Reuters sports schedule at 0001 GMT on Wednesday:
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NBA
Knicks try to avoid being pushed to brink
The Indiana Pacers try to push the visiting New York Knicks to the brink of playoff elimination when their best-of-seven National Basketball Association Eastern Conference semi-final resumes. (NBA-PLAYOFFS/PACERS, expect by 0200 GMT/10 PM ET, 200 words)
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Spurs and Warriors set for key Game Five clash
The underdog Golden State Warriors, who used a thrilling overtime victory to even the Western Conference semi-final series, look to move ahead when their best-of-seven battle with the San Antonio Spurs resumes for Game Five. (NBA-PLAYOFFS/SPURS, expect by 0500 GMT/1 AM ET, 200 words)
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BASEBALL
Dickey and Blue Jays look to slay Giants
The World Series champion San Francisco Giants try to pad their lead atop the National League West division when they visit knuckleball pitcher R.A. Dickey and the Toronto Blue Jays in one of 15 games on the Major League Baseball schedule. (BASEBALL-HIGHLIGHTS/, expect by 0300 GMT/11 PM ET, 300 words)
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NHL
Penguins host Senators in East semi-final
Sidney Crosby and the top-seeded Pittsburgh Penguins open their best-of-seven Eastern Conference semi-final against the visiting Ottawa Senators. (NHL-PLAYOFFS/PENGUINS (PIX), expect by 0245 GMT/10:45 PM ET, 200 words)
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Kings host Sharks in all-California West semi-final
A pair of California-based teams open a Western Conference semi-final featuring the reigning Stanley Cup champion Los Angeles Kings and visiting San Jose Sharks. (NHL-PLAYOFFS/KINGS (PIX), expect by 0530 GMT/1:30 AM PM ET, 200 words)
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Europa League final build-up
Benfica v Chelsea
Interim boss Benitez aims to leave Chelsea with a trophy
AMSTERDAM - Rafa Benitez bids to sign off from his interim job as Chelsea coach with a trophy by steering them to victory against Benfica in the Europa League final at the Amsterdam Arena. (SOCCER-EUROPA/ (PIX), expect by 2030 GMT/4:30 PM ET, by Tony Jimenez, Theo Ruizenaar and Clare Lovell, 600 words)
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Hazard absence a crushing blow to Chelsea, says Spackman
AMSTERDAM - Losing Belgium winger Eden Hazard because of a hamstring injury represents a crushing blow to Chelsea's hopes of defeating Benfica, according to former Stamford Bridge favourite Nigel Spackman. (SOCCER-EUROPA/HAZARD, (INTERVIEW), expect by 0800 GMT/4 am ET, by Tony Jimenez, 400 words)
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CYCLING
Giro d'Italia (to 26)
Nibali leads Giro into second summit finish on stage 11
TARVISIO, Italy - Italy's Vincenzo Nibali is the overall leader heading into the 182 km stage 11 which concludes with the Giro's second summit finish on the second category climb of Vajont. (CYCLING-GIRO/ (PIX), expect from 1600 GMT/12 PM ET, by Alasdair Fotheringham, 350 words)
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TENNIS
ATP/WTA: Italian Open, Rome (to 19)
ROME - Holder Rafa Nadal plays Italian Fabio Fognini after Andy Murray takes on Spain's Marcelo Granollers in second round action while in the women's draw Maria Sharapova faces Spanish qualifier Garbine Muguruza and Victoria Azarenka meets Germany's Julia Goerges. (TENNIS-ROME/, 350 words)
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CRICKET
LONDON - England have been told that performances like the ones they had in New Zealand have no place for their return test series when it begins at Lord's on Thursday. (CRICKET-ZEALAND (PREVIEW), moving at 0200 GMT/10 PM ET, by Ed Osmond, 650 words)
A New Zealand focused piece and factbox of New Zealand's eight test wins against England will also move.
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ICE HOCKEY
World championship (to 19)
Copy on merit (Duty editor: Greg Stutchbury)
