Howard achieves NBA scoring milestone in Magic victory over Suns

PHOENIX, Arizona (AFP) - Dwight Howard Orlando reached a milestone marking the NBA on Sunday, but he was happier to finally get out of Phoenix with a win.

Magic has a long history of losing to the Suns, Arizona, dating back to November 2001 - when Howard is only 15 years.

"I had not won here since I'm in the NBA, so it was our goal together," said Howard, "to get a good victory."

He did his part, delivering 26 points with 15 rebounds and five blocked shots. Howard sat the fourth quarter watching from the bench as the Magic completed a 111-88 victory.

For good measure, Howard has surpassed 10,000 career points with a little hook on Robin Lopez in the third quarter, but the stage was very important to him.

"I never look at the points," Howard said. "Rebounds and blocks are what win games for me."

Magic Six other players had two points, led by Brandon Bass 17 and Gilbert Arenas 16

But Magic coach Stan Van Gundy noted that Sun was a "completely different team" without veteran point guard Steve Nash, who missed the contest with what the team called "watershed approach".

Aaron Brooks in place by Nash 19 points and 10 assists.

Aaron Brooks was very good today. He scored a lot, but Steve Nash makes the whole world, everybody plays, "Van Gundy said." We were fortunate that we've played twice without Steve Nash and is a completely different ball game. "

Even so, it was a morale building win at Orlando on Monday before the match against two-time defending champion Los Angeles Lakers.

Orlando had lost three or four, most recently, a 123-120 overtime loss to Golden State on Friday.

But they dominated the depleted Suns, who are 0-3 without Nash this season.

The defeat meant Phoenix could not lay down the possibility of moving in a half-game of the day before the Memphis Grizzlies for the eighth and final postseason in the Western Conference.

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Cotto Stops Mayorga in 12th Round to Retain WBA Title

LAS VEGAS, Nevada (AFP) - Puerto Rico, Miguel Cotto retained his World Boxing Association super welterweight crown by stopping Ricardo Mayorga of Nicaragua 53 seconds to 12 Thurs

Cotto has imposed that the precipitation of the fight in the opening seconds of the last round in an exchange with a beautiful left hook, unbelievable Mayorga, who knelt and took the left hand in pain.

"This corner was the only one to decide the fight," Cotto said after Saturday's game. "The match was wide, but the finish was fantastic."

Mayorga has increased and continued for a few seconds, but Cotto landed a tingling in the chest and Mayorga challenger seconds later stopped the fight, said he could not continue because of his injured hand.

"Left hand, one of these combinations, I heard he hit the back of my hand and started to damage the" Mayorga said. "I started trying to make a fist and I could not. Then I said I could not continue."

Cotto improved to 36-2 with his 29th strike in the distance in his first fight after a layoff of nine months, including surgery on his right shoulder.

Former world welterweight champion Mayorga fell to 29-8 with one drawn only three months after the dismissal of 26 months, then said he would retire.

"I'll get a job," said Mayorga. "It is time to retire.

Mayorga taunted Cotto in the weeks before the fight, but said after the fight, "I never wanted any of this. It's all promotion. It's entertainment." Cotto, meanwhile, never let the verbal jousting disturb his concentration.

"He has not left my bed." Cotto said. "I just keep my job and just be myself."

Awesome trade began in the first few seconds, with the warning shots the referee Robert Byrd Mayorga behind the head and low blows in the first round.

Mayorga had a couple of lefts to the head of evil, and then shook his head to indicate he does not hurt, a routine that played throughout the fight.

Second round, Mayorga landed a solid uppercut and a pair of right hands cut off his head, but said Cotto left solid, using the moments when the challenger has tried to slow the pace fast.

Mayorga backed into a corner in the middle of the third inning, taunting Cotto to come to him. The Master pressed the attack but would not be tricked into dropping his composure and patience to the fight against the wily veteran.

Cotto, the progression right shoulder surgery, showed no signs of trouble to throw a strong right hand punches and blows.

Mayorga, who turned 38 on Thursday, had promised to knock out Cotto in the fourth round, but failed, even though he landed five consecutive shots, a gust of wind at the finish.

Cotto, 30, was the best of several exchanges in the fifth round, scoring with solid left hooks and uppercuts.

"He hits very hard (but) it does not scare me," Mayorga said Cotto.

Mayorga caught Cotto early in round seven with a left to the body and solid rights to the head and later in the round with an uppercut and several hard rights.

