SPORTS
Thursday, January 7, 2016
East Oregonian
Page 3B
NBA
Paul leads Clippers to win over Trail Blazers
the team’s largest lead of the game.
Lillard hit a 3-pointer that pulled
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Los Angeles
Portland
quarter, then added another 3 that pulled
PORTLAND — The Los Angeles
Portland within 89-79 with just under
Clippers got their seventh straight win
10 minutes left. Gerald Henderson’s tip
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and Harkless’ fast break layup and free
but all the attention was on a guy who
didn’t play.
left. Paul Pierce’s 3-pointer pulled throw closed the gap to 89-83.
Wesley Johnson answered for the
Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum the Clippers out front 101-91 and the
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sat out of Portland’s 109-98 loss to Blazers couldn’t catch up.
the Clippers on Wednesday night
The uncertainty over McCollum, basket of the game — to stop Portland’s
because he was mistakenly left off the who is second on the team with an momentum.
It didn’t help Portland that Lillard
active roster that was turned in before average of 21 points a game, marred the
was still getting back into form after
the game.
start of the game for the Blazers.
The “clerical error” caused confusion
Allen Crabbe started in place of missing seven games with plantar
at the start of the game, but ultimately it McCollum, who was dressed and on fasciitis in his left foot. The Blazers’
meant that Portland’s second-leading the bench at the start of the game but All-Star came back on Monday
scorer couldn’t play.
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That took some of the attention quarter. Shortly before the break, the Portland fell 91-78.
The Clippers were coming off a
away from Chris Paul, who had 21 Blazers announced that McCollum was
points and a season-high 19 assists for inactive “due to a clerical error in the 130-99 victory over Philadelphia
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the Clippers, who have the league’s NBA’s active list reporting.”
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longest active winning streak at seven
Afterward, Blazers coach Terry
games. And that’s come despite the Stotts took full responsibility for the dealing with a sore right foot, was in
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DEVHQFH RI *ULI¿Q WKH WHDP¶V OHDGLQJ error.
scorer with an average of 23.2 points
“I signed the paper without really who was injured Christmas Day against
a game, because of a partially torn left noticing it, but it’s my fault for not the Lakers, could return as early as this
quadreiceps tendon.
looking at it,” Stotts said. “Although we weekend, although coach Doc Rivers
“Now we’re playing a lot smoother; caught the error, we thought we’d caught said Wednesday there was no update as
we’re just trying to hold it down until it in time, apparently we did not, so CJ to his status.
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the big fella gets back,” Paul said. “I’m was ruled inactive, and that’s that.”
going to keep saying this, we’re holding
McCollum said he was putting it all Clippers 86-21 in games played in
Portland.
this together ‘till 32 gets back.”
in the past.
ABOUT THOSE ASSISTS
DeAndre Jordan had 14 points and
“It’s unfortunate, but it’s over with.
It was Paul’s fourth straight game
14 rebounds for his sixth consecutive Just moving on to the next game,” he
with at least 10 assists. His career high is
double-double for the Clippers.
said.
Damian Lillard had 20 points and
The Clippers jumped out to an early 21, set Nov. 6, 2007 against the Lakers.
“When you have a guy on your team
nine assists, while Mason Plumlee had 22-10 lead on Pierce’s 3-pointer. They
a season-high 19 points for the Blazers, H[WHQGHG WKH OHDG WR RQ -DPDO that can recognize plays that you should
who trailed by as many as 23 points but Crawford’s 3-pointer and free throw. It run without having to look back (at the
closed the gap in the fourth quarter.
ZDV KLV WK SRLQW SOD\ DQ RQJRLQJ coach) — he called four in a row, that
were perfect calls,” Rivers said about
Mo Harkless dunked to narrow NBA record.
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Los Angeles led 63-40 at the half, his star point guard.
