By Agence France-Presse

Lionel Messi marked his 700th game for Barcelona by scoring his 613th goal on Wednesday as the Catalans beat Borussia Dortmund 3-1 to go through as group winners to the Champions League last 16.

Messi celebrated his anniversary in style by putting Barca two up before half-time, between laying on a pair of assists for Luis Suarez and Antoine Griezmann in a comfortable victory at Camp Nou.

“He was incredible,” said Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde. “It’s all about what he does and when he does it. It was a performance to put us through.”

England’s Jadon Sancho fired into the top corner for a late Dortmund consolation but the visitors were largely disappointing and now face a fight with Inter Milan to make it out of Group F.

Dortmund will hope to beat Slavia Prague at home in a fortnight’s time while relying on Barcelona to play a strong enough team to avoid defeat at the San Siro, eight days before the season’s first Clasico at home to Real Madrid.

“We got the most difficult group in the competition in my opinion,” said Valverde. “We are through with a game to spare, first in the group, and for the players that means a lot.”

While Real have hit their stride in recent weeks, Barca have stumbled, even if the results have been good enough to remain top of La Liga on goal difference.

For that they owe a great deal to Messi, who now has 10 goals in his last nine games, a timely surge into form ahead of the announcement of the Ballon d’Or in Paris on Monday, for which his greatest threat is Liverpool defender Virgil Van Dijk.

– Messi magic –

As well as his 613 goals, Messi has provided 237 assists in his 700 club matches, taking his collective tally of goals and assists in that time to an astonishing 850.

For Barcelona, the only worry was the sight of Ousmane Dembele limping off with another injury in the first half. Dembele could be a doubt for the Clasico, which is exactly three weeks away.

“It was a strange movement, a bad landing, I don’t know,” Valverde said. “We are qualified but the bad news is his injury.”

Dembele had been preferred to Griezmann, who replaced him, while Ivan Rakitic made his first start since September 21.

Rakitic made an eventful opening, conceding possession as Dortmund created their best chance in the opening minute only for Samuel Umtiti and Marc-Andre ter Stegen to scramble the ball away.

At the other end, Rakitic saw a shot blocked and Messi slipped in Suarez to score but the Uruguayan was just offside.

The same combination would soon pay dividends as Suarez’s attempted pass to Junior Firpo cannoned back to Messi, who poked through to Suarez too allow the Uruguayan to strike hard past Roman Burki.

Messi made it two when another failed attempt to play out from the back saw the ball land at the feet of Frenkie de Jong. Suarez swiftly transferred into the path of Messi, who drove low into the far corner.

After overrunning one chance, Messi was then booked for a dive as Burki rushed out and missed the ball, even if Messi exaggerated his descent.

In between, Griezmann might have made it three off after a delightfully cushioned assist from Messi and then he did, as De Jong fed Messi on the break and he threaded in Griezmann, who this time applied the finish.

With the result secure, Messi began to enjoy himself, a brilliant run causing the Camp Nou to rise to its feet before a bending free-kick from an acute angle clipped the crossbar.

Sancho, who came on as a substitute, slammed a shot into the top corner with 13 minutes left and there might have been a nervy finish had Ter Stegen’s finger-tips not pushed another effort onto the crossbar in the 87th minute.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By the Associated Press

Anthony Davis capped a 41-point performance in his return to New Orleans by intercepting Jrue Holiday’s inbound pass with 5 seconds left and making a pair of game-sealing free throws, and the Los Angeles Lakers extended their winning streak to nine games with a 114-110 victory over the Pelicans on Wednesday night.

A packed-in and energetic crowd booed Davis during introductions and virtually every time he handled the ball, only to see him and new teammate LeBron James take over the fourth quarter.

James had 29 points and 11 assists, scoring 15 points in the final period, when Kyle Kuzma also added nine of his 16 points to help the Lakers erase a 10-point deficit.

Holiday had 29 points and 12 assists, and Brandon Ingram had 23 points and 10 rebounds for the Pelicans, who dropped their third straight game.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By the Associated Press

Another healthy body sure helped the Golden State Warriors, especially when that guy coming back was Draymond Green — an emotional, vocal leader of this young group who brings it on both ends.

Eric Paschall scored 25 points and the Warriors emphatically closed out a tight game after their failure two days earlier, holding off the Chicago Bulls 104-90 on Wednesday night for just their second win at new Chase Center.

“Having Draymond back was a big deal. He settled us down,” coach Steve Kerr said. “Having nine instead of eight, it matters. You just have more to work with and more options.”

The latest injury news for the Warriors involved their coach. Kerr cut his right hand breaking a clipboard. It happens at least once a season.

