MONDAY 3 FEBRUARY 2020 SPORTS SPORT 07 Amazing achievement. Unreal what you’re doing throughout all TENNIS: ATP TOUR these years. You (Novak Djokovic) and also two other guys, I think Cordoba Open: Cordoba, Argentina you brought men’s tennis to a complete new level: Dominic Thiem Open Sud de France: Montpellier Maharashtra Open: Pune, India after losing to the Serbian in the Australian Open final ACTION TODAY’S TODAY’S Olympic champs Davis shines as Lakers win Fiji clinch Sydney Sevens title first game since Kobe tragedy REUTERS – SYDNEY AFP – LOS ANGELES Olympic champions Fiji clicked into top gear for the first time this season to win Anthony Davis scored a team-high Fans honour Kobe the Sydney Sevens in trademark style 21 points as the Los Angeles Lakers Bryant and Gianna yesterday, kickstarting their campaign put the emotions of their Kobe Bryant Bryant at an art less than six months before they defend tribute night behind them with a installation wall in their gold medal in Tokyo. 129-113 victory over the Sacramento remembrance of World Sevens Series champions last Kings on Saturday. the NBA legend year, the Flying Fijians had under- The Lakers won their first game and his daughter whelmed in the first three rounds with since Bryant died in a horrific heli- in the plaza across one fourth and two ninth-placed finishes copter crash after losing 127-119 from Golden 1 but appeared rejuvenated on a steamy Friday to Portland on a night when Center. Sydney weekend. they paid tribute to the former NBA They beat New Zealand, the series legend. leaders and winners of the previous two Davis followed up his 37-point rounds, 26-5 on Saturday and hammered performance against the Trail Blazers Wales 55-0 to round out the group stage with another team-high total in the before holding off England 17-14 in the second game of a back-to-back set. semi-finals despite being reduced to five “We got our first win,” said Lakers men at one point. coach Frank Vogel. “It is never going Roared on by a good proportion of to feel normal. It is never going to feel NBA RESULTS the local Fijian community in a Western the same. Sydney Stadium cooled by an evening “That is our first win since this Boston 116, Philadelphia 95 storm, the Pacific islanders tore into the happened. There are going to be a lot San Antonio 114, Charlotte 90 South Africa’s BlitzBokke from the start of important steps for us along the Cleveland 112, Golden State 131 of the final. way.” Washington 113, Brooklyn 107 They did not have it all their own way, LeBron James had a triple-double Portland 124, Utah 107 but dynamic 23-year-old Napolioni of 15 points, 10 rebounds and 10 Dallas 123, Atlanta 100 Bolaca scored two tries to see them home assists and Avery Bradley scored 16 Sacramento 113, LA Lakers 129 12-10 in a tight contest where they show- of his 19 points in the first 12 minutes Indiana 85, New York 92 cased both brilliant running and rugged as the Lakers racked up 81 points in Orlando 89, Miami 102 defence. the first half. LA Clippers 118, Minnesota 106 “Before we entered the field, my Bryant’s career high was 81 points message was to come out and enjoy it in 2006 against Toronto second only and do the job,” said Fiji skipper Meli to Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-point great memory, because it was the last Derenalagi. game in 1962.” one.” Women’s Olympic champions Aus- “I loved the way we came out Elsewhere, red-hot Damian tralia are in a less favourable position tonight,” Vogel said. “We knew last Lillard continued blistering pace with ahead of their gold medal defence in night was going to be an emotional 51 points to lead the Portland to a Tokyo with no tournament wins in two game. We got through it. Tonight it 124-107 victory over the Utah Jazz. years on the world circuit. was get back on track and go out and Lillard connected on 17 of 29 They looked in fine form on Saturday get a win no matter what.” field-goal attempts and made all when Charlotte Caslick, back in the side James’ triple-double was his 11th eight of his free throws en route to for the first time this year after recov- of the season, one off Luka Doncic’s his third 50-point performance over Anthony Davis of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots over Buddy Hield of the ering from injury, scored five tries and league lead, and the 92nd of his the past six games and fourth of the Sacramento Kings during the second half of their NBA game at Golden 1 set up a couple of others in big wins over career. season. Center in Sacramento, California, on Saturday. Spain and Ireland. Only Oscar Robertson (181), He is averaging 48.8 points They were outmuscled 34-0 by a Russell Westbrook (146), Magic during the six-game stretch. physical Canada side in Sunday’s semi- Johnson (138) and Jason Kidd (107) In Boston, Jaylen Brown scored shooting. They attempted 33 shots because of a left hamstring strain, had finals, however, and watched on as a have more career triple-doubles. 