UPDATE 1-NBA-Timberwolves overcome lost Love to clip Hawks

* Rubio returns for Timberwolves* Hawks lose third straightJan 8 (Reuters) - The Minnesota Timberwolves coped with the absence of head coach Rick Adelman and All Star forward Kevin Love to beat Atlanta 108-103 on Tuesday, ending a near seven-year winless run against the Hawks.Timberwolves coach Adelman missed the game for personal reasons, while Love is out indefinitely after reinjuring his right...

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Timberwolves overcome lost Love to clip Hawks

(Reuters) - The Minnesota Timberwolves coped with the absence of head coach Rick Adelman and All Star forward Kevin Love to beat Atlanta 108-103 on Tuesday, ending a near seven-year winless