MONDAY, APRIL 14, 2014 SPORTS

Watson all set for Masters duel Photo of the day

AUGUSTA: Bubba Watson squan- lead on a day when he struggled on leaderboard. dered an early five-stroke advantage the heavily contoured greens. Watson wobbled with three and was caught by 20-year-old Jordan “It was the firmest I’ve seen it in bogeys in four holes from the fourth, Spieth as the youngster tied him for years out here,” said Watson who only striking delicate chip shots and sand the lead at the end of a pressure- missed one fairway but needed 33 blasts too far while leaving some packed third round of the Masters on putts. “I had a couple of three-putts. If downhill putts short in fear of rolling Saturday. you two-putt those you’re right there well by. Spieth, playing with patience and and you’ve got a two-shot lead. The poor stretch dropped Watson discipline belying his years, posted a “All in all, a good day,” Watson said, into a tie with Blixt and Thomas Bjorn solid two-under-par 70 to join Watson looking on the bright side. “If some- of Denmark at five under with nine on five-under 211 on a warm, sunny body told me on Monday I’d have a 74 holes to play before the American day at Augusta National that baked and still be tied for the lead I’d have moved back in front with a birdie at the famed greens to lightning speeds. taken it all day long.” the 10th. “Patience,” Spieth said about the One stroke back were Matt Kuchar, Ten players were bunched within key to his round. “We could tell early who used some brilliant chipping to two shots of the lead at the turn. Blixt on the greens were ridiculous. You register a 68, and Masters first-timer also reached five-under after back-to- had to put the ball on the right spots Jonas Blixt of Sweden (71). back birdies from the 15th but a and not let your focus stray for one Another shot adrift on 213 were bogey at 17 dropped him back and moment.” American Rickie Fowler (67) and 50- Spieth emerged as co-leader. At the Spieth, who began the day four year-old Spaniard Miguel Angel other end of the age spectrum, behind overnight leader Watson, put Jimenez who had seven birdies and Jimenez could put his name in the himself in position to make Masters one bogey in a tournament-low 66. Masters record books as the oldest history yesterday as victory would champion, surpassing Jack Nicklaus make him Augusta’s youngest cham- BOGEY SPELL who was 46 when he won in 1986. pion, putting him ahead of Tiger An eagle at the par-five second Jimenez vaulted into contention by Woods who was 21 when he tri- hole helped Watson improve his 36- matching the lowest Masters score by umphed in 1997. hole lead to a five-shot cushion but a player over 50 held by Ben Hogan Watson, the 2012 champion, need- that disappeared under a spell of (1967) and Fred Couples (2010). ed to curl in a four-foot par-saving bogeys that turned the year’s first “I feel very nice. Beautiful day out putt at the last to retain a share of the major into a taut battle on a crowded there, just light breeze sometimes. It’s great,” said the pony-tailed Spaniard. Three shots behind the co-leaders were England’s Lee Westwood (70), Bjorn (73) and American Jim Furyk (72). Americans Couples, 54, and Kevin Stadler, U.S. Open champion Justin Rose of England and Australian John Senden were tied at one under par heading into what could be a wild shootout for the year’s first major. Mohammad Al Attar performs during a photoshoot in Kuwait City, Kuwait . Another record-tying performance —www.redbull.com was turned in by long-hitting American Gary Woodland who took advantage of his early start on greens not yet baked to a crisp to fire a six- Clippers stop Kings march under 30 on the front nine and tie the Masters record. Woodland had four birdies and an eagle to match the LOS ANGELES: Blake Griffin scored 27 Boston Celtics defeated the Cleveland MAVERICKS 101, SUNS 98 record low for the outward half by points, DeAndre Jordan added 21, and Cavaliers. Avery Bradley also scored 25 Monta Ellis matched his season high Johnny Miller (1975), Greg Norman the Los Angeles Clippers beat the points for the Celtics, who built a 33-point with 37 points and Dirk Nowitzki scored (1988), KJ Choi (2004) and Phil Sacramento Kings 117-101 on Saturday lead early in the fourth quarter before 21 of his 23 during a second-half rally Mickelson (2009). to earn their franchise record-tying 56th Cleveland’s reserves cut into the margin. that carried the Dallas Mavericks back to He climbed within three shots of victory of the regular season. Chris Paul Boston snapped a 13-game road losing the playoffs. Ellis and Nowitzki brought Watson before stumbling at Amen added 17 points and 10 assists, J.J. streak and won for the first time away the Mavericks back by hitting five 3- Corner as he ended with a 69 for 216, Redick had 13 points, and Matt Barnes from home since Feb. 10. The Celtics have pointers between them in less than 4 even par. Adam Scott, last year’s win- scored 12 in helping the playoff-bound won consecutive games for the first time minutes of the third quarter, erasing ner, struggled on the greens and post- Clippers improve to 33-7 at Staples since early March. most of a 13-point deficit. Then, they ed a 76 for 