Other sport

Basketball, NBA

The Los Angeles Lakers held off a furious late fightback by the Utah Jazz to book their place in the Western Conference final with a nail-biting 108-105 victory in Game Six on Friday. All-Star guard Kobe Bryant, named the NBA's Most Valuable Player for the first time earlier this month, led the way with 34 points, eight rebounds and six assists as the Lakers wrapped up the best-of-seven series 4-2.

Cycling

Italy's Riccardo Ricco, of the Saunier Duval team, won the eighth stage of the Giro d'Italia from Rivisondoli to Tivoli yesterday. Ricco beat Paolo Bettini and Davide Rebellin in a sprint on the uphill finish. Italy's Giovanni Visconti, of the Quick Step team, finished in the same time as Ricco to retain the overall race lead. Today's 218km ninth stage is from Civitavecchia near Rome to San Vincenzo on the Tuscan coast.

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