SUNDAY, MARCH 2, 2014 SPORTS Guay wins downhill race

KVITFJELL: It feels just like home for moment and the Olympics were difficult Canada’s Erik Guay when he races in for me to cope with mentally.” Norway. Guay won the fifth World Cup race Clarey had thought about retirement of his career yesterday on one of his after the Sochi Games, where he did not favorite courses in the resort of Kvitfjell. He finish the downhill and was 19th in super- clinched his second downhill win this sea- G. son, finishing ahead of Frenchman Johan “This changes my ideas a little bit from a Clarey and Olympic champion Matthias psychological point of view,” he said. “Even Mayer of Austria. though my knee’s still pretty banged up.” Two of Guay’s career five wins and four Despite already having an Olympic gold of his 22 podiums have been in Kvitfjell, medal, the 23-year-old Mayer clinched his where there is a super-G scheduled for first career podium in World Cup downhill Sunday. Guay won it here in 2010. and only his third overall. “We’ve had a great relationship over the “I had a lot of things to do, with cele- years,” Guay said. “Everything reminds me brating the Olympic victory back home. I of Quebec and Canada, I feel comfortable hadn’t much time for me to be prepared,” when I come here. The landscape in gener- Mayer said. “I can be happy with this result. al in Norway looks a lot like Quebec and It’s very difficult to be fast here, with the the weather can be a lot like Quebec. It can soft snow it’s not the best conditions.” be raining and warm, and also minus 25 American Travis Ganong, who was third and freezing cold.” on Friday, narrowly missed out on another It was the 32-year-old Guay’s third podium, finishing .62 back in fourth spot. career downhill win. He also won downhill “I really thought I could (win), so I earlier this season at the Italian resort of Val pushed a little harder and had a couple Gardena, where the 33-year-old Clarey was mistakes. I was able to make up a lot of third. time on the bottom and salvage fourth “It’s just a track that suits me well,” Guay place,” said Ganong, who is having good said. “It’s a real downhill track that follows late-season form after a respectable fifth- your run. It’s got jumps, it’s got side-hills, place finish in the downhill at the Olympics. technical sections. I think that’s what down- “It’s really fun skiing right now. I’m having a NEW YORK: Harrison Barnes of the Golden State Warriors (center) goes for ball against (left to right) JR Smith (8), Carmelo hill’s all about.” good time and the results are coming.” Anthony (7), Tyson Chandler (6) and Tim Hardaway Jr. (5) of the New York Knicks as Warrior Marreese Speights (left) follows play Conditions were overcast and a little Olympic super-G champion Kjetil during their NBA game. —AFP foggy but unlike Friday’s downhill the rain Jansrud of Norway, who tied for the win stayed away. Guay had a time of 1 minute, Friday with Austrian Georg Streitberger, 22.17 seconds to put him .35 ahead of placed fifth. Clarey - who secured a third career podium “I made a couple of mistakes which I - and .57 quicker than Mayer. didn’t think I would make,” Jansrud said. Warriors see off Knicks “It’s difficult conditions, soft snow. I “Fell on my inside ski a couple of times, I think you need a really well-balanced had to support myself on my hand.” Overall NEW YORK: Stephen Curry had 27 CAVALIERS 99, JAZZ 79 Jackson added 14 points for the LAKERS 126, KINGS 122 touch,” Guay said. “If you’re too aggressive World Cup leader Aksel Lund Svindal of points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists Kyrie Irving recorded his first Thunder. The Thunder had lost Jordan Farmar came off the or leaning in a little bit, it’s easy to lose Norway was tied for sixth with in three quarters, and Klay career triple-double with 21 every game since Westbrook bench to score a career-high 30 (time).” Meanwhile, it was the best result of Switzerland’s Silvan Zurbriggen. American Thompson added 25 points as the points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds returned from his latest knee sur- points, making eight of 10 shots Clarey’s career. “It shows anything can hap- Bode Miller, a bronze medalist in super-G at Golden State Warriors sent the frus- to lead Cleveland over Utah. gery. from 3-point range, as Los Angeles pen, even late on. Better late than never,” the Sochi Olympics last month, was trated New York Knicks to a fifth The All-Star Game Most Mike Miller scored all 19 of his capitalized on the absence of sus- Clarey said. “I’m not hugely confident at the eighth.