Andre Iguodala scored 31 points and the Philadelphia 76ers spoiled the return of Kobe Bryant with their sixth straight victory, 108-92 over the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday.
Andre Miller scored 23 points, Kyle Korver had 18 and the Sixers scored 16 straight points in a 20-3 run to cap a perfect homestand (6-0) and win their seventh straight at home in front of their first sellout crowd of the season. The Sixers are making a late playoff push, one reason team president Billy King said before the game that coach Maurice Cheeks would return next season.
Bryant cooled in the second half after scoring 21 points in the first. He finished with 30 points after serving a one-game suspension for striking a player in the face.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Heat 105, Timberwolves 91
At Miami, Shaquille O'Neal made his first seven shots and scored a season-high 32 points, Jason Williams added 20 points and surging Miami beat Minnesota.
O'Neal finished 13-of-16 from the field and added nine rebounds. Williams shot 9-for-13 and Eddie Jones had 15 points and 11 rebounds for the Heat.
Celtics 118, SuperSonics 103
At Boston, Al Jefferson had 31 points and 16 rebounds, Paul Pierce added 21 points, and Boston rallied to beat Seattle.
Rajon Rondo, starting in place of the injured Delonte West, scored 20 points and Gerald Green had 19 for the Celtics.
Hawks 106, Grizzlies 105
Josh Smith scored 20 points, including the go-ahead three-point play with 11.5 seconds left, as Atlanta handed lowly Memphis its sixth straight loss.
It was Atlanta's second consecutive win after losing six in a row. Memphis has lost nine of 10 and has the worst record in the NBA at 15-48, including the poorest mark on the road, falling to 4-28.
Rockets 112, Nets 91
At Houston, Tracy McGrady scored 34 points and Yao Ming had 24 points and 13 rebounds in his first home game since returning from a leg injury, leading Houston over New Jersey.
McGrady topped 30 points for the 18th time this season and also had five assists and four rebounds. He led the Rockets to a 20-12 record during Yao's absence and carried them again on Friday, even with Yao resembling his old self.
Suns 104, Hornets 103
At Phoenix, Amare Stoudemire had 18 points and 11 rebounds, and Phoenix withstood a last-minute surge by New Orleans to hand the Hornets their fourth loss in a row.
The Suns improved to 9-1 since the All-Star break, but as has been the case lately, it was a struggle.
Pistons 95, Nuggets 82
At Denver, Chris Webber scored 20 points, Rasheed Wallace had 17 points and 10 rebounds, and Detroit beat Denver to snap a two-game losing streak.
Chauncey Billups added 16 points and Richard Hamilton had 14 points.
Warriors 99, Clippers 89
At Oakland, California, Baron Davis had 25 points, seven rebounds and three assists, and Golden State gained valuable ground on Los Angeles in the playoff chase.
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