Blast defeats Monterrey, 16-9
pro soccer
The Blast eliminated Monterrey La RaZa from first-place contention in the National Indoor Soccer League with a 16-9 victory, its fifth in a row, at 1st Mariner Arena. With a win over the Philadelphia KiXX (8-6) at 7:35 tonight at home, the Blast (12-2) will clinch first place in the regular season and host the title game April 11. A steal by Robbie Aristodemo and resultant goal in a 1-on-1 situation with 9:37 elapsed in the third period put the final touches on the Blast's third win over Monterrey (7-7) this season. KENT BAKER
Wizards routed; Celts top Cavaliers
nba
Tony Parker scored 19 points and the San Antonio Spurs (41-20) defeated the visiting Washington Wizards, 100-78. Antawn Jamison had 14 points for Washington (14-48).
Celtics 105, Cavaliers 94: : Paul Pierce scored 29 and host Boston (49-14) beat Cleveland (48-13) to move within percentage points of the Cavs in the race for the Eastern Conference's top spot.
Other results: : Dwyane Wade had 42 points, eight assists and six rebounds, and the visiting Heat (33-28) beat the Raptors (23-40), 108-102. ... Aaron Brooks scored a career-high 30 and drove past Shaquille O'Neal for the winning basket as the host Rockets (40-23) beat the Suns (34-28), 116-112. ... Gerald Wallace scored 21 and the host Bobcats (27-35) beat the Hawks (34-28), 98-91, Charlotte's franchise record-tying fifth straight victory. ... Dwight Howard had 26 points and 15 rebounds, and the Magic (45-16) rallied to beat the visiting Nets (27-35), 105-102, for their fourth win in five games. ... Richard Hamilton scored 22 and the host Pistons (31-29) beat the Warriors (21-41), 108-91, for their fourth straight victory. ... Ben Gordon scored 34 and the host Bulls (29-34) moved into the eighth place in the East by beating the Bucks (29-36), 117-102. ... On Thursday night, Carmelo Anthony (Towson Catholic) scored 38 in his return from a one-game suspension as the Nuggets beat the Trail Blazers, 106-90.
Off the court: : Wizards guard DeShawn Stevenson had season-ending surgery to repair a herniated disc. ... Hall of Fame coach Chuck Daly has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. ... Doctors who performed surgery on Suns forward Amare Stoudemire to repair a torn retina ruled out his return this season, ESPN.com reported. ... Celtics forward Kevin Garnett is expected to miss at least another week with a strained right knee.
