P20 2 Layout 1

Ali Makhseed Evra scores rare crowned the goal as Marseille ‘King of Drift’ overpower Nice TUESDAY, MAY 9,18 2017 17 Mission improbable for Atletico and Monaco Page 17 TORONTO: Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) is fouled by Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) as Raptors guard Cory Joseph (6) reaches in during the second half of Game 4 on Sunday, May 7, 2017. — AP Cavaliers power into Eastern Conference finals LOS ANGELES: The NBA champion Cleveland Wizards defeated the Celtics 121-102 Sunday to DeMar DeRozan added 22 with eight assists. But for a seventh consecutive NBA Finals appearance, ROCKETS 125, SPURS 104 Cavaliers powered into the Eastern Conference level their series at 2-2.Kyle Korver scored 18 off the with Kyle Lowry on the bench for a second straight having had four in a row with Miami and the past James Harden recorded a double-double, and finals on Sunday, downing the Toronto Raptors bench as his 16 first-half points helped the game with a sprained ankle, the Raptors couldn’t two with Cleveland, and his eighth overall. James is Houston’s bench was exceptional in a romp over 109-102 to complete a four-game sweep of their Cavaliers erase an 11-point first-quarter deficit and match the Cavs’ firepower. Irving put Cleveland in 3-4 in his trips to the championship series. San Antonio in Game 4 of a Western Conference playoff series. LeBron James scored 35 points with take a 61-49 half-time lead. front with a three-pointer with 5:34 to play and semifinal series at Toyota Center. The Rockets hit 19 nine rebounds and six assists as the Cavaliers sub- With their backs against the wall, down 16 made two free throws. His lay-up with four minutes WIZARDS 121, CELTICS 102 of 43 3-point attempts to even the best-of-seven dued the desperate Raptors to remain unbeaten in points early in the third quarter, the Raptors left had Cleveland up by eight. The Cavs out-scored Bradley Beal scored 29 points and Washington series at 2-2, with the Spurs set to host Game 5 on eight games in these playoffs. They’re the first team responded, taking a 93-92 lead with 6:38 to play. Cleveland 17-9 over the final 6:15, Irving producing reeled off 26 straight points in the third quarter to Tuesday at AT&T Center. Harden was superb to win eight games in a row over consecutive post- “The closeout game is always tough,” Cavaliers all 11 points in one key 11-2 Cavs run. beat Boston in Game 4 of their Eastern throughout, recording game highs in points (28) season runs. “It’s never easy especially in a close- coach Tyronn Lue said. “They came out and com- James played the entire fourth quarter-but he’ll Conference semifinal series. John Wall finished and assists (12) to resuscitate an offensive attack out game,” said Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving, who peted, took an early lead, went up 11. “It was a have plenty of time to rest since the conference with 27 points after missing his first nine shots that went silent as the Spurs rolled to victories in scored 11 of his 27 points in the fourth quarter and tough game for us. We knew it would be, coming finals won’t start before May 15. In a closeout and 12 assists for the Wizards, who evened the Games 2 and 3. Guards Eric Gordon (22 points) and added nine assists. into a hostile environment.” But it marked the sec- game, Lue said, “he tries to go as far as we need him best-of-seven series 2-2 after Boston won the first Lou Williams combined to score 35 off the bench “There’s desperation at their end and despera- ond straight year that the Cavs eliminated the in that fourth quarter.” “I tried to get him out for a two games at home. Washington shot 52.4 per- for Houston, which did lose reserve center Nene to tion at our end.” In the Eastern Conference finals, Raptors from playoffs on their home floor. They couple of minutes, but he said, ‘No, I’m fine,’” added cent from the field and outscored Boston 42-20 in a left groin injury. Spurs forwards Kawhi Leonard the Cavaliers will play either the Boston Celtics or beat them in six games in the Eastern Conference Lue, who did make sure that James got a bit of a the third quarter. Wall, Beal and Markieff Morris and LaMarcus Aldridge scored 16 points apiece, Washington Wizards for a place in the NBA Finals. finals last season. breather by calling a timeout on the heels of a combined for 34 points in the period. Isaiah while Jonathan Simmons tallied 17 points off the John Wall tallied 27 points and 12 assists as the Serge Ibaka scored 23 points for the Raptors. Toronto 20-second timeout. James will be playing Thomas led the Celtics with 19 points. San Antonio bench.