Sports News Roundup: Lakers' Walton fined for ref criticism, hoops corruption scandal

Lance Armstrong's former cycling team manager Johan Bruyneel was banned from cycling for life on Wednesday after a successful appeal by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

NHL roundup: Leafs stay perfect on road

The Toronto Maple Leafs continued their early season road dominance on Wednesday, collecting a 4-2 win over the Winnipeg Jets to improve to a perfect 5-0-0 in away games this season. John Tavares scored his seventh goal of the season, converting a pass from Mitchell Marner at the 8:28 mark of the third period after Marner had driven toward Winnipeg's net. Tavares' goal was an important momentum changer, as the Jets had scored twice earlier in the period to narrow Toronto's lead to a single goal.

Former Armstrong team manager, doctor get lifetime cycling bans

Lance Armstrong's former cycling team manager Johan Bruyneel was banned from cycling for life on Wednesday after a successful appeal by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The 54-year-old Belgian was initially banned for 10 years in 2014 by the American Arbitration Association North American Court of Arbitration for Sport (AAA) for helping orchestrate an elaborate doping program that helped Armstrong to seven Tour de France titles.

NBA notebook: Lakers' Walton fined for ref criticism

Los Angeles Lakers head coach Luke Walton received a $15,000 fine from the NBA on Wednesday for public criticism of officiating. Walton spoke out against perceived foul disparity following the Lakers' 143-142 overtime loss at home to the San Antonio Spurs on Monday. Los Angeles players showed visible frustration on the court during the loss, which dropped the team to 0-3. The Lakers have had fewer chances at the line in each of their last two games.

Red Sox dump Dodgers to take control of World Series

The Boston Red Sox, riding another strong outing from starter David Price and a clutch hit from J.D. Martinez, seized command of the World Series with a 4-2 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday. Martinez broke open a tie game when he hit a bases-loaded single that drove in a pair of runs to give the host Red Sox a lead they would not relinquish while Price pitched six innings of three-hit ball.

NFL notebook: CB Peterson pledges commitment to Cardinals

Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson reaffirmed his commitment to the team Wednesday, saying he intends to be around for "years to come." The statement comes two days after ESPN reported Peterson "desperately" wanted out in Arizona and had requested a trade amid the team's 1-6 start to the season. Cardinals president Michael Bidwill and head coach Steve Wilks each had been emphatic that the Cardinals would not trade Peterson, who is one of only four players since 1990 to make the Pro Bowl in each of his first seven NFL seasons.

Kaepernick 'blackballed,' says Eagles' Jenkins

Three days after two of the leading supporters of unemployed NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick bickered on the field, one of the two says he has no doubt that Kaepernick "is being blackballed." The comments from Philadelphia Eagles defensive back Malcolm Jenkins come amid his feud with Carolina Panthers safety Eric Reid.

Devils' Boyle announces cancer is in remission

Brian Boyle has three goals and an assist through his first six games for the New Jersey Devils this season, but he has a bigger reason than stats to possess a positive outlook. He learned this week that his cancer, chronic myeloid leukaemia, is in remission.

Three men convicted in hoops corruption scandal

Defendants James Gatto, Christian Dawkins and Merl Code were each found guilty of conspiracy to commit wire fraud on Wednesday in the college basketball corruption trial in New York. Gatto, a former Adidas executive, was found guilty on all three of his counts. Dawkins, a former runner for agent Andy Miller, and Code, a former Adidas consultant, were found guilty on two counts apiece.

NBA roundup: Curry pours in 51 in three quarters

Stephen Curry became just the fourth NBA player in the last 10 years to score 50 or more points in the first three quarters Wednesday night, pouring in 51 in the Golden State Warriors' 144-122 victory over the Washington Wizards in Oakland, Calif. Curry sandwiched an eight-point second quarter with 23- and 20-point periods in joining James Harden, Carmelo Anthony and teammate Klay Thompson with 50 or more points in the first 36 minutes of an NBA game in the past decade. Curry did not play in the fourth quarter, finishing three points under his career high.

Ex-NBA chief Stern: Pelicans' Demp is 'lousy' GM

Going on seven years after he nixed the then-New Orleans Hornets' plans to trade star point guard Chris Paul to the Los Angeles Lakers, former NBA commissioner David Stern said he was protecting the New Orleans franchise, not impeding it. Oh, and by the way, the New Orleans exec who wanted to make the move, Dell Demps, "is a lousy general manager," Stern said, among comments that came during an interview with Sports Illustrated.

(With inputs from Reuters)