Feb. 26 (UPI) -- The first games of 2021 MLB spring training, dozens of college and NBA basketball games and two NASCAR races headline this weekend's sports schedule.
Canelo Alvarez also takes on Avni Yildirim on Saturday in a boxing title bout and the world's best golfers are in action at the World Golf Championships-Workday Championship from Friday to Sunday at the Concession Golf Club in Bradenton, Fla.
MLB starts spring training
Twenty-eight of MLB's 30 teams make their spring debuts Sunday as half of the league starts preseason games in Florida and the other half plays games in Arizona.
Fourteen teams take the field at 1:05 p.m. EST Sunday. Another 10 teams play at 3:05 p.m. EST Sunday. The other four squads face off at 3:10 p.m. EST Sunday.
The New York Mets and Chicago Cubs are the only two teams that don't play Sunday. They start their spring campaigns Monday. The 2021 spring training schedule ends March 30.
The regular season starts when the New York Yankees host the Toronto Blue Jays at 1:05 p.m. April 1 at Yankee Stadium.
Sunday's early slate of games features: the Boston Red Sox vs. the Minnesota Twins; the Atlanta Braves vs. the Tampa Bay Rays; the Blue Jays vs. the Yankees; the Miami Marlins vs. the Houston Astros; the Washington Nationals vs. the St. Louis Cardinals; the Pittsburgh Pirates vs. the Baltimore Orioles; and the Philadelphia Phillies vs. the Detroit Tigers.
The Cleveland Indians, Cincinnati Reds, Los Angeles Dodgers, Oakland Athletics, Los Angeles Angels, San Francisco Giants, Texas Rangers, Kansas City Royals, Milwaukee Brewers and Chicago White Sox start spring training at 3:05 p.m. EST Sunday. The Arizona Diamondbacks, Colorado Rockies, San Diego Padres and Seattle Mariners start spring training at 3:10 p.m. EST Sunday.
Many of Sunday's games will air on local channels and radio stations, but nationally-televised spring training games won't air until next week. Sunday's games also can be streamed off individual team websites and at MLB.TV.
Best basketball games
Jayson Tatum, LeBron James, Damian Lillard, Kevin Durant, Luka Doncic and Stephen Curry will be among the top NBA players to appear in nationally televised NBA games this weekend.
Tatum's Boston Celtics host the Indiana Pacers at 7:30 p.m. EST Friday on ESPN. James' Los Angeles Lakers host Lillard's Portland Trail Blazers at 10 p.m. EST Friday on ESPN.
The Dallas Mavericks then battle the Brooklyn Nets at 8:30 p.m. EST Saturday on ABC. The Lakers host the Golden State Warriors at 8 p.m. EST Sunday on ESPN.
Several matchups between nationally-ranked college basketball teams take place this weekend on national TV. Texas -- the No. 16 team in the coaches poll -- faces No. 17 Texas Tech at noon EST Saturday on CBS. No. 4 Illinois battles No. 24 Wisconsin at 2 p.m. EST Saturday on ESPN.
No. 2 Baylor also faces No. 19 Kansas at 8 p.m. EST Saturday on ESPN. No. 5 Ohio State battles No. 12 Iowa at 4 p.m. EST Sunday on CBS.
NASCAR season continues
The third week of the NASCAR season takes place with Saturday and Sunday events in Homestead, Fla. Drivers in the motorsports company's Xfinity Series lineup for the Contender Boats 250 at 4:30 p.m. EST Saturday on FS1.
The Cup Series takes over Homestead-Miami Speedway for the Dixie Vodka 400 at 3:30 p.m. EST Sunday. That race airs on Fox.
Cup Series standings leader Denny Hamlin will start first in Sunday's race, followed by Joey Logano, Christopher Bell, Kevin Harvick and Kurt Busch in the 38-car field.
Bell won last Sunday's road course race at Daytona. Michael McDowell, who opened the season with a win at the Daytona 500, will start sixth Sunday at Homestead.
Hamlin is favored to win the race, followed by 2020 Cup Series champion Chase Elliott, Harvick, Martin Truex Jr. and Kyle Larson.
Friday
Golf
WGC-Workday Championship: Second round from 1 to 6 p.m. EST on Golf Channel
NBA
Pacers at Celtics at 7:30 p.m. EST on ESPN
Trail Blazers at Lakers at 10 p.m. EST on ESPN
NASCAR Truck Series
BrakeBest Brake Pads 159 at Daytona at 7:30 p.m. EST on FS1.
