Sports report: Shohei Otani's star is untainted

Hello, I'm your host, Houston Mitchell. Let's get to the news right away.

From Bill Plaschke: Two weeks after sinking into the dark abyss, the legend of Shohei Ohtani suddenly surfaced, emerging forcefully through thick layers of gross lies and criminal deception.

It smiles at those who doubt its sincerity. It shakes its head at those who question its motives.

The legend is alive.

I was in complete disbelief when Ohtani recently said he knew nothing about an alleged $4.5 million wire transfer to an illegal bookmaker.

I believe so now, as federal prosecutors announced Thursday that they have charged interpreter Ippei Mizuhara with stealing more than $16 million from the Dodgers superstar to pay Mizuhara's gambling debts.

What's next for the Dodgers superstar and MLB after federal prosecutors charged Ippei Mizuhara with stealing more than $16 million from Shohei Ohtani?

(16 million? Are you kidding?)

I was in complete disbelief recently when Otani threw Mizuhara under the bus by saying, “Ippei was stealing money from my account and lying about it.”

I believe that because Thursday's criminal complaint includes an alleged phone conversation in which Mizuhara actually impersonated Otani to obtain the money.

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What will happen to Shohei Ohtani and MLB after the accusations against Ippei Mizuhara?

Is Shohei Otani still in trouble?Authorities say Dodgers star 'is considered a victim'

Shohei Ohtani's former interpreter charged with stealing $16 million from Dodgers star

Did the Dodgers underestimate the value of Shohei Ohtani's first home run? Might be worth $100,000

The old Max Muncy isn't back yet.But Dodgers slugger is optimistic about his swing

Shakin': Dodgers should embrace villains — and Villains Barber Shop merchandise

MLB score

MLB standings

lakers

From Bill Plaschke: headache. nausea.

Those two words were uttered Tuesday night to describe the state of one Laker.

These two words can also be said to represent the reaction of the fans.

headache. nausea.

In the final hours before tipoff against the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena, the Lakers announced that Anthony Davis would miss the game due to headaches and nausea.

Davis is their most important player. This will be their most important match so far.

It was a monumental lack of proportion. It ended up being a terrible ripple effect.

Therefore, the Warriors' 134-120 victory was determined by the symptoms of mission failure.

These two words have made me walk a tightrope this season.

headache. nausea.

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nba score

NBA standings

kings

On Thursday night, Viktor Arvidsson scored two goals and the Kings clinched a playoff spot with a 4-1 victory over the Calgary Flames.

Kevin Fiala and Akil Thomas also scored, and the Kings will advance to the postseason for the third consecutive spring. The Kings lost to Edmonton in the first round in both of their previous trips, and there is a possibility that they will play three straight games against the Kings, who currently sit in third place in the Pacific Division behind the second-place Oilers.

Cam Talbot made 23 saves and captain Anze Kopitar had two assists as the Kings, under interim coach Jim Hiller, opened a four-game homestand to end the regular season. The Kings lost to the Ducks on Tuesday, missing out on a championship opportunity, but quickly bounced back and defeated Calgary for their fourth win in five games.

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kings box score

nhl score

NHL standings

From Ben Borch: Officially, UCLA's mantra under Deshaun Foster is discipline, respect and enthusiasm.

Unofficially, a new slogan has emerged that will be familiar to those who have followed Pete Carroll around town.

Always compete.

“He always wants that,” Bruins new defensive coordinator Ikaika Marleau said of the coach's subsequent mindset. “For example, he never wants it to turn off, and that may be what you guys are seeing — call it energy, whatever you want to call it, but it's the person in charge. Be yourself and you always get what you emphasize and your purpose. He wants us to always have a competitive spirit.”

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From Ryan Cartier: After 48 hours of nagging questions and do-or-go uncertainty, Bear Alexander emerged from the tunnel beneath the John Mackey Center wearing full pads and a helmet. His presence alone made him breathe a sigh of relief. USC's dramatic spring spread.

The previous two days had been defined by dizzying speculation over the future of the school's standout defensive tackle. On Tuesday morning, it looked like Alexander was close to a transfer, but that sentiment changed with the final pitch from the USC coaching staff on Wednesday. By Thursday afternoon, it was as if nothing had happened behind the scenes.

“Bear is doing well,” coach Lincoln Riley said with a shrug. “I know there was a lot of stuff on the outside. There's just too much on the outside and in this day and age it starts anywhere, so I don't think he felt the need to address it. I know.”

The dust had barely settled on Alexander's drama until another player declared his plans to enter the portal. Freshman center Jason Zandamera was one of the most touted players in the University of Southern California's 2024 freshman class, but he was on campus for just a few months before deciding to transfer.

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masters

From Sam Farmer: Bryson DeChambeau gave himself a headache a few years ago by suggesting Augusta National wasn't as tough as its billing.

The par-72 course was “a par-67 for me,” he said, because all the par-5 holes can be reached in two strokes. This comment was mercilessly ridiculed, especially after he missed the Masters due to dizziness.

Older and wiser, DeChambeau had far more respect for the storied course Thursday after his opening 65 put him atop the Opening Day leaderboard.

He said, “I learned a lot of patience. Especially on this golf course, you feel like you've got it and you can see it in front of you, but it's just hard here.” That could turn out to be very difficult. ”

Despite inclement weather delaying the start of the tournament by 2 1/2 hours, DeChambeau deftly advanced through the round with birdies on his first three holes and then five birdies in six holes.

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masters leaderboard

This date in sports

1939 — Stanley Cup Final: Chicago Blackhawks defeat Toronto 4-1 for a 3-1 series victory. They are the only team to win a cup game despite having a poor record in the regular season.

1942 — Byron Nelson wins his second Masters, defeating Ben Hogan by one stroke.

1953 — Ben Hogan wins his second Masters with a five-shot victory over Porky Oliver.

1954 — Sam Snead wins his third Masters, defeating Ben Hogan by one stroke in the playoff round.

1954 — 8th NBA Championship: The Minneapolis Lakers defeated the Syracuse Nationals, 4-3.

1958 — St. Louis' Bob Pettitte scores a record 50 points and the Hawks defeat the Boston Celtics in six games to win the NBA title. Pettitte hit 19 shots from the field and 12 from the free throw line in the Hawks' 110-109 win.

1960 — Maurice Richard scores his 82nd and final playoff goal, an NHL record, in the Montreal Canadiens' 5-2 victory over the Maple Leafs in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Finals.

1964 — Arnold Palmer wins his fourth Masters with a 274, coming within two strokes of the course record.

1980 — The United States Olympic Committee supports a boycott of the Moscow Olympics.

1981 — Tom Watson wins his second Masters with a two-shot victory over Jack Nicklaus.

1987 — Larry Mize hits a 48-foot chip shot to beat Greg Norman on the second sudden-death hole at the Masters.

1992 — Fred Couples wins the Masters by two strokes.

1998 — Mark O'Meara wins the Masters with a 20-foot birdie putt on the final hole. O'Meara became the first player since Arnold Palmer in 1960 to win with two consecutive birdies.

2009 — In Hameenlinna, Finland, the United States defeats Canada 4-1 behind two goals from defenseman Kaitlin Kahau to win its second consecutive World Women's Hockey Championship title.

Edited by Associated Press