International Shooting Grand

SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 2014 SATURDAY, 46 SportsSports Prix kick off

LOS ANGELES: ’ Blake Griffin (top) fouls ’ Kent Bazemore during the first half of an NBA game on Thursday, March 6, 2014. — AP Spurs rout Heat in finals rematch Clippers blow out Lakers again 142-94

SAN ANTONIO: tallied 23 points Rockets. It doesn’t get any easier for the Heat who most points in a quarter set by Stephon Marbury Angeles from San Diego for the 1984-85 season, and 11 rebounds to power San Antonio to a 111- visit the Chicago Bulls on Sunday. James, who had in 2002. It was Phoenix’s second 40-point perform- including 19-39 during their 15 seasons at Staples 87 victory over Miami in a rematch of the two NBA a superb month of February, also had seven assists ance in four games. Dragic had 40 against New Center. Pau Gasol had 21 points for the Lakers, the finalists from last season. Tony Parker finished with against the Spurs after scoring 22 points against Orleans on Friday. home team for the third of four meetings this sea- 17 points and four assists for the Spurs who Houston earlier in the week. It was the worst loss son between the Staples Center co-tenants. They snapped their five game regular season losing of the 2013-14 season for Miami, marking the first CLIPPERS 142, LAKERS 94 also faced each other in the season opener, which streak against the Heat. Miami beat the Spurs 113- time they lost consecutive games since losing Blake Griffin had 20 points and 11 rebounds the Lakers won 116-103. 101 on January 26 at home in the first meeting three straight in mid-January. James shot six-of-18 during three thunderous quarters by the Los The Clippers had a 64-33 rebounding advan- between the clubs since the Heat beat San from the field and played a good portion of the Angeles Clippers, who routed the Lakers again tage and increased their lead in the Pacific Division Antonio last season to win their second consecu- second half in foul trouble, while Dwyane Wade 142-94 Thursday night to extend their winning to 4 1-2 games over Golden State. They’re 21 1-2 tive league title. San Antonio came close to beat- finished with 16 points on seven-of-15 shooting. streak to a season-best six games. It was the most ahead of the last-place Lakers (21-41). The Lakers ing the Heat in the finals but Miami prevailed with Miami also shot just 44 percent from the field and lopsided loss in Lakers history. Darren Collison had are one defeat away from clinching the franchise’s a dynamic game-seven win. tallied 16 committed 20 turnovers, including 10 in the final a team-high 24 points while starting at shooting first losing season since 2004 05 - when newly points, eight boards and five assists on Thursday quarter. guard for the injured Jamal Crawford. Chris Paul hired coach Rudy Tomjanovich resigned midway for the Spurs, who have won five straight and added 13 points and 11 assists for the Clippers, through the team’s 34-48 season. This one eight of nine overall. Chris Bosh finished with 24 SUNS 128, THUNDER 122 who apparently are trying to make up for decades reached blowout proportions early. The Clippers points with seven rebounds and LeBron James Gerald Green scored 25 of his career-high 41 of humiliation at the hands of the Lakers all in one stormed to a 73-40 halftime lead with the help of a contributed 19 points and eight rebounds for points in the third quarter and the Suns erased a season; they’ve won the last two meetings by a 21-1. The arena started emptying after the third Miami at AT&T Center. 16-point deficit. added 24 points, combined 84 points. quarter ended 109-60. Griffin notched his 36th The Spurs have now won 13 of their last 15 reg- including two free throws with 24.4 seconds to This was the Clippers’ largest victory margin double-double and is riding a career-best streak of ular season games against the Heat at home. San play. Goran Dragic scored 22, including six of the over their longtime tormentors, and their sixth vic- 21 games with 20 or more points. Crawford (left Antonio will host the Orlando Magic Saturday on Suns’ final 12 points after Oklahoma City led 118- tory in the last seven meetings - including a four- calf strain) sat out for the third straight game. this homestand, then visit Chicago on Tuesday. 116. Russell Westbrook scored a season-high 36 game sweep last season. The last time the teams Forward Jared Dudley (back spasms) missed his Miami had an eight-game winning streak halted for the Thunder. added 34. Green’s met on Jan. 10, the Clips won 123-87. The Clippers first of the season. Jordan Hill didn’t play for the Tuesday with a 106-103 road loss to the Houston outburst fell one point shy of a Suns record for are 35-98 against the Lakers since moving to Los Lakers because of a sore right knee. — Agencies