Sports

NBA: Westbrook closes in on history with 40th triple-double

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Russell Westbrook has a slice of NBA history in his sights, but his 40th triple-double of the season on Sunday didn’t translate into a win for his Oklahoma City Thunder. Westbrook scored 40 points, pulled down 13 rebounds and handed out 10 assists in the 113-101 home loss to the Charlotte Hornets. The Thunder guard is now one triple-double away from tying Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson’s single-season record […]

NBA: Surging Celtics notch 50th win

NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — The Boston Celtics hit the 50-win mark for the first time in six NBA seasons on Sunday with a wire-to-wire 110-94 victory over the New York Knicks. “A couple of years ago I would have thought that would be something we would have to build for a while for,” admitted coach Brad Stevens, now in his fourth year with the rebuilding Celtics. “Obviously we have been lucky to strike […]

Philippines’ Pacquiao eyes July 2 Horn fight

MANILA, Philippines (AFP) — Philippines boxing icon Manny Pacquiao is negotiating a July 2 fight with unbeaten Australian Jeff Horn, the Filipino world champion’s camp said Saturday. “We are working out the details for the fight on July 2,” Pacquiao’s adviser Michael Koncz told AFP by text message. Arum had been originally quoted in international media saying the 38-year-old Filipino dubbed “Pac-Man” will get into the ring with Horn, 29, in April, possibly in Australia. […]

NBA: James scores 34 as Cavs stop slide with win over Sixers

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — LeBron James scored 34 points as the NBA champion Cleveland Cavaliers brought their miserable March to a close with a 122-105 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers. Kyrie Irving scored 24 points while Kevin Love added 18 points and 10 rebounds for the Cavaliers, who still trail the Boston Celtics for first place in the Eastern Conference. The Cavaliers had lost three straight and five of their prior seven games, […]

Manny Pacquiao back in talks to fight Jeff Horn

MANILA, Philippines (AFP) — Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao is back in talks for a possible fight with unbeaten Australian Jeff Horn, the Filipino world champion’s adviser said Friday. The announcement follows the much-publicized collapse of a $38 million bout between Pacquiao and Britain’s Amir Khan, reportedly after investors in the United Arab Emirates failed to come up with the money. “We are discussing the matter with (US promoter Bob) Arum,” Pacquiao’s adviser Michael Koncz told […]

NBA: Cavaliers in a ‘bad spot’ as Bulls complete sweep

CHICAGO, United States (AFP) — LeBron James says the reigning NBA champion Cleveland Cavaliers are “in a bad spot” after losing their third consecutive game, falling 99-93 Thursday at Chicago. The Bulls completed a 4-0 regular-season sweep of Cleveland, boosting their chances of reaching the playoffs and dropping the Cavaliers (47-27) behind Boston (48-27) at the top of the Eastern Conference. “We’re in a bad spot right now,” James said. “Not disappointed with the effort. […]

FSkate: Emotional Chinese win world pairs gold

by Emmeline MOORE Agence France-Presse China’s Sui Wenjing and Han Cong capped their comeback from injury by claiming a first pairs gold with a high-flying display of acrobatics at the world figure skating championships on Thursday. The two-time world silver medallists survived a fall to snatch gold ahead of Germany’s Aliona Savchenko and Bruno Massot after the free skating final at Hartwall Arena. Skating to Simon & Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water” the Chinese scored […]

NFL: Panthers star Newton undergoes shoulder surgery

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Carolina Panthers star quarterback Cam Newton, who led the NFL team into last year’s Super Bowl, underwent surgery Thursday to repair a partially torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder. The Panthers announced following the operation by surgeon Pat Connor that a rehabilitation plan under which Newton will not be cleared to throw a football for at least 12 weeks and will be unable to throw during team drills for at […]

NBA: Nets Fall To The Short-handed Sixers

By: Tennie Sumague, Eagle News Service US, New York Bureau BROOKLYN, NEW YORK – The two worst teams in the Eastern Conference, Philadelphia and Brooklyn went head to head last Tuesday night where the short handed Sixers came from behind to beat the Nets 106-101 at the Barclays Center. The Sixers ended the fourth quarter on a 10-5 run and sealed the victory. Dario Saric led the team with 23 points and Robert Covington added […]

Second seed Nishikori beaten by Fognini in Miami quarters

MIAMI, Florida (Reuters) — Fabio Fognini of Italy beat second seed Kei Nishikori of Japan 6-4 6-2 to reach the semi-finals of the Miami Open on Wednesday (March 29). The unseeded Italian, ranked 40th in the world, broke the world number four’s serve in the fourth game to lead 3-1. Despite Nishikori breaking back when Fognini served for the set at 5-3, Fognini broke again to take the set 6-4 in 34 minutes. Fognini produced […]

Schweinsteiger asked about new team’s World Cup chances in awkward moment

CHICAGO, Illinois (Reuters) — A brief moment of confusion for Bastian Schweinsteiger on Wednesday (March 29) at his introduction as the newest member of the Chicago Fire of the MLS. The German midfielder was asked by a confused reporter if he felt the Fire might make it to the World Cup with his addition to the squad. Schweinsteiger, Coach Veljko Paunovic and General Manager Nelson Rodriguez scrambled at first to understand the question with a […]