SUNDAY, MARCH 23, 2014 SPORTS

Benzema fit for ‘Clasico’ No-fly zone over WCup Wright out of World T20 MIRPUR: all-rounder Luke Wright was ruled out of the World with a side Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema has recovered from a bruised thigh and is available BRASILIA: The Brazilian Air Force will declare no-fly zones over World MADRID: strain yesterday. The 29-year-old Wright joined Joe Root and Ben Stokes in being forced for today’s La Liga ‘Clasico’ at home to Barcelona, coach Carlo Ancelotti said yesterday. Cup stadiums to prevent terrorist attacks during this year’s soccer tourna- out of the former winners’ squad with injury. Benzema took a knock in a collision with team mate Cristiano Ronaldo in last weekend’s 1-0 La ment, but there’s a catch: it can’t shoot down intruders, for now. “The Event Technical Committee ... has approved as a replacement Liga win at Malaga and the France international missed Tuesday’s Champions League game By law, Brazil’s military can only shoot at unresponsive civilian planes player for Luke Wright in the England men’s squad,” the International Council said in against Schalke 04. “Benzema has recovered well and he trained with the rest of the team today on drug trafficking routes near its borders, but not over densely populat- a statement. without any problems,” Ancelotti told a news conference. ed urban areas where games will be played in 12 cities. The Air Force is Like Wright, South Africa-born Kieswetter was part of England’s “We had a small problem with Isco who arrived with a mild cold and had asking the Brazilian government to change the shoot-down law to allow 2010 World Twenty20 winning side. Faulkner’s wait on the side- some treatment before training and then trained normally,” added the effective defense of the air space during the 64 games of the June 12-July lines also got prolonged as the 23-year-old continues to Italian. “So all the squad is in good condition.” With 10 games left, 13 global soccer tournament, said Air Force Brigadier Antonio Carlos recover from a knee surgery which forced him out of Real have a three-point lead over second-placed city rivals Egito at a news conference on Friday. In the meantime, the anti-aircraft Australia’s test tour of South Africa. “He will miss tomor- Atletico Madrid, who play at bottom side Real Betis earlier today guns to be deployed near the stadiums cannot be fired at a plane flying row’s game,” Australia George Bailey told (1600). into a no-fly zone, said Egito, the military chief of air traffic over Brazil. reporters, still optimistic that the bowling all-rounder Champions Barca are a point further back in third and The Air Force and civilian aviation regulator ANAC announced that for would play a pivotal role in the tournament and beyond. defeat on Sunday would severely damage their chances of security reasons commercial flights will not be allowed to land at eight “I think his record is pretty handy in Twenty20. He’s winning a fifth La Liga title in six years. airports that are within the 7.2 kilometer (4 nautical mile) no-fly radius certainly played a huge role in Twenty20 and one-day Ancelotti said he would be sticking with his preferred midfield around the stadiums. The suspension will begin one hour before games teams since his debut. “He’s a really important player of Xabi Alonso, Luka Modric and Angel Di Maria at the Bernabeu, kick off and last for 4 to 5 hours, though take-offs will not be restricted. for us, he’s really versatile, adds another dimension to when Real will seek to extend their 31-match unbeaten run in all They do not affect the country’s main international airports. our team. We are just monitoring him. I think the way competitions stretching back to a 2-1 La Liga defeat at Barca in The suspensions will mostly disrupt flights at Rio de Janeiro’s domes- he plays, he’d become more and more October. Benzema will return at centre forward with Portugal cap- tic airport Santos Dumont and complicate the logistics of Brazilian carriers important to us as the tournament tain and La Liga top scorer Ronaldo on the left and Wales that have already sold 3,000 seats on flights that will have to be can- progresses.” —Reuters winger Gareth Bale on the right. —Reuters celed.—Reuters Thunder roll past Raptors

TORONTO: Kevin Durant had 51 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder past the Toronto Raptors 119-118 in double overtime, despite losing NBA All-Star guard Russell Westbrook to a right knee injury in the third quarter. Durant hit the go-ahead 3 with 1.7 seconds left in the second overtime to win it for the Thunder, who won their fourth straight and finished off a 3-0 road trip. Reggie Jackson added 25 and Serge Ibaka had 13. Durant has scored 25 or more in 34 straight games, the NBA’s longest streak since Michael Jordan did it in 40 consecutive games in 1986-87. DeMar DeRozan scored 33 points and Amir Johnson had 25 points and 12 rebounds for the Raptors.

