TUESDAY, APRIL 7, 2015 SPORTS

Rodgers defends players Indian lifters Arango sorry for biting LONDON: Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has defended his players amid MEXICO: Venezuela captain Juan Arango has apologised to a rival player media reports of an acrimonious squad meeting following the 4-1 loss at test positive after biting him on the shoulder at the end of a tempestuous Mexican Arsenal at the weekend, their second Premier League defeat in a row. league match. Speaking to reporters ahead of Wednesday’s FA Cup quarter-final replay at NEW DELHI: The Indian Weightlifting Federation will suspend at least Arango’s Tijuana side were losing 4-3 to Monterrey with just seconds left Blackburn Rovers, Rodgers praised “a great bunch of players who work tireless- three of its regional units after 21 lifters tested positive for banned ly every single day and give me everything”. Asked whether a reported ‘crisis when he went up to midfielder Jesus Zavala and bit him. substances over the last 12 months, the IWF secretary told Reuters “I did something I shouldn’t have done with Zavala,” the 34-year old meeting’ had taken place at the club’s Melwood training ground, he added: “It yesterday. was nothing really, it was just purely analysing performances and where we are midfielder said. “I spoke to him after the game and apologised, it was a at ... it’s just unfortunate something else was made of it”. The majority of the lifters who failed drug tests hail from Delhi, very hot-blooded game, I got heated up, I took that negative attitude, that Rodgers said the heart to heart with his squad was par for the course at Punjab and Haryana and have been provisionally suspended pending isn’t me but unfortunately it happened. We exchanged shirts after the fifth-placed Liverpool who also lost their previous league match at home to the results of their B sample tests, IWF secretary D. Chandrahas Rai game, we spoke and that’s it.” Manchester United. “We have lots of meetings here in terms of analysing per- said by telephone. The lifters were tested by the IWF or the national Zavala fell to the ground and later posted a photo of the bit mark on formances,” he explained. “This was no different really to a whole host of meet- anti-doping agency during five domestic tournaments and also out- social media. The incident was reminiscent of Uryguayan Luis ings that we have had throughout the year.” Rodgers said Liverpool, of-competition. Suarez’s bite on Italian Giorgio Cheillini’s shoulder during last who are now seven points adrift of the Champions League qualifi- “Majority of them are from the north Indian state units. We have year’s World Cup. cation places, would now focus firmly on the clash with decided a two-year suspension for units with two or more lifters who Suarez was given a nine-game suspension from interna- Championship club Blackburn. “It’s a real strong objective for us fail the B test as well,” he said. tional matches and a four-month ban from league action. The this season to do well in the cup competitions and this is an “The guilty lifters will be suspended for four years and there will be opportunity for us to get to another semi-final,” he added. referee in Sunday’s Mexican league game ended the game “This was always going to be a game that was very important a two-year ban on their coaches. Nobody will be spared,” Rai added. seconds after the bite and did not take action against Arango. for us despite the (Arsenal) defeat.” Rodgers is expecting a The IWF did not disclose details about the banned substances used The league’s disciplinary commission could still punish him. tough match following the 0-0 draw in the first game at but revealed the tainted lifters included 2006 Commonwealth Games Tijuana are top of the table with 23 points from 12 games. Anfield last month. —Reuters gold medallist Geeta Rani. — Reuters Monterrey are in 10th on 16 points. — Reuters Capitals clip Red Wings

DETROIT: Mike Green had a goal and an Montreal on a 5-on-3 power play, sweeping as the Washington Capitals beat in a wrist shot between Ellis’ legs at 6:36. Detroit 2-1 on Sunday, putting the Red The teams traded goals just 46 seconds Wings in an anxious spot as they try to apart in the second period. Ekblad tied it extend their streak of postseason appear- on a power play at 6:20 for his 12th goal by ances. beating Price low on the glove side. Braden Holtby stopped 35 shots and Gallagher regained Montreal’s lead for Evgeny Kuznetsov also scored for good by finishing a 2-on-1 off a pass from Washington, which moved into second Subban. Parenteau and Smith-Pelley place in the Metropolitan Division. The capped the scoring later in the second. Capitals clinched a playoff berth when Ottawa lost to Toronto in a shootout. BLUES 2, BLACKHAWKS 1 Darren Helm scored for Detroit, and Petr Olli Jokinen and David Backes