Derrick Rose scored 31 points on Friday to record his highest output in more than two years as he lead the Chicago Bulls to a 115-106 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers in the NBA.
With Rose playing like a former league MVP, the Bulls (14-8) won their second home game in a row. Rose reached 30 points for the first time since March 2012.
Portland (17-6) got 35 points each from LaMarcus Aldridge and Damian Lillard, but their combined contribution was not enough to overcome the Bulls.
PELICANS 119, CAVALIERS 114
In New Orleans, Ryan Anderson broke out of a long shooting slump with eight three-pointers as the Pelicans — playing most of the game without forward Anthony Davis — overcame a season-high 41 points by LeBron James to defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Anderson finished with 30 points, while Tyreke Evans scored a team-high 31 for the Pelicans (11-11), who built an 100-81 lead with 8 minutes, 35 seconds remaining and withstood a late rally by the Cavs.
Cleveland fell to 13-9.
WIZARDS 104, CLIPPERS 96
In Washington, Bradley Beal scored a season-high 29 points and John Wall’s defense stymied Chris Paul as the Washington Wizards snapped the Los Angeles Clippers’ nine-game winning streak.
The Wizards (16-6) never trailed, made nine-of-16 three-point attempts and led 57-42 at halftime and by as many as 18 points in the second half.
Paul had 19 points, seven rebounds and six assists for the Clippers (16-6), yet labored offensively for much of the game.
RAPTORS 106, PACERS 94
Lou Williams scored 26 points off the bench to lead the Toronto Raptors to a home victory over the Indiana Pacers.
It was the seventh straight loss for the Pacers (7-16).
James Johnson added 13 points for the Raptors (17-6), who were in front most of the way, leading by eight after three quarters and by as many as 19 in the fourth .
NETS 88, 76ERS 70
In New York, Mason Plumlee got a rare start due to an injury to Brook Lopez and scored a season-high 18 points, leading the Brooklyn Nets to victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.
The victory enabled the Nets (9-12) to snap a three-game losing streak, while the hapless Sixers, who had won two of their last four after losing the first 17 games of the season, dropped to 2-20.
THUNDER 111, TIMBERWOLVES 92
In Minneapolis, Minnesota, Russell Westbrook scored 34 points and was one of five players in double figures for the Oklahoma City Thunder in a win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The win was Oklahoma City’s (10-13) fifth straight and seventh in their past eight games.
KNICKS 101, CELTICS 95
In Boston, Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire scored 22 and 20 points respectively as the Knicks held off a late charge to subdue the Celtics and end a 10-game slide.
The Knicks (5-20) let a 14-point lead be trimmed down to four in the final seconds, but held on to hand the Celtics (7-14) a third straight loss.
Also on Friday it was:
‧ Hawks 87, Magic 81
‧ Grizzlies 113, Hornets 107, 2 OT
‧ Pistons 105, Suns 103
‧ Heat 100, Jazz 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
Forget Real Madrid, Manchester City or Paris Saint-Germain, the world’s best soccer team — statistically speaking — might be a little-known outfit from the closed central Asian nation of Turkmenistan. Founded last year, Arkadag, named in honor of former Turkmen president Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, have been unstoppable, notching up 36 consecutive domestic victories in a run still ongoing. The side have not lost a single competitive match and swept to a league and cup double in their inaugural season — success unthinkable almost anywhere else. However, in Turkmenistan, it could hardly have gone any other way. The energy-rich country is one of the most closed
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