TORONTO -- The Raptors have kept their winning streak alive in a variety of ways over the past few weeks.

On Monday, they did so without a traditional center and while withstanding the debut of D'Angelo Russell in a Minnesota Timberwolves uniform.

Russell finished with 22 points and five assists in 32 minutes Monday, but it wasn't enough to prevent Toronto, led by 34 points from Pascal Siakam, from beating Minnesota 137-126 to extend the Raptors' winning streak to 15 games, the second-longest such streak in the NBA this season.

"Well, first of all, it didn't feel like it was a win going away for quite a long time," Raptors coach Nick Nurse said afterward.

"I think we're getting everybody's A-plus game. They were really good, I thought, for a lot of stretches. We just had to try to figure some things out."

The Wolves, who snapped a 14-game losing streak of their own on Saturday at home against the LA Clippers, continued to hang around throughout this one, including using a 12-2 surge to open the fourth quarter and move to 108-106 with 9:10 to go.

But just when it looked like the Raptors might finally stumble, they ripped off a 24-7 run over the next six minutes to take a 132-113 lead with three minutes remaining and ensure that their winning streak would last until at least Wednesday in Brooklyn, Toronto's final game before the All-Star break.

"A lot of credit to them," Timberwolves coach Ryan Saunders said. "There's a reason they've won 15 in a row."

A big reason Toronto's win streak remains intact is that the Raptors were able to shut Russell down after a productive opening three quarters in his Timberwolves debut.

Russell, who averaged 23.6 points for the Golden State Warriors before being traded to the Timberwolves on Thursday in exchange for Andrew Wiggins, a 2021 first-round pick and a second-rounder in the hours leading up to the NBA's trade deadline, didn't waste any time getting into the action. He missed a pull-up jumper on the game's opening possession, then drove to the hoop and scored on a layup at the 11:04 mark of the first to open the scoring for Minnesota.

"It was great," Russell said. "Super excited about this group. We know what Karl[-Anthony Towns] does and what he brings to the table. Just the group in general and coaching staff. I'm looking forward to this challenge to figure out what we can do to get better every day."

Russell scored nine points in the first quarter, 16 in the first half and 22 through the first three quarters while going 7-for-12 from the field, all while showing off the kind of shotmaking -- including a 31-footer from the right side of the court in the first quarter -- that caused Minnesota to so aggressively chase him this summer as a free agent and again leading up to the trade deadline. He also showed good chemistry with his close friend Towns, whom he is living with until he gets settled in Minneapolis, in the pick-and-roll.

"That's my brother," Towns said. "I told him, 'I don't know if he'll ever have a teammate that loves him as much as I do, has his back more than I do.' I'd die for that man, and I know he would do the same for me."

After those blistering first three quarters, Russell's production tailed off in the fourth. He had just one assist and two turnovers in 7:15 of fourth-quarter action, failing to take a shot in the period as Toronto was able to blitz him and get the ball out of his hands.

"[We] really tried to press up on him, make him drive it," Nurse said. "We sat back, sat down too much, and he's going to make those no matter where he is on those. We did try to trap him out of the timeouts a lot when we got the right matchups on him, and we turned him over twice out of timeouts for layups, which was huge."

Towns, meanwhile, had 23 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists against a Toronto team playing without its two traditional big men, Marc Gasol (hamstring) and Serge Ibaka (illness). That forced Nurse to turn to Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, a 6-foot-7, 217-pound forward, to try to stop the 7-foot, 248-pound Towns.

It worked well enough, with Hollis-Jefferson going for 21 points and six rebounds in 33 minutes while doing his best to slow Towns.

"It's definitely different," Hollis-Jefferson said of trying to match up with centers. "The battle [is to hold] your own ground, but they've got 5 inches on me [and] 30 or 40 pounds on me.

"It's definitely about being mentally tough. ... I love a challenge at the end of the day."

In addition to Hollis-Jefferson and Siakam, the Raptors finished with their five starters -- Hollis-Jefferson, Siakam, OG Anunoby (25 points and 12 rebounds), Kyle Lowry (27 points and 11 assists) and Fred VanVleet (16 points and seven assists) -- combining to score 123 of the team's 137 points on the night.

With the victory, Toronto moved to within three wins of the NBA's longest winning streak this season -- an 18-game stretch by the East-leading Milwaukee Bucks from Nov. 10 to Dec. 14. If Toronto can win its next three games to match that streak -- Wednesday in Brooklyn, Feb. 21 against the Phoenix Suns and Feb. 23 against the Indiana Pacers -- the Raptors will have a chance to eclipse Milwaukee's streak by beating the Bucks at home on Feb. 25.

DALLAS -- Former Charlotte Hornets forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist has agreed to sign with the Dallas Mavericks, league sources told ESPN on Monday.

A source said the Mavs have released shooting guard Ryan Broekhoff, who shot 40.3% from 3-point range in 59 games over two seasons, to create a roster spot for Kidd-Gilchrist.

Kidd-Gilchrist, the No. 2 overall pick of the 2012 draft, fell out of the Hornets' rotation this season before receiving a buyout last week.

At 6-foot-6, 232 pounds, Kidd-Gilchrist has earned a reputation as a strong wing defender. He will provide the Mavs a physical option to guard powerful, elite scorers on Western Conference playoff teams such as James Harden, LeBron James and Kawhi Leonard.

