Manchester United closed the gap on leaders Chelsea to two points with a 4-0 victory over West Ham.
A rocket from Paul Scholes just before half-time put the champions in front before Darron Gibson, Antonio Valencia and Wayne Rooney clinched the points.
Sir Alex Ferguson will be concerned, though, with his defensive crisis. Gary Neville limped off in the opening half and joins Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic on the treatment table.
Arsenal put their poor fortnight behind them with a 2-0 victory over Stoke. The signs were not promising when Cesc Fabregas' penalty was well saved by Potters keeper Thomas Sorensen. But Andrey Arshavin then opened the scoring from Fabregas' pass before substitute Aaron Ramsey settled matters late on. The Welshman fired a low drive past Sorensen.
But there was nothing for Rafa Benitez to smile about at Ewood Park as Liverpool dropped more points in a 0-0 draw with Blackburn. With Aston Villa beating Hull 3-0 and Tottenham set to play Everton on Sunday, the Reds have a fight on their hands now in the race for a Champions League qualifying spot.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
NBA: Bosh, Turkoglu stand tall as Raptors end skid
The Toronto Raptors could have been forgiven for hanging their heads after Hedo Turkoglu missed a game winner in the final seconds of regulation on Friday - but instead they rallied to knock off the Washington Wizards 109-107 in overtime.
Turkoglu, signed this summer for his clutch shooting, redeemed himself by scoring the winning jumper in OT but it was the titanic effort from Chris Bosh that paced the Raptors throughout this gutsy victory. The Toronto team had held a meeting earlier in the day to address their recent woes and it seemed to pay dividends.
Bosh had 31 points and 16 rebounds, stepping up down the stretch to score a string of vital buckets. Looking like a man possessed, the Raptors power forward outhustled Brendan Haywood and Antawn Jamison on the boards and shot 13 of 25 from the field as Toronto ended their five-game skid.
With Jamison in foul trouble, it was Gilbert Arenas who led the Wizards, pouring in a game-high 34 points with five 3-pointers. Arenas' jumper tied the game at 96-96 with 13.7secs to go in the fourth but he could not find a repeat in OT.
After Turkoglu made it 109-107, Agent Zero missed out on a drive to the hoop and Andray Blatche's put-back would not drop, sparking frenzied celebrations on the Raptors bench.
This victory, bristling with a greater commitment to defense and some encouraging team spirit, might just turn Toronto's season around.
Turkoglu, signed this summer for his clutch shooting, redeemed himself by scoring the winning jumper in OT but it was the titanic effort from Chris Bosh that paced the Raptors throughout this gutsy victory. The Toronto team had held a meeting earlier in the day to address their recent woes and it seemed to pay dividends.
Bosh had 31 points and 16 rebounds, stepping up down the stretch to score a string of vital buckets. Looking like a man possessed, the Raptors power forward outhustled Brendan Haywood and Antawn Jamison on the boards and shot 13 of 25 from the field as Toronto ended their five-game skid.
With Jamison in foul trouble, it was Gilbert Arenas who led the Wizards, pouring in a game-high 34 points with five 3-pointers. Arenas' jumper tied the game at 96-96 with 13.7secs to go in the fourth but he could not find a repeat in OT.
After Turkoglu made it 109-107, Agent Zero missed out on a drive to the hoop and Andray Blatche's put-back would not drop, sparking frenzied celebrations on the Raptors bench.
This victory, bristling with a greater commitment to defense and some encouraging team spirit, might just turn Toronto's season around.
Friday, December 4, 2009
NBA: The MVP Battle
The latest standings in the race for the MVP:
1) Carmelo Anthony: His record of scoring 20+ points in every game rolls on and with him go the Denver Nuggets. His 50 against the Knicks was a career high and he is doing a little bit of everything. Melo's jumper looks solid and he is getting to the rim at will as his development into an all-round star continues. He is leading by example more than ever and there is no small forward out there who can contain him.2) Kobe Bryant: The Lakers are on a tear and Bryant's team-mates are all playing their part. But Kobe is Kobe and when he takes over there is nothing any defense can do. He is still scoring 28 a game yet his assists are on the rise as he feeds Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum. He had 18 points against the Hornets as LA continue to profit from a favorable early schedule. Expect him to step things up further when the tough road trips come thick and fast.
3) LeBron James: He did not need to dominant the scoring against the Suns but he continues to shoot a good percentage from the field and is bringing out the best in his team-mates. Cleveland have moved to within 1.5 games of the leaders in the East and James deserves a lot of credit for masterminding the team's solid form. Putting up 25 against Dallas was a reminder of his big game pedigree.
4) Dirk Nowitzki: Dallas are 14-5 and they are leaning on the big German as usual. Dirk is not letting them down either, averaging 27 points and shouldering the offensive burden. Rick Carlisle calls Jason Kidd "the rock" but Nowitzki is the assassin who the Mavs look to time and time again. The fact that he is adding three assists a night is an added bonus.
