NBA - Celtics pound Cavs on night LeBron gets MVP trophy

Published Tue, May 04 10 11:48 AM

The Boston Celtics crashed the LeBron James celebration and evened the best-of-seven Eastern Conference semi-finals series with a resounding 104-86 victory Monday.

On the same night that James was presented with the league MVP trophy, the Celtics stole the spotlight with a big third-quarter run then survived a late Cavs' spurt to send the series back to Boston tied 1-1.

Rajon Rondo recorded 13 points and 19 assists, and Ray Allen had a team-high 22 points for Boston which rebounded from its Game One defeat.

After controlling the early stages but fading late in the series opening loss Saturday, the Celtics turned the tables this time with a 31-12 scoring advantage in the third quarter that put the visitors up 23.

Cleveland created a few nervous moments by pulling within 10 in the fourth before being turned back.

"We were playing the clock instead of the game," Rondo told reporters of his team's blown lead. "We got stagnant, we kept looking at the clock and we were hoping it would run out. It's important we come out in Game Three and do the things we did but close the game out."

On a night that was supposed to be his, James finished with 24 points but appeared bothered by the nagging right elbow injury that appears to be tempering his aggressiveness.

James did not receive much help from his supporting cast as Mo Williams went 1-for-9 with four points and the Cavs shot just 40 percent from the field.

Boston, on the other hand, got complete balance as all five starters posted double-figures scoring.

Kevin Garnett put up 18 points and 10 rebounds while reserve Rasheed Wallace stepped up with 17 points after being called out by his coach for poor play following Game One.

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Kalmadi blasts Ministry order

Published>Tue, May 04 10 11:18 AM

New Delhi, May 4 -- With the Commonwealth Games merely 152 days away, there is a tussle for power between the National Sports Federations (NSFs) and the Union Sports Ministry. After a notification issued by the ministry on Sunday fixed the tenures of sports' top honchos, Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president Suresh Kalmadi hit back, calling the regulation "an assault on the autonomy of the federations." Terming it "a draconian move", a defiant Kalmadi said, "We're surprised at the ministry's attitude. We will take appropriate steps to preserve our autonomy." Kalmadi said that he had summoned the IOA Executive Committee on May 18 and might also convene a General Assembly to decide the course of action. Indicating that the regulation could not meddle with the affairs of the sporting bodies, Kalmadi said the IOA constitution was sent to the International Olympic Council (IOC). "All the NSFs also send their constitutions to their respective international bodies, so no one can interfere there either," he said. The IOA chief said he was caught unawares by the ministry's action at a time when the Coordination Committee (CoCom) of the Games was in the Capital. "We were hoping to make it their final visit and leave a good impression. The CoCom was surprised at the turn of events," he said. KP Singh Deo, president of the Rowing Federation, also criticised the timing. The IOA secretary-general, Randhir Singh, said the regulation had been forwarded to the IOC and the Olympic Council of Asia. "We are expecting a positive reply soon," he said. The ministry had earlier announced a new regulation that limited the tenure of the federation presidents to 12 years, with or without break. Secretaries and treasurers can serve two terms of four years at a stretch and would have to take a four-year gap before standing for re-election. This miffed the chiefs of the NSFs, most of whom are also politicians and MPs. The Archery Association of India president, VK Malhotra, All India Tennis Association chief Anil Khanna, Badminton Association chief VK Verma and others were also present. In a show of unity after their authority was challenged, all of them hit out at the regulation, using their own terms to label it undemocratic. Jagdish Tytler, the Judo Federation chief, called it "completely unconstitutional" and said the ministry had done a disservice to sports in the country. Bhubaneshwar Kalita, Chef de Mission of the Indian contingent for the Games, called it "an infringement on the autonomy of the NSFs."

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FIFA allows caps for Iranian girls at Youth Olympic

Published>Tue, May 04 10 11:08 AM

Paris, May 4 (IANS) The Iranian girls' football team will be allowed to take part in the Youth Olympics if players wear caps for covering hair instead of headscarves.

World football governing body FIFA said that the Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI) had agreed to the decision, Press TV reported.

'This decision was taken after both the Iran Football Federation and the Iran National Olympic Committee confirmed in writing that they will accept a solution whereby the players will not wear their Islamic 'hijab' during the matches of the competition,' FIFA said in a statement Monday.

'Instead, the players can wear a cap that covers their heads to the hairline but does not extend below the ears to cover the neck.'

In line with a 2007 ban on wearing headscarves, FIFA had barred the Iranian team from taking part in the 2010 Youth Olympic Games to be held in Singapore. The decision drew criticism from Iranian officials, who said that wearing headscarves does not pose any difficulty for Iranian women athletes.

Around 3,600 athletes aged 14-18 will compete in 26 sports at the First Summer Youth Olympic Games, scheduled to be held August 12-25.

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Pune FC moves to fourth place with 2-0 victory over JCT

Published Tue, May 04 10 10:22 AM

Pune, May 4 (PTI) Pune FC moved up to the fourth place in the points table after defeating visitors JCT 2-0 in the 24th round I-League match here. After Edmar Figueira''s 10th minute strike gave the hosts an early lead before Arata Izumi scored in the 45th minute to put the match beyond the visitors control. With this victory, Pune FC have 35 points from 23 games, while JCT have 31 points from 24 matches and are placed seventh in the points table.

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WI beat England in rain-shortened T20 match

Published>Tue, May 04 10 09:54 AM

The West Indies enjoyed some luck with the weather Monday to defeat England by eight wickets with a ball to spare in a rain-affected ICC World Twenty20 match.

England was sent in to bat first and Eoin Morgan's 55 off 35 balls inspired a total of 191-5 off 20 overs.

Luke Wright contributed an unbeaten 45 off 27 balls and shared a delightful fifth wicket stand of 95 off 57 balls.

The West Indies' reply was abbreviated after steady rain and they eventually snuck home off the penultimate delivery to reach the Duckworth/Lewis revised target of 60 off 6 overs.

Captain Chris Gayle slammed two fours and two sixes in a crucial 25 off 12 balls.

The home team's victory secured its place in the Super Eights while England must avoid defeat in Tuesday's showdown with Ireland to join the hosts.

England captain Paul Collingwood was disappointed by the result.

"We're very, very frustrated," he said. "Ninety-five percent of the time 191 runs is enough, but with Duckworth/Lewis it wasn't."

Earlier, England got a flying start from openers Michael Lumb and Craig Kieswetter after Gayle won the toss and decided to bowl first due to the uncertain weather.

Left-hander Lumb cracked four fours in 28 off 18 balls before he fell at 36-1 in the fourth over.

Fellow debutante Kieswetter compiled 26 off 14 deliveries, spiced with a four and three sixes, before he was leg before to left-arm spinner Nikita Miller at 66-2.

England was slowed after that by medium pacer Darren Sammy, who removed captain Paul Collingwood (6) and Kevin Pietersen (24).

Collingwood played across the line and was bowled while Pietersen, who hit one four and a six, slapped a catch to deep midwicket.

But Morgan and Wright changed tempo magnificently as England realized 76 runs from the last five overs.

The Irish-born Morgan slammed three sixes and three fours while Wright blasted four sixes and one four.

Ravi Rampaul conceded 27 runs from the 18th over as the huge home crowd was silenced.

England slammed 11 sixes and 10 fours during its innings.

Medium pacer Darren Sammy led the West Indies with 2-22 off four overs, a performance that later earned him the Man of the Match award.

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