David West scored 37 points and the New Orleans Hornets overcame an early 15-point deficit to defeat the Boston Celtics 113-106 in the NBA on Saturday.
Chris Paul, despite playing only 28 minutes because of foul trouble, had 19 points and hit a pair of clutch jumpers in the waning minutes as New Orleans added a win over the mighty Celtics to recent triumphs over San Antonio, the Los Angeles Lakers and Houston.
Paul Pierce had 16 of his 28 points in the first quarter and the Celtics shot better than 60 percent and led by double digits until well into the third. But Boston seemed to tire in the fourth as New Orleans surged to its ninth straight victory at home while stopping Boston's road winning streak at eight.
76ers 91, Nets 87
At Philadelphia, Andre Iguodala scored 19 of his 28 points in the second half, Samuel Dalembert had 11 points, 18 rebounds and five blocks, and Philadelphia beat New Jersey.
Vince Carter led New Jersey with 27 points but was only 10-for-25 from the floor. Richard Jefferson was held to 11 points on 3-for-15 shooting.
Hawks 98, Magic 90
At Atlanta, Joe Johnson scored 34 points, Mike Bibby had 20 and Josh Smith 19 in Atlanta's sixth straight home victory over Orlando.
The Magic dropped to 22-2 on the road when entering the fourth quarter with a lead. Hedo Turkoglu led Orlando with 18 points.
Bucks 108, Cavaliers 98
At Milwaukee, Mo Williams scored 27 points and Milwaukee snapped a six-game losing streak by beating Cleveland.
LeBron James scored 29 to lead Cleveland, which has won nine straight at home but lost seven of the last eight on the road, including five straight.
Jazz 115, SuperSonics 101
At Salt Lake City, Carlos Boozer had 26 points and 13 rebounds, and Mehmet Okur added 24 points and 10 rebounds to help Utah beat reeling Seattle.
Jeff Green had a career-high 23 points and fellow rookie Kevin Durant also scored 23 points for the Sonics, outscored 63-40 in the second half. Seattle has lost its last nine road games by an average of more than 20 points.
Pacers 108, Bulls 101
At Chicago, Mike Dunleavy scored 25 points, Troy Murphy added 24, and Indiana extended its winning streak to a season-best four games with a comeback victory over Chicago.
Danny Granger added 18 points and 10 rebounds for the Pacers, who pulled into a tie with New Jersey for ninth place in the Eastern Conference, trailing Atlanta by one-and-a-half games for the eighth and final playoff spot.
Bobcats 94, Heat 82
At Charlotte, North Carolina, Gerald Wallace scored 26 points, Jason Richardson 24, and Charlotte held off an early fourth-quarter rally to beat Miami to snap a five-game losing streak.
Jason Williams scored 19 points, Ricky Davis had 15 and Chris Quinn 14 for the injury-riddled Heat, who dressed just nine players in losing their third straight and 11th in 13 games this month.
Timberwolves 114, Knicks 93
At Minneapolis, Ryan Gomes scored 26 points, reserve Rashad McCants had 24, and Minnesota beat New York.
Al Jefferson had only eight points, just his third single-digit scoring game of the season for Minnesota.
Reserve Malik Rose had 20 points for the Knicks, who have lost 11 of 12.
Grizzlies 117, Kings 111
At Memphis, Tennessee, Juan Carlos Navarro scored 11 of his 22 points in the fourth quarter and Memphis held on to beat Sacramento.
Rudy Gay scored 24 points and Darko Milicic had 19 points and 10 rebounds for Memphis, which has won consecutive games for only the second time this season. Seven Grizzlies scored in double figures, including all five starters.
Kevin Martin led the Kings with 29 points, and Spencer Hawes had career highs with 19 points and 12 rebounds.
Trail Blazers 83, Clippers 72
At Los Angeles, Joel Przybilla had a career-high 25 rebounds and 14 points, Brandon Roy scored 23 points and Portland sent Los Angeles to its seventh straight loss.
LaMarcus Aldridge had 21 points and 10 rebounds, helping the Trail Blazers complete a three-game season sweep. The combined margin of victory in the three games was just 18 points. Los Angeles came into this season having won six of the previous seven meetings, including eight straight at Staples Center.
Corey Maggette scored 21 points for the Clippers, who shot 39 percent from the field while matching their longest losing streak of the season.
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