Kidd-Gilchrist's jump shot is his biggest flaw, as he's a career 28% 3-point shooter. He averaged 8.6 points and 5.5 rebounds in 433 games for Charlotte.

SAN FRANCISCO -- For the first time since he was traded away last summer, Andre Iguodala faced off against the Golden State Warriors on Monday at Chase Center. Iguodala, 36, spent six seasons with the Warriors, winning three NBA championships and the 2015 Finals MVP award before he was dealt to the Memphis Grizzlies last summer to clear cap space.

Now a member of the Miami Heat, Iguodala was given a standing ovation before the start of the game Monday, after a video tribute was shown on the scoreboard.

"From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank everybody that supported us, supported me my entire time here," Iguodala said during a brief speech to the crowd before tipoff. "It definitely feels like home every time. I just left, but it feels like home. Really appreciate you guys and appreciate you being loyal Bay Area fans. My brothers will be back in action, full squad next year, to wreak havoc on the league for 80 games. Love y'all."

Before Iguodala spoke, former Warriors teammate Klay Thompson gave a short speech praising Iguodala's contributions.

"Obviously, it's a special night for Dub Nation," Thompson said. "We've got one of the greatest Warriors in the history of the organization back. We call him the Swiss Army knife. One of my favorite teammates of all time. He made me, Steph [Curry], Draymond [Green] and [Kevon] Looney's job much easier, as well as Coach [Steve] Kerr and all the coaching staff. So we're indebted to this man for what he gave us. And it's good to have you back, Dre. And I can't wait to see your jersey in the rafters one of these days, bro."

Thompson spoke because cameras caught him losing a best two-out-of-three rock, paper, scissors matchup to Curry before the ceremony began.

"I told him I hope that he isn't that far onto his career or too old where he didn't have goosebumps and a pit in his stomach," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. "I did. Really, at the beginning, I was about to diagram a play and saw the tribute was going on, and that's the respect of a champ. That's a legacy that will go on for years on after this. In so many ways, you know, he's the heart and soul of those teams. I just loved what Klay had to say about him on behalf of the organization. That is real.

"The respect that he has from the entire fan base out here, you just have to step back and tip your hat, greatness," Spoelstra added. "I'm glad we are able to have him on our side. I mentioned that to Steve. Thanks for letting us have him for a short period of time while we are trying to do something. But you see what he brings. Those were impactful minutes. I don't even know what his plus-minus was, but good things happen when he is on the court. And it has nothing to do with the box score."

The ceremony clearly meant a lot to Iguodala, who was appreciative of the gesture, especially Thompson's speech.

"I think with Klay being out there, it kind of was over-the-top because I have a special relationship with the core of the group," Iguodala said after the game. "That was there the whole time. Draymond, Klay and Steph. Klay was more the quiet one. He didn't speak too much. Hearing from him, it almost got me. I think the circumstances kind of helped at the same time. It's a new building, so it was new and different. Joining this team at the certain time, we really needed to get this win, it felt like. Focus was on the game and making sure we got the win."

Iguodala was a plus-25 in 17 minutes, despite scoring just two points. Playing with Iguodala for the first time brought a smile to Heat star Jimmy Butler's face after the game. Butler missed the previous three games because of a shoulder injury.

"It's great to have another champion," Butler said. "Another winner and just an overall great human being in our locker room. Just the joy he brings, he's always reminding guys it's OK to have fun. You have to love what you do. Competing is fun, winning is fun, but more than anything, he's always smiling, always in a good mood."

Earlier in the day, Green smiled when asked what it would be like to face Iguodala in a game after so many years as teammates.

"I'm going to flagrant foul him," Green said. "Flagrant 2."

When asked if it would happen in the first quarter, Green said, "As soon as I get a chance."

Green, who has a history of ejections, joked that he wasn't worried about leaving the game early.

"It will be worth it," he said. "I get to talk about that for the rest of my life with him. It will be worth it."

Iguodala, who gave Kerr a hug after he entered Monday's contest for the first time, smiled as he spoke to reporters before the game and a large picture of him riding a float in a championship parade was displayed behind him. He said he hadn't had time to process his legacy but understood last summer that a trade was brewing.

"I had a [Tony] Romo moment," Iguodala said. "I sniffed it out before it happened. I've just been around the game for a while. You kinda see how things are played. You see how a domino effect can happen."

Iguodala was asked if he thought other players would follow his path in finding a way to play for a team he wanted after being traded somewhere he didn't want to be. Iguodala made it clear that he didn't want to play in Memphis and waited for a deal to come to fruition, despite taking heat from a few of the Grizzlies' young players on social media in recent weeks. Iguodala brushed off the criticism and is confident that he has found a nice place to resume his career in Miami.

"I think everybody's situation is different," Iguodala said. "You have to assess all the moving parts of everyone's individual situations. You gotta know how you stand with the organization. You are trying to work with them more than anything. That's what I was trying to do. My intentions were never to try to keep from playing with a certain set of basketball players because I think that can be miscommunicated throughout the process. Having an agreement with the team and figure out what is the best move for both parties and both parties are satisfied in the end."

Kerr was happy to see one of his favorite former players back on the floor.

