Sports briefs

NBANets win and won't be worst

The Nets won't finish with the worst record in NBA history after beating the Detroit Pistons, 115-107, on Friday night. Brook Lopez scored 37 points and Yi Jianlian had 31 to lead the Nets to their ninth win. For the first time this season, the Nets won two consecutive games. Even if the Nets (9-63) lose their final 10 games, they can do no worse than tie the league mark for the worst record (9-73), set by the Philadelphia 76ers in 1972-73.

GOLFEls in 4-way tie for lead

Ernie Els was like so many others Friday at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. He was tied for the lead, and not quite sure how he got there. Els had to play out of the water to save par on the sixth and steady his round of 3-under 69 at Bay Hill. Davis Love III didn't make a par over the first nine holes and shot 71. Ben Curtis started his round of 67 with two straight bogeys. D.J. Trahan had a 68 to join them in a four-way tie for the lead at 7-under 137. One shot behind was Phil Mickelson.

BASEBALL

Nathan undergoes surgery

Minnesota Twins closer Joe Nathan had Tommy John surgery on his right elbow, as doctors removed a tendon from his left wrist and placed it in his right elbow to replace the ulnar collateral ligament torn in an exhibition game March 6. The Stony Brook University graduate will miss the 2010 season. Nathan set a career high and a franchise record with 47 saves last season to help Minnesota to the AL Central title.

POLICE REPORTArrest in athlete murder

Miami-Dade police have arrested the man they say killed Florida International University running back Kendall Berry. Quentin Rashad Wyche, 22, turned himself in Friday night. Investigators say the pair got into an argument Thursday night outside the front doors of the campus recreation center. Police say Wyche pulled out an unknown sharp object and stabbed Berry.

TENNIS

Odesnik guilty in HGH case

Wayne Odesnik, an American tennis player ranked No. 98, pleaded guilty to importing human growth hormone into Australia before a tournament in Brisbane. He was fined more than $7,000 and could be banned from tennis for two years.

Djokovic's early exit

Former champion Novak Djokovic was beaten in his opening match at the Sony Ericsson Open at Key Biscayne. Djokovic lost to Olivier Rochus 6-2, 6-7 (7), 6-4. - AP