WASHINGTON - Wizards coach Randy Wittman signed a contract extension Tuesday after leading the team to the playoffs for the first time since 2008. With its young backcourt of John Wall and Bradley Beal, Washington beat the Chicago Bulls in the first round before losing to the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference semifinals. The Wizards hadnt won a post-season series since 2005. Wittman was promoted to head coach when Flip Saunders was fired in January 2012, the third rebuilding project Wittman has undertaken. He has the worst regular-season record of anyone who has coached at least 400 NBA games — 191-329, a .367 winning percentage — since the league started in 1946. Wittman, in the final year of his contract, operated under a playoff-or-else edict from owner Ted Leonsis this season. "Its really the players who made the big decision, not only in the exit interviews the last couple of years and this off-season, but the way they responded to him on the court," Leonsis said on the teams website. "They respect their coach, they listen and like playing for him, and it shows." This season, Washington went 44-38, a 15-win improvement from a year ago, to finish fifth in a weak Eastern Conference. "This team and this organization have made significant strides over the last 2 1/2 seasons and Im excited to be a part of the next step in that process," Wittman said in a news release issued by the club. Wittman was scheduled to meet with reporters Wednesday. A day after being eliminated by the Pacers last month, Wizards players were full of praise for Wittman, appreciative of his tough-love tactics, his teaching methods and his game-day preparation. "He gets as much credit as the players," veteran forward Al Harrington said then. "I would really be upset if hes not the coach leading this team out of that locker room next year." Larry Johnson Jersey . Adding playoff teams. Monitoring instant replay from league headquarters. Possibly creating a set of guidelines to prevent locker-room bullying. Cody Zeller Hornets Jersey . Not bad for a defenceman. The goal, that is. Although the shuffling dance steps werent bad, either. Barrie scored 55 seconds into overtime, Semyon Varlamov stopped 29 shots, and the Avalanche moved a step closer to their first playoff berth in four years with a 3-2 win over the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday night. http://www.hornetsteamproshop.com/Cheap-Bismack-Biyombo-Hornets-Jersey/ . Harrison Barnes had 15 points and Reggie Bullock scored 11 for the Tar Heels (17-3, 4-1 ACC), who took the court for the first time without starter Dexter Strickland. The junior guard tore his right ACL last Thursday at Virginia Tech and will miss the rest of the season. Miles Bridges Jersey . You can watch the game on TSN at 7pm et/4pm pt and listen to the game on TSN Radio 690 in Montreal. After starting the month of November on an 0-3-1 slide, the Canadiens have recorded wins in three of their last five outings (3-1-1). Glen Rice Hornets Jersey . The 24-year-old Raley was 0-2 with a 9.00 ERA for Chicago in his first two career starts after being called up from Iowa on Aug. 7. He was optioned to Iowa on Monday after losing 3-0 to Cincinnati in Chicago on Sunday.CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Carolina Panthers Pro Bowl defensive end Greg Hardy has been convicted on two counts of domestic violence and is still playing. Ray McDonald of the San Francisco 49ers also remains active while he is being investigated for abuse allegations. The Panthers and 49ers both say they are following the NFLs lead, waiting for the legal process to run its course. Neither team has provided details of its investigations. The cases have similarities to that of Ray Rice, who was released this week by the Baltimore Ravens and suspended indefinitely by the league after an explicit video surfaced of him hitting his then-fiancee. A law enforcement official told The Associated Press on condition anonymity that he sent a copy of the video to the league in April. The NFL is under scrutiny for its wait-and-see approach in domestic violence cases like Hardys. Judy Harris Kluger, a former New York City judge and now executive director of Sanctuary for Families, is anxious to see how the league handles the two pending cases. "I think the test for the NFL will be what they do with the other people who are charged now," Kluger said. "And I dont imagine theres a videotape of that. What else did the NFL think happened in that elevator? So yes, its a very graphic depiction, and they took the action they took now. But I think all of us will be looking to see what they and other organizations do going forward." While McDonald has not been charged, Hardy has already been convicted on two counts of domestic violence. He has appealed and a hearing is scheduled for Nov. 17. Hardy, one of the stalwarts on the Panthers stout defence, is making $13.1 million this season as teams franchise player. He had four tackles and one sack in Carolinas season-opening victory. Though he has already been found guilty, the league is sticking by its policy to wait until the appeal process has been heard before making any decision on a possible suspension. "The Hardy matter is under review," league spokesman Greg Aiello said. "The case has not been resolved by the court." San Jose police are still actively investigating the Aug. 31 incident involving McDonald and detectives will turn over findings to the Santa Clara District Attorneys office for review, Sgt. Heather Randol, a police spokeswoman said Wednesday. McDonald is scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 15. Though Hardy has appealed his conviction, the Panthers dont have to wait for the NFL to take action.dddddddddddd They have the option to bench Hardy -- or release him. The Ravens did not take action, opting to wait for an NFL ruling, though they now say they let their fans down. When asked Wednesday if the Panthers made the right decision allowing Hardy to play, coach Ron Rivera replied, "We are going through the process and while were in the process were not going to comment about the situation. "Its a very tragic situation that is going on and were going from there," Rivera said of the Rice case. "I have a tremendous amount of empathy and respect for the people who are in this situation. Its very difficult." Rivera said Hardy did not practice because he was given a "personal day" Wednesday. Hardy used the time to meet with his attorney. Chris Fialko confirmed in an email that he met with his client but wouldnt elaborate on the specifics of the meeting. Hardy was convicted on July 15 and the victim testified that she was assaulted by him in March at his apartment after a night of drinking. She said Hardy threw her down on sofa full of guns and tossed her into the shower. She also said he threatened to kill her and put his hands around her neck. The 6-foot-4, 275-pound lineman was sentenced to 18 months probation and a suspended 60-day jail sentence. Mecklenburg County Judge Rebecca Tin imposed the sentence after 11 hours of testimony, saying "the court is entirely convinced Hardy is guilty of assault on a female and communicating threats." Those punishments were suspended pending Hardys appeal of the conviction. Panthers owner Jerry Richardson and general manager Dave Gettleman declined interview requests Wednesday through the teams public relations staff. Though NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell was in North Carolina on Wednesday, Aiello said he did not meet with Hardy. The commissioner spent Wednesday at a high school in Wake Forest, discussing the leagues Heads Up football initiative in an invite-only affair. Goodell, who admitted he "got it wrong" in the Rice case, originally suspended the running back for two games. He has since implemented a new policy in which a player is suspended six games if convicted for domestic violence and suspended indefinitely for a second offence. Hardys agent Drew Rosenhaus declined to address how the leagues stiffer penalties against domestic violence could impact his clients future with the team. ' ' '