By the Associated Press

MIAMI — Kendrick Nunn was the last Miami player off the court at halftime, required to hang out for an extra minute or two in order to pick up his second Eastern Conference rookie of the month trophy.

“Hopefully, I get some more,” Nunn said.

He’s well on his way.

Nunn scored 33 points on 13-for-18 shooting, Goran Dragic added 17 points and the Heat held on to beat the San Antonio Spurs 106-100 Wednesday night and move back into the No. 2 spot in the Eastern Conference.

“He was able to get into a great rhythm,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said of Nunn, who was 8 for 8 in the first half.

Bam Adebayo — cut from USA Basketball’s national team by Spurs coach Gregg Popovich over the summer — had 14 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists for the Heat. Miami improved to 18-1 at home, one win shy of matching last season’s home win total.

“Now that you see him during the season, I’ve shaken my head several times,” Popovich said of Adebayo, a serious All-Star contender this season. “That’s not the guy that we saw during the tryout. Maybe that was my fault. Maybe I should have done it differently so his skills could come out.”

Jimmy Butler scored 12 and Duncan Robinson added 11 for Miami.

DeMar DeRozan scored 30 points on 12-of-14 shooting for San Antonio, while Patty Mills added 21 for the Spurs.

San Antonio had won three of its last four games, all those wins coming against top Eastern Conference teams Milwaukee, Boston and Toronto. But the Spurs missed 11 of their first 12 shots to start the fourth quarter and lost the lead for good during that drought.

“We’re going to be fine,” DeRozan said. “It (stinks) right now. It’s right there. There’s a lot of basketball to be played. We’re trending in the right direction. We’re playing well against great teams, have beaten some great teams and that does a lot for our confidence and knowing how much time is left.”

The Spurs were 10 for 33 from 3-point range, while Miami was 17 for 40.

“It’s tough. It’s hard to win when we shoot that bad from the 3,” Spurs forward LaMarcus Aldridge said.

Butler’s 3-pointer with 5:24 left capped what was a 20-5 run going back to the third quarter — and was maybe a most unlikely salvo. Butler hadn’t made a 3 since Dec. 20, going 0 for 7 in his last nine games before Wednesday.

Consecutive baskets by Nunn pushed the lead to 94-83 with 3:42 left, but the Spurs came right back. Mills made a 3-pointer, DeRozan followed with a three-point play on the next possession and just like that the Heat lead was down to five with 3:04 remaining.

Mills had a good look at a 3 that would have put San Antonio within three with 1:16 left, but Butler blocked it and Miami held on from there.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By the Associated Press

LOS ANGELES — Markelle Fultz faked LeBron James off his hip, weaved through traffic in the waning seconds and scored the final bucket of his phenomenal triple-double performance.

Fultz then dropped to the court with a cramp. The Orlando Magic rushed to their valuable teammate’s aid, with Nikola Vucevic swiftly stretching out Fultz’s foot to make sure he could finish.

“It was the biggest play of the game!” Vucevic said with a laugh.

Fultz had several bigger ones, and so did a half-dozen contributors to what was likely the Magic’s best win of the season.

Fultz hit two big layups in the final minute while scoring 21 points during his second career triple-double, and Orlando snapped the Los Angeles Lakers’ nine-game winning streak with a 119-118 victory Wednesday night.

Fultz added 11 rebounds and 10 assists, while Aaron Gordon had 21 points and a late go-ahead basket as the Magic became the first sub-.500 team to beat the Western Conference-leading Lakers this season despite blowing a 21-point lead in the second half.

James had 19 points and matched his career high with 19 assists, but he also missed a tying 3-pointer with 3 seconds left. The Lakers showed off their impressive depth in the absence of Anthony Davis, but they couldn’t overcome the Magic’s superb contributions from up and down the roster.

“I think it just shows how deep this team goes, how much we believe in each other and what we’re capable of,” Fultz said. “We have guys out, but our mindset was the same going into the game. We all believed we had a chance to win this game, and we relied on each other.”

The Magic played without injured regulars Evan Fournier, Michael Carter-Williams and D.J. Augustin in their third stop on a six-game road trip, but they’ve rarely looked better.

