SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Donovan Mitchell anotó 26 puntos, Evan Mobley agregó 25 tantos y diez rebotes, y los Cavaliers de Cleveland resistieron apenas para superar el viernes 114-113 a los Spurs de San Antonio, con lo que quedaron a un juego de asegurar la mejor foja en la Conferencia Este.
Cleveland nunca estuvo en desventaja y llegó a situarse adelante por 23 puntos para ganar su tercer partido consecutivo. Los Cavaliers han ganado seis de siete y están a una victoria propia o una derrota de Boston de asegurar el mejor récord del Este por sexta vez en la historia de la franquicia.
A pesar del dominio inicial, Cleveland tuvo que pasar momentos tensos para vencer a San Antonio.
El triple del alero Harrison Barnes con 29 segundos restantes redujo la ventaja de Cleveland a 114-113. Ese enceste llegó entre los triples fallidos de Mitchell y Darius Garland en los últimos 43 segundos. El intento de bandeja de Barnes no entró cuando el tiempo expiraba, y Cleveland se salvó
Devin Vassell tuvo 24 puntos para liderar a San Antonio, mientras que Barnes agregó 23.
San Antonio tiene un partido restante como local en una temporada que comenzó con esperanza pero se descarriló poco después de que Gregg Popovich sufrió un leve derrame cerebral el 2 de noviembre. Luego vinieron lesiones que terminaron las temporadas de Victor Wembanyama y De’Aaron Fox.
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Esta historia fue traducida del inglés por un editor de AP con la ayuda de una herramienta de inteligencia artificial generativa.
The sharp glare of the spotlight doesn’t bother Aurora Christian’s Preston Morel
whatsoever.
A sophomore infielder/pitcher, the versatile Morel doesn’t feel out of place in the big moments.
“I’ve been dealing with pressure ever since I was a little kid,” Morel said. “I’m used to it — and that is all the motivation I need. I play loose and I know how to keep my teammates up.”
Morel kept the Eagles on the upswing Friday afternoon, coming up with a two-run single that sparked his team to a 9-3 nonconference victory over host Aurora Central Catholic.
Junior infielder Nolan Robertson
added two hits and drove in a run for Aurora Christian (8-2). Junior starter Zach Zappia
(3-0) struck out eight, allowing five hits and a walk in five innings.
Junior pitcher Tyler Davis
and freshman infielder Leo Corral
drove in a run apiece for ACC (8-3).
Morel finished 2-for-2 with two walks and two runs. A starting guard in basketball, he had a quick turnaround to the spring season following the Eagles’ run to the supersectional in Class 1A.
“I was still practicing in the offseason, but basketball was a long season and I only had a week off between seasons,” Morel said. “I had a slow start with baseball, but I’m getting used to it.”
Aurora Christian’s Preston Morel (15) connects for a two-run single against Aurora Central Catholic during a nonconference game in Aurora on Friday, April 4, 2025. (Sean King / The Beacon-News)
The 6-foot-2 Morel is hitting .379 with eight runs, three doubles and nine RBIs. He has the size and power to go deep and the athleticism to make plays on the bases or with his smooth fielding.
In his only start as a pitcher this spring, Morel struck out eight in four innings March 27 during an 8-3 win over Serena.
“He’s a baller,” Aurora Christian coach Andy Zorger
said of Morel. “He comes to play every day. He never lets a strikeout or anything negatively affect him.
“He’s not really fazed by anything. He’s very versatile defensively and he can play a lot of different positions. He’s got a good head on his shoulders.”
Robertson said Morel has a disarming quality that allows him to fit into the culture of the team.
“The guy’s hilarious and he makes me laugh,” Robertson said. “He’s a competitor. He has fun, but he competes at the same time.
“I could tell last year when he was a freshman that he was going to be up with us. He’s just a natural.”
Aurora Christian’s Preston Morel (15) fields a grounder and throws to first base for an out against Aurora Central Catholic during a nonconference game in Aurora on Friday, April 4, 2025. (Sean King / The Beacon-News)
He has also emerged from the shadow cast by older brother Cameron
, a two-sport star who was the second-leading scorer as the Eagles took fourth place in basketball at state in 2023-24.
Their parents were both tennis players in college.
“It was so competitive with the two of us when we were growing up,” Preston said of Cameron, who’s now playing basketball at Wisconsin-Platteville. “We’d fight all the time.
“I miss him not being around. He’s really the reason why I started playing both sports. I saw him playing and I wanted to play with him.”
Playing at the highest levels in baseball and basketball, Preston is primed for any experience.
“You need such a strong mentality, especially in baseball,” he said. “The game is all mental. When I pitch or out in the field, it doesn’t really matter. You just need that short-term memory.
