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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Bryant passes 30,000 points in Lakers win

Kobe Bryant is the fifth NBA player to reach 30,000 points. (Associated Press)
From Staff And Wire Reports

NBA: Kobe Bryant scored 29 points, making him the fifth player in NBA history to score 30,000, and the visiting Los Angeles Lakers snapped a two-game skid with a 103-87 victory over the New Orleans Hornets on Wednesday night.

Bryant entered the game needing only 13 points to eclipse the scoring milestone and did so with a short jumper late in the first half that was perhaps the least spectacular of his baskets, which included the usual array of soaring dunks, transition 3-pointers and turnaround jumpers.

At 34 years old, Bryant is the youngest to reach the milestone. Wilt Chamberlain was 35 when he hit the mark, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Karl Malone were each 36 and Michael Jordan was 38.

Blazers fall: Paul George scored 22 points and George Hill added 18 to help the Indiana Pacers beat the visiting Portland Trail Blazers 99-92.

Damian Lillard led Portland with 23 points.

Thompson paces Warriors: Former Washington State standout Klay Thompson scored 19 of his 27 points in the third quarter to help the visiting Golden State beat the Detroit Pistons 104-97.

The Warriors, starting a seven-game Eastern trip, snapped Detroit’s five-game winning streak at home.

Wallace fined for flopping: Brooklyn Nets forward Gerald Wallace has been fined $5,000 by the NBA for flopping, joining teammate Reggie Evans as the only repeat offenders under the league’s new penalty system.

Blake out: Lakers guard Steve Blake underwent successful surgery to repair a torn abdominal muscle. The team says he’s expected to be out six to eight weeks.

Griner leads No. 3 Baylor past No. 5 Irish

Women’s basketball: Brittney Griner had 24 points and 14 rebounds, three other Baylor players scored in double figures and the third-ranked Lady Bears (7-1) beat No. 5 Notre Dame (5-1) 73-61 at South Bend, Ind., in a repeat of last season’s national championship game.

New Mexico rallies to defeat Trojans

Men’s basketball: Hugh Greenwood hit five 3-pointers and finished with 17 points to help No. 18 New Mexico (9-0) recover from an early double-digit deficit to beat Southern Cal (3-5) 75-67 at Albuquerque, N.M.

Blanton, Angels agree to deal

Baseball: A person familiar with the negotiations says the Los Angeles Angels have agreed to a $15 million, two-year contract with right-hander Joe Blanton.

The Angels also agreed with reliever Sean Burnett on an $8 million, two-year deal.

Cardinals land Choate: A person familiar with the negotiations said that left-handed reliever Randy Choate and the St. Louis Cardinals have agreed to a $7.5 million, three-year contract.

Keppinger heads to White Sox: A person familiar with the contract said that versatile infielder Jeff Keppinger has reached agreement with the Chicago White Sox on a $12 million, three-year contract.

Chavez joins D-backs: A person with knowledge of the negotiations says the Arizona Diamondbacks and infielder Eric Chavez have agreed on a $3 million, one-year contract.

Cheek wins Ford Frick Award: Former Toronto Blue Jays announcer Tom Cheek, who died in 2005, has won the Ford C. Frick Award for excellence in baseball broadcasting.

Messi injured; Chelsea eliminated

Miscellany: Lionel Messi was taken off the field on a cart because of a knee injury in Barcelona’s 0-0 tie with Benfica in a Champions League game, while defending champion Chelsea failed to advance to the final 16 in the tournament.

“It’s a bruise, which doctors have been having a look at,” Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova said. “We now have to wait for the results of tests, but the feeling is that it isn’t more serious than a knock.”

Chelsea, which needed to better Juventus’ result in Ukraine to finish second in Group E, beat FC Nordsjaelland 6-1 for Rafa Benitez’s first win as interim manager. However, Olexander Kucher’s own goal gave Juventus the victory and the top spot ahead of Shakhtar.

Armstrong teammate banned: Former Lance Armstrong teammate David George has been banned two years for doping.

Last month, the former U.S. Postal Service rider admitted using the blood-booster EPO after failing an out-of-competition test.

George rode on Armstrong’s team in 1999 and 2000.