介绍:
Rockets snapped Miami's eight-game winning streak
Six games in the NBA today.
In Texas, Dwight Howard scored 22 points and James Harden added 21 as Houston snapped Miami's eight game winning streak, topping the Heat 106-103.
Dwyane Wade provided 24 points, and LeBron James added 22 for Miami.
LeBron poured in 61 points, a career high and franchise record in Miami's 124-107 thumping of the Charlotte Bobcats yesterday.
Over in California, the Los Angeles Lakers fell 132-125 to the New Orleans Pelicans.
Paul Gasol had a double double of 29 points and 12 rebounds but the Lakers' still couldn't expand their winning streak to three games.
The win is New Orleans' first in nearly a month, having dropped their last eight games in a row.
Elsewhere, Golden State edged Indiana 98-96.
Oklahoma City Thunder hammered Philadelphia 125-92, while San Antonio drubbed Cleveland 122-101.
Xinjiang takes on Dongguan in their play-off semi-final opener
In Chinese basketball,
The Xinjiang Flying Tigers are now battling the Dongguan Leopards in their semifinal opener of the CBA playoffs.
Dongguan booked their semi-final berth after they knocked out Tianjin 3-1 in their quarterfinal series.
Xinjiang ousted Liaoning with the same result.
Dongguan is the underdog here, having won only 6 times out of 23 against the Flying Tigers.
Yesterday, in the other semi-final draw, the Beijing Ducks survived Guangdong 90 - 87 in their opening game.
The Ducks American star Stephon Marbury led his team with 31 points, and another American import Randolph Morris did his offensive part with 24.
Yi Jianlian led Guangdong with 27 points.
Chen Long set to defend crown at All-England
In badminton,
Defending champion Chen Long is now in Birmingham as the All England Open is set to get underway later today.
Chen won the tournament last year after beating world number one Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia in the final.
But Lee, who has won the All-England title twice in the past, looks determined to retake the men's singles title this time around.
Lee's chances at the National Indoor Arena have been enhanced by the absence of Chinese superstar Lin Dan, who withdraw from the tournament citing a lack of training.
Other rising Chinese badminton stars to feature at this All-England tournament include Wang Zhengming, Tian Houwei, and seventh seed Du Pengyu.
Carles Puyol is to leave Barcelona after this season
European football news,
Barcelona captain Carles Puyol announced that he is to leave the club at the end of the season.
The 35-year-old says he prefers to take some time off after several injury-filled seasons.
"Following the two last difficult surgeries, it is getting very difficult for me to recover the top physical shape I need to continue here. More than I thought and more than the surgeons said. That is why I have taken this decision."
Puyol has spent his entire career with Barcelona, making his debut in 1999.
But the long-haired defender has made only 12 appearances this season after returning from a long-term knee injury last October.
Puyol said Barcelona has agreed to rescind his contract at the end of the season, despite two years remaining on his deal.
In addition to the many trophies he won with the Catalan club, Puyol also headed in the winning goal in Spain's 1-0 semi-final victory over Germany at the World Cup in South Africa in 2010.
China takes on Iraq for the Asia Cup qualifying
And over here in Asia
The Chinese national team takes on Iraq for their 2015 Asia Cup qualifying.
China needs only a draw to progress in the match, which kicks off at 10 pm Beijing time in the United Arab Emerites.
Italy faces Spain in World Cup warm-up friendly
Also in football,
With the World Cup in Brazil having now entered its 100-day countdown, there are a number of warm-up friendlies scheduled later tonight.
In Madrid, Cup holders Spain takes on their neighbors Italy.
Italy have stiff test against the European and world champions, not having beat Spain since another friendly international in 2011.
But the last time the sides met at last year's semi-final of the Confederations Cup in Brazil, Spain needed a penalty shootout to beat Italy.
Italy also made it into the final of Europe Cup 2012, but missed the trophy with a 4-0 loss to Spain.
Italy's coach Cesare Prandelli says his stars are more mature than when they faced Spain in the Europe cup final.
"When you face our team you realise its value. The kids that two years ago had a great future had difficulties back then. I´m sure that when you have quality and you overcome those difficulties, it doesn't take much to blossom. It is not necessary to wait many years. I´m sure I've made intelligent and I hope they grow soon."
Italy won the World Cup in 2006.
They have been drawn in Group D for the finals in Brazil along with England, Uruguay and Costa Rica.
Elsewhere tonight, France will take on the Netherlands.
Portugal meets Cameroon.
Croatia faces Switzerland and Romania hosts Argentina.