“You make an error, just forget about it. Scratch it and move on.”
Aurora Christian’s Preston Morel (15) makes contact for a two-run single against Aurora Central Catholic during a nonconference game in Aurora on Friday, April 4, 2025. (Sean King / The Beacon-News)
Morel deflects the attention and prefers to be part of a larger collective. It’s his nature.
Even if his talent dictates otherwise.
“I just love hanging out with the guys,” Morel said. “What I’ve taken from them and my brother is just the hard work I’m always putting in.
“I feel like I can’t go a day without going to hit or something like that.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
Police have made yet another gun bust in the Naperville Topgolf parking lot, marking the fifth firearm-related arrest in or near the business’ lot since early February.
Robert Caudle, 20, of Champaign, was taken into custody late Wednesday night outside the 3211 Odyssey Court facility on one count each of felony aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and misdemeanor unlawful possession of cannabis. His next court appearance is scheduled for April 28, according to DuPage County Circuit Court records.
Officers were performing foot patrol of the Topgolf lot when they observed “fresh cannabis” inside a vehicle, Naperville police Cmdr. Rick Krakow said. When Caudle alongside another person — Tallayah Jalisa N. Price, 20, of Rantoul — returned to the car, they were detained by officers, he said.
A search of the vehicle produced a gun, Krakow said. Price was also charged with a misdemeanor count of unlawful possession of cannabis. Her next court appearance is set for April 29.
Most recently, police arrested Juan Ricardo Gomez, 43 of Griffith, Indiana
, on March 18 in the Topgolf lot and charged him with felony aggravated unlawful use of a weapon. Prior to Gomez’s arrest, police apprehended three suspects in or near the business’ parking lot over the span of the month, with arrests taking place Feb. 1, Feb. 11 and March 1.
Photos from the Chicago Bulls’ 118-113 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on April 4, 2025, at the United Center.
Bulls guard Josh Giddey exits after a 118-113 win over the Trail Blazers on April 4, 2025, at the United Center. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)Forward Matas Buzelis exits after a 118-113 Bulls win over the Trail Blazers on April 4, 2025, at the United Center. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
Bulls forward Talen Horton-Tucker (22) descends after dunking on Trail Blazers forward Justin Minaya (10) in the third quarter on April 4, 2025, at the United Center. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)Trail Blazers center Donovan Clingan and Bulls forward Zach Collins (12) reach for a rebound in the fourth quarter on April 4, 2025, at the United Center. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)Bulls forward Patrick Williams (44) misses a dunk in the third quarter against the Trail Blazers on April 4, 2025, at the United Center. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
Bulls center Nikola Vučević (9) grabs a rebound in the fourth quarter against the Trail Blazers on April 4, 2025, at the United Center. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)Bulls guard Josh Giddey, center, yells at an official after claiming Trail Blazers forward Jabari Walker (34) fouled him in the third quarter on April 4, 2025, at the United Center. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)Bulls center Nikola Vučević is congratulated by Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups after a 118-113 Bulls win on April 4, 2025, at the United Center. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
Bulls guard Josh Giddey (3) loses control of the ball as Trail Blazers forward Jabari Walker (34) defends in the third quarter on April 4, 2025, at the United Center. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)Bulls forward Talen Horton-Tucker (22) is helped off the court in the third quarter against the Trail Blazers on April 4, 2025, at the United Center. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)Bulls guard Coby White (0) makes an off-balance jumper in the fourth quarter against the Trail Blazers on April 4, 2025, at the United Center. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
Bulls guard Coby White (0) loses the ball while being fouled in the fourth quarter against the Trail Blazers on April 4, 2025, at the United Center. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)Bulls center Nikola Vučević (9) gets low on the dribble as Trail Blazers center Donovan Clingan (23) defends in the fourth quarter on April 4, 2025, at the United Center. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)Bulls guard Josh Giddey (3) is congratulated by teammates after drawing a foul from Trail Blazers forward Kris Murray on a basket in the third quarter on April 4, 2025, at the United Center. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
Bulls forward Matas Buzelis (14) rises for an unsuccessful layup in the fourth quarter against the Trail Blazers on April 4, 2025, at the United Center. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)Bulls guard Josh Giddey (3), forward Zach Collins (12) and forward Talen Horton-Tucker (22) head to the bench during a timeout in the third quarter against the Trail Blazers on April 4, 2025, at the United Center. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)Bulls center Nikola Vučević (9) is fouled by Trail Blazers center Donovan Clingan in the third quarter on April 4, 2025, at the United Center. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