5) Steve Nash: The Suns have dropped their last two but Nash still had 20 points and eight assists in New York and is rolling back the years with his performances. A tough trip to LA on Sunday will further test Phoenix but expect the point guard to get his team firing again against the Kings first. As one of the most experienced Suns, Nash must take the lead in pulling the team back on track.
6) Dwight Howard: Superman had not set the league alight coming into last week but that soon changed. The Magic sit top of the Eastern Conference and things may well get even better now that Howard is increasingly comfortable with new starter Vince Carter. The big man had 25 points and 20 boards against Milwaukee and his defensive pressure has helped Orlando win nine of their last 10.
7) Dwyane Wade: Wade struggled at Denver this week, where he is yet to win in his career, but he continues to play at a high level. The Heat earned an impressive win in Portland with Wade both scoring and facilitating and he is starting to trust the likes of Michael Beasley and Jermaine O'Neal to make the key plays. A trip to LA to face the Lakers give Wade another big stage to dominate.
8) Kevin Durant: Almost 28 points a night plus three assists and seven rebounds tells its own story. The Thunder were expected to improve this year but Durant has Oklahoma City (10-8) surpassing all pre-season predictions. He has struggled from 3-point range but is attacking the hoop and getting to the line. Surrounded by other fearless youngsters, Durant is leading by example and if he keeps this up a playoff spot is there for the taking.
9) Kevin Garnett: He is getting better and better. The Celtics look so much stronger now he is back and his performances in the big games have been inspirational. The effect he has on his team-mates is a reminder of how sorely he was missed in the playoffs last season. The win in San Antonio on Thursday was yet another example as he poured in a game high 20 points. He seems to have a spring back in his step and his intensity is there for all to see.
10) Tim Duncan: The Spurs had won five straight before Thursday's loss to Boston and Duncan is heating up. Even in the defeat to the Celtics he managed 16 points and 15 boards. He is shooting a career high 54.9% from the field with an average of 18 points and 11 rebounds a night, enabling the Spurs to stay in the playoff spots despite injuries to Tony Parker and Manu Ginobli.
Soccer: Tough draw for World Cup hosts
The whole World Cup adventure began today with the group stage draw in Cape Town - but there was little to smile about for the hosts while Brazil and Germany will also have left feeling slightly uneasy.
The South Africans were drawn alongside Mexico, Uruguay and France in Group A and will need a minor miracle to reach the second round. You can never underestimate the impact of home support but there are no easy games for them.
Meanwhile, of the tournament favourites, it is Brazil who arguably find themselves in the Group of Death. Dunga's side face Portugal, Ivory Coast and Korea DPR, meaning that Real Madrid team-mates Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo will have plenty to talk about at training this week.
Germany fared only marginally better, finding themselves drawn with Australia, Serbia and Ghana in Group D.
The widest smile will surely have been found on the face of England boss Fabio Capello, whose side ought to cruise through against USA, Algeria and Slovenia.
The tournament kicks off on June 11 with South Africa facing Mexico in the opening game.
Group A: South Africa, Mexico, Uruguay, France
Group B: Argentina, Nigeria, Korea Republic, Greece
Group C: England, USA, Algeria, Slovenia
Group D: Germany, Australia, Serbia, Ghana,
Group E: Holland, Denmark, Japan, Cameroon
Group F: Italy, Paraguay, New Zealand, Slovakia
Group G: Brazil, Korea DPR, Ivory Coast, Portugal
Group H: Spain, Switzerland, Honduras, Chile
The South Africans were drawn alongside Mexico, Uruguay and France in Group A and will need a minor miracle to reach the second round. You can never underestimate the impact of home support but there are no easy games for them.
Meanwhile, of the tournament favourites, it is Brazil who arguably find themselves in the Group of Death. Dunga's side face Portugal, Ivory Coast and Korea DPR, meaning that Real Madrid team-mates Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo will have plenty to talk about at training this week.
Germany fared only marginally better, finding themselves drawn with Australia, Serbia and Ghana in Group D.
The widest smile will surely have been found on the face of England boss Fabio Capello, whose side ought to cruise through against USA, Algeria and Slovenia.
The tournament kicks off on June 11 with South Africa facing Mexico in the opening game.
Group A: South Africa, Mexico, Uruguay, France
Group B: Argentina, Nigeria, Korea Republic, Greece
Group C: England, USA, Algeria, Slovenia
Group D: Germany, Australia, Serbia, Ghana,
Group E: Holland, Denmark, Japan, Cameroon
Group F: Italy, Paraguay, New Zealand, Slovakia
Group G: Brazil, Korea DPR, Ivory Coast, Portugal
Group H: Spain, Switzerland, Honduras, Chile
Thursday, December 3, 2009
NFL: Weekend preview
A look ahead to some of the weekend's big games.
