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SPORTS Wednesday 11 March 2020

Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, right, drives to the basket
as Milwaukee Bucks guard Pat Connaughton defends in the
first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, March 9, 2020, in
Denver.
Associated Press
Nuggets send short-

handed Bucks to Cleveland Cavaliers coach J.B. Bickerstaff gives directions to his team during the first half of an

3rd straight loss NBA basketball game against the New Orleans Pelicans in New Orleans, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020.
Associated Press
By The Associated Press rebounds. Toronto played Cavs reward Bickerstaff with
DENVER (AP) — Jamal Mur- much of the game with-
ray scored 21 points, Paul out Norman Powell, who contract after strong start
Millsap had 20 and Jerami sprained his left ankle two
Grant added 19 as the minutes in. Powell aver-
Denver Nuggets sent the aged 34 points on 57% By TOM WITHERS head coach," said general He led the Rockets to the
short-handed Milwaukee shooting over his previous AP Sports Writer manager Koby Altman. "His playoffs in 2015-16.
Bucks to their third straight two games. CLEVELAND (AP) — J.B. wealth of experience, cou- "Our players have done a
loss and fourth in five HAWKS 143, HORNETS 138, Bickerstaff's impressive start pled with the respect he phenomenal job of main-
games, 109-95 on Mon- 2 OT with the Cavaliers has been has garnered around the taining a high level of pro-
day night. The NBA-leading ATLANTA (AP) — De'Andre rewarded. NBA and with this team, has fessionalism and growing
Bucks (53-12) were without Hunter broke a tie by sink- Bickerstaff, who has Cleve- made for a seamless transi- maturity, of which I have
reigning MVP Giannis An- ing three free throws with land playing its best bas- tion from associate head been very appreciative,"
tetokounmpo, who has a 13.3 seconds remaining in ketball this season since coach to head coach. Bickerstaff said. "I also take
knee injury, as well as start- the second overtime, and taking over when John "The amount of grit and de- great pride and consider
ers Eric Bledsoe and Khris Atlanta outlasted Char- Beilein suddenly resigned termination instilled in our it an honor and privilege
Middleton and key backup lotte following a controver- last month, agreed to a players, from both an ac- to live and coach in this
George Hill. Altogether, the sial finish to the first extra multi-year contract with countability and attention community with my fam-
Bucks played without their period. Trae Young had the team on Tuesday. to detail standpoint over ily, in front of this fan base
top six scorers, and despite 31 points and 16 assists for The Cavs announced the this short period of time, has and for this franchise. It has
a valiant effort by their the Hawks, and John Col- deal with Bickerstaff shortly been met with admiration, truly been a blessing and I
backups led by Kyle Korver lins added 28 points and before their game in Chi- respect and overall excite- look forward to the journey
(23 points), the team sorely 11 rebounds. He shot 12 of cago, where they started a ment throughout our en- ahead." Bickerstaff was al-
missed that firepower dur- 13 from the field. Hunter fin- six-game trip. tire locker room. We have ways seen as the eventual
ing its fourth consecutive ished with 13 points and 11 Although they still have one already observed the im- successor to Beilein, but he
road loss and third in a row rebounds. Terry Rozier led of the NBA's worst records, pact he has made on our never expected things to
on this trip. The Bucks were the Hornets with a career- the Cavs have shown ma- players through his first 10 move so quickly. Bickerstaff
swept by Denver in the high 40 points. jor improvement in a short games as head coach and did not get the "interim" tag
two-game season series. After Hunter's clutch trip period under Bickerstaff. we are looking forward to when he replaced Beilein,
The Nuggets won 127-115 to the line, Rozier missed a They're 5-5 going into Tues- seeing just how far he can a sign that the Cavs were
in Milwaukee on Jan. 31. 3-pointer. Two free throws day's game against the effectively drive our devel- comfortable with the plan
RAPTORS 101, JAZZ 92 by Cam Reddish, who had Bulls and the Cavs have oping culture and lead this Altman hatched when he
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — 22 points, iced the win. had more energy and ex- franchise into the future." interviewed Bickerstaff last
Serge Ibaka and Pascal Two reviews by the officials hibited more togetherness Over the weekend, the summer.
Siakam each scored 27 at the end of the first over- than at any time for Beilein. Cavs won consecutive Cleveland's players seem
points, and Toronto beat time produced different Bickerstaff was promoted tight games over Denver more relaxed under Bicker-
Utah for its fourth straight results. Following the first after Beilein stepped down and San Antonio. Earlier staff, whose father, Bernie,
victory. Kyle Lowry added review, officials said Rozier after 54 games in his first this season, the club's in- was a longtime NBA coach
21 points and seven assists was fouled by Atlanta's Tre- season. He had been serv- experience would cripple and currently advises for
as the Raptors used a 53- veon Graham with 0.8 sec- ing as an associate head the Cavs in the closing min- the Cavs. The younger Bick-
34 advantage on the glass onds remaining. coach under the 67-year- utes of games. Cleveland erstaff worked in the past
to improve to 21-4 since Before Rozier had a chance old Beilein, who cited per- has also won three games with Cavs star forward Kev-
Jan. 15. Ibaka grabbed 13 to attempt two free throws sonal health issues as one against teams with over in Love, who has played
rebounds and Siakam fin- with the score tied, Atlan- of his reasons for leaving .500 records and the Cavs well lately.
ished with 11 boards and ta's Lloyd Pierce registered a job he thought he was have improved their scor- Following Sunday's win
eight assists. Joe Ingles had a coach's challenge. This ready to handle. ing and assist totals. over the Spurs, Bickerstaff
20 points and six assists for time, the officials ruled Ro- "We are very fortunate to The 41-year-old Bickerstaff said the Cavs are bond-
the Jazz, who had won five zier was not fouled. Young have someone of J.B.'s cal- previously coached in ing and making the most
in a row. Royce O'Neale missed a last-gasp jumper iber and basketball pedi- Houston and Memphis be- of a season once spiraling
added 15 points and seven for Atlanta.q gree lead our franchise as fore coming to Cleveland. downward.q