Magic handle Hawks, 104-86

ORLANDO: Dwight Howard helped the Orlando Magic beat a top conference rival for the second game in a row.

Contador unfazed by threat of Armstrong

VIENNA: Tour de France champion Alberto Contador insists the thought of having seven-time winner Lance Armstrong as his main rival in this year's race is not keeping him awake at night.

Forget finances, relish Rooney, Ferguson

Manchester United forward bags four in win over Hull as fans vent their frustration at owners

Anelka earns plaudits after firing Chelsea into fifth round

PRESTON, England: France striker Nicolas Anelka took the plaudits after his goal inspired a 2-0 win at Preston which kept Chelsea on course to land the FA Cup for the third time in four seasons.

Hamburg sign hot van Nistelrooy

BERLIN: Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy signed an 18-month contract on Saturday with Bundesliga side Hamburg having left Spanish giants Real Madrid on a free transfer.

Flatt claims US crown as Cohen falters

SPOKANE, Washington: Rachael Flatt won the ladies' title at the US Figure Skating Championships on Saturday, surging to victory with a solid free skate as Sasha Cohen's comeback hit the skids.

Score board

Biathlon

Zheng blazes her way into quarters

Chinese star outclasses Ukrainian and hopes to be joined by Li

Nadal ready for Murray in quarterfinals

MELBOURNE: Rafael Nadal admits he must step up a gear to beat Andy Murray after blunting the power of giant Croatian Ivo Karlovic yesterday to set up an enticing Australian Open quarterfinal against the Scot.

Gibson's 3, James' D give Cavs win

CLEVELAND: The Cavaliers are down to their third point guard. Their fourth might be the best in the NBA.

IN BRIEF (Page 24)

Terrorism down, murder up in 2009

Despite a spate of recent high-profile violent crime in the city, the most serious types of lawlessness actually fell in Beijing last year to six incidents from 31 such cases in 2007.