Dallas

LeBron James came to Miami last summer for the chance to be a champion. He arrived back there yesterday just hoping to be a survivor. The Dallas Mavericks have a 3-2 lead in the NBA Finals and can win their first championship tomorrow night. Less than a year after the Heat's free agent victory celebration, the real party might belong to Dirk Nowitzki. But the Heat, despite consecutive losses that have renewed criticism of their execution and James' ability in the clutch, insist they can still win the first of the multiple titles James boasted of upon his arrival in South Florida.

WITH A PLATE of food perhaps simmering to the side and a press box overflowing with pro scouts from a bevy of teams, the Flyers' brass put its first foot forward last night toward improving the team before the Feb. 27 trade deadline. Without giving up a key piece of their lineup, the Flyers bolstered their defensive corps by adding Dallas blue liner Nicklas Grossman in exchange for a second-round pick in 2012 and a third-rounder in 2013. Neither one of the picks is the Flyers', though both are shaping up to be better than their current selections in those rounds, based on standings.

For the Flyers, clearing the crease and slot has been a major problem in the last month, so on Thursday they made a deal they hope will help solve those woes.  They acquired Dallas defenseman Nicklas Grossman, a rugged 6-foot-4, 230-pounder, for second- and third-round draft picks. The second-round 2012 pick was acquired from Los Angeles in the Mike Richards trade, and the 2013 third-rounder came from Minnesota for Darroll Powe.  "He's really going to give us a boost in our own zone," said general manager Paul Holmgren, adding that Grossman figures to be used on a regular shift and on the penalty kill.

Mark Aguirre finally seemed happy the other night as jubilation spread through the Detroit Pistons' locker room. The Pistons were going back to the NBA finals, and Aguirre was going to be part of an unusual reunion during a prime-time showdown with the Los Angeles Lakers. Mark, Isiah and Magic. They had been good friends since their college days. But until this year, they never thought they would all have a chance to play in the championship round. Magic Johnson had been the star of a Lakers' team that had won five world championships since 1980.

The Dallas Mavericks were six minutes away from a three-games-to-none lead in the NBA Finals two nights before. They may regret how those half-dozen minutes went down very soon. For in those 360 seconds, Dwyane Wade found his game, and the Miami Heat found its voice, and in Game 4 last night, the Heat found equilibrium in the Finals, routing Dallas, 98-74, to even the best-of-seven series at two games apiece. Game 5 is Sunday night at AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami. Wade scored 36 points in a virtuoso performance, hitting 13 of 23 field-goal attempts.

DALLAS - For two decades, Eddie Bernice Johnson has been an outspoken voice for Democrats in her signature bright blazer and multicolored scarf. Now, the first black woman to represent north Texas in Congress faces serious opposition in the May 29 primary, and the effort to unseat her is just one of several challenges against some of the longest-serving black members of Congress. "I will always be ever more grateful for the trails that she has blazed," said Eva Jones, owner of a barbecue restaurant and chairwoman of Johnson's first House campaign in 1992.

(All games on 6ABC and 97.5-FM) Game 1: Miami 92, Dallas 84 Game 2: Dallas 95, Miami 93 Game 3: Miami 88, Dallas 86 Game 4: Dallas 86, Miami 83 Series tied, 2-2. Tonight: at Dallas, 9 p.m. Sunday: at Miami, 8 p.m. June 14: at Miami, 9 p.m. If necessary.

(All games on 6ABC and 97.5-FM) Game 1: Miami 92, Dallas 84 Last night: Dallas 95, Miami 93 Sunday: at Dallas, 8 p.m. June 7: at Dallas, 9 p.m. June 9: at Dallas, 9 p.m. June 12: at Miami, 8 p.m. June 14: at Miami, 9 p.m. If Necessary.

FRISCO, Texas - The new-look Union looked a whole lot like the old Union on Saturday night at FC Dallas Stadium - very little offense. But with just-acquired Michael Lahoud plugged in for suspended Freddy Adu in the midfield, just-traded captain Danny Califf gone from his familiar spot at center back and stalwart goalkeeper Zac MacMath replaced by with untested Chase Harrison, the Union managed to rally for a 1-1 tie against just-as-depleted FC...

