NBA: Hardaway joins Heat

Penny Hardaway and Shaquille O’Neal are together again. The 36-year-old Hardaway, who last played an NBA game in November 2005, signed with the Heat yesterday and is reuniting with O’Neal – his former Orlando Magic teammate back in the mid-1990s.

Hardaway, a four-time All-Star Game starter, played in four games with the Knicks early in the 2005-06 campaign before succumbing to injuries.

BASEBALL: Sweeney traded

The Giants dealt pinch-hitter deluxe Mark Sweeney to the Dodgers yesterday, the first trade between the rivals in more than 20 years. The last time they made a trade, San Francisco sent catcher Alex Trevino to Los Angeles in December 1985 for OF Candy Maldonado.

* Cardinals utility player Scott Spiezio voluntarily sought treatment for “possible problems related to substances” that the team did not specify. Spiezio was placed on the restricted list and will be paid while he undergoes treatment. He has not played since Sunday.

* The Mariners added a left-handed arm to their bullpen yesterday, acquiring John Parrish from the Orioles for a minor league outfielder and a player to be named or cash . . . The Phillies yesterday acquired utilityman Russell Branyan from the Indians for cash.

BLOTTER: Punter found guilty

A jury in Greeley, Colo., found former Northern Colorado backup punter Mitch Cozad guilty of second-degree assault yesterday in a stabbing attack on the starter, but acquitted him of attempted first-degree murder.

Cozad was accused of attacking Rafael Mendoza in a desperate bid to get the starting job. The defense argued it was another student who attacked Mendoza. Sentencing is set for Oct. 2.

GOLF: Annika 3 back

Minea Blomqvist shot a 4-under 68 to take a one-stroke lead and Annika Sorenstam was three strokes back after the first round at the Scandinavian TPC yesterday in Loddekopinge, Sweden.