In case you were too busy devoting all your time to the latest instalment of Call of Duty, here’s what you missed this past week in the world of sports …
BASKETBALL — The Memphis Grizzlies are the hottest team in the NBA with eight straight victories, following their 94-87 win over the surprising Charlotte Bobcats. Laker fans are still waiting for things to turn around after starting a mediocre 5-5. However, it is still too early for panicking in the City of Angels. The same cannot be said for Wizards fans. Washington’s 0-8 start shows no signs of stopping.
The injury bug bit the Toronto Raptors last week—Kyle Lowry, Landry Fields, and Alan Anderson are all currently nursing injuries. The team is still competitive, but has failed to post wins in the standings and sits at 3-7.
Oklahoma City Thunder star Kevin Durant tallied his first career triple-double on Sunday night, while in one of the craziest plays in recent memory, Chicago Bulls 5’9 guard Nate Robinson went in-between and under the legs of Sebastian Telfair en route, to a casual lay-up.
FOOTBALL — The CFL switched over to the Sunday schedule this weekend for the Eastern and Western division finals. On our side of the country, Montreal lost a heartbreaker at home to the Toronto Argonauts 27-20. Despite two chances for Als’ quarterback Anthony Calvillo and co. to tie the game late, the Argos’ consistent play throughout the game was enough to ensure them a spot to vie for the 100th Grey Cup at home in Toronto.
Over in the West, the Calgary Stampeders earned a trip to the Grey Cup by toppling the defending champions, the BC Lions, 34-29. Stampeders backup quarterback Kevin Glenn started the game for Calgary, as starting quarterback Drew Tate was out with a fractured forearm. Glenn filled in nicely, and he threw for three touchdown passes in the victory.
Down south in the NFL, the Atlanta Falcons somehow found a way to improve their record to 9-1, even though Matt Ryan threw five interceptions and no touchdowns. The Houston Texans, the league’s only other one-loss team, won a cracker-jack affair against the Jacksonville Jaguars in overtime, as the teams combined to score 80 points. The high-scoring New England Patriots looked unstoppable on Sunday, routing the Colts 59-24.
SOCCER — Sweden’s Zlatan Ibrahimovich had a memorable game on Wednesday, scoring four goals against England in an international friendly. One of his tallies is being played on highlight reels all around the world, and is touted as one of the greatest goals of all time. He fielded English keeper Joe Hart’s hapless clearance attempt with a bicycle-kick from 30 yards out, and miracously scored.
In club play, both Manchester clubs are atop the EPL, with Manchester City having the slight one-point advantage over United after 12 games. This came following after United’s surprise defeat at the hands of lowly Norwich on Saturday.
The Spanish League is playing out as expected, with Barcelona leading the standings with a three-point advantage over neighbouring Athletico Madrid.
