Reuters U.S. Sports Schedule at 2 PM EDT on Wednesday, Nov. 19

Reuters

Nov. 19 (Reuters) - Reuters U.S. sports schedule at 2 PM ET on Wednesday: - - - - The duty editor is Steve Ginsburg, 202-898-8427 - - - - NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE 'Greatest' Rams create HOF traffic jam ST. LOUIS - Almost four years after Marshall Faulk was inducted as a first-ballot Hall of Famer, "Greatest Show on Turf" teammates made the list of semifinalists: quarterback Kurt Warner, tackle Orlando Pace and wide receivers Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt are among 26 up for the Class of 2015. (FBN-RAMS-NEWS/, moved, The Sports Xchange, by Howard Balzer, 575 words) - - Eight rookie candidates among 26 Pro Football Hall of Fame semifinalists Eight first-time nominees are among 26 semifinalists announced as candidates for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2015. (FBN-NEWS/CAPSULES, moved, The Sports Xchange, by Frank Cooney, 1,000 words) - - Week 12 Preview: Chiefs at Raiders Winless Oakland has many weaknesses, including woeful run defense. The Chiefs are tied atop the AFC West on the strength of a running game powered by Jamaal Charles and Knile Davis. (FBN-CHIEFS-RAIDERS-NOTEBOOK/, moved, by Derek Harper, The Sports Xchange, 410 words) - - Peterson lawyer, NFL official spar over Goodell decision The NFL believes the Adrian Peterson child punishment case has an important ripple-effect, but his lawyer insists Commissioner Roger Goodell is making the Minnesota Vikings running back a scapegoat. (NFL-PETERSON/, moved, by Larry Fine, 400 words) - - RGIII all business after Gruden call out Washington Redskins head coach Jay Gruden says Robert Griffin III needs to worry about himself. Wednesday, Griffin said all he's worried about is the San Francisco 49ers, who host the Redskins on Sunday. (FBN-REDSKINS-NEWS/, expect by 3:30 PM ET, The Sports Xchange, 325 words) - - Lawyers for the NFL defend concussion settlement PHILADELPHIA - Lawyers for the NFL and a class of retired players defend a proposed multimillion-dollar settlement for concussions sustained while playing the game during a hearing, while critics call the deal inadequate. (NFL-CONCUSSIONS/ (UPDATE 2), moved; will be led, by Daniel Kelley, 400 words) - - Saints rookie WR Cooks lands on IR New Orleans Saints receiver Brandin Cooks, who leads all rookies in receptions, is placed on season-ending injured reserve because of a broken thumb. (FBN-SAINTS-NEWS/, moved, The Sports Xchange, 200 words) - - NFL team reports: Latest news and views for all 32 teams Reports from all 32 team facilities to move throughout the evening with the latest reaction from Vikings headquarters, Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon vows to 'tear this league up' in his first game back from a 10-game suspension, how the Patriots are plotting for Calvin Johnson and the Dallas Cowboys back from the bye among many stories TSX is tracking Wednesday. (FBN-(TEAMNAME)-NEWS, will move between 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. ET, The Sports Xchange, 400-600 words per team) - - NFL roundup News and notes from around the league. (FBN-NOTEBOOK/, expect by 7:45 PM ET, The Sports Xchange, 400 words) - - - - NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION TSX covers all NBA games, highlighted matchups below - - Trailblazer Jason Collins, first openly gay NBA player, retires Jason Collins, the first openly gay player in the four major North American team sports, announces his retirement from the National Basketball Association. (NBA-COLLINS/ (PIX), moved, by Steve Ginsburg, 350 words) - - Curtains for Collins BROOKLYN - Before former head coach Jason Kidd and the Milwaukee Bucks take on the Brooklyn Nets, Jason Collins announces his retirement in a pregame ceremony. (BKN-NETS-NEWS/ (PIX), expect ASAP after the 8 PM ET game, The Sports Xchange, by James Hague, 400 words) - - Spurs at Cavaliers CLEVELAND - Two NBA Finals favorites headline a heavy slate of hoops when LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers' new "Big Three" host the defending champion San Antonio Spurs. (BKN-CAVALIERS-SPURS-FIRSTLEDE-WRITETHRU/ (PIX), expect ASAP after the 7 PM ET game, The Sports Xchange, by Jason B. Lloyd, 400-word first lede, 700-word writethru) - - Celtics at 76ers PHILADELPHIA - With a three-game losing streak entering Wells Fargo Arena, the Boston Celtics meet the Philadelphia 76ers, who took three of four games from their rivals last season. (BKN-76ERS-CELTICS-FIRSTLEDE-WRITETHRU/ (PIX), expect ASAP after the 9:30 PM ET game, The Sports Xchange, by Gordon Jones, 400-word first lede, 700-word writethru) - - Lakers at Rockets HOUSTON - Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers land at Toyota Center for a matchup with Dwight Howard and the