—AP straight loss with a 126-103 victory Valuable Player was two rebounds points in the fourth quarter to pended Sacramento star Friday night. shy of the mark going into the help Memphis nearly erase a 16- DeMarcus Cousins. Jodie Meeks Returning to the site of his sen- fourth quarter. He grabbed his point deficit heading into the peri- made all eight of his shots and fin- sational shooting performance of a ninth rebound early in the period od. Marc Gasol had 17 points and ished with 22 points, including year ago, when he scored a career- and pulled down his 10th with Zach Randolph added 13 points three of the Lakers’ franchise- high 54 points on 11-of-13 shoot- 4:12 to go to become the first and 10 rebounds for the Grizzlies, record 19 3-pointers on 27 ing from 3-point range, Curry Cleveland player with a triple dou- who had won five of six. attempts. Pau Gasol also scored showed off his entire skill set in this ble since LeBron James on March 22, and newly acquired reserve one. 16, 2010, at Detroit. A young fan SUNS 116, PELICANS 104 MarShon Brooks had 23. The NBA’s assists leader made wearing a stocking cap raced on Goran Dragic scored 40 points, The Lakers shot 60 percent in a five 3-pointers, as did backcourt the floor and patted Irving on the his second career high in three matchup of teams with the two mate Thompson. The 6-foot-3 All- shoulder midway through the games, as Phoenix pulled away in worst records in the Western Star also grabbed nine defensive fourth quarter, but was quickly the fourth quarter to beat New Conference. They have won the rebounds in his fourth career triple- subdued by several policemen and Orleans and end a three-game los- first three meetings against the double and third this season, security guards. The fan was wres- ing streak. Kings this season, with one bouncing back from one of his tled to the floor and led away in Dragic was a game-time deci- remaining on April 2 at worst performances of the season. handcuffs. sion because of a sore right ankle Sacramento. Los Angeles is a game He had a season low-tying five Luol Deng scored 16 points as that had kept him out of behind the Kings in the conference points on 2-of-10 shooting the Cavaliers placed five players in Wednesday’s loss at Utah, but standings and 11/2 behind Utah. Wednesday in a 103-83 loss to double figures. Gordon Hayward played all but the last 10 seconds Chicago. Golden State easily scored 18 points for Utah, which of the second half in the first 40- SPURS 92, BOBCATS 82 rebounded from that defeat to win began a six-game road trip. point game for a Phoenix player Tim Duncan had 17 points and for the fifth time in six games. since Amare Stoudemire’s 44 on 16 rebounds as San Antonio over- Carmelo Anthony had 23 points THUNDER 113, GRIZZLIES 107 March 19, 2010. came a sluggish start to beat NORWAY: Winner Canada’s Erik Guay celebrates on the podium after com- and 16 rebounds for the Knicks, Kevin Durant scored 30 of his Anthony Davis, also a game- Charlotte. Manu Ginobili scored 15 peting in the men’s downhill at the FIS Ski World Cup. —AFP blown out for the second straight 37 points in the second half to time decision because of a points, Marco Belinelli and Patty night in a season that’s starting to help Oklahoma City beat Memphis sprained left shoulder, matched Mills added 14 each and Kawhi feel hopeless. They seem to know it, and end a three-game losing his career high with 32 points for Leonard had 12 for San Antonio. with an agitated Tyson Chandler streak. the Pelicans, who lost their sixth in Al Jefferson scored 20 points and Talebula gives Bordeaux thrown out in the fourth quarter Russell Westbrook had 21 a row. Markieff Morris added 18 former Spurs guard Gary Neal after picking up two technical fouls, points and six assists in 28 min- points and twin brother Marcus 15 added 15 for Charlotte. Gerald victory over Clermont the first for shoving Warriors back- utes, Serge Ibaka had 16 points for Phoenix. Eric Gordon scored 21 Henderson had 12 and Kemba up Marreese Speights. and nine rebounds, and Reggie for New Orleans. Walker 11. PARIS: Two tries by Fijian wing Metuiselau Sivivatu began the