MONDAY, MARCH 24, 2014 SPORTS Bulls charge past 76ers

CHICAGO: The Philadelphia 76ers suffered their 24th straight loss as Joakim Noah finished with 20 points and Jimmy Butler scored 17 in the Chicago Bulls 91-81 victory Saturday. The Sixers moved ahead of the Vancouver Grizzlies (1995-96), Denver Nuggets (1997-98) and Charlotte Bobcats (2011-12) for the second- longest, single-season losing streak. The Cleveland Cavaliers dropped 26 during the 2010-11 season, and Philadelphia would have to pull off an upset to avoid equaling that. The next two games are at San Antonio and Houston. Drop them, and the Sixers could set the record at home against Detroit on March 29, particularly if they continue to shoot like this from the outside. They missed their first 18 3- pointers before Byron Mullens made one early in the fourth and were 1 of 20 in the game.

BUFFALO: Dylan Ennis No. 31 of the Villanova Wildcats drives to the basket as Ryan PELICANS 105, HEAT 95 Boatright No. 11 of the Connecticut Huskies defends during the third round of the Anthony Davis had 30 points, 11 rebounds 2014 NCAA Men’s Tournament at the First Niagara Center. —AFP and three steals as New Orleans handed strug- gling Miami its seventh loss in 11 games. LeBron James twisted his right ankle while UConn win over Villanova stepping on Pelicans guard Tyreke Evans’ foot during a drive to the hoop late in the third quar- BUFFALO: In a span of three days, Shabazz 11. Connecticut (28-8) advanced to face the ter, but remained in the game and finished with Napier and Connecticut knocked out both winner of Sunday’s game between third- 25 points, nine assists and eight rebounds. It was Philadelphia schools in the NCAA tourna- seeded Iowa State and No. 6 seed North not enough for Miami, which gave guard ment. Carolina. Dwyane Wade and center Greg Oden the night Now, the seventh-seeded Huskies are off “It’s unbelievable,” UConn athletic direc- off following Friday’s victory at Memphis. CHICAGO: Bulls forward Carlos Boozer (right) drives against Philadelphia 76ers forward Jarvis to the East Regional semifinals in New York tor Warde Manuel said. “It’s extra special, Pelicans guard Eric Gordon also sat out with a Varnado during the first half of an NBA basketball game. —AP City to see how much more bracket bust- given what this team went through last sore left knee, but New Orleans got 14 points 94), outscored Portland in the paint 54-32 and quarter. San Antonio, riding its longest winning ing they can do a year after being barred year. Extra special.” from Evans, 12 from Al-Farouq Aminu and 11 held a 50-36 rebounding advantage over the streak in six years, is two games ahead of from the postseason because of academic Manuel was referring to the academic from Luke Babbitt. Trail Blazers, who had won their last four games Oklahoma City for the top playoff seed in the sanctions. sanctions that essentially rendered the against the Bobcats. Western Conference. Second-seeded Villanova became the Huskies’ 20-10 finish meaningless last year GRIZZLIES 82, PACERS 71 The Spurs did it even while resting stars Tim highest seed to fall so far after Napier in Kevin Ollie’s first season as coach. Ollie Mike Conley scored 21 points, and Zach CLIPPERS 112, PISTONS 103 Duncan and Manu Ginobili. They are 3-0 against scored 25 points in leading UConn to a 77- has improved to 2-0 in his tournament Randolph added 18 points and 13 rebounds as Chris Paul had 28 points and 15 assists, and Golden State this season, including two wins in 65 victory Saturday night. The win came on debut, two years since taking over after Jim Memphis held Indiana to its lowest point total of Blake Griffin added 25 points as Los Angeles Oakland without their regulars, after eliminating the heels of another upset in Buffalo, where Calhoun stepped down because of health the season. beat Detroit to extend the Pistons’ losing streak the Warriors in the second round of the playoffs Dayton, the 11th seed in the South, beat issues. Mike Miller added 13 points as Memphis won to five games. The Clippers, coming off a 110- last year. Stephen Curry scored 20 points to go third-seeded Syracuse 55-53. Ryan Arcidiacono scored 18 points for for the seventh time in nine games and main- 100 loss at Denver that ended their 11-game with six assists and six rebounds, and Andrew “I guess it means something to you guys Villanova (29-5) in a matchup of former Big tained its hold on the final playoff spot in the overall winning streak, shot 54 percent from the Bogut grabbed 17 boards as the Warriors head but at the end of the day, just because East rivals. James Bell had 14 and Darrun Western Conference. Marc Gasol, returning after field and improved to 24-1 when finishing at 50 into a five-day break on a sour note. they’re No. 2 and we’re No. 7, they don’t get Hilliard added 13. spraining his ankle Friday night, had 10 points percent or better. extra points to start the game off,” Napier “Certainly a tough way to end the sea- and nine rebounds. DeAndre Jordan had 12 rebounds for the JAZZ 89, MAGIC 88 said. “Everybody’s the same.” son,” Wildcats coach Jay Wright said. “I led the Pacers with 15 Pacific Division leaders, who have had at least Trey Burke scored 17 points, including a high- UConn was better thanks to Napier, who didn’t want to let this put a damper on points and eight rebounds, while David West one player with double-digit rebounds in a fran- arcing 3-pointer with 1.6 seconds remaining, to scored 24 points two days earlier in an 89- what this group has done all year.” added 10 points, but was 5 of 15 from the field. chise-record 46 consecutive games. The previ- push Utah past Orlando. 