By ANNE M. PETERSON
AP Sports Writer
109
98
AP Photo/Steve Dykes
Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) and Port-
land Trail Blazers center Mason Plumlee (24) compete for a
loose ball during the second half of an NBA basketball game
in Portland, Ore., Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2016. The Clippers won
109-98.
LeBron motivated by 5-year-old friend
over Washington, James said
Still’s presence “absolutely”
provided some extra motiva-
WASHINGTON
— tion.
“Her and Zhuri, my baby
LeBron James had a special
fan in Washington on girl, are my two favorite
Wednesday night watching women in the world,” James
the Cleveland Cavaliers’ said. “I know my mom and
my wife will be a little bit
victory over the Wizards.
Five-year-old Leah Still, jealous, but they’ve got to
whose battle with cancer won take a back seat to those
KHU WKH (63< $ZDUG two.”
James and Still, the
for perseverance, attended
the game wearing James’ No. daughter of NFL defensive
end Devon Still, have had an
23 jersey.
After scoring 34 points ongoing friendship since the
and grabbing 10 rebounds in SDLU ¿UVW PHW ODVW VHDVRQ DW
&OHYHODQG¶V YLFWRU\ another game.
By IAN QUILLEN
Associated Press
AP Photo/Alex Brandon
Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) works
the ball as Washington Wizards forward Otto Porter Jr.
defends duirng the second half of an NBA basketball
game Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2016, in Washington. The Cav-
aliers won 121-115.
Earlier Monday, Devon
Still signed a contract with
the Houston Texans for next
season after he was cut by
Cincinnati last September.
The Bengals had kept him on
in 2014 in part so he’d have
health insurance to cover her
treatments.
“That’s all blessings from
the man above,” James said.
Scans this summer found
no trace of cancer, but
Leah has been undergoing
treatment to help rebuild
and immune system that was
destroyed by chemotherapy.
When James presented
KHU (63< 'HYRQ DFFHSWHG
with Leah not yet strong
enough to attend. But as she
nears the end of her treat-
ments, she was able to enjoy
the game courtside.
James said thinking of his
own children made Devon
Stills’ story hit home.
“To be able to keep that
strength and keep his compo-
sure, when his daughter was
going through what she was
going through, just resonated,
man,” James said. “And from
that point on, we became
good friends. ... (She’s) like a
little sister of mine.”
COLLEGE: Payton II scores 22 for Oregon State in loss to Stanford
Continued from 1B
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27-27 tie.
The Ducks stayed close
despite shooting just 32.4
percent for the half and
missing 10 of 12 3-pointers.
Dorsey hit both of Oregon’s
3s as he and Boucher each
had eight points.
The Golden Bears were
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turnovers and a 21-18
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rebounds at the break.
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Wallace passed Russ Critch-
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Bears’ career scoring list
with 16 points to give him
1,440. No. 11 is Justin Cobbs
at 1,469. . Cal came into the
game tied with Stanford for
fewest turnovers per game
in the Pac-12 at 11.9. The
Golden Bears had 10 by
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18. . Cal is now 11-2 when
it wins the rebounding battle.
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be without senior guard
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10 minutes of the second half,
but every time Oregon State
seemed to gain momentum,
Stanford stretched its lead.
The Cardinal led by 14
when Oregon State went on
a 7-0 run, with Thompson
making a 3-pointer and lay-in,
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Allen hit a 3-pointer with
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ford an 11-point advantage.
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Stanford’s second true road
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was a 78-61 loss to Saint Mary’s
on Nov. 22. . The victory gave
coach Johnny Dawkins his
STANFORD
78,
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OREGON STATE 72 — At
AP Photo/Timothy J.
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Corvallis, Rosco Allen had
Gonzalez
Beavers received four votes
21 points and eight rebounds
in this week’s Associated
as Stanford beat Oregon State
Press poll and three votes in
78-72 on Wednesday night.
