Florida Sentinel Bulletin

LOS ANGELES — Chris Paul and a few teammates sneaked across the street from their hotel to Staples Center the night before the New Orleans Hornets began the postseason, eagerly hoisting up a few shots in the shadows of the Lakers’ imposing championship banners.

With their tumultuous regular season finally a memory, Paul said the Hornets were almost unbearably eager for the playoffs to start.

Maybe that’s why New Orleans got the drop on the defending champs in a stunning series opener.

Paul had 33 points, 14 assists and seven rebounds, flawlessly leading the Hornets down the stretch of a 109-100 victory Sunday.

Carl Landry scored 17 points and Jarrett Jack added 15 for the seventh-seeded Hornets, who overcame Los Angeles’ major size advantage with cagey defense and a disciplined offensive approach that led to just three turnovers, tying an NBA playoff record.

INDIANAPOLIS — Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning has a new job, but it doesn’t involve throwing footballs – at least not yet.

A spokesman for the Marion County Health Department says Manning and wife Ashley are the parents of twins.

Spokesman John Althardt says birth certificates filed April 8 show Mosley Thompson Manning and her brother, Marshall Williams Manning were born March 31 in Indianapolis.

The births came 10 days after Manning became an uncle. New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning and wife Abby became parents of a daughter on March 21.

SAN FRANCISCO – On Wednesday, a jury found Barry Bonds guilty of obstruction for giving an evasive answer under oath more than seven years ago. Rather than say yes or no to whether he received drugs that required a syringe, Bonds gave a response to a grand jury stating he became a “celebrity child with a famous father.”

The decision from the eight women and four men turned out to be a mixed and muddled verdict on the slugger that left more questions than answers.

A mistrial was declared on the three charges that Bonds made false statements when he told a grand jury in December 2003 that he never knowingly received steroids and human growth hormone from trainer Greg Anderson and that he allowed only doctors to inject him.

Defense lawyer will try to persuade the 9th U. S. Circuit court of Appeals to toss out the lone conviction. Federal prosecutors must decide whether it is worth the time and expense ($7 million) to try Bonds for a second time on the deadlocked charges.

At the age of 46, Bonds faces up to 10 years in prison on the obstruction conviction, but federal guidelines call for 15 to 21 months.

Bonds walked out of the courtroom smiling.

According to former Tampa Bay Buccaneer linebacker, Derrick Brooks, a deal that will make him the new president of the Tampa Bay Storm of the Arena Football League is done.

Brooks spent 14 years with the Buccaneers and established himself among the greatest to ever play for the team.

Brooks earned All-America honors at Florida State University, retired last year as a professional, and has dabbled in broadcasting as well as devoted time to his several charitable interests, including the Brooks-DeBartolo Collegiate High School.

NEW YORK — If LeBron James’ move to Miami made him a villain to some, fans like dressing as a bad guy.

James had the top-selling jersey in the NBA this season, moving past Kobe Bryant to claim the No. 1 spot for the first time since his rookie season in Cleveland in 2004.

Bryant dropped to No. 2 on the list announced Wednesday, while Rajon Rondo moved up to third, one of five Boston Celtics among the top 15.

Saturday
The NBA will begin its playoffs with four games slated for Saturday, beginning with a 1 p. m. game on ESPN matching the Indiana Pacers against the NBA East best Chicago Bulls.

Other games will feature Philadelphia at Miami in a 3:30 p.m. game (on ABC), Atlanta at Orlando in a 7 p. m. game (ESPN), and Portland at Dallas in a 9:30 p. m. game (ESPN).

Sunday
On Sunday, the matchups will be Memphis at San Antonio at 1 p. m. (TNT), New Orleans at L.A. Lakers at 3:30 p. m. (ABC), New York at Boston at 7 p. m. (TNT), and Denver at Oklahoma City at 9:30 p. m. (TNT).

Monday
On Monday, the game two matchups will be Philadelphia at Miami at 7 p. m. (TNT), and Indiana at Chicago at 9:30 p. m. (TNT).

Tuesday
On Tuesday, the game two matchups will be New York at Boston at 7 p. m. (TNT), Atlanta at Orlando at 7: 30 p. m. (NBA TV), and Portland at Dallas at 9: 30 p. m. (TNT).

TRENTON, NJ — Olympic gold medalist Carl Lewis says he’ll run again — for New Jersey Senate.

Lewis said he hopes to inspire people, encourage communities to get together and improve educational opportunities, particularly physical education, for children. He said he’ll announce a specific issue-based platform in coming days.

This is his first bid for elected office. In fact, he said he had registered to vote earlier in the day but said he had been registered previously in California and Texas, two states he has recently lived in.

Lewis will run as a Democrat in the 8th legislative district now represented by Republican Dawn Addiego.

Lewis won nine Olympic gold medals and is considered among the best track and field athletes of all time.

BAYONNE, NJ — Tennessee Titans wide receiver Kenny Britt faces three charges stemming from a police chase in his hometown.

Britt was charged with eluding an officer, lying to an officer hindering apprehension, and obstructing government function, Bayonne Police Chief Robert Kubert said.

Police say the incident occurred Tuesday afternoon when Britt was caught driving 71 mph in a 50 mph zone.

Philadelphia — Phillies superstar slugger Ryan Howard, is engaged to Eagles cheerleader Krystal Campbell.

Ryan and Krystal, an item for about three years, are planning a 2012 wedding.

Several other Phillies have tied the knot recently. Kyle Kendrick married Stephenie LaGrossa (of Survivor fame) last November. Shane Victorino and Jimmy Rollins married their long-time girlfriends the previous offseason.  Howard makes $20 million a year playing for the Phillies.