SPORTS SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2016 Super Thais seek record fifth Suzuki Cup

MANILA: will seek to underline their Senamuang said they would not be living on reached the World Cup for the first time. , Cambodia, and supremacy in Southeast Asian football by past glories when they open the tournament Thailand’s star man is Teerasil Dangda, are in -based Group B. Southeast retaining the Suzuki Cup, a tournament that against today. who top-scored at the 2008 and 2012 Suzuki Asian football attracts enormous support but draws passionate support and also close “Statistics are in the past, we are looking at Cups but missed their 2014 victory during his it has frequently been plagued by match-fix- scrutiny for possible match-fixing. the present,” the former Thailand striker told stint with club Almeria. ing, as seen by the suspension of four Laos The War Elephants are Southeast Asia’s last reporters in Manila. “Every team is strong, we “(Twice) being the top scorer of the tour- internationals earlier this month. Anti-corrup- team standing in qualifying for the 2018 would prefer to only focus on our team. We nament was meaningless because we got tion agency Sportradar will oversee the com- World Cup, and they won new admirers in last want to be champions but we will focus on nothing from it,” said Teerasil, who bagged petition, monitoring hundreds of bookies for week’s 2-2 draw with Asian champions the group stage first,” added Kiatisuk. both of Thailand’s goals last week against unusual betting patterns. “Sportradar’s fraud . Thailand’s smooth-passing, attack- Victory in the biennial tournament, split Australia. “I would prefer to win the tourna- detection system will notify the AFF (ASEAN minded team have contested the last two between Manila and Yangon, would make ment than be the top-scorer. I was disap- Football Federation) if there are any suspi- Suzuki Cup finals and they are bidding to Thailand the first country to lift the trophy five pointed not to have been in the squad last cious betting patterns on any of the 12 group become the first country to win the competi- times. This year, Thailand also made it to the time.” Thailand also play Singapore and co- games or the six games in the knock-out tion five times. But their coach Kiatisuk “Zico” Asian U23 final, while their women’s team hosts the in Group A, while stages,” Sportradar said last week. —AFP

NBA results/standings

Washington 119, NY Knicks 112; Miami 96, Milwaukee 73; Houston 126, Portland 109; Minnesota 110, Philadelphia 86; Chicago 85, Utah 77.

Eastern Conference Atlantic Division W L PCT GB Toronto 7 4 .636 - Boston 6 5 .545 1 NY Knicks 5 7 .417 2.5 Brooklyn 4 7 .364 3 Philadelphia 2 10 .167 5.5

Central Division Cleveland 9 2 .818 - Chicago 8 4 .667 1.5 Detroit 6 6 .500 3.5 Indiana 6 6 .500 3.5 Milwaukee 5 6 .455 4

Southeast Division Atlanta 9 2 .818 - Charlotte 7 3 .700 1.5 Orlando 5 7 .417 4.5 Washington 3 8 .273 6 Miami 3 8 .273 6

Western Conference Northwest Division Oklahoma City 7 5 .583 - Portland 7 6 .538 0.5 Utah 7 6 .538 0.5 Denver 4 7 .364 2.5 Minnesota 4 7 .364 2.5

Pacific Division LA Clippers 10 2 .833 - Golden State 9 2 .818 0.5 LA Lakers 7 5 .583 3 Sacramento 4 8 .333 6 Phoenix 3 9 .250 7

Southwest Division San Antonio 9 3 .750 - Houston 7 5 .583 2 Memphis 6 5 .545 2.5 Dallas 2 8 .200 6 New Orleans 2 10 .167 7 HOUSTON: Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) brings the ball up the court as he is defended by Portland Trail Blazers guard Evan Turner (1) in the second half of an NBA basketball game on Thursday, in Houston. — AP Harden has triple-double as Rockets beat Blazers

HOUSTON: James Harden posted his third in a matchup of star young centers as snapped a six-game losing streak with a win many as 24 points. Washington reversed triple double in five games and the Houston Minnesota cruised to a victory against over Milwaukee at AmericanAirlines Arena. course dramatically by sinking 15 of 25 3- Rockets turned offensive blitzed in the first and Philadelphia. Wiggins added 10 rebounds and The losing skid was the longest since 2008 for pointers and limiting New York’s offense for third quarters into a 126-109 victory over the four assists, while shooting 14 of 20 as two of the Heat. The Heat got some revenge against most of the game. Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday night at the four youngest teams in the NBA met for a the Bucks, who had won their previous three Toyota Center. Harden totaled 26 points, 14 nationally televised game showcasing the meetings in Miami. Even with the win, the BULLS 85, JAZZ 77 assists and 12 rebounds to pace the Rockets (7- young skill of players like Wiggins, Towns and Heat is just 2-6 in their past eight games Jimmy Butler scored 20 points and 5) while they shot 48.4 from the floor including Philadelphia rookie center Joel Embiid. Gorgui against the Bucks. Point guard Goran Dragic, Dwyane Wade added 18 to lead Chicago to its 14 of 32 on 3-pointers. All five Houston starters Dieng had his fourth double-double of the sea- who had missed the past three games due to fourth consecutive victory, a decision over reached double figures in points including son with 12 points and 10 rebounds for an injured left ankle, returned to the starting Utah. Robin Lopez added 10 points and 12 guard Patrick Beverley, who scored 11 in his Minnesota, which won for the third time in five lineup and contributed 16 points and four rebounds for the Bulls, who won their third first start of the season following preseason left games. Dieng also helped limit Embiid to 10 assists. consecutive road game. Chicago overcame knee surgery. Forward Trevor Ariza scored 16 points and 10 rebounds in 23 minutes of action. shooting 36.7 percent (33 of 90) from the floor points while center Clint Capela added 15. Each It’s the second straight double-double for WIZARDS 119, KNICKS 112 by holding Utah to 38.5 percent (30 off 78) chipped in seven boards. Guard Eric Gordon Embiid and his third of the season. But the 7- John Wall had 23 points and 11 assists as from the field. Rudy Gobert scored 16 points, added 16 points off the Houston bench. footer entered the game leading all rookies Washington snapped a three-game losing collected 13 rebounds and blocked three with 18 points per game. streak with a win over New York. The Wizards shots to lead the Jazz. Dante Exum chipped in TIMBERWOLVES 110, 76ERS 86 returned home after a demoralizing 109-102 14 points and Rodney Hood added 12 for Andrew Wiggins scored 35 points and Karl- HEAT 96, BUCKS 73 loss Wednesday to a one-win Philadelphia Utah, which lost its second straight home Anthony Towns had 25 points and 10 rebounds Dion Waiters scored 23 points and Miami 76ers squad during which they trailed by as game. —Reuters