Lakers rout Spurs to seize top spot

LOS ANGELES: The Los Angeles Lakers took sole possession of first place in the Western Conference and moved closer to being the top playoff seed with a crushing 106-85 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday.

Devils gladly take 'lucky' overtime win

NEW YORK: The New Jersey Devils beat the New York Rangers 4-3 in overtime in Game 3 on Sunday to claw their way back into the NHL's Eastern Conference playoff series.

Sports

Man Utd, Barca round out semifinals

BELGRADE: Manchester United completed a 3-0 aggregate win over AS Roma on Wednesday to join Liverpool and Chelsea in the Champions league semifinals as the three English teams repeated last season's success.

James nets 33 points despite aching back

CLEVELAND: LeBron James played with an aching back and the Cleveland Cavaliers rallied for a much-needed win over the New Jersey Nets 104-83 in the NBA on Wednesday.

IOC strengthens rules against doping

The governing body of the Beijing Olympics has stiffened laws against doping cheats for the upcoming Games, according to an International Olympic Committee (IOC) announcement yesterday in the Chinese capital.

Rangers continue dominance of Devils

NEW YORK: The New York Rangers scored three third-period goals to start the NHL playoffs with a 4-1 win over the New Jersey Devils in Newark on Wednesday.

IN BRIEF (Page 24)

Sports

Liverpool, Chelsea to clash again in semis

BELGRADE, Serbia: Liverpool and Chelsea will meet in the Champions League semifinals for the third time in four years after quarterfinal wins on Tuesday.

Jazz plays sweet tune as Hornets sing the blues

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana: Turkish center Mehmet Okur scored 22 points and grabbed 17 rebounds to lead the Utah Jazz over New Orleans 77-66 in a Tuesday matchup of National Basketball Association contenders.

Sharapova makes triumphant return

AMELIA ISLAND, Florida: Top seed Maria Sharapova, returning from a two-week fatigue break, beat Czech qualifier Barbora Zahlavova Strycova on Tuesday at the $600,000 WTA Bausch and Lomb Championship.