"Time to strong fighter," Cotto said Mayorga. "He has time to strong hands. He can not win. He can beat anyone."

Cotto took an elbow to attack all the time, but Mayorga effectively counter punch right in the ninth and tenth tuiskuttaa day.

Mayorga taunting Cotto resumed mid-11 round, but the champion kept his focus and kept challenger at bay, creating dramatic end.

If Mayorga made his decision to retire, has lost five of their last nine fights career. He also fell in 2008, Shane Mosley, Oscar de la Hoya in 2006, Felix Trinidad in 2004 and Cory Spinks in 2003.

Cotto is now hoping that the chance to avenge 2009 loss Filipino superstar Manny Pacquiao and Mexico in 2008 defeated by Antonio margaritas, whose victory was marred by a one-year ban after traces of the glove was found after the battle , beat Cotto.

Other potential competitors are the future of Mexico Saul Alvarez undefeated champion of the World Boxing Council super welterweight.

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Bosh fires Heat to Win over Lakers

MIAMI (Reuters) - Chris Bosh strengthened to help the Miami Heat star to a five-game series with a 94-88 victory over two-time NBA champion to defend the Lakers in Los Angeles on Thursday.

Bosh, who had complained about his limited role in the team's offense during the Depression led to 24 points and nine rebounds for Miami as the leader of south-east heat to secure playoff berth.

"I was aggressive coming to the ball, but were uninterested left me," said Bosh. "I was not playing. I just wanted to focus on going hard."

When the game tied 88-88, Miami, Dwyane Wade had the ball in Kobe Bryant and LeBron James has sent a clear undisputed embed with 1:27 still, that the Heat ahead for good.

"It was an opportunity to really just keep our composure and execute down the stretch, stopping when the pressure was on the game when the pressure is on," said Bosh.

"It 's been there during the last three minutes. I think our mind and psyche, it was very important."

Wade added another field goal and James secured the victory with two free throws with 19 seconds at the end of the Lakers sequence of eight consecutive victories.

"We must move forward," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra.

"The most important thing to go through a stretch like that, men are not close. The kids want to do this work. The more we are, the more convinced that we will succeed.

"But it's a game we're not on the mound. We still need to improve and improve."

Very low score in the third quarter, the Lakers have threatened to take command of the race game 9-0 to create a game high six-point lead, but the heat stopped their momentum and lead shaved to two points going to the previous quarter.

"I think they (Miami) can play better than them," Lakers coach Phil Jackson said. "I hope to see later this year."

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Kevin Love passes Moses Malone with 52nd double-double in row

Minneapolis (AP)-Kevin Love recorded his 52nd double-double in a row to pass Moses Malone for the longest streak of its kind since the ABA and NBA merged in 1976 with the Minnesota Timberwolves "101 -75 plummeting over Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night.

Love overcame a bruised left knee that put up 16 points and 21 rebounds in just 27 minutes to help the Timberwolves won for just the 16th time this season. Love wasted no time extending the streak of double-digit points and rebounds, with just under seven minutes to play in the first half.

Tyler Hansbrough (Notes) scored 21 points for the Pacers, who shot a season-low 29 percent lost their fifth straight. Forward Danny Granger managed just 10 points in two of his 19 shots.

Michael Beasley (Notes) added 16 points and eight rebounds in 22 minutes for Minnesota.

Love was not even sure he was going to play the game just before tipoff after bruising his left knee in a loss to Dallas on Monday. But he decided to give it a go.

With the ringing in quick Pacers, Love had 10 rebounds in just 12 minutes of playing time and people knew it too.

Love grabbed his first rebound of the first 10 seconds of the game, and a fan shouted, "That 's what! And 'that! "

He went to the free throw line with 6:51 to play in the first half and nine points and 10 rebounds, and the audience rose to its feet and roared.

The first free throw splashed through, and love gave a deep sigh of relief that his execution was announced. He gestured to the crowd, and then went back to work.

Only nine players in NBA history, both before and after the merger, there were at least 50 double-doubles. Eight of love-Malone, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Elgin Baylor, Walt Bellamy, Wilt Chamberlain, Elvin Hayes, Jerry Lucas, Bill Russell, are in the Hall of Fame.

Next on the list of the longest streaks are Hayes of 55 straight in 1973-74.

Better yet, love to see the entire fourth quarter from the bench, resting a knee that clearly bothers him as he lay on the ground. The Timberwolves won for only the 12th time in their sequence.