“It’s a mere flesh wound. I broke a clipboard. It’s one of two. I’m allotted two a year. This was No. 1,” Kerr said. “It always cuts in the same place. This was a little deeper one, I was a little more upset. I’m day to day. No stitches yet but we’ll see tomorrow.”

Blood on the clipboard told players their coach was hurt.

“He’s writing a play up and he’s actively wiping blood up off the clipboard,” Omari Spellman said.

Alec Burks added 23 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists in just the second win in 12 games for Golden State, which squandered a late lead Monday night in losing 100-97 to Oklahoma City while allowing the Thunder to score the game’s final 13 points. The Warriors snapped a three-game losing streak.

Green returned from a three-game absence because of a sore right heel and contributed seven points, eight assists and five rebounds in nearly 24 minutes.

Zach LaVine had 36 points, five rebounds and five assists for the Bulls, who now will try to avenge a 117-94 home loss to the Trail Blazers on Monday night when they travel to Portland to play Friday.

Golden State struggled to take care of the ball or make stops down the stretch against Oklahoma City, then worked to be the aggressor in this game. The Warriors jumped in the passing lanes on defense to create transition baskets and plays like Paschall’s timely dunk that put his team ahead 88-83 with 5:17 remaining.

The Bulls shot 16 for 44 in the first half to trail 53-48 at the break. Spellman wound up with 13 points, 11 rebounds and three blocked shots off the bench for his fifth career double-double and first with the Warriors.

“I’m just happy to bring the energy for this team,” he said.

Bulls forward Chandler Hutchison, sidelined for two games last week with soreness in his shins, was in the starting lineup but played only two minutes, not a great sign one game after he came back to score six points and grab three rebounds in seven minutes late in the loss to Portland.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By the Associated Press

Carmelo Anthony is feeling more at home with the Portland Trail Blazers, especially now that he’s seen the appreciation of the hometown fans.

With the crowd chanting his name, Anthony finished with 19 points in his Moda Center home debut Wednesday night and the Blazers beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 136-119.

Damian Lillard had 27 points and Hassan Whiteside added 21 points and 16 rebounds for the Blazers, who led by as many as 35 points in their return home after an extended 2-4 road trip.

Anthony’s dunk early in the fourth quarter gave Portland a 111-79 lead and put the crowd on its feet. When he was subbed out for the last time a couple of minutes later, fans chanted “Melo! Melo!”

The reception isn’t the only thing making Anthony feel at home. He seems to be more comfortable with his new team, too.

“I think guys are just starting to feel a little bit more relaxed and at ease,” Anthony said. “When I first got here last week, and met those guys in New Orleans, I think it was the hype of the excitement of me coming to the team, guys not really knowing how this was going play out, how this was going to fit in, how I was going to fit in.”

The Blazers signed Anthony in hopes he could help the team overcome a slow start after going to the Western Conference finals last season. The deal was official Nov. 19, in the midst of Portland’s six-game road trip.

The 10-time All-Star played in four games before the team returned to Portland, averaging 16 points and nearly 30 minutes per game. He led the Blazers with 25 points in a 117-94 victory at Chicago on Monday night that snapped a four-game losing streak.

Before signing with the Blazers, Anthony hadn’t played since a 10-game stint with the Houston Rockets ended a little more than a year ago.

“Honestly, I didn’t know what to expect,” Anthony said. “I wanted to come in, just play basketball and find my joy again, and the excitement of playing basketball, what it should be. I’ve found that early on so far. I’ve found that happiness, that joy, in the way the guys were able to open this up to me with open arms and bring me in here as one of their own.”

Abdel Nader had 23 points off the bench for Oklahoma City, and Chris Paul finished with 16 points.

“Melo’s tough. Especially on that mid post where he’s built a career,” Paul said. “He’s one of the best to ever play right there so I love defending him. That’s my brother right there. We went to dinner last night. I always want to see him do well, except against us.”

The Thunder were coming off their first road win of the season, a 100-97 victory over Golden State on Monday night that snapped a three-game losing streak.

Portland raced to a 40-17 lead and it wasn’t close the rest of the way. The Blazers made their first six attempts from the perimeter and finished with 14 3s. Lillard led the team with five 3-pointers.

The Blazers led 63-50 at the half. It ended on a contentious note when it appeared that Steven Adams hooked Lillard by the neck but wasn’t called for the foul. Lillard complained to the ref, but Anthony spirited him away and toward the tunnel.

Whiteside had 19 points and 12 rebounds at the break.