0DUFXV $OOHQ DGGHG the Beavers (10-3, 1-1), who WKURZVLQWKH¿QDO
layup, to go up 22-11. The the USA Today poll. It’s the
points and three steals, and had a four-game winning
Stanford outrebounded scrambling and physical Stan- ¿UVW WLPH WKH %HDYHUV KDYH
Dorian Pickens had 14 points for streak snapped.
Oregon State 46-29 — with ford defense held the Beavers received votes since 2011.
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Thompson hit a long- a whopping 20 offensive VFRUHOHVV IRU PRUH WKDQ ¿YH . Gary Payton II entered the
Gary Payton II had 22 UDQJH SRLQWHU ZLWK boards — and got plenty minutes during the run.
game as one of only four
points, nine rebounds and six seconds left to make it 72-66, of high percentage looks,
Stanford led by as many players in the country leading
assists, Stephen Thompson but Oregon State’s press scoring 32 points in the paint. DVLQWKH¿UVWKDOIDQGZHQW his team in scoring (16.4),
rebounding (8.0), assists
Jr. scored 13 points and Drew couldn’t force turnovers and
7KH&DUGLQDOZHQWRQD to the break ahead 37-24.
Eubanks added 13 points for Stanford made 8 of 12 free surge, capped by a Pickens
The Beavers cut the lead DQGVWHDOV
Oregon
State’s
Malcolm
Duvivier,
center, drives
on Stanford’s
Michael
Humphrey,
left, Cameron
Walker, sec-
ond from left,
and Marcus
Allen, right,
during the
first half of an
NCAA college
basketball
game in Cor-
vallis, Ore.,
on Wednes-
day, Jan. 6,
2016.
Dylan Ennis for the rest of the
season after he reaggravated
a foot injury in Sunday’s
loss at Oregon State. Ennis,
a graduate transfer from
Villanova, played 21 minutes
in two games after missing
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surgery on his left foot. .
Oregon, next-to-last in the
Pac-12 in 3-point shooting
at 32.1 percent, made 7 of 21
(33.3 percent) in the victory.
UP NEXT
California plays at Oregon
State on Saturday night.
Oregon hosts Stanford on
Sunday night.
SCOREBOARD
Local slate
PREP BOYS BASKETBALL
Today
Umatilla at Riverside, 7:30 p.m.
Friday
Pilot Rock at Stanield, 3 p.m.
Weston-McEwen at Culver, 4:30 p.m.
Heppner at Irrigon, 6 p.m.
Arlington at Mitchell/Spray, 7:30 p.m.
Condon/Wheeler at Ione, 7:30 p.m.
Echo at Joseph, 7:30 p.m.
Powder Valley at Nixyaawii, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday
Pilot Rock at Culver, 2:30 p.m.
Summit at Hermiston, 3:15 p.m.
Pendleton at Lebanon, 5 p.m.
Stanield at Heppner, 5:30 p.m.
Irrigon at Weston-McEwen, 5:30 p.m.
South Wasco at Arlington, 5:30 p.m.
Horizon Christian at Condon/Wheeler,
5:30 p.m.
Ione at Sherman, 5:30 p.m.
Nixyaawii at Echo, 5:30 p.m.
Powder Valley at Helix, 5:30 p.m.
PREP GIRLS BASKETBALL
Today
Umatilla at Riverside, 6 p.m.
Friday
Pilot Rock at Stanield, 3 p.m.
Heppner at Irrigon, 7:30 p.m.
Weston-McEwen at Culver, 7:30 p.m.
Condon/Wheeler at Ione, 6 p.m.
Arlington at Mitchell/Spray (at Spray),
6 p.m.
Powder Valley at Nixyaawii, 6 p.m.
Echo at Joseph, 6 p.m.
Saturday
Pendleton at Lebanon, 3 p.m.
Pilot Rock at Culver, 2:30 p.m.
Stanield at Heppner, 4 p.m.
Irrigon at Weston-McEwen, 5:30 p.m.
Condon/Wheeler vs. Horizon Christian (at
Fossil), 4 p.m.