217. Center, breaking the franchise mark for Kyrie Irving scored and Dion Waiters teamed to get the lead back in the home victories in a season. Griffin had each scored 15 points for Cleveland, but fourth, and Dallas held on in the final NEXT TEST nine assists, and Jordan had nine neither played in the fourth quarter that minutes. The Mavericks left the Suns and The next test for young Spieth will rebounds. began with Boston leading 89-58. Memphis to battle for the last playoff be contending with the pressure Los Angeles completed a season cooker that is Masters. “He’s young, sweep of the Kings and has won seven nerves are no big deal to him,” said straight against them at home. Watson of Spieth who seems destined DeMarcus Cousins had his seventh for greatness after winning the US straight double-double with 32 points Junior Amateur in 2009 and 2011, and 12 rebounds to lead the Kings, who joining Tiger Woods as the event’s lost their fifth in a row in their last road only multiple winners, and who game of the season. became the youngest PGA Tour win- ner in 82 years last season at the age HAWKS 98, HEAT 85 of 19. Still, the final round at Augusta Jeff Teague scored 25 points, Lou is something special. “You know the Williams had 18 of his 23 points in the roars, you know the history of the fourth quarter and the Atlanta Hawks game,” said Watson. “As a kid we’ve earned the Eastern Conference’s final always dreamed about Sunday after- playoff spot. Atlanta’s third straight vic- AUGUSTA: Justin Rose of England reacts as he watches his putt on the sec- noon, having a chance on the last tory eliminated the New York Knicks ond green during the final round of the Masters Golf Tournament at hole or birdying the last four like Charl from playoff contention. Williams scored Augusta National Golf Club. —AFP Schwartzel did in 2011.— Reuters the Hawks’ last 12 points. LeBron James finished with 27 points and Dwyane Wade, in his first game since missing nine straight with a sore Terpstra down top guns left hamstring, scored 24 for the Miami Heat. The two-time defending champion Heat, who have lost three of four, gave to clinch Paris- up the ground they gained in the stand- ings Friday by beating Indiana at home ROUBAIX: of the the finale a price for his repeated cobbled sectors less than 100 km and taking a one-half game lead over Netherlands seized his opportunity to efforts having not received a lot of from the finish. the Pacers. Miami and Indiana are now pip the pre-race favourites and clinch help from his breakaway companions. He punctured again and then tied atop the Eastern Conference with LOS ANGELES: Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (right) loses the the biggest victory of his career when crashed on the unluckiest day for the 54-26 records. The Heat’s 85 points were ball as he is fouled by Los Angeles Clippers forward Glen Davis (left) during he won the Paris-Roubaix classic yes- IMPRESSIVE WIGGINS Norwegian from the Katusha team. their third-fewest this season. the second half of an NBA basketball game. — AP terday. The favorites eventually regrouped Edvald Boasson-Hagen of Norway and Terpstra, one of the in-form riders despite ’s solo attempts, France’s Arnaud Demarre were also WIZARDS 194, BUCKS 91 going into the 257-km race featuring and the mind games started. While all among the riders with outside Bradley Beal scored 26 points, and NBA results/standings 51.1 km of cobbled sectors, attacked a eyes were on Belgian Sep Vanmarcke, chances who hit the deck. the Washington Wizards moved a step group of favourites with six kilometres Cancellara, Sagan and Boonen, Cancellara, the defending champi- closer to claiming the No. 6 seed in the LA Clippers 117, Sacramento 101; Charlotte 111, Philadelphia 105; left and never looked back. Terpstra powered away and only on, was briefly held back after team Eastern Conference with a win over the Washington 104, Milwaukee 91; Atlanta 98, Miami 85; Boston 111, He crossed the line on the outdoor , eventually a decent mate Hayden Roulston caused a pile Milwaukee Bucks, whose loss guaran- Cleveland 99; Houston 111, New Orleans 104; Dallas 101, Phoenix 98; some 20 seconds seventh for Team Sky, tried to bridge up when he crashed at the front of teed they will finish with at least a tie for Denver 101, Utah 94. the worst record in the NBA. ahead of German . the gap. It was a good day for the the pack. Eastern Conference Western Conference John Wall added 15 points and eight Swiss , who was bid- Atlantic Division Northwest Division ding to become the first rider to assists for the Wizards, who also clinched W L PCT GB Oklahoma City58 21 .734 - the franchise’s first winning record since achieve three Paris-Roubaix/Tour of Toronto 46 33 .582 - 2008 - which was also the last time they Portland 52 28 .650 6.5 Flanders doubles, came third after fail- Brooklyn 43 36 .544 3 made the playoffs. Minnesota 40 39 .506 18 ing to make his move earlier in the NY Knicks 34 45 .430 12 Washington leads the seventh-place Denver 36 44 .450 22.5 race. Belgian , Terpstra’s Boston 25 55 .313 21.5 Charlotte Bobcats, who beat the Utah 24 56 .300 34.5 team leader at Omega Pharma-Quick Philadelphia 17 63 .213 29.5 Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday, by