A return home proved just what the Denver Nuggets needed on Friday as they downed the Los Angeles Lakers 99-84 to narrow the gap in their NBA Western Conference first-round playoff series.

The Nuggets, who had never led in losing the first two games of the series in Los Angeles, jumped out to a 16-point lead in the first quarter to put the Lakers on their heels and led by as many as 24 in the first half.

For the first time in history, Safa won its first ever league title Friday defeating Nejmeh 1-0 in a match attended by more than 11 thousand spectators in Sidon.

Although violence erupted in the stands between supporters of the two teams threating to mar the occasion, security forces were able to contain the chaos with one injury reported after sustained bottle throwing.

Venus Williams thinks it's a fashion statement. A Canadian player describes it as "Smurf clay." Rafael Nadal calls it a mistake.

The Madrid Open is receiving extra attention this year as the Masters Series event for men and women will be the first top-level tournament played on blue clay instead of the traditional red surface.

LeBron James scored 17 of his 32 points in the fourth quarter as the Miami Heat defeated New York 87-70 to take a commanding 3-0 lead over the Knicks in their NBA Eastern Conference first-round playoff series.

James on Thursday scored eight straight points to start the fourth and Miami's first 11 points of the period as the Heat pulled away from the injury-depleted Knicks.

Wayne Rooney's stunning overhead kick in the Manchester derby in February 2011 has been voted as the greatest goal in the 20 seasons of the Premier League in a ballot of more than 300,000 fans.

England striker Rooney acrobatically volleyed home Nani's 77th-minute cross to take United eight points clear of City in the league standings en route to a record 19th English league title.

The Oklahoma City Thunder humbled the Dallas Mavericks 95-79, pushing the reigning NBA champions to the brink of elimination in the first round of the NBA Western Conference playoffs.

NBA scoring champion Kevin Durant on Thursday scored 31 points to lead the Thunder, who took a 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven series and will try to complete the sweep on Saturday in Dallas.

Real Madrid claimed their first Spanish title in four years, ending the reign of bitter rivals Barcelona to boot, as they beat Athletic Bilbao 3-0 on Wednesday for what is their 32nd league crown.

Gonzalo Higuain, Mesut Ozil and Cristiano Ronaldo scored the goals to give Jose Mourinho a record-breaking four titles in four different countries and the victory required with two games remaining.

Chelsea looks certain to finish outside the top four of the English Premier League for the first time in 10 years after a 2-0 home defeat against Newcastle on Wednesday.

Papiss Cisse scored twice at Stamford Bridge to take his tally to 13 goals in 12 appearances for Newcastle, which now looks to be going head-to-head with Tottenham for a top-four place.

Ten-man Lecce threw a spanner in the Serie A title works as they held Juventus to a 1-1 draw on Wednesday, allowing AC Milan to close the gap at the top to just one point.

Juve seemed to be cruising to victory after an early goal while their relegation-threatened opponents were reduced to 10 men early in the second period.

Danny Granger scored 26 points and Roy Hibbert added 18 as Indiana pulled away for a 97-74 victory over Orlando and a 2-1 lead in their NBA Eastern Conference first-round playoff series.

The Pacers outscored the Magic 32-17 in the third quarter and 53-36 in the second half to edge ahead in the best-of-seven series, regaining home-court advantage after dropping the opener at Indianapolis.