"I've said this before, I've never been around a smarter basketball player, and I've been around a lot of smart players," Kerr said. "What makes him really unique is his brain, his combination of his fundamental basis with the athleticism. He is not as athletic as he was six, seven years ago, but there is only one other guy I think of when I think of that combination of the fundamental sound, constant nature of his game with the athletic ability as well, and that's Scottie Pippen."

MILWAUKEE -- Eric Bledsoe flashed a smile an hour ahead of the Milwaukee Bucks' tipoff against the Minnesota Timberwolves on New Year's Day.

The Bucks guard had just completed his pregame shooting routine, with his 4-year-old son, Ethan, at his side. There was a dunk contest on the ball rack, half-court dribbling games and plenty of hugs shared between the father and son before Bledsoe began his night at the office.

Bledsoe, 30, is a father of three, having welcomed his youngest into the world with his wife, Morgan, during training camp before this season. His Bucks teammate Khris Middleton became a father for the first time last season.

Up next: Giannis Antetokounmpo, whose longtime girlfriend, Mariah Riddlesprigger, gave birth to the couple's first child, Liam, on Monday.

Liam Charles Antetokounmpo in the house❤️ pic.twitter.com/yVSf0U93le

— Giannis Antetokounmpo (@Giannis_An34) February 10, 2020

For an already close Bucks squad, preparing their reigning MVP for fatherhood became another way to bond. Antetokounmpo, Middleton and Bledsoe are the team's three leaders in points per game. Now the trio is sharing more than the scoring load -- they're also sharing the journey of raising infant children.

"I'm experienced with it and Khris is going through it, but I tell him that nothing can teach him how to be a dad with your son that's about to be on the way," Bledsoe said. "We're not going to be there when he's sick; we're not going to be there when he's smiling at you. It's just something you've got to go through with him."

Bledsoe is the veteran among the group, with an 8-year-old daughter, 4-year-old son and now the newborn, and has become a go-to resource for Antetokounmpo.

Although Bledsoe, Middleton and others around the team have plenty of stories about the late-night wake-ups, diaper changing and how to adjust to the sleeping routine, they're giving Antetokounmpo space to learn on the fly.

"He asks us questions all the time, but I just tell him that it's just an experience you have to go through," Bledsoe said. "Can't nobody tell you how to be a parent -- that comes with kids."

Whenever Ethan is around the team with his father, the Bucks guard notices how joyful Antetokounmpo becomes.

"It's kind of different for me," Bledsoe said. "I already know what to expect with an 8- and 4-year-old, but just seeing them go through it is amazing, especially going through it with them."

For Antetokounmpo, that excitement has manifested in a career year, even after winning MVP honors last season. The 25-year-old is averaging career highs in points (30.0) and rebounds (13.5) while shooting 54.9% from the field and leading the Bucks to a league-best record.

"It is definitely [motivating me]," Antetokounmpo told ESPN. "I try to be around kids as much as possible; I try to learn and ask questions. I'm excited. It's exciting. That's something where no matter what goes on at work or anything, you go back home and you're happy because your little boy is there."

Antetokounmpo didn't play Monday night against the Sacramento Kings after the birth of his son, but he told ESPN earlier this year that he didn't anticipate spending significant time away from the team after his son was born, saying he was locked in on his goal of bringing Milwaukee its first title since 1971.

"Hell no," Antetokounmpo said. "We've got a job to do."

That was the case last year, when the Bucks swept the Detroit Pistons in the first round of the playoffs. That allowed Middleton to be present for the birth of his daughter, Audrielle, who was born a day after the Bucks' series-clinching win.

Middleton, 28, considers 2019 to have been his best year. He became an All-Star, experienced his first deep playoff run, represented the United States at the FIBA World Championship and secured a five-year, $177.5 million max contract.

Nothing beats being a dad, though.

"We talk about it every day, me, [Giannis] and Bled," Middleton said. "We just talk about the fun things like putting together the crib, getting up at night to take care of the child, but just the joy. Just the pride that you have in being a father is something you don't have until you have one."

Antetokounmpo also has support from another Bucks teammate, his older brother, Thanasis. Their younger brother, Kostas, plays for the Los Angeles Lakers, and he said he "can't wait" to become an uncle to Giannis' first child.

"Hopefully, he likes basketball," Kostas said. "He might not, but hopefully he does."

The newborn's middle name, Charles, was the name of the brothers' late father, Charles, who moved the family from their native Nigeria to Greece shortly before Thanasis was born.

During a Christmas Day sit-down with ESPN's Maria Taylor, Giannis spoke about his father's influence and what becoming a father would mean for him.

"It makes you more mature, but it's something I always wanted, to have my own family, to become a father," Antetokounmpo said. "I always thought that God's timing is the best timing, and God is doing it right now. I'm happy about it; I'm excited about it."

Although Antetokounmpo knows a baby is a major life change, he also has seen firsthand how it can lead to on-court success, thanks to Toronto Raptors guard Fred VanVleet. In the 2019 Eastern Conference finals, VanVleet was shooting a dismal 20.0% through three games. Then his son, Fred Jr., was born. VanVleet would put up 13 points off the bench in Game 4, and he shot 68% in the final three games of the series to end the Bucks' season.

