Posts

The Lakers and Knicks traded big shots and rising stars showed their full skill sets as New York protected home court with a 113-109 overtime win. There were clutch plays down the stretch in the fourth quarter and the extra frame, but the best sequence of the game came in the third quarter when the Lakers and Knicks combined for eight consecutive makes over a two-minute stretch. MORE: Box score, full stats from Lakers vs....

The challenge for Lakers executives Mitch Kupchak and Jim Buss as they search for a replacement for Byron Scott is to find someone who can be effective in spearheading their recruiting pitches to free agents, which have fizzled badly in recent years. “That appears to be the No. 1 priority,” a league source told Sporting News. “It’s not just finding a guy to work with what’s on the roster. They need a coach who can pitch players....

Even without Anthony Davis due to injury, the Lakers were untroubled in a 129-114 win over the Dallas Mavericks. LeBron James starred with 35 points, 16 rebounds and seven assists, while Kyle Kuzma – Davis’ replacement – contributed 26 points. Mavericks star Luka Doncic finished with 25 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists. The Clippers were tested on their way to a 109-100 victory over the Golden State Warriors....

The underwhelming Espanyol side who had already lost their last three fixtures coming into the game were motivated only because this was a derby. But as things proceeded, the game became much less of a derby and more of a one-sided thrashing. Unlike last year’s fixture where the pitch was fully water-logged which affected the passing game of Barcelona, this year Barcelona found their groove at the Cornella. With Luis Suarez returning from the injury, Barcelona switched Messi back to right-wing and Dembele to the left-wing....

Los Blancos would seek to bounce back from the disappointment suffered in midweek where they shockingly lost to CSKA Moscow at the Luzknicki stadium. Julen Lopetegui would have his hands full, as he attempts to return Real to the summit of LaLiga, with the side finishing a massive 17 points behind champions Barcelona last season. The 51-year-old was announced as the new Real Madrid coach and Zidane’s replacement in acrimonious circumstances in June just two days prior to the commencement of the World Cup, which cost his job as the then national team coach of Spain....

In case you didn’t know… Mbappe broke into the scene when his exploits helped AS Monaco win the Ligue 1 title in 2016/17 campaign. Monaco also enjoyed an extended run in the Champions League owing to the exploits of the French star. But their joy was short-lived as PSG secured the services of Mbappe on loan in 2017 before making their move permanent. Since his arrival to the French capital, the 20-year-old has proven himself to be a vital asset for the club....

The Lakers had six players score in double digits, led by LeBron James with 22 points and Anthony Davis with 17 points. Their new forward, Montrezl Harrell, made an impact with 16 points and 9 boards in just 21 minutes. Wesley Matthews found his rhythm, scoring 14 points, going 4-6 from the deep. The Memphis Grizzlies fought well but were no match for the well-oiled Lakers unit. They were clearly missing Ja Morant’s point production from the floor....

The big debate around the Camp Nou Stadium in recent days is whether or not new manager Tato Martino has changed the playing style of FC Barcelona, and his tactics will once again be under the spotlight when Barcelona entertain Real Sociedad Tuesday night. Perhaps the gulf in style is not so much between that of Martino and his direct predecessor, Tito Vilanova, but more between his and Pep Guardiola, reports Xinhua....

Ronaldo’s first goal came from a free-kick, which was heavily deflected from the wall and went in around the 22nd minute. For the second, from the penalty spot, Ronaldo sent Oblak the wrong way, as he fired Real Madrid into a two-goal lead. His third was a tap in, after a fantastic run and assist from Welshman Gareth Bale. Also Read: La Liga 2016-17: Did Cristiano Ronaldo score four goals against Atletico Madrid?...

Marta Silva was apparently seated immediately behind Los Blancos president Florentino Perez during the game which led a majority of the Barcelona fans to vent their ire on the social media. In case you didn’t know… Marta Silva, who is the former director of Real Madrid, has been hot on the heels of both Messi and Neymar regarding their respective tax-fraud charges. While Messi took the stand following allegations of tax fraud related to income earned from his image rights, the prosecutor had asked for Neymar to be tried over his murky multi-million-euro transfer to the Catalan giants....