Titans @ Colts: Both teams bring winning streaks into this one. Tennessee have turned their season around but a trip to Indianapolis will severely test their new resolve. Vince Young is in fine form while running back Chris Johnson represents a major threat to the Colts defense. But Peyton Manning and his team-mates do not scare easily, winning five straight games in the fourth quarter. The Titans will keep things close but the Colts will move to 12-0.
Patriots @ Dolphins: There is a lot on the line as New England travel south. Miami desperately need a victory to keep their hopes alive in the AFC East while the Patriots are looking to put their drubbing against the Saints behind them. Tom Brady and New England do not tend to lose two games on the spin so look for them to bounce back and inflict a damaging loss on the Dolphins on Sunday.
Saints @ Redskins: Much of the talk around the league has centred on whether the Colts or Saints will stay unbeaten the longest - and New Orleans ought to stay perfect this weekend with their varied offense and Washington's banged-up defense. Drew Brees is on a tear and it is hard to imagine the Redskins keeping him quiet.
Cowboys @ Giants: New York need this win badly with their playoff hopes hanging by a thread while Dallas are notoriously poor in December. But with Eli Manning doubtful and the Cowboys' DeMarcus Ware enhancing his reputation as a top sacker, this is where Dallas start to put their December record straight.
Vikings @ Cardinals: Kurt Warner's health is unknown, which is a major worry for Arizona with Brett Favre coming to town. Favre's stunning season just keeps going and Adrian Peterson is proving yet again that he is arguably the league's top running back. The Cardinals have weapons of their own but Minnesota should improve to 11-1 in Sunday's late game.
Titans @ Colts: Both teams bring winning streaks into this one. Tennessee have turned their season around but a trip to Indianapolis will severely test their new resolve. Vince Young is in fine form while running back Chris Johnson represents a major threat to the Colts defense. But Peyton Manning and his team-mates do not scare easily, winning five straight games in the fourth quarter. The Titans will keep things close but the Colts will move to 12-0.
Patriots @ Dolphins: There is a lot on the line as New England travel south. Miami desperately need a victory to keep their hopes alive in the AFC East while the Patriots are looking to put their drubbing against the Saints behind them. Tom Brady and New England do not tend to lose two games on the spin so look for them to bounce back and inflict a damaging loss on the Dolphins on Sunday.
Saints @ Redskins: Much of the talk around the league has centred on whether the Colts or Saints will stay unbeaten the longest - and New Orleans ought to stay perfect this weekend with their varied offense and Washington's banged-up defense. Drew Brees is on a tear and it is hard to imagine the Redskins keeping him quiet.
Cowboys @ Giants: New York need this win badly with their playoff hopes hanging by a thread while Dallas are notoriously poor in December. But with Eli Manning doubtful and the Cowboys' DeMarcus Ware enhancing his reputation as a top sacker, this is where Dallas start to put their December record straight.
Vikings @ Cardinals: Kurt Warner's health is unknown, which is a major worry for Arizona with Brett Favre coming to town. Favre's stunning season just keeps going and Adrian Peterson is proving yet again that he is arguably the league's top running back. The Cardinals have weapons of their own but Minnesota should improve to 11-1 in Sunday's late game.
NBA: Garnett, Celtics too strong for Spurs
Kevin Garnett scored 20 points and Rajon Rondo threw in 12 assists as the Boston Celtics outlasted the San Antonio Spurs 90-83 on Thursday for a sixth straight win.
Both teams brought five-game winning streaks into the game but the Celtics (15-4) established an early lead and never looked back, improving to 8-1 on the road.
Rookie DeJuan Blair led the Spurs with 18 points while Tony Parker had 17 points and Tim Duncan added 16 points and 15 rebounds. They pulled to within four at 87-83 with 57.6secs to play but would get no closer. The Spurs move to 9-7.
The Celtics are building some serious momentum. Garnett is getting stronger and stronger after last year's injury and his jumper is looking smooth. Paul Pierce might have struggled a touch in the past few games but a deep bench and the steady improvement from center Kendrick Perkins means Boston are not missing a beat.
They have pulled level with the conference-leading Orlando Magic, with the Cleveland Cavaliers 1.5 games back, as the race for top spot in the East hots up.
Both teams brought five-game winning streaks into the game but the Celtics (15-4) established an early lead and never looked back, improving to 8-1 on the road.
Rookie DeJuan Blair led the Spurs with 18 points while Tony Parker had 17 points and Tim Duncan added 16 points and 15 rebounds. They pulled to within four at 87-83 with 57.6secs to play but would get no closer. The Spurs move to 9-7.
The Celtics are building some serious momentum. Garnett is getting stronger and stronger after last year's injury and his jumper is looking smooth. Paul Pierce might have struggled a touch in the past few games but a deep bench and the steady improvement from center Kendrick Perkins means Boston are not missing a beat.
They have pulled level with the conference-leading Orlando Magic, with the Cleveland Cavaliers 1.5 games back, as the race for top spot in the East hots up.
Tennis: Mauresmo calls time on fine career
Amelie Mauresmo has retired from tennis at the age of 30.
