Professional Sports

The start of the Indianapolis 500 was once described as driving through a blender set to puree. Thirty-three cars racing in rows of three toward a narrow left turn at more than 200 mph is one of the scariest moments in a fearsome sport.

Joe Gibbs Racing's hold on the Nationwide Series finally has been snapped - by one of its drivers. JGR superstar Kyle Busch drove a Toyota fielded by Braun Racing to victory Saturday night at Lowe's Motor Speedway, snapping a six-race winning streak for Gibbs' cars in the Nationwide Series.

Kevin Garnett led the Boston Celtics to their first win on the road in the playoffs. He had plenty of help. Garnett scored 22 points and was one of six players to make the Celtics' first six baskets, helping them build the first of many big leads en route to a 94-80 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Saturday night and a 2-1 lead in the Eastern Conference finals.

It's no surprise the Detroit Red Wings have a Swede to thank for a prime-time performance, but Mikael Samuelsson? The demoted forward busted out of a slump with two goals, and Chris Osgood stifled the Pittsburgh Penguins' young and talented stable of forwards with 19 saves to lift the Red Wings to a 4-0 victory in the opening game of the Stanley Cup finals on Saturday night.

SEVIERVILLE, TENNESSEE -- The Atlanta Braves still haven't decided how long John Smoltz's minor league rehab assignment will last. But they can certainly be encouraged about the way it started. Smoltz tossed a scoreless eighth inning for Double-A Mississippi in Saturday night's game against the Tennessee Smokies.

Jeff Francoeur was glad Randy Johnson was out of the game in the ninth inning.

The Detroit Shock beat the expansion Atlanta Dream 88-76 on Friday night in the Dream's home opener but Gainesville's Tasha Humphrey saw limited action in front of the Atlanta crowd.

Doug Davis had reason to relax even before making the first pitch of his return from cancer surgery.

The Atlanta Braves have signed manager Bobby Cox to a one-year extension through the 2009 season.

Atlanta Braves right-hander John Smoltz will begin a minor league injury rehabilitation assignment with Double-A Mississippi on Saturday.