Sports

Klay Thompson broke a late tie with a 3-pointer and Kevin Durant protected the lead with two key defensive plays on LeBron James, lifting the Golden State Warriors to a 99-92 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA’s marquee matchup on Christmas Day.

Neither team led by more than nine points in the tightly contested rematch of last spring’s NBA Finals, which the Warriors won in five games.

Durant, despite just 8-for-19 shooting, had 25 points to pace the Warriors, who have won six of their last seven at home against the Cavaliers.

Kevin Love had a game-high 31 points and 18 rebounds for the Cavaliers. James was held to 20 points on 7-for-18 shooting.

Sixers 105, Knicks 98

Joel Embiid had 25 points and 16 rebounds, and J.J. Redick added 24 points with four 3-pointers as Philadelphia snapped thier season-high five-game losing streak.

Enes Kanter had 31 points — including 14 in the third quarter — and 22 rebounds, and Kristaps Porzingis added 22 points for the Knicks, who have lost three of four after winning four straight.

Ben Simmons, who struggled offensively and finished with eight points, had a crucial steal and breakaway dunk with one minute, six seconds left, jumping in front of a Porzingis pass and taking it the other way to give the 76ers an eight-point cushion. He then forced a turnover on New York’s next possession, and Philadelphia was able to juice the clock late.

Wizards 111, Celtics 103

Kelly Oubre Jr. and Bradley Beal both scored five straight points during a late 12-0 run, leading Washington past Boston.

It was the first time the Celtics played at home on Christmas, and they were fighting an uphill battle throughout the game. They wiped out an 11-point third-quarter deficit and led by five before the Wizards (19-15) caught fire.

Beal scored 25 points and grabbed eight rebounds and John Wall had 21 points, 14 assists and five boards. Kyrie Irving and Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with 20 points apiece.

Thunder 112, Rockets 107

Russell Westbrook scored 31 points to lift Oklahoma City over Houston.

Westbrook outdueled James Harden, who finished with 29 points.

Paul George added 24 and Carmelo Anthony 20 for the Thunder, who extended their season-long winning streak to five games.

Trevor Ariza and Eric Gordon scored 20 for the Rockets, who lost for the third consecutive time after winning 14 consecutive games.

Timberwolves 121, Lakers 104

Taj Gibson and Jimmy Butler scored 24 points apiece and Minnesota continued their best start in 14 years with a victory against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Karl-Anthony Towns had 21 points and 10 rebounds and Jamal Crawford contributed 19 points off the bench for the Timberwolves, who shot a season-high 58.3 per cent from the floor.

Kyle Kuzma made 6 of 11 3-pointers and scored 31 points to lead the Lakers. Jordan Clarkson added 17 points and Julius Randle scored 16 off the bench.

LONDON — There was bad news for the 19 Premier League teams watching Manchester City disappear into the distance on Saturday, as City’s manager Pep Guardiola spelled out how his record-breakers can improve further.

Guardiola was speaking after City had beaten Bournemouth 4-0 at the Etihad Stadium, extending their extraordinary sequence to 17 successive league victories and 22 domestic matches without defeat all season.

It was the third league game in a row that rampant City have scored four goals, taking their total to 60 in 19 games. 

In 28 matches, their only defeat has been 2-1 away to Shakhtar Donetsk in a dead Champions League group match.

Realist more than romantic in his approach to the game, however, the experienced Catalan coach is a perfectionist who knows that perfection in football cannot be achieved.

Which is why he was willing to outline areas in which his vastly expensive squad can prove even more effective in the second half of the season, as they chase all three domestic trophies plus the European title.

Indeed, although City appear to be making quite enough scoring opportunities even against teams who simply sit back and defend, that is the area in which the manager wants improvement.

“We have to learn, to improve and attack this kind of defence and I think that is going to happen,” Guardiola told reporters.

“Our target is what we have to do to find a solution. It’s not a target to be perfect, that doesn’t exist.

“Always teams can improve. When they defend with 10 [men] in the box, we can attack more fluently, make more chances.”

That is a worrying prospect for their opponents, given that three players in Raheem Sterling, Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus are already in double figures for the season, with Leroy Sane and Kevin de Bruyne not far behind.

With City so far ahead of the rest in performance and points, debate is already turning to questions like how many trophies they can win, whether they could remain unbeaten in the last 19 league games and if they are the best team of the 25-year Premier League era. 

Martin Keown, who played 10 games in defence for the Arsenal team that went unbeaten in the 2003-04 league season and is now a pundit, told the BBC: “You’ve really got to ask yourself ‘is this the best team we’ve ever seen in the Premier League?’

