Howard will play for Rockets tonight

OAKLAND, Calif. — Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard will not be suspended for Game 5 of the Western Conference finals against the Golden State Warriors after the NBA decided to uphold his flagrant 1 foul.

NBA President of Basketball Operations Rod Thorn says in a statement Tuesday night that Howard was trying to free himself from Andrew Bogut when Howard “recklessly hit him in the face with an open hand.” Thorn says the contact was deemed unnecessary by game officials and the league doesn’t “see a reason to modify that call.”

Howard received a flagrant 1 foul early in the third quarter after throwing an elbow at Bogut’s head after the Warriors center made contact with him.

The Warriors lead the series 3-1.

McDonald audio released by police

SAN FRANCISCO — The California Highway Patrol has released audio from the 911 call that led to the arrest of NFL defensive end Ray McDonald on suspicion of child endangerment and domestic violence.

A woman, who is identified as the mother of the alleged victim, tells a dispatcher that McDonald is drunk during a 911 call about 3:41 a.m. PDT Monday.

McDonald was later arrested at a San Jose, California, home on suspicion of assaulting a woman who was holding the couple’s baby.

Later in the day, the Chicago Bears released McDonald.

The arrest follows a pattern of similar incidents.

McDonald’s agent, Tom Condon, has not returned multiple calls seeking comment.

Cardinals’ Adams joins disabled list

Cardinals’ Adams joins disabled list

ST. LOUIS — The St. Louis Cardinals anticipate first baseman Matt Adams will be placed on the 15-day disabled list after straining his right quadriceps while running out a double in the fifth inning Tuesday night.

Manager Mike Matheny said there was a “high level of concern” about Adams. Mark Reynolds, who pinch ran, will likely be the fill-in starter at first base for now.

Adams, batting .243 with four homers and 20 RBIs, said he would undergo an MRI today.

James leads Cavs to NBA Finals

James leads Cavs to NBA Finals

CLEVELAND — LeBron James scored 23 points, Kyrie Irving returned after missing two games and the Cleveland Cavaliers reserved a spot in the NBA Finals with a 118-88 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday night to win the Eastern Conference title.

By sweeping the top-seeded Hawks, the Cavs earned their second trip to the finals, where they will face either Golden State or Houston. No damage found in Cueto’s elbow

No damage found in Cueto’s elbow

CINCINNATI — Reds starter Johnny will miss at least one more start after an MRI found inflammation in his pitching elbow.

Results Tuesday showed no major damage in the right elbow. Cueto, who won 20 games last season, had to skip a scheduled start over the weekend because of stiffness.