TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2014 SPORTS Jayawardene not worried after 2 quick dismissals DUBAI: Sri Lanka’s seasoned batsman Mahela The veteran of 139 test matches last played a test But Mathews featured in two big century stands Sri Lanka neutralized Pakistan offspinner Saeed Jayawardene doesn’t blame a lack of test matches match against Australia in January 2013 before fail- with Dinesh Chandimal (89) and Prasanna Ajmal, who returned wicketless in the second for his two quick dismissals in the drawn first test ing at Abu Dhabi. Jayawardene did not face Bhatti in Jayawardene (63 not out) before setting Pakistan left innings despite bowling 49 overs to finish the match against Pakistan. Debutant Bilawal Bhatti dismissed last month’s Twenty20 and one-day series against with no other choice but to play out a draw. with just two wickets. “If we play him like we did in Jayawardene for 5 and 0 in Abu Dhabi, and captain Pakistan after he was given paternity leave. Opening batsman Kaushal Silva (81) also scored a the first match and also play the quicks well, there’s a Angelo Mathews played a career-best knock of 157 “When you face a bowler for the first time there is fine half century before he was dismissed in the last good chance we can win the series,” Jayawardene not out to set up a stiff target of 302 and force always a small difference,” said Jayawardene, who over on the third day. said. “We won the last series against Pakistan 1-0 in Pakistan to settle for a draw. has hit 31 centuries and scored 10,811 runs. “He “The way our batsmen played in the second Sri Lanka by coming up with similar plans.” “Difficult to say that the long break had a big bowled in really good areas when I went to bat ... I innings was really good ... We got back into the With Sri Lanka not playing much of test cricket effect,” Jayawardene said Monday after the team’s had watched how Bhatti bowls, but watching him game and that’s what test cricket is about,” this year, Jayawardene has not set long term goals training for the second test, which starts Wednesday. and playing him are very different things.” Jayawardene said. “When we are behind, we have to for himself. “This year there are only 5 or 6 tests “I got two good balls and I couldn’t avoid getting The Pakistan team was looking to finish off the show a little character and we did that, even turning remaining,” he said. “I’ve said before that I don’t have out to them. I’m not thinking too much about what’s first test inside four days after reducing Sri Lanka to it into a potentially winning situation. That was a a plan for the long term ... When you get to this been, but I prepared well for that match and I’m 186-4 at the end of the third day’s play for an overall great boost of confidence, particularly for the young stage in your cricketing career, it’s not easy to have preparing for the next one.” lead of just seven runs. players who are getting that experience.” long-term targets.” —AP Jackson, Durant lead Thunder over Celtics OKLAHOMA CITY: Reggie Jackson scored a career-high 27 points, Kevin Durant added 21 points, seven rebounds and eight assists, and the Oklahoma City Thunder halted their home- court swoon with a 119-96 win over the Boston Celtics on Sunday night. Serge Ibaka added 17 points and 11 rebounds for Oklahoma City, which had lost three of its previous four home games after starting the season 13-0 at Chesapeake Energy Arena. The Thunder (27-7) have the best record in the Western Conference. Oklahoma City is 4-2 since All-Star point guard Russell Westbrook had arthroscopic knee surgery on Dec. 27. Jeff Green and Avery Bradley scored 19 points apiece for Boston, which has lost four straight games and seven of its last eight. PYONGYANG: Former NBA basketball star Dennis Rodman, foreground right, and fel- A day after the Thunder narrowly avoided a low US basketball players arrive at a hotel in Pyongyang, North Korea after returning three-game losing streak - rallying from a 13- from an official dinner yesterday. Rodman arrived in the North Korean capital with a point fourth-quarter deficit to win at Minnesota squad of former basketball stars in what he calls “basketball diplomacy,” although behind Durant’s season-high 48-point effort - US officials have criticized his efforts. — AP they seized control early against the Celtics, going on a 10-0 run in the first quarter and nev- Rodman, ex-NBA All