Saturday
College basketball
Texas at Texas Tech at noon EST on CBS
Tennessee at Auburn at noon EST on ESPN
Illinois at Wisconsin at 2 p.m. EST on ESPN
LSU at Arkansas at 2 p.m. EST on ESPN2
Oklahoma State at Oklahoma at 3 p.m. EST on ABC
Washington at Arizona at 3 p.m. EST on CBS
Kansas State at West Virginia at 4 p.m. EST on ESPN2
Florida State at North Carolina at 4 p.m. EST on ESPN
Wake Forest at Virginia Tech at 4 p.m. EST on ACC Network
Boise State at San Diego State at 4 p.m. EST on CBSSN
Florida at Kentucky at 4 p.m. EST on CBS
Creighton at Xavier at 5 p.m. EST on Fox
Texas A&M at Missouri at 6 p.m. EST on SEC Network
Louisville at Duke at 6 p.m. EST on ESPN
Baylor at Kansas at 8 p.m. EST on ESPN
Alabama at Mississippi State at 8:30 p.m. EST on SEC Network
Golf
WGC-Workday Championship: Third round from noon to 2:30 p.m. EST on Golf Channel; 2:30 to 6 p.m. EST on NBC
NASCAR Xfinity Series
Contender Boats 250 at 4:30 p.m. EST on FS1
NBA
Mavericks at Nets at 8:30 p.m. EST on ABC
Boxing
Canelo Alvarez vs. Avni Yildirim at 10 p.m. EST on DAZN
Sunday
Golf
WGC-Workday Championship: Final round from noon to 2:30 p.m. EST on Golf Channel; 2:30 to 6 p.m. EST on NBC
College basketball
Villanova at Butler at noon EST on CBS
Memphis at Cincinnati at 1 p.m. EST on ESPN
Michigan State at Maryland at 2 p.m. EST on CBS
Iowa at Ohio State at 4 p.m. EST on CBS
NHL
Bruins at Rangers at noon EST on NBC
Red Wings at Blackhawks at 7 p.m. EST on NBCSN
MLB spring training
Phillies vs. Tigers at 1:05 p.m. EST on MLB.TV
Blue Jays vs. Yankees at 1:05 p.m. EST on MLB.TV
Reds vs. Indians at 3:05 p.m. EST on MLB.TV
Rangers at Royals at 3:05 p.m. EST on MLB.TV
Brewers vs. White Sox at 3:05 p.m. EST on MLB.TV
Padres vs. Mariners at 3:10 p.m. EST on MLB.TV
NASCAR Cup Series
Dixie Vodka 400 at 3:30 p.m. EST on Fox
NBA
Clippers at Bucks at 3:30 p.m. EST on ABC
Warriors at Lakers at 8 p.m. EST on ESPN
St. Vincent-St. Mary High School senior LeBron James (L) drives around a Zanesvuille defender in Akron, Ohio, on February 14, 2003. James is expected to be the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft. A couple months later, the Cleveland Cavaliers coach
was suspended because James worked out with the team before he graduated from high school. Photo by Tom Cammett/UPI |
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James slam dunks the ball against the Denver Nuggets in Cleveland, on November 5, 2003. The Cavaliers
lost 93-89 in their home opener. Photo by Scott R. Galvin/UPI |
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James keeps the ball from Charlotte Bobcats guard Gerald Wallace in Charlotte, N.C., on November 18, 2004. Earlier that year, James
was chosen as Rookie of the Year and named to the National Basketball Association All-Rookie Team. Photo by Nell Redmond/UPI |
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Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (R) reaches in for the steal from James in Los Angeles on January 12, 2006. The Lakers
defeated the Cavaliers 99-98. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI |
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James puts in a layup over Washington Wizards Jared Jeffries in Washington, D.C., on April 16, 2006. Washington
defeated Cleveland 104-92. Photo by Mark Goldman/UPI |
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James looks back to the bench during a timeout in the second quarter against the Detroit Pistons in Auburn Hills, Mich., on May 9, 2006. The Pistons
defeated the Cavaliers 97-91 in game two of the second round of playoffs. Later that year, James
signed a three-year extension with the Cavaliers. Photo by Scott R. Galvin/UPI |
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James pumps his fist during the final seconds of the fourth quarter against the Chicago Bulls in Chicago on March 31, 2007. The Cavaliers
won 112-108 in overtime. Photo by Brian Kersey/UPI |
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James smiles before the game against the New York Knicks in New York City on December 19, 2007. The Knicks
defeated the Cavaliers 108-90. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI |
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James hits a long 3-point shot at the buzzer before halftime against the New York Knicks in New York City on March 5, 2008. James scored 50 points as the Cavaliers
defeated the Knicks 119-105. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI |
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The United States' Jason Kidd (L to R), James and Chris Paul celebrate a win over Spain to
claim the gold medal for men's basketball during the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing on August 24, 2008. The United States won 118 to 107. Photo by Roger L. Wollenberg/UPI |
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Coach Dru Joyce (L to R), James and director Kristopher Belman arrive at a screening of the film "More Than A Game" in Paris on September 2, 2009. The Cavaliers had finished the previous season as the Eastern Conference's
top seed. Photo by David Silpa/UPI |
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James goes through his pregame ritual before playing against the New York Knicks in New York City on November 6, 2009. The Cavaliers
defeated the Knicks 100-91. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI |
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James shows off his second consecutive NBA
MVP trophy before Game 2 of the second round of the NBA Playoffs against the Boston Celtics in Cleveland on May 3, 2010. Photo by David Richard/UPI |
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James drives to the basket against the Los Angeles Lakers in Los Angeles on December 25, 2010. The Heat
defeated the Lakers 96-80. After seven years playing in Cleveland, James
signed with the Miami Heat summer 2010. Photo by Lori Shepler/UPI |
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James drives to the basket during the second quarter of Game 5 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals in Chicago on May 26, 2011. The Heat