There was more of the same in the third quarter, with the Blazers maintaining a double-digit lead. Portland went into the fourth quarter up 104-77.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By the Associated Press

Anthony Davis capped a 41-point performance in his return to New Orleans by intercepting Jrue Holiday’s inbound pass with 5 seconds left and making a pair of game-sealing free throws, and the Los Angeles Lakers extended their winning streak to nine games with a 114-110 victory over the Pelicans on Wednesday night.

A packed-in and energetic crowd booed Davis during introductions and virtually every time he handled the ball, only to see him and new teammate LeBron James take over the fourth quarter.

James had 29 points and 11 assists, scoring 15 points in the final period, when Kyle Kuzma also added nine of his 16 points to help the Lakers erase a 10-point deficit.

Kuzma gave the Lakers the lead for good when he hit a 3-pointer from the left corner with 1:07 to go, making it 111-109.

New Orleans trimmed it to 111-110 when Josh Hart hit one of two free throws, and after turnover by James as he was swarmed in the paint, JJ Redick had an open look from 3-point range for the lead that rimmed out. The Pelicans were forced to foul Davis, who missed one of two free throws, giving the Pelicans 5 seconds to run a play for the tie or lead. But that’s when Davis sealed it, stepping in front of Brandon Ingram for his third steal.

Holiday had 29 points and 12 assists, and Ingram had 23 points and 10 rebounds for the Pelicans, who dropped their third straight game.

Trailing by as many as 16 in the third quarter, the Lakers began to take control with a 9-0 run to open the fourth, trimming New Orleans’ lead to 89-88. Los Angeles tied the game at 91 on Kuzma’s third 3.

New Orleans briefly went back up by four before Davis, who’d received treatment after banging his right elbow at the end of the third quarter, returned to the game and immediately threw down an alley-oop feed from James.

The Lakers took their first lead since the opening five minutes of the game when James hit a jumper over Ingram, pulling up as the Pelicans forward glanced over his shoulder to see if a screen was being set.

Davis missed his first shot and three of his first four to the delight of the crowd, but still scored 27 points by halftime.

There were moments Davis appeared to drawing fuel from the crowd’s antagonism.

When he hit a put-back while being fouled, he demonstrably mimicked officials’ “count-it-and-one” gesture with his arm extended and index finger pointed angled downward. When he hit a 3 later in the half, he pressed his thumb and forefinger together and extended the other three fingers as he ran back on defense.

Ultimately, Davis executed about every move New Orleans fans knew and loved when he wore the No. 23 in blue, red and gold, from soaring alley-oop dunks to turn-around, baseline fades. Only this time, he wore a gold jersey with a purple No. 3, and it was his misses that drew triumphant roars from the crowd.

The Pelicans appeared buoyed by the partisan energy permeating the arena, going up 38-35 on Holiday’s step-back 3 as the first quarter expired.

New Orleans led 64-54 at halftime, thanks in large part to Holiday’s 10-of-15 shooting to that point, including his 4-of-4 mark from 3-point range. And the Pelicans maintained a double-digit lead until early in the fourth quarter.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

San Miguel Alab Pilipinas survived the host Macau Wolf Warriors 114-110 in overtime Wednesday night for its first win in the ASEAN Basketball League at the Shishan Gym in Foshan, China.

Import Khaliff Wyatt scored eight points in the extension, Brandon Rosser made a chasedown block and Jason Brickman made a decisive basket in the final seconds as Alab bounced back from a 111-76 loss to Thailand’s Mono Vampire last May 17.

Fil-Australian Jordan Heading scored 27 points, Wyatt finished with 24 points, six rebounds and seven assists and Brickman added 14 points and 12 assists for Alab Pilipinas.

Alab will take an 18-day break before returning to action on Dec. 15 for its first home game against the Singapore Slingers at the City of Sta. Rosa Multi-Purpose Complex in Laguna.

Coach Jimmy Alapag is going to spend the long respite to concentrate on his duties as one of Tim Cone’s assistant with Gilas Pilipinas in the 30th Southeast Asian Games.

Julian Boyd had 38 points and 17 rebounds but the Wolf Warriors blew a 14-point lead to suffer their second straight loss in as many games.

Wyatt scored five straight points, including a three-point shot with less than two minutes to make it 110-105 for Alab.

Macau import Steve Thomas made two free throws to trim the deficit but Wyatt found Rosser underneath for a 112-107 Alab advantage going into the final minute.

The Wolf Warriors threatened again, scoring five straight before Cris Shentu had a chance to tie the game with a layup.

But Rosser came out of nowhere to block Shentu’s layup, also resulting in Alab regaining possession after the latter touched the ball before going out of bounds.

Brickman put the game in the bag on the ensuing play, blowing past Thomas before converting a layup with 9.2 seconds to go for the final count.