DALLAS - For two decades, Eddie Bernice Johnson has been an outspoken voice for Democrats in her signature bright blazer and multicolored scarf. Now, the first black woman to represent north Texas in Congress faces serious opposition in the May 29 primary, and the effort to unseat her is just one of several challenges against some of the longest-serving black members of Congress. "I will always be ever more grateful for the trails that she has blazed," said Eva Jones, owner of a barbecue restaurant and chairwoman of Johnson's first House campaign in 1992.

LAST WEEK'S disappointing loss to Milwaukee still has Soul coach Doug Plank fuming and the general manager working the phones. "Everytime you lose," Plank said following Thursday's practice, "there is an opportunity to make changes. " The Soul traded a defensive starter for a d-back, added a free-agent defensive lineman and will rotate their kicker once again. Justin Warren, who registered 12 sacks over the last two seasons for Dallas, is the free agent. "He's a very active player," Plank said.

AMARE STOUDEMIRE raised his hands in the air, one covered in padding, as streamers fell from the ceiling above him. Finally, New York could celebrate an NBA playoff victory again. Carmelo Anthony scored 41 points, Stoudemire had 20 points and 10 rebounds in his return from a cut hand, and the Knicks snapped an NBA-record, 13-game postseason losing streak by beating the Miami Heat, 89-87, Sunday in Game 4 of their first-round series. "I think it's the first of many," said Stoudemire, his left arm back in a sling to keep his hand elevated.

LEBRON JAMES alternated fouls and fumbles, the crowd howling in delight with every one of his mistakes. Finally forced to sit for most of the third quarter, James wasn't mad, and the Miami Heat weren't worried. "We had the lead going into the fourth quarter on the road, and then we had the best player in the game coming in. So we were fine," Dwyane Wade said. And James, over the final 12 minutes, was exceptional. James scored 32 points, including eight straight to start the fourth quarter and break open the game, and the Heat took a 3-0 Eastern Conference series lead, sending the host New York Knicks to an NBA postseason-record 13th straight loss, 87-70 on Thursday night.

NEW YORK - For two picks, there was no drama at the top of the NFL's marquee offseason event Thursday night. Everyone knew that quarterback Andrew Luck would be the first pick, by the Colts, and that Robert Griffin III would go next, to the Redskins. Then, chaos. The NFL draft turned into a whirlwind of trades and maneuvering that upended months of fevered speculation. The moves included the Cowboys leaping up to grab the top cornerback in the draft, further strengthening the competitive NFC East after Washington grabbed the franchise quarterback they have long lacked.

Russell Westbrook scored 26 points as the visiting Oklahoma City Thunder won their second straight game, beating the Milwaukee Bucks, 109-89, Monday in a game that featured seven technical fouls and an ejection of Bucks backup forward Larry Sanders. Sanders was ejected after earning a pair of technicals in the second half, while Mike Dunleavy, Brandon Jennings, and coach Scott Skiles also were assessed technicals for Milwaukee. Oklahoma City's Nazr Mohammed and Serge Ibaka also were called for technicals.

DALLAS - Tornadoes tore through the Dallas area on Tuesday, tearing roofs off homes, tossing trucks into the air and leaving flattened tractor trailers strewn along highways and parking lots. The National Weather Service confirmed at least two separate "large and extremely dangerous" tornadoes in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Several other developing twisters were reported as a band of violent storms moved north through the metropolitan area. Officials had no immediate information about injuries.

Lucio Dalla, 68, one of Italy's most prolific singer-songwriters, died Thursday in Switzerland during a European concert tour. Mr. Dalla apparently died of a heart attack in a Montreux hotel after eating breakfast, according to his agency, Ph.D srl Music Management, which is based in Mr. Dalla's native city of Bologna, Italy. His musical roots were in jazz, but his songs ranged from folk to pop to classical to opera, creating a soundtrack beloved by generations of Italians.