SUNDAY, APRIL 6, 2014 SPORTS T’wolves cool Heat

MIAMI: Corey Brewer hit one of two free throws lead to 76-69 on Oladipo’s 3-pointer with 8:58 left , despite some occasional lapses in the with 1.8 seconds left in the second overtime, and in the fourth quarter. But Neal’s three- play 26 fourth quarter, cruised to a victory over the beat the seconds later pushed the Bobcats’ lead back into Milwaukee. 122-121 on Friday night. double figures. Tobias Harris added 15 points, Carlos Boozer and D.J. Augustin scored 14 Kevin Love scored 28 points and grabbed 11 had 11 and Kyle O’Quinn 10 for the points apiece. added 13, Mike Dunleavy rebounds for Minnesota, which got 24 from Chase Magic, who lost their third straight. 12 and Joakim Noah had 11 points and 13 Budinger, 15 from Gorgui Dieng and 13 apiece rebounds. The Bulls have won four straight and six from JJ Barea and , who also added 14 ROCKETS 111, THUNDER 107 of seven, and remained tied with the Toronto assists. Referee Ken Mauer called the last foul on scored 39 points and Houston Raptors for third in the Eastern Conference. The Miami’s Norris Cole, saying he hit Brewer on a pass ended a three-game skid and clinched its second Bulls face Washington, a possible first-round oppo- into the paint. straight playoff berth with a victory over Oklahoma nent, on Saturday. Brandon Knight had 22 points Ray Allen missed a wild jumper as time expired City. before fouling out with just over two minutes left for Miami, which blew a chance to move two scored 28 points and grabbed 12 for Milwaukee. Jeff Adrien added 21 points for the games clear of Indiana in the loss column atop the rebounds for his 40th straight game with at least Bucks, who have dropped four straight overall and Eastern Conference standings. 25 points, the longest streak since Michael Jordan 12 straight on the road. LeBron James scored 34 points for the Heat, also did it 40 consecutive times in 1986-87. who got a season-high 24 from Mario Chalmers Durant’s 3-pointer cut Houston’s lead to one JAZZ 100, PELICANS 96 and 24 more from Chris Bosh, including a tying 3- with 1:01 remaining, but Houston answered with Alec Burks and each scored pointer with 10.8 seconds left in the second over- four straight free throws. He made another 3 with 21 points and Utah held off New Orleans to snap a Winners of the first qualifying round of XCGX 2014 lift the trophy at Dubai Creek Golf time. But Brewer got the call on the next 16 seconds left, but Harden made two free throws five-game skid. Burks had 12 of his points in the & Yacht Club, Dubai. Minnesota possession, and his was the to push the lead to 111-107. fourth quarter and Hayward added eight final- difference.

Xerox Corporate Golf WIZARDS 90, KNICKS 89 Bradley Beal made the go-ahead jumper with Challenge tees off 22 seconds left and scored 28 points, and Washington took advantage of nine turnovers by DUBAI: The 16th edition of the Xerox Nearest the Pin was Ashok Sindhu, Hole 8’s Carmelo Anthony to edge New York. Corporate Golf Challenge held its first qualify- Crystal Gallery Nearest the Pin was Tom Luig Wall added 19 points, combining with Beal for ing round at the Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht and Hole 16’s Ecco Nearest the Pin was Washington’s final 12. The loss dropped the Knicks Club on Thursday, April 3, 2014. 96 golfers, Hisham Yusof. out of the eighth and final playoff spot in the paired in 48 teams, participated and the win- XCGC 2014’s destination partners are Ras Eastern Conference, with the struggling Atlanta ners were Tom Luig and Carl Palmlund from Al Khaimah Tourism, Waldorf Astoria RAK, Hawks taking a one-game lead after beating the team GGA, with a score of 66. They are the Tower Links Golf Club, and Al Hamra Golf earlier Friday. first team to be selected for the 36-hole 2-day Club. Series sponsors include Prestige Wealth JR Smith scored a season-high 32 points for the grand final that will be held at Tower Links Solutions, Skandia International and Ecco. Knicks but misfired on a potential game-winning 3 and Al Hamra golf courses, Ras Al Khaimah, Crystal Gallery, ProGolf International, Dubai with 2.2 seconds remaining after Anthony lost con- UAE, in December 2014. Golf, and OnSide Sports are event partners, trol of the ball. Runners-up, Phil Lynagh and Martin and Golf Digest, Sport 360, Arabian Golf TV, Lambert of team Tag claimed second place and UAE Golf Online are media partners. HAWKS 117, CAVALIERS 98 with a score of 67, edging out Suresh XCGC 2014 is proud to support the Noor Mike Scott ended a scoring slump with 26 Shewakramani and Ashok Kumar of team Dubai Foundation. The