HOOPS: Rose to win NBA MVP

Derrick Rose, according to several media sources, will be named today as the NBA’s Most Valuable Player. The 22-year-old Bulls star is the youngest winner of the award and is the first Chicago player to win it since Michael Jordan in 1998. The presentation will be tomorrow before Game 2 of the Bulls’ playoff series against the Hawks.

* Paul Hewitt, formerly of Georgia Tech, was introduced as the new coach at George Mason.

* Breaking from tradition, the Miami Heat are not bringing anyone in to sing “The Star-Spangled Banner” before their playoff game tonight against the Celtics. Instead, the team is encouraging fans to do the singing.

HOCKEY: Palmieri sparks USA

The Devils’ Nick Palmieri scored twice as the U.S. scored four third-period goals to beat Norway 4-2 and advance to the second round of the ice hockey world championship in Slovakia. Ryan Shannon added two assists and Al Montoya finished with 13 saves for the Americans, who face Sweden tomorrow.

ETC.: Will Power does it again

Will Power of Australia won IndyCar’s Sao Paulo 300 yesterday, a day after the race was postponed because of heavy rain on the streets of South America’s biggest city. Graham Rahal was second and Ryan Briscoe third.

* The estranged wife of Golden State guard Charlie Bell was charged with assaulting him with a box cutter Sunday at his home near Flint, Mich. His wife, Kenya, was Miss Michigan USA in 2001.

* LPGA stars Michelle Wie and Paula Creamer have committed to play the Sybase Match Play Championship, May 19-22 at Hamilton Farm in Gladstone, N.J. — Mark Everson