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SPORTS Monday 26 February 2018

Spurs stop 4-game slide,

rope LeBron, Cavs 110-94

By TOM WITHERS to return remains a mys- "We're at a point now where
CLEVELAND (AP) — The tery. They had dropped six we protect the shooter
Spurs ended their "rodeo" of seven and four in a row more than the driver," said
road trip by roping the on a trip (their arena hosts James, who shot four free
Cavaliers. a rodeo every year) that throws. "There's no reason I
LeBron James thought San coach Gregg Popovich's should be going to the line
Antonio got some help. squad typically uses as a four times in a game when I
LaMarcus Aldridge scored spring board into the play- drive 100 times to the paint
27 points, Danny Green offs. and I'm getting hit and
added 22 and the Spurs "Every win is a big one for slapped and grabbed and
ended their annual trip us," Green said. "But this whatever and what not.
by beating the Cleveland month we've had some ups We protect the shooter.
Cavaliers 110-94 on Sunday and downs. This is a really That's what it's turned into.
to snap a four-game losing good team, especially with Chicks dig the long ball
streak. the best player in the world and that's what it's about."
Green, who missed Friday's over there." Cleveland was within two
loss at Denver with food That would be James, who points after three, but the
poisoning, came off the had 33 points, 13 rebounds Spurs scored the first 10 of
bench for the first time in and nine assists. The Cavs the fourth and made all the
49 games this season and fell to 3-2 since overhaul- necessary plays down the
made five 3-pointers to ing their roster with three stretch to pull off the im- San Antonio Spurs' LaMarcus Aldridge (12) drives past Cleve-
land Cavaliers' Tristan Thompson (13) in the first half of an NBA
provide a perfect outside trades, but James wasn't pressive win. basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 25, 2018, in Cleveland. The Spurs
complement to Aldridge's t disappointed with his Kyle Korver's 3-pointer with won 110-94.
dynamic inside game. De- team's effort. 4:47 left brought the Cavs Associated Press
jounte Murray added 13 However, he did have a within 96-88, but Patty Mills
points and nine rebounds problem with the officiat- countered with a 3 for the Hill and Tristan Thompson shooting the basketball.
for San Antonio, a team not ing. Spurs. Cavs coach Tyronn shot a combined 6 of 28. It's going to happen," Lue
accustomed to any turmoil. San Antonio was called for Lue has spent most of the Cleveland has to find a de- said. "I thought defensively
But the super-steady Spurs just 12 personal fouls — only season adjusting his lineups pendable No. 2 option on we were pretty good. I just
have not been themselves three in the second half— and rotations, and he may offense while All-Star Kevin thought Aldridge took ad-
as they continue to play and shot 32 free throws have to do some more Love recovers from a bro- vantage of us in that third
without injured star Kawhi compared to 14 for Cleve- tweaking after starters Cedi ken hand. quarter, the start of the third
Leonard, whose timetable land. Osman, J.R. Smith, George "We just had a rough night quarter on his post-ups."q

Karen Khachanov beats Lucas

Pouille to win Open 13 final

MARSEILLE, France (AP) — Big-serving full court in the final, and I hope to come
Karen Khachanov secured the second back next year.”
ATP title of his career after beating Lucas Khachanov, ranked 47th, won his second
Pouille 7-5, 3-6, 7-5 in the Open 13 final on title in as many finals after clinching the
Sunday. Chengdu Open in China two years ago.
The ninth-seeded Russian had 16 aces Pouille missed out on a second title of
in a closely fought contest, winning on the season and a sixth overall. The 16th-
his second match point when the third- ranked Pouille was also runner-up at the
seeded Frenchman hit a forehand into indoor event in the southern seaport of
the net from the back of the court. The Marseille last year.
pair hugged at the net in a show of sports- “I’m from Dunkirk, in the north,” he told
manship. the crowd. “But I’m starting to feel at
Karen Khachanov of Russia holds his trophy after defeating “I hope there are many more finals be- home here.”
Lucas Pouille of France during their final match at the Open tween us in the future,” Khachanov said As Khachanov held aloft the winners’
13 Provence tennis tournament in Marseille, southern France,
Sunday Feb.25, 2018. to Pouille. “I felt I was playing good here cheque for 115,150 euros ($141,570),
Associated Press from the first day. It’s nice to play on a Pouille cracked a joke in English.q