Sports

Baseball: Astros carry Harvey-ravaged Houston hopes in World Series

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Houston Astros manager A.J. Hinch says his team is carrying the hopes of their hurricane-ravaged city as they open their World Series campaign against the Los Angeles Dodgers here Tuesday. The Texan outfit have been installed as the sentimental favorites for the best-of-seven series just two months after Hurricane Harvey deluged the region with record flooding that left more than 80 dead. Add in the fact that several members of the Astros […]

NBA: Curry fined $50,000 for hurling mouthguard at official

SAN FRANCISCO, United States (AFP) — Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry was fined $50,000 but has escaped a suspension for hurling his mouthguard at a game official, the NBA said on Monday. Curry was ejected after the flashpoint late in the fourth quarter of the Warriors’ 111-101 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday. The 29-year-old point guard could be seen tossing his mouthpiece after a disputed call. Team-mate Andre Iguodala was fined $15,000 for verbally abusing […]

NFL: Patriots dominate Falcons in Super Bowl rematch

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — The New England Patriots didn’t need a comeback in their Super Bowl rematch with the Atlanta Falcons. With the fog rolling in at Gillette Stadium on Sunday night, the Patriots were clearly in control in a 23-7 triumph. The Pats authored the greatest Super Bowl comeback ever in February, when they rallied from 28-3 down in the third quarter to beat the Falcons 34-28. No such heroics were required as they […]

NBA: Phoenix Suns fire Watson after dismal start, report

PHOENIX, United States (AFP) — The Phoenix Suns have fired head coach Earl Watson just three games into the NBA season, the earliest ousting of a head coach in league history, ESPN.com reported on Sunday. Assistant coach Jay Triano is expected to take over from Watson as an interim head coach of the 0-3 Suns until management decides on a long-term replacement. Phoenix’s latest defeat was a 130-88 blowout on the road against the Los Angeles Clippers on […]

NBA: Kyrie Irving fined for NBA fan spat

NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — Kyrie Irving is off to a rocky start with the Boston Celtics after the league slapped the point guard with a $25,000 fine on Sunday for verbally abusing a Philadelphia 76ers fan. The exchange took place at halftime of the Celtics 102-92 win on Friday over the 76ers when a fan made a reference to Irving’s former teammate LeBron James as the teams were heading to the locker rooms […]

Tampa Bay Rowdies defeat FC Cincinnati with 3-0 Victory

By Jay Rosquites EBC Florida Bureau ST. PETERSBURG, FL (Eagle News) – The Tampa Bay Rowdies definitely stirred up soccer fever as they hosted FC Cincinnati at Al Lang Stadium during the United Soccer League (USL) Playoffs. After missing the playoffs for five straight seasons, the Rowdies came out aggressive with a goal from Marcel Schafer only eight minutes into the game. In the 25th minute, Schafer notched in another goal, as the Rowdies completely dominated […]

NBA: Rockets could be without Paul for four weeks – reports

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Houston Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni downplayed the seriousness of point guard Chris Paul’s knee injury, but US media reported Friday he could miss up to four weeks. “It’s only a bump,” D’Antoni told reporters as he revealed Paul would sit out Saturday’s home opener against the Dallas Mavericks. “It’s not a tear or something like that. It’s a bruise. We just have to make sure he’s 100 percent the […]

NBA: Laker rookie Ball gets rolling against Suns

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — What a difference a day makes for Los Angeles Lakers rookie Lonzo Ball who rebounded from a dreadful NBA debut to flirt with a triple double on Friday. Ball had 29 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists in his second NBA game to power the Lakers to a 132-130 win over the Phoenix Suns. “We weren’t proud of yesterday so we came out tonight and gave them a fight,” […]

NBA: James delivers as Cavaliers breeze past Bucks

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — LeBron James has picked up right where he left off last season, scoring 24 points and dishing out eight assists on Friday as the Cleveland Cavaliers cruised past the Milwaukee Bucks 116-97. The four-time NBA most valuable player led the Cavaliers in scoring for the second straight game despite missing most of the pre-season with an injury. When James started the season he knew it was going to take […]

Football: Catalan crisis leaves Barca between rock and a hard place

by Kieran CANNING Agence France-Presse BARCELONA, Spain (AFP) – Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu faces the club’s members at an annual general meeting on Saturday fighting an increasingly difficult battle to balance the conflicting interests of fans in favor of Catalan independence and millions of supporters in the rest of Spain and around the world. A powerful symbol of Catalonia, Barca have been caught in the political crossfire since an independence referendum for the wealthy northeastern region […]

Football: Talk is cheap as Wenger eyes more misery for Everton

by Nick Szczepanik Agence France-Presse LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) – Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has dismissed suggestions from Watford striker Troy Deeney that his players can be bullied and show little stomach for a physical battle. Deeney made the remarks after Arsenal’s 2-1 defeat at Vicarage Road last weekend, when his introduction as a substitute unsettled the Arsenal defense and turned the game in Watford’s favour. But Wenger, speaking ahead of the Gunners’ visit to Everton on […]

Dodgers head to the World Series

(Eagle News) – The Los Angeles Dodgers cashed their ticket to the World Series with an explosive performance on the road at Wrigley Field. The Dodger’s offense, lead by Enrique “Kike” Hernandez, brought a load of wood crashing and plate dancing. In the second inning Hernandez hit a solo home run to top the Cubs 2-0. The following inning when a loaded bases opportunity came for Hernandez, he delivered the Gram Slam, to bring the […]