Chicago guard Derrick Rose missed a free throw with less than a second left to hand the Los Angeles Clippers a 100-99 win over the Bulls on Saturday.
The defeat is the Bulls’ first in eight games, while the Clippers scored their second consecutive win on the road after losing their first 11 away from home this season.
The Clippers led by seven points with 42 seconds left, but the Bulls had trimmed that lead to two when Rose took a pass and drew a foul with 0.8 seconds left as he drove to the Clippers basket.
PHOTO: EPA
He made his first free throw, but the second was short and bounced off the front of the rim.
“I was gonna hit ‘em,” said Rose, of his thoughts as he went to the free throw line. “That’s basketball. I hope I get put in that position again. I know I’m not going to miss. It felt good, but I left it a bit short.”
Playing their second game in as many nights the Clippers -outscored the Bulls 20-11 in the first six minutes of the game.
“Our problem was our intensity to start,” Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said. “In this league, you have to come ready to play every night, and if you don’t, you’re asking for trouble.”
The Bulls battled back, but were outscored 33-22 in the second quarter by the Clippers thanks to Rasual Butler, who scored 11 points in the period to give Los Angeles a 61-53 halftime lead.
The Clippers had five players score in double digits led by rookie Blake Griffin, who recorded his 15th consecutive double-double with 29 points and 12 rebounds.
Rose led the Bulls with a game-high 34 points and Carlos Boozer added 25 points.
SPURS 112, GRIZZLIES 106
In San Antonio, Texas, the Spurs’ winning streak only just survived a strong Memphis challenge, with Tony Parker scoring 16 of his 37 points in the fourth quarter and overtime to give the Spurs a win over the Grizzlies.
Parker was 15 for 21 from the field, putting up a season high while scoring nine of San Antonio’s final 10 points in regulation.
His 8-footer with one minute, one second left in overtime also helped seal a third straight down-to-the-wire Spurs victory, and their eighth straight overall.
Memphis was without the suspended Rudy Gay, but O.J. Mayo (27 points) hit a game-tying 3-pointer with 21 seconds left to force overtime.
JAZZ 95, BUCKS 86
In Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Utah overcame a double-digit deficit for the ninth time this season and overhauled Milwaukee.
The Jazz shook off a season-low 71 points in their previous game to surge home after falling behind by 12 early.
Deron Williams scored 22 points and added 11 assists, while Al Jefferson added 18 points and nine rebounds for the Jazz, which had 10 of its 14 offensive rebounds in the second half.
Andrew Bogut scored 19 points and had nine rebounds to lead the Bucks.
In other NBA play, it was:
‧ Heat 95, Wizards 94
‧ 76ers 97, Magic 89
‧ Cavaliers 109, Knicks 102, OT
‧ Nuggets 115, T’wolves 113
‧ Trail Blazers 96, Warriors 95
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