The French star, who won the Australian Open and Wimbledon in 2006, slipped to number 21 in the world rankings and admitted she no longer wanted to deal with the hours of practice required to keep up with the leading players in the women's game.
Mauresmo told reporters: "It's a bit sad, but this is the right decision. I was lucky enough to have an exceptional career and to experience very strong feelings on the court."
The French star, who won the Australian Open and Wimbledon in 2006, slipped to number 21 in the world rankings and admitted she no longer wanted to deal with the hours of practice required to keep up with the leading players in the women's game.
Mauresmo told reporters: "It's a bit sad, but this is the right decision. I was lucky enough to have an exceptional career and to experience very strong feelings on the court."
Soccer: World Cup group stage draw awaits
The big soccer nations will be holding their breath on Friday as the groups for the 2010 World Cup are drawn in Cape Town.
Hosts South Africa are among the top seeds and are joined in Pot 1 by Spain, Germany, Brazil, Argentina, England, Holland and Italy.
There is certainly some potential for a "Group of Death", though, with Mexico and Australia in pot 2 and the Ivory Coast, Ghana and Paraguay in Pot 3.
And Pot 4 could provide the hammer blow for the seeds as it contains France, Portugal and Serbia.
By Friday night, fans will be able to crank their preparation for the tournament up another notch as they count down to the big kick off on June 11.
Hosts South Africa are among the top seeds and are joined in Pot 1 by Spain, Germany, Brazil, Argentina, England, Holland and Italy.
There is certainly some potential for a "Group of Death", though, with Mexico and Australia in pot 2 and the Ivory Coast, Ghana and Paraguay in Pot 3.
And Pot 4 could provide the hammer blow for the seeds as it contains France, Portugal and Serbia.
By Friday night, fans will be able to crank their preparation for the tournament up another notch as they count down to the big kick off on June 11.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Soccer: Manchester derby ahead in Carling Cup semis
Carlos Tevez led the way as Manchester City set up a derby with city rivals United in the Carling Cup semi-finals.
City beat a young Arsenal line-up 3-0 at Eastlands, with Tevez netting a fine opener before Shaun Wright-Phillips and substitute Vladimir Weiss added the gloss.
United booked their place in the last four on Tuesday thanks to a Darron Gibson double against Tottenham as they bid to defend the trophy they won last season.
In the other semi-final, Blackburn clash with Aston Villa. Rovers outlasted Chelsea to win 4-3 on penalties after 120 minutes of action ended with the teams locked at 3-3.
And a Stewart Downing-inspired Villa battered hapless Portsmouth 4-2 at Fratton Park.
Looking ahead, United are the standout favourites but much will depend on the strength of the line-up that Sir Alex Ferguson picks when the semi-finals roll round.
City beat a young Arsenal line-up 3-0 at Eastlands, with Tevez netting a fine opener before Shaun Wright-Phillips and substitute Vladimir Weiss added the gloss.
United booked their place in the last four on Tuesday thanks to a Darron Gibson double against Tottenham as they bid to defend the trophy they won last season.
In the other semi-final, Blackburn clash with Aston Villa. Rovers outlasted Chelsea to win 4-3 on penalties after 120 minutes of action ended with the teams locked at 3-3.
And a Stewart Downing-inspired Villa battered hapless Portsmouth 4-2 at Fratton Park.
Looking ahead, United are the standout favourites but much will depend on the strength of the line-up that Sir Alex Ferguson picks when the semi-finals roll round.
Soccer: Could Sevilla spring a surprise?
Sevilla will be in the second round draw for the Champions League - and there will not be many teams lining up to face them.
The Spaniards' fearless, attacking approach makes them dangerous opponents and they eased through the group stage. Admittedly, Group G, containing Rangers, Unirea Urziceni and Stuttgart, did not possess many demons but Sevilla still made a big impression.
With Luis Fabiano and Freddie Kanoute up front, they possess the firepower to hurt even the best defences. And Jesus Navas and Adriano offer good supply to the strikers. Sevilla play with heart and tireless energy to go with an abundance of attacking intent.
The second round will be a tougher proposition, though. Much will depend on the draw again. There will certainly be a batch of stronger sides in the second round – but also a fair few weaker teams. Barcelona, Manchester United, Chelsea and Real Madrid are obvious ones to avoid while AC Milan and Inter are dangerous on their day. And there are still some question marks over how the Sevilla defence would hold up on a trip to Stamford Bridge or Old Trafford.
But there will be some surprise qualifiers, that is for sure. Liverpool are out while only one of Bayern Munich and Juventus can progress. There could well be an intriguing mix of clubs when the knockout rounds kick off. And Sevilla cannot be discounted.
The Spaniards would love to shake up the established pecking order and it would take a brave man to bet against them reaching the last eight.
The Spaniards' fearless, attacking approach makes them dangerous opponents and they eased through the group stage. Admittedly, Group G, containing Rangers, Unirea Urziceni and Stuttgart, did not possess many demons but Sevilla still made a big impression.