Wes Iwundu scored a career-high 19 points while starting in Fournier’s place, and Vucevic scored seven of his 19 points in the fourth quarter of the Magic’s eighth win in 12 games.

Fultz said the final minutes were “what I’ve dreamed of,” and the Magic were thrilled to see it come true for the up-and-down former No. 1 overall pick.

“Boy is nice, and he’s only going to get better,” Gordon said. “He did a great job just running the show, settling them down, getting good shots. And then down the stretch, he took over.”

Quinn Cook hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer to finish with a season-high 22 points, but the Lakers (33-8) hit the halfway point of their regular season with their first loss since Christmas.

Troy Daniels added a season-high 17 points, but the Lakers finally failed to overcome the absence of Davis, who missed his fourth straight game with a bruised backside.

“We’ve just got to be better,” James said. “We didn’t start the game out the right way, but I’m not disappointed in anybody or anything that we did. Our bench was the reason there was a game at the end, but they came in and produced everything we needed.”

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope also scored 17 points for the Lakers in their final home game before a five-game road trip while the Grammy Awards take over Staples Center.

The Lakers erased an 87-66 deficit early in the fourth quarter with an impressive rally, but the Magic answered and traded big scores down the stretch. Gordon’s basket with 2:03 left reclaimed the lead for Orlando.

Cook and James hit late 3-pointers that trimmed the Magic’s lead to one point, but Fultz drove for a clutch layup with 15 seconds left to put Orlando up 118-115, and James’ tying attempt didn’t go down.

“We wanted to finish this homestand out the right way, but those guys made plays,” Cook said. “Being the Lakers, we get everybody’s best shot. Markelle made two tough, tough plays at the end.”

Cook and Fultz both graduated from the famed DeMatha Catholic High School in Maryland. Cook referred to Fultz as his “little brother.”

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Kristel Satumbaga

Members of the Philippine Olympic Committee Athletes Commission aim for a stronger program on benefits for current and retired national players this year following their election.

Triathlete Nikko Huelgas, who is part of the five-member commission, said the goal is to make these programs more visible, feasible and accessible so athletes can get the assistance they deserve.

Among those they are looking into is the stricter implementation of the athletes’ discount benefits of 20 percent from all establishments relative to the utilization of transportation services, hotel and other lodging establishments, restaurants and recreation centers, and purchase of medicine and sports equipment anywhere in the country.”

“Hopefully we can go nationwide wherein walang magtatanong kung ano ba tong benefit na to, where everybody knows this kahit sa probinsya,” said Huelgas.

Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Agatha Wong raised this issue last month after she had a hard time acquiring this privilege after dining in a restaurant with her family.

Huelgas said they are also looking into providing the athletes’ career program where they will help with the transition of the athletes after retirement.

“We wanna make sure that even if they’re gonna retire, we’re still part of their lives. And hindi sila mahihirapan to find careers outside of sports,” he said.

The commission also hopes to provide a more sound financial education and management on athletes where it would help them easily progress and handle money.

Huelgas said they are starting from scratch with the election of new members and are taking these positively in creating a better structure of programs for the athletes.

Also part of their program is to have an athletes’ forum where captains, coaches and representatives from the PSC, POC and hopefully the Senate, will convene to share their concerns and thoughts.

Elected in the commission aside from Huelgas were former Olympian Jessie Lacuna, Cheska Almonte of women’s softball, Samuel Morrison of taekwondo and Jake Letts of rugby.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Nick Giongco

It’s going to be a big gamble for Filipino world champion Pedro Taduran when he risks his International Boxing Federation (IBF) mini-flyweight title for the first time on Feb. 1 in Guadalupe, Mexico.

Taduran meets Daniel Valladares at the Gimnasio Cedereg in what is expected to be a tough battle.

One of just four reigning Filipino world champions, Taduran and chief handler Art Monis are leaving on Jan. 25 upbeat that the title will be brought back to the Philippines.

Taduran (14-2 with 11 KOs) had won the IBF 105-lb crown when he stopped compatriot Samuel Salva last September in Taguig.

