43 Bulls, Pacers seal playoff spots, Heat out

SPORTS

ARAB TIMES, FRIDAY-SATURDAY, APRIL 14-15, 2017

43

Bulls, Pacers seal playoff spots, Heat out

Celtics clinch East top seed

BOSTON, April 13, (AP): Gerald Green scored 18 points, 10 of them in a 25-2

loss by Indiana or Chicago, to reach the postseason. But Indiana downed Atlanta to clinch the No. 7 seed, and Chicago topped Brooklyn to grab the

fourth-quarter run, and No. 8 spot.

the Boston Celtics beat the resting Milwaukee Bucks

Willie Reed scored 16, Josh Richardson had 15 and James Johnson scored 12 for Miami.

112-94 in the regular-sea- Trey Burke scored 27 for

son finale on Wednesday to claim the No. 1 seed in the

Washington, while Sheldon McClellan had 18, Marcin Gortat added 16 and Otto Porter Jr. finished with 11.

Eastern Conference play-

Pacers 104, Hawks 86

offs.

In Indianapolis, Paul George fin-

The Celtics were assured of home-court advantage through the conference finals when Cleveland lost to Toronto minutes before the game ended.

Despite playing without star Giannis Antetokounmpo and two other starters, the Bucks led by as many as 13 points before Boston ran off 14 of the last 16 points in the first half. Isaiah Thomas, who was scoreless until then, had 10 of them, including eight straight.

Thomas finished with 13 points and eight assists, but he went to the bench with late in the third quarter and sat out the fourth as the Celtics backups pulled away.

Raptors 98, Cavaliers 83 In Cleveland, Jonas Valanciunas made his first career 3-pointer and the

ished with 32 points and 11 rebounds, Jeff Teague added 19 points and the Pacers clinched a playoff spot, beating Atlanta.

The Pacers completed the regular season on a five-game winning streak to earn the Eastern Conference's No. 7 seed. They will face Cleveland in the opening round.

Ersan Ilyasova scored 15 points and Jose Calderon had 12 on a night the Hawks rested five of their top six players. Thabo Sefolosha played 23 minutes but didn't score as Atlanta to keep four-game winning streak ended.

Knicks 114, 76ers 113 In New York, Carmelo Anthony scored 17 points after deciding to play in what could be his final game with the Knicks, and New York beat the 76ers.

Toronto Raptors closed the regular

season with a win over the Cavaliers, who didn't play their "Big 3" All-

BASKETBALL

Stars so they're playoff ready.

Norman Powell scored 25 points as the Raptors beat the Cavs for the first time in four tries this season and gave the defending champions something to think about if they meet in the postseason. Cleveland took Toronto down in six games in last year's Eastern Conference finals.

Although there was still a chance to secure the No. 1 seed in the East, the Cavs put more value on rest and sat LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love. Cleveland fell to 0-4 in games this season without the trio and 0-8 minus James.

Anthony had missed the previous two games with a sore left knee and wasn't expected to play Wednesday, but told Jeff Hornacek he wanted to go. He played 23 minutes, sitting out the final quarter while a couple of "We want Melo! We want Melo!" chants broke out.

The Knicks finished 31-51 in another dysfunctional and disappointing season that started with promise, but became a sideshow after a disconnect between team president Phil Jackson and Anthony led to trade rumors that engulfed the team.

Los Angeles Clippers' Jamal Crawford (right), dribbles the ball past Sacramento Kings' Ben McLemore during the second half of an NBA basketball game on April 12, in Los Angeles. The Clippers won 115-95. (AP)

UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation holds workshop on self defence

Teens continue to show promise on day four

Bulls 112, Nets 73 In Chicago, Jimmy Butler scored 25 points, and the Bulls beat the depleted Nets in the regular-season finale to clinch an Eastern Conference playoff spot. Paul Zipser added a career-high 21 points off the bench as Chicago took advantage of a short-handed Brooklyn lineup to secure its first playoff appearance under coach Fred Hoiberg. On Tuesday, the Nets, owners of the worst record in the league, announced Trevor Booker, Jeremy Lin and Brook Lopez would be out due to rest, while Quincy Acy (ankle), Joe Harris (shoulder) and Sean Kilpatrick (hamstring) because of injuries.

