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After falling early in FIBA World Cup, France quickly turns focus toward Paris Olympics

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 08:00:46 GMT

Nicolas Batum has been part of France’s national team for about 15 years now. He was part of a gold-medal game loss to the U.S. at the Tokyo Olympics. Part of another gold-medal game loss at last year’s EuroBasket. Part of a pair of semifinal-round losses at the last two FIBA World Cups.Those were all difficult.To him, though, this was worse. Much worse.France — a medal favorite in the eyes of many entering this World Cup and the No. 5-ranked team in the world according to FIBA — won’t even get out of the first round of this tournament, a massive embarrassment for a team that will consider itself a gold-medal favorite when it plays host to the Paris Olympics in 11 months. Latvia eliminated France on Sunday night, winning 88-86 in a group-stage game at Jakarta, Indonesia.“When you lose in the semis or quarterfinals, it’s different. I mean, at least you compete,” Batum said. “We didn’t even get past the first round. We have high expectations. I’m as...

Kron wins 2nd stage of Spanish Vuelta marred by thumbtacks

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 08:00:46 GMT

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Andreas Kron of Denmark won the second stage of the Spanish Vuelta that local media reported was marred when several competitors rode over thumbtacks on Sunday.Broadcaster TVE showed a thumbtack that its reporter on a motorbike found on the course. This summer’s Tour de France was also troubled by thumbtacks tossed on the road.Kron of Lotto DSTNY team was the first to cross the finish line atop a hill in Barcelona after the 182-kilometer (113-mile) hilly course from Mataro.Because of the heavy rain that fell through the night and into the morning, race organizers decided that the times for the general classification were taken 3.6 kilometers (2.2 miles) from the finish. Bonus seconds were still awarded at the finish line.The decision came after several riders, including defending champion Remco Evenepoel, complained about the poor conditions during the opening stage on Saturday. A rainstorm wet the streets of Barcelona and left the last teams with scant visib...

Chicago visits Seattle following Loyd’s 32-point showing

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 08:00:46 GMT

Chicago Sky (13-21, 3-14 Eastern Conference) at Seattle Storm (10-24, 7-9 Western Conference)Seattle; Sunday, 6 p.m. EDTFANDUEL SPORTSBOOK WNBA LINE: Sky -1.5; over/under is 161.5BOTTOM LINE: Seattle hosts the Chicago Sky after Jewell Loyd scored 32 points in the Seattle Storm’s 90-86 loss to the Indiana Fever.The Storm have gone 4-14 in home games. Seattle is fifth in the Western Conference scoring 78.6 points while shooting 40.8% from the field.The Sky are 7-9 on the road. Chicago is third in the WNBA averaging 7.8 made 3-pointers per game while shooting 35.8% from downtown. Marina Mabrey leads the team averaging 2.1 makes while shooting 37.2% from 3-point range.The teams square off for the fourth time this season. The Sky won the last matchup 102-79 on Aug. 23, with Dana Evans scoring 23 points in the win.TOP PERFORMERS: Ezi Magbegor is averaging 13.9 points, eight rebounds and 1.9 blocks for the Storm. Loyd is averaging 24.4 points and 3.3 assists over the last 10 games fo...

Atlanta visits Indiana after Mitchell’s 36-point game

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 08:00:46 GMT

Atlanta Dream (16-18, 10-8 Eastern Conference) at Indiana Fever (10-24, 4-13 Eastern Conference)Indianapolis; Sunday, 4 p.m. EDTFANDUEL SPORTSBOOK WNBA LINE: Fever -1.5; over/under is 165.5BOTTOM LINE: Indiana hosts the Atlanta Dream after Kelsey Mitchell scored 36 points in the Indiana Fever’s 90-86 victory over the Seattle Storm.The Fever have gone 4-13 against Eastern Conference teams. Indiana ranks sixth in the WNBA with 34.3 rebounds led by Aliyah Boston averaging 8.2.The Dream have gone 10-8 against Eastern Conference opponents. Atlanta ranks fifth in the Eastern Conference with 7.7 offensive rebounds per game led by Cheyenne Parker averaging 2.2.The teams square off for the fourth time this season. The Dream won 82-73 in the last matchup on Aug. 6. Rhyne Howard led the Dream with 24 points, and Boston led the Fever with 25 points.TOP PERFORMERS: Boston is scoring 14.6 points per game and averaging 8.2 rebounds for the Fever. Mitchell is averaging 21.9 points and 1.6 reb...