"Look at Fred VanVleet," Antetokounmpo said. "He started making all those shots when he had his kid. Maybe that happens to me also. Who knows?"

While a stats bump would be nice for Antetokounmpo -- and a scary proposition for the rest of the NBA, given that he already is on pace to become the first player since Moses Malone in 1982 to average 30 points and 13 rebounds per game in a single season -- he isn't worried about statistical milestones or winning another MVP. He wants to join fellow father VanVleet in another club: NBA champions.

"I know there are a lot of things that come with being a celebrity, being on the front page covers and all that, but it really doesn't excite me," Antetokounmpo said. "There's a lot of things that I've turned down. I've turned down movies, commercials, endorsement deals this year because I really don't care. I just want to win. I want to help my teammates win. I want to help this city, bring a championship to this city."

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- The smiling faces of baseball coach John Altobelli, his wife, Keri, and their daughter Alyssa shined in photos and videos of them hitting the baseball field, the basketball court and the beach, which were cast on screens Monday at Angel Stadium.

But as friends and family remembered the couple and their teenage daughter, killed in last month's helicopter crash that also claimed the life of basketball star Kobe Bryant, many couldn't help but break into tears.

Several thousand people poured into the stadium in Anaheim, California, for a public memorial honoring the award-winning coach of Orange Coast College baseball, who was known for leading his team to four state titles and helping young players grow and develop on and off the field. Scores of them were in the stadium Monday, along with current members of local college teams, wearing their jerseys.

"We have no clue how many teachers, police officers, firefighters, dads and husbands that he helped develop along the way," his longtime friend Josh Belovsky told the crowd. "Those are the wins that he cherished the most."

The 56-year-old coach known as "Alto" won more than 700 games in his 27 years coaching the team and was named coach of the year by the American Baseball Coaches Association last year.

Altobelli managed the Brewster Whitecaps for three seasons in the Cape Cod Summer League. Among the players he coached there were New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge and New York Mets infielder Jeff McNeil.

The Altobellis were among the nine people killed Jan. 26 when a helicopter carrying them to a youth basketball tournament crashed in foggy weather in Calabasas, California.

Bryant and his daughter Gianna, Sarah Chester and her daughter, Payton, Christina Mauser -- who helped Bryant coach the teenage girls' basketball team -- and helicopter pilot Ara Zobayan were also killed. A public memorial for the former Lakers superstar, his daughter and other victims is scheduled for Feb. 24 at Staples Center.

On Monday, the memorial began with the reading of the nine names of the victims. From a podium covered with flower bouquets, photos and sports jerseys, family and friends shared memories and messages of support for the Altobellis' son, J.J., a scout with the Boston Red Sox, and 16-year-old daughter, Lexi.

Alyssa Altobelli, 14, attended Ensign Intermediate School in Newport Beach, which retired her jersey, and hoped to someday attend the University of Oregon. She loved basketball and found ways to get to the gym even when practices were canceled, said Emily Eadie, her teammate.

"If anyone was in a bad mood at practice, she would smile and laugh to help brighten the day," she said. "Without her, our team will never be the same."

A video was shown of Alyssa bounding down the court, her ponytail bouncing. She loved animals and took turtles home from science class when she feared they were being mistreated, her friend Sammy Forbath said.

Keri Altobelli, 46, was remembered as loyal, strong and wholly dedicated to her family. Allison Eadie said the two spent so much time on bleachers watching their daughters play basketball that they joked about having their names engraved on plaques there. "It was evident she would do absolutely anything for those that she loved," Eadie said. "When she had your back, you didn't need anyone else."

Pastor Erik Rees recalled meeting the John Altobelli eight years ago. At the time, Rees was grieving the loss of his 12-year-old daughter to cancer, and Altobelli, who dedicated a game to her, met Rees at third base and gave him a hug, promising to support him and his family.

"That is one of the many things I am going to miss is an 'Alto' hug," Rees said. "Their time on earth was cut way too short."

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Boston Red Sox chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom publicly addressed the blockbuster trade of Mookie Betts and David Price to the Los Angeles Dodgers for the first time Monday, saying that the trade of the star outfielder and pitcher represented the best move for the franchise in "the big picture."

"What Mookie and David are capable of on the field is a lot," Bloom said. "I think it's reasonable to expect that we're going to be worse without them. We have really good talent coming back, we've added talent to the roster this winter, and I think it's important to point out that at the beginning of the winter, this team had a lot more talent than the 84 wins we put up last year. We still think there's plenty of talent here to compete."

Monday's announcement confirmed the return package for Boston in the trade with the Dodgers, with outfielder Alex Verdugo, infield prospect Jeter Downs and catching prospect Connor Wong going to the Red Sox. Although owner John Henry's "goal" -- not "mandate" -- for Boston to get under the luxury tax threshold sparked rumors around the star right fielder months ago, Bloom said Boston would have considered trading Betts even if the dollar amount required to get under the threshold had been significantly smaller.

"The goal to get under the CBT was not an end in itself," Bloom said. "It's part of a larger goal, our biggest goal, to put ourselves in position to compete and win sustainably for as many years as we can. Using our resources is a means to that end. It's part of that goal. What we wanted was to get under the CBT in service of that larger goal, and we weren't going to do it in a way that wasn't going to help us or help us toward our goal."