Houston Rockets. (BKN-ROCKETS-LAKERS-FIRSTLEDE-WRITETHRU/ (PIX), expect ASAP after the 9:30 PM ET game, The Sports Xchange, by MoiseKapenda Bower, 400-word first lede, 700-word writethru) - - NBA Wrap: Spurs pay visit to LeBron's Cavs The defending champion San Antonio Spurs visit LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers while the Philadelphia 76ers seek their first win of the season when they host the Boston Celtics in two of the 11 games on the schedule. (NBA-HIGHLIGHTS/ (PIX), expect by 0430 GMT/11:30 PM ET, by The Sports Xchange, 800 words) - - Today's NBA schedule at a glance San Antonio at Cleveland, 7 PM ET Charlotte at Indiana 7 PM ET Los Angeles Clippers at Orlando, 7 PM ET Boston at Philadelphia, 7 PM ET Dallas at Washington, 7 PM ET Milwaukee at Brooklyn, 7:30 PM ET Phoenix at Detroit, 7:30 PM ET Memphis at Toronto, 7:30 PM ET New York at Minnesota, 8 PM ET Oklahoma City at Denver, 9 PM ET Los Angeles Lakers at Houston, 9:30 PM ET - - NBA Roundup The latest moves and news from the NBA. (BKN-NOTEBOOK/, expect by 6 PM ET, The Sports Xchange, 350 words) - - - - GOLF Stenson hopes birdie blitz bodes well for Dubai defense DUBAI - Henrik Stenson hopes his final round birdie blitz in Turkey last weekend bodes well for his defense of Europe's season-ending $8 million DP World Tour Championship, which starts on Thursday. (GOLF-EUROPEAN/STENSON, moved, by Matt Smith, 450 words) - - Poulter gunning for Stenson again as Dubai climax nears DUBAI - Ian Poulter aims to edge his friend Henrik Stenson for the runner-up spot on the 2014 European money list with another strong showing at this week's $8 million DP World Tour Championship in Dubai. (GOLF-EUROPEAN/, moved, by Matt Smith, 450 words) - - - - MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL Stanton signs $325M deal, ready to get to work MIAMI - Giancarlo Stanton signs a 13-year contract that could be worth $325 million. The 25-year-old says he welcomes the spotlight and expectations that comes with it. (BBO-MARLINS-NEWS/ (PIX), moved, The Sports Xchange, by Walter Villa, 600 words) - - Marlins set centerpiece, now what? MIAMI - Giancarlo Stanton is now officially rich, but it remains to be seen if the Marlins will enjoy the riches their fans are clamoring for in terms of postseason berths, championship rings and sustained success. (BBO-MARLINS-COLUMN/ (PIX), moved, The Sports Xchange, by Walter Villa, 700 words) - - A's hook DH Butler with three-year deal Designated hitter Billy Butler agreed to a three-year, $30 million deal with the Oakland Athletics. (BBO-ATHLETICS-NEWS/, expect by 3 PM ET, The Sports Xchange, 300 words) - - - - NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE - - TSX covers all NHL games, highlighted matchups below - - Penguins' Dupuis diagnosed with blood clot in lung, out six months Pittsburgh Penguins forward Pascal Dupuis is diagnosed with a blood clot in his lung and will be out of the lineup for at least six months while undergoing treatment with blood thinners. (HKN-PENGUINS-NEWS/, expect by 3 PM ET, The Sports Xchange, 250 words) - - Flyers at Rangers NEW YORK - Philadelphia (7-7) has only one win in Manhattan in its past 12 trips to Madison Square Garden. The Flyers take on a Rangers team trying to avoid a four-game losing streak of its own. (HKN-RANGERS-FLYERS-FIRSTLEDE-WRITETHRU/, expect ASAP after the 8 PM ET game, The Sports Xchange, 400-word first lede, 700-word writethru) - - NHL Wrap: Rangers host rival Flyers at MSG Henrik Lundqvist and the New York Rangers will try to avoid their first four-game losing skid in nearly a year when they host the division rival Philadelphia Flyers at Madison Square Garden in one of the two games on the National Hockey League schedule. (NHL-HIGHLIGHTS/ (PIX), expect by 0430 GMT/11:30 PM ET, by The Sports Xchange, 300 words) - - Today's NHL schedule at a glance Philadelphia at New York Rangers, 8 PM ET Vancouver at Edmonton, 8 PM ET - - NHL Roundup The latest moves and news from the NHL. (HKN-NOTEBOOK/, expect by 6 PM ET, The Sports Xchange, 350 words) - - - - TENNIS Returning Rafa ready to roll once again LONDON - As years go 2014 has not been a good one for Rafa Nadal but with his injury troubles seemingly behind him, the Spaniard is confident he will be back to his best next season. (TENNIS-NADAL/ (INTERVIEW, TV), moved, by Michael Hann, 425 words) - - Federer injury and spat hit Switzerland's Davis Cup bid PARIS - Switzerland's preparations for the Davis Cup Final against France in Lille on Sunday have been disrupted by a back injury to Roger Federer and a spat within the Swiss camp. (TENNIS-DAVIS/ (PREVIEW, PIX), moved, by 450 words) - - - - NORTH AMERICAN SPORTS Roundups of off-field developments in the major North American professional sports leagues. (Expect by 8 PM ET, by The Sports Xchange, 400 words)