With Luis Fabiano and Freddie Kanoute up front, they possess the firepower to hurt even the best defences. And Jesus Navas and Adriano offer good supply to the strikers. Sevilla play with heart and tireless energy to go with an abundance of attacking intent.
The second round will be a tougher proposition, though. Much will depend on the draw again. There will certainly be a batch of stronger sides in the second round – but also a fair few weaker teams. Barcelona, Manchester United, Chelsea and Real Madrid are obvious ones to avoid while AC Milan and Inter are dangerous on their day. And there are still some question marks over how the Sevilla defence would hold up on a trip to Stamford Bridge or Old Trafford.
But there will be some surprise qualifiers, that is for sure. Liverpool are out while only one of Bayern Munich and Juventus can progress. There could well be an intriguing mix of clubs when the knockout rounds kick off. And Sevilla cannot be discounted.
The Spaniards would love to shake up the established pecking order and it would take a brave man to bet against them reaching the last eight.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
NBA: Jamison casts spell over Raptors
From the Air Canada Centre, Toronto
Antawn Jamison was the hero with a game-high 30 points as the Washington Wizards squeezed their way to a 106-102 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday night.
Gilbert Arenas added 22, taking charge in the fourth quarter to pour in 12 of his points, and Caron Butler had 19. The Wizards have struggled to find a rhythm thus far in the new season but their key trio all came to the party at the Air Canada Centre as they moved to 6-10.
And a fourth Wizard also had a big impact. The unsung Brendan Haywood took advantage of Toronto's lack of physicality inside to score 15 points to go with nine rebounds and a couple of priceless blocks.
In a way, Haywood's contribution was the difference because the Raptors had a productive trio of their own. Chris Bosh led the way with 22 points and 14 rebounds while Andrea Bargnani and Jose Calderon tallied 20 apiece.
The Raptors, for whom this was a fourth straight loss and their eighth in their last 10, have drawn criticism in recent weeks for sloppy third quarter efforts. Against the Wizards, they had no such problems but they fell away in the final 12 minutes, having led 77-72 going into the fourth.
First Arenas then Jamison hurt the hosts in the closing stages. The latter hit a clutch jumper for a 95-91 lead which was the dagger that kept the Raptors at bay. He then put a finger to his lips as the crowd fell silent. Arenas added two free throws for a six-point lead with 2:15 left.
Toronto would get no closer as Hedo Turkoglu misfired on some desperate late shots, allowing Jamison and his improving Wizards to savour a third win in four.
Antawn Jamison was the hero with a game-high 30 points as the Washington Wizards squeezed their way to a 106-102 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday night.
Gilbert Arenas added 22, taking charge in the fourth quarter to pour in 12 of his points, and Caron Butler had 19. The Wizards have struggled to find a rhythm thus far in the new season but their key trio all came to the party at the Air Canada Centre as they moved to 6-10.
And a fourth Wizard also had a big impact. The unsung Brendan Haywood took advantage of Toronto's lack of physicality inside to score 15 points to go with nine rebounds and a couple of priceless blocks.
In a way, Haywood's contribution was the difference because the Raptors had a productive trio of their own. Chris Bosh led the way with 22 points and 14 rebounds while Andrea Bargnani and Jose Calderon tallied 20 apiece.
The Raptors, for whom this was a fourth straight loss and their eighth in their last 10, have drawn criticism in recent weeks for sloppy third quarter efforts. Against the Wizards, they had no such problems but they fell away in the final 12 minutes, having led 77-72 going into the fourth.
First Arenas then Jamison hurt the hosts in the closing stages. The latter hit a clutch jumper for a 95-91 lead which was the dagger that kept the Raptors at bay. He then put a finger to his lips as the crowd fell silent. Arenas added two free throws for a six-point lead with 2:15 left.
Toronto would get no closer as Hedo Turkoglu misfired on some desperate late shots, allowing Jamison and his improving Wizards to savour a third win in four.
NBA: The team tracker #2
New standings for the NBA's top 10:
1) Orlando Magic: With eight wins from their last nine games, Stan Van Gundy is on the verge of a smile. It could have been nine straight but for Michael Beasley's late intervention. Dwight Howard and Vince Carter continue to share the spotlight and Rashard Lewis is beginning to heat up too, scoring a season-high 26 against the Knicks.
2) Phoenix Suns: The predicted blip still has not come, though losing to the Knicks on Tuesday raised a few eyebrows. The Suns are winning over the sceptics with their play and Steve Nash is in stellar form, dropping 20 points and 16 assists in Toronto. Facing the Cavs on the road will bring the Suns face-to-face with Shaq again and a win in Cleveland would really cement their contender status.
3) LA Lakers: They've done nothing wrong this week and falling from top spot may seem harsh after doing everything right against the Warriors and Nets. But the light patch in their schedule meant the Suns and Magic kicked on. Phil Jackson must be happy to see important contributions coming from everyone in his squad, allowing him to limit Kobe's minutes.
