ARAB TIMES, THURSDAY, MAY 20, 2021 16 Torino’s Sasa Lukic (right), vies for the ball during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Lazio and Torino, at Rome’s Olympic Stadium, Italy. Torino ensured they will remain in Serie A next season after playing Lazio to a 0-0 draw that also confi rmed Ben- evento’s relegation. (AP) Sports Latest sports scores at — http://sports.arabtimesonline.com Celtics secure 7th seed for playoffs Sabonis leads Pacers past Hornets in play-in round BOSTON, May 19, (AP): The Boston Celtics were one of the NBA’s worst teams over the final month of the regular season. Thanks to Jayson Tatum, they’ll still have a chance to make a play- off run. Tatum scored 32 of his 50 points in the second half, and the Celtics rallied to beat the Washington Wizards 118- 100 in the play-in round on Tuesday night. Kemba Walker added 29 points for Boston, which secured the seventh seed for the playoffs and a fi rst-round matchup with second-seeded Brook- lyn. That series opens on Saturday. Tatum has drawn criticism at times for his quiet leadership style. He said Tuesday’s performance was how he wants to lead. The Celtics struggled down the stretch, dropping 10 of their fi nal 15 games of the season. Coach Brad Ste- vens said having to respond was in line with a season in which they had to fi ght through multiple players be- ing unavailable because of injuries and stints in the league’s health and safety protocols. BASKETBALL Washington hosts Indiana, which rolled over Charlotte in Tuesday’s other play-in game, for the eighth seed on Thursday. The winner of that game will face Philadelphia, the top seed for the Eastern Conference playoffs. Bradley Beal scored 22 points for the Wizards. Russell Westbrook added 20 points and 14 rebounds. Ish Smith had 17 points. But the Wizards strug- gled from deep all night long, going 3 for 21 from the 3-point line. The Celtics played without second- leading scorer Jaylen Brown, who had season-ending wrist surgery last week. He sat courtside to support his team- mates, but they missed his offensive production in the fi rst half while they struggled to get into a fl ow. Washington Wizards guard Raul Neto, (left), and Boston Celtics center Robert Williams III scramble for the ball during the first half of an NBA basketball Eastern Conference play-in game in Pacers 144, Hornets 117 Boston. (AP) In Indianapolis :Domantas Sabonis delivered. He found open teammates, cleaned up the glass and played solid 10-man City lose at Brighton, Gundogan off injured Müller, Hummels return to German team defense. The combination helped keep Indi- ana’s playoff hopes alive - for at least two more nights. Deschamps recalls Benzema Sabonis had 14 points, 21 rebounds Chelsea hold off Leicester to and nine assists, and the short-handed for European Championship Pacers routed the Charlotte Hornets 144-117 in the Eastern Conference’s PARIS, May 19, (AP): France provide a boost for Euro 2020. fi rst play-in game go third, avenge FA Cup loss coach Didier Deschamps recalled The 31-year-old Müller, who Sabonis’ reaction to the Hornets’ at- forward Karim Benzema after hasn’t played for Germany since tempt to clog the middle changed the nearly six years out for his alleged Nov. 19, 2018, scored 11 goals game. Doug McDermott scored 16 of LONDON, May 19, (AP): Even though manager Brendan Rodgers said, “and part in a scandal, including the and set up 21 more to help Bay- his 21 points in the fi rst quarter as the “Super Frankie Lampard” wasn’t com- that’s what happens obviously when Real Madrid star in his squad for ern Munich win its ninth straight Pacers started 7 of 11 from 3-point pletely forgotten in the repertoire of you have two games in quick succes- the European Championship. Bundesliga title this season. It was range - a decisive fl urry that put Char- songs, Stamford Bridge was fi nally sion and we’re fi ghting for the points The 33-year-old Benzema Müller’s 10th league title. lotte in a big hole. able to serenade Thomas Tuchel and like they are.” Perhaps they were fi red played the last of his 81 games Hummels, 32, has marshalled The ninth-seeded Pacers snapped a found so much to be appreciative of. up by the biggest crowd allowed at the Borussia Dortmund’s defense to west London stadium since the start of for Les Bleus franchise-worst nine-game losing streak Having waited since last year to be al- in October help it win the German Cup and in the postseason, earning their fi rst