South Wasco at Arlington, 4 p.m.
Ione at Sherman, 4 p.m.
Powder Valley at Helix, 4 p.m.
Echo at Nixyaawii, 4 p.m.
PREP WRESTLING
Friday
Hermiston at Bremerton (WA) meet, 9 a.m.
Riverside quad dual at Riverside Tourna-
ment, 9 a.m.
Mac-Hi at Nampa Tournament, TBD
Saturday
Hermiston at Bremerton (WA) meet, 9 a.m.
Pendleton, Heppner, Riverside, Irrigon at
Riverside Tournament, 9 a.m.
Mac-Hi at Nampa Tournament, TBD.
PREP SWIMMING
Saturday
Pendleton, Hermiston at The Dalles meet,
10 a.m.
COLLEGE MEN’S BASKETBALL
Friday
Eastern Oregon at Warner Paciic, 7:30
p.m.
Saturday
Blue Mountain at Columbia Basin, 4 p.m.
Eastern Oregon at Multnomah, 7:30 p.m.
COLLEGE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
Friday
Eastern Oregon at Warner Paciic, 5:30
p.m.
Saturday
Blue Mountain at Columbia Basin, 2 p.m.
Eastern Oregon at Multnomah, 5:30 p.m.
Football
NCAA
Monday, Jan. 11
College Football Championship Game
Glendale, Ariz.
Clemson (14-0) vs. Alabama (13-1), 5:30
p.m. (ESPN)
NFL
Wild-card Playoffs
Saturday
Kansas City (11-5) at Houston (9-7), 1:35
p.m. (ABC/ESPN)
Pittsburgh (10-6) at Cincinnati (12-4), 5:15
p.m. (CBS)
Sunday
Seattle (10-6) at Minnesota (11-6), 10
a.m. (NBC)
Green Bay (10-6) at Washington (9-7), 1:30
p.m. (FOX)
Basketball
NBA
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Atlantic Division
W
L
Toronto
22 15
Boston
19 16
New York
18 19
Brooklyn
10 25
Philadelphia
4 33
Southeast Division
W
L
Miami
21 14
Atlanta
21 15
Orlando
19 17
Charlotte
17 18
Washington
15 18
Central Division
W
L
Cleveland
24
9
Chicago
21 12
Indiana
20 15
Detroit
20 16
Milwaukee
14 23
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Southwest Division
Pct
.595
.543
.486
.286
.108
GB
—
2
4
11
18
Pct
.600
.583
.528
.486
.455
GB
—
½
2½
4
5
Pct
.727
.636
.571
.556
.378
GB
—
3
5
5½
12
W
L
Pct GB
San Antonio
31
6 .838
—
Dallas
21 15 .583 9½
Memphis
19 18 .514
12
Houston
17 19 .472 13½
New Orleans
11 23 .324 18½
Northwest Division
W
L
Pct GB
Oklahoma City
25 11 .694
—
Utah
15 19 .441
9
Portland
15 23 .395
11
Denver
13 23 .361
12
Minnesota
12 24 .333
13
Pacific Division
W
L
Pct GB
Golden State
33
2 .943
—
L.A. Clippers
23 13 .639 10½
Sacramento
14 21 .400
19
Phoenix
13 25 .342 21½
L.A. Lakers
8 28 .222 25½
———
Wednesday’s Games
New York 98, Miami 90
Indiana 95, Orlando 86
Cleveland 121, Washington 115
Toronto 91, Brooklyn 74
Detroit 99, Boston 94
Denver 78, Minnesota 74
Dallas 100, New Orleans 91
San Antonio 123, Utah 98
Phoenix 111, Charlotte 102
Oklahoma City 112, Memphis 94
L.A. Clippers 109, Portland 98
Today’s Games
Atlanta at Philadelphia, 4 p.m.
Boston at Chicago, 5 p.m.
Utah at Houston, 5 p.m.
