The News Tribune from Tacoma, Washington • C2

THENEWSTRIBUNE.COM IN BRIEF DAILY DOSE: NBA C2 FRIDAY DECEMBER 19, 2008 MOTOR SPORTS Magic gets validating win over Spurs NASCAR settles huge suit The Associated Press ORLANDO; HA-Dwight Howard came back Thursday night to help the Orlando Magic take yet another step in their bid to join the NBAs elite teams. Howard had 14 points and 13 rebounds after missing two games because of a sore knee, and ameer Nelson scored 24 points in the Magic's 90-78 victory over perennial 1 vi- "'A I mm tihui ii ir mm GAME OF THE DAY Magic 90 Spurs 78 Western Conference contender San Antonio. The win, coming at the front of a stretch that includes the Lakers on Saturday and Southwest Division leader New Orleans at home on Christmas, helped the Magic (20-6) stamp themselves as legitimate contenders. Orlando has won seven of its last eight games and leads Atlanta by AVt. games in the Southeast Division.

"Sometimes things go your way," Nelson said. Rashard Lewis added 15 points, and HedoTurkoglu had 11. Tim Duncan led the Spurs with 19 points. The Spurs, down by 23 in the third quarter, used a 13-4 run to draw within six in the fourth quarter, but Nelson hit back-to-back baskets to give the Magic a cushion. SLAM DUNKS JOHN RAOUXThe Associated Press Oriandot Dwight Howard jockeyi for position against San Antonioi Tim Duncan during the Magkt victory Thursday.

JUNJI KUROKAWAThe Associated Press Wayiw Roomy of Manchester United controls th ball against Sota Nikunn of Gamba Osakana during a match Thursday. Owner of Tide buys Sounders Women 1 flUITTI aTSWAIVlAKTO WAiXIR The Memphis Grizzlies waived former NBA All-Star Antoine Walker. The 6-foot-9, 245-pound forward has not played this season. He was acquired from the Minnesota Umberwolves in June along with the draft rights to guard O.J. Mayo and guards Greg Buckner and Marko Jaric in exchange for the draft rights to forward Kevin Love, swingman Mike Miller, forward Brian Cardinal and center Jason Collins.

The Associated Press CHARLOTTE, NX NASCAR has settled a $225 milium lawsuit filed by a former official who said she was subjected to racial discrimination and sexual harassment during her two-plus years working for the stock-car organization. The suit was settled during a Dec. 3 mediation held in New York between Mauricia Grant and NASCAR. Terms were confidential. Neither side admitted liability or wrongdoing, according to NASCAR.

"We're glad to have the case settled on mutually acceptable NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston said Thursday. "NASCAR remains dedicated to maintaining a professional work environment for all employees at all times, and we wish Ms. Grant well in her future Grant's attorney, Benedict P. Morelli of New York-based Morelli Ratner PC, did not immediately return a call from the AP for comment Grant, who is black, worked as a technical inspector responsible for certifying cars in NASCAR's second-tier Nationwide Series from January 2005 until her October 2007 termination. In the lawsuit filed in June in the U.S.

District Court for the Southern District of New York, Grant alleged 23 specific incidents of sexual harassment and 34 specific incidents of racial and gender discrimination during her employment Among Grant's claims, she said she was referred to as "Nappy Headed Mo" and "Queen Sheba" by co-workers, was often told she worked on "colored people time," and was frightened by one official who routinely made Ku Klux Han references. Grant said she was subjected to sexual advances from male co-workers, two of whom allegedly exposed themselvES to her, and graphic and lewd jokes. NASCAR investigated her claims and ultimately fired Tim Knox and Bud Moore, the two officials accused in the lawsuit of exposing themselves. NASCAR has declined to discuss the reasons for their dismissal. A third official, David Duke, was fired in April for reasons NASCAR said were unrelated to the suit BRAND SMMLIND A MUNI Philadelphia 76ers forward Elton Brand will be sidelined for a month because of a dislocated shoulder.

He has a fracture and tear in his right shoulder. 1 BOOZER. HAS MM Utah Jazz forward Carlos Boozer had a second MRI on a quadriceps tendon injury that has kept the All-Star out of 15 straight games. THURSDAY'S STANDINGSBOX SCORES EASTERN CONFERENCE ATLANTIC FCT SB SOUTHEAST KI CENTRAL PCI Boston 24 2 .923 Orlando 20 6 .769 Cleveland 21 4 J40 New Jersey 12 12 SCO 11 Atlanta 15 10 .600 fh Detroit 14 9 .609 6 New Mux 11 14 .440 12 Miami 12 12 .500 7 Chicago 12 13 .480 9 Philadelphia 11 14 .440 12 Charlotte 8 IB JOB 12 Milwaukee 11 16 .407 11 Toronto 10 15 .400 13 Washington 4 19 .174 14 Indiana 9 16 360 12 WESTERN CONFERENCE SOUTHWEST FCT OB NORTHWEST FCT 8B PACIFIC FCT OB New Orleans 15 7 .682 Denver 17 8 JM LA. Lakers 21 3 .875 Houston 16 9 .640 Portland 16 10 .615 1 Phoenix 15 10 .600 6 San Antonio 15 10 .600 1 Utah 16 11 .593 2 LA.

dippers 7 IB 280 14 Dallas 14 10 .583 2 Minnesota 4 21 .160 13 Golden State 7 19 269 15 Memphis 9 16 360 7 Oklahoma City 2 24 .077 15 Sacramento 7 19 269 15 bai terrorist attacks. In what amounts to a one-week break from his four-month vacation, Jim Furyk surprised himself with a 4-under 68 that gave him a two-shot lead after the first round of the Chevron World Challenge in Thousand Oaks, Calif. Paraguay's Fabrizio Za-notti shot an 8-under 64 in the first round of the South African Open in Paarl. The winner of the Champions League could reap up to $160 million in revenues despite the world economic downturn, according to a study. Wayne Rooncy came off the bench and scored twice in a four-minute span to lead Manchester United over Japan's Gamba Osaka 5-3 in Yokohama, Japan, and into the final of the Club World Cup.

