THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2014 SPORTS

Pollard out of Windies squad McCaw mulls retirement Wales halfback dropped KINGSTON: Defending champions West Indies will be without Kieron WELLINGTON: All Blacks Richie McCaw is contemplating WALES: Wales halfback Mike Phillips has been dropped to the bench for tomor- Pollard for next month’s World in Bangladesh after the big-hit- retiring from rugby following the 2015 World Cup in England, local row’s must-win Six Nations match with France in Cardiff, while wing George North ting all-rounder failed to recover from a knee injury. media reported yesterday. has moved into midfield in the absence of Scott Williams and Jonathan Davies. A shoulder injury has also ruled fast bowler out of the 15- The 33-year-old flanker led the All Blacks to their second Webb Holders Wales are chasing a third consecutive crown, but after last weekend’s man squad, which will be led by all-rounder Darren Sammy. Ellis trophy in 2011 and took a six-month sabbatical from rugby last disappointing 26-3 defeat by Ireland, a win is crucial if they want keep their title “Neither nor Kemar Roach were considered for selection year to boost his chances of being fit for the 2015 tournament. ambitions on track. Phillips, capped 82 times by Wales and with five test appear- due to continued rehabilitation from injury,” the West Indies Board McCaw has played 124 test matches for the All Blacks since mak- ances for the British and Irish Lions, has suffered behind a struggling forward pack said in a statement. ing his debut in 2001 and is considered one of the all-time greats in and makes way for Rhys Webb. “I thought Rhys played excellently for the Ospreys at “Pollard continues to recover from a knee injury New Zealand’s national game, but said he was uncertain if he the weekend and he comes in and gives us a different dimension and it’s a great sustained late last year and Roach is still trying to get would even make Steve Hansen’s World Cup squad. opportunity for him,” coach Warren Gatland said yesterday. over a shoulder injury that forced him to return home “You never know but at the moment just to play next year is not Williams was injured tackling Ireland’s Brian O’Driscoll in Dublin while a given any more,” McCaw told The Press newspaper in Davies, who suffered a chest injury in the November test against South from the tour of India without playing and required Africa, has failed to recover sufficiently despite returning for club side surgery.” West Indies won the last edition of the tourna- Christchurch. “I haven’t even considered beyond (2015) but I would say it ... would be reasonably unlikely,” he added when asked if he Scarlets, meaning North shifts infield and Liam Williams starts on the ment in 2012 after beating hosts in the final wing. Luke Charteris returns at lock after missing the last match with a would be playing in 2016. in Colombo. hamstring injury. “Luke has been working really hard over the past McCaw did not pursue a lucrative short-term contract when he Squad: Darren Sammy (captain), , couple of weeks and it’s a big boost for us that he is back,” New , Johnson Charles, , was granted the sabbatical by the New Zealand Rugby Union and Zealander Gatland added. “George moves into the midfield , , , Denesh has said in the past he was not interested in playing rugby offshore. and he brings great footwork to the role and we were Ramdin, , , Marlon “If you have had enough of being bashed up in training and all impressed when he went there against Australia in the Samuels, Krishmar Santokie, , Dwayne those things, going over there just to earn some money doesn’t autumn. His partnership with Jamie will be important as Smith (Writing by Sudipto Ganguly; Editing by John really appeal,” he added. “I would say that is pretty unlikely, too, but, we look to stop the directness of France and Mathieu O’Brien). — Reuters again, you never say never.” —Reuters Bastareaud.” —Reuters Heat see off Mavericks

DALLAS: LeBron James scored a season- and pains - including a bruised shin, a the game’s final seven points. high 42 points and the Miami Heat groin strain and lower back spasms. Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 23 to lead tuned up for a showdown with The veteran point guard, who played the Knicks, including 14 during their Oklahoma City by beating the Dallas 11 minutes in Sunday’s All-Star game, is fourth-quarter push. Carmelo Anthony Mavericks 117-106 Tuesday night. the Spurs’ leading scorer and their only finished with 22 points and 11 rebounds. James, who had his first 40-point player averaging at least 30 minutes. Memphis built an 18-point cushion in game of the season, scored the first Blake Griffin had 35 points and 12 the first half before the Knicks rallied to eight points and 10 overall in a 14-0 run rebounds, Jamal Crawford scored 25 and take a seven-point lead in the fourth. that put the Heat up 106-95 after they DeAndre Jordan grabbed 18 rebounds trailed by one entering the fourth quar- for the Clippers. J.J. Redick missed his SUNS 112, NUGGETS 107 ter. Miami came out of the All-Star break fifth straight game with a sore right hip. Gerald Green scored a career-high 36 points, including eight in overtime, and Phoenix handed Denver its fifth consec- utive loss. Goran Dragic added 21 points and 14 assists for the Suns, who com- pleted a four-game season sweep of the Nuggets, their first in nine years. Evan Fournier scored 25 to lead the Nuggets, who lost a tough game after being blown out in their previous four defeats. Kenneth Faried added 21 points BAHRAIN: Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes pulls out of the garage for test laps at the Bahrain and 10 rebounds for Denver, which was International Circuit in Sakhir. — AP without leading scorer Ty Lawson (bro- ken left rib) for a third consecutive game. Hulkenberg clocks fastest time CAVALIERS 114, 76ERS 85 Tyler Zeller scored a season-high 18 MANAMA: World champions Red Bull endured another mustered 21 laps over four days as they struggled to get to points and grabbed a career-best 15 frustrating pre-season testing session after last month’s grips with the raft of new technical regulations. rebounds, Kyrie Irving added 14 points Jerez ordeal at Bahrain’s Sakhir circuit yesterday behind Yesterday’s opening day honors were taken by and Cleveland pushed its winning streak Force India’s Nico Hulkenberg. Hulkenburg, the German returning to Force India after a to five games with a blowout of skidding Sebastian Vettel’s all-conquering team missed out on brief spell with Sauber, posting a quickest time of 1min Philadelphia. Irving, selected MVP of the the first five hours of the opening day of the second series 36.880 after completing 78 laps. Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso NBA All-Star game on Sunday with 31 of testing before the 2014 season begins in Melbourne on (1:37.879) came in next, one second behind, with Lewis points and 14 assists, played only 23 March 16. When the German world champion finally got Hamilton (1:37.908) third in the Mercedes. minutes in this rout. their RB10 out on the circuit it lasted only 14 laps, his ses- In fourth, carrying on his impressive showing in Jerez, Dion Waiters had 13 points before sion brought to a premature end with an unspecified was McLaren’s Danish rookie, Kevin Magnussen, who had leaving with a knee injury in the second breakdown. the satisfaction of finishing one place ahead of Vettel quarter. Luol Deng also scored 13 and Their experience here mirrored the nightmare test they (1:40.224). The teams have three more days preparation Tristan Thompson had 12 points and 10 encountered in Jerez in Spain last month when they only here this week and four more next week. —Reuters rebounds for the Cavaliers (21-33), on their longest winning streak since an eight-game run in March 2010. That was LeBron James’ final season in Cleveland. DALLAS: Miami Heat forward LeBron James (6) dribbles against Dallas The reeling Sixers fell to 15-40 with their Mavericks guard Jose Calderon (8) during the second half of an NBA bas- ninth loss in a row and eighth straight at ketball game. — AP home - their longest skid since the 1996- 97 season. Philadelphia has dropped 19 by winning for the sixth time in seven Backup shooting guard Manu Ginobili of 22 overall. games heading into James’ duel with returned to the Spurs’ lineup and had Kevin Durant on Thursday night in nine points in 14 minutes after missing RAPTORS 103, WIZARDS 93 Oklahoma City. eight games because of tightness in his Kyle Lowry had 24 points and 10 Dirk Nowitzki had 22 points to lead left hamstring. assists, and Toronto broke open a close the Mavericks. The deciding run started game in the third quarter before holding when James, who also had nine PACERS 108, HAWKS 98 off Washington. rebounds and six assists, stole a pass Paul George scored 26 points, includ- Five Raptors joined Lowry in double from Shawn Marion in the backcourt ing four 3-pointers, to lead Indiana over figures, including Amir Johnson, who and pulled up for a tying 3-pointer. After Atlanta. David West had 17 points and returned after missing two games with a hitting another 3 over Marion to put Lance Stephenson added 13 to help the sore right ankle. He scored 14 points. Miami ahead for good, James drove for a Pacers beat the Hawks for the second The Atlantic Division leaders, who dunk following