Heat 110, Wizards 102 In Miami, Goran Dragic scored 28 points, Hassan Whiteside added 24 points and 18 rebounds, and the Heat defeated the Wizards while being eliminated from the NBA playoffs. Miami needed a win, and either a

Rockets 123, Timberwolves 118 In Houston, James Harden had his 22nd triple-double with 27 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists to help the Rockets wrap up the regular season with a victory over the Timberwolves. The MVP contender became the first player in NBA history to finish the regular season with at least 2,000 points (2,356), 900 assists (907) and 600 rebounds (659). Harden, who also had four steals and a block, found Clint Capela on an alley-oop dunk after that, before hitting another 3-pointer to make it 11899 and spur Timberwolves coach Tom Thibodeau to call a timeout. Karl-Anthony Towns finished with 28 points and 21 rebounds for the Timberwolves, who end the season with a six-game losing streak. Towns also made NBA history by becoming the only player to have at least 2,000 points (2,061), 1,000 rebounds (1,007) and 100 3-pointers (101) in a season.

ABU DHABI, April 13: Young male athletes continued to show promise on day four of the Abu Dhabi World JiuJitsu Festival, part of the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2017 held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

Taking place at the IPIC Arena, Zayed Sports City, over 600 Jiu-Jitsu competitors turned out to compete for 419 medals (155 gold, 155 silver & 209 bronze). Males aged from 14 to 17 years old, from 47 different countries, competed in the teen and juvenile categories across 47 divisions.

For many of the youths, the competition is one of the last competing as a boy before they progress to the men's division next year. The best youth players are monitored by the UAE JiuJitsu Federation throughout the competition, offering a select group sup-

port and encouragement to develop their skills. They believe that the young players they train have the skills and mindset to represent the country in years to come.

One of those young players is Mohammed Al Kutbi, 14, who won 3 golds medal in his category since he took up Jiu-Jitsu three years ago. "I have been practicing Jiu-Jitsu for more than three years, and during that time I have kept training to develop my skills and physical fitness. Today, Abu Dhabi World Jiu-Jitsu Festival has given us the opportunity to participate at a high level and gain experiences which will help us in the future.

"I will never forget the encouragement from my friends and family during the tournament. By participating today, I have achieved my dream."

"I have won three gold medals already and now I am looking forward to the Abu Dhabi World Youth JiuJitsu Championship on Sunday -- I am pretty sure I can achieve good

`League violated guidelines'

St Louis sues NFL for

more than $1 billion

WASHINGTON, April 13, (RTRS): The city of St. Louis and other regional groups on Wednesday filed a lawsuit against the National Football League and all its teams and owners, claiming the league violated its relocation guidelines when it allowed the Rams to leave the Midwest city.

The city, St Louis County and the St Louis Regional Convention and Sports Complex Authority, in a lawsuit filed in Circuit Court of St. Louis City, is seeking damages

chise relocation even as it induced the city to spend "considerable time and money to generate a compelling new stadium development."

The plaintiffs said they made investments in the team's home stadium based on the NFL's policy requiring teams to work in good faith to remain in their home community, but team officials were aiming to move long before they made such plans public, the lawsuit said.

results there to also reach the podi-

totaling more than $1 billion for "The Rams never intended to

Robertson endorses Westbrook for MVP

um." Jiu-Jitsu is currently playing a huge

the move by the Rams to Los engage in good faith negotiations Angeles from Missouri last year. with St Louis," the lawsuit said.