Valladares (22-1 with 13 KOs) has two Filipinos—Christian Araneta and Merlito Sabillo—as victims.

The win over the unbeaten Araneta last year stands out.

Valladares engaged the heavy-handed Araneta in a shootout for four furious rounds.

But Araneta didn’t answer the fifth round, saying he had reinjured his right shoulder.

Before the bell ending the fourth, Valladares had Araneta covering up after landing head blows.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By the Associated Press

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — On a night when Luka Doncic set a career high for assists, one of his early passes wound up in the stands.

All he could do was watch it and chuckle as he ran back down the court.

“It was a bad pass,” Doncic said of his cross-court throw. “I was laughing. He was open. I should have hit him. That was a very bad pass.”

Doncic had 25 points, 15 rebounds and 17 assists for his NBA-leading 12th triple-double, and the Mavericks held off a late run to beat the Sacramento Kings 127-123 on Wednesday.

Seth Curry scored 21 points off the bench as Dallas won its third straight despite the absence of Kristaps Porzingis, who missed his ninth consecutive game. Dwight Powell added 17 points and nine rebounds, and Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 18.

“This has been a hard team for us to play, difficult matchups,” Dallas coach Rick Carlisle said. “Our starters, our bench, everybody contributed in a big way.”

Playing the second half of a back-to-back following a 27-point win over Golden State, the Mavericks scored 71 points in the first half and handed the Kings their third straight loss.

Doncic sparked Dallas with a big third quarter when he had 11 points and six rebounds. He also made a cross-court pass similar to the one he airmailed earlier in the game.

That helped the Mavs stretch a four-point lead to 108-93. Doncic finished with his 20th career triple-double despite going 0 for 5 from beyond the arc.

“Obviously, not as good as I can play. I have to practice those 3s,” Doncic said. “They were doubling me every time, and I like it. Basketball is five players so somebody’s going to be open if they double me.”

Doncic joined Jason Kidd as the only Dallas players to have at least 25 points, 15 rebounds and 15 assists in one game.

“These numbers are just crazy,” Carlisle said as he looked at the stat sheet. “It’s hard to fathom. They’re trapping him all over the court every time down. He’s both beating the traps and playing beautifully out of the traps.”

De’Aaron Fox had 27 points and 12 assists for Sacramento. Harrison Barnes and Buddy Hield scored 25 apiece.

Sacramento beat Dallas 110-106 in December without Fox or Marvin Bagley III. Both were in the lineup this time, but the outcome was vastly different.

“We got stops but we let them come up with the 50-50 ball,” Kings coach Luke Walton said. “It should be pretty clear until we can get out there and play that hard, at that pace and still keep a defensive mindset, there’s going to be a lot of ups and downs.”

The Kings trailed by 16 early in the fourth but made a big run to get to 126-123 following a 3-pointer by Barnes.

Curry, who moments earlier missed one of two free throws, made one of two again. Fox then missed a 3 to end the game.

Doncic nearly had a double-double before halftime but it was Curry who gave Dallas its biggest lift in the first half. Curry made four 3s, three on wide-open looks, and scored 16 points in 14 minutes to help the Mavs to a 71-67 lead.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By the Associated Press

HOUSTON — After getting off to a disappointing start this season, the Portland Trail Blazers are focused on playing much better going forward.

On Wednesday night against the Houston Rockets they did that, limiting James Harden to his fewest points of the season in a 117-107 win.

“A season is full of ups and downs and we’ve had more downs this year than ups, but it’s a whole second half of the season to play,” Damian Lillard said. “We executed and we played like we wanted to win the game … we’ve just got to try to sustain that.”

Lillard scored 25 points and CJ McCollum added 24 as the Trail Blazers withstood a late surge from the Rockets to get their second straight victory.

The Trail Blazers led by double figures for most of the game, but the Rockets began cutting into the lead in the fourth. A 3 by Ben McLemore got them within five with about five minutes to go.

But McCollum and Carmelo Anthony then made consecutive 3-pointers for Portland to make it 111-100 with four minutes left, and Houston didn’t threaten again.

