Celtics invite Dickau to training camp

NBA referees are prepared to be locked out for the start of the season after negotiations with the league on a new contract broke down this week when league commissioner David Stern ended the latest bargaining session. No further talks are scheduled - and when they do resume, it’ll be without the commissioner. Referees spokesman Lamell McMorris accused Stern of not negotiating in good faith, so Stern removed himself from the process . . . The Grizzlies have withdrawn their qualifying offer to guard Juan Carlos Navarro, making him an unrestricted free agent, and giving up any rights to Navarro, who signed with Barcelona of the Spanish League . . . Former UConn star Sue Bird has agreed to a multiyear contract extension to stay with the WNBA’s Seattle Storm . . . Diana Taurasi scored five of her 22 points in overtime, and the Phoenix Mercury went on to a 92-84 road victory against the Seattle Storm last night, clinching home-court advantage through the playoffs . . . Deanna Nolan scored 34 points to lead host Detroit to a 94-87 victory in overtime over the New York Liberty, moving the defending champion Shock closer to clinching a playoff spot . . . Kristi Toliver scored 19 points, Candice Dupree, and Mistie Bass had 15 each and the Chicago Sky beat the Indiana Fever, 86-79, on the road to close in on the franchise’s first playoff berth . . . Becky Hammon scored 27 points to lead San Antonio to an 80-71 victory over the host Sacramento Monarchs.

Rays slugger Carlos Pena had season-ending surgery to repair two broken fingers on his left hand. Dr. Doug Carlan inserted pins into the first baseman’s left index and middle fingers. The Rays said the pins will be removed in 4-6 weeks . . . Yankees righthander David Robertson has been told to rest for 10-14 days by Dr. James Andrews. Complaining of stiffness in his right elbow, Robertson was examined by Andrews yesterday in Pensacola, Fla.

Brad Lidge and manager Charlie Manuel say their relationship is fine after a meeting to discuss the struggling closer’s role with the Phillies. Lidge and Manuel spoke following Wednesday night’s game win over Washington, in which Ryan Madson closed for Philadelphia. Yesterday, the manager wouldn’t say when or if Lidge will get his job back as closer. Lidge converted all 48 of his save chances last year, including the postseason, to help the Phillies win the World Series. This year he has 10 blown saves in 38 opportunities . . . Royals manager Trey Hillman said starter Gil Meche is probably done for the year with a shoulder problem, and fellow righthander Brian Bannister is flying to New York for a second opinion on his shoulder injury, the nature of which was not disclosed.

Richard Petty Motorsports and Yates Racing will merge in 2010 into a four-car team running Fords under the RPM banner. Yates driver Paul Menard will join RPM’s three-car team of Kasey Kahne, Elliott Sadler, and AJ Allmendinger . . . Ferrari has a five-year agreement to be sponsored by Banco Santander through 2014.

Sports betting in Delaware officially got underway after surviving a contentious legal battle with professional sports leagues and the NCAA. Delaware is now the only state east of the Rocky Mountains to offer legal sports wagering . . . Furious Argentines are blaming their national soccer team’s most recent World Cup qualifying loss squarely on coach Diego Maradona. Argentina lost to Paraguay, 1-0, Wednesday, leaving the two-time world champions in danger of missing their first World Cup since 1970.