ARAB TIMES, THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021 16

Manchester City’s Gabriel Jesus scores his team fourth goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Wolves at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, on March 2. City won 4-1. (AP) — See Page 14 Sports Latest sports scores at — http://sports.arabtimesonline.com Agar takes career-best 6-30 Australia beat New Zealand to keep series alive WELLINGTON, New Zealand, March Williamson (9) in his second to put respectively. His 69 in partnerships of shots both orthodox and unorthodox. 3, (AP): dashed 70 New Zealand under pressure early. 83 with Josh Philippe (43) and 64 with He used ramp shots to take advantage from 31 balls, returned to Agar fi rst dismissed Devon Conway Maxwell set a strong foundation for of vacant third man or simply muscled form with 69 and took a (38), then took the wickets of Glenn Australia’s innings. the ball over the large boundaries at career-best 6-30 as Australia beat New Phillips (13), Neesham (0) and Tim Finch survived two confi dent lbw Wellington’s regional stadium where Zealand by 64 runs in the third Twen- Southee (5) in the space of fi ve de- appeals in the fi rst over, then hit his the match was played without specta- ty20 international on Wednesday to liveries, suppressing New Zealand’s stride, striking the ball powerfully tors. keep the fi ve-match series alive. dangerous lower middle order. He re- down the ground and over the leg side Maxwell said he struggled at fi rst to Maxwell reached a half century from moved Mark Chapman (18) and Kyle to reach his half century from 34 balls get the pace of the pitch and took only 25 balls during an over in which he hit Jamieson (11) to snuff out any chance with a six from a free hit off Ish Sodhi. three runs - all singles - from the fi rst 28 runs - two sixes and four fours - of a late rally and achieve his second seven balls he faced before hitting his from the bowling of Jimmy Neesham. fi ve-wicket bag in T20 internationals. fi rst boundary. From then on, bounda- At its end, his innings included eight “It’s always good to get wickets, ries came as a torrent, notably in the fours and fi ve sixes and set Australia particularly when you go wicketless 17th over when he took the long handle on course to their commanding total of in the fi rst two (matches),” Agar said. His partnership with Philippe gave to Neesham and went from 30 to 58. 208-4. “But when you have 200 on the board Australia a strong tempo which saw His innings was full of improvisa- Tall Tasmania fast bowler Riley it makes my job a lot easier. them reach 38 after fi ve over and 89 at tion and he even changed hands at one Meredith took 2-24 in his international “The boys bowled beautifully up the mid-point of their innings. point. debut, then Agar claimed six wickets in front and I was lucky to have a great Philippe, who made 2 on debut in “I wasn’t doing much good right- succession to stifl e New Zealand’s re- team around me.” Christchurch, followed his 45 in Dun- handed so I thought I’d try left-hand- ply. The home team were bowled out Finch rediscovered his form after a edin with another impressive innings of ed,” he said. for 144 in 17.1 overs. lean Big Bash season and after making 43 from 27 balls. Maxwell was out to the last ball of Meredith dismissed Tim Seifert (4) only 12 and 1 in the fi rst two matches the 18th over with Australia 194-4 and Australia’s Matthew Wade attempts to stump New Zealand’s Devon Con- Maxwell took the tempo from new way, (right), during their third T20 cricket international at Wellington Re- in his fi rst over and claimed the prized of the current series which New Zea- heights, using an impressive array of it didn’t fully capitalize, adding only 14 wicket of New Zealand Kane land won by 53 runs and four runs, runs from the last two overs. gional Stadium in Wellington, New Zealand, March 3. (AP)

Having fewer fans will be costly Suns hold off Lakers Fans from abroad unlikely for ‘postponed’ Tokyo Oly TOKYO, March 3, (AP): The new have to set one or another priority.” president of the Tokyo Olympic or- The exclusion of foreign fans has ganizing committee stopped short been almost a foregone conclusion of saying there would be no foreign with the games being held during a fans at this year’s games, but she pandemic. The Japanese public has certainly hinted at it Wednesday been openly opposed to the games, after online talks with IOC Presi- and one sticking point has been the dent Thomas Bach and others. risk presented by visitors entering The Japanese newspaper Main- the country. The other has been the ichi reported Wednesday that the soaring costs. decision had already been made to The games will involve 11,000 exclude foreign fans. It cited only Olympic athletes, and later 4,400 unnamed sources “involved in the Paralympians, and tens of thou- discussions.” sands of coaches, judges, spon- “If the situation is tough and it sors, media and VIPs. Bach said he would make the (Japanese) con- was encouraged at the number of sumers concerned, that is a situ- national Olympic committees that ation we need to avoid from hap- were getting athletes