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SPORTS Friday 3 January 2020
Knicks beat Trail Blazers 117-93, spoil Carmelo's return

By The Associated Press lando snapped a four-
NEW YORK (AP) — Mitchell game road losing streak.
Robinson made all 11 shots Bradley Beal, who missed
and had 22 points, Julius the previous two games
Randle added 22 points with soreness in his right
and 13 rebounds, and the leg, led Washington with 27
New York Knicks spoiled points.
Carmelo Anthony's return The Magic, who entered
to Madison Square Gar- the game with the NBA's
den by beating the Port- poorest offense, took the
land Trail Blazers 117-93 on lead midway through the
Wednesday night for their second quarter and led
season-high third straight 62-58 at halftime. Orlando
victory. steadily increased its lead
Anthony scored 26 points, in the second half.
his most since returning to Evan Fournier had 18 points
the NBA, and was cheered for Orlando. Markelle Fultz
before and during the scored 16 and Terrence
game at the arena where Ross 15.
he played 6 ½ seasons. BUCKS 106, TIMBERWOLVES
But he was on the bench 104
at the start of the Knicks' MILWAUKEE (AP) — Giannis
14-0 run early in the fourth Antetokounmpo had 32
quarter that broke open New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson (23) dunks in front of Portland Trail Blazers center Hassan points and 17 rebounds,
the game. Whiteside (21) and guards Damian Lillard (0) and Anfernee Simons (1) during the first half of an and Milwaukee held off
NBA basketball game in New York, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020.
Reggie Bullock made two Associated Press a strong challenge from
3-pointers during the spurt short-handed Minnesota.
and scored 11 points in his but he missed his first six leading Los Angeles Lakers win. Antetokounmpo got his
Knicks debut. He signed 3-pointers before making beat Phoenix. Devin Booker scored 32 30th double-double in 33
with the team during the his only one of the game James had double-figure points and Kelly Oubre games this season and Khris
summer but hadn't played as the final shot of the third points and assists by half- Jr. added 26 for the Suns. Middleton added 13 points
because of a herniated quarter. time as the Lakers won their Phoenix had won two in despite shooting 5 for 18 as
disk. LAKERS 117, SUNS 107 third straight. a row after losing eight Milwaukee hit just 42.6% of
Portland's Damian Lillard LOS ANGELES (AP) — LeB- The Suns rallied in the fourth, straight. its shots overall and only 9
was held to 11 points on ron James had 31 points, getting within seven points MAGIC 122, WIZARDS 101 of 36 from 3-point range.
5-for-20 shooting after scor- 13 rebounds and 12 assists after trailing by 36 earlier in WASHINGTON (AP) — D.J. Shabazz Napier had 22
ing 30 or more in the pre- for his eighth triple-double the game. That forced the Augustin scored a sea- points to lead Minnesota,
vious three games. The of the season, Anthony Da- Lakers' starters back in, and son-high 25 points, Nicola and Gorgui Deng scored
All-Star guard did have 10 vis had 26 points and 11 James steadied them with Vucevic added 20 points 15, Josh Okogie added 12
rebounds and eight assists, rebounds, and the West- eight points to close out the and 12 rebounds and Or- and Jarret Culver 10.q

Zion Williamson returns to

practice, raising Pelicans’ hopes

By BRETT MARTEL my college decision, I progress. That's the thing
AP Sports Writer woke up and I'll just know," that matters most," Gentry
METAIRIE, La. (AP) — Zion Williamson said. said. "He's moving good,
Williamson returned to Coach Alvin Gentry said but obviously there's go-
practice with the New Williamson participated ing to always be some res-
Orleans Pelicans on Thurs- fully in the on-court work, ervations until you get full
day for the first time since but the practice wasn't confidence in what you're
he had arthroscopic knee particularly strenuous. It doing. ... He practiced
surgery shortly before the was the last practice be- and that's a good start."
season. fore New Orleans flew to Williamson has never been
But the NBA's top overall Los Angeles to play the shy about his eagerness to Injured New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson, left, and
guard Jrue Holiday watch from the bench during the second
draft choice out of Duke Lakers on Friday night. return to the court and de- half of the team's NBA basketball game against the Denver
cannot yet say when he'll Gentry said Williamson is scribed an internal strug- Nuggets on Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2019, in Denver. The Pelicans
make his regular-season not expected to play on gle between his youthful won 112-100.
debut "I felt really good the two-game trip that exuberance and longer- Associated Press
out there," he said. includes a stop in Sacra- term considerations. soars above the rim for the cautious approach to his
Williamson, 6-foot-6 and mento on Saturday. New "It's been a hard balance kind of dunks that have rehabilitation in hopes of
285 pounds, said he first Orleans plays at home because I am 19," Wil- made him an internet sen- minimizing the possibility of
must pass "assessments" by on Monday night against liamson began. "But from sation since high school in a setback.
team medical staff before Utah. Gentry said the club a professional standpoint, Spartanburg, South Caro- Williamson played in four
the decision can rest solely needs to "see what kind I do have to look at lon- lina. The purpose of his preseason games before
with him. of progress he makes, see gevity." Williamson is rela- surgery was to repair carti- his injury, averaging 23.3
"It will probably be one of what happens after he tively heavy for an NBA lage that serves as natural points and 6.5 rebounds.
those moments, where, goes through practices." player, never mind one padding in the knee joint. He had surgery in mid-
just like when it came to "I know that he's making who moves well and often So the club has taken a October.q