Golf
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – Reigning U.S. Masters champion Danny Willett took a three-shot advantage after three rounds of the Maybank Championship Malaysia, scoring a five-under 67 to finish the day ahead of American David Lipsky.
The top-ranked player at the tournament was 16-under par after 54 holes, a score that could have been bettered had he not agonizingly missed out on an eagle in the final hole.
But the 29-year-old Englishman seems to be thriving despite unpredictable weather conditions at the Saujana Golf & Country Club in Kuala Lumpur, opening with three rounds of 67 or better for just the third time in his career.
The world number 15 has yet to win since he triumphed at the Masters in April 2016, and has only managed three top-10 finishes since.
Lipsky, searching for a first title since 2014, put on a sturdy showing to card a 68 and move within sight of Willett heading into the last day of the $3 million tournament co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and European Tour.
CLEVELAND – LeBron James and Kyrie Irving each scored 27 points and combined for three 3-pointers in Cleveland’s long-range barrage in the third quarter that sent the Cavaliers to a 125-109 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Saturday night.
James added 12 assists in 32 minutes as the defending NBA champions won for the fifth time in six February games after going 7-8 in January.
Back from a four-game road trip, the Cavs didn’t find their range until after halftime, when they opened the third with an 18-0 run to take control.
Irving drained two 3s on consecutive possessions, Kevin Love hit two more and James dropped another in a span of 2:43 as Cleveland pulled away and improved to 23-5 at Quicken Loans Arena.
Nikola Jokic had 27 points and 13 rebounds for the Nuggets, who played their third game in four nights.
OKLAHOMA CITY – Kevin Durant scored 34 points while being booed throughout his return to Oklahoma City, and the Golden State Warriors beat the Thunder 130-114 in a chippy game on Saturday night.
It was Durant’s first game back since he left the Thunder after eight seasons in Oklahoma City to join the rival Warriors as a free agent last summer. The crowd jeered him loudly during pregame warmups, starter introductions and whenever he touched the ball.
Emotions ran high throughout the game. At one point in the third quarter, Durant and Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook yelled at each other as they walked toward their benches during a timeout. Later in the third quarter, Oklahoma City’s Andre Roberson fouled Durant hard, and the two got in each other’s faces and were called for double technicals.
Westbrook finished with 47 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists.
NHL
NEW YORK – Henrik Lundqvist made 32 saves for his 400th career win and the New York Rangers earned their fifth consecutive victory, beating the Colorado Avalanche 4-2 on Saturday night.
Lundqvist is the 12th goaltender in NHL history with at least 400 wins and the first European-born goaltender to reach the mark.
Lundqvist also is the third goaltender to get 400 wins with one franchise. The others are Martin Brodeur (Devils) and Tony Esposito (Blackhawks).
Lundqvist is 8-1 in his past nine appearances.
Gabriel Landeskog and John Mitchell scored and Calvin Pickard made 26 saves for Colorado, which has the fewest wins in the NHL with 15.
Associated Press
