SPORTS DIGEST

BASKETBALL

Stephen Curry scored 32 points as the Golden State Warriors outlined their NBA title credentials with a 113-106 win over the Houston Rockets. The Western Conference leaders scored 37 points in the first quarter and were never behind as they reached 60 victories for the third season running. Klay Thompson weighed in with 25 points while James Harden’s 20th triple-double of the season proved to be in vain for the Rockets, who tasted defeat for the first time in five outings. Goran Dragic scored 28 points as the Miami Heat continued their late charge for a play-off place with a 97-96 win over the Detroit Pistons. The Portland Trail Blazers were 122-113 victors over the Denver Nuggets as CJ Mccollum registered 39 points. The Atlanta Hawks were 95-91 winners against the Phoenix Suns and the Philadelphia 76ers beat fellow strugglers the Brooklyn Nets 106-101. Karl-anthony Towns contributed 37 points and 12 rebounds in the Minnesota Timberwolves’ 115-114 victory over the Indiana Pacers, the Milwaukee Bucks got the better of the Charlotte Hornets 118-108 and the Washington Wizards overcame a 16-point deficit to snatch a 119-108 win against the Los Angeles Lakers. NBA: Atlanta Hawks 95 Phoenix Suns 91, Brooklyn Nets 101 Philadelphia 76ers 106, Charlotte Hornets 108 Milwaukee Bucks 118, Detroit Pistons 96 Miami Heat 97, Houston Rockets 106 Golden State Warriors 113, Indiana Pacers 114 Minnesota Timberwolves 115, LA Lakers 108 Washington Wizards 119, Portland Trail Blazers 122 Denver Nuggets 113.

CRICKET

The weather in Hamilton came to South Africa’s aid as the final day of the third Test against New Zealand was washed out to give the Proteas a 1-0 series victory. The Black Caps went into the last day looking for a series-levelling victory after reducing the tourists to 80 for five on day four – still 95 in arrears after Kane Williamson’s brilliant 176 had seen New Zealand amass 489 in their first innings. But rain forced play to be abandoned at 1.20pm, making South Africa’s eight-wicket win in Wellington decisive. 3rd TEST (Hamilton) South Africa 314 (Q de Kock 90, F du Plessis 53, H M Amla 50, M J Henry 4-93) & 80-5 v New Zealand 489 (K S Williamson 176, J A Raval 88, C de Grandhomme 57, T W M Latham 50, K Rabada 4-122, M Morkel 4-100). South Africa drew with New Zealand. ● Afsar Zazai produced an unbeaten century and leg-spinner Rashid Khan claimed five wickets as Afghanistan put themselves in control of their Intercontinental Cup clash with Ireland, who still trailed by 367 runs at the end of day two in Greater Noida. Captain Ashgar Stanikzai pushed his side on towards a commanding first-innings total with 145 while wicket-keeper Zazai added 103 as Afghanistan eventually declared at 537 for eight. Rashid then set about the Ireland batsmen, finishing the day with five for 54 in his impressive 17-over spell to put Afghanistan on course to complete victory with still two days left to play.

GOLF

Ballymena’s Dermot Mcelroy holds a oneshot lead after carding a two-under-par 69 in the opening round of the PGA Europro Tour’s Qualifying School stage-one event at The Carrick on Loch Lomond. Alva amateur Lawrence Allan is in joint second place alongside Robert Menzies (Turnberry Hotel) while Craig Lawrie, with his dad Paul looking on, shot a 72 to lie joint fifth alongside former Scottish Amateur champion John Gallagher.

ICE HOCKEY

The Detroit Red Wings’ 25-year streak of reaching the NHL play-offs has ended, while the Edmonton Oilers qualified for the first time in a decade. A 4-1 hammering by the Carolina Hurricanes meant that for the first time since 1989-90, Detroit will not feature in the post-season. Tomas Nozek’s goal was in vain as Lee Stempniak, Joakim Nordstrom, Jordan Staal and Elias Lindholm fired the Canes to victory and Red Wings captain Henrik Zetterberg told nhl.com: “It’s a great streak. Unfortunately it’s over. We’ve just got to move on and look to the future.” Elsewhere, though, the Oilers were celebrating after beating the Los Angeles Kings 2-1 to end a drought stretching back to 2006. Connor Mcdavid and Eric Gryba scored the crucial goals. TJ Oshie’s overtime strike secured a fifth straight win for the Washington Capitals as they maintained their lead at the top of the Metropolitan Division. Oshie’s first-period opener and an Alex Ovechkin hat-trick looked to have Washington in full control as they led the Minnesota Wild 4-2 with 12:29 gone in the third. However, Jared Spurgeon and Eric Staal struck in the last 4:57 and it was only when Oshie netted 1:52 into overtime that the win was secured. The Capitals remain three points ahead of the Columbus Blue Jackets, who beat the Buffalo Sabres 3-1. Kyle Quincey, Cam Atkinson and Brandon Saad were on target for the Blue Jackets, with Evan Rodrigues scoring a powerplay effort for the Sabres. Atlantic Division leaders the Montreal Canadiens moved four points clear with a 4-1 win over the Dallas Stars. Carey Price made 27 saves for Montreal, with Max Pacioretty, Brendan Gallagher, Artturi Lehkonen and Alexander Radulov scoring after Curtis Mckenzie gave Dallas an early lead. The Anaheim Ducks secured their playoff place and like Washington made it five wins on the spin as they overcame the Vancouver Canucks 4-1. Corey Perry, Patrick Eaves, Nick Ritchie and Brandon Montour had the Ducks 4-0 up 3:44 into the second, with Brock Boeser grabbing a consolation effort. Elsewhere the Winnipeg Jets were 4-3 winners against the New Jersey Devils, the Boston Bruins beat the Nashville Predators 4-1 and the Philadelphia Flyers were 3-2 victors over the Ottawa Senators. The Toronto Maple Leafs overcame the Florida Panthers 3-2 and Brent Burns netted the overtime winner for the San Jose Sharks as they got the better of the New York Rangers 5-4. NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE: Boston Bruins 4 Nashville Predators 1, Columbus Blue Jackets 3 Buffalo Sabres 1, Edmonton Oilers 2 Los Angeles Kings 1, Minnesota Wild 4 Washington Capitals 5 (OT), Montreal Canadiens 4 Dallas Stars 1, New Jersey Devils 3 Winnipeg Jets 4 (SO), Philadelphia Flyers 3 Ottawa Senators 2 (SO), San Jose Sharks 5 New York Rangers 4 (OT), Toronto Maple Leafs 3 Florida Panthers 2, Vancouver Canucks 1 Anaheim Ducks 4, Carolina Hurricanes 4 Detroit Red Wings 1.