32 points as the Boston Celtics won from three-point range but made just 21 points and seven rebounds in 25 rampant New Zealand locked up the title James said they had to get used their sixth game in the last seven with seven. minutes. for a fourth straight round of the series to Bryant tributes whenever they a 116-95 victory over the Philadelphia The 76ers had beaten the Celtics In Washington, Brooklyn Nets with a 33-7 victory over the Canucks in travel to a new NBA building, noting: 76ers. in their first three meetings this guard Kyrie Irving sprained his right the final. “It should be acknowledged because Jayson Tatum tallied 25 points, season, including December 12 at the knee in the fourth quarter of Satur- New Zealand’s Black Ferns have been of what he meant to this franchise Marcus Smart had 16 points, and Brad Boston Garden. day’s 113-107 loss to the Washington all but unstoppable since their loss to for 20 years.” Wanamaker chipped in 15 as the Also, Kawhi Leonard scored at Wizards. Australian in the final at the Rio Olympics One of the last people to talk to Celtics avoided a season sweep by least 30 points for the ninth straight Irving -- who will have an MRI and have standout Portia Woodman still Bryant before he and eight others Philadelphia. contest as the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday to determine the extent to return the mix after a long-term died last Sunday, James said it was a Boston played without injured beat the Minnesota Timberwolves of the damage -- became tangled Achilles injury. bittersweet recollection. leading scorer Kemba Walker, who 118-106. with Bradley Beal in a tussle for the Yesterday’s win was their 19th in a “It is not a great memory because has a sore left knee. Leonard, who also had six ball before Beal fell awkwardly on row and, on this form, they will head to it is the last one (conversation),” he Ben Simmons led the 76ers with rebounds, needed just 24 minutes of the outside of his right leg. Tokyo as strong favourites to finally said after Saturday’s game. “I got an 23 points, and Joel Embiid was held playing time to score 31 points. Irving finished with 11 points, his clinch their country a rugby sevens gold opportunity to talk to him. But for me to 11 on a dismal one-of-11 shooting. Paul George, playing in his second lowest mark in a game this season, medal on August 1. to always think about that is not a Philadelphia was done in by poor contest after missing nine games as the Wizards rallied for the win. Oilers crush Flames in heated rematch AGENCIES – ALBERTA to play when the Senators’ Mike Reilly was called for interference. Connor McDavid scored twice, and Marner scored his 14th goal of the Leon Draisaitl collected four season on a slap shot. assists to lead the visiting Edmonton Oilers to an 8-3 win Lightning 3, Sharks 0 over the Calgary Flames on Steven Stamkos had a goal and Saturday night in an old-time an assist, and Curtis McElhinney Battle of Alberta match-up. made 30 saves for his first shutout The Oilers, who collected wins of the season as Tampa Bay won on consecutive nights, have an at San Jose. 8-1-2 record in their last 11 games. They scored twice in the first 65 Bruins 6, Wild 1 seconds and led 4-1 early in the Defenseman Torey Krug col- third before the Flames scored lected two goals and two assists consecutive goals. as Boston breezed past Minnesota Edmonton responded to Cal- in Saint Paul, Minn. gary’s rally with two more goals from Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Canucks 4, Islanders 3 (OT) Caleb Jones to regain control Quinn Hughes scored his before madness ensued second goal of the game 42 A line brawl broke out in the seconds into overtime as visiting final minute of the second period, Vancouver remained red-hot with including a rare fight between a win over New York. Oilers goalie Mike Smith and Calgary netminder Cam Talbot. Jets 5, Blues 2 Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (left) of the Edmonton Oilers takes a shot on The fracas began with Talbot Jack Roslovic scored twice and the net during the NHL game against Calgary Flames at Scotiabank throwing punches at Sam Gagner added an assist as Winnipeg beat Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, on Saturday.