Throughout the offseason, Boston did not actively shop Betts on the open market, with Bloom saying as recently as a month ago that he expected Betts to be on the Opening Day roster. Betts has consistently and repeatedly expressed his desire to hit free agency to maximize his value on the open market, citing in part a desire to expand the market for the rest of the MLB Players Association. Although Boston made efforts to extend Betts long-term, the discussions left the two sides far apart. In the weeks leading up to spring training, both the Dodgers and the Padres showed increased willingness and eagerness to get a deal done. The interest from both teams eventually led to a trade package that Boston thought was good enough to warrant trading its homegrown MVP.

"It was more just a question of, as the offseason went on, would teams step forward?" Bloom said. "We felt knowing how great a player Mookie is, how important he's been for us, it would have to be a high bar in order for us to consider trading him and in terms of the impact on the talent return, the impact that that return could have on our future and the flexibility it allows us to build around it. This return met that bar."

The trade of Betts sparked harsh backlash from Red Sox fans, with many viewing the move as a budget-slashing solution from an ownership group with deep financial pockets that continues to raise ticket prices. Bloom said the baseball operations department anticipated the negative blowback from fans, but it was not front of mind during the trade negotiations.

"It wasn't our No. 1 priority as a baseball ops department to be focused on what was going on externally," Bloom said. "We were worried about what we were working on, but it was very clear to us that this move would come with a lot of fan backlash. I think we had to prioritize what we thought was right in the big picture for the Red Sox over the fan reaction."

News of the potential deal surfaced over the past week, with an official announcement put on hold because Boston took issue with the medical status of pitcher Brusdar Graterol, who was initially reported to be coming to the Red Sox from the Minnesota Twins as part of the package. Bloom expressed regret that the process put a spotlight on the medicals of Graterol and that the delay in an official announcement put the futures of several players in limbo just as pitchers and catchers were scheduled to report to spring training.

"What was unique about this one was how publicly it played out," Bloom said. "Mostly, we just felt bad for the teams involved and especially for the players involved. That's not something we should have to go through, but unfortunately, it's the way it happened. Our top priority throughout that was to keep the best interests of those other teams and especially those players in mind."

Some have questioned the 23-year-old Verdugo's character and maturity, but Bloom said the team looked thoroughly into the past of every player involved in the deal.

"The due diligence process there was extensive," Bloom said.

Although Bloom and general manager Brian O'Halloran faced the media without ownership present, Henry addressed the trade in an emailed statement.

"In trading a great player, a beloved player, we recognize how incredibly difficult this is for fans who fully understand just how special Mookie is," he wrote. "While the organization in its entirety very much wanted to see Mookie in a Red Sox uniform for the length of his career, we believe in this decision as we are responsible and accountable for both the present and the future of the Red Sox. We thank Mookie for his incredible contributions, both on and off the field."

"[Price]'s arrival in Boston paved the way for a historic chapter for the Red Sox," Henry also wrote. "His presence at the top of our rotation was critical to winning three consecutive division championships, and his 2018 Postseason performance put both his talent and tenacity on full display. We appreciate what both Mookie and David brought to our club, and are grateful that they will forever be Red Sox World Series Champions."

Chairman Tom Werner also addressed the trade in an emailed statement.

"Today's trade illustrates the difficult decisions necessary to achieve our goal, which has remained unchanged since we became stewards of this franchise nearly two decades ago: to bring multiple World Series Championships to Boston," Werner wrote. "Ultimately, we believe that this will set us up for sustained long-term success. I want to express our enormous thanks to Mookie and David for the impact they had on our club and our community."

Through the chaotic process of this trade unfolding, Bloom said that the baseball operations team made the right decision in trading Betts and that trading arguably the team's best homegrown player since Ted Williams and rebuilding the farm system while gaining financial flexibility best served the future of the franchise.

"As difficult as it was and as difficult as it will continue to be emotionally, we felt like where this trade positions us in terms of the big picture, in terms of the long-term future, it was a large step," Bloom said. "That despite being difficult, it was something that we needed to do."

Major League Baseball is mulling significant changes to its postseason, including increasing the number of teams from 10 to 14 and adding a reality TV-type format to determine which teams play each other in an expanded wild-card round, sources told ESPN.

MLB is considering a move in which each league would have three division winners and four wild-card teams making the postseason starting in 2022, sources said. The best team in the league would receive a bye into the division series. The two remaining division winners and the wild-card team with the best record of the four would each host all games of a best-of-three series in the opening round.

Once the teams clinch and the regular season ends, the plan gets congested:

• The division winner with the second-best record would select its wild-card opponent from the three wild-card winners not hosting a series.

• The division winner with the worst record would then choose its opponent from the remaining two wild-card teams.

• The final matchup would pit the wild-card winner with the best record against the wild-card team not yet chosen.

All of the selections, sources said, would be unveiled live on television the Sunday night of the final regular-season games.

Currently, two teams from each league play a winner-take-all wild-card game, and the winner faces the team with the league's best record.

The appeal of the changes, according to the New York Post, which first reported on the possibility, is twofold. It could increase fan interest and could benefit MLB via a richer television-rights package.

Any proposal would have to be negotiated with the players' association. The current collective bargaining agreement runs through the 2021 season.