Bulls guard Josh Giddey (3) draws a foul from Trail Blazers forward Kris Murray (24) as he makes the basket in the third quarter on April 4, 2025, at the United Center. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)Bulls guard Coby White (0) dunks past Trail Blazers guard Dalano Banton (5) in the fourth quarter on April 4, 2025, at the United Center. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)Bulls guard Coby White (0) leaps to defend Trail Blazers guard Dalano Banton, left, in the fourth quarter on April 4, 2025, at the United Center. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
Bulls guard Coby White (0) is greeted by Trail Blazers assistant coaches after a 118-113 Bulls win on April 4, 2025, at the United Center. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)Bulls guard Coby White (0) struts to the bench after making a basket in the fourth quarter against the Trail Blazers on April 4, 2025, at the United Center. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)Bulls forward Talen Horton-Tucker (22) gets tangled with Trail Blazers forward Jabari Walker as Bulls forward Matas Buzelis (14) grabs a rebound in the second quarter on April 4, 2025, at the United Center. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
Bulls forward Talen Horton-Tucker, left, defends Trail Blazers guard Dalano Banton in the first quarter on April 4, 2025, at the United Center. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)Bulls guard Coby White (0) passes to forward Kevin Huerter (13) in the first quarter against the Trail Blazers on April 4, 2025, at the United Center. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)Bulls forward Julian Phillips (15) looks to pass in the second quarter against the Trail Blazers on April 4, 2025, at the United Center. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
Bulls guard Coby White (0) is helped up in the first quarter against the Trail Blazers on April 4, 2025, at the United Center. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)Bulls guard Coby White passes the ball in the first quarter against the Trail Blazers on April 4, 2025, at the United Center. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)Bulls coach Billy Donovan yells to players in the first quarter against the Trail Blazers on April 4, 2025, at the United Center. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
Bulls forward Kevin Huerter misses a dunk in the first quarter against the Trail Blazers on April 4, 2025, at the United Center. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)Bulls forward Kevin Huerter (13) heads downcourt after missing a dunk in the first quarter against the Trail Blazers on April 4, 2025, at the United Center. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)Bulls forward Kevin Huerter (13) looks to pass against Trail Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe (17) in the first quarter on April 4, 2025, at the United Center. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
Bulls guard Coby White, right, reaches for a loose ball in the first quarter against the Trail Blazers on April 4, 2025, at the United Center. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)Bulls forward Zach Collins heads to the bench after losing his left shoe on the court in the second quarter against the Trail Blazers on April 4, 2025, at the United Center. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)Bulls coach Billy Donovan watches the first quarter against the Trail Blazers on April 4, 2025, at the United Center. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
Bulls forward Matas Buzelis (14) grabs a rebound in the first quarter against the Trail Blazers on April 4, 2025, at the United Center. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)Young Bulls fans cheer at the start of the second quarter against the Trail Blazers on April 4, 2025, at the United Center. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)The Bulls and Trail Blazers tip off on April 4, 2025, at the United Center. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
Bulls forward Patrick Williams warms up for a game against the Trail Blazers on April 4, 2025, at the United Center. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
HOUSTON (AP) — Jalen Green anotó 34 puntos, Alperen Sengun agregó 31 y los Rockets de Houston rompieron la racha de 11 victorias consecutivas del Thunder de Oklahoma City con una victoria de 125-111 el viernes por la noche.
Houston, que es segundo en la Conferencia Oeste, mejoró a 2-3 contra el Thunder, que es el primer sembrado, con la victoria. Oklahoma City perdió por primera vez desde el 10 de marzo.
Los Rockets lideraron por 23 en la primera mitad, pero el Thunder se acercó a nueve con un tiro de Shai Gilgeous-Alexander con aproximadamente siete y medio minutos por jugar.
Green encestó cinco puntos en una racha de 7-2 para poner el marcador 113-99 a mitad del cuarto período y Oklahoma City no volvió a acercarse a un solo dígito.
Jalen Williams lideró al Thunder con 33 puntos y Gilgeous-Alexander tuvo 22 para alcanzar las 20 unidades por 70mo. juego al hilo, superando a Michael Jordan por la cuarta racha más larga de una sola temporada en la historia de la NBA.
Los Rockets estaban arriba por 12 en el tercer cuarto cuando usaron una racha de 10-2 para extender la ventaja a 93-73 con tres minutos restantes en el cuarto. Pero Gilgeous-Alexander anotó ocho puntos en una racha de 12-3 para terminar el cuarto y reducir la ventaja a 96-85 al entrar en el cuarto.
Próximos partidos: Houston visita a Golden State el domingo por la noche y el Thunder juega el primero de dos juegos consecutivos contra los Lakers el domingo.
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Esta historia fue traducida del inglés por un editor de AP con la ayuda de una herramienta de inteligencia artificial generativa.