KNICKS 93, 76ERS 92 Amare Stoudemire had 22 points and 10 rebounds and Carmelo Anthony scored 21 as the New York Knicks beat Philadelphia for their eighth straight win. It was the 23rd straight loss for the Sixers, matching the Vancouver Grizzlies (1995-96), Denver Nuggets (1997-98) and Charlotte Bobcats (2011-12) for the second-longest single-season losing streak in NBA history. The Cleveland Cavaliers set the record of 26 con- secutive losses in the 2010-11 season. The Sixers (15-54) would have to pull off an upset to avoid DENVER: Boston Bruins center Gregory Campbell (11) reaches for the puck tying the record, with three straight road games up as Colorado Avalanche defenseman Nate Guenin (5) covers him in the third next at playoff-bound Chicago, San Antonio and TORONTO: Raptors forward Tyler Hansbrough (left) battles for the ball against Oklahoma period of an NHL hockey game. —AP Houston. If the Sixers lose all three, the potential record 27th loss could come March 29 vs. Detroit. Thunder guard Reggie Jackson (right) during the second half of an NBA basketball game. —AP

SPURS 99, KINGS 79 Raptors. Brooklyn also moved within one game of MAVERICKS 122, NUGGETS 106 Bruins stop Avalanche Marco Belinelli scored 13 of his 17 points in the the Chicago Bulls for the fourth spot in the Eastern Monta Ellis scored 26 points and Dirk Nowitzki Conference playoff race. added 21 as Dallas pulled away from Denver in the DENVER: Patrice Bergeron and Carl BLACKHAWKS 3, HURRICANES 2 fourth quarter and Kawhi Leonard had 15 points Knotted at 45 with 6:49 left in the second quar- fourth quarter. The Mavericks avoided a season sweep Soderberg each had a goal and Chad Jonathan Toews’ short-handed break- and seven rebounds as NBA-leading San Antonio eased past Sacramento for its 12th straight win. ter, Brooklyn went on a 19-9 run to pull away from by the Nuggets, who ran away with a win in Denver two Johnson stopped 31 shots for his third away goal early in the third period broke Manu Ginobili added 14 points, and Tiago the Celtics, who lost for the sixth time in their last weeks ago to hand Dallas its longest losing streak at career shutout as the Boston Bruins beat a tie as Chicago edged Carolina. Patrick Splitter had 11 points and 11 rebounds. San seven games. three games. Vince Carter shook off a dislocated pinkie the Colorado Avalanche 2-0 on Friday Sharp scored his team-leading 30th goal Antonio (52-16) remained 11/2 games ahead of on his left hand in the first quarter to finish with 13. JJ night for their 11th win in a row. and Kris Versteeg ended an eight-game Oklahoma City and Indiana for the league’s best HEAT 91, GRIZZLIES 86 Hickson led Denver with 18 points and eight rebounds Boston became the first team to drought to help the Blackhawks win record. Ray Allen scored 18 points to lead Miami to a before leaving with an apparent injury in the fourth clinch a spot in the Stanley Cup playoffs. without leading scorer Patrick Kane, who The winning streak also is San Antonio’s longest comeback victory over Memphis. Miami rallied from quarter. It’s the longest run for the Bruins since a was placed on long-term injured reserve since rolling off 12 in a row in November 2010. an 84-77 deficit with 4:08 remaining and scored 11 13-game winning streak in the 1970-71 after sustaining a lower-body injury on Isaiah Thomas scored 18 points and DeMarcus unanswered points. Allen’s 3-pointer with 3:27 SUNS 98, PISTONS 92 season. They pushed their point total to Wednesday. Cousins had 15 points and 13 rebounds for the remaining began the comeback and Dwyane Eric Bledsoe scored 15 of his 23 points in the fourth 101, the 21st time the team has reached Corey Crawford made 26 saves. Kings, who were held to a season low in points. Wade’s jumper with 1:32 remaining tied it at 84. quarter as Phoenix pulled out a victory over Detroit. the 100-point threshold. Alexander Semin scored his 20th and Wade’s