Stars er trailed again. Oklahoma City matched its sea- son high for points in a half and led 66-56 at the break. The Thunder scored the first six points of arrive in North Korea the second half and the Celtics came no closer than 11 the rest of the way. DALLAS: Amar’e Stoudemire, Carmelo Anthony, Shawn Marion, Monta Ellis New York Knicks PYONGYANG: Dennis Rodman said yester- meet with Kim then. Durant didn’t record his first field goal until forwards Amar’e Stoudemire (1) and Carmelo Anthony (7) and Dallas Mavericks forward day that a game he and other former Rodman has been given the red-carpet 51/2 minutes into the second quarter, but still Shawn Marion (0) and guard Monta Ellis (11) scramble for a loose ball during the second half National Basketball Association players are treatment on each of his trips, but visiting had 17 points by halftime thanks to 9-of-10 free of an NBA basketball game, in Dallas. The Knicks won 92-80. — AP planning in North Korea will be a “birthday North Korea for any high-profile American is throw shooting. He sat out the entire fourth present” for one of their most unlikely fans: a political minefield. To keep the game itself quarter with the game in hand. Jackson hit six leader Kim Jong Un. friendly, the two sides will only play against of his first seven shots and was 3 of 3 from 3- NBA results/standings Rodman’s squad - featuring ex-All Stars each other in the first half, and then mix point range while scoring 19 in the Kenny Anderson, Cliff Robinson and Vin together in the second. first half. He surpassed his previous career Memphis 112, Detroit 84; Indiana 82, Cleveland 78; Miami 102, Toronto 97; Golden State Baker - will play against a team of North Americans are regarded as enemies in high of 23 points with 2:57 left in the third quar- 112, Washington 96; Oklahoma City 119, Boston 96; NY Knicks 92, Dallas 80; Denver 137, LA Koreans on Wednesday, which is believed to North Korea since the two countries never ter, taking a pass from Durant and rising for a Lakers 115. be Kim’s birthday. The former NBA players, signed a peace treaty to formally end the one-handed dunk. Jackson finished 9 of 12 from who arrived in Pyongyang on Monday, also 1950-53 Korean War. Thousands of U.S. the field. Eastern Conference Western Conference include Eric “Sleepy” Floyd, guard Doug troops are still based in South Korea, and Ibaka followed with another slam moments Atlantic Division Northwest Division Christie and Charles D. Smith, who played the Demilitarized Zone between the North later to put Oklahoma City ahead 89-68. Jordan W L PCT GB Oklahoma City 27 7 .794 - for the New York Knicks. Four streetballers and South is one of the most heavily forti- Crawford scored 17 points and Kris Humphries Toronto 16 16 .500 - Portland 26 8 .765 1 are also on the squad. fied borders in the world. added 14 for the Celtics. Jeremy Lamb scored 13 Boston 13 21 .382 4 Denver 16 17 .485 10.5 Rodman told The Associated Press he Relations are also tense because of the points and Kendrick Perkins added a season- Brooklyn 12 21 .364 4.5 Minnesota 16 17 .485 10.5 was glad to be in North Korea for the game, North’s development of nuclear weapons high 12 points to go with six rebounds for the Philadelphia 12 21 .364 4.5 Utah 11 25 .306 17 though he said he has gotten death threats and its threats to use them if a conflict Thunder. NY Knicks 11 22 .333 5.5 Pacific Division for his repeated visits. He said proceeds breaks out with Washington or Seoul. Central Division Golden State 23 13 .639 - Indiana 27 6 .818 - from the game would go to a charity for the Rodman has also been slammed for not try- Heat 102, Raptors 97 LA Clippers 23 13 .639 - deaf in North Korea. ing to use his influence with Kim to secure Chicago 14 18 .438 12.5 Rallying from a nine-point, third-quarter Phoenix 20 12 .625 1 “The marshal is actually trying to change the release of Kenneth Bae, an American Detroit 14 20 .412 13.5 deficit, the Miami Heat earned a victory over the LA Lakers 14 20 .412 8 this country in a great way,” Rodman said of missionary with health problems who is Cleveland 11 23 .324 16.5 Toronto Raptors in a battle of division leaders. Sacramento 10 22 .313 11 Kim, using the leader’s official title. “I think being held in North Korea on charges of LeBron James led the Heat with 30 points and Milwaukee 7 26 .212 20 that people thought that this was a joke, committing “anti-state” crimes.