Ryan Bedford led a trio of qualifiers on a light opening day at the U.S. Short Track Speedskating championships in St Louis. Bedford, a member of the national long track team from Midland, was one of six skaters participating in individual time trials. Walter Rusk of Corona, and Carty Wilson of Jefferson City, also beat the qualifying standard. Four new teams have signed up to race in the America's Cup, bringing the total to 18 syndicates ready to challenge Switzerland's -denotes standings through Wednesday.

News Tribune news services Mike Jennings, owner of the Tacoma Tide soccer team, has purchased the Seattle Sounders Women team, which will play its 2009 season at the Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila. The Sounders Women play in the United Soccer Leagues' W-League Western Conference. There are 37 teams in the W-League spread over five divisions in three conferences. The team will play a 12-game league schedule starting in May. The W-League championship will be decided in early August Teddy Mitalas will continue as coach and general manager.

Last season's team made it to the national semifinals. The fate of the team became uncertain when the USL Seattle Sounders ceased operation due to the arrival of Seattle Sounders FC of Major League Soccer. "After the Tide's inaugural season in 2006, 1 have thought seriously about adding a W-League team under the Tacoma Football Club banner," Jennings said in a press release. "Just as with the men, there are many capable and talented women who are in need of quality training and competition through the summer months." Jennings said the name of the women's team might be changed to link with the Tide, which plays in the USL's Premiere Developmental League. Don Rub, Tht News Tribune blojMtMnwwttrttisMxonoccar Magic 90, Spurs 78 SCORING LEADERS TODAY'S GAMES LA.Ctppersitlndiuu.4pjn.

Philadelphia at Washington, 4 pun. CTiicagG it Boston, 4 JO pjn. Dallas at New Jersey, 430 pun. Golden State at Atlanta, 430 pun. Milwaukee at New brk.

430 pun. Utah at Detroit. 5 pjn. Charlotte at Memphis, 5 pun. LA.

Lakers at Miami, 5 pun. Toronto at Oklahoma City, 5 pun. Sacramento at Houston, 530 pun. Cleveland at Denver, 730 pun. FG FT 236 182 237 179 231 143 2T7 144 200 127 149 184 207 172 213 123 2T1 95 191 115 192 93 204 148 PTSAVG 672 28.0 683 27.3 633 26.4 601 25.0 585 24.4 499 23.8 591 23.6 580 23.2 575 23.0 540 22.5 493 22.4 579 22.3 Finley 1-6 0-0 2, Duncan 7-17 5-6 19, Bonner 3-5 04 8, Mason 4-7 041 10, Parker 3-17 3-3 9, Ginobili 4-12 1-2 10, Bowen 1-2 04 3, Udoka 2-4 04 6, Thomas 04 6, Hill 1-4 1-2 3, Vaughn 1-1 04 2.

Totals 3040 10-13 78. ORLANDO Turkoglu 5-12 1-2 Lewis 5-15 3-3 15, Howard 6-12 2-2 14, Booms 3-11 04 8, Nelson 11-18 1-2 24, Lee 44 1-1 10, Johnson 1-2 04 2, Gortat 1-2 04 2, Cook 2-4 04 4. Totals 3845 8-10 90. fimii ii is as 7i omi a aa ft 3-Point Goals-San Antonio 8-20 (Udoka 2-3, Bonner 2-3, Mason 2-4, Bowen 1-2, Ginobili 1-3, Hill 0-1, Parker 0-1, Finley 0-3), Orlando 6-25 (Lewis 24, Bogans 24, Lee 1-2, Nelson 1-3, Cook 0-2, Turkoglu 0-4). Fouled Out-No nc.

Rebounds-San Antonio 47 (Duncan 9), Orlando 55 (Howard 13). Assists-San Antonio 15 (Parker 4), Orlando 16 (Nelson 7). Total Fouls-San Antonio 13, Orlando 14. Wade, Mia. 24 James, Clev.

25 Bryant, LAI 24 Granger, Ind. 24 Harris, NJ. 21 Bosh, Tor. 25 Durant, OKC25 Johnson, ArL 25 Carter, NJ. 24 Randolph, LAC22 Roy, Port.

26 1 M'a lllianai'j 1a (74 coma first serve Seating first Seatinc first ETC. Robert Guerrero is in the Golden Boy's corner after the dynamic two-time featherweight champion signed with Oscar Dt La Hoyai promotions company. Manny Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton are close to finalizing a deal to meet in a 140-pound bout on May 2, Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schacfi said. India's scheduled cricket matches in Pakistan were called off following last month's Mum- Asian Night Music and Dancing with Rising Sun Band Every Wednesday 9pm-1 ij I hUGE SAVINGS! WmmfT conUctshiron Wlfl HI HUMJIHi4M REPAIR Free Eltimatea (253)588-8669 CASINO M10rHEFMN424 25M224IC vdvcrepalr.com mM3 few ffl ilr3, i I jiU'WX Mutt iv ijt-JLUtlilJ PUETZ GOLF sup Eift.ST nas HHHmrit.H IHilimiU. m.f.

-ti. -v and ill i 'I UiMn I im ra.TMt --L-g..