The San Antonio Spurs handed Utah its second-heaviest playoff loss, beating the Jazz 114-83 on Wednesday to take a 2-0 lead in their NBA first-round series.
The Spurs cruised on autopilot after a 20-0 run in the second quarter that stunned the Jazz, who had vowed to play better after a one-sided defeat in Game 1. However, this loss was even more humiliating.
San Antonio’s Tony Parker scored 18 points and was not subject to the hard fouls he was supposed to have coming, while the Utah frontcourt of Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap was not any more imposing on offense. Jefferson scored 10 points, and Millsap had nine.
Photo: AFP
The only bigger embarrassment for the Jazz in the playoffs was a 42-point loss to Chicago in the 1998 NBA Finals.
It was the most lopsided postseason win for the Spurs since beating Denver by 28 in 2005. San Antonio’s playoff record is a 40-point victory over Denver in 1983.
Tim Duncan finished with 12 points and 13 rebounds for the Spurs.
Game 3 is tomorrow in Salt Lake City.
PACERS 97, MAGIC 74
In Orlando, Florida, Danny Granger had 26 points and nine rebounds to lead Indiana to a 2-1 series lead over Orlando.
Roy Hibbert added 18 points and 10 rebounds for the Pacers, who regained home-court advantage with the victory, riding good shooting early and building a 29-point lead in the fourth quarter.
They also dominated scoring underneath, thanks to a 46-33 rebounding edge, and have outscored the Magic 81-43 in third quarters in the series.
Glen Davis’ 22 points topped the Magic, who never led, struggled to get any scoring in the key, and made a series-low five three-pointers.
Game 4 is tomorrow in Orlando.
GRIZZLIES 105, CLIPPERS 98
In Memphis, Tennessee, O.J. Mayo scored 10 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter to guide Memphis to a win over Los Angeles that squared the series 1-1.
The Grizzlies blew a 27-point lead in losing Game 1 on Sunday, but got back to their physical style on Wednesday. Rudy Gay also scored 21 points as Memphis showed off its depth with six players in double figures. Mike Conley had 19, Zach Randolph 15, Marreese Speights 11 and Tony Allen 10.
All-Star guard Chris Paul led the Clippers with 29 points. Blake Griffin had 22, and Mo Williams and Nick Young 11 apiece.
Game 3 is tomorrow in Los Angeles.
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
Taiwan’s Lee Jhe-huei and Yang Po-hsuan on Saturday won the men’s doubles bronze medal at the Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo, China, after they were bested by the hosts in their semi-final. The Taiwanese shuttlers lost to China’s Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang, who advanced to yesterday’s final against Malaysia’s Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzudin. The Chinese pair outplayed Lee and Yang in straight games. Although the Taiwanese got off to a slow start in the first game, they eventually tied it 14-14, before Liang and Wang went on to blow past them to win 21-17. In the second game, Lee and