NBA PLayers Win In Lebanon

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                       Lebanese news

                      NBA stars show more flair to down Sporting

                      Sami Garabedian
                      Special to the Daily Star

                      The new Sporting City basketball stadium last night
                      was buzzing with anticipation as more than 2,000
                      turned out to cheer the Sporting Club in their
                      unenviable task of matching up against the visiting
                      NBA exhibition team.
                      Despite playing well, the locals were unable to
                      match the skill and experience of the NBA men, going
                      down 117-95.
                      Sporting had nothing to lose, but much to gain from
                      a game against the type of opposition that does not
                      come to Lebanon every day.
                      Currently in the middle of rebuilding, Sporting’s
                      new coach, Marty Zeller, must have been absolutely
                      delighted with the performance of Lilian McDougall,
                      who enjoyed a 27-point haul.
                      After a lacklustre yet winning performance against a
                      team of Lebanese basketball stars on Wednesday
                      night, Anthony Carter of the Detroit Pistons spurred
                      his team-mates  on as they came out with all guns
                      blazing.
                      The NBA players got off to a great start and were
                      16-5 up before the Sporting players had realised
                      what had hit them.
                      Zeller called a time-out and his words obviously had
                      an effect on his charges, as after a few more
                      minutes’ play they took their first and only lead of
                      the game, 23-22, much to the delight of the home
                      fans.
                      The joy was short-lived, however, and the
                      rejuvenated visitors stepped up a few gears to
                      cruise to a 66-34 half-time lead.
                      After  the interval, Sporting’s only concern of the
                      second half was to keep the score at a respectable
                      level.
                      Vancouver’s Sam Mack weighed in with some pretty
                      impressive six for ten shooting from three-point
                      range to end up on 24 points. Michael Stewart added
                      18 and Anthony Carter 15.
                      For Sporting, Michael Cumberland scored 25 to
                      complement the brilliant McDougall.

                     

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