a Dallas turnover. His time in three meetings this season. have won three straight, also got 14 previous season high was 39 in a win Kyle Korver scored 19 points, shoot- from DeMar DeRozan and Greivis over Dallas in Miami. ing 5 for 7 on 3-pointers, and Lou Vasquez. Dallas missed seven shots and had Williams added 18 points for the Hawks, John Wall led the Wizards with 22 three turnovers while the Heat pulled who have lost six straight. points and Marcin Gortat added 18 away for their third straight season The Pacers went on a 12-2 run in the points and 11 rebounds. Washington has sweep of the Mavericks - six consecutive third quarter on a basket by West, two 3- lost three straight and five of six. The wins - since losing to them in the 2011 pointers by George and a dunk and Wizards fell to 13-14 at home this sea- NBA Finals. Chris Bosh scored 22 points layup by George Hill to give Indiana a son. for Miami and Dwyane Wade had 13 73-54 lead early in the third. The Pacers after missing the final two games before put the game away when Ian Mahinmi BOBCATS 108, PISTONS 96 the break with a foot problem. Chris converted a three-point play and Danny Al Jefferson had 32 points, 12 Andersen scored a season-high 18. Granger hit a 3 to take a 101-82 lead. rebounds and seven assists to lead Charlotte over Detroit. Kemba Walker SPURS 113, CLIPPERS 103 GRIZZLIES 98, KNICKS 93 scored 22 points and Josh McRoberts Patty Mills scored 16 of his 25 points Mike Conley scored 22 points in his added 14 points and 10 rebounds to in the fourth quarter, Tim Duncan had 19 return after missing seven games with help the Bobcats extend their lead over points and 13 rebounds during a foul- an ankle injury, Mike Miller added a sea- the Pistons to 11/2 games for the final plagued 38 minutes, and San Antonio son-high 19 and Memphis weathered playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. charged out of the All-Star break with a New York’s second-half rally. Jefferson reached 30 points for the sixth victory over Los Angeles. The Spurs Miller shot 7 for 11 from the field, time in nine games. played without six-time All-Star Tony including 5 of 7 on 3-pointers, to help The teams conclude their home-and- Parker, whom coach Gregg Popovich Memphis win its third straight. His 3 with home set in Charlotte late yesterday. said would be sidelined “for the foresee- 45.9 seconds remaining gave the Andre Drummond, coming off his MVP able future” because of numerous aches Grizzlies the lead for good as they scored performance in the Rising Stars game last Friday, had 16 points and 22 rebounds for Detroit. But that wasn’t enough to overcome a terrible shooting NBA results/standings performance by his teammates. Interim coach John Loyer dropped to 1-2 since Indiana 108, Atlanta 98; Cleveland 114, Philadelphia 85; Toronto 103, replacing Maurice Cheeks last week. Washington 93; Charlotte 108, Detroit 96; Memphis 98, NY Knicks 93; Milwaukee 104, Orlando 100; Miami 117, Dallas 106; Phoenix 112, Denver BUCKS 104, MAGIC 100 107 (OT); San Antonio 113, LA Clippers 103. Brandon Knight overcame a bizarre foot injury, scoring 18 points and mak- Eastern Conference Western Conference ing two free throws with 5.5 seconds left Atlantic Division Northwest Division to seal Milwaukee’s victory over Orlando W L PCT GB Oklahoma City 43 12 .782 - in a game between two of the NBA’s Toronto 29 24 .547 - Portland 36 17 .679 6 worst teams. Orlando fell to 3-24 on the Brooklyn 24 27 .471 4 Minnesota 25 28 .472 17 road. Despite snapping a four-game los- NY Knicks 20 33 .377 9 Denver 24 28 .462 17.5 ing streak, the Bucks have lost 19 of 22 Boston 19 35 .352 10.5 Utah 19 33 .365 22.5 overall. Philadelphia 15 40 .273 15 Pacific Division Knight played 34 minutes despite Central Division slicing his foot open on a baseboard Indiana 41 12 .774 - LA Clippers 37 19 .661 - while stepping out of his bathroom Chicago 27 25 .519 13.5 Phoenix 31 21 .596 4 shower Tuesday afternoon. He missed 10 Detroit 22 31 .415 19 Golden State 31 22 .585 4.5 of 13 shots from the field but hit all 12 of Cleveland 21 33 .389 20.5 LA Lakers 18 35 .340 17.5 his free throws. Before the game, Knight Milwaukee 10 43 .189 31 Sacramento 18 35 .340 17.5 said he was unsure whether he could Southeast Division Southwest Division play. He started anyway. Miami 38 14 .731 - San Antonio 39 15 .722 - Arron Afflalo scored 21 points and Atlanta 25 27 .481 13 Houston 36 17 .679 2.5 Nikola Vucevic added 19 for Orlando. Washington 25 28 .472 13.5 Dallas 32 23 .582 7.5 Bucks rookie Nate Wolters hit a 3-pointer Charlotte 24 30 .444 15 Memphis 30 23 .566 8.5 with 29 seconds to go to give Milwaukee Orlando 16 39 .291 23.5 New Orleans 23 29 .442 15 a 99-97 lead. — AP