an escalating dispute with young center DeMarcus Cousins. Assistant coach Keith Smart, let go by the Golden State Warriors this summer after one season, will serve as interim coach. A talented -- albeit raw -- Kings roster led by Westphal is 2-5 and in last place in the Pacific Division. In two-plus seasons leading the Kings, Westphal finished with a 51-120 record. The 61-year-old Westphal also coached the Phoenix Suns and Seattle SuperSonics.

HORSE RACING

Three named for award

Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom, Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile winner Caleb's Posse and Preakness winner Shackleford are finalists for 3-year-old champion male honors at the Eclipse Awards, which will be announced on Jan. 16.

BASEBALLCabrera DUI plea agreement

Detroit Tigers star Miguel Cabrera has pleaded no contest in Florida to drunken driving. Cabrera accepted a deal that spares him jail time. Charges of resisting an officer without violence and having an open container in a vehicle were dropped. The first baseman was arrested in Fort Pierce in February after refusing to take a field sobriety test.

Pujols' $240M deal sweetened

In addition to his $240-million salary, the Los Angeles Angels are giving Albert Pujols four season tickets to home games over the next decade. Other perks include: hotel suite on road trips; luxury suite at the ballpark for the Pujols Foundation, his charitable group, for 10 home games a year; and the right to buy a luxury suite between first base and third base for all home games. -- AP