The Cleveland Cavaliers became the first team to clinch a spot in the NBA playoffs by beating the Milwaukee Bucks 91-73 on Wednesday.
Cleveland wrapped up their fourth straight postseason berth with more than a month left in the regular season. The Cavs moved 36 games over. 500 for the first time this season and improved their league-best record at home to 27-1.
LeBron James scored 23 points and Delonte West had 13 and a career-high eight steals.
JAZZ 101, ROCKETS 94
In Salt Lake City, Utah won its ninth straight game by downing Houston, moving within a game of the Northwest Division lead.
Carlos Boozer had 20 points and 17 rebounds in his best game since his return from a three-month absence.
The Rockets crept within three points in the final minute before the Jazz sealed it and recorded their 10th straight home win.
MAVERICKS 107, SPURS 102
In Dallas, Josh Howard scored 29 points, including a key layup in the final minute, as Dallas edged Texas rival San Antonio.
CELTICS 115, NETS 111
In East Rutherford, New Jersey, Paul Pierce scored 31 points and hit a game-winning 17-footer with 20 seconds left, leading Boston over New Jersey.
HEAT 135, SUNS 129
In Miami, Dwyane Wade scored 35 points and tied his career high with 16 assists as Miami prevailed in an entertaining game against Phoenix.
Reserves Michael Beasley and Daequan Cook combined to score 55 points, and the Heat spoiled Shaquille O’Neal’s return to face one of his former teams.
Beasley scored 28 points — the most by a Heat player besides Wade this season — and nine rebounds. Cook added 27 points and Miami recorded the second-highest point total in franchise history.
TRAIL BLAZERS 107, PACERS 105
In Portland, Oregon, Portland notched a 10th successive home win by pipping Indiana.
Brandon Roy scored 28 points, including a pair of game-clinching free throws with 1.7 seconds left.
The Blazers rallied after trailing by 14 points in the second half.
KNICKS 109, HAWKS 105
In New York, the hosts won for the first time in four games, defeating Atlanta.
Larry Hughes scored 23 points for the Knicks.
BULLS 110, WARRIORS 88
In Chicago, John Salmons had 23 points and seven rebounds to lead Chicago over Golden State.
Joakim Noah added 14 points and 17 rebounds for the Bulls, who pulled away early in the fourth quarter.
GRIZZLIES 118, CLIPPERS 95
In Los Angeles, Memphis ended a run of eight losses with a comfortable win over Los Angeles.
Rudy Gay scored 20 of his season-high 35 points in the third quarter to set up the win.
THUNDER 88, WIZARDS 83
In Oklahoma City, the home team brought up its first three-game winning streak, defeating Washington.
Thabo Sefolosha made a reverse layup with 1:47 to play, putting Oklahoma City up 84-81. A jumper by Russell Westbrook with 33 seconds remaining stretched the lead to five, and two late free throws made sure.
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