Pacers are in the midst of a streak of their own, and it's not a good idea. After winning seven of their first eight games following the firing of coach Jim O'Brien, Pacers have lost seven of their last eight games and lost an average of 17 points over the last five years.

They entered the 1 1 / 2 night games ahead of Charlotte Square in the eighth and final playoff and hit a new low in getting blown of the worst teams in the Western Conference.

Hansbrough made two of his first four shots but his teammates have lost their first 15 shots. The game got out of hand in the third quarter when Indiana scored only two points in the first six minutes of delay of 22.

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Magic Rally to Stagger LeBron and Miami

MIAMI (Reuters) - The Orlando Magic Miami numbed with a return in the second half inspired on Friday, overcoming a deficit of 24 points with a burst of three points to secure a thrilling 99-96 victory in heat.

The Magic took control with a run of 18 points fools right in the fourth quarter, spelled out a late fee of Miami in the final seconds of the match.

"That one almost defies explanation," said Magic coach Stan Van Gundy.

"Even six minutes into the second half, we just looked down and out. We had no way to stop 'em.

"It was a great comeback. This is probably one of those games I will remember in 10 years. When I forget everything except all losses. This is a victory that I could remember. "

Orlando, who scored an impressive 48 points from the three point line, led all scorers with 24 points from Jason Richardson to move within three games of Miami to lead the Southeast Division.

LeBron James had 29 points and Dwyane Wade added 28 to lead the way to Miami, the duo combined for 47 points as the heat of an advance of 63-45 at halftime.

"We're measuring right now. We just keep pushing through. There is no other way to put it," said Heat coach Erik Spoelstra.

"The guys really wanted it. For most games, we played hard enough to get there and then the tide turned already."

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Cotto vs. Mayorga - Preview & Prediction

Miguel Cotto recovery from shoulder surgery is more effective, and his next opponent was announced. On 12 March, "Junito" compete with the thug Ricardo Mayorga of Nicaragua. This is an important must-win for both men. The 37-year-old Mayorga was apparently reached the end of his career, and has been blocked in its efforts to make a comeback he had considered a jump to MMA. Beat Cotto and WBA Light Middleweight title would give him a new life. The questions are opinionated Cotto since he was beaten to a pulp by Antonio Margarito in 2008. Although Cotto could not get more than one pay for a victory over older Mayorga, a loss would signal the beginning of the end for Cotto's career.

Ricardo Mayorga (29-7 with 23 KOs)

37 years old, 5'9 ", 70" reach

Nicaragua

Welterweight champion, a former Light-middleweight Champion

El Matador "was short of money, because otherwise it is hard to imagine why he would do such a do-or-die encounter. Of course, power and style Mayorga fight are also very characteristics that boxer. However, his chin has been weakened over time. Mayorga is still a step, but no man can take. Ricardo Mayorga has lost four of their last eight trips, his last victory of any substance over Fernando Vargas had spent even more on its sales of Mayorga. Nicaragua is not just over the hill, but rusty. Its location in December 2010 against the worker was the first exit after Mayorga Shane Mosley walloped him in 2008.

Miguel Cotto (35-2, 28 KOs)

30 years old, 5'7 ", 67" reach

Puerto Rico

The current WBA heavyweight champion, a former welterweight champion light welterweight

Miguel Cotto is widely regarded as damaged goods after his beat-down concrete-Amir (literally) margaritas Antonio and his confrontation with the fastest murderess from the Philippines, Manny Pacquiao. The question is "how damaged she is?" In the end, though Yuri Foreman meeting proved nothing Cotto became the winner of an encounter with Joshua Clottey in 2009.

A distraction "Junito" has clearly lost something in terms of simple, cost too many wars, but his biggest problems is that her face is almost made of scar tissue, and personal. When your opponent skips his or her head is a good shot, Cotto's face turns red and loses his cool. Cotto also interferes with the internal problems and the death of his father. Hope is all behind him, and it allows for the new coach Emmanuel Steward Cotto can take advantage of his exceptional talent.

Cotto vs Mayorga Prediction and Analysis:

Ricardo Mayorga is a big man in the ring that night, hands down. I expect him to do his usual ferocious attack, and the results of the battle entirely determined by how the attack is not the original two or three shifts. If Mayorga to communicate with the hard and bust open Cotto, he takes the initiative and will probably keep it, and this leaves cooked blood gushing out and win an arrest.