4) Boston Celtics: The Celtics are rumbling into action now with some momentum behind them. Kevin Garnett has stepped up his play this week and is returning to his pre-injury form. His jumper looks good and his body is getting stronger game by game. Rasheed Wallace is back in the groove too, just in time for the clash with the Spurs.
5) Denver Nuggets: Inconsistency is hurting the Nuggets. Free-scoring one night against the Knicks, Denver then fell short versus the T'Wolves, who had not won since opening night. Melo is in unstoppable form but Chauncey Billups and JR Smith need to get their shot sorted - the pounding they gave the Warriors on Tuesday will have helped. They made big strides on defense last year but have been sloppy over the past few games.
6) Cleveland Cavaliers: The win over Dallas was a big statement and somewhat saved face after losing to the Bobcats. Delonte West's progress is encouraging and LeBron just keeps making key plays. The Suns and Bulls will provide energetic opposition over the coming days.
7) Dallas Mavericks: An up and down week for the Mavs. Defensively, they were shambolic in Cleveland but Jason Terry's jumper earned a solid win in Philadelphia. They have so many scoring options and Jason Kidd is still turning pulling the strings to perfection. There are still areas to tweak but the Mavs look set for a high playoff spot. Their record will receive a nice boost with games against the Nets and Grizzlies this week.
8) Atlanta Hawks: Things are on the slide for the Hawks. Losing at home to the Magic was a blow but a road loss in Detroit was particularly poor. Their fast start is fading but games at home this week against the Raptors and Knicks present chances to get back on track.
9) Utah Jazz: The Deron Williams-Carlos Boozer combination is showing signs of life and the Jazz are stringing wins together again. A demolition of Portland was an impressive showing and they have the Spurs in their sights later this week. Their road form is always a concern though and an upcoming game in Minnesota is the ideal opportunity to put that right.
10) San Antonio Spurs: Never write them off. Just when things start to look a little shaky, the Spurs crank things up. Gregg Popovich's team have won five straight and are back in the playoff slots. The visits of Boston and Denver this week will tell us more about San Antonio's progress since picking up Richard Jefferson and Antonio McDyess this summer.
1) Orlando Magic: With eight wins from their last nine games, Stan Van Gundy is on the verge of a smile. It could have been nine straight but for Michael Beasley's late intervention. Dwight Howard and Vince Carter continue to share the spotlight and Rashard Lewis is beginning to heat up too, scoring a season-high 26 against the Knicks.
2) Phoenix Suns: The predicted blip still has not come, though losing to the Knicks on Tuesday raised a few eyebrows. The Suns are winning over the sceptics with their play and Steve Nash is in stellar form, dropping 20 points and 16 assists in Toronto. Facing the Cavs on the road will bring the Suns face-to-face with Shaq again and a win in Cleveland would really cement their contender status.
3) LA Lakers: They've done nothing wrong this week and falling from top spot may seem harsh after doing everything right against the Warriors and Nets. But the light patch in their schedule meant the Suns and Magic kicked on. Phil Jackson must be happy to see important contributions coming from everyone in his squad, allowing him to limit Kobe's minutes.
4) Boston Celtics: The Celtics are rumbling into action now with some momentum behind them. Kevin Garnett has stepped up his play this week and is returning to his pre-injury form. His jumper looks good and his body is getting stronger game by game. Rasheed Wallace is back in the groove too, just in time for the clash with the Spurs.
5) Denver Nuggets: Inconsistency is hurting the Nuggets. Free-scoring one night against the Knicks, Denver then fell short versus the T'Wolves, who had not won since opening night. Melo is in unstoppable form but Chauncey Billups and JR Smith need to get their shot sorted - the pounding they gave the Warriors on Tuesday will have helped. They made big strides on defense last year but have been sloppy over the past few games.
6) Cleveland Cavaliers: The win over Dallas was a big statement and somewhat saved face after losing to the Bobcats. Delonte West's progress is encouraging and LeBron just keeps making key plays. The Suns and Bulls will provide energetic opposition over the coming days.
7) Dallas Mavericks: An up and down week for the Mavs. Defensively, they were shambolic in Cleveland but Jason Terry's jumper earned a solid win in Philadelphia. They have so many scoring options and Jason Kidd is still turning pulling the strings to perfection. There are still areas to tweak but the Mavs look set for a high playoff spot. Their record will receive a nice boost with games against the Nets and Grizzlies this week.
8) Atlanta Hawks: Things are on the slide for the Hawks. Losing at home to the Magic was a blow but a road loss in Detroit was particularly poor. Their fast start is fading but games at home this week against the Raptors and Knicks present chances to get back on track.
9) Utah Jazz: The Deron Williams-Carlos Boozer combination is showing signs of life and the Jazz are stringing wins together again. A demolition of Portland was an impressive showing and they have the Spurs in their sights later this week. Their road form is always a concern though and an upcoming game in Minnesota is the ideal opportunity to put that right.