vaccinated. pening,” organizing committee The IOC said it encourages vacci- president Seiko Hashimoto said. nations but will not require them. The news- Bach said his hope was “to have paper report as many participants as possible ar- came just be- riving vaccinated to Tokyo.” fore Hashimo- “There I can inform you that a to’s meeting considerable number of national with Bach. She said a decision on OLYMPICS foreign fans will come by the end of the Olympic committees has already month, and secured this pre-Tokyo vaccina- she wants one Hashimoto tion,” Bach said. by March 25, The general plan is to isolate ath- when the torch relay begins from letes in the Olympic Village along- northeastern Japan. side Tokyo Bay; put them in a bub- The Olympics are scheduled to ble when they arrive, and until they open on July 23. leave Japan. guard Dillon Brooks (24) goes to the basket past forward Rui Hachimura (8) during the fi rst half of an NBA bas- “In the current situation it is im- Hashimoto said a decision on ketball game, March 2, in Washington. (AP) possible to bring in foreign specta- venue capacity will be made by the tors,” the Mainichi newspaper said, end of April. She said the “zero- citing an unnamed government of- fans option” was not discussed. fi cial. “We need to look at the overall sit- Nuggets rout Bucks, Hawks win McMillan’s debut as interim coach Hashimoto was asked after the uation before we decide on any per- meeting how Japan could even centage rates,” she said. “We believe consider letting in thousands of we will not be accepted unless the LOS ANGELES, March 3, his ninth triple-double of the season Tony Snell added 11 for the Hawks. fore the game, but never took the fl oor overseas fans, given how unpopu- citizens feel confi dent that suffi cient (AP): Dario Šarić scored 10 and 50th of his career, and the Denver Celtics 117, Clippers 112 during warmups. The team announced lar the idea is at home where up to countermeasures are taken.” Nuggets trounced Milwaukee 128-97 late in the fi rst quarter that he had been 80% want the Olympics canceled Having fewer fans will be cost- of his 21 points in the fourth to snap the Bucks’ fi ve-game winning In Boston, Kemba Walker had 25 ruled out. He has missed seven previ- points and six assists, and the Boston or postponed again. Japan has at- ly. The organizing committee has quarter, Mikal Bridges add- streak. ous games this season, including two tributed about 8,000 deaths to budgeted income of $800 million added 24 points as the Celtics took advantage of a late scratch for a mouth laceration, two while in the ed 19 and the of All-Star Kawhi Leonard and held off COVID-19, but has controlled it from ticket sales. That shortfall Nuggets earned their third straight vic- health and safety protocols and three for much better than most countries. will have to be made up by Japa- overcame Devin Booker’s tory and showed no signs of wear one the Los Angeles Clippers 117-112 . a bruised leg. Jaylen Brown fi nished with 18 points. Hashimoto confi rmed that the nese government entities. ejection for a 114-104 victory night after winning 118-112 at Chicago. Spurs 119, Knicks 83 subject of fans was a key part of the These are the most expensive Denver handed Milwaukee its most lop- and each over the Los Angeles Lakers added 14 as the Celtics posted three In San Antonio, Trey Lyles scored a “fi ve-party” talks with Bach, Inter- Olympics on record. The offi cial sided loss of the year and shot 55.8%, national Paralympic Committee cost is $15.4 billion, though two on Tuesday night. the highest fi eld-goal percentage by any straight victories for the fi rst time since season-high 18 points, Dejounte Mur- Booker scored 17 points before January. ray added 17 and the San Antonio Spurs President Andrew Parsons, Tokyo government audits suggest it might Bucks opponent this season. Governor Yuriko Koike and Olym- be almost twice that much. All but getting ejected for arguing with 7:10 Giannis Antetokounmpo had 27 The Clippers, who have lost fi ve of used a balanced effort to beat New York left in the third quarter. The Suns eight, played without Leonard after he 119-83 , ending the Knicks’ three-game pic Minister Tamayo Marukawa. $6.7 billion is public money. points and eight rebounds for Milwau- winning streak. (23-11) still took charge down the kee as the Bucks fi nished an eight-game was ruled out shortly before the game Bach hinted at hard choices to The Tokyo Games have been due to back spasms. San Antonio had eight players score be made in comments before the haunted by problems. A bribery stretch and cruised to their 15th vic- homestand in which they went 5-3. at least eight points, with Patty Mills and Khris Middleton added 20 points. Paul George led Los Angeles with 32 meeting was closed to reporters. scandal tied to the bid in 2013 tory in 18 games while also moving Luka Samanic each adding 14 points in “We will focus on the essentials,” forced the resignation two years past the defending champions (24- Antetokounmpo had his string of four points. Reggie Jackson took Leonard’s place in the starting lineup and fi nished the Spurs’ seventh straight home victory Bach said. “That means mainly the ago of Japanese Olympic Commit- 12) into second place in the Western straight games with at least 35 points over New York. end. The reigning two-time MVP was with 25 points and seven assists. competitions. This has to be the tee President Tsunekazu Takeda. Conference by winning percentage. Leonard was listed as a starter be- Immanuel Quickley led New York clear focus. In this respect we may He denied any wrongdoing. LeBron James scored 38 points for one off the team record owned by Ka- with 26 points. RJ Barrett added 15 and Los Angeles, which has lost fi ve of reem Abdul-Jabbar, who scored at least All-Star Julius Randle had 14. seven with mounting injury problems. 