Denver’s Carmelo Anthony scored 38 points as the Nuggets overcame the loss of star guard Chauncey Billups to beat the Houston Rockets 111-101 in the NBA on Wednesday.
Billups, who had 15 points and is averaging 17.5, left the game with a groin strain late in the third quarter. There was no immediate word on his status for today’s game at New Orleans.
Reserve J.R. Smith added 21 points for the Nuggets, who retained a 3-1/2 game lead atop the Northwest Division.
Aaron Brooks scored 23 points for Houston.
LAKERS 107, BUCKS 106, OT
In Milwaukee, Kobe Bryant hit a 15-footer as time expired to give Los Angeles an overtime win over Milwaukee.
Bryant scored the game’s final seven points over the last 1:18 of overtime. He had 27 of his 39 points in the second half and overtime, but missed a shot at the buzzer that would have won it in regulation.
Given a second chance in overtime, he made no mistake.
Pau Gasol had 26 points and a career-high 22 rebounds for the Lakers, who tied Boston for the best record in the NBA with their 13th win in the past 14 games.
MAVERICKS 100, THUNDER 86
In Oklahoma City, Dirk Nowitzki had 35 points and 11 rebounds to lead Dallas to a comfortable win over Oklahoma City.
Nowitzki made up for Kevin Durant matching his lowest-scoring total of the season with only 12 points on 4-for-18 shooting.
Russell Westbrook led Oklahoma City with 16 points.
MAGIC 118, RAPTORS 99
In Orlando, Florida, potent 3-point shooting helped Orlando to a win over Toronto.
Dwight Howard had 18 points, 14 rebounds and eight blocks for the Magic.
Orlando shot 14 of 30 from beyond the arc.
Toronto’s Hedo Turkoglu was showered with a mix of cheers and boos and scored 14 points as he returned to Orlando, where he was a fan favorite before parting ways in the offseason.
HAWKS 110, GRIZZLIES 97
In Atlanta, the hosts pulled away in the second half for their fifth straight win, beating Memphis.
Despite playing only 29 minutes, Joe Johnson scored 26 points, making 10 of 16 shots from the field, including a couple of 3-pointers, and chipped in with eight rebounds and three assists.
SPURS 103, WARRIORS 91
In Oakland, California, San Antonio picked up a rare road win, beating Golden State.
Tim Duncan had 27 points and 15 rebounds, and Richard Jefferson scored 17 points for the Spurs, who downed Golden State for a seventh straight time.
In other NBA action it was:
• Cavaliers 108, 76ers 101
• Hornets 95, Pistons 87
• Pacers 101, Bobcats 98
• Kings 112, Wizards 109
• Jazz 108, Nets 92
• Clippers 120, Timberwolves 95
The Greek basketball league finals between Panathinaikos and Olympiakos were suspended by the government on Monday following on-court scuffles involving rival security teams. The best-of-five series is at 1-1. The third game, scheduled for today, has been postponed. The owners of both clubs were summoned to meet with the country’s sports minister. They “will be asked to provide explicit guarantees that this situation will be brought to an end. If not, this year’s championship will be definitively canceled,” government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis said. “There can be no tolerance for such pathological phenomena of violence and delinquency.” In online posts, the owners of Panathinaikos and
The Crusaders yesterday produced a clinical performance in difficult conditions to beat the Queensland Reds 32-12 and claim home advantage in next week’s Super Rugby semi-finals. Lock Scott Barrett and prop Tamaiti Williams scored first-half tries to reward an outstanding performance from the Crusaders’ forwards in wet, slippery conditions and bitterly cold temperatures. Scrumhalf Noah Hotham defied the conditions in the second half to score a superb solo try and, after kicking a conversion and penalty to make the score 22-0 at the hour mark, flyhalf Rivez Reihana scored a try which took the game beyond the Reds. “Typical Christchurch weather, cold, wet
Ryan Yarbrough picked up a dazzling World Series ring from his time with the Los Angeles Dodgers last season. Then he went out and beat them. The New York Yankees starter on Sunday pitched one-run ball over six innings, struck out a season-high five and blanked the Dodgers’ top four hitters in a 7-3 win. “I feel like I’m in a really good place right now and really trying to continue that,” Yarbrough said. “I’m having a lot of fun.” The 33-year-old left-hander made 44 relief appearances between the Dodgers and Blue Jays last season. The Dodgers designated him for assignment on July
Spain starlets Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams dazzled on Thursday as La Roja beat France 5-4 in a thriller in Stuttgart, Germany, to set up a UEFA Nations League final with Portugal. Yamal bagged a brace, while Williams scored and provided an assist as the two wingers cut France’s makeshift defense to ribbons. Mikel Merino and Pedri were also on the score sheet for the UEFA Euro 2024 champions. Kylian Mbappe netted a second-half penalty, but Spain were 5-1 up and cruising, before Les Bleus suddenly woke up as their opponents took their foot off the pedal. France’s three late goals — a
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