counter-attack from There were three ties and two Talebula saw Bordeaux-Begles to their first inside their 22 and eventually Elvis lead changes in the final 7 minutes win over Top 14 leaders Clermont since Vermeulen-in his 13th and final season NBA results/standings as San Antonio celebrated Military they returned to the top tier in 2011 as they with the club went over in the right hand Appreciation Night with camouflage prevailed 26-16 yesterday. corner for the five points. uniforms. Cleveland 99, Utah 79; Oklahoma City 113, Memphis 107; Golden State 126, NY Knicks 103; Chicago 100, The 22-year-old scored both tries in the James landed a brilliant conversion to Ginobili blocked Walker’s layup second-half-taking him to the top of the try make it 13-6 but Bernard reduced the Dallas 91; San Antonio 92, Charlotte 82; LA Lakers 126, Sacramento 122; Phoenix 116, New Orleans 104. and drew a charge on Jefferson on scorers table with 12 — to give his side an deficit on the stroke of half-time with his Eastern Conference Western Conference consecutive possessions. Duncan excellent chance of making the end of sea- third penalty. followed with a 15-foot jumper that Atlantic Division Northwest Division son play-offs by finishing in the top six. The hosts went ahead six minutes into gave the Spurs an 82-80 lead with Yesterdy’s win saw them rise to sixth. the second-half as Talebula grubber kicked W L PCT GB Oklahoma City 44 15 .746 - 1:43 remaining. Clermont’s defeat should see them the ball between two Clermont defenders Toronto 32 26 .552 - Portland 40 18 .690 3.5 remain top as they are three points clear of and outpaced them to collect it and touch Brooklyn 27 29 .482 4 Minnesota 28 29 .491 15 BULLS 100, MAVERICKS 91 Montpellier, who beat Stade Francais on down for his 11th try of the season. Taj Gibson had 20 points and 15 NY Knicks 21 38 .356 11.5 Denver 25 32 .439 18 Friday. Bernard converted for 16-13 but James Boston 20 39 .339 12.5 rebounds, and Mike Dunleavy hit a go- Both Castres and Toulon could pull level brought the sides back to parity in the 56th Utah 21 37 .362 22.5 ahead 3-pointer as Chicago overtook Philadelphia 15 43 .259 17 with bonus point wins later on Saturday minute with another penalty to take him Dallas in the fourth quarter to win for away at Racing Metro-coached by the duo over the 200 points mark for the season. Pacific Division the eighth time in nine games. Laurent Travers and Laurent Labit who Talebula tore apart the Clermont Central Division LA Clippers 40 20 .667 - The Mavericks led by 16 in the first guided the visitors to the title last season- defence again on the hour mark but the Indiana 44 13 .772 - half and had erased a six-point Chicago Golden State 36 23 .610 3.5 and home to Oyonnax respectively. visitors managed to deny Bordeaux a try Chicago 32 26 .552 12.5 edge when Dunleavy put the Bulls Clermont-who were missing several key through some sterling defence, though Phoenix 34 24 .586 5 Cleveland 24 36 .400 21.5 back in front and started a 10-0 run players such as Wesley Fofana and Bernard ensured the hosts didn’t come Detroit 23 35 .397 21.5 Sacramento 20 38 .345 19 with a 3-pointer for an 87-85 lead. Napolioni Nalaga, who were injured, and away with nothing as he converted a Milwaukee 11 46 .193 33 LA Lakers 20 39 .339 19.5 Jimmy Butler had 19 points, seven Morgan Parra who was suspended - penalty for 19-16. rebounds and a big block during the opened the scoring in the ninth minute as Bernard missed a great opportunity to Southwest Division decisive spurt, and Kirk Hinrich scored Brock James-who had missed an earlier put them six points clear as another penal- Southeast Division 17. Dunleavy finished with 16 points opportunity-slotted over a penalty at a sold ty clipped the post and dropped into a Miami 41 14 .745 - San Antonio 42 16 .724 - and eight rebounds, shooting 4 of 7 out Chaban Delmas Stadium, normally the Clermont player’s arms. Washington 30 28 .517 12.5 Houston 39 19 .672 3 from long range. Monta Ellis scored home to the Ligue 1 football club. However, that mattered not a jot when Charlotte 27 31 .466 15.5 Dallas 36 24 .600 7 20 to the lead the Mavericks, who The hosts levelled in the 16th minute Talebula went over for his second of the Atlanta 26 31 .456 16 Memphis 32 25 .561 9.5 were trying to match their season through former Castres player Pierre game two minutes from