"Expanding the playoffs in a sensible way is something worth discussing when part of a much more comprehensive conversation about the current state of our game," union head Tony Clark said in a statement.

The winners of the wild-card series would advance to the divisional round.

As pitchers and catchers report to spring training in Florida and Arizona this week, it's a safe bet this strategy will be a major talking point. On Monday night, Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Trevor Bauer expressed his overall disagreement with the proposal -- and with MLB commissioner Rob Manfred.

No idea who made this new playoff format proposal, but Rob is responsible for releasing it, so I'll direct this to you, Rob Manfred. Your proposal is absurd for too many reasons to type on twitter and proves you have absolutely no clue about baseball. You're a joke.

— Trevor Bauer (@BauerOutage) February 11, 2020

MLB's deals with ESPN and Turner both expire after the 2021 season.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

LONG BEACH, Calif. -- Joe Maddon settled into a small Italian deli bordering the Pacific coast Friday, only a block from the high-rise condominium that housed him for the past month, and instantly felt regret. He wished he had spotted this place sooner. The next day, on the morning of his 66th birthday, he would depart for Arizona to begin his new job as field manager for the Los Angeles Angels and hit the ground running on another long, arduous baseball season. He had discovered something appealing at a time when he could no longer truly enjoy it.

"Such is life," Maddon said between sips from the black Yeti Rambler that held his coffee.

This offseason offered few other disappointments. Maddon usually spends the bulk of his offseason in Pennsylvania or Florida, but he made it a point to descend upon Southern California early and attack the remaining weeks with purpose. He arrived by Jan. 15, his target date, and spent the next 22 days getting reacquainted with the place that precipitated his greatest professional growth.

He forged a stronger relationship with the Angels' general manager, Billy Eppler, who is entering the final season of his contract and would have had every reason to feel uneasy about Maddon's celebrated return. He connected with a long list of old friends from an organization that previously employed him for 30 years. He introduced his foundation, Respect 90, to a region with a homelessness crisis. He rode his bicycle along Ocean Boulevard, got his diet back in order and finally shook the sinus infection that hampered most of his winter.

Most of all, Maddon paused and reflected.

He often found himself feeling nostalgic, sentimental, rejuvenated.

"The good thing," Maddon said, "is I'm seeing it with first-time eyes, I'm feeling it with first-time passion, which doesn't occur normally when you get to this point in your career or your life."

Maddon went from light-hitting catcher to minor league manager to roving hitting instructor to major league coach while with the Angels from 1976 to 2005. He served as Mike Scioscia's bench coach for the last six seasons of that stretch, capturing what remains the franchise's only championship along the way, then spent the next 14 years becoming one of the game's most successful managers, lifting the small-market Tampa Bay Rays to new heights and guiding the Chicago Cubs to their first World Series title in more than a century.

On the morning of Sept. 29, Maddon stood alongside Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein at Busch Stadium as the two tried to explain why they were parting ways after the most successful half-decade in franchise history. A little more than four months later, Maddon reasoned that it was "time for both sides" to move on. He said he had come to the realization that he didn't want to return to Chicago while the 2019 season was still ongoing, regardless of the outcome.

"It was plenty," Maddon said. "Philosophically, Theo needed to do what he needed to do separately. At some point, I began to interfere with his train of thought a little bit. And it's not that I'm hardheaded. I'm inclusive. But when I started there -- '15, '16, '17 -- it was pretty much my methods. And then all of a sudden, after '18 going into '19, they wanted to change everything."

The Cubs fired three coaches after the 2018 season, but Maddon said the front office also "wanted to control more of what was occurring in just about everything."

"There was just, you can say, philosophical differences," Maddon continued, referencing his relationship with Epstein. "But he and I are still good friends. And I like the man a lot. It was just time for him to get someone else and time for me to work somewhere else. That's all. A five-year shelf life in Chicago is almost equivalent to five to 10 somewhere else. At the end of the day, man, there's nothing to lament there. That was the most successful five years that the Cubs have ever had."

Maddon quickly garnered interest on the open market, just as Epstein predicted. The New York Mets, the Philadelphia Phillies and the San Diego Padres all checked in. But first, Maddon needed to see whether a return to the Angels made sense. He dined at Mastro's in Newport Beach with team owner Arte Moreno, president John Carpino and Eppler days after the Angels had fired manager Brad Ausmus, then signed a three-year, $12 million contract shortly thereafter. He never met with another team.

"I just thought it would've been disingenuous to accept interviews with anyone else if I truly wanted to be here," Maddon said. "And then, after it was all set and done, it couldn't have been more obvious it was the right thing to do for me."

Maddon felt a comfort with Moreno and Carpino, two men he built a relationship with in the early 2000s. But he also quickly came to admire Eppler for his drive and his transparency. He liked that he had an analytical mind but came up under the tutelage of respected scouts such as Gene Michael and Bill Livesey. Maddon sat alongside Eppler in Orange County to recruit Gerrit Cole and in Atlanta to recruit Zack Wheeler. Both pursuits failed. Instead, the Angels signed Anthony Rendon, the best position player on the free-agent market, and tried to address a needy rotation on the margins, adding Julio Teheran and Dylan Bundy.

