Sports News-December 27, 2012
ESPN Radio now at 105.9 WJAG-FM & 780 WJAG-AM Mon-Fri at 5:00 PM; Sat & Sun at 4:00!
The Denver Nuggets have played an NBA-low ten home games this season, which amounts to just one-third of their schedule. But they also have the league's best home winning percentage after improving to 9-1 in Denver with a 126-114 win over the Los Angeles Lakers. Corey Brewer hit four of his six three-pointers in the final twelve-plus minutes and matched his career high with 27 points. Kenneth Faried added 21 points and 15 rebounds for the Nuggets, who earned their seventh straight home win and ended the Lakers' five-game winning streak. The Lakers fell to 14-15 despite Kobe Bryant, who scored 40 points and had six assists. Bryant has scored at least 30 points in each of his last ten games.
J.R. Smith hit the tying and winning baskets in the waning seconds of New York's 99-97 triumph at Phoenix. Smith hit a 15-footer with ten seconds remaining before draining a 21-footer at the buzzer following a Suns turnover with one second left. Smith scored 27 points and Jason Kidd added 23 as the two picked up the offensive slack while Carmelo Anthony and Raymond Felton sat out with injuries. The outcome keeps the Knicks a half-game behind the East-leading Heat.
A grand jury in Texas has formally indicted Dallas Cowboys nose tackle Josh Brent on one count of intoxication manslaughter. Brent is charged in connection with a Dec. 8 crash that killed his friend and Cowboys practice squad member Jerry Brown. He is out of jail on $100,000 bond. Police in the Dallas suburb of Irving say Brent was speeding when his vehicle struck a curb and flipped. Brown was pronounced dead at an area hospital. Intoxication manslaughter carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. Brent could be eligible for probation.
Creighton senior backup guard Josh Jones is quitting basketball because of a heart condition. Jones fainted before the Dec. 6 game at Nebraska and underwent surgery twelve days later to fix an atrial flutter. Doctors have said he will require more procedures. Coach Greg McDermott said last night that doctors advised Jones to give up basketball. Jones had an infected heart valve in 2007, when he was a high school senior. He had no more problems until minutes before the Nebraska game. Jones played in eight games this season, scoring 18 in a win over Alabama-Birmingham. He appeared in 108 games in his Creighton career, averaging five points in 15 minutes. The Omaha World-Herald first reported Jones' decision.
Nebraska men's basketball player Deverell Biggs has been cited on suspicion of driving under the influence and leaving the scene of an accident in Omaha last weekend. According to a police report, Biggs backed his Chevrolet Suburban into a Bellevue man's vehicle about 1:35 AM last Sunday. Biggs spoke briefly to the other driver and drove off. Police stopped him several miles away. Biggs’ blood-alcohol content measured .134, over the legal limit of .08. The 20-year-old also was cited for minor in possession and unsafe backing. Biggs is sitting out as a redshirt junior this season. Coach Tim Miles said in a text message yesterday he's "greatly disappointed in the report and Deverell's actions." No decision has been made on disciplinary action.
Local Schedule: Nfk High Vs. Kearney at Columbus High (GNAC BBB Tourn.-3:45); Nfk High Vs. Scottsbluff at Columbus High (GNAC GBB Tourn.-5:30); LHNE Vs. Tekemah/Herman at Wisner/Pilger High School (Shootout on the Elkhorn G&B BB Tourn.-6:00).
Friday Afternoon: The Norfolk Catholic girls & boys basketball teams visit Aurora to play Hastings St. Cecilia as part of the Aurora Holiday Tournament. The girls game starts at 2:30 with the boys game to follow. Pregame coverage at approximately 2:10 on 106 KIX & 106KIX.com.
Spracklen Physical Therapy Star Athlete of the Week: Connor Ketter of the Norfolk Catholic boys basketball team.
NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
Final Cleveland 87 Washington 84
Final Miami 105 Charlotte 92
Final New Orleans 97 Orlando 94
Final 2OT Atlanta 126 Detroit 119
Final Milwaukee 108 Brooklyn 93
Final Houston 87 Minnesota 84
Final Philadelphia 99 Memphis 89
Final San Antonio 100 Toronto 80
Final Golden State 94 Utah 83
Final Denver 126 L-A Lakers 114
Final New York 99 Phoenix 97
Final Portland 109 Sacramento 91
Chicago at Indiana (7:00 p.m., postponed, Weather conditions)
On Air
After Dark
12am - 6am
11pm - 12am
Star Athlete of the Week
Tyler Pflueger
of the Lutheran High Northeast Wrestling Team
Sponsored by Spracklen Physical Therapy of Norfolk