L.A. Lakers at Sacramento, 7:30 p.m.
NCAA WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
TOP 25
Wednesday
1. UConn (12-0) beat Tulsa 95-35. Next: at
Houston, Friday.
4. Texas (13-0) beat Iowa State 75-54.
Next: at Oklahoma State, Saturday.
6. Baylor (14-1) beat Kansas 58-40. Next:
vs. TCU, Saturday.
17. Oklahoma (11-3) beat TCU 78-65. Next:
vs. Kansas State, Sunday.
NCAA MEN’S BASKETBALL
Top 25
Wednesday
3. Maryland (14-1) beat Rutgers 88-63.
Next: at Wisconsin, Saturday.
10. Xavier (14-1) beat St. John’s 74-66.
Next: vs. DePaul, Tuesday.
11. Villanova (13-2) beat Seton Hall 72-63.
Next: at No. 18 Butler, Sunday.
13. Iowa State (12-2) beat Texas Tech 76-
69. Next: vs. Baylor, Saturday.
14. Duke (13-2) beat Wake Forest 91-75.
Next: vs. Virginia Tech, Saturday.
21. Texas A&M (12-2) beat Mississippi
State 61-60. Next: at Tennessee, Saturday.
24. Pittsburgh (13-1) beat Georgia Tech 89-
84. Next: at Notre Dame, Saturday.
25. Dayton (12-2) beat UMass 93-63.
Next: at La Salle, Saturday.
Hockey
NHL
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Atlantic Division
GP W
L OT
Florida
40 24 12
4
Montreal
42 23 16
3
Detroit
40 20 13
7
Boston
38 20 14
4
Ottawa
40 19 15
6
Tampa Bay 40 19 17
4
Toronto
38 16 15
7
Buffalo
40 15 21
4
Metropolitan Division
GP W
L OT
Washington 39 29
7
3
Pts
52
49
47
44
44
42
39
34
GF GA
111 86
121 104
101 106
118 105
114 120
101 98
103 103
92 110
Pts GF GA
61 124 85
N.Y. Islanders 40 22 13
5
N.Y. Rangers 40 22 14
4
New Jersey 41 20 16
5
Pittsburgh 40 19 16
5
Philadelphia 38 16 15
7
Carolina
41 16 18
7
Columbus 41 15 23
3
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Central Division
GP W
L OT
Dallas
42 28 10
4
Chicago
42 25 13
4
St. Louis
43 23 14
6
Minnesota 39 21 11
7
Nashville
40 19 14
7
Colorado
41 20 18
3
Winnipeg 40 19 19
2
Pacific Division
GP W
L OT
Los Angeles 39 25 12
2
Arizona
39 19 16
4
Vancouver 41 16 16
9
Calgary
39 19 18
2
Anaheim
39 16 16
7
San Jose
37 18 17
2
Edmonton 41 17 21
3
49
48
45
43
39
39
33
113 99
118 105
94 97
94 99
83 105
94 114
105 131
Pts
60
54
52
49
45
43
40
GF GA
146 113
117 100
106 107
105 92
104 106
117 114
108 115
Pts
52
42
41
40
39
38
37
GF GA
105 87
110 124
100 115
104 122
73 94
101 106
102 122
NOTE: Two points for a win, one point for
overtime loss.
———
Wednesday’s Games
Montreal 2, New Jersey 1
Chicago 3, Pittsburgh 1
Colorado 4, St. Louis 3, OT
Vancouver 3, Carolina 2
Toronto 4, Anaheim 0
Today’s Games
Washington at N.Y. Islanders, 4 p.m.
Florida at Ottawa, 4:30 p.m.
Philadelphia at Minnesota, 5 p.m.
Winnipeg at Dallas, 5:30 p.m.
Arizona at Calgary, 6 p.m.
Toronto at Los Angeles, 7:30 p.m.
Detroit at San Jose, 7:30 p.m.