“They’re achieving excellence in their performance week in, week out. It’s a stroll in the park every week for these boys.”

Meanwhile, City are 13 points ahead of Manchester United, who were criticised by manager Jose Mourinho for “childish” mistakes in defence and attack after conceding an equaliser in the fourth minute of added time at Leicester.

Two goals by Juan Mata had put them in front after Jamie Vardy’s 50th Premier League goal for the home side, and Leicester’s Daniel Amartey was sent off.

But with Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard having missed clear chances and Chris Smalling limping, United allowed Harry Maguire to poke home Marc Albrighton’s cross.

“It was an easy match to win,” Mourinho said. “Childish in their box and childish in our box, we were punished.”

MADRID — Real Madrid’s hopes of retaining their La Liga title appeared to be fading fast as goals from Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi and Aleix Vidal propelled Barcelona to a 3-0 win in the ‘Clasico’ on Saturday, lifting them 14-points clear of their rivals in the standings. 

Suarez capitalised on wide open space in Madrid’s midfield to knock in a simple pass from Sergi Roberto following a breakaway move in the 54th minute. That opened the scoring after a tense, but tight first half in the early afternoon sun at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Messi hammered in the second goal from the penalty spot 20 minutes later after Dani Carvajal was sent off for blocking a goal-bound header from Paulinho with his arm after Real were again easily picked apart on the counter attack.

Catalan defender turned winger Vidal hit the third in injury time to pile more misery on Madrid, who looked unrecognisable from the side who crushed Barca 5-1 on aggregate in the Spanish Super Cup in August.

Real failed to capitalise on their chances in the first half as Karim Benzema’s header came off the post and Cristiano Ronaldo was denied by the flailing leg of Barca goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen. However, the European and Liga champions collapsed after the interval and Barca took full advantage.

Barca are nine points clear of nearest challengers Atletico Madrid at the top of the standings although Valencia could climb to second and close the gap to eight points later on Saturday if they beat Villarreal. Real are 14 points adrift but have a game in hand.

Instead of the usual late evening kickoff time, Spain’s premier club fixture took place at 1200 GMT in a bid to capture a record television audience in Asia. 

It was also played in the backdrop of a political crisis in the country, coming two days after elections in Catalonia in which separatist parties won a majority.

Real’s supporters unfurled a giant banner before kickoff to boast of the unprecedented five trophies the team had won in 2017. The volume in the packed Bernabeu was cranked up when Ronaldo headed a corner in off the crossbar in under two minutes, but the offside flag halted the premature celebrations.

Barca, the only unbeaten team in the league, took a less active role than they have in recent games at the Bernabeu, with their best chances before the break falling to Brazilian midfielder Paulinho.

They created a number of opportunities after the interval, however, and could have punished Real even further than they did.

And Real fans turned on Real manager Zinedine Zidane after he opted to bring on Nacho Fernandez rather than attackers such as Marco Asensio, Gareth Bale and Isco.

Madrid started the game with four central midfielders in the side.

As a result, Asensio, Bale and Isco were forced to settle for a place on the bench.

But Zidane opted to overlook his attacking starlets by bringing on Nacho instead.

The decision left the crowd stunned with Barcelona now primed to win the title.

LOS ANGELES — Kyle Kuzma led the offensive charge as the Los Angeles Lakers snapped the red-hot Houston Rockets’ 14-game winning streak with a 122-116 upset victory on Wednesday.

Kuzma scored a NBA career-high 38 points as the Lakers dominated the Rockets early then held on through a mid-game Houston rally to claim the win and end their own three-game losing skid.

“I scored 30 in the summer league,” Kuzma said. “This is a better team but the same mentality. I’ve got the same mentality every time I step on the court, play my hardest and just be locked in.”

The loss spoiled a 51-point scoring performance by Rockets star James Harden, who also added nine assists.

The Rockets dropped to 25-5 on the season and also lost for the first time with guard Chris Paul in their line-up.

Paul departed early in the fourth quarter with a sore left leg, and did not return after scoring eight points in 25 minutes.

The Lakers improved to 11-18 on the season with Kuzma scoring 24 of his 38 points in the first half on nine-of-nine shooting.

Los Angeles shot 47.1 per cent overall and, after entering the game dead last in the NBA in three-point percentage, nailed 15 of 35 attempts from beyond the arc to keep the Rockets in check.

The Lakers played without starters Brook Lopez (ankle) and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (personal reasons).

Kuzma got plenty of offensive help as a half dozen Lakers finished in double-digit scoring, including reserve forward Corey Brewer who had a season-high 21 points.

