Antoine Walker had 17 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists to lead the Dallas Mavericks to a 97-86 victory over the Houston Rockets on Thursday.
Walker scored seven of his points in a game-turning 22-8 run in the third quarter that put Dallas ahead to stay as the Mavericks snapped the Rockets' four-game winning streak.
Dirk Nowitzki had 23 points, Steve Nash had 16 and Michael Finley 14. Antawn Jamison had 13 points and eight rebounds.
Jim Jackson led Houston with 23 points.
Timberwolves 92, Bulls 89, OT
In Chicago, Latrell Sprewell forced overtime with a 3-pointer, then scored four points in the extra period to lift Minnesota past Chicago.
The Bulls had a scary moment in the fourth quarter when Jamal Crawford landed on the back of his head and had to be taken off the floor on a stretcher.
Crawford was moving around after he fell, landing just above his neck. But he was taped to a stretcher, and taken to a hospital as a precaution.
Trail Blazers 112, Kings 110, OT
In Portland, Oregon, Zach Randolph has 28 points and 14 rebounds, and Portland climbed out of a 24-point deficit to beat Sacramento.
The Blazers rallied to tie it five times in the second half but could not take over the lead until overtime.
Damon Stoudamire's reverse layup put Portland ahead for the first time in the game, 109-107 with 3:23 left in the extra period, before Rasheed Wallace followed up with a decisive dunk.
Mike Bibby hit a 3-pointer to keep it close at 111-110, but Doug Christie missed a 23-foot jumper that would have put the Kings back on top.
After he was fouled with 5.8 seconds left, Wallace missed his first free throw but made his second, and the Blazers went ahead 112-110 before Bibby missed an 18-footer at the buzzer to give Portland the win.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely