SPORTS DIGEST
BASKETBALL
Larry Nance Jr recorded a double-double of 22 points and 15 rebounds in his first start for Cleveland to help the Cavaliers to a 112-90 win over the Detroit Pistons. Despite being without three of their biggest stars – Kevin Love, Jeff Green and Tristan Thompson – the Cavs battled for a much-needed victory. Lebron James led the way, finishing with 31 points, seven assists and seven rebounds. The Boston Celtics were also on impressive form, putting in a dominant performance from the off to topple the Chicago Bulls 105-89. Jaylen Brown scored 21 points, while Jayson Tatum added 14. There was an important win for the San Antonio Spurs, who edged the Memphis Grizzlies 100-98. Having lost eight out of 10 games, the Spurs had fallen to sixth in the Western Conference but the victory moved them up to fifth. Meanwhile, Bojan Bogdanovic tied his season-high of 29 points to help the Indiana Pacers beat the Milwaukee Bucks 92-89, while the Miami Heat moved into the number seven spot in the Eastern Conference by defeating the Phoenix Suns 125-103. Rudy Gobert poured in 21 points and grabbed 17 rebounds to lead the Utah Jazz to a 94-80 win over the Orlando Magic, and the Portland Trail Blazers came from behind in the fourth quarter to beat the LA Lakers 108-103 on the back of a stunning 39-point haul from Damian Lillard. The Lakers led 97-86 with just over five minutes to go but Lillard drained four successive three-pointers to help Portland snatch a dramatic victory at Staples Center. The Trail Blazers have now had 15 consecutive wins over the Lakers. NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION: Chicago Bulls 89 Boston Celtics 105, Cleveland Cavaliers 112 Detroit Pistons 90, Indiana Pacers 92 Milwaukee Bucks 89, LA Lakers 103 Portland Trail Blazers 108, Miami Heat 125 Phoenix Suns 103, San Antonio Spurs 100 Memphis Grizzlies 98, Utah Jazz 94 Orlando Magic 80.
GOLF
WOMEN’S WORLD RANKINGS: 1 Shanshan Feng (Chn) 7.25pts ave, 2 Lexi Thompson (USA) 7.17, 3 So Yeon Ryu (Kor) 6.55, 4 Sung Hyun Park (Kor) 6.47, 5 Anna Nordqvist (Swe) 5.60, 6 In Kyung Kim (Kor) 5.40, 7 Ariya Jutanugarn (Tha) 5.38, 8 In Gee Chun (Kor) 5.21, 9 Cristie Kerr (USA) 4.95, 10 Hye Jin Choi (Kor) 4.78, 11 Lydia Ko (Nzl) 4.42, 12 Jessica Korda (USA) 4.38, 13 Brooke M. Henderson (Can) 4.32, 14 Michelle Wie (USA) 4.18, 15 Sei Young Kim (Kor) 4.11, 16 Minjee Lee (Aus) 4.10, 17 Amy Yang (Kor) 3.98, 18 Jin Young Ko (Kor) 3.90, 19 Inbee Park (Kor) 3.87, 20 Danielle Kang (USA) 3.72, 21 Moriya Jutanugarn (Tha) 3.68, 22 Stacy Lewis (USA) 3.45, 23 Mirim Lee (Kor) 3.20, 24 Carlota Ciganda (Spa) 3.16, 25 Jiyai Shin (Kor) 3.13.
ICE HOCKEY
The Edmonton Oilers ended a threegame losing streak thanks to an overtime goal from Oscar Klefbom. The winner came just 50 seconds into the extra time, off a pass from Connor Mcdavid, and powered the Oilers to a 4-3 win over the Arizona Coyotes. Jujhar Khaira, Milan Lucic and Jesse Puljujarvi also scored for Edmonton – all three goals coming in the first period – while goaltender Cam Talbot made 32 saves. There were also overtime victories for the Ottawa Senators, Pittsburgh Penguins and Vancouver Canucks. Erik Karlsson struck the decider as the Senators beat the Dallas Stars 3-2, while Brendan Leipsic scored the game-winning goal for the Canucks as they claimed a 4-3 victory over a New York Islanders side that have now lost seven on the trot. Justin Schultz one-timed a pass from Phil Kessel to lead the Penguins to a 4-3 victory over the Calgary Flames. Meanwhile, the Toronto Maple Leafs plunged to their fourth straight loss, falling 5-3 to the Buffalo Sabres. Goaltender Chad Johnson made 38 saves as the Sabres earned their third win in four games. NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE: Buffalo Sabres 5 Toronto Maple Leafs 3, Dallas Stars 2 Ottawa Senators 3 (OT), Edmonton Oilers 4 Arizona Coyotes 3 (OT), Pittsburgh Penguins 4 Calgary Flames 3 (OT), Vancouver Canucks 4 New York Islanders 3 (OT).