Brewer was shipped by the Rockets to Los Angeles at the trading deadline last February.

Brewer sparked the decisive run with a nifty layup at the 7:04 mark of the fourth quarter to break a 100-100 tie.

The Lakers stretched that lead to 10 points before the Rockets could muster a reply that fell short.

Rookie guard Lonzo Ball added 16 points and nine rebounds, while Larry Nance and Brandon Ingram scored 13 apiece for the Lakers.

Elsewhere, LaMarcus Aldridge had 22 points and eight rebounds, and Pau Gasol collected 20 points, 17 rebounds and five assists as the San Antonio Spurs defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 93-91 at Moda Centre.

Spurs on a roll

The Spurs shot 51.3 per cent from the field and outrebounded Portland 53-38 en route to their 11th win in 14 outings.

Damian Lillard scored 17 points for the Trail Blazers, who lost for the fifth straight time at home.

The Blazers had a chance to win in the final moments, but CJ McCollum’s three-point attempt bounced off the rim as time expired.

Aldridge and Gasol each scored 16 points as San Antonio, shooting 58.1 per cent from the field, raced to a 54-46 halftime lead.

In Denver, Jimmy Butler scored 25 points, including 11 in the final 4:41, and the Minnesota Timberwolves rallied to beat Denver 112-104.

Karl-Anthony Towns also scored 25 and grabbed 10 rebounds, Jamal Crawford had 20 points and seven assists, and Jeff Teague tallied 16 points and eight assists for Minnesota.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has been doing his best to keep a lid on the hoopla surrounding his rampant charges but even he could not have expected to hear the first mention of the word “quadruple” before Christmas.

After his second-string side battled into the League Cup semifinals on Tuesday with a 4-3 shootout win at Leicester City following a 1-1 draw after extra time, the Spaniard was asked if his team could win four trophies this season.

Guardiola’s withering look said it all. “Forget about it. That is not going to happen,” he told Sky Sports in a manner that brooked no argument.

That was all very well but the dazzling way his team are playing continues to make the fanciful seem possible.

The Premier League, which they lead by 11 points, already looks wrapped up, while City are now in the last four of a competition they are looking to win for the third time in five seasons at Wembley in February.

If they keep playing the brand of football that has looked the most scintillating in Europe then triumphs in the Champions League and FA Cup do not seem outlandish possibilities either.

City’s hierarchy certainly believe it is possible with Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak having in the close season broached the possibility of winning the quadruple.

He did not employ a manager who once won six trophies in a season at Barcelona without sky-high, sky blue expectations.

Grand experiment

Pep’s latest grand experiment is going so sweetly that City have not lost a domestic game since last season’s FA Cup semifinal with Arsenal and their only loss anywhere this term was at Shakhtar Donetsk in a dead Champions League rubber for them.

On Tuesday’s evidence, what must delight Guardiola as much as the breathtaking stuff being played by his A listers is that he appears to be blooding a new generation imbued with toughness as well as real quality who can slot in seamlessly if needed.

Phil Foden, 17, one of the bright young hopes in the English game, 18-year-old Spaniard Brahim Diaz, and local defender Tosin Adarabioyo, 20, all played an admirable part in City’s win.

Guardiola’s side prevailed after Bernardo Silva had put City ahead before Jamie Vardy equalised with what looked a harshly-awarded penalty in the seventh minute of added time.

After extra time, City keeper Claudio Bravo saved the key Riyad Mahrez penalty to earn the shootout victory.

“A lot of young players played. I am so happy for all the players. They showed me very good things,” said Guardiola.

When later he was further pressed by reporters about winning four trophies, the Spaniard added: “That’s unreal.... In football you drop points, you lose. I am not thinking about titles.”

PERTH — Victorious Australia will head to Melbourne for the Boxing Day Test against England brimming with confidence after reclaiming the Ashes in Perth, and on a mission to subject the tourists to another 5-0 series whitewash.

Captain Steve Smith was a member of the Michael Clarke side that swept the last series Down Under in 2013/14 and will feel good about his chances of emulating his former skipper by defeating Joe Root’s demoralised team in the final two matches. 

“It’d be fantastic to do that and we’ll talk about Melbourne when we get there,” Smith said after their innings and 41-run win at the WACA saw Australia takes back the urn.

“Right now, I’m just really satisfied with what we’ve achieved in these first three test matches. I’d love to do that again, but we will just take it one step at a time.”

Australia were able to pick the same team throughout the series sweep in 2013/14, but Smith may not have that luxury due to an injury doubt over Mitchell Starc.

