Newsmakers

Recorded Archrivals Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi both set the Spanish League scoring record Saturday in victories. Ronaldo’s record 41st goal was the deciding score as Spanish leader Real Madrid beat Sporting Gijon 3-1. Nearly two hours later, Messi’s 72nd-minute penalty kick lifted Barcelona to a 2-1 victory at Levante as the three-time defending champions rallied to maintain the four-point difference before next weekend’s “clasico.”

Sidelined Magic center Dwight Howard is officially listed as out with a herniated disc in his lower back for Orlando’s game in Cleveland today. Howard sat out the Magic’s 109-81 loss to Atlanta Friday, the fifth game he’s missed in Orlando’s last seven outings. He is not traveling with the team.

• Boston Celtics guard Ray Allen is going to continue to sit out because of soreness and swelling in his right ankle. Celtics coach Doc Rivers said after Allen missed Boston’s game with New Jersey that the veteran would also miss today’s game at Charlotte. His status for Tuesday’s game at New York is “50-50.”

• Kobe Bryant probably will miss his fifth consecutive game when the Los Angeles Lakers host the Dallas Mavericks today. Lakers coach Mike Brown said the NBA scoring leader is likely to take another game off to rest his bruised left shin. Cleared Oklahoma City Thunder guard James Harden was cleared to play against the Minnesota Timberwolves after missing the previous game with a sore right knee. He scored six points on 1-of-11 shooting. Harden did not play in the game Friday night against Sacramento.

Recalled The Cleveland Cavaliers recalled forward Luke Harangody from their D-League affiliate in Canton, Ohio. He appeared in 15 games for the Cavs before he was assigned to the Charge on March 6. He played in 16 games for Canton, averaging 19.4 points and 12.6 rebounds.

Died Longtime Montreal Canadiens captain Emile “Butch” Bouchard died at age 92. His death was confirmed by his son, Pierre, and his friend and sports analyst Ron Fournier.