10) San Antonio Spurs: Never write them off. Just when things start to look a little shaky, the Spurs crank things up. Gregg Popovich's team have won five straight and are back in the playoff slots. The visits of Boston and Denver this week will tell us more about San Antonio's progress since picking up Richard Jefferson and Antonio McDyess this summer.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Tennis: Davydenko stands tall in London
Nikolay Davydenko completed one of the best weeks of his tennis career with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Juan Martin del Potro in the ATP World Tour Finals in London.
The Russian picked up his biggest tournament win to date to move to number six in the world rankings, having dumped Roger Federer out in the semi-finals.
And now he has his sights set on winning his first major, though he admits his stamina needs to be improved to take his three-set form into the five-set Slams.
The Russian picked up his biggest tournament win to date to move to number six in the world rankings, having dumped Roger Federer out in the semi-finals.
And now he has his sights set on winning his first major, though he admits his stamina needs to be improved to take his three-set form into the five-set Slams.
NBA: Raptors' defense must improve
Steve Nash's return to Canadian soil on Sunday further highlighted the Toronto Raptors' struggles this season.
Nash, born in British Columbia, scored 20 points and had 16 assists as the Phoenix Suns continued their scorching start. The Suns romped to a 113-94 victory, largely thanks to a third quarter spurt, and Nash was at the heart of everything.
Once again, the Raptors were exploited defensively. Dribble penetration is hurting them badly, with Jose Calderon particularly having difficulty in keeping his man in front of him, and they just do not rebound well enough as a team.
Credit to Chris Bosh, though, who keeps putting up big numbers. Bosh was a rare bright spot at the weekend with a game-high 30 points and 17 boards but he is not getting enough help from his team-mates.
Hedo Turkoglu is still finding his way in Toronto while Andrea Bargnani, for all his offensive skills, is often found wanting going the other way. The Suns needed no second invitation to cash in.
And things get no easier this week, with the dangerous Washington Wizards arriving on Tuesday. Gilbert Arenas, Antawn Jamison and Caron Butler are all lethal scorers and will prosper if the Raptors do not step up their defense.
The Wizards love to run and gun and Toronto cannot get sucked into a flat-out scoring contest. Defense is the key and, until the Raptors sort themselves out, the .500 mark will remain out of reach.
Nash, born in British Columbia, scored 20 points and had 16 assists as the Phoenix Suns continued their scorching start. The Suns romped to a 113-94 victory, largely thanks to a third quarter spurt, and Nash was at the heart of everything.
Once again, the Raptors were exploited defensively. Dribble penetration is hurting them badly, with Jose Calderon particularly having difficulty in keeping his man in front of him, and they just do not rebound well enough as a team.
Credit to Chris Bosh, though, who keeps putting up big numbers. Bosh was a rare bright spot at the weekend with a game-high 30 points and 17 boards but he is not getting enough help from his team-mates.
Hedo Turkoglu is still finding his way in Toronto while Andrea Bargnani, for all his offensive skills, is often found wanting going the other way. The Suns needed no second invitation to cash in.
And things get no easier this week, with the dangerous Washington Wizards arriving on Tuesday. Gilbert Arenas, Antawn Jamison and Caron Butler are all lethal scorers and will prosper if the Raptors do not step up their defense.
The Wizards love to run and gun and Toronto cannot get sucked into a flat-out scoring contest. Defense is the key and, until the Raptors sort themselves out, the .500 mark will remain out of reach.
CFL: Howler hands Grey Cup to Montreal
Just when you think you have seen it all, sport finds a way to shock you. And so it was in Calgary on Sunday where the Montreal Alouettes dramatically beat the Saskatchewan Roughriders with the final play of the game to win 28-27 and lift the Grey Cup.
The shock was not that the Alouettes won - after all, they were heavy favorites heading into the final - but in the manner of Saskatchewan loss. Because, after all the pre-game hype and in-depth tactical analysis, the 97th Grey Cup was decided by the most elementary of errors.
The Roughriders' flying start meant the Alouettes were playing catch up throughout. But QB Anthony Calvillo steadily chipped away at the 17-3 half-time deficit and Montreal moved to within two points as the game reached its climax.
Then came the howler that sunk the Roughriders, a mistake that will go down in the history of the competition.
With Montreal within field goal range, Damon Duval stepped up for a 43-yard attempt. He had struggled with the boot during the game and blasted his kick wide of the posts. The Saskatchewan players and coaches alike celebrated. The Gatorade cooler was readied.
But there was a flag on the play. Unbelievably, the Roughriders had sent 13 players rather than 12 onto the field for the field goal. Duval got a second chance from 10 yards closer and duly won the game for the Alouettes.
