SAN JOSE — Milan Michalek is making quite a name for himself while his San Jose Sharks gradually destroy the Nashville Predators’ identity.

PORTLAND, Ore. — Baron Davis had 12 points, 10 rebounds and 14 assists, and the Golden State Warriors beat the Portland Trail Blazers 120-98 Wednesday night to earn a playoff berth for the first time since 1994.

SACRAMENTO — Kobe Bryant scored 34 points and keyed a big third-quarter run that helped the Los Angeles Lakers sew up the seventh seed in the Western Conference playoffs with a 117-106 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night.

SAN FRANCISCO — Gavin Newsom, mayor of San Francisco, announced his player predictions for the 2007 All-Star game on Wednesday.

ALAMEDA — Getting the No. 1. selection in the NFL draft usually means a team hasn’t picked well in previous years. That’s half true with the Oakland Raiders.

OAKLAND — Dan Haren enjoyed watching his fellow Oakland pitchers succeed. He finally got a chance to join in the fun.

SAN FRANCISCO — Barry Bonds watched Albert Pujols hit a spectacular home run, then one-upped him with No. 738.

CHICAGO — Mark Buehrle was pretty cool about his no-hitter. Until he had three outs to go.

Yesterday would have been my grandma’s 88th birthday.

NOTES AND QUOTES for a Thursday in the Napa Valley:

Robyn Comfort wasn’t real happy with the way she had been playing for the Vintage High School girls soccer team coming into Wednesday’s game.

Today

Justin-Siena High School’s Vicky Deely was named as the most valuable player of the Marin County Athletic League for girls basketball. The high scoring junior was also chosen First-Team All-MCAL.

• Napa River