When Hassan Whiteside made four points in a row, capped by a dunk, later in the fourth to make it 115-102, the home fans began streaming for the exits.

Russell Westbrook had a triple-double with 31 points, 12 assists and 11 rebounds on a night when Harden scored 13 points. It was the fewest points Harden had scored since he had 10 against Minnesota on Jan. 18, 2018.

Lillard was proud of the work they did against Harden, who entered the game averaging an NBA-best 37.8 points a game.

“We gave him a lot of attention and pretty much just made him give the ball up to other guys and decided were going to live with somebody else beating us,” Lillard said. “And it turned out to be a pretty good game plan.”

Houston lost consecutive games for the first time since a season-high three-game skid from Nov. 20-24, and has dropped three of its last four.

“Everyone goes through the tough times throughout the course of the year,” Harden said. “For us, this is now. We’ve got to come together and figure out what the problem is and go out there and try to fight through it.”

The Rockets had a tough shooting night after losing to Memphis 121-110 on the road Tuesday night and shot just 39.6%. Harden shot 3 of 12 and center Clint Capela was just 7 of 14.

Houston scored the first five points of the fourth quarter, but Portland got 3s from Gary Trent, Jr. and Anthony Tolliver to make it 96-82.

McCollum made all of Portland’s points in a 6-3 spurt later in the fourth to leave the Trail Blazers up 102-88.
Westbrook was at the free throw line soon after that, and he and Lillard both received technical fouls for jawing at each other.

Houston finally found some rhythm on offense after that and used a 9-1 run, with 3s from P.J. Tucker and McLemore to cut the deficit to 103-97 midway through the quarter.

It was a nine-point game when the Rockets’ Danuel House made a layup midway through the third quarter, but Portland scored the next seven points, including a 3 from Kent Bazemore, to extend it to 81-65 two minutes later.

Eric Gordon made two 3-pointers after that to power a 6-3 run that got Houston within 84-71.

Houston made six straight points later in the third, but Lillard added a layup for Portland to wrap up the quarter and leave the Trail Blazers up by 13 entering the fourth.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By the Associated Press

DENVER — After being told to get ready for his Denver debut, P.J. Dozier was quickly asked how many plays he remembered.

“I’m like, ‘Oh, shoot,’” he said.

So that’s exactly what he did — and made quite a splash.

Rookie reserve Michael Porter Jr. scored 19 points, Dozier had a big second half filling in for injured point guard Jamal Murray and the Nuggets beat the Charlotte Hornets 100-86 on Wednesday night.

“I’ve been preparing for this my whole life,” Dozier said. “I’ve been excited to have this opportunity. I hate that it had to happen under these circumstances. But (Murray) will be all right. I’ve just been trying to stay ready for this.”

Murray exited the game with 1:32 remaining in the second quarter after rolling his left ankle. He was helped off the floor by teammates. The banged-up Nuggets were already without Gary Harris (groin) and Paul Millsap (bruised left knee).

Enter Dozier, who finished with 12 points in 13 minutes. He had a stretch in the second half where he scored nine straight for the Nuggets.

Dozier was recalled from Windy City of the G League on Tuesday to provide depth. Dozier averaged 20.9 points and 7.7 assists in 16 games for the Bulls. He’s been called up before, but never appeared in a game for Denver.

Following the game, he didn’t check his phone immediately. But he knew who one of the first missed calls would be from — his mom.

Sure enough, there it was.

Before the contest was even over, Murray posted on his Twitter account about Dozier: “All I’m sayin is y’all better be ready to see my boy @Dozier_Kid shine. … dat boy can hoop!!”

No doubt. After his college days at South Carolina, Dozier wasn’t picked in the 2017 NBA draft. He appeared in eight games between Oklahoma City (two, 2017-18) and Boston (six, ’18-19) before signing a two-way contract with Denver for this season.

“I was super-happy for P.J.,” Porter said. “He’s stayed so patient.”

Porter carried the Nuggets for a stretch as he erupted for 11 of his points in the second quarter. He keeps taking his game to higher and higher levels. Coach Michael Malone’s trust level in him is soaring, too.