second qualifying points and the Atlanta Hawks beat Cleveland in a Mena Bazaar, whose score of 68 awarded round will be held on Thursday, April 24 2014, costly setback for the Cavaliers’ late-season playoff them third place. Winner of Hole 5’s Sport360 at Emirates Golf Club, Dubai. push. The Hawks set a season high with 39 first- quarter points and never trailed. Atlanta had lost seven of eight but recovered with strong games by Four days for the second draw of Scott and , who had 20 points and 12 assists. Dion Waiters led Cleveland with 23 points. NBK’s FIFA World Cup campaign Spencer Hawes had 16 points and 10 rebounds and Kyrie Irving and each had 13. KUWAIT: National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) will for every KD 20 spent locally using their NBK hold the second draw in its campaign “win 32 Visa Cards for all purchases during the pro- NETS 116, PISTONS 104 travel packages for two to the 2014 FIFA motion period. NBK Visa Cardholders (debit, Shaun Livingston scored 23 points, Mirza World Cup(TM)” on Tuesday 8th of April 2014. prepaid and credit cards) can also triple their Teletovic made six 3-pointers and added 20, and There will be 10 new winners rewarded with chances to win while spending overseas dur- Brooklyn beat Detroit to extend its home winning travel packages for two to attend the games ing traveling or on the internet. streak to 15 games. of the 2014 FIFA World Cup(tm) that will be All current and new NBK customers who Brooklyn made seven straight from beyond the held in Brazil. have their salary transferred to NBK will be eli- arc in the second quarter to take control, led by NBK is the only official non-host retail gible to get 10 chances to win in each draw Teletovic, who made four. In all, the Nets outscored banking partner of the 2014 FIFA World for every transfer, while all current and new Al Detroit 35-9 over a span of 8:23 to take a 51-31 Cup(TM) in Kuwait, in association with Visa, Shahab customers who transfer their student advantage. The Pistons, who once trailed by 22, cut the official FIFA partner. allowance to NBK will get 5 chances to win in the deficit to nine at one point in the fourth quar- In an exclusive campaign valid until 30 each draw. ter, led by Andre Drummond, who scored 23 and April, 2014, new and current NBK Visa NBK and Visa Worldwide have once again pulled down 18 boards. But Brooklyn was too bal- Cardholders and customers transferring their partnered to bring the thrill and enthusiasm anced, putting six players scored in double figures. salaries or student allowances to NBK still of the 2014 FIFA World Cup(TM) to Kuwait. Brooklyn remained 21/2 games behind the have a chance to win 32 travel packages for NBK is privileged to be the first and only bank , who beat Indiana on Friday night, two to attend the games of one of the world’s in Kuwait to reward its customers with this in the race for the No. 3 seed in the East. biggest sporting extravaganza. Each travel exclusive offer. FIFA World Cup(TM) is one of package includes two match tickets, round the world’s most popular sporting events. RAPTORS 102, PACERS 94 trip airline tickets, hotel accommodation for NBK hosted the 2014 FIFA World Cup(TM) Terrence Ross scored 24 points to lead short- MIAMI: LeBron James No. 6 of the Miami Heat drives against Khris Middleton No. 22 of the four nights, and transfer service for both win- Winner’s Trophy on its first visit to Kuwait last handed Toronto over Indiana. Jonas Valanciunas during a game at American Airlines Arena. — AFP ner and guest. April. NBK Credit Cards are accepted world- added 22 points and nine rebounds, while DeMar NBK Visa Cardholders (prepaid, credit wide and are the safest, most convenient and DeRozan scored 20 for the Raptors, who earned Harden was 17 of 20 from the line and had nine period points. The Jazz needed all of it to over- cards) will get one chance to enter the draw rewarding way to pay. their fifth win in six games despite missing starters rebounds and seven assists. The Rockets were play- come the reeling Pelicans, who played without Kyle Lowry and Amir Johnson. ing without and Patrick Beverley, Anthony Davis down the stretch due to back Greivis Vasquez and each had who both missed their fourth straight games. spasms. 