LOS ANGELES, Dec 25 — The Miami Heat gave their fans some Christmas cheer with a 96-80 victory over defending NBA champions Los Angeles Lakers today. 

LeBron James collected 27 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists, while Chris Bosh added 24 points and 13 rebounds to ensure it would not be a happy holiday for the Lakers (21-9), who have now been blown out in two consecutive games. 

The Lakers were hammered 98-79 by Milwaukee on Tuesday. 

Miami (23-9) seized the lead midway through the first quarter and never trailed after that, holding Los Angeles to 40 percent shooting for the game. 

The Christmas Day meeting between the Lakers and Heat had been much anticipated since James and Bosh signed with Miami to join fellow All Star Dwyane Wade. — Reuters

 

MELBOURNE, Dec 26 — England's seamers struck three times in just over an hour to leave Australia reeling at 37-3 early on day one of the fourth test in Melbourne today. 

England sent Australia in to bat after winning the toss and had Shane Watson out for five in paceman Chris Tremlett's second over. 

Watson, who had survived two dropped catches, was trapped by a lifting delivery off the towering seamer that thudded into his glove and popped up for an easy catch to Kevin Pietersen at gully. 

Hughes never looked comfortable on a moist, grassy pitch that had the ball skidding and lifting by turns and was dismissed on the hour mark for 16, slashing at a Tim Bresnan delivery with the shot flying straight to Pietersen. 

Out-of-form Australia captain Ricky Ponting was then dismissed two overs later, pushing at a venomous delivery off Tremlett that Graeme Swann caught at second slip. 

Mike Hussey and Michael Clarke were left with the task of steering Australia through to lunch. 

With the five-test series tied at 1-1, victory in Melbourne would see England return home with the Ashes for the first time in 24 years. — Reuters