BC-AP Sports Preview Digest

Some of the stories The Associated Press is covering Friday. A full Sports Digest will move about 3 p.m. All times EDT:

- LOS ANGELES - Injured Chris Paul and Blake Griffin are listed as game-time decisions for the Clippers, who try for the second time to close out a first-round playoff against Memphis in Game 6. Game starts 9 p.m.

- LOS ANGELES - The Lakers have one chance left to avoid a spectacular playoff collapse. After losing two straight potential clinchers, Los Angeles now confronts a Game 7 on Saturday night against Denver.

- MIAMI - The Heat begin their Eastern Conference semifinal against Indiana this weekend. If postseason experience counts for anything, then score it this way: Advantage Miami - big-time.

- GREENBURGH, N.Y. - The Rangers and Washington Capitalsreturn to practice for Game 7 in New York on Saturday night, with the winner facing New Jersey in the Eastern Conference finals.

- EL SEGUNDO, Calif. - Mike Richards and Jeff Carter traveled different routes to the Los Angeles Kings after getting tossed out by Philadelphia. Both are still playing while the Flyers are done for the year.

- PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. - Ian Poulter and Martin Laird share the lead going into the second round of The Players Championship. Tiger Woods is in danger of missing the cut for the second straight week.

- SAN DIEGO - A memorial service for Junior Seau is held Friday night at Qualcomm Stadium. Among those scheduled to speak are former Chargers stars Dan Fouts, Rodney Harrison and LaDainian Tomlinson.

- CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte, expected to be big rivals at the Olympics, meet in the 200-meter freestyle in their only head-to-head race at the Charlotte UltraSwim Grand Prix meet.

- ST. LOUIS - Tony La Russa's No. 10 jersey is retired. La Russa retired after managing the Cardinals to his second World Series title. Now a consultant, he will manage the NL in the All-Star game. Ceremony starts 7 p.m.

- MADRID - Serena Williams eases past Maria Sharapova 6-1, 6-3 to advance to the Madrid Open semifinals along with Victoria Azarenka. On men's side, Juan Martin del Potro, Tomas Berdych reach semis.

- MINNEAPOLIS - At 41, Taj McWilliams-Franklin is nearly twice the age of most of her teammates. The affable center for the Minnesota Lynx is a mother of three off the court. She's ''Mama Taj'' at work, too.