10 points, while Patrick Patterson, who started in Howard has missed seven games recently because After two exceptional defense plays when the place of Johnson in only his third game since miss- of a left ankle strain and Beverley is out indefinitely Pelicans forced a turnover and Greg Stiemsma ing 11 with an elbow injury, had seven rebounds. with a torn meniscus in his right knee. blocked Burks’ , Anthony Morrow, who had a had 26 points to top the Pacers tied a career high with 27 points in game-high 26 points, hit a 3-pointer to draw New and added 21. There was a postseason a game that didn’t play because Orleans within 95-93. vibe to Friday’s Eastern Conference matchup the Thunder were playing the second night of a Hayward made one of two free throws and the between two teams that could potentially meet in back-to-back. Chandler Parsons added 23 points Pelicans drew a play that produced a wide-open the second round of the playoffs. for Houston and Terrence Jones had 16 points and shot for Darius Miller that rimmed out. — AP 11 rebounds. GRIZZLIES 100, NUGGETS 92 Marc Gasol had 24 points, Mike Conley scored SUNS 109, TRAIL BLAZERS 93 NBA results/standings 19 of his 21 points in the second half, and Memphis Gerald Green scored 18 of his 32 points in the kept its playoff hopes alive with a victory over second half and Phoenix rallied for a victory over Memphis 100, Denver 92; Charlotte 91, Orlando Denver. Portland. Eric Bledsoe finished with 30 points and 80; Toronto 102, Indiana 94; Atlanta 117, Zach Randolph added 20 points, including the Goran Dragic added 19 for the Suns, who denied Cleveland 98; Philadelphia 111, Boston 102; last four points for Memphis, and grabbed 15 the Blazers a chance to clinch a Western Brooklyn 116, Detroit 104; Minnesota 122, rebounds. Tayshaun Prince scored 12 before leav- Conference playoff berth while beating Portland Miami 121 (OT); Washington 90, NY Knicks 89; ing with an ankle injury in the first half and for the third time in four games. Trailing 67-57, the Chicago 102, Milwaukee 90; Utah 100, New Courtney Lee scored 10 for Memphis, which won Suns outscored Portland 22-13 over the final 6:48 Orleans 96; Houston 111, Oklahoma City 107; its 11th straight home game. of the third quarter to pull within 80-77, then Phoenix 109, Portland 93; Golden State 102, Randy Foye led the Nuggets with 21 points, one scored the first seven points of the fourth to take Sacramento 69; Dallas 107, LA Lakers 95. of five Denver players in double figures. Kenneth the lead for good. ITALY: Britain’s Colin Fleming returns a ball during his double match with his teammate Faried finished with 17 points and 12 rebounds for Robin Lopez and LaMarcus Aldridge each Eastern Conference Andy Murray against Italy at the tennis Davis Cup World Group quarter-final. — AFP Denver, which lost its fifth in the past six. scored 18 points for the Blazers, who had their Atlantic Division , who didn’t start for disciplinary rea- four-game win streak snapped and dropped two W L PCT GB sons, scored 16 points, while Timofey Mozgov had games behind Houston for the West’s No. 4 playoff Toronto 44 32 .579 - Murray, Fleming give 13 points. Aaron Brooks scored 11. spot. Brooklyn 41 34 .547 2.5 NY Knicks 33 44 .429 11.5 76ERS 111, CELTICS 102 WARRIORS 102, KINGS 69 Boston 23 53 .303 21 Britain Davis Cup lead Michael Carter-Williams scored eight of his 24 scored 21 points, Philadelphia 17 59 .224 27 points in the fourth quarter and Henry Sims had a had 13 points and five assists and Golden State Central Division NAPLES: Andy Murray and Colin Fleming “But it’s given us the momentum going into career-high 24 points and added nine rebounds routed Sacramento. The Warriors led 59-27 at half- Indiana 53 24 .688 - edged Britain a step closer to ending their 33- today and we couldn’t be happier about that.” and Philadelphia celebrated its second victory in time and 75-33 early in the third quarter. It was the Chicago 44 32 .579 8.5 year wait for a place in the semi-finals of the After being asked who the British team would less than a week. fewest points Golden State has allowed this season Cleveland 31 46 .403 22 Davis Cup with a hard-fought doubles win like to dedicate the doubles win to, Murray Thaddeus Young and Elliot Williams added 15 and the fewest points Sacramento has scored. Detroit 27 49 .355 25.5 over Italy yesterday. was quick to point to former British women’s points apiece for the Sixers, who have won two of The Warriors (47-29) matched last season’s win Milwaukee 14 62 .184 38.5 Earlier in Naples, Murray accounted for player Elena Baltacha, who has recently been four since tying an NBA record with 26 straight total and gained ground in the Western Conference Southeast Division Andreas Seppi 6-4, 7-5, 6-3 to level the tie, diagnosed with liver cancer. losses. Philadelphia capitalized on 22 turnovers by playoff race. They moved within 11/2 games of Miami 52 23 .693 - which had been halted due to poor light on He added:: “There’s