NBA Highlights of the day:

• Tue, Dec 30 New York Charlotte
• Tue, Dec 30 Atlanta Indiana
• Tue, Dec 30 Cleveland Miami
• Tue, Dec 30 Phoenix Memphis
• Tue, Dec 30 Washington New Orleans
• Tue, Dec 30 Minnesota Dallas
• Tue, Dec 30 Milwaukee San Antonio
• Tue, Dec 30 Boston Portland
• Tue, Dec 30 L.A. Clippers Sacramento

Dwyane Wade embraced LeBron James after the final horn sounded, whispering a birthday greeting into his close friend’s ear. Even with that, it wasn’t a happy 24th for King James. Wade had 21 points and 12 assists, Mario Chalmers was 6-for-7 from 3-point range in a 21-point, eight-assist, no-turnover effort, and the Miami Heat dropped James’ pro record on birthdays to 0-3 by beating the Cleveland Cavaliers 104-95 on Tuesday night. But during a scintillating second half, James seemed as though he was going to put a damper on Miami’s collective mood. Fittingly, he scored 24 of his game-high 38 points after intermission, almost enough to rally Cleveland from a 16-point deficit - its largest of the season. He hit a 3-pointer with 8:55 remaining to get the Cavs to 78-77, then turned and had something to say to the Miami bench, something he did often Sunday, when Cleveland erased a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter to beat the visiting Heat.

Martin O’Neill’s side claimed all three points when Ashley Young’s 88th minute cross was diverted into his own net by Kamil Zayatte, with Gabriel Agbonlahor waiting to pounce. At the death Hull were awarded a penalty by referee Steve Bennett for an alledged handball against Ashley Young, but after consulting with his linesman the decision was (correctly) reversed. The defeat condemned the Tigers to a fourth home defeat in five games, while Villa moved back up to fourth.

Video Highlights 30/12/2008: Philadelphia Flyers-Vancouver Canucks 3-2 (NHL)

NBA Highlights of the day:

• Mon, Dec 29 Denver Atlanta
• Mon, Dec 29 Orlando Detroit
• Mon, Dec 29 Chicago New Jersey
• Mon, Dec 29 Memphis Minnesota
• Mon, Dec 29 Phoenix Oklahoma City
• Mon, Dec 29 Washington Houston
• Mon, Dec 29 Philadelphia Utah
• Mon, Dec 29 Toronto Golden State

Marco Belinelli, C.J. Watson and the Golden State Warriors returned home just long enough to pick up a change of clothes, a victory over Toronto and two new nicknames. Stephen Jackson scored 30 points, Belinelli added 23 and the Warriors held off the road-weary Raptors on Monday night. Their 117-111 victory wasn’t safe until the whisper-thin Watson floated into the lane and hit a clutch jumper over Chris Bosh, the 6-foot-10 All-Star, in the final minute. The last few weeks have been a grind on the Warriors, who haven’t played two straight games in the same city since Dec. 10-12. Building continuity in a young team would be hard enough even without the travel, the long-term injuries to stars Monta Ellis and Corey Maggette, and coach Don Nelson’s wholesale changes to the offense three weeks ago.

Video Highlights 29/12/2008: Minnesota Wild-Calgary Flames 1-2 (NHL)

Wayne Rooney brought out a good save from Ross Turnbull in the opening exchanges. Rooney then teed up Cristiano Ronaldo at the back post but the number seven dragged his shot wide. United dominated the match, but the Red Devils had to wait until the 69th minute to finally go ahead, David Wheater could only cushion Carrick’s cross to Dimitar Berbatov and the Bulgarian lashed in the opener.

Video Highlights 28/12/2008: Miami Dolphins-New York Jets 24-17 (NFL)

Video Highlights 28/12/2008: Arizona Cardinals-Seattle Seahawks 34-21 (NFL)