After a season of hits and bruises and the countless hours on the training pitches, the Roughriders had lost due to a simple miscalculation. That was all that stopped them sealing a big upset - and you can expect to hear plenty more about it. They say there is a fine line between victory and defeat - and it does not get much finer than this.
The spirited fightback from Montreal should not be lost amidst the late game drama, though. MVP Avon Cobourne came up trumps and Calvillo was cool under pressure. Having lost the Grey Cup last year, this win was all the sweeter.
But for Saskatchewan, the bitter taste will linger.
Much of the talk pre-game centred around the role of the crowd, which was packed with Roughrider green. They would be the all-important 13th man, experts said. Unfortunately for Saskatchewan, it was the extra man on the field that was decisive.
The shock was not that the Alouettes won - after all, they were heavy favorites heading into the final - but in the manner of Saskatchewan loss. Because, after all the pre-game hype and in-depth tactical analysis, the 97th Grey Cup was decided by the most elementary of errors.
The Roughriders' flying start meant the Alouettes were playing catch up throughout. But QB Anthony Calvillo steadily chipped away at the 17-3 half-time deficit and Montreal moved to within two points as the game reached its climax.
Then came the howler that sunk the Roughriders, a mistake that will go down in the history of the competition.
With Montreal within field goal range, Damon Duval stepped up for a 43-yard attempt. He had struggled with the boot during the game and blasted his kick wide of the posts. The Saskatchewan players and coaches alike celebrated. The Gatorade cooler was readied.
But there was a flag on the play. Unbelievably, the Roughriders had sent 13 players rather than 12 onto the field for the field goal. Duval got a second chance from 10 yards closer and duly won the game for the Alouettes.
After a season of hits and bruises and the countless hours on the training pitches, the Roughriders had lost due to a simple miscalculation. That was all that stopped them sealing a big upset - and you can expect to hear plenty more about it. They say there is a fine line between victory and defeat - and it does not get much finer than this.
The spirited fightback from Montreal should not be lost amidst the late game drama, though. MVP Avon Cobourne came up trumps and Calvillo was cool under pressure. Having lost the Grey Cup last year, this win was all the sweeter.
But for Saskatchewan, the bitter taste will linger.
Much of the talk pre-game centred around the role of the crowd, which was packed with Roughrider green. They would be the all-important 13th man, experts said. Unfortunately for Saskatchewan, it was the extra man on the field that was decisive.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
NFL: Colts move to 11-0, Titans stun Cardinals
The Houston Texans pushed Peyton Manning and the Colts close but they just did not have enough to stop Indianapolis clinching the AFC South.
Manning threw for three touchdowns as the Colts overturned a 20-7 half-time deficit to squeeze home 35-27 and improve to 11-0. They managed 21 of those points in the fourth quarter, further enhancing their status as Super Bowl contenders.
Elsewhere, the Tennessee Titans used a last gasp touchdown to beat the Arizona Cardinals 20-17 while the San Diego Chargers continued their hot streak by thumping Kansas City 43-14.
The Cincinnati Bengals registered a 16-7 victory over the Cleveland Browns and Brett Favre's Minnesota Vikings moved to 10-1 by pounding the Chicago Bears 36-10.
Monday night sees the New Orleans Saints attempt to match the Colts flawless record against Tom Brady and the New England Patriots.
Manning threw for three touchdowns as the Colts overturned a 20-7 half-time deficit to squeeze home 35-27 and improve to 11-0. They managed 21 of those points in the fourth quarter, further enhancing their status as Super Bowl contenders.
Elsewhere, the Tennessee Titans used a last gasp touchdown to beat the Arizona Cardinals 20-17 while the San Diego Chargers continued their hot streak by thumping Kansas City 43-14.
The Cincinnati Bengals registered a 16-7 victory over the Cleveland Browns and Brett Favre's Minnesota Vikings moved to 10-1 by pounding the Chicago Bears 36-10.
Monday night sees the New Orleans Saints attempt to match the Colts flawless record against Tom Brady and the New England Patriots.
Soccer: Chelsea too strong for Gunners
As statements of intent go, this was massive.
Chelsea stretched their lead to five points at the top of the Premier League with a 3-0 victory at the Emirates against Arsenal on Sunday.
Two strikes from Didier Drogba and a Thomas Vermaelen own goal sunk Arsene Wenger's side as the rain poured down in London. The Gunners flooded forward but John Terry and the rest of the Blues' rearguard were outstanding.
And judging by this perofrmance, it will take something special for Manchester United and the rest of the pack to deny Carlo Ancelotti's side in the months ahead.
Chelsea stretched their lead to five points at the top of the Premier League with a 3-0 victory at the Emirates against Arsenal on Sunday.
Two strikes from Didier Drogba and a Thomas Vermaelen own goal sunk Arsene Wenger's side as the rain poured down in London. The Gunners flooded forward but John Terry and the rest of the Blues' rearguard were outstanding.
And judging by this perofrmance, it will take something special for Manchester United and the rest of the pack to deny Carlo Ancelotti's side in the months ahead.
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