NEW YORK — Carmelo Anthony scored 34 points and the New York Knicks opened the Phil Jackson era by beating the Indiana Pacers 92-86 for their season-high seventh straight victory.

With their new team president watching from a midcourt seat, the Knicks dominated the first half, then pulled away after the Eastern Conference leaders finally got untracked in the second half.

Fans stood to cheer Jackson in the first quarter and were on their feet again in the final minute of the game.

PHOENIX — Arizona authorities say they won't seek to extradite former NFL All-Pro safety Darren Sharper on rape charges until his sexual assault case in California is resolved, but Sharper isn't waiting for officials in Arizona to act.Sharper's lawyers asked a court in Phoenix to hold a hearing to determine whether their client can be granted bail in Arizona, arguing that the former player is being deprived of due-process in not getting such a hearing.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Eric Winston was elected president of the NFL Players Association on Wednesday, three years after he was active for the union during the lockout.The 30-year-old offensive lineman was the Arizona Cardinals' starting right tackle last season, his eighth in the league. He is currently a free agent.

Rich Peverley was released from an Ohio hospital after having surgery to correct an abnormal heart rhythm, just more than a week after the Dallas Stars forward collapsed on the bench during a game.Stars general manager Jim Nill said Peverley was released from the Cleveland Clinic on Wednesday. The surgery was Monday.Peverley, who is out for the season, is expected to return Thursday to Dallas.

TORONTO — Maple Leafs defenseman Paul Ranger was “stable, conscious and alert,” according to the team, after his head hit the boards on a hit from Tampa Bay Lightning forward Alex Killorn.