Top scorer
MIAMI, Florida - LeBron James scored 26 points, including a go-ahead lay-up with 3.2 seconds left, as the Miami Heat scrambled late to beat the Orlando Magic 97-96 on Thursday and extend their club-record winning streak to 16 NBA games. Dwyane Wade scored 24 points and Chris Bosh added 17 points and 10 rebounds for the Heat, who conceded a 20-point, second-half lead and then rallied from a five-point deficit in the final minutes.
Duo return
MARCOUSSIS, France - Morgan Parra and Frederic Michalak will start France's must-win match against Ireland in rugby's Six Nations championships this weekend, coach Philippe Saint-Andre announced yesterday. France go into the match at Landsdowne Road, Dublin, rooted to the bottom of the table in their worst start in the tournament since 1982 which could end with their first wooden spoon since 1957. Les Bleus, however, have the psychological advantage of knowing that they have only lost once to Ireland in their past 13 Tests -- the Irish's Grand Slam victory in 2009.
Drugs charges
MUMBAI, India - Indian cricketer Rahul Sharma and South African Wayne Parnell are facing drugs charges after their detention at a late-night party last year following an Indian Premier League game, reports said yesterday. The two Pune Warriors players were among nearly 100 people detained last May for medical testing at an upmarket hotel in Mumbai which was raided by police who found drugs on the premises. "We have filed charges against 86 persons," police told Press Trust of India.
Bale scores
PARIS - Gareth Bale boosted his sky-rocketing profile with a goal to help Tottenham destroy Inter Milan 3-0 yesterday and help lift Britain's European gloom. Bale, with his 21st of the season, Gylfi Sigurdsson and Jan Vertonghen were all on target in a one-sided Europa League last-16, first leg win at White Hart Lane which left the Italians with a mountain to climb in the return next week. The only setback for Spurs was seeing Bale booked for a fourth time this season for diving, a caution which will rule him out of the second leg at the San Siro. Tottenham's win was the only British success in Europe this week.
Leaders tied
RIO GRANDE, Puerto Rico- Australian golfer Cameron Percy and Argentina's Andres Romero each fired a seven-under par 65 yesterday to seize the lead after the first round of the US PGA Puerto Rico Open. Percy, seeking his first US PGA title, made nine birdies against two bogeys at the Trump International resort while Romero, whose only PGA crown came in 2008 at New Orleans, fired seven birdies and an eagle against a pair of bogeys.
Angry fans
SAO PAULO, Brazil - Palmeiras goalkeeper Fernando Prass was injured when fans frustrated by a defeat in the Copa Libertadores confronted players from the Brazilian soccer club at an airport in Argentina yesterday. Prass had to be treated for cuts to his head and ear, but no one was seriously hurt in the altercation before the team's return to Brazil. Palmeiras said three fans of the Brazilian club were detained in Argentina but were later released.