Rockets notch road victory over Wizards

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03/09/2010 - Washington, DC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Luis Scola totaled 23 points with 10 rebounds, as Houston held off Washington, 96-88, at the Verizon Center.

Kevin Martin chipped in with 21 points, Aaron Brooks totaled 14 and Trevor Ariza added 13 for the Rockets, who have alternated wins and losses over the last eight games and finished a three-game road trip, 2-1.

Nick Young joined Andray Blatche with 18 points, Al Thorton notched 15 points and nine rebounds and James Singleton added 12 points for the Wizards, who have lost six of seven overall.

Blatche single-handedly propelled the Wizards to a 22-21 edge after the first 12 minutes of game action. The forward scored 10 points on 5-of-9 shooting, as an 8-0 spurt he capped with a driving slam for a 20-13 helped the home team to a one-point lead after one stanza.

Houston slowly pushed in front to stay at 33-32 on Ariza's trey with 7:40 to play in the first half. The margin increased to eight, 48-40, by the end of the period thanks to Jared Jeffries' jumper with 1:40 to go.

The Rockets started the third period with an 11-2 stretch to open a 59-42 lead thanks to Brooks' long-distance jumper about 3 1/2 minutes in. The margin was as high as 18 at one point, but an 11-2 run by the home team cut the deficit back to single digits. Young's trey made the score 68-60, and the margin stood at 71-60 after three stanzas.

The Wizards' deficit remained in double figures for the better part of the final quarter before coming within six at 92-86 with 1:12 to play on Shaun Livingston's jumper. Houston, however, made four straight free throws down the stretch to thwart any chance of a comeback.

Game Notes

Houston shot just 38.4 percent from the floor and made only 6-of-28 three- pointers but took advantage of an attacking offense to make 24-of-28 free throws...The Wizards made 42.2 percent of their shots in defeat...The two teams will meet again on March 30th in Houston.

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Problem with Bears?

Chicago, IL - New Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and star linebacker Brian Urlacher shot down reports of a rift, saying they're simply not true.

"There's nothing between us," Cutler said Thursday, when he reported to training camp. "I just want to put that to rest. There never has been anything between us."

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Urlacher added: "I never said what I was quoted as saying and that's it. I have a lot of respect for Jay. I think Jay knows that."
Former Bears receiver Bobby Wade caused a stir when he told Minneapolis radio station KFAN-AM that Urlacher used a profanity while questioning Cutler's manhood during a conversation in Las Vegas last weekend. Wade, who now plays for the Vikings, said Urlacher used a profane version of the word "wimp" during the interview that had to be edited out.
go radio station WSCR-AM also reported that Urlacher had to be restrained from confronting Cutler during organized team activities.
"I wouldn't go face-to-face with Brian, anyway," Cutler said. "No, that's never happened. I've hung out with Brian away from the facility numerous times and we've always gotten along."
Urlacher, noting he was limited by a groin injury, denied the reports in an interview with the Chicago Tribune and did it again when he reported to camp.
"I didn't practice this summer, so I don't know how I would fight the guy if I didn't practice," Urlacher said. "We have no problems. I'm excited about football starting. I'm excited to have him as our quarterback."
Why would Wade say that?
"I don't know," Urlacher said. "Maybe he's jealous because we have a good quarterback now."
Cutler said the first he heard of any friction was when he got a call from Urlacher to clear the air. Urlacher, however, said he had already taken several calls from teammates wondering if the reports were true when Cutler phoned.
"He called me and I said, What's up (expletive), what are you doing?'" a grinning Urlacher said, uttering the same word he allegedly used with Wade. "It's so dumb to me that this even got to this point, but it did and then here we are."
better place after going 9-7 and missing the playoffs for the second straight year. They have a franchise quarterback for the first time in decades after acquiring Cutler in an offseason trade with Denver. But there are questions about his attitude following a fallout with Broncos management and new coach Josh McDaniels.
His critics include former Bears coach Mike Ditka and former Indianapolis and Tampa Bay coach Tony Dungy, one of Smith's mentors. Smith, however, said Cutler has been a model teammate so far while denying any animosity with Urlacher.
"There's no issue with Jay and Brian, except Brian and Jay are both excited about being teammates for our club this year," coach Lovie Smith said. "No more than that. We can't spend a whole lot of time on something that isn't true. I have talked to the players. Whenever something comes out, you have to address it, but it's a non-issue."
In some ways, Cutler is getting a second chance in Chicago, an opportunity to repair his reputation.
Smith said another quarterback - Michael Vick - deserves one, although he doesn't see it happening with the Bears, who lack an experienced backup. The former Atlanta Falcons star, who served a 23-month sentence for running a dogfighting ring, said Thursday he is getting close to signing with a pro football team.
"A second chance, like everyone in society who has paid their debt to society," Smith said. "He deserves a second chance. As far as we're concerned, we like this team that we have right now."
Particularly the new quarterback.
"Me and Brian have been on a good relationship since I've been here, and I expect it to continue that way," Cutler said.

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