two free throws with 1:04 left gave the Heat Goran Dragic added 20 points, 15 in the first half, and Colorado pulled goalie Semyon 21st goals as the Hurricanes fought back PACERS 91, BULLS 79 their first lead since early in the third quarter. Markieff Morris scored 16 for the Suns. Rodney Stuckey Varlamov for an extra attacker with five from a two-goal deficit, but lost to Luis Scola had 19 points and Lance Stephenson After Mike Miller missed a 3-point attempt with scored 23 and Andre Drummond had 13 points and 16 minutes remaining but couldn’t avert its Chicago for the second time this season. finished with 15 to lead Indiana over Chicago. The 51 seconds remaining for the Grizzles, LeBron rebounds for the Pistons in their fourth overall loss and first shutout of the season. The Anton Khudobin stopped 22 shots Pacers, who went on a 19-0 run in the third quarter, James’ jumper with 24 seconds left capped the 12th straight on the road. Bledsoe, in his biggest game Avalanche had scored at least once in 80 after a career-best 46 saves in Carolina’s now have a 13-game lead over the Bulls in the Heat’s late rally for an 88-84 advantage. since returning from knee surgery March 12, made a 3- straight games since their previous win at Columbus on Tuesday. Sharp has Central Division. Carlos Boozer was called for a Zach Randolph scored 25 points and had 14 pointer as the shot clock expired to put the Suns ahead shutout last April 6 at Phoenix. Colorado, scored at least 30 goals four times in his Flagrant 1 foul with 7:31 left in the third and Roy rebounds for Grizzlies. Marc Gasol finished with 14 for good 89-86 with 3:22 to play. which handed Boston its only shutout of career. He has reached the mark in the Hibbert made two free throws and Stephenson points, but left with an ankle injury midway through the third quarter. WIZARDS 117, LAKERS 107 the season on Oct. 10, was the last NHL past three full NHL seasons. made a basket to give the Pacers a 63-45 lead. DJ Augustin and Jimmy Butler each scored 17 points John Wall had 28 points and 14 assists, leading team to be blanked this season. for the Bulls, who have lost two of their last three. PELICANS 111, HAWKS 105 Washington past spiraling Los Angeles. Bradley Beal PREDATORS 6, FLAMES 5 Anthony Davis had 34 points and 11 rebounds added 18 points for the Wizards, who began a four- RANGERS 3, BLUE JACKETS 1 Shea Weber scored twice, including NETS 114, CELTICS 98 as New Orleans beat Atlanta. Tyreke Evans had 21 game Western Conference road trip with back-to-back Derick Brassard and Derek Stepan the go-ahead goal late in the third peri- Joe Johnson hit six 3-pointers in his 27 points points for New Orleans, which completed a two- losses to Sacramento and Portland. Washington’s Drew scored third-period goals, and Henrik od, and Nashville escaped with a one- and Mason Plumlee added 18 points as Brooklyn game sweep of the season series. Gooden and Los Angeles’ Jordan Hill were both ejected Lundqvist made 25 saves to lead the goal win over Calgary. won its 11th straight at home, beating Boston. Davis set career highs with 40 points and 20 after getting into a scuffle with 2:14 remaining and the New York Rangers over Columbus. Tied 4-4 and with the Predators on the Former Celtic Paul Pierce had 14 points and rebounds in New Orleans’ 121-120 overtime win Wizards ahead 108-98. Steve Nash, who sat out 15 It was the first game back in power play, Weber took a perfect pass Andray Blatche and Jorge Gutierrez added 10 over Boston on Sunday and then missed a loss to games because of chronic nerve damage in his back Columbus for Rangers star Rick Nash, the from Matt Cullen and blasted a high slap apiece for the Nets, who won their third straight Toronto on Wednesday with a respiratory infection. that has limited him to 11 appearances all season, had Blue Jackets’ franchise leader in goals, shot past Joey MacDonald from the face- game and ninth in