Sports News Roundup: DeRozan leads Spurs, Joseph's job in danger, Boxer Alvarez signs a $365M deal

NBA roundup: DeRozan leads Spurs past Butler, Wolves

DeMar DeRozan scored a game-high 28 points in his San Antonio debut, and four of his teammates scored in double figures as the host Spurs held off the Minnesota Timberwolves 112-108 Wednesday in one of 11 of the night's season openers. DeRozan, acquired in the offseason trade that sent Kawhi Leonard to Toronto, scored the final four points of the game after Minnesota rallied for a 108-108 tie on Jimmy Butler's 3-pointer in the final minute.

Fan interference nixes Altuve HR in Game 4

A controversial fan-interference call stripped Houston Astros designated hitter Jose Altuve of what would have been a game-tying, two-run home run in the first inning of Game 4 of the American League Championship Series on Wednesday. After the Boston Red Sox scored two runs on a first-inning single from Rafael Devers, George Springer reached on a one-out single in the bottom of the frame. Altuve then launched a 2-1 pitch out to right field for what looked as if it would be a game-tying homer.

NHL notebook: Hawks G Crawford plans Thursday return

Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Corey Crawford said he plans to start Thursday's game against the Arizona Coyotes, which would mark his first contest in nearly 10 months. Crawford hasn't been in the net since suffering a concussion on Dec. 23. The 33-year-old said his starting status will become official once he makes it through Thursday's morning skate.

Kershaw's strong outing lifts Dodgers to 3-2 NLCS lead

Clayton Kershaw struck out nine over seven innings, and Max Muncy delivered a go-ahead RBI single in the sixth inning as the Los Angeles Dodgers grabbed the lead in the National League Championship Series with a 5-2 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday. The defending NL champion Dodgers took a 3-2 advantage in the best-of-seven series as they aim to take part in consecutive World Series for the first time since 1977-78. Game 6 of the NLCS will take place Friday at Milwaukee, with Game 7 on Saturday, if necessary.

NFL notebook: Broncos CEO hints Joseph's job in danger

Denver Broncos president and CEO Joe Ellis indicated Wednesday that head coach Vance Joseph's job could be in danger if he doesn't right the ship soon. In acknowledging concern over nearly 10,000 no-shows in Denver's home loss to the unbeaten Los Angeles Rams last weekend, Ellis did not shy away from alluding to possible changes if the Broncos continue to struggle on the field and at the gates.

Boxer Alvarez signs a $365M deal, the richest contract in sports history

Unified middleweight world champion Canelo Alvarez and the streaming service DAZN have agreed to a five-year, 11-fight deal that will pay the boxer at least $365 million -- the highest-paying athlete contract in history. DAZN became the broadcast home of boxing in the United States after HBO announced in September that it is getting out of the fight business. The signing of Alvarez kicks off the DAZN-boxing partnership with an exclamation point and plenty of zeroes.

Hamilton says chasing Schumacher's record was never the plan

Lewis Hamilton will edge closer to Michael Schumacher's all-time record if he wins a fifth Formula One world title this weekend in Austin, but he said on Wednesday that chasing the German great was never part of his plan. The Mercedes driver will move to within two of Schumacher's all-time mark of seven championships if he scores eight points more than his Ferrari rival Sebastian Vettel in Austin on Sunday.

U.S. women claim CONCACAF title over Canada

The United States women's soccer team won their eighth CONCACAF Championship with a 2-0 over Canada on Wednesday in Frisco, Texas as both sides continued to build toward next year's World Cup. Rose Lavelle scored a goal in the opening minutes and Alex Morgan added another late on to give the Americans the title.

MLB notebook: Dodgers' Machado reportedly fined for Aguilar incident

Major League Baseball has fined Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Manny Machado an undisclosed amount after his controversial collision with Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Jesus Aguilar while running through first base during Game 4 of the National League Championship Series on Tuesday, per multiple reports. USA Today reported Wednesday that Machado had been fined $10,000, according to a person close to Machado. The benches cleared in the 10th inning Tuesday when Machado grounded out and his feet tangled with Aguilar at first base. An order was restored quickly, but the Brewers remained incensed that Machado would clip a player while running through the bag.

USA Gymnastics interim CEO quits after anti-Nike tweet

Mary Bono resigned as interim chief of USA Gymnastics on Tuesday, only four days into the job, after she drew fire for a tweet she sent criticizing Nike Inc's use of former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick in an ad campaign. Bono's Oct. 12 appointment was criticized by leading gymnasts such as Simone Biles who questioned whether the former Republican congresswoman was fit to lead the organization as it tries to recover from a sexual abuse scandal.

(With inputs from Reuters)