The scores:

ALAB PILIPINAS 114 — Heading 27, Wyatt 24, King 18, Brickman 14, Gray 12, Vigil 7, Forbes 5, Rosser 5, Domingo 2.

MACAU 110 — Boyd 38, Cai 22, Herring 19, Thomas 19, Shentu 10, King 2, Yan 0, Liu 0.

Quarters: 30-20; 53-45; 65-74; 96-96 (Reg); 114-110 (OT).

Source: Manila Bulletin

By the Associated Press

Kemba Walker returned from a neck injury to score a season-high 39 points — to the delight of the crowd that came to taunt the person he replaced — and Boston beat the Brooklyn Nets 121-110 on Wednesday on a night the fans seemed more interested in taunting former Celtics guard Kyrie Irving.

Missing one game after leaving the court on a stretcher wearing a neck brace following a head-to-torso collision with Semi Ojeleye, Walker had 13 points in the third quarter, when Boston scored nine straight to turn a one-point deficit into a 91-83 lead. Jaylen Brown added 22 points and 10 rebounds, and Jayson Tatum had 16 points and nine boards to help the Celtic improved to 7-0 at home.

Garrett Temple scored 22 points, and Joe Harris had 21 for Brooklyn, which made a season-high 21 of the 56 3-point shots it attempted. Jarrett Allen had 17 points and 14 rebounds, and Spencer Dinwiddie had 16 points and 11 assists.

Brooklyn led 83-82 with just over 3 minutes left in the third when the Celtics scored the next nine points before Temple made a 3 to close out the third quarter. Boston led 104-101 in the fourth before scoring 17 of the next 24 points — nine of them from Walker,

The crowd might have bought tickets to heckle Irving on his return, but earlier in the week it was reported that he wouldn’t play in the game. Irving did not make the trip, but that didn’t slow down the fans who came to let him know how they feel.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By the Associated Press

When opponents trap and double team James Harden and Russell Westbrook it leaves openings for other players to step up and contribute.

On Wednesday night that player was Danuel House, who had a career-high 23 points to help the Rockets to a 117-108 victory over the Miami Heat.

“When those two guys get going downhill it puts a lot of pressure on a lot of people which causes me to be open-open,” House said. “So thank you Russ and James.”

Harden scored 34 points, Westbrook had 27 and the Rockets snapped a three-game skid.

Harden said House is getting better at taking advantages of opportunities when teams double him.

“He works every single day on his shot,” Harden said. “Those opportunities are going to come for him and the more confident he gets the easier those shots will be.”

Houston led by double digits for most of this one after the Heat used a 46-point first quarter in a 129-100 rout Nov. 3 in the first meeting between the teams this season.

“In the first half we just didn’t bring the right competitive, consistent spirit, particularly when we weren’t making shots,” Heat coach Eric Spoelstra said.

Kelly Olynyk scored six straight points to get the Heat within 10 with about a minute left. Harden made a free throw after that and Goran Dragic made one for the Heat. There was a bit of a scuffle after a hard foul by Dragic on House with about 30 seconds remaining. It was reviewed and upgraded to a flagrant 1 foul and House received a technical foul for his reaction after the foul.

Tyler Herro had 22 points and Olynyk scored 19 points with leading scorer Jimmy Butler out with an illness.

Westbrook had nine rebounds and seven assists and Houston had 11 steals they converted into 22 points.

Herro scored five straight points for Miami to cut the lead to 17 with about 9 1/2 minutes left. But he turned the ball over on a bad pass after that and House finished with a dunk on the other end to lead Houston up 96-77.

The Heat used a 10-3 run, with four points from Justise Winslow, to get to 103-91 with about 5 minutes left. Harden, who finished with seven 3s, made an off-balance 3-pointer from the corner before the Heat got one from Olynyk.

A layup by Herro cut the lead to 13 with less than three minutes left before Houston used a 5-2 run with a 3 from House to make it 114-98.

Houston led by at least 20 for most of the third quarter and pushed the lead to 86-62 with a dunk by Ben McLemore with about two minutes left in the third quarter. The Heat used a 6-2 spurt, with 3s from Olynyk and Herro, to cut the lead to 20. But Houston scored the last three points of the quarter to take a 91-68 lead into the fourth quarter.

After coming out flat in a 137-123 loss to Dallas on Sunday, the Rockets started strong on Wednesday. Harden and Westbrook combined for 42 points in the first half as they built a 66-42 lead.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By the Associated Press

Without Khris Middleton’s productive return, the Milwaukee Bucks might not have outlasted the Atlanta Hawks.