— Agencies United gives up on league as FIFA finances ‘solid’ Mourinho’s caution backfires MANAMA: FIFA president Gianni Yesterday’s congress also saw the AFC MANCHESTER: Manchester United might finish longest unbeaten run in a single season is over Infantino claimed yesterday that the finally elect members to the all-powerful the season with two trophies, a place in the following the 2-0 loss at Arsenal. As are the finances of football’s governing body FIFA Council. China’s Zhang Jian, South Champions League and a genuine sense that team’s top-four ambitions, if you listened to were “extremely solid”, despite it posting a Korea’s Chung Mong Gyu and the the club’s old aura is slowly being restored. Not Mourinho after the game. At the end of it all, the $369 million loss earlier this year. Philippines’ Mariano Araneta were all a bad start to the Jose Mourinho era, many will question has to be asked: Was it worth it? Speaking at the Asian Football elected unopposed. The third seat was say. Still, there are some sights that would trou- United drew 12 of those 25 games and still finds Confederation’s congress in Bahrain, made available after Kuwaiti powerbroker ble even the most ardent of United fans. First is itself only in fifth place. Wouldn’t it have been Infantino said the losses were in line with Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, who is the obvious one: the league standings. United is better for United to go for it more in some FIFA’s “business model” and there was no facing corruption allegations in the US, in fifth place - it could be sixth come tomorrow matches, and therefore risk defeat, in an need for it to give “artificial” figures. which he denies, stood down. evening - with two weeks of the season left, and attempt to turn draws into wins? “In spite of what some have been try- The council seat reserved for a woman the team is likely to finish outside the top four Instead, Mourinho finds it easier to set his ing to write or to say, FIFA’s finances are delegate was won by Bangladesh’s for the third time in the past four years. side up to not lose. Where he has gambled, extremely solid,” Infantino told delegates Mahfuza Akhter Kiron, who beat Another is a glance at the team’s away however, is relying on winning the Europa in a short address. He added that it was Australia’s high-profile candidate Moya record against its biggest rivals. United hasn’t League to secure a Champions League qualifi- normal for FIFA to make losses for three Dodd 27 votes to 17. The original vote had scored a goal in five away matches against cation spot, rather than achieve it via a top-four years and then “make revenue” during the been delayed since last September when teams in the top six this season, including the finish in the Premier League. His lineups and fourth financial year, when a World Cup the AFC abandoned their extraordinary loss to Chelsea in the FA Cup. Then, there are risk-averse tactics for recent matches against takes place. “That’s how the business congress in Goa after just 27 minutes. That recent examples of Mourinho’s cautious City and Arsenal may have ensured United model is conducted,” he continued. “We meeting was abruptly cancelled after approach: Playing with 10 men behind the ball won’t climb above its current position of fifth. don’t need to tell you other stories, we Saoud Al-Mohannadi, the Qatar Football for the entire second half in the Manchester der- “Trophies make history,” Mourinho said. “Not don’t need to make our figures artificial Association vice-president, was stopped by last month. Or attacking midfielder Henrikh league positions.” Mourinho has injury prob- (or) look better by some accounting meas- at the very last minute from standing for Mkhitaryan taking over throw-in duties from lems, although they are starting to clear, and ures. “The situation is that the finances of election for the FIFA council. He was then Matteo Darmian against Arsenal on Sunday so United is in the midst of a grueling schedule of a FIFA are extremely solid.” FIFA has said pre- banned from football for a year after the left back could return to the defensive line. match every three or four days. They’ve played viously that its losses could increase being accused of not cooperating with a Mkhitaryan, the player of the year in 59 games and counting this season.

Load more