Category News

Nikola Jokic became the first player in NBA history to register a triple-double of at least 30 points, 20 rebounds and 20 assists in a game as the Denver Nuggets beat the Phoenix Suns 149-141 in overtime.

The Serb, 30, scored 31 points, made 21 rebounds and had 22 assists in the match.

Phoenix trailed by 21 points in the third quarter before a stunning fightback, with Kevin Durant – who scored 29 points in total – hitting a three-pointer on the buzzer to send the game into overtime.

However, Denver forged ahead early in the extra period to secure a second successive victory.

Their 41-22 win-loss record means they are third in the Western Conference.

Denver’s next opponents on Sunday are leaders the Oklahoma City Thunder, who beat the Portland Trail Blazers 107-89.

Guinness Men’s Six Nations: England v Italy

Date: Sunday, 9 March Kick-off: 15: 00 GMT Venue: Allianz Stadium, Twickenham

For England, Sunday is mission mundane.

Some would say they have already accomplished it several times over.

So far in the Six Nations, when on the turf, rather than in front of a microphone, their promises of moving the ball have turned out to mean in one direction: upwards, via the boot.

In three games, England have kicked 120 times in open play. No other team comes close to that total.

Italy, the next most kick-happy, have done so 100 times. Scotland are down at just 71.

While there is a logic and pedigree to the tactic, the Allianz Stadium crowd are not enamoured.

Several times against Scotland and France, they grumbled as Alex Mitchell or Fin Smith lined up a skywards hoof.

Yet, when both games came to the boil, the atmosphere was bubbling.

A pair of one-point, cliff-hanger victories kept 80-odd thousand in their seats and off their feet and England in the title hunt.

It has become England’s way.

Incredibly their last 15 matches against Six Nations or Rugby Championship opposition have all been decided by a single-digit margin. The average winning margin across those games is a skinny 3.5 points.

Victory in comfort and a bonus point in some style should be the aim.

Against an opponent they have beaten in all 31 of their previous meetings, England are strong enough to take the possibility of an upset out of the visitors ‘ hands.

An awkward bounce, a refereeing call, a moment of Azzurri genius – the hosts should have amassed enough points to insulate themselves against all such eventualities by the business end of the match.

The outcome certain, the bonus point secure, boring, but in a better way.

England have benched their most exciting player in pursuit of this goal.

Marcus Smith’s name registers the highest decibels when England’s team is announced before kick-off. If you ask any young fan who they are looking forward to seeing, invariably it is the Harlequins playmaker.

His nose for a gap, jagging step and instinctive unpredictability were England’s surest sources of tries throughout the autumn.

His faked drop-goal and blind-side dart produced the first against South Africa. His poked kick in behind Australia’s defence set up the opening score against the Wallabies. His interception and canter upfield put them ahead in the second half against New Zealand.

Each time though, they were pyrotechnics in losing efforts.

In search of more sustainable scoring, England have brought in some pre-heated cohesion, installing Fin Smith at fly-half and, after a year out the side, Fraser Dingwall at inside centre.

They are two of five Northampton players in the backline.

Had George Furbank been fit, Saints would surely be only one slot away from a full house.

“I watched the relationship between 9, 10 and 12 in training this week and have an understanding with each other that doesn’t take any communication”, said head coach Steve Borthwick this week.

Marcus Smith, who was told last week that he could be world class in his new full-back role, has been replaced at 15 by 32-year-old Elliot Daly.

It is just the latest shuffle that Borthwick, who has enviously highlighted the settled systems and experience of Ireland, France and Scotland, has made over the campaign.

A rookie 10 has come in, the Henry Slade-Ollie Lawrence centre partnership into which he has sunk considerable game time has come out, and three different full-backs have started across four matches.

The latest mix needs to work, not just for the nerves of the Twickenham regulars, but for the standings spreadsheet.

Whatever the result between Ireland and France in Dublin on Saturday, England will head into the final day as distinct outsiders for the title.

Once hooker Jamie George has been presented with a ceremonial cap denoting his 100th England appearance before kick-off, England will be concerned about racking up a big number of their own.

Italy were compliant last time out, fading fast in the second half as France ran in 11 tries in a 73-24 win in Rome.

They might not be this week.

Last year, they outscored England three tries to two, running them closer than ever in the Six Nations before succumbing 27-24.