However, if Mayorga Miguel Cotto can box as you Joshua Clottey, could complicate the race of the offender Nicaragua bull and start scoring. Clottey is a plodder than Mayorga, Mayorga, but equally there is Clottey from the standpoint of the defense and is intended to be a counter-punched. After three or four rounds of punishment takes a lot of steam out of the worn-down Mayorga. In this case, Mayorga will rally and then make another stab at the overwhelming Cotto, but fails. Cotto may be cut sooner or later, but it can avoid cutting a jack-hammered out a bloody mess and will carry a fixed point of victory.

Mayorga may be a bigger man, but Cotto is tuned, and despite the wear, younger and fresher the two fighters. They are already intimidated to fight, but Cotto is clear the storm and a box of their way to victory.

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Miami Heat Part With Carlos Arroyo, Clearing spot for Mike Bibby

MIAMI - LeBron James spoke with Mike Bibby, one week after the last game, and twice NBA MVP title keeps the exact details of this private conversation.

One thing is known: It was a recruiting ground.

"I gave him the eye," James said. "And I think the eye worked."

Since Wednesday evening, James and the heat can not say that with certainty.

The heat released Tuesday by a file location paths separated by Carlos Arroyo, and even if the team officials had no comment because the rules of the NBA, more players - James, Dwyane Wade, Mario Chalmers, among others - have Bibby said the council shortly.

Bibby should be in South Florida Wednesday, are likely to participate in target practice in the morning practice Thursday and be in uniform when the Heat play the Orlando Magic of the night.

"I think it's a good thing for us," said Eddie House keeps heat, Bibby's brother. "He will do many things that can help LeBron, Dwyane and everybody here."

Miami move Arroyo announced in time for the veteran guard to sign with another team and be eligible to list their playoffs.

"It was a very difficult decision to make because Carlos has done a great job for this team and this organization," Heat president Pat Riley said. "It is truly a first class individuals and professionals. We wish him nothing but the best. "

Bibby has been sold to Atlanta and Washington last week. It 'was in Miami on Friday for his first - and, ultimately, the next-to-last - Wizards game that he was aware of the marks buyout, but no one knows what the future may hold.

"I can not control," said Bibby.

Wizards and Bibby reached an agreement to acquire, on Monday, and it did not take long to make his next destination. This means that the heat at a crucial moment of the season, will give a new point guard in training on the fly how to play the game.

"It's easier with experienced players with a high IQ and has a definite system and philosophy," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra. "What we're doing."

As Bibby is a player the Heat on Wednesday, Spoelstra could not talk to him separately.
James could.

"It will help us immensely," said James.
The Heat had discussions with other players who have hit the market through acquisitions, such as Troy Murphy, who should be signed on Wednesday in Boston. If Murphy has taken over in Miami, the Heat probably would have left the little-used big man Jamaal Magloire to create a roster.

Magloire was relieved to be at practice on Tuesday.

"I'd be disappointed otherwise" Magloire said.

Spoelstra said he can not wait to ask what will happen to Miami to file late.

"Once you have passed that date, you can focus on absolutes - as you and you do not," said Spoelstra. "And we're close. ... I think our team is good enough."

Miami (43-17) entered play Tuesday, a game behind Boston (43-15) and the first game in Chicago (41-17) contest first place in the Eastern Conference.

Bibby averaged 9.4 points and 3.6 assists as a starter with Atlanta this season, his 13 in the league. The heat became the fifth NBA team, a list which also includes Vancouver, Sacramento, Atlanta Hawks and the Wizards, who shot a 9 in two games after the trade of what he said was taken by surprise the week pass.

He also appeared and started in 80 playoff games, which is more than any other current player heat. Zydrunas Ilgauskas and James have been in 71 playoff games, all during their time together in Cleveland.

"Some features are surprising and unexpected," said Wade. "The Mike Bibby (trade) was probably the most surprising, unexpected moves. Many people think that it was Kendrick Perkins moves (from Boston to Oklahoma City), but I think it was Mike Bibby. Nobody expected it. It became available and when the opportunity arises, you have to jump on them. "

Arroyo was not at practice and did not immediately respond to a text message. He started 42 games for Miami this season and played in seven, but recorded only 27 minutes of cutting time from 30 January - more than half of that coming in a game February 16 in Toronto.

"It is never easy," said Wade. "It's always bitter, especially in this situation. We look at it, he has been doing an excellent job of Carlos really done anything wrong. It is very regrettable. The only thing that can only hope lies in a good situation."

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