SPORTS DIGEST

BASKETBALL

The Brooklyn Nets ended the Philadelphia 76ers’ five-game winning streak in style with a dominant 109-89 home victory. Spencer Dinwiddie was the star for the Nets, finishing with a game-high 24 points to go along with his six assists. Philadelphia shot just 19.2 per cent from outside the arc as their season away record fell to six wins and eight losses.

The Atlanta Hawks gave Los Angeles a tough challenge but it was not enough to overcome another strong performance from Lebron James as the Lakers held on for a narrow 101-96 triumph. James posted 32 points and 13 rebounds to keep the Lakers equal with the Milwaukee Bucks as Western Conference leaders. Denver held off a fast-finishing New York as the Nuggets defeated the Knicks 111105 on the back of a late go-ahead three from Nikola Jokic.

A 29-point effort from Jrue Holiday was in vain as the New Orleans Pelicans lost 130119 to the Orlando Magic.

The Indiana Pacers had no trouble disposing the in-form Charlotte Hornets, outscoring their opponents by 16 in the fourth quarter to claim a 107-85 victory. Bogdan Bogdanovic and Buddy Hield combined for 44 points to help the Sacramento Kings down the Golden State Warriors 100-79 in Oakland.

NBA results: Atlanta Hawks 96 LA Lakers 101,Brooklyn Nets 109 Philadelphia 76ers 89,Denver Nuggets 111 New York Knicks 105,Golden State Warriors 79 Sacramento Kings 100,Indiana Pacers 107 Charlotte Hornets 85,New Orleans Pelicans 119 Orlando Magic 130

CYCLING

Dr Richard Freeman’s tribunal has been adjourned, potentially until May next year, on medical grounds. Freeman has admitted 18 charges brought against him by the General Medical Council relating to the ordering of testosterone gel to British Cycling headquarters in 2011 but has denied four others. The former British Cycling and Team Sky doctor was unable to attend proceedings in Manchester last week on health grounds and his lawyer, Mary O’rourke, yesterday requested an adjournment. That was accepted by the panel at the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service but dates were not expected to be finalised until today. It was proposed that the first stage of the hearing would resume and conclude in May 2020 with second and third stages potentially taking place in October. The reasons for long delays were due to other commitments of all parties involved, notably other legal cases. O’rourke confirmed that she planned to call four more witnesses, with the possibility that up to a further four could be called. The final number would depend on whether certain documents can be obtained in the meantime. Freeman denies the testosterone gel was intended for athletes’ use.

FOOTBALL

David Baldwin has been appointed the English Football League’s new chief executive, the governing body has announced. Hewill remain chief executive at Burnley until June when he will take up his new role, vacated by Shaun Harvey, who stepped down at the end of last season. “The EFL is pleased to announce David Baldwin as its new chief executive. The appointment was made by the EFL Board following a rigorous selection process led by chairman Rick Parry,” the EFL said in a statement.

“The role of chief executive at the EFL is an exciting opportunity that I could not turn down,” Baldwin added. “The EFL continues to play a pivotal role in the success of the football pyramid in this country and I am looking forward to working with the clubs, growing the competitions and ensuring we have a successful and sustainable League in the future.”

GOLF

Official World Rankings: 1 Brooks Koepka (USA) 10.83, 2 Rory Mcilroy (Nirl) 9.65, 3 Jon Rahm (Spa) 8.34, 4 Justin Thomas (USA) 7.34, 5 Dustin Johnson (USA) 7.26, 6 Tiger Woods (USA) 6.79, 7 Patrick Cantlay (USA) 6.48, 8 Justin Rose (Eng) 6.39, 9 Xander Schauffele (USA) 5.88, 10 Tommy Fleetwood (Eng) 5.75, 11 Webb Simpson (USA) 5.17, 12 Patrick Reed (USA) 5.04, 13 Bryson Dechambeau (USA) 4.93, 14 Francesco Molinari (Ita) 4.81, 15 Paul Casey (Eng) 4.78, 16 Tony Finau (USA) 4.76, 17 Gary Woodland (USA) 4.75, 18

Adam Scott (Aus) 4.65, 19 Shane Lowry (Irl) 4.50, 20 Louis Oosthuizen (Rsa) 4.31.

GRIDIRON

National Football League:arizona Cardinals 38 Cleveland Browns 24,Carolina Panthers 24 Seattle Seahawks 30,Cincinnati Bengals 13 New England Patriots 34,Dallas Cowboys 44 Los Angeles Rams 21,Detroit Lions 17 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 38,Green Bay Packers 21 Chicago Bears 13,Kansas City Chiefs 23 Denver Broncos 3,Los Angeles Chargers 10 Minnesota Vikings 39,New York Giants 36 Miami Dolphins 20,Oakland Raiders 16 Jacksonville Jaguars 20,Pittsburgh Steelers 10 Buffalo Bills 17 ,San Francisco 49ers 22 Atlanta Falcons 29,Tennessee Titans 21 Houston Texans 24,Washington Redskins 27 Philadelphia Eagles 37.

ICE HOCKEY

National Hockey League: Chicago Blackhawks 5 Minnesota Wild 3,Detroit Red Wings 2 Los Angeles Kings 4,Vegas Golden Knights 6 Vancouver Canucks 3,Winnipeg Jets 7 Philadelphia Flyers 3.