81 overtime win against Philadelphia’s oth- Villanova fell one win short of matching , the Pacers’ leading scorer at 22.1 ous mark was 44, by the 1977 Buffalo Braves. With the Jazz trailing 88-86, er tournament entry, Saint Joseph’s. the school record set in 2009, when the points per game, was held to eight points, miss- Jonas Jerebko had 22 points and nine rebounds dribbled through the center of the Magic Napier had 21 points in the second half Wildcats lost to North Carolina in the ing eight of his 10 shots, and Indiana shot 37 off the bench for the Pistons. defense and found Burke in the corner. The big and helped put the game away by hitting national semifinals. percent for the game. shot snapped Utah’s six-game losing streak and three consecutive 3-pointers to give the Napier’s performance played a signifi- SPURS 99, WARRIORS 90 extended Orlando’s skid to eight games. Huskies a 54-45 lead with 6:08 remaining. cant role. “He was just awesome,” Wright ROCKETS 118, CAVALIERS 111 Tony Parker had 20 points and five assists, Down the stretch, the game turned into a The star guard was limited to 8 minutes in said. “There was a period where he hit three James Harden scored 37 points, including 17 and Danny Green scored 18 points as short- battle between Burke and Victor Oladipo, two the first half by foul trouble, and he avoid- 3s, and it just created a separation.” in the third quarter as Houston led from wire-to- handed San Antonio outlasted Golden State for rookies drafted in the top 10 of last summer’s ed a major scare when he briefly left the Wright was referring to a surge during wire in a victory over Cleveland. its 13th straight victory. draft. Oladipo, the second selection, scored 19 game after hurting his right shin with 4:01 which UConn took control in a span of 1:32 Harden was 9 of 15 from the field, hit five 3- Tiago Splitter added 17 points and 14 points for the Magic. He made a jumper and left. “The pain was excruciating. I couldn’t as Napier made three consecutive 3-point- pointers, made all 14 of his free throws and had rebounds as the NBA-leading Spurs (53-16) then added two free throws with 21 seconds to put any pressure on it,” Napier said. “Our ers to build a 51-40 advantage. Kromah 11 assists without playing the fourth quarter pulled away with an 11-0 run early in the fourth play to give Orlando an 85-82 lead. —AP trainer told me to mentally stay strong. ... started it and Napier struck a pose for the after Houston built a 29-point lead late in the He put that Bio-freeze on it, and I was ready cameras after hitting the second 3 with third. Rockets center Dwight Howard missed his to go.” 8:59 left. third straight game with a sore left ankle, but The freeze didn’t cool him down once “He led us to victory,” Ollie said. “He was Houston is undefeated in the eight-time All- NBA results/standings Napier returned after missing only about just unbelievable in that second half: 21 Star’s absence. 40 seconds of action. Holding the ball atop points, crucial 3s, dagger 3s. He was 30 feet Cleveland has lost four straight and played Charlotte 124, Portland 94; Houston 118, Cleveland 111; Chicago 91, Philadelphia 81; Memphis 82, Indiana the 3-point arc, he blew past a defender out and he was making them.” 71; New Orleans 105, Miami 95; Utah 89, Orlando 88; San Antonio 99, Golden State 90; LA Clippers 112, again without point guard Kyrie Irving, who has Detroit 103. while driving into the paint and flipped in The Huskies are marching on to been sidelined for three games with a strained an underhanded reverse high off the back- Madison Square Garden in their first season left biceps. Eastern Conference Western Conference board to put UConn ahead 60-51 with 2:19 as members of the American Athletic Dion Waiters led Cleveland with 26 points. Atlantic Division Northwest Division remaining. Conference after the Big East was realigned W L PCT GB Oklahoma City 51 18 .739 - Tyler Zeller added a career-high 23 points for the Toronto 38 30 .559 - Lasan Kromah scored 12 points for the following a series of defections. Villanova Cavaliers, who also played without forward Luol Portland 45 25 .643 6.5 Brooklyn 36 31 .537 1.5 Minnesota 34 33 .507 16 Huskies, while DeAndre Daniels, Ryan remained a Big East holdover, but wound Deng (sprained left ankle). NY Knicks 29 40 .420 9.5 Boatright and Terrence Samuel each had up being bounced by a familiar foe.