“I like whenever they run plays for me,” cracked Porter, who also had eight rebounds. “I’m trying to make plays for my teammates. I have to keep that going.”

Terry Rozier scored 20 points for the Hornets, who wrapped up a winless four-game trip.

“It was a tough road trip for us, some tough games,” said Cody Zeller, who had 11 points. “I thought we played well in spurts.”

Denver led by as many as 20 points in the third quarter before the Hornets closed on a 21-6 run. Bolstered by Dozier, the Nuggets steadily built the lead back up to a comfortable margin.

“They’re talented, they’re deep, they’re young and they play the right way,” Hornets coach James Borrego said. “They’re a fantastic team.”

The Nuggets were rightfully fearful of a Hornets team that’s 15-29. Denver has struggled against teams under .500 all season.

“We’re not looking at records,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said. “We have to go out and play our game.”

Murray was hurt when he tried to contest a 3-point shot by Rozier and appeared to land on Rozier’s foot. Murray instantly grabbed at his ankle as play was stopped. Murray had five points and one assist before exiting. He was also dealing with a sore back.

Dozier’s ready if needed.

“Just do as I do every day,” he said. “I prepare for every game like I’m going to play.”

Source: Manila Bulletin

By the Associated Press

OKLAHOMA CITY — Norman Powell doesn’t need to work his way back into form.

The Toronto guard missed 11 games with a left shoulder injury before returning to action this week. In his second game back, he scored 23 points, and the Raptors held off a furious rally to beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 130-121 on Wednesday night.

Powell scored 20 points on Sunday against the San Antonio Spurs in his first game back, then followed up with another strong performance. He made 9 of 11 shots, including 3 of 4 3-pointers.

“I’ve just tried to come back and assert myself and be aggressive in the flow of the offense and play my game and continue to take what the defense is giving me,” Powell said.

Pascal Siakam and O.G. Anunoby each added 21 points for the Raptors, who shot a season-high 61.2% from the field.
Dennis Schroder scored 25 points, Danilo Gallinari scored 23 and Shai Gilgeous-Alexader added 21 for the Thunder, who cut a 30-point deficit to three before Toronto held on.

“Just calmed down a little bit,” Toronto guard Kyle Lowry said. “Just got a little bit more patient. Got the ball in the guy’s hands that we need to have the ball in. That’s what we need to do. We find a way, but we can’t put ourselves in those positions all the time.”

Toronto led 73-43 in the second quarter before the Thunder closed the first half on a 12-0 run. Gilgeous-Alexander hit a 3-pointer as time expired in the second quarter to cut Toronto’s lead to 73-55. Former Thunder player Serge Ibaka scored 13 points on 6-for-6 shooting before the break. The Raptors led 97-83 heading into the fourth, and had a 21-point lead with 6:39 to play.

Oklahoma City made a huge comeback try late. Gallinari threw down a monster dunk and was fouled with 2:39 to play. The free throw cut Toronto’s lead to three, but Toronto closed the game on an 8-2 run.

The Raptors remained composed during Oklahoma City’s run.

“You don’t want to go outside yourself,” Powell said. “When they go on a run like that, you just try to get everybody on the same page.”

The Thunder have made several big rallies this season, but like Saturday against the Los Angeles Lakers, a large deficit was too much to overcome.

“I think to start the game, we don’t bring it every game,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “When we do bring it, we’re tough to beat and can play with anybody. But obviously, you guys see that when we don’t, we get down against a lot of teams. That’s something we’ll fix and we’ll get better at. I’m not worried about that.”

Source: Manila Bulletin

By the Associated Press

CHICAGO — Zach LaVine wants to play in the All-Star Game next month in Chicago.
He is making quite the case. Especially lately.

LaVine had 30 points, seven rebounds and seven assists, and the banged-up Bulls beat Bradley Beal and the Washington Wizards 115-106 on Wednesday night.

“I’ve been blessed to coach a lot of All-Stars, and I think he should be in the game,” Bulls coach Jim Boylen said.
Chicago placed seven players in double figures in its second win in its last nine games. Thaddeus Young had 18 points and eight boards, and Tomas Satoransky scored 18 points against his former team.