one Pacific Division Step, was the most aggressive rider of Central Division game with two to play. The Bobcats hold LA Clippers 56 24 .700 - the day but he crossed the line in 10th Indiana 54 26 .675 - the tiebreaker if Washington and Golden State 49 30 .620 6.5 place and failed to become the only Chicago 47 32 .595 6.5 Charlotte finish tied. Both teams are Phoenix 47 33 .588 9 man with five Roubaix titles. Cleveland 32 49 .395 22.5 hoping to finish higher than seventh in Sacramento 27 53 .338 29 “It’s the best day of my career. I had Detroit 29 51 .363 25 order to avoid a first-round series against some nice results, especially this year, Milwaukee 15 65 .188 39 LA Lakers 25 54 .316 30.5 Miami or Indiana. Khris Middleton and and then to take the win in the Southeast Division Southwest Division Ramon Sessions scored 20 points apiece biggest Classic of all is a dream come Miami 54 26 .675 - San Antonio 62 18 .775 - to lead the Bucks. true,” Terpstra, his face covered with a Washington 42 38 .525 12 Houston 53 27 .663 9 mix of dust and sweat, told reporters. Charlotte 41 39 .513 13 Dallas 49 32 .605 13.5 BOBCATS 111, 76ERS 105 “It’s a race that suits me well. My Atlanta 37 43 .463 17 Memphis 47 32 .595 14.5 Al Jefferson continued his dominat- shape this year was really good so I Orlando 23 56 .291 30.5 New Orleans 32 48 .400 30 was motivated for a good result. The ing play with 29 points and 12 rebounds, team were good, we had some riders and the Charlotte Bobcats defeated the to play with, so I attacked and it was a Philadelphia 76ers for their sixth win in ROCKETS 111, PELICANS 104 spot in the Western Conference. Dallas is good attack,” added the first seven games. James Harden had 33 points and 13 back in the postseason after a 12-year Dutchman since in It marked the sixth straight game assists and the Houston Rockets rallied playoff streak ended last season. Eric FRANCE: Netherland’s Niki Terpstra (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) looks at 2001 to prevail in the Hell of the Jefferson had at least 20 points and 10 past the New Orleans Pelicans to main- Bledsoe scored 29 points for the Suns. his trophy on the podium after winning the 112th edition of the Paris- North. rebounds in a game - extending his own tain their spot in the Western Roubaix one-day classic cycling race. — AFP The win put balm on the Omega franchise record. Conference standings with the postsea- NUGGETS 101, JAZZ 94 Pharma-Quick Step team, who were British outfit although Thomas The Swiss, who looked slightly The Bobcats (41-39) remained one son just days away. Kenneth Faried scored 24 points and outplayed in the last refused to fully cooperate with below his usual awe-inspiring best, game behind the Washington Wizards in The Rockets had lost two in a row pulled down 21 rebounds in the short- Sunday. “I don’t like the word Boonen and possibly missed out on a never seemed in the mix for victory, the race for the sixth seed in the Eastern and needed the win to stay ahead of handed Denver Nuggets’ come-from- revenge,” team boss better result. yet he claimed a 12th consecutive Conference with two games left in the Portland in fourth place in the West. behind win over the Utah Jazz. told reporters. , the first rider podium place on the Monument races regular season. The Wizards defeated Houston got a boost from the return of Randy Foye added 26 points and Evan “Terpstra won but we raced so that since Greg Lemond in 1992 to start (Milan-San Remo, Flanders, Roubaix, Milwaukee 104-91 on Saturday night. Dwight Howard and Patrick Beverley, Fornier 23 for the Nuggets, who trailed the team could win. In the end, the Queen of the Classics as a former Liege-Bastogne-Liege, Tour of Michael Carter-Williams had 23 points who had both missed the last eight most of the night before sending Utah to Boonen stopped thinking like a winner, ended up an Lombardy) he finished. “I can be and eight assists to lead the 76ers, who games with injuries. Beverley scored 20 its fourth straight loss and evening the leader, he brought back the (chasing) impressive ninth. proud, I did my best,” Cancellara told have lost 16 of their last 17 games on the points and Howard had 13. season series with their rivals at two group so that Terpstra could come Others were eliminated by bad reporters. “In the end it was tactical. I road. Luke Babbitt, who was signed by the games each. Foye’s 3-pointer with 6:54 back. “It’s not the freshest rider who luck-a major actor in Paris-Roubaix. wanted to attack but I knew the oth- Pelicans in February after playing 18 left gave Denver its first lead of the night won but the smartest.” Boonen Milan-San Remo winner Alexander ers were waiting for me to do that. CELTICS 111, CAVALIERS 99 games in Russia this season, had a at 77-76. Gordon Hayward led Utah with launched his first attack with 65 km Kristoff punctured in the Trouee And I was fancying my chances in a Rookie Kelly Olynyk matched a career career-high 24 points as New Orleans 23 points, and Enes Kanter added 22 left but came up just short, paying in d’Arenberg, one of the most feared sprint.” — Reuters high with 25 points and the short-handed dropped its eighth straight. points and 14 rebounds. — AP