Second row Federico Ruzza said that he and his team-mates have “looked each other in the face” after the France loss.

With runners like Ange Capuozzo, Monty Ioane and Tomasso Menoncello, they have flair, if they can reignite their physicality.

But for their title hopes and their fans ‘ belief in their progress and promises, England need to finish the fight standing among Roman wreckage.

Guinness Men’s Six Nations: England v Italy

Date: Sunday, 9 March Kick-off: 15: 00 GMT Venue: Allianz Stadium, Twickenham

For England, Sunday is mission mundane.

Some would say they have already accomplished it several times over.

So far in the Six Nations, when on the turf, rather than in front of a microphone, their promises of moving the ball have turned out to mean in one direction: upwards, via the boot.

In three games, England have kicked 120 times in open play. No other team comes close to that total.

Italy, the next most kick-happy, have done so 100 times. Scotland are down at just 71.

While there is a logic and pedigree to the tactic, the Allianz Stadium crowd are not enamoured.

Several times against Scotland and France, they grumbled as Alex Mitchell or Fin Smith lined up a skywards hoof.

Yet, when both games came to the boil, the atmosphere was bubbling.

A pair of one-point, cliff-hanger victories kept 80-odd thousand in their seats and off their feet and England in the title hunt.

It has become England’s way.

Incredibly their last 15 matches against Six Nations or Rugby Championship opposition have all been decided by a single-digit margin. The average winning margin across those games is a skinny 3.5 points.

Victory in comfort and a bonus point in some style should be the aim.

Against an opponent they have beaten in all 31 of their previous meetings, England are strong enough to take the possibility of an upset out of the visitors ‘ hands.

An awkward bounce, a refereeing call, a moment of Azzurri genius – the hosts should have amassed enough points to insulate themselves against all such eventualities by the business end of the match.

The outcome certain, the bonus point secure, boring, but in a better way.

England have benched their most exciting player in pursuit of this goal.

Marcus Smith’s name registers the highest decibels when England’s team is announced before kick-off. If you ask any young fan who they are looking forward to seeing, invariably it is the Harlequins playmaker.

His nose for a gap, jagging step and instinctive unpredictability were England’s surest sources of tries throughout the autumn.

His faked drop-goal and blind-side dart produced the first against South Africa. His poked kick in behind Australia’s defence set up the opening score against the Wallabies. His interception and canter upfield put them ahead in the second half against New Zealand.

Each time though, they were pyrotechnics in losing efforts.

In search of more sustainable scoring, England have brought in some pre-heated cohesion, installing Fin Smith at fly-half and, after a year out the side, Fraser Dingwall at inside centre.

They are two of five Northampton players in the backline.

Had George Furbank been fit, Saints would surely be only one slot away from a full house.

“I watched the relationship between 9, 10 and 12 in training this week and have an understanding with each other that doesn’t take any communication”, said head coach Steve Borthwick this week.

Marcus Smith, who was told last week that he could be world class in his new full-back role, has been replaced at 15 by 32-year-old Elliot Daly.

It is just the latest shuffle that Borthwick, who has enviously highlighted the settled systems and experience of Ireland, France and Scotland, has made over the campaign.

A rookie 10 has come in, the Henry Slade-Ollie Lawrence centre partnership into which he has sunk considerable game time has come out, and three different full-backs have started across four matches.

The latest mix needs to work, not just for the nerves of the Twickenham regulars, but for the standings spreadsheet.

Whatever the result between Ireland and France in Dublin on Saturday, England will head into the final day as distinct outsiders for the title.

Once hooker Jamie George has been presented with a ceremonial cap denoting his 100th England appearance before kick-off, England will be concerned about racking up a big number of their own.

Italy were compliant last time out, fading fast in the second half as France ran in 11 tries in a 73-24 win in Rome.

They might not be this week.

Last year, they outscored England three tries to two, running them closer than ever in the Six Nations before succumbing 27-24.

Second row Federico Ruzza said that he and his team-mates have “looked each other in the face” after the France loss.

With runners like Ange Capuozzo, Monty Ioane and Tomasso Menoncello, they have flair, if they can reignite their physicality.

But for their title hopes and their fans ‘ belief in their progress and promises, England need to finish the fight standing among Roman wreckage.