The Bulls outscored the Wizards 60-46 in the second half.

“They were getting in transition, some switches, made some tough shots,” Wizards coach Scott Brooks said. “We have to be better.”

LaVine went 6 for 11 from 3-point range in his career-best fifth straight game with at least 25 points. It’s the longest such streak for the Bulls since Derrick Rose accomplished the feat in six consecutive games in 2010.

LaVine’s All-Star argument is weighed down by Chicago’s 15-27 record, but he is averaging a career-best 24.6 points in his sixth NBA season.

“It would mean a lot. It’s one of my goals,” LaVine said of the All-Star Game. “I think it would be great for the city, having one of (its) guys there. I don’t feel like I need the verification of it. I think I know where I am as a player and how I’ve been playing.”

Beal scored 23 points on 8-for-13 shooting after he was listed as questionable because of right shoulder soreness. The high-scoring star also has been hampered lately by soreness in his lower right leg.

Jordan McRae had 16 points for Washington, which has dropped three of four. Isaiah Thomas and Davis Bertans scored 12 points apiece.

“We just have to figure out how to get it done, honestly,” Beal said. “I really don’t know, you just have to get it done.”
The Bulls grabbed control with a 10-0 run in the fourth quarter. LaVine made a 3-pointer to make it 106-95 with 4:56 left.

Chicago held on down the stretch despite playing short-handed after Daniel Gafford and Chandler Hutchison left with injuries.

Gafford dislocated his right thumb on a steal in the first quarter. The 6-foot-11 Gafford called timeout after picking off a pass by Ian Mahinmi, and then jogged off the court in the direction of the Bulls’ locker room.

X-rays were negative, and the team said he is expected to miss two to four weeks.

“I thought it was just like a slight jam of my thumb and I looked at my thumb and it was way more than a jam,” a chuckling Gafford said.

Hutchison re-injured his right shoulder when he was fouled on a dunk in the fourth, leading to a hard fall. The 23-year-old Hutchison, who had 11 points on 5-for-7 shooting, just returned last week from a right shoulder sprain.

“Chandler is going to be re-evaluated tomorrow,” Boylen said. “Same shoulder that’s been bothering him, so we’ll see where that goes.”

Source: Manila Bulletin

By the Associated Press

Rocky “Soulman” Johnson, a WWE Hall of Fame wrestler who became better known as the father of actor Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, has died. He was 75.

WWE issued a statement on Johnson’s death Wednesday night. Johnson and Tony Atlas became the first black world tag team champions in WWE history when they defeated The Wild Samoans on Dec. 10, 1983.

The statement didn’t provide details on the cause or location of Johnson’s death.

“A loss for every fan of @WWE, Rocky Johnson was a barrier-breaking performer. Our thoughts are with his family at this time,” WWE executive and wrestler Paul “Triple H” Levesque tweeted.

Johnson later helped train his son, who adopted the Rocky moniker from his father. Johnson came to his son’s aid after a match at WrestleMania in 1997. The Rock inducted his father into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2008.

Former professional wrestler Brian Blair, another 1980s WWE star, was friends with Johnson for decades and they still went to church together in the Tampa, Florida area.

Blair told The Associated Press on Wednesday that Johnson had complained of an unspecified illness of late and had missed church that he attended with Blair and other former wrestlers. Blair said Johnson’s wife, Sheila, was distraught over her husband’s death.

“He was just under the weather, he thought he had the flu or something,” Blair said by phone. “I said, ‘You, need to get checked out, Rocky.’ He said he’d be OK. Then he missed this Sunday, a few days ago. When I talked to him again, he said he still wasn’t feeling good and he still missed church. He still didn’t get checked out. I talked to Sheila and she said he was just being stubborn. He died at home, today.”

Johnson was born Wayde Douglas Bowles and started his wrestling career in the mid-1960s.

He spent the bulk of his career in the National Wrestling Alliance and later joined the then-World Wrestling Federation in the 1980s.

He formed a tag team with Atlas known as “Soul Patrol” and became of one the popular teams of the era. Johnson retired in the early 1990s, but helped introduce his son to officials at WWE.

Source: Manila Bulletin