Thursday Sports Update – Rockets Blast Nuggets
(Houston, TX) — Russell Westbrook had 28 points and 16 rebounds in the Rockets’ 121-105 victory over the Nuggets in Houston to snap a four-game skid. James Harden added 27 points and Eric Gordon 25 to the victory. The Rockets are on the road tomorrow, playing at Minnesota.
Spurs Spoil Zion’s Debut
(New Orleans, LA) — LaMarcus Aldridge had 32 points and 14 rebounds as the Spurs got by the Pelicans 121-117 in New Orleans. DeMar DeRozan added 20 points as San Antonio won its third straight. Zion Williamson’s NBA debut was spoiled for New Orleans, but he still put up 22 points and seven rebounds in 18 minutes. Seventeen of those points came in the fourth quarter before he was taken out with a little over five minutes left. Brandon Ingram also scored 22 for the Pelicans, who have dropped two-of-three.
NBA
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Oklahoma City Thunder 120, Orlando Magic 114
Toronto Raptors 107, Philadelphia 76ers 95
Detroit Pistons 127, Sacramento Kings 106
Los Angeles Lakers 100, New York Knicks 92
Atlanta Hawks 102, LA Clippers 95
Miami Heat 134, Washington Wizards 129 (OT)
Boston Celtics 119, Memphis Grizzlies 95
Chicago Bulls 117, Minnesota Timberwolves 110
San Antonio Spurs 121, New Orleans Pelicans 117
Indiana Pacers 112, Phoenix Suns 87
Houston Rockets 121, Denver Nuggets 105
Utah Jazz 129, Golden State Warriors 96
Mavericks Open Three-Game Trip Tonight
(Dallas, TX) — The Mavericks will play the Trail Blazers tonight in Portland to open a three-game trip. They will play at Utah and Oklahoma City before returning home. Dallas had its four-game winning streak snapped Tuesday with a 110-107 home loss to the Clippers.
Mavs Reach Out To Noah With Powell Out
(Dallas, TX) — Mavericks center Dwight Powell is out for the season after tearing his right Achilles on Tuesday against the Clippers. The Mavs have reportedly contacted Joakim Noah as they search for center depth. Noah played well off the bench the second half of last season with Memphis.
NHL
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Columbus Blue Jackets 4, Winnipeg Jets 3
Minnesota Wild 4, Detroit Red Wings 2
Cowboys Sign Kicker, DT
(Frisco, TX) — The Cowboys signed kicker Tristan Vizcaino and defensive tackle Justin Hamilton to reserve/future list contacts. Vizcaino tried out twice with Dallas in December. He has spent time with the Bengals and Jets, but has never kicked in a regular season game. The Cowboys originally signed Hamilton in October for depth after Tyrone Crawford was put on injured reserve, but released him.
Eli Manning To Announce Retirement Tomorrow
(East Rutherford, NJ) — New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning is hanging up his cleats. ESPN reports that Manning will hold a press conference tomorrow to make the official announcement. He has spent his entire 16-year career with the Giants, leading Big Blue to a pair of Super Bowl titles.
Rangers Add Veteran Reliever
(Arlington, TX) — The Rangers signed right-handed reliever Juan Nicasio to a minor league contract with a spring training invitation. He was 2-and-3 with a 4.75 ERA last season with the Phillies. In nine big league seasons with the Rockies, Dodgers, Pirates, Phillies, Cardinals and Mariners, he has a 40-and-46 record with a 4.64 ERA.
Suspensions Announced For Kansas-KSU brawl
(Lawrence, KS) — The Big 12 is suspending Kansas forward Silvio De Sousa 12 games for his role in Tuesday’s huge brawl with rival Kansas State in Lawrence. Jayhawks forward David McCormack was given a two-game ban, while the Wildcats’ James Love got eight games and Antonio Gordon three.
Top-25 College Basketball (Coaches’ Poll)
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#5 Louisville Cardinals 68, Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 64
#7 Dayton Flyers 86, St. Bonaventure Bonnies 60
#10 Seton Hall Pirates 73, Providence Friars 64
#16 Auburn Tigers 80, South Carolina Gamecocks 67
#19 Iowa Hawkeyes 85, #25 Rutgers Scarlet Knights 80
Tulsa Golden Hurricane 80, #20 Memphis Tigers 40
College Basketball Roundup
(Undated) — In area college basketball last night, SMU cruised to an 84-64 win over East Carolina at Moody Coliseum. Tyson Jolly scored 17 points for the Ponies, who are 14-and-4. Tonight, West Texas A&M Buffs and Lady Buffs will be at Texas A&M-Kingsville. Saturday, Texas Tech will host Kentucky, SMU will play at number-20 Memphis. TCU will play at Arkansas. Number-two Baylor will be at Florida. Texas will host LSU. Texas A&M and Oklahoma State will meet in College Station. Texas-Arlington will be at Texas State.
Texas May Buy Out Smart’s Contract
(Austin, TX) — Multiple outlets are reporting Texas may buy out the final three years of head basketball coach Shaka Smart’s contract if the team does not turn around the season quickly. The Longhorns are coming off a 95-59 embarrassing loss at West Virginia. They have lost four of their last six, are 12-and-6 overall and 2-and-4 in the Big 12. Smart would be owed 10.5 million dollars with three years left on his contract.
Baylor Keeps McGuire On Football Staff
(Waco, TX) — Baylor is keeping associate head coach Joey McGuire on the football staff. He was a finalist for the head coaching job after Matt Rhule left for the NFL, but Baylor instead hired LSU assistant Dave Arando. Retaining McGuire was a high priority and he reportedly had offers from Oklahoma and Texas, but opted to remain with the Bears.