The Angels are coming off a 90-loss season and a fifth consecutive year without making the playoffs. They have employed the game's best player, Mike Trout, for the past eight years and don't have a single postseason victory to show for it. But the franchise is reeling in a larger sense. Tyler Skaggs, a promising and effervescent young pitcher, died of a drug overdose on July 1, triggering revelations that opioids might have been prevalent in the Angels' clubhouse. A federal investigation is ongoing; the Skaggs family has threatened litigation; and a dark cloud continues to hover over the franchise.

Maddon wasn't there for any of this, but he is no stranger to tragedy with the Angels. He was with the organization when Mike Miley died in a car crash in 1977, when Lyman Bostock was shot the next year, and when Donnie Moore killed his wife and then himself in 1989. When Nick Adenhart was killed by a drunk driver early in the 2009 season, Maddon still felt a deep connection with the franchise.

"We've had some awful things occur here, but so does everybody else, you know?" Maddon said. "Look what just happened to Kobe Bryant, what this whole area is overcoming right now. It's about continuing to move forward, it's about trying to learn from your mistakes, it's about trying to not repeat your mistakes or bad decisions, and just try to continue to develop the group. I work from a position of positivity always. I don't dwell on negativity, and I always believe something better's on the horizon."

Maddon has spent the offseason working on how to slow things down in his head. He's big on meditation and sensing the moment and taking notes and identifying the initial source of his ideas. When asked what was left to accomplish in a career that might already have earned him a spot in the Hall of Fame, the three-time Manager of the Year smiled and said, "I'm a journey guy. I'm motivated by the day."

Maddon was lauded for his data-driven approach to baseball during his early days on the Angels' coaching staff, then led a Rays franchise that expertly used analytics and market inefficiencies to counteract its financial restraints. But Maddon believes fervently that the game has swayed too far in that direction. He thinks analytics and technology "are responsible for subtracting the passion from what we do, not only in sports but in our regular lives." He wants to dial it back.

"I think somebody's got to stand up for our game and the way it is and it should be played, and what should be tinkered with and what should not," Maddon said. "My conclusion is analytics and technology are slightly responsible for putting the game in a position where it's not as attractive to fans."

Maddon wants the Angels' alumni to become deeply involved with the organization. He wants his team to be aggressive on the bases, wants to maximize the skills of an offense that was among the sport's best at putting the ball in play last season, wants to -- gasp! -- call for the occasional sacrifice bunt. Maddon prides himself on progressive thinking, but he can't help but feel wary about modern behavioral patterns. Often he'll think core values are being shoved aside and work ethic is elusive and technology is sapping our collective joy. But then he'll ask himself a fundamental question: Am I just being 66?

"I don't want to be a 66-year-old man banging on youth," Maddon said, "because that's not my agenda."

Maddon bought a house in Belmont Shore, an upscale neighborhood in Long Beach, about a dozen years ago. He stopped using it three years later but never sold it. His wife, Jaye Sousoures, loved it too much. A friend's family is currently living in the house, but Maddon will settle back in shortly after he returns from spring training in late March.

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The journey back here began right before the end of 2019, when Joe and Jaye loaded up the RV and left his hometown of Hazelton, Pennsylvania. They celebrated New Year's Eve at a bed and breakfast in Roanoke, Virginia, then spent the next five days driving to Arizona, where the RV would sit idly until pitchers and catchers reported. From there, Maddon flew to Florida to host a charity event at his Tampa home, then flew to Southern California to begin preparing for the job that awaits.

He had beers with old scouts and shared dinner with old coaches, usually in places that still felt so familiar. He drove past old neighborhoods and made several stops at the old ballpark and felt wistful through most of it.

"This is like, weirdly, as comfortable as going home," Maddon said. "And I can't say that about any other place."

There's one stretch along the Pacific Coast Highway that never fails to give Maddon butterflies. It happens every time he heads south toward Huntington Beach, hangs a slight right and gets over a hump while crossing Warner Avenue. Suddenly the pier is visible in the distance, as is what seems like an endless stretch of sand, ocean and palm trees.

"That, to me, equals Southern California," Maddon said. "I'm never not impressed by that. Another phrase that I've been telling myself is, 'Don't miss it.' We speed through everything. You miss the sights, you miss that look. I missed sitting here the last three weeks because I was stupid about it. See it with first-time eyes, do it with first-time passion, and don't miss it."

A total of 30 athletes including Alex Bell, Chris O’Hare and Stephanie Davis are offered individual funding

British endurance running has again received £350,000 of support from London Marathon Events, with 30 athletes offered individual funding for 2020.

World 800m semi-finalist Alex Bell, European indoor 3000m silver medallist Chris O’Hare and sub-2:28 marathoner Stephanie Davis are among those to have been offered support as they work towards the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

Bell was one of eight athletes on last year’s inaugural London Marathon Events funding programme to have represented Great Britain at the 2019 World Championships in Doha.

Three others – Marc Scott, Ben Connor and Zak Seddon – continue on the programme for 2020, while another four – Charlotte Purdue, Steph Twell, Aimee Pratt and Neil Gourley – have progressed to British Athletics’ Olympic Podium Potential support.

The athlete programme is part of the larger funding commitment from London Marathon Events to British endurance running that includes support of the World Class Programme and training camps for British endurance athletes.