scored in Mrazek finished with 26 saves. Kuznetsov the second period as St. Louis won its third put the Capitals ahead 3:38 into the game, straight to move into first place in the firing a shot that bounced off Drew Miller’s Central Division. stick and past Mrazek. The Blues improved to 105 points, one Green made it 2-0 at 4:42 of the second more than idle Nashville, with three games as he ripped a shot that hit the top of remaining for both teams. Chicago’s Kris Mrazek’s glove before settling in the top Versteeg scored to end a 16-game drought right corner of the net for his 10th of the without a goal, but the Blackhawks’ four- season. Helm got the Red Wings on the game winning streak ended and they board with his 14th of the season with 7:01 remained two points behind Nashville in left in the second. third place in the rugged Central. Jake Allen made 38 saves for St. Louis FLYERS 4, PENGUINS 1 and Corey Crawford stopped 31 shots for Steve Mason made 46 saves, and Chicago in a physical game between divi- Philadelphia scored three power-play goals sion rivals that had ample chippy to beat Pittsburgh. Jakub Voracek, Brayden moments. Schenn and Michael Del Zotto all scored with the man-advantage, and Ryan White MAPLE LEAFS 3, SENATORS 2 also had a goal for the Flyers. Peter Holland scored the winning goal Philadelphia, which is eliminated from in the seventh round of the shootout to lift playoff contention, completed a season Toronto. Joffrey Lupul and James van sweep of its Pennsylvania state rival. Riemsdyk scored in regulation for the Brandon Sutter scored on the power play Maple Leafs, and Jonathan Bernier had 43 late in the first period for Pittsburgh to tie saves through overtime. the score at 1-all. The Penguins have Erik Karlsson and rookie Mark Stone dropped 10 of their last 13 games and sud- scored for Ottawa, and Andrew Hammond denly face the prospect of playing for a finished with 36 saves - including 21 in the postseason spot. first period. Mika Zibanejad scored in the first round CANADIENS 4, PANTHERS 1 of the shootout for Ottawa, and Lupul tied Carey Price stopped 24 shots to pick up it in the second. Neither team broke his league-leading 42nd win and Tomas through again until Holland’s game-winner. Plekanec scored his 200th career goal as Despite the loss, the Senators picked up Montreal beat Florida. a valuable point, pulling two behind SAN ANTONIO: Golden State Warriors guard Andre Iguodala (center) looks to pass around forward Aron Baynes (right) of Brendan Gallagher, P.A. Parenteau and Detroit, Boston and Pittsburgh - who are Australia, as Spurs guard Manu Ginobili, of Argentina, looks on during the second half of an NBA game. — AP Devante Smith-Pelly also scored for tied for the last three playoff spots in the Montreal. Aaron Ekblad scored for Florida, Eastern Conference with three games left and Dan Ellis finished with 23 saves. for each team. Ottawa hosts Pittsburgh Spurs roll past Warriors Plekanec opened the scoring with today. — AP

SAN ANTONIO: Kawhi Leonard matched his as the Cavs moved closer to a Central of the Western Conference playoffs. career-high with 26 points and set a career- Division title and securing the No. 2 seed in high with seven steals and the San Antonio the Eastern Conference playoffs. JAZZ 101, KINGS 95 Spurs rolled past Golden State 107-92 on Mike Dunleavy scored 24 and Aaron Rodney Hood scored 13 of his season- Sunday, ending the Warriors’ 12-game win- Brooks 17 for the Bulls, who could have star high 25 points in the fourth quarter and the ning streak while extending their own to sev- guard Derrick Rose back in the next few days. Utah Jazz pulled away. The Jazz were cling- en straight. James finished with 20 points, 12 assists ing to an 83-82 lead with 6:10 remaining San Antonio also extended its home win- and 10 rebounds, his first triple-double in a when Hood scored the first nine points of a ning streak over Golden State to 32 straight. Cleveland uniform since May 13, 2010, two 14-2 run. Tim Duncan had 19 points and Danny Green months before he left as a free agent for He had a pair of three-point plays and a 3- added 18 points for San Antonio, which led Miami. pointer during the streak, then later made a by as many as 28 points. 