Haiti native Samuel Dalembert racked up 17 points and 12 rebounds as the Philadelphia 76ers beat the Sacramento Kings 98-86 on Friday night.
Dalembert, the only Haitian playing in the NBA, donated US$100,000 to help his country’s earthquake relief efforts before the game and turned in an inspired performance to help the Sixers win for just the 13th time in 39 games this season.
“The game is a good distraction,” Dalembert told reporters. “I’m trying to do my best and contribute.”
Dalembert made all seven shots he took and had three blocks after taping a UNICEF plea for fans to support the relief efforts in his home country played on the scoreboard before the game.
“Everybody everywhere responded,” Dalembert said after fans at the game donated more than US$30,000. “We’re [the US] a nation of good hearts.”
Thaddeus Young scored 20 points for the Sixers and Allen Iverson also added 17 and had six assists.
Andre Iguodala contributed 12 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists, while Elton Brand had 14 points as he continued with his reserve role for the Sixers after an injury layoff.
“I’m glad to be out there and contribute to winning,” said Brand, returning to fitness after a month out with a dislocated shoulder. “That’s what hurt the most, losing and not being out there. Being out there trying to help, you feel good about yourself.”
The Kings, on the first game of a six-game road trip, attempted to rally in the fourth quarter, but a 10-0 run by the Sixers midway through the quarter sealed the victory.
Kevin Martin returned to Sacramento’s lineup for the first time in 32 games and scored 19 points. He suffered a wrist injury on Nov. 2 against Memphis after colliding with Iverson, who was then with the Grizzlies.
■PORTLAND VS ORLANDO
AP, PORTLAND, OREGON
The Portland TrailBlazers crept within a game of the NBA Northwest Division lead and knocked Orlando off the top of the Southeast with a 102-87 win over the Magic on Friday.
Portland won despite missing Brandon Roy with a sore right hamstring, partly thanks to Orlando star Dwight Howard having an off night, making just four of seven attempts from the field.
Martell Webster had 24 points and nine rebounds, and LaMarcus Aldridge added 14 points and 14 rebounds for Portland, which edged within a game of Denver.
Rashard Lewis and Jameer Nelson each had 15 points to lead the Magic, who fell a half game behind Atlanta in the Southeast.
■HAWKS VS SUNS
AFP, ATLANTA, GEORGIA
Jamal Crawford nailed a game winning three-point basket at the buzzer as Atlanta rallied from a four-point deficit with 10 seconds left to beat Phoenix 102-101 on Friday.
“We drew it up to get an easy basket,” Atlanta star Joe Johnson said. “Luckily, we were able to get the three.”
The Hawks trailed 100-96 after Steve Nash hit two free throws with 10 seconds left. Atlanta squeezed two more possessions out of the clock, however, and Phoenix missed a couple of chances to ice the game.
Amare Stoudemire was fouled and missed one of his free throws. After a timeout, Mike Bibby inbounded the ball to Crawford, who launched an 8.5m shot over Jared Dudley.
“I knew I was going for a win,” Crawford said. “It felt good. I started backing the other way.”
The Hawks celebrated on the court while the officials reviewed the replay video just to make sure Crawford got off the shot in time.
Al Horford led the Hawks with 24 points, while Josh Smith had 20 points and 15 rebounds. Crawford finished with 21 points and gave the Hawks a chance to reclaim first in the NBA’s Southeast Division.
“Everything had to go right,” coach Mike Woodson said. “We were able to pull off the miracle at the end.”
In other NBA play, it was:
• Lakers 126, Clippers 86
• Mavericks 99, Thunder 98
• Heat 115, Rockets 106
• Bobcats 92, Spurs 76
• Raptors 112, Knicks 104
• Pistons 110, Hornets 104, OT
• Bulls 121, Wizards 119, 2OT
• Grizzlies 135, T’wolves 110
• Bucks 113, Warriors 104
• Pacers 121, Nets 105
OUT AGAINST INDONESIA: Taiwan reached the semi-finals at the tournament for the first time by defeating Denmark, with Chou Tien-chen beating Viktor Axelsen Taiwan yesterday crashed out of the Thomas Cup team competition in Chengdu, China, but achieved their best result at the top-tier badminton event by reaching the semi-finals. Indonesia were too good in the semis, winning 3-0 to advance to today’s final against China, who eliminated Malaysia 3-1. In the opening singles of the men’s team clash at the Hi-Tech Zone Sports Center Gymnasium 2, Anthony Ginting defeated Taiwan’s Chou Tien-chen 21-18, 21-19 in 51 minutes, which put a huge hole in Taiwan’s aspirations to perhaps even make the final. In the men’s doubles, Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Ardianto downed Lee Yang and Wang
NO DOUBT: Spurs star Wembanyama was unanimously selected as NBA Rookie of the Year, winning all 99 votes to become the first Frenchman to capture the honor The Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night produced a dominant defensive display to seize a commanding 2-0 lead in their best-of-seven playoff series against the Denver Nuggets with a 106-80 road victory. The third-seeded Timberwolves harassed Denver relentlessly to claim a second straight win over the NBA champions as the series heads back to Minneapolis for Game 3 on Friday. Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards scored 27 points apiece, but the star of the show was Minnesota’s suffocating defensive effort, which knocked Denver out of their stride almost from the tip-off. The Timberwolves finished with 11 steals and 12 blocks, in sharp contrast to
Top-ranked Iga Swiatek on Saturday came through “the most intense and crazy final” she has ever contested to avenge her loss to Aryna Sabalenka in last year’s Madrid Open final with a grueling three hour, 11 minute victory in the Spanish capital. Coming back from 1-3 down in the decider and saving three match points in total, Swiatek claimed a 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (9/7) victory to secure the Madrid Open trophy for the first time. “Well, who is going to say now that women’s tennis is boring, right?” Swiatek said. Swiatek, who picked up the 20th title of her career, and ninth at
Playing soccer and competing for trophies is the best way that many transplanted Hong Kongers and Macanese have found to stay in touch, and to interact with Taiwanese society, said officials at the Taiwan-Hong Kong-Macau Football Friendship Cup, which was held on April 13. Twelve clubs, mostly of players and coaches originally from Hong Kong and Macau, took part in the tournament in New Taipei City. The event is sponsored by the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) and the Taiwan-Hong Kong Economic and Cultural Co-operation Council. Participating teams were from the wider Taipei area, Hsinchu, Taichung, Kaohsiung and other areas. They divided into two