defeated the Bulls 83-80. Photo by Brian Kersey/UPI |
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James gets ready to play against the Chicago Bulls in Chicago on April 12, 2012. The Bulls
defeated the Heat 96-86 in overtime. Photo by Brian Kersey/UPI |
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James (L) and Miami Heat teammate Dwayne Wade stand on the court while the Heat shoot free throws against the New York Knicks in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference first round of the NBA Playoffs in New York City on May 6, 2012. The Knicks
defeated the Heat 89-87. Later that month, James
won the NBA MVP Award for the third time. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI |
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The United States' Tyson Chandler (L to R), Kevin Durant, James, and Westbrook Russell joke with teammates after receiving
their gold medals at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London on August 12, 2012. The United States defeated Spain to claim the gold 107-100. Photo by Mike Theiler/UPI |
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President Barack Obama (R) laughs as he listens to James talk about his visit to the White House and Dwayne Wade holds an "Obama" jersey, as the Miami Heat visit the East Room in Washington, D.C., on January 28, 2013. Later that year, the Heat
won their second consecutive title. Photo by Mike Theiler/UPI |
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James' shot is blocked by Brooklyn Nets Andray Blatche (C) and point guard Shaun Livingston (L) in New York City on November 1, 2013. The Nets
defeated the Heat 101-100. Photo by Rich Kane/UPI |
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James wears a jersey with his nickname, "King James," on the back against the Brooklyn Nets in New York City on January 10, 2014. The Nets
defeated the Heat 104-95 in double overtime. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI |
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James stands on the floor during a timeout against the Chicago Bulls in Chicago on March 9, 2014. The Bulls
defeated the Heat 95-88 in overtime. Photo by Brian Kersey/UPi |
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James
honors the fallen Eric Garner with a T-shirt that says "I can't breathe" as he is introduced at the start of the game against the Brooklyn Nets in New York City on December 8, 2014. ***He's back on the Cavs**** UPI/Rich Kane |
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James drives the the basket as Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler defends during Game 3 the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the NBA Playoffs in Chicago on May 8, 2015. The Bulls
defeated the Cavaliers 99-96 and lead the best-of-seven series 2-1. Photo by Brian Kersey/UPI |
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James (L) and Cleveland Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith laugh as they watch their teammates finish off the Chicago Bulls in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the NBA Playoffs in Chicago on May 14, 2015 in Chicago. The Cavaliers
defeated the Bulls 94-73, winning the series 4-2 and advancing the the Eastern Conference Finals. Photo by Brian Kersey/UPI |
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James fires a jump shot over Brooklyn Nets Wayne Ellington in New York City on January 20, 2016. The Cavaliers defeated the Nets 91-78. In late 2015, James
ranked in the top 25 of NBA top scorers and top assisters. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI |
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James (L) introduces Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton at a campaign rally in Cleveland on November 6, 2016. Earlier in the year, James
wrote a column in support of Clinton's candidacy. Photo by Aaron Josefczyk/UPI |
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James arrives on the red carpet at the Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year Ceremony 2016 in New York City on December 12, 2016. James
was honoredd as the 2016 Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI |
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Cast member James, back left, attends the
premiere of "Smallfoot" with his wife, Savannah,and their children, Bryce Maximus (L to R), Zhuri and LeBron Jr. in Los Angeles on September 22, 2018. James voiced the character Gwangi in the animated film. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI |
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James participates in Lakers media day in El Segundo, Calif., on September 27, 2019. James
joined the Lakers in late 2018. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI |
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James continues his dribble while falling to the court against the Warriors in second quarter action in Los Angeles on November 13, 2019. The Lakers
defeated the Warriors 120-94. Photo by Jon SooHoo/UPI |
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The Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James speaks during the Los Angeles Lakers'
ceremony to honor Kobe Bryant before the game against the Portland Trail Blazers in Los Angeles on January 31, 2020. James, who is in his second season with the Lakers and passed Bryant to take third place on the NBA's all-time scoring list Saturday night, spoke about the death of Bryant to the crowd. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI |
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James smiles during a game against the Milwaukee Bucks in Los Angeles on March 6, 2020. The Lakers defeated the Bucks 113-103. A couple months later, James and several other NBA stars had a
private conference about how to resume the season during the coronavirus pandemic. Photo by Jon SooHoo/UPI |
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