Giannis Antetokounmpo had 30 points and 10 rebounds, Middleton scored 16 points in his return from injury and the Bucks beat the Atlanta Hawks 111-102 for their ninth consecutive victory.

Middleton, who had been out since Nov. 10 with a thigh contusion, didn’t start and played 20 minutes. He helped the Bucks rally after they trailed through three quarters.

“I think guys were trying to pull it together and trying to fight through a little bit of fatigue or (being) banged up,” the All-Star forward said. “We’re still figuring out ways to win ballgames, which is the most important thing.”

Antetokounmpo followed his season-high 50 points on Monday by notching his 18th consecutive double-double. The reigning MVP’s streak of double-doubles is the longest to begin a season since Bill Walton opened with 34 straight in 1976-77.

Antetokounmpo was 5 for 13 from the free throw line for the Eastern Conference leaders, on their longest winning streak since winning 10 straight in 1985-86.

Former Bucks forward Jabari Parker scored a season-high 33 points for the Hawks and added 14 rebounds, also a season-high. Trae Young scored 29 points as Atlanta (4-14) dropped its eighth straight.

“It’s always going to be about putting that complete game together and understanding from a strategic standpoint, from a game-plan standpoint, from an effort standpoint, how to do that,” said Atlanta coach Lloyd Pierce. “The makes and misses aren’t the issue.”

Parker, who played for Milwaukee from 2014-18, scored the Hawks’ first eight points on their way to a 17-15 lead. Then Milwaukee scored 18 straight, getting seven from Middleton, to jump to a 33-17 lead at the end of the first quarter.

The Hawks battled back in the second period, behind Parker’s 15 points and Young’s 14. By the time Young drained a 3-pointer at the buzzer going into halftime, they had shaved the Bucks’ lead to 60-59.

The Hawks took an 82-81 lead into the fourth, but Antetokounmpo sparked the crowd by scoring over Parker on a drive to the hoop and drawing Parker’s fourth foul. Robin Lopez tipped in Antetokounmpo’s missed free throw, giving Milwaukee an 87-84 lead with just over 10 minutes left.

“The fourth quarter is where we lost, so I’d rather have the momentum at the right time,” said Parker, who scored only two in the fourth.

The game stayed tight until Middleton hit a 3-point basket with just under 4 minutes left to put Milwaukee up 102-93.

Milwaukee held Atlanta to 43 points in the second half.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Waylon Galvez

Games Thursday (New Clark City, Tarlac)

10 a.m. – Thailand vs Philippines (Women’s)

5 p.m. – Indonesia vs Singapore (Men’s)

7 p.m. – Thailand vs Philippines (Men’s)

The national team guns for its first win in water polo when the Filipinos meet Thailand in the 30th Southeast Asian Games Thursday at the Aquatic Center of the New Clark City in Tarlac.

In its opening game, the Philippines earned a 6-6 draw against Indonesia last Tuesday which gave both teams a point each. Paolo Serrano delivered the tying goal with a penalty shot in the final moments of the match.

Veteran coach Rey Galang said the tie against Indonesia showed the readiness of players, particularly on the defensive end that was best typified by the shot blocking abilities of longtime goalie Tani Gomez.

“We’re happy with the way the players performed, especially on defense,” said Galang. “The players were able to adjust quickly because we knew what Indonesia will do (offensively).”

However, while defense wasn’t a problem, Galang said the team must improve offensively after missing several attempts at the goal especially in the final stretch that should have given the Philippines a crucial victory against Indonesia – silver medalist in the last SEA Games.

Against the Thais – fifth place in the biennial meet two years ago – Galang said overall play must improve.

“Maganda na yung defense ng team, dapat ma-sustain against Thailand. Pero magiging focus din namin is offensive pattern to give us better scoring opportunities versus Thailand,” he said.

Dale Evangelista, a former national team stalwart who is now helping Galang in calling the shots for the Philippines, said that the players must not let their guards down in its next game.

Although observers are saying Thailand is a non-contender for the gold, the Thais surprised many when they scored a 19-5 win over Malaysia – bronze medal winner in the KL SEA Games in 2017 – last Monday.

“Nothing is given and nothing is easy in the SEA Games,” said Evangelista.

“Even if some are saying Thailand is a non-contender, they are still capable of beating any team in this event, and proof of that is their big win against Malaysia. That’s why we keep on reminding the players to stay focused, keep on playing hard,” added Evangelista.

Meanwhile, the women’s national team opened its own campaign with a disappointing 18-9 setback to Singapore. Only three teams are seeing action in the division and the Philippines will next play Thailand also today.

 

 

Source: Manila Bulletin