17-foot jumper to give Utah a 99-88 lead. Stephen Curry had 24 points, but was CLIPPERS 106, LAKERS 78 Rudy Gobert added 10 points and nine harassed into 9-for-17 shooting by Leonard. Blake Griffin scored 18 points, DeAndre rebounds, Derrick Favors scored 11 and Klay Thompson was held to six points on 3- Jordan added 16 points and 11 rebounds, Jeremy Evans had 10 points off the bench for for-11 shooting for Golden State. and the Los Angeles Clippers sent the Lakers the Jazz. Utah bounced back from a disap- to their team-record 56th defeat of the sea- pointing two-point loss in Phoenix 24 hours PACERS 112, HEAT 89 son. earlier. Paul George’s season debut provided a Matt Barnes scored 14 points and Chris needed boost Sunday as the Pacers put them- Paul had 15 assists for the Clippers, who KNICKS 101, 76ERS 91 selves back in the playoff contention. George handed that historic loss to their Staples Andrea Bargnani scored 25 points and finished with 13 points in 15 minutes-his first Center roommates while beating the Lakers Shane Larking added 15 and 11 rebounds, action since breaking his right leg Aug. 1. Luis for a record sixth straight time overall. and the New York Knicks ended a nine-game Scola scored a season-high 23 points to lead With six games still to play, the Lakers losing streak. Indiana to its second straight win. The Pacers have surpassed last season’s team as the Lance Thomas chipped in 14 points for moved into a tie with Miami for the No. 9 spot worst in the 16-time champion franchise’s the Knicks, whose last victory was on March in the Eastern Conference. Both teams trail illustrious history. 17 over the defending champion San Boston by one game for the conference’s The playoff-bound Clippers have won 10 Antonio Spurs at Madison Square Garden. Ish eighth and final playoff spot. Miami was led of 11 down the stretch, staying in the tight Smith and reserve forward Hollis Thompson by Dwyane Wade with 27 points but lost its five-team race behind Golden State for each had 17 points for the visiting 76ers, fourth in a row. homecourt advantage in the first two rounds who’ve lost six straight. — AP Mike Green in action in this file photo. ROCKETS 115, THUNDER 112 James Harden scored 41 points, and the Houston Rockets overcame Russell NBA results/standings NHL results/standings Westbrook’s triple-double to beat the . Houston 115, Oklahoma City 112; Cleveland 99, Chicago 94; Indiana 112, Miami 89; San Antonio Philadelphia 4, Pittsburgh 1; Washington 2, Detroit 1; Montreal 4, Florida 1; Toronto 3, Harden and Westbrook, the league’s top 107, Golden State 92; NY Knicks 101, Philadelphia 91; Utah 101, Sacramento 95; LA Clippers 106, Ottawa 2 (SO); St. Louis 2, Chicago 1. two scorers, both entered the game averag- LA Lakers 78. ing 27.5 points. Harden made 12 of 22 shots Eastern Conference Western Conference Western Conference Tampa Bay 48 24 8 255 206 104 and 6 of 9 3-pointers before fouling out with Atlantic Division Northwest Division Pacific Division Boston 41 25 13 209 201 95 33 seconds left. The Rockets hung on to win W L OTLGF GA PTS W L PCT GB Detroit 41 25 13 227 215 95 for the seventh time in eight games. Portland 50 26 .658 - Anaheim 50 23 7 234 221 107 Ottawa 40 26 13 228 211 93 Westbrook finished with 40 points, 13 Toronto 45 32 .584 - Oklahoma City 42 35 .545 8.5 Vancouver 45 29 5 229 216 95 Florida 36 29 15 199 219 87 Brooklyn 35 41 .461 9.5 Utah 35 42 .455 15.5 Calgary 43 29 7 234 208 93 assists and 11 rebounds. It was his 11th triple- Toronto 30 43 7 208 253 67 Boston 35 42 .455 10 Denver 28 49 .364 22.5 Los Angeles 39 25 14 212 195 92 double of the season and the 18th of his Buffalo 22 49 8 155 265 52 career. Philadelphia 18 60 .231 27.5 Minnesota 16 60 .211 34 San Jose 39 31 9 223 222 87 NY Knicks 15 62 .195 30 Edmonton 23 43 13 188 272 59 Metropolitan Division Enes Kanter added 21 points and 17 Pacific Division NY Rangers 50 21 7 240 182 107 rebounds for the Thunder, who lost their third Central Division Golden State 63 14 .818 - Arizona 24 47 8 167 262 56 Cleveland 50 27 .649 - Washington 44 25 11 237 199 99 straight. Their lead over New Orleans for the LA Clippers 52 26 .667 11.5 Central Division Chicago 46 31 .597 4 St. Louis 49 23 7 242 197 105 NY Islanders 46 27 6 241 219 98 No. 8 spot in the Western Conference was cut Phoenix 39 38 .506 24 Milwaukee 38 39 .494 12 Nashville 47 22 10 227 197 104 Pittsburgh 42 26 11 215 203 95 to a half game. Sacramento 26 50 .342 36.5 Chicago 48 25 6 225 182 102 Indiana 34 43 .442 16 Columbus 39 35 4 219 240 82 Detroit 30 47 .390 20 LA Lakers 20 56 .263 42.5 Minnesota 44 26 8 223 192 96 Philadelphia 32 29 18 208 224 82 CAVALIERS 99, BULLS 94 Southwest Division Winnipeg 40 26 12 222 208 92 Southeast Division New Jersey 32 34 13 174 205 77 LeBron James recorded his first triple-dou- Houston 53 24 .688 - Dallas 38 31 10 248 258 86 ble since returning to Cleveland, and the Atlanta 57 19 .750 - Carolina 29 38 11 180 216 69 Memphis 52 25 .675 1 Colorado 36 31 12 212 223 84 Cavaliers made 16 3-pointers while winning Washington 44 33 .571 13.5 Note: Overtime losses (OTL) are worth San Antonio 51 26 .662 2 Eastern Conference their 18th straight home game. Miami 34 43 .442 23.5 one point in the standings and are not Atlantic Division J.R. Smith made eight 3s, Kyrie Irving casu- Charlotte 33 43 .434 24 Dallas 46 31 .597 7 included in the loss column (L). Montreal 48 22 10 213 183 106 ally dropped one from 52 feet and scored 27 Orlando 24 53 .312 33.5 New Orleans 41 35 .539 11.5