Houston Rockets' Trevor Ariza (1) shoots as Minnesota Timberwolves' Karl-Anthony Towns (32) defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game, on April 12, in Houston. The Rockets won 123-

118. (AP)

OKLAHOMA CITY, April 13, (AP): Oscar Robertson endorsed Russell Westbrook for the NBA's Most Valuable Player award before the Thunder's regular-season finale against the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday.

Westbrook broke Robertson's single-season record for triple-doubles by getting his 42nd on Sunday against Denver. Robertson set the previous record of 41 for the Cincinnati Royals during the 1961-62 season.

Robertson attended Wednesday's game as part of the Thunder's effort to honor Westbrook for his record-setting season. Robertson congratulated Westbrook, and at the end of his short speech, he got the crowd fired up.

"I only have one more thing to say: M-V-P!!" Robertson said, triggering a loud ovation.

Westbrook broke Robertson's tripledouble mark with a 50-point, 16-rebound, 10-assist performance in

Denver on Sunday, and his buzzer-beating, game-winning 3-pointer knocked the Nuggets out of the playoffs.

Robertson said Thunder fans should be proud of Westbrook, the first player since Robertson to average a tripledouble for a season.

"When Russell was on this journey, I felt that I just had to be here," Robertson told the crowd.

"What he has done has been historic in nature. He's played with passion and pride and ability. It's is just outstanding what he has done and the way he did it."

During the pregame ceremony, the team stood at midcourt with Westbrook, along with owner Clay Bennett, general manager Sam Presti, coach Billy Donovan and assistant general manager Troy Weaver. Robertson received loud, long ovations when he first took the floor and right before he spoke.

role in UAE society and across the globe as it has helped many people lead a better, healthier and active lifestyle. UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation believe that is why they have seen a growth, not only in the Championship event, but across all of their programmes.

Abdulaziz Hasn al Hamadi, 15, who also won the gold medal in his category explained that since he took up JiuJitsu two years ago the sport has changed his life. "Jiu-Jitsu helps make people become friends and come together. It creates strong links

JIU-JITSU

between fighters when you see each other at competitions like this. I want to keep fighting and eventually become a black belt and then turn professional.

NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said there was "no legitimate basis" for the lawsuit.

"While we understand the disappointment of the St Louis fans and the community, we worked diligently with local McCarthy and state officials in a process that was honest and fair at all times," he said in an email.

Rams spokesman Artis Twyman said the team would not comment on pending litigation.

Since the Rams move, the San Diego Chargers announced their relocation to the Los Angeles mar-

In one instance, the plaintiffs cited a December 2016 interview with Rams former head coach Jeff Fisher, who said when he was hired in January 2012 he was

FOOTBALL

told of plans to move to Los Angeles. Fisher was fired in December.

The plaintiffs said the loss of the Rams hurt the city and region and benefited the league and its owners, who received a $550 million relocation fee, the lawsuit said. Meanwhile, the value of the Rams increased by nearly $700 million.

Among other damages cited by the plaintiffs in the lawsuit were city and county bond obligations totaling $360 million, the loss of

"Before I started Jiu-Jitsu I was too

ket for the coming season. The more than $100 million in net pro-

NBA Results/Standings/Playoff Fixtures

fat. I weighed 65 kg, now I weigh 52 kg and am much healthier -- I know

Chargers and Rams will share a ceeds, $30 million for the installanew stadium scheduled to open in tion of a new playing surface and

about good nutrition now.

2019. In March, the owners also other renovations, the loss of state

"Jiu-Jitsu teaches you to be calm

approved the eventual Oakland revenue of more than $15 million

and respect your opponent. Nobody

Raiders' move to Las Vegas.

and about $7.5 million in lost

WASHINGTON, April 13, (Agencies): Results from the NBA

games on Wednesday:

LA Clippers

115 Sacramento

95

Golden State

109 LA Lakers

94

Boston NY Knicks Miami Chicago

112 Milwaukee 114 Philadelphia 110 Washington 112 Brooklyn

loses in this sport, everybody learns

Charges in the St Louis lawsuit property taxes.