win lowed back into their home, 8,000 Chel- the pandemic 14 months ago. qualify for the Champions League. Supporters immediately got back 2015, scor- since blowing out Cleveland in Game 6 sea fans saw a 2-1 victory that dislodged ing twice in of a fi rst-round series in April 2018. And Leicester from third place heading into into the rhythm with the familiar abu- sive songs about VAR and referee Mike a friendly they got it done without Caris LeVert, the Premier League fi nale. against Ar- SOCCER They also saw why Chelsea, ruth- Dean. There was a lot to be angry about who was placed in the league’s health in the fi rst half as twice Timo Werner put menia to take and safety protocol before the game. lessly perhaps, fi red Lampard in Janu- his interna- Jérôme Boateng, who was also ary and replaced the club legend with the ball in the net but twice video reviews Now Indiana needs one more win to intervened “It’s not football anymore,” tional tally to dropped by Löw at the same time secure a sixth consecutive playoff ap- Tuchel. 27 goals. as Müller and Hummels, was not It wasn’t delivering under Lampard, Chelsea fans protested. pearance. The Pacers visit No. 8 Wash- VAR was favorable, though, in the “Why recalled. ington on Thursday night. who left the team fi ve points from the now? I don’t Löw selected Real Madrid top four. Chelsea will be certain of fi n- second half - advising Dean to award Benzema It was no fun for the Hornets, who Leicester’s Luke Thomas, (right), a penalty when Werner was brought have the ca- midfi elder Toni Kross despite his were led by Miles Bridges with 23 ishing in one of the four Champions duels for the ball with Chelsea’s pacity and no one does, not even coronavirus infection, while Bay- League spots by beating Aston Villa down by Wesley Fofana, and Jorginho points. Former Indiana University star Reece James during the English converted from the spot in the 66th Karim, of going back and chang- ern youngster Jamal Musiala was Cody Zeller had 17. on Sunday. Premier League soccer match be- ing the past,” Deschamps said called up to help in attack. Oh, and there’s also still a Cham- tween Chelsea and Leicester City minute. The Hornets fi nished the season By that time, Chelsea were already when announcing his squad on Löw, who took over as Ger- with six straight losses. The difference pions League fi nal to complete the at Stamford Bridge Stadium in Lon- national television. “The most many coach after the 2006 World season on May 29 against Manchester don. (AP) in front after Antonio Rüdiger used his Tuesday showed right from the start - thigh to divert Ben Chilwell’s defl ect- important thing is today and the Cup, is stepping down after the playoff experience. City. ed corner over the line two minutes future.” tournament. McDermott led the initial charge as In- What anguish, though, for Leices- League spots is setting up a thrilling Squad: fi nal day. into the second half. Benzema expressed his relief in diana continually beat Charlotte to loose ter. The FA Cup was picked up on a statement on his Twitter account. Goalkeepers: Manuel Neuer No wonder tensions were so high Kelechi Iheanacho pulling one back balls and stayed in front of the Hornets on Saturday for the fi rst time – by beating for Leicester in the 76th minute set up “So proud of this return to the (Bayern Munich), Kevin Trapp defense. The Pacers jumped out to a 23-9 Chelsea – and Leicester have been in in the closing minutes at Stamford France team and the trust I’ve been (Eintracht Frankfurt), Bernd Leno Bridge as Chelsea and Leicester play- the type of thrilling climax to a game lead, which they extended to 40-24 after the top four all 36 rounds. only enhanced by the return of fans. shown,” he wrote. “Thanks to my (Arsenal) one, 69-45 at halftime and 76-45 early in While the title has already been ers squared up and clashed, with even But for a second successive season, family, my friends, my club, to Defenders: Antonio Rüdiger the third quarter. sealed by Manchester City, and Man- substitutes getting involved. a Champions League place could be you (the fans) ... and to all who (Chelsea), Mats Hummels (Borus- Led by Sabonis, the Pacers never chester United will be runners-up, the “It was two sets of players in a snatched from Leicester on the fi nal have supported me and given me sia Dortmund), Matthias Ginter trailed. tussle for the fi nal two Champions competitive situation,” Leicester day even if they beat Tottenham.