Sports

Federer tested, beats Krajinovic in Swiss Indoors 1st round (Associated Press) - October 24, 2018 - 10:53am BASEL, Switzerland — Roger Federer was tested by Filip Krajinovic before winning 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 in the first round of his hometown tournament Swiss Indoors on Tuesday (Wednesday Manila time). Seeking a ninth title at Basel — where he has once a ball boy and reached the final in his last 11 appearances — Federer last dropped a set in his opening match 10 years ago. The top-seeded Swiss seemed in control after winning seven straight games to take the first set and lead by a break in the second. The 35th-ranked Serb then broke Federer's serve three times, including back-to-back to clinch the set and level the match. Federer got the key break early in the deciding set and reeled off five straight points when facing three break chances in the sixth game. He clinched the win when Krajinovic sent a backhand … [Read more...] about Federer tested, beats Krajinovic in Swiss Indoors 1st round

Griffin explodes for 50 points as Pistons outlast Sixers in OT (Associated Press) - October 24, 2018 - 11:00am DETROIT — Blake Griffin scored a career-high 50 points and had the game-winner after he was fouled on a driving layup with 1.8 seconds left as Detroit topped Philadelphia 133-132 in a wild overtime thriller on Tuesday night (Wednesday Manila time). JJ Redick's four-point play with 5.6 seconds left in overtime set up Griffin's dramatics, while Joel Embiid, who had 33 points and 11 rebounds, missed a potential game-winner at the buzzer. Redick had 30 points and scored a 3-pointer while being fouled by Reggie Jackson after the Pistons point guard made two free throws to take a 130-128 lead. The 76ers were without Ben Simmons, out because of back tightness. Griffin faked a handoff on the final play and drove the lane for the basket, getting fouled by Robert Covington. He made the ensuing free throw for the win. … [Read more...] about Griffin explodes for 50 points as Pistons outlast Sixers in OT

Raptors, Spurs can both claim trade victory The early returns are in, and we now have a winner from the summer blockbuster trade between San Antonio and Toronto. Both sides look victorious. Sometimes, trades really can benefit all parties involved — and this already looks to be one of those. Kawhi Leonard looks healthy again and has been fantastic in his first three games with the unbeaten Raptors (4-0), averaging 25.7 points and 9 rebounds per game. DeMar DeRozan is averaging 29.3 points and 9 assists for the Spurs, with a career-high 14 of those assists coming in Monday's overtime win over the Los Angeles Lakers. Remember all those questions over the summer? Will Leonard like Toronto? Will DeRozan embrace the Spurs? Asked and answered — so far. There's still virtually an entire season left to play, but neither Leonard nor DeRozan is showing any sign of unhappiness right now. And that's why both teams — for now, at least — can say … [Read more...] about Raptors, Spurs can both claim trade victory

Los Angeles Lakers guard Rajon Rondo remains steadfast that he did not intentionally spit at Houston Rockets guard Chris Paul on Saturday, which led to a brawl and suspensions for both players and Lakers forward Brandon Ingram. "This is the only time I'm going to address this," Rondo told ESPN on Tuesday. "I had a mouthpiece in my mouth and I exasperated because I was about to tell him to 'get the out of here.' "Look at my body language [in the video]. My hands on my hips. I turn away for a second. Look at Eric and [Carmelo Anthony] in the video. If they saw me spit, they would have turned their face up or something. They had no reaction." The Rockets reportedly sent video to the league that, when zoomed in, appeared to show Rondo expelling a small bit of spit at Paul, who responded by shoving his fingers in Rondo's face before the latter threw a punch and both players started swinging. Paul was suspended for two games and Rondo for three, while Ingram -- who started the testy exchange … [Read more...] about News NBA: Lakers’ Rondo denies spitting, criticizes Rockets’ Paul

Blake Griffin scored a career-high 50 points, including a game-winning three-point play with 1.8 seconds left in overtime, and the Detroit Pistons edged the visiting Philadelphia 76ers 133-132 on Tuesday. Griffin, whose previous career best was 47 points, made 20 of 35 field-goal attempts and 5 of 11 free-throw attempts. He added 14 rebounds and six assists. Reggie Jackson supplied 23 points, Ish Smith tossed in 21 off the bench and Reggie Bullock added 17 for Detroit. Andre Drummond had 14 points and 16 rebounds before he was ejected late in regulation after picking up his second technical. Joel Embiid racked up 33 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists, and JJ Redick had 30 points, six rebounds and six assists for Philadelphia. Robert Covington chipped in 16 points and eight rebounds. Philadelphia point guard Ben Simmons missed the game with back tightness. Griffin scored the first points of overtime, a three from the top of the key. He then found Smith in transition for another … [Read more...] about News NBA: Griffin’s career game lifts Pistons over Sixers in OT