The pace spearhead carried a heel injury through the final day at the WACA and could be rested for Melbourne, which may open the door to a recall for squad seamer Jackson Bird.

With Josh Hazlewood in top form after grabbing five wickets to rout England for 218 in its second innings at the WACA, Australia are unlikely to be overly concerned about Starc’s possible absence.

Coach Darren Lehmann said he was eager to see how the team would play with the pressure of winning the series on home soil behind them.

“It’s highly pressurised, Ashes cricket,” he told reporters at the WACA.

“Everyone is nervous every ball, every session — it’s been that way for 15 days so far.

“So they can go and express themselves a little bit more now, so we’ll be playing the same brand of cricket but with less pressure on us.”

‘Here to make runs’

Since an acrimonious series defeat at home to South Africa a year ago, Australia have won nine of their past 13 Tests, with their captain leading the way with over 1,000 runs in the calendar year.

Smith’s 239 the WACA, following an unbeaten 141 in the series-opener at the Gabba, has given him an astonishing average of 142 for the Ashes series.

Long saddled with the burden of scoring in a vulnerable batting line-up, Smith has enjoyed ample support in the series.

Mitchell Marsh smashed 181 at the WACA and his older brother Shaun scored an unbeaten 126 in the second Test in Adelaide.

Mitchell’s maiden tonne in his 22nd Test came after years of failing to deliver with the bat, so it was hugely encouraging for a team who have searched in vain for a decent all-rounder to help support their young pace attack.

“The challenge for him is to back it up again, to be perfectly honest, and one innings doesn’t make a cricket career,” said Lehmann.

“So for him he’s got to back it up next game and do the right thing. He’s here to make runs.”

PERTH — Australia thrashed England by an innings and 41 runs in the third Test in Perth on Monday to reclaim the Ashes with two matches to spare and condemn Joe Root’s team to a period of gloomy introspection.

Seamer Josh Hazlewood finished with a five-wicket haul, as England were bowled out for 218 before tea on a rain-hit final day at the WACA.

Four years after Alastair Cook’s side meekly surrendered the Ashes at the same venue, Root’s England was condemned to hand back the urn with the same humiliating 3-0 scoreline.

Australia quick Pat Cummins wrapped up the match, dismissing Chris Woakes (22) behind the wicket, triggering a round of bear-hugs with whooping teammates in the middle. 

His captain Steve Smith was named Man-of-the-Match for a second time in the series, his brilliant 239 having left England with an improbable second innings mountain to climb.

“It’s been an amazing couple of weeks, I’ve really enjoyed every moment of it,” the beaming skipper told reporters.

“To know everything has worked out and we’ve been able to get that urn back, all the emotions came out at once.”

Smith’s dominant series has put his counterpart in the shade, with Root struggling with the bat and let down badly by his senior players across the three defeats at the WACA, Adelaide Oval and in Brisbane.

“It’s bitterly disappointing,” Root told reporters.

“One of the most frustrating things is we haven’t been blown away.

“In all three games there have been period where we’ve matched and outplayed Australia.

“I’m sure the next day or so will be pretty tough but we’ve got a bit of time to get ready for Melbourne ... and show the character of the group we have.”

Heavy overnight showers leaked rainwater onto the pitch in an embarrassment for the WACA ground staff and rain squalls further delayed the resumption of play.

But even with some 28 overs and some three hours lost to the weather, it was far from enough to save the tourists, who lost their last six wickets for 85 runs.

They resumed in peril on 132 for four, still 127 runs short of making Australia bat again, on a pitch with cracks snaking at both ends of the wicket.

Dawid Malan and Jonny Bairstow, who combined for a gallant 237-run partnership in the first innings, were tasked with the rescue mission but the England wicketkeeper was bowled for 14 on the first delivery he faced.

It was a delivery from Hazlewood that skidded low off a crack and clattered into off-stump, in a portent of a miserable afternoon for the tourists.

Incoming batsman Moeen Ali was very nearly out four balls later, when he edged the same bowler just short of Smith in the slips.

He was unable to capitalise on his reprieve, falling leg before for 11, with fellow off-spinner Nathan Lyon snaring his wicket for the fifth time in the series.

Malan backed up his first innings hundred with a half-century when he pulled Cummins to the fence.

But he was caught behind for 54 trying to pull Hazlewood after being well worked over by the tall seamer.

England’s tail had proved hopelessly brittle against Australia’s bouncers throughout the series, and it duly fell over, with Hazlewood claiming his fifth victim when Craig Overton was caught in the gully for 12.

Cummins wrapped up the match by having Stuart Broad (zero) and Woakes nick behind, prompting celebrations in the modest day five crowd of 8,082.