time, bursting Bernard, who like James had also missed through the middle of the Clermont Orlando 18 42 .300 25.5 New Orleans 23 35 .397 19 high with a fifth straight win. Dirk Nowitzki had 15. —AP his opening kick at goal. defence to swan dive over the tryline. Bernard gave Bordeaux the lead just Bernard converted although only after after the half hour mark, drilling one home referee Cedric Marchat had consulted the Brumbies too good Chiefs defeat Highlanders from in front of the posts but James lev- video referee over a possible interference elled soon afterwards. with Aurelien Rougerie as the Clermont for Force HAMILTON: All Blacks flyhalf Aaron Cruden Ngatai to take the game. Clermont, as is their habit, then created captain chased to recuperate James’s chip PERTH: The ACT Brumbies produced an early rugby master- helped create, then convert, Charlie Ngatai’s “We went into the sheds (at halftime) with a try out of nothing. Lee Byrne and Sitiveni ahead. —AFP class to thrash the hapless Western Force 27-14 in their try with 11 minutes remaining to give the the Highlanders having a bit of momentum Super Rugby clash in Perth yesterday. defending champion Chiefs a 21-19 win over and we wanted to try to wrest that off them The Brumbies were beaten by the Queensland Reds in the Highlanders in the Super 15 yesterday. early in the second half,” Cruden, the Chiefs their first outing of the season, but bounced back to destroy The Hamilton-based Chiefs came from co-captain, said. “I think we were able to do the home team with a scintillating start, dominating the behind in a match which saw four lead that at periods.” opening 25 minutes of the match. It was a measure of changes to post their second-straight win at Flyhalf Lima Sopoaga turned the revenge for the Brumbies, who were upset by the Force at the start of a season in which they are trying Highlanders’ territorial advantage into points the same venue in the final round last season, a result that to win their third consecutive title. yesterday, succeeding with five out of five cost them a top-two berth heading into the playoffs. The Highlanders were leading 19-14 shots at goal - a conversion and four penalties That meant the Brumbies were forced to travel to New when flanker Liam Squire split their defen- - for 14 points. Zealand and South Africa, before losing the final to the sive line with a rampaging run. From the Sopoaga gave the Highlanders an early Chiefs. breakdown, Cruden put in a pinpoint cross- lead with a second-minute penalty but the The Brumbies scored the first 27 points of the match, and field kick which found winger Asaeli Chiefs forced the first lead change with a try virtually had the game in their keeping when they led the Tikoirotuma, who turned the ball infield for to winger Tim Nanai-Williams, converted by shell-shocked Force 21-0 after just 24 minutes. Ngatai to score. Cruden, in the 10th minute. The Force had barely touched the ball by that stage of Cruden’s conversion was only his third The Highlanders regained the lead with a the match, the most damning statistic that the Brumbies success from five attempts but separated the try to flanker John Hardie after 31 minutes had 369 run metres to the home team’s paltry 46 at one team and consigned the Dunedin-based and, with a conversion and penalty to stage. Highlanders to their first loss after they Sopoaga, took a nine point lead to halftime. It wasn’t until the 62nd minute that the Force were able opened their campaign last week with a win The Chiefs narrowed the gap with to conjure their first line break of the match. over the Blues. Messam’s try in the seventh minute of the They were generally far more competitive in the second The Highlanders to take a 16-7 lead to second half but were five points behind when half, but any chances to put points on the board were typi- halftime before the Chiefs the tightened their Sopoaga added his last penalty. Cruden then FRANCE: Clermont’s flanker Julien Pierre collapses with Begles’s scrum half cally foiled by sloppy handling errors, until they finally game, holding the ball for longer periods and conjured a try for Ngatai and added the con- Heni Adams during the French Top 14 rugby Union match Begles Bordeaux scored two consolation tries in the dying minutes. —AFP scoring tries through Liam Messam and version to clinch the match. —AP against Clermont. —AFP