Police investigators remain baffled one month on since the killings on November 13 at the off-campus home in Moscow, Idaho. A young group of friends—Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Madison Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Ethan Chapin, 20—were killed, while two other female housemates slept unharmed. The surviving women have been cleared as suspects. Moscow Police still have no answers about who murdered the four, or why, and the FBI has been drafted in....

The Nets’ acquisition of James Harden in a blockbuster trade earlier this month sent shockwaves throughout the NBA and put them firmly in win-now mode. The trio of Harden, Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving gives Brooklyn more pure offensive firepower than any team in the league, including Los Angeles. MORE: Rockets’ John Wall takes not-so-subtle jab at Harden ESPN’s Rachel Nichols recently asked Lakers star Anthony Davis about the major shakeup and possibly meeting the Nets in the NBA Finals....

But hey, how about we actually provide a little context before ripping James for his lack of leadership, commitment to the team or whatever else we can pile on top of him? MORE: NBA players react to Damian Lillard’s incredible Game 5 performance Here’s the situation: With Phoenix closing in on a 3-2 series lead and a little under six minutes remaining in regulation, the TNT broadcast momentarily shifted away from the action on the court and caught James leaving the bench area....

The Lakers (15-10) were on course to beat the Spurs (12-14) for the second time this week as they led 99-89 through 36 minutes, but they were outscored 44-21 in the fourth to slump to a tough defeat. And while head coach Walton played down the idea Los Angeles might have tired late on, he acknowledged there is a fragility to his young side. “I thought our guys were alright,” he told reporters....

LOS ANGELES -- Pau Gasol and Steve Nash watched the entire fourth quarter from the bench. Kobe Bryant sat one row behind them in a black shirt and suit. The Lakers' three veteran stars were spectators for one remarkable show put on by five Lakers reserves who weren't ready to cede Los Angeles supremacy to their Staples Center rivals. Xavier Henry scored a career-high 22 points, Jordan Farmar added 16, and the Lakers surged past the Los Angeles Clippers in the final minutes for a 116-103 victory in both clubs' season opener Tuesday night....

Brandon Ingram scored 15 points and JaVale McGee had 14 points and eight rebounds in three quarters of work for the Lakers. They have won 12 of 16 since their 2-5 start to James’ first season on the West Coast. Michael Beasley scored a season-high 14 points as the Lakers fell behind by 17 points in the first quarter, yet still made easy work of last-place Phoenix. Richaun Holmes scored 15 points, and Josh Jackson and Trevor Ariza scored 13 apiece for the Suns....

NBA LEAGUE PASS: Sign up to unlock live out-of-market games (7-day free trial) During the TNT broadcast of the Lakers game against the Dallas Mavericks, Chris Haynes said that “if there are no setbacks” Davis could be back for Friday’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans or Sunday’s contest against the Denver Nuggets. The eight-time All-Star hasn’t played since Feb. 16 after suffering a right mid-foot sprain. He also missed more than a month of action earlier in the season with an MCL injury....

In Ernesto Valverde’s first season as coach, the team adapted quite well to the sea change in tactics from Luis Enrique’s counter-attacking philosophy. Once again, Lionel Messi was the go-to guy as his 34 goals and 12 assists helped push the team all the way to the La Liga and Copa Del Rey titles. Outgoings and incomings After 22 years at the club, from La Masia to 34 trophies, Andres Iniesta said his goodbyes to the only club he has ever known and thus closed the door on one of the greatest eras in the club’s history....

Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is in line for a massive payday from Baltimore, as the former league MVP and the Ravens are talking contract extension that’ll keep him locked into Baltimore’s starting QB job for a long, long time. But Jackson, who doesn’t employ an agent, is getting help from an unusual avenue: His mother. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Felicia Jones, Jackson’s mother and “manager,” is helping push along a Jackson contract extension with the Ravens....