a member of British ten- Boston and overcame a triple-double by Rajon fifth-place Portland with six games to play after the Washington 40 36 .526 12.5 Friday when the Wimbledon champion was a nis called Elena Baltacha - she has liver cancer Rondo, who finished with 11 points, 16 assists and Trail Blazers lost to Phoenix. Charlotte 38 38 .500 14.5 set up and 5-5 in the second frame. Murray and she’s fighting that just now. 11 rebounds for the Celtics. DeMarcus Cousins finished with 19 points and Atlanta 33 42 .440 19 then teamed up with Fleming as the all- “The whole of British tennis is behind her. I Boston has lost seven straight and twice this 11 rebounds, and scored 10 points for Orlando 21 55 .276 31.5 Scottish duo surged into a two-set lead before don’t know if she was watching today but this season to Philadelphia, which has won just 17 the rebuilding Kings. spurning several breaks in the third set to win goes out to her.” If Fognini, ranked 13th in games. The Sixers edged the Celtics 95-94 on Jan. Western Conference allow Simone Bolelli and Fabio Fognini to seize the world, causes an upset today the tie will be 29, then didn’t win again until beating Detroit last MAVERICKS 107, LAKERS 95 Northwest Division one of their two break chances and pull a set decided by either Andrea Seppi or James Saturday to avoid setting the longest losing streak Dirk Nowitzki had 27 points and nine rebounds, Oklahoma City 55 20 .733 - back. Ward, who are scheduled to play in the final in NBA history.Jerryd Bayless scored 23 points for and Dallas strengthened its hold on a playoff posi- Portland 49 28 .636 7 The match went down to what was a singles rubber. Boston and Brandon Bass finished with 12 points tion with a victory over Los Angeles. Minnesota 38 37 .507 17 thrilling fourth set but after going 3-1 down Ward succumbed 6-4, 2-6, 6-4, 6-1 to and 11 rebounds. Jeff Green added 15 points for The Mavericks, back at Staples one night Denver 33 43 .434 22.5 the British team launched a valiant fightback Fognini in the opening rubber on Friday. Italy the Celtics. after beating the Clippers, played their first road Utah 24 52 .316 31.5 to secure three break points on their way to a team captain Corrado Barazzutti, meanwhile, game against the Lakers since beating them 99-91 Pacific Division deserved 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 7-5 victory. Murray, the appeared to give his side little chance when he BOBCATS 91, MAGIC 80 on opening night of last season. They have won all LA Clippers 54 23 .701 - world number eight and two-time Grand Slam said: “We don’t have a lot of options. Fognini had 29 points and 16 rebounds, three meetings with the Lakers - the first time they Golden State 47 29 .618 6.5 champion, can now seal Britain’s first appear- has to beat Murray, otherwise we’ve lost the and Charlotte held off a fourth-quarter rally to beat swept the season series since this rivalry began in Phoenix 45 31 .592 8.5 ance in the semi-finals since 1981 on Sunday tie. It will be difficult for us.” Orlando. added 13 points and 10 1980-81. Nowitzki increased his career points total Sacramento 27 49 .355 26.5 when he faces Italian number one Fognini. Italy last advanced to the World Group assists, Anthony Tolliver scored 13 points and Gary to 26,778, overtaking Dominique Wilkins for 11th LA Lakers 25 51 .329 28.5 But the Scot said he is taking nothing for semi-finals in 1998 when they went on to fin- Neal 12 for the Bobcats, who at 38-38 are back at place and putting him within 32 of Oscar Southwest Division granted: “It should be a tough match, Fabio ish runners-up to Sweden, while the last final- .500 for the first time since Nov. 23, when they Robertson. had 25 points for the San Antonio 59 17 .776 - has played really well this year, especially on four appearance for Britain-nine-time winners were 7-7. Victor Oladipo scored 21 points and three Lakers. Houston 50 25 .667 8.5 clay. “But hopfully I can play a good match and but who last triumphed in 1936 — came in others finished in double Dallas 46 31 .597 13.5 finish the tie.” Fleming, the British doubles 1981. The eventual winners will take on either figures for the Magic, who shot just 35.6 percent BULLS 102, BUCKS 90 Memphis 45 31 .592 14 number one, said: “We’ll find out at the end of Switzerland or Kazakhstan in September’s from the field and made 3 of 11 3 pointers. Despite Jimmy Butler and Kirk Hinrich had 17 points New Orleans 32 44 .421 27 the tie if this has been a crucial win. semi-finals. — AFP that, Orlando managed to cut a 21-point Charlotte apiece to lead seven players in double figures, and