35 points in fi ve straight games on two The Knicks had won seven of nine en- Dennis Schröder added 17 points, but separate occasions during the 1972-73 tering Tuesday’s game, but were never the Lakers couldn’t keep up without reg- season. P.J. Dozier had 19 points, Will able to fi nd a consistent rhythm against NBA Results/Standings Barton 14, Michael Porter Jr. 11 and the Spurs. Monte Morris 10 for Denver. Brook New York had 16 turnovers while Lopez had 12 points for Milwaukee. failing to score 100 points for the fi rst Hawks 94, Heat 80 time since a 107-89 loss at Orlando on WASHINGTON, March 3, (AP): NBA results and standings on Tuesday. Feb. 17. Memphis 125 Washington 111 San Antonio 119 New York 93 In Miami, Trae Young took over late Atlanta 94 Miami 80 Denver 128 Milwaukee 97 ulars Anthony Davis, and and made sure Nate McMillan would Grizzlies 125,Wizards 111 Marc Gasol. Boston 117 LA Clippers 112 Phoenix 114 LA Lakers 104 win his debut as interim coach of the At- In Washington, had 35 Eastern Conference Western Conference Kuzma was a late scratch with a Atlantic Division Southwest Division bruised right heel, while Gasol missed lanta Hawks. points and 10 assists, De’Anthony Mel- Young scored 18 points, including 13 W L Pct GB W L Pct GB his fi rst game under the NBA’s health ton and Dillon Brooks each added 20 Philadelphia 23 12 .657 - San Antonio 18 13 .581 - and safety protocols. straight for his team in the fourth quar- points, and the Memphis Grizzlies beat Brooklyn 23 13 .639 -1/2 Memphis 16 15 .516 2 Booker was whistled for two technical ter, and the Hawks snapped Miami’s the Washington Wizards 125-111 . Boston 18 17 .514 5 Dallas 17 16 .515 2 fouls in remarkably rapid succession, re- six-game winning streak by beating the Jonas Valanciunas had 11 points and 17 17 .500 5-1/2 New Orleans 15 19 .441 4-1/2 Heat 94-80. New York 18 18 .500 5-1/2 Houston 11 22 .333 8 sulting in the All-Star’s second ejection 16 rebounds for Memphis, which has Southeast Division Northwest Division in just over fi ve weeks. John Collins scored 17 for Atlanta, won back-to-back road games for the W L Pct GB W L Pct GB Moments before Booker’s ejection, which lost at Miami on Sunday and fi red fi rst time since winning four in a row Miami 17 18 .486 - Utah 27 8 .771 - James and Lakers coach Frank Vogel coach Lloyd Pierce on Monday. Kevin away as part of a seven-game win streak Charlotte 16 18 .471 -1/2 Portland 19 14 .576 7 Huerter scored 16 for the Hawks and Atlanta 15 20 .429 2 Denver 20 15 .571 7 got simultaneous technicals for arguing from Jan. 8 to Feb. 1. Washington 13 20 .394 3 Oklahoma City 14 20 .412 12-1/2 a no-call on Chris Paul. Clint Capela had 10 points and 17 re- After a dominant second quarter, the Orlando 13 22 .371 4 Minnesota 7 28 .200 20 The Suns snapped their fi ve-game bounds. Los Angeles Lakers guard Dennis Grizzlies led by double digits for all but Central Division Pacifi c Division skid against the Lakers at Staples Center Duncan Robinson and Goran Dragic Schroder, (right), shoots as Phoe- 44 seconds of the second half to follow a W L Pct GB W L Pct GB nix Suns forward Abdel Nader de- Milwaukee 21 14 .600 - Phoenix 23 11 .676 - since November 2017. each scored 14 for Miami, which missed 133-84 victory at Houston with another Indiana 15 18 .455 5 LA Lakers 24 12 .667 - a chance to get over .500 for the fi rst fends during the second half of an comfortable win. Russell Westbrook had Chicago 15 18 .455 5 LA Clippers 24 13 .649 -1/2 Nuggets 128 , Bucks 97 time this season. scored NBA basketball game, March 2, in 23 points and 15 assists for the Wizards, Cleveland 14 21 .400 7 Golden State 19 16 .543 4-1/2 In Milwaukee, Nikola Jokic had 37 11 for the Heat, who shot 37% - their Los Angeles.The Suns won 114- but also committed eight of Washing- Detroit 9 25 .265 11-1/2 Sacramento 13 21 .382 10 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds for fourth-worst showing of the season. 104. (AP) ton’s 22 turnovers.

THE FIRST ENGLISH LANGUAGE DAILY IN FREE KUWAIT Published by: Arab Times Publishing House

Editor-in-Chief Editorial Office: Telephone: 24813566 & 24849144 Advertising: Tel: 55633481 Annual Subscriptions: Airport Road, Shuwaikh Fax: 24818267 Fax: 24911307 Individuals KD 45/- Companies and Offi cial Tel: 24849144 AHMED AL JARALLAH Departments KD 75 Airmail charges extra for Fax: 24839487 P.O. Box 2270, 13023 Safat, Kuwait E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] overseas