Carmelo Anthony got the better of Ron Artest, scoring 25 points in 29 minutes to lead the Denver Nuggets past the Los Angeles Lakers 105-79 Friday.

Chacarita Juniors midfielder Omar Zarif conceded a freak own goal to give Newell's Old Boys a 1-0 win Friday and top spot in Argentina's Apertura tournament.

Gregg Berhalter and Landon Donovan scored in extra time Friday as the Los Angeles Galaxy secured their berth in Major League Soccer's title match with a 2-0 victory over Houston. David Beckham's free kick set up Berhalter's goal in the 102nd minute.

Brian Pothier scored the go-ahead goal early in the third period as the Washington Capitals beat the Minnesota Wild 3-1 on Friday for their fourth win in a row without Alex Ovechkin.

Formula One world champion Jenson Button visited McLaren on Friday, fuelling speculation he could be lining up a switch from Brawn to become Lewis Hamilton's team mate next season.

Japanese catcher Kenji Johjima, who quit the Seattle Mariners hoping to play full-time, signed a four-year contract Friday with the Hanshin Tigers of Japan's Central League.

Tony Pike threw two touchdown passes in a cameo appearance Friday as No. 5 Cincinnati overcame a self-destructive first half to beat West Virginia 24-21 for the best start in school history.

Second seed Rafael Nadal set up a Paris Masters semifinal clash with third seed Novak Djokovic on Friday by defeating title-holder Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 7-5, 7-5.

Former British Open champion Ben Curtis withdrew from the Hong Kong Open with a back injury on Saturday, dashing his hopes of playing at next week's Dubai World Championship.

Tiger Woods wrestled to stay in the lead of the Australian Masters after a third round he described as “terrible” and “atrocious” in parts at Kingston Heath here on Saturday.