94 113 102

something new every day." Additionally, running alongside

include breach of contract, unjust The city said it also contributed enrichment, fraudulent misrepre- hundreds of millions of dollars to

73

the competition today was a work-

sentation and business interfer- attract and retain an NFL team

New Orleans Utah Orlando Toronto

103 Portland 101 San Antonio 113 Detroit

98 Cleveland

100 Dallas 97 Houston

109 Denver 83 Indiana

100 Memphis 123 Minnesota 111 Oklahoma City 104 Atlanta

93 118 105

shop on self-defence which was run by several international trainers as

ence.

over the past 20 years, the lawsuit

The city and other plaintiffs in a said. The sports complex authority

86

part of a comprehensive program of

statement claim the NFL, the most spent more than $17 million dur-

y-Boston x-Toronto

Eastern Conference

Western Conference

Atlantic Division

Southwest Division

W

L

PCT

53

29

.646

51

31

.622

GB y-San Antonio

2 x-Houston

W

L

PCT

GB

61

21

.744

55

27

.671

6

workshops taking place throughout the event.

The UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation has embraced the Year of Giving and on each day of the Championship is pro-

popular US sports league, failed to ing efforts to build a new stadium follow its own guidelines for fran- for the Rams.

New York

31

51

.378

22 x-Memphis

43

39

.524

18

moting a theme that furthers this noble

Philadelphia Brooklyn

28

54

.341

20

62

.244

25 New Orleans 33 Dallas

34

48

.415

27

33

49

.402

28

Southeast Division

Northwest Division

y-Washington x-Atlanta

W

L

PCT

49

33

.598

43

39

.524

GB y-Utah

6 x-Oklahoma City

W

L

PCT

GB

51

31

.622

47

35

.573

4

cause. Today's theme was `Year of Giving' and all participants and spectators were urged to donate funds to Emirates Red Crescent.

The IPIC Fan Zone is the epicentre

Miami

41

41

.500

8 x-Portland

41

41

.500

10

of engaging activities. Event specta-

Charlotte Orlando

y-Cleveland x-Milwaukee x-Indiana

36

46

.439

29

53

.354

13 Denver 20 Minnesota

40

42

.488

11

31

51

.378

20

Central Division

Pacific Division

W

L

PCT

51

31

.622

42

40

.512

42

40

.512

GB z-Golden State

9 x-LA Clippers 9 Sacramento

W

L

PCT

GB

67

15

.817

51

31

.622

16

32

50

.390

35

tors, families and competitors are able to enjoy a vast array of sponsor activities, interactive stands, family events and food trucks which are open throughout the event, making it the perfect family day-out. There is even

x-Chicago Detroit

41

41

.500

37

45

.451

10 LA Lakers 14 Phoenix

26

56

.317

24

58

.293

41 43

the chance to win exciting prizes including a brand-new car from

x-clinched playoff spot; y-clinched division; z-clinched conference.

Premier Motors; a Jaguar XE.

First Round

Milwaukee at Toronto

Sunday April 16: Portland at Golden State

Tomorrow sees the Festival, taking

Eastern Conference

Chicago vs Boston Sunday, April 16: Chicago at Boston Atlanta vs Washington Sunday, April 16: Atlanta at Washington

Saturday, April 15: Milwaukee at Toronto Indiana vs Cleveland Saturday, April 15: Indiana at Cleveland

Western Conference

Portland vs Golden State

San Antonio vs Memphis Saturday, April 15: Memphis at San Antonio Houston vs Oklahoma City Sunday, April 16: Oklahoma City at Houston Utah vs LA Clippers Saturday, April 15: Utah at LA Clippers

place until April 15, move on to men and women's white belt division as well as the brand-new Para-Jiu-Jitsu category, which is not to be missed. The competition will begin at 13:30 pm at the IPIC Arena.

Contestants shake hands while the referee looks on in UAE Jiu-Jitsu Championship.

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