“I am extremely grateful to receive another year of help from London Marathon Events,” said Bell. “I had a memorable year on the track last year reaching the World Championships semi-finals and now I have the Tokyo Olympic Games as my big motivation for 2020.

“This funding will be crucial to help and support me in a year that could be the biggest of my career to date.”

London Marathon Events worked with British Athletics to select the nominated individual athletes, with the funding designed to provide a bridge for endurance runners to the World Class Programme and to improve the standard of British endurance running across all distances.

In addition to the 15 athletes who are continuing on the funding programme, 15 new names have been added to the list including Rosie Clarke and Elizabeth Bird, who both ran the 3000m steeplechase at last year’s World Championships, plus Piers Copeland, 1500m silver medallist at the European U23 Championships, and Davis, who last year moved to ninth on the UK women’s marathon all-time list.

The athletes were shortlisted by a panel of British Athletics and London Marathon Events endurance experts and range from middle-distance runners to marathon specialists. No athlete currently funded through the British Athletics World Class Programme is eligible to receive London Marathon Events individual funding.

Hugh Brasher, event director of London Marathon Events, said: “We are passionate about effectively supporting British endurance running and the first year of this new initiative of funding individual athletes has produced good results.

“Eight of our funded athletes were selected for the World Championships and now four of those have progressed on to the British Athletics Olympic Podium Potential programme.

“The aim of this funding was to provide a pathway for talented endurance athletes and these results show it is working.”

Supported athletes

Mohamud Aadan
Charlotte Arter
Alex Bell
Elizabeth Bird
Emile Cairess
Hayley Carruthers
Rosie Clarke
Natasha Cockram
Jamaine Coleman
Ben Connor
Piers Copeland
Stephanie Davis
Nick Goolab
Derek Hawkins
Jake Heyward
Sarah Inglis
Tish Jones
Matt Leach
Jonny Mellor
Amy-Eloise Neale
Jennifer Nesbitt
Verity Ockenden
Chris O’Hare
Lily Partridge
Marc Scott
Zak Seddon
Jake Smith
Jenny Spink
Chris Thompson
Alice Wright

‘Stellar line-up is a wonderful bonus for our loyal fans’
By ALAN THATCHER – Squash Mad Editor

World No.1 Mohamed ElShorbagy headlines a stellar draw for the St. James’s Place Canary Wharf Classic, which will take place at London’s stunning East Wintergarden between March 8-13.

A mouthwatering line-up features four current and recent world champions – all from Egypt – with ElShorbagy, Ali Farag, current world champion Tarek Momen and Karim Abdel Gawad all vying to claim the title at London’s favourite tournament.

Now in its 17th year, the PSA World Tour Gold tournament continues to attract the world’s leading players. No wonder it continues to sell out every season. This year’s tickets went on sale in October and were snapped up inside six days.

ElShorbagy bowed out at last year’s tournament at the semi-final stage to eventual runner-up Momen and will be looking to go further this season after reclaiming his place at the top of the World Rankings this month.

Also involved is Germany’s World No.6 Simon Rosner, Peru’s World No.7 Diego Elias, Egypt’s World No.8 Marwan ElShorbagy and World No.9 Mohamed Abouelghar.

Wales’ World No.11 Joel Makin heads up the British contingent at the event following an impressive season. The 25-year-old will be joined by Englishmen James Willstrop, Adrian Waller, Declan James, Daryl Selby and Tom Richards, while London-born Richie Fallows takes the wildcard spot.

“This is the strongest draw in the history of the tournament,” said Tournament Director Tim Garner. “Having four world champions at the top of the list is simply amazing. It’s a major bonus all round, and a wonderful way to begin our partnership with our new title sponsors St. James’s Place Wealth Management.

“It’s also a huge bonus for the thousands of loyal fans who have clamoured for every available ticket months in advance and who generate such a brilliant atmosphere at the East Wintergarden. Everyone is looking forward to an incredible week of drama and entertainment as these titans of the game take to the court.”

A best-of-three games scoring format will take place at the event for the third year running. First round, second round and quarter final matches will be played using the format, while semi-finals and the final will revert to the traditional best-of-five games scoring. 

2020 St. James’s Place Canary Wharf Classic, East Wintergarden, Bank Street, Canary Wharf, London, March 8-13.

Entry List:
1) Mohamed ElShorbagy (EGY)
2) Ali Farag (EGY)
3) Tarek Momen (EGY)
4) Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY)
5) Simon Rosner (GER)
6) Diego Elias (PER)
7) Marwan ElShorbagy (EGY)
8) Mohamed Abouelghar (EGY)
9) Joel Makin (WAL)
10) Fares Dessouky (EGY)
11) Saurav Ghosal (IND)
12) Gregoire Marche (FRA)
13) Mazen Hesham (EGY)
14) Omar Mosaad (EGY)
15) James Willstrop (ENG)
16) Adrian Waller (ENG)
17) Declan James (ENG)
18) Daryl Selby (ENG)
19) Mathieu Castagnet (FRA)
20) Tom Richards (ENG)
21) Greg Lobban (SCO)
22) Raphael Kandra (GER)
23) Eain Yow Ng (MAS)
Wildcard) Richie Fallows (ENG)

Pictures courtesy of PSA and ARTYOM LISS