Russia scored two late goals Tuesday to beat the United States 5-3 in a closely fought game at the ice hockey world championships, while Canada routed Norway 7-1 after scoring four unanswered goals in the first period.

The Americans gave the defending champions their toughest test yet at this year's tournament and led 2-1 and 3-2 after two goals from captain Paul Stastny and a slapshot from the blue line by Matt Hunwick. But defenseman Yevgeni Medvedev reached a loose puck in front of a crowded goal to put Russia ahead for good with 6:25 left, and Kirill Petrov then combined with Ilya Kovalchuk to set up Alexander Radulov for a well-worked fifth goal two minutes later.

The NBA made it official Sunday, announcing Miami Heat superstar LeBron James was a near-unanimous choice as Most Valuable Player, earning the award for a second straight year and fourth time overall.

James's victory in the voting had been widely reported since Friday, although when asked about it the player himself had urged reporters not to "jinx" him by jumping the gun.

Rising U.S. star Sloane Stephens has slammed Serena Williams, describing her Fed Cup teammate as a sore loser and saying she snubbed Stephens on Twitter after losing to her at the Aussie Open in January.

In excerpts from an interview with ESPN Magazine, Stephens said Williams has not spoken to her since the 20-year-old beat 15-time major winner in the first Grand Slam of the year.

David West scored 20 points as the visiting Indiana Pacers rallied from a first-quarter deficit to beat the New York Knicks 102-95 in game one of their NBA second round playoff series on Sunday.

All five starters finished in double figures for the Pacers, who played with an edge but kept their composure to bring back memories of the Indiana teams of the 1990s that battled hard against their New York Eastern Conference rivals.

Tommy Haas may be 35 but his weekend Munich title has moved him up to 13 in the rankings -- a five-year high -- with the eloquent German showing few signs of slowing down.

Haas captured his 14th tour title in Munich, but had it not been for a series of crippling injuries, the former world number two could have had many more.

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson accused Chelsea's Brazilian defender David Luiz of acting like a "dying swan" in the incident that led to United defender Rafael da Silva being sent off in their encounter at Old Trafford.

United lost 1-0 to their London rivals on Sunday, a result that means Chelsea can effectively secure a top-four finish and Champions League football if they beat Tottenham Hotspur at home on Wednesday.

Juventus cemented a 29th title triumph on Sunday after another near flawless campaign, but for coach Antonio Conte hoisting the club back among the giants of European football will continue to be hampered by a cash-strapped Serie A.

It was following Juve's quarterfinal humbling by Bayern Munich in Europe's premier club competition last month that Conte lashed out.

Lionel Messi came off the bench to move Barcelona within two points of clinching the La Liga title with a 4-2 win over Real Betis at Camp Nou on Sunday.

Dorlan Pabon and Ruben Perez had twice given the visitors the lead in the first-half either side of Alexis Sanchez's equaliser.

Barcelona were able to welcome back Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets to training on Saturday morning after they missed the 3-0 defeat to Bayern Munich in midweek, but Victor Valdes has been ruled out of Sunday's match with Real Betis due to plantar fasciitis in his left foot.

"Leo Messi and Sergio Busquets, who weren't able to train at the same rhythm as their teammates in the last few sessions, have trained normally," said a statement on the club's website.

Alex Ferguson could miss the start of next season as he is to undergo a hip operation, sources at Manchester United have confirmed.

The 71-year-old manager is booked in for surgery immediately after the club return from a three-week pre-season tour at the end of July.