the last 10 to pull within 11/2 The Hawks’ five-game winning streak ended. Jeff 11 assists and five points in 19 minutes off the bench for assists and games. He was given a stand- off dot to put Nashville back into the games of the Atlantic Division-leading Toronto Teague led Atlanta with 26 points and eight assists. the Lakers. —AP ing ovation during a video tribute in the lead at 14:28. Weber’s 18th goal tied him first period, but was booed after a sec- with Ottawa’s Erik Karlsson for second in ond-period, two-handed shove of the NHL among defensemen, one Columbus goalie Sergei Bobrovsky. behind Winnipeg’s Dustin Byfuglien. Yarmouk win karate championship Carl Hagelin added an empty-net Cullen added his seventh goal of the goal, and defenseman Anton Stralman season at 17:08 on a deflection. That KUWAIT: Yarmouk Sports Club won had two assists for the Rangers, who turned out to be the winning goal after the third Liberation Karate moved two points ahead of the Blue Mike Cammalleri’s second of the game Championship that concluded Jackets in the tight Metropolitan Division 28 seconds later set up a furious final Thursday evening, with the participa- and Eastern Conference playoff races. 21/2 minutes for the Flames. Calgary tion of 190 players from 13 local clubs. Yarmouk club won first place with 15 Nick Foligno scored for Columbus, 7-2-2 buzzed around the Predators net but points followed by Qadisiya in second in its last 11 games. Bobrovsky made 29 couldn’t tie it against backup goalie place with 12 points and Salmiya third saves. Carter Hutton. —AP with 11 points. The final day of the tournament saw Qadisiya winning first place in the teams event followed by NHL results/standings Salmiya, while Al-Nasser and Yarmouk shared third place. Yarmouk’s player Ahmad Al-Misfer NY Rangers 3, Columbus 1; Chicago 3, Carolina 2; Boston 2, Colorado 0; Nashville 6, won first place in the 84-kg category, Calgary 5. while Al-Arabi’s Ibrahim Tareq won Western Conference Eastern Conference second place. In the over 84-kg cate- Pacific Division Atlantic Division gory Al-Tadamun’s Rashid Al-Mutairi won first place while Salmiya’s Saad Al- WL OTLGFGAPTS Boston 48 17 5 225 149 101 Tampa Bay 39 24 7 208 185 85 Qatarmi won second place. San Jose 46 18 7 219 170 99 Montreal 38 26 7 182 180 83 In the under-75 individual bout, Anaheim 45 18 7 222 178 97 Toronto 36 27 8 208 219 80 Salmiya’s Fahd Al-Saree came first Los Angeles 39 25 6 170 149 84 Detroit 32 24 13 183 194 77 while Nasser’s Mohammad Al- Phoenix 34 25 11 194 197 79 Ottawa 28 28 13 198 234 69 Shimmari was second. In the under-67 category, Qadsiya’s Ali Al-Shatti was Vancouver 32 30 10 172 194 74 Florida 26 36 8 173 225 60 Buffalo 20 42 8 136 206 48 first and Tadamun’s Sayyed Hashim Calgary 28 35 7 173 209 63 was second. In the 60-kg category, Edmonton 25 37 9 177 228 59 Metropolitan Division Yarmouk’s Misfer Al-Ajmi was first Pittsburgh 45 19 5 218 173 95 while Nasser’s Abdelrahman Juhail Central Division Philadelphia 37 25 7 199 197 81 was second. In under-55 kg, Shabab’s Abdallah Al-Baloushi was first followed St. Louis 47 15 7 226 156 101 NY Rangers 38 29 4 188 175 80 Columbus 36 28 6 200 192 78 by Qadsiya’s Mohamamd Al-Qallaf. Chicago 41 15 15 240 184 97 Washington 33 27 11 205 211 77 Kuwait Karate Federation Secretary Colorado 44 21 6 216 194 94 New Jersey 30 27 13 172 183 73 Emad Behbehani said competition Minnesota 36 23 11 174 172 83 Carolina 30 31 9 174 198 69 was strong and the champion was Dallas 32 26 11 196 201 75 NY Islanders 26 35 9 195 239 61 decided only on the final day. He said all clubs gave a high standard per- Winnipeg 32 30 9 199 208 73 Note: Overtime losses (OTL) are worth one point in the standings and are not formance as hoped by officials. He Nashville 30 31 10 171 213 70 included in the loss column (L). thanked KKF chairman Sheikh Khalid Al-Abdullah for his care and interest. Winners pose with officials.