McCowan leads Dallas against Phoenix after 23-point showing

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 08:00:46 GMT

Dallas Wings (18-16, 9-9 Western Conference) at Phoenix Mercury (9-24, 2-14 Western Conference)Phoenix; Sunday, 6 p.m. EDTFANDUEL SPORTSBOOK WNBA LINE: Wings -8.5; over/under is 163.5BOTTOM LINE: Dallas visits the Phoenix Mercury after Teaira McCowan scored 23 points in the Wings’ 90-81 loss to the Minnesota Lynx.The Mercury’s record in Western Conference play is 2-14. Phoenix ranks sixth in the WNBA with 19.3 assists per game. Sug Sutton leads the Mercury averaging 4.4.The Wings are 9-9 against Western Conference teams. Dallas averages 86.8 points while outscoring opponents by 2.6 points per game.The teams square off for the fourth time this season. The Wings won the last matchup 77-62 on June 28. Arike Ogunbowale scored 23 points to help lead the Wings to the win.TOP PERFORMERS: Sophie Cunningham is averaging 11.6 points for the Mercury. Diana Taurasi is averaging 17.9 points over the last 10 games for Phoenix.Ogunbowale is averaging 20.7 points, 4.5 assists and 1.7 st...

Los Angeles visits Connecticut after Bonner’s 30-point game

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 08:00:46 GMT

Los Angeles Sparks (15-18, 8-10 Western Conference) at Connecticut Sun (23-11, 13-4 Eastern Conference)Uncasville, Connecticut; Sunday, 1 p.m. EDTFANDUEL SPORTSBOOK WNBA LINE: Sun -5.5; over/under is 157.5BOTTOM LINE: Connecticut plays the Los Angeles Sparks after DeWanna Bonner scored 30 points in the Connecticut Sun’s 95-90 overtime loss to the New York Liberty.The Sun are 9-6 in home games. Connecticut is 1-0 in games decided by 3 points or fewer.The Sparks have gone 6-10 away from home. Los Angeles is third in the Western Conference scoring 37.2 points per game in the paint led by Nneka Ogwumike averaging 10.9.The teams meet for the second time this season. The Sun won 83-74 in the last matchup on June 18.TOP PERFORMERS: Alyssa Thomas is averaging 15.9 points, 9.9 rebounds, 8.1 assists and 1.9 steals for the Sun. Bonner is averaging 16.9 points over the last 10 games for Connecticut.Dearica Hamby is averaging 8.8 points and 5.5 rebounds for the Sparks. Ogwumike is averagin...

Browns add backfield depth, acquire RB Pierre Strong Jr. in trade from Patriots for T Wheatley

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 08:00:46 GMT

CLEVELAND (AP) — Looking to bolster their backfield depth behind star Nick Chubb, the Cleveland Browns acquired running back Pierre Strong Jr. on Sunday in a trade with the New England Patriots.The Browns sent offensive tackle Tyrone Wheatley Jr. to the Patriots for Strong, a fourth-round pick last season by New England.Cleveland made the move two days before NFL teams are required to trim their rosters to 53.The 5-foot-11, 205-pound Strong, who played at South Dakota State, appeared in 15 games as a rookie. He gained 100 yards on 10 carries and scored a touchdown, adding seven catches for 42 yards.With second-year back Jerome Ford out with a hamstring injury, Cleveland has been looking to add another experienced runner to slot behind Chubb, a four-time Pro Bowler who for a career-high 1,525 yards last season.The Browns recently signed running back Jordan Wilkins, who had one carry, a fumble and a bad exchange with quarterback Deshaun Watson in Saturday’s exhibition loss at Ka...

Fatal crash causes highway closure in Douglas County

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 08:00:46 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- Colorado State Patrol and the Douglas County Sheriff's Office were on the scene of a fatal crash in Douglas County Sunday afternoon, according to DCSO.The crash occurred on Colorado Highway 86 east of Franktown.Eastbound CO 86 was closed as a result of the crash. According to the Colorado Department of Transportation, delays should be expected.Further information about the crash was not available.

Honey bee swarm delays Orioles’ game vs. Rockies in first inning

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 08:00:46 GMT

Talk about the Birds and the bees.The Orioles’ game against the Colorado Rockies on Sunday at Camden Yards was temporarily paused in the bottom of the first inning because of a swarm of honey bees in left field near the bullpens. The five-minute bee delay will not count in the time of game for the series finale.After Orioles designated hitter Adley Rutschman popped out to open the bottom of the first, umpires stopped the game as Rockies left fielder Nolan Jones moved away from the area.“The swarm has been identified as honey bees, and are now calmed down,” the Orioles said in a statement.This story will be updated. ()

Yankees’ youthful Sunday lineup prompts questions about other prospects

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 08:00:46 GMT

TAMPA — After just five major league games and two hits, Everson Pereira found himself batting fourth on Sunday.“I just feel like he has a chance to impact the ball in there,” Aaron Boone said before the Yankees’ series finale against the Rays. “Despite not having a lot of results and even taking some lumps here in a couple of these games, I do feel like he’s put together some good at-bats, too.”The 22-year-old left fielder’s designation as the cleanup hitter accentuated a rather youthful Yankees lineup on Sunday. Boone also had Anthony Volpe batting fifth and playing shortstop after an unprecedented Saturday off day for the 22-year-old.Oswaldo Cabrera, 23, hit seventh and played right. Oswald Peraza, also 22, hit eighth and played third base.“Excited to see what all of them are able to do here in this final month-plus of games playing regularly, playing together,” Boone said. “And hopefully they can take and run with...