SPORTS DIGEST

BASKETBALL

The Toronto Raptors lost for the first time since December 11 despite Kyle Lowry scoring 23 points in a 98-93 loss to the Dallas Mavericks. JJ Barea contributed 20 for the Mavericks, including a lay-up with 10 seconds left on the clock to put his side out of reach at the American Airlines Center. It was the Raptors first loss in seven and their second in 14, with their other coming on the back of a six-game winning streak. The Orlando Magic lost for the ninth game in a row, going down 107-89 to the Miami Heat. Josh Richardson top-scored for the Heat with 20 points and seven rebounds, as they streaked away in the fourth quarter 39-21. The resurgence of the Chicago Bulls has coincided with the return of Nikola Mirotic, who scored 24 points in his 28 minutes of game time as the Bulls beat the Milwaukee Bucks 115-106. Giannis Antetokounmpo - returning after a game out through injury scored 28 points for the Bucks, while Eric Bledsoe added 22. Tobias Harris poured in 30 points as the Detroit Pistons blew away the Indiana Pacers 107-83, while four of the five San Antonio Spurs’ starters scored in double figures as they beat the Brooklyn Nets 109-97. Kawhi Leonard top scored with 21 points, while Pau Gasol had 12 rebounds. The Denver Nuggets defeated the Utah Jazz 107-83, Jamal Murray getting 22 points, while the Phoenix Suns edged the Memphis Grizzlies 99-97. The LA Clippers scored 41 in the second quarter as they blew away the Sacramento Kings 122-95, Montrezl Harrell top-scoring with 22 in 22 minutes. NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION: Dallas Mavericks 98 Toronto Raptors 93, Denver Nuggets 107 Utah Jazz 83,Detroit Pistons 107 Indiana Pacers 83, LA Clippers 122 Sacramento Kings 95, Miami Heat 107 Orlando Magic 89, Milwaukee Bucks 106 Chicago Bulls 115, Phoenix Suns 99 Memphis Grizzlies 97, San Antonio Spurs 109 Brooklyn Nets 97.

CRICKET

South Africa thrashed Zimbabwe by an innings and 120 runs inside two days of the inaugural four-day Test in Port Elizabeth. The hosts had set a first-innings target of 309 for nine declared on Boxing Day in the day/night encounter, with Aiden Markram making 125 before Zimbabwe had closed on 30 for four. However, Proteas paceman Morne Morkel continued his impressive form to claim five for 21 as the tourists were bowled out for just 68 and forced to follow-on. Zimbabwe’s recovery never materialised, with Craig Ervine’s 23 the highest score in the second innings before he was trapped lbw by Andile Phehlukwayo. Left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj helped himself to five for 59 as Zimbabwe were skittled out for 121 runs in 42.3 overs just ahead of the dinner break. Phehlukwayo finished with five wickets in the match and Rabada three. 1st TEST (Port Elizabeth) South Africa 309-9 dec (A K Markram 120, A B de Villiers 53) v Zimbabwe 68 (M Morkel 5-21) & 121 (K A Maharaj 5-59). South Africa beat Zimbabwe by an innings and 120 runs. 4th TEST (Melbourne) Australia 327 (D A Warner 103, S P D Smith 76, S E Marsh 61, S C J Broad 4-51) v England 192-2 (A N Cook 104 no).

DARTS

PDC WORLD DARTS CHAMPIONSHIPS (Alexandra Palace, London) 2nd rd: Darren Webster (Eng) bt Simon Whitlock (Aus) 4-1, James Richardson (Eng) bt Alan Norris (Eng) 4-1, Antonio Alcinas (Spa) bt Kevin Munch (Ger) 4-1.