—AP Denver 31 38 .449 20 Boston 23 47 .329 16 Utah 23 47 .329 28.5 BOBCATS 124, TRAIL BLAZERS 94 Philadelphia 15 55 .214 24 Pacific Division Central Division Al Jefferson scored 28 points and two others LA Clippers 49 21 .700 - finished with more than 20 as Charlotte routed Indiana 51 19 .729 - Chicago 39 31 .557 12 Golden State 44 27 .620 5.5 Portland. Kemba Walker added 26 points, Gerald Phoenix 40 29 .580 8.5 Henderson had 23 and Chris Douglas-Roberts 11 Cleveland 26 44 .371 25 Detroit 25 44 .362 25.5 Sacramento 24 45 .348 24.5 for the Bobcats, who finished with their highest- Milwaukee 13 56 .188 37.5 LA Lakers 22 46 .324 26 scoring game and most-lopsided victory in Southeast Division Southwest Division snapping a two-game losing streak. Miami 47 21 .691 - San Antonio 53 16 .768 - Damian Lillard scored 20 points, Dorell Wright Washington 36 33 .522 11.5 Houston 47 22 .681 6 added 17 and Wesley Matthews 15 for the Trail Charlotte 34 36 .486 14 Dallas 42 28 .600 11.5 Blazers, who trailed by as many as 34 points late Atlanta 31 36 .463 15.5 Memphis 41 28 .594 12 in the second half in their worst loss this season. Orlando 19 51 .271 29 New Orleans 29 40 .420 24 Charlotte shot 52 percent from the field (49 of Massaro crowned new world champion

GEORGE TOWN: World number feel this whole tournament has Massaro, the first Englishwoman it’s going to be special to say that two Laura Massaro was crowned been based around being mentally to win a world championship since I’m both the British Open champion the new world women’s squash strong and being gritty when it Cassie Campion in 1999, wins and world champion.” The new champion yesterday after edging counts, and that’s what I’m most $20,400 in prize money. She is also world champion also paid tribute Egypt’s Nour El Sherbini in a sus- proud of,” she said. relishing the prospect of a hero’s to her young opponent, who had penseful final. “I hate to lose a game because I welcome back home. pushed her all the way in the final. Massaro downed Sherbini 11-7, think I’m quite hard to beat. People “It’s going to be amazing going “She (Sherbini) is the future of the 6-11, 11-9, 5-11, 11-9 in front of a actually have to beat me-they are back with this title. Winning the game. I’m glad I managed to get a full house in the Malaysian island of never given the game.” British Open last year was huge, so win while I still could.” —AFP Penang. Massaro, 30, made an elec- tric start to the first game, using every speck of the court to her advantage to gain the upper hand DOHA: Repsol Honda Team MotoGP rider Marc Marquez of Spain rides during a qual- at 11-7. ification session of the MotoGP World Championship at the Losail International cir- But Sherbini, who had produced cuit. —AFP the shock of the championship by claiming the scalp of top seed Nicol David, was no pushover and her Marquez on pole in Qatar excellent front-court play brought her level after the second game at QATAR: Honda’s MotoGP world champion will be fifth on the grid for the factory 1-1. The third game saw both play- Marc Marquez seized pole position on Yamaha team with Italian colleague ers trade points until 9-9, but Saturday for the season-opening Qatar Valentino Rossi lining up in 10th. Massaro held her nerve to win and Grand Prix despite breaking his leg last Marquez, who fractured the fibula in his take the lead for the second time. month and being barely able to walk a right leg while dirt-bike riding six weeks The pendulum swung in week ago. The 21-year-old Spaniard put in ago, looked comfortable enough on his Sherbini’s favor in the fourth game, a sizzling lap of one minute 54.507 seconds Honda and was all smiles although he said the 18-year-old racking up seven as the chequered flag fell under the Losail the race would be a different story. consecutive points to win 11-5 and circuit floodlights to knock compatriot “Tomorrow is the most important,” he said. tie the scores at 2-2. Alvaro Bautista off the top slot. Bautista, on “The leg will be difficult at the end of the The deciding fifth game was as a non-factory Honda, was second fastest race because I’m getting tired, I do a lot of close as it got, but Massaro again behind the works bike in 1:54.564 with power with that. “Anyway, I will try. showed nerves of steel to win 11-9 Britain’s Bradley Smith securing the first Tomorrow I think we can do a good race.” and claim the game’s biggest prize. front row position of his MotoGP career on Until this week’s practice, the youngest- Massaro, who banished the a Tech3 Yamaha. ever MotoGP champion had not ridden the memory of her loss in the 2012 Early Spanish favorite Aleix Espargaro, Honda since his Feb. 6 accident. World Open final, attributed her who had dominated free practice, crashed When he arrived in Qatar he told victory to her never-say-die atti- twice in the session — returning to the pits reporters he was not able to walk five days tude, especially in the face of adver- for a spare bike after the first fall — and earlier: “Step by step it’s becoming better,” sity. ended up in ninth position. he had said. “So if I can walk I think on the “It was an emotional battle for GEORGETOWN: England’s Laura Massaro poses with the trophy after winning the CIMB Women’s World Twice world champion Jorge Lorenzo bike it’ll be OK.”—Reuters me today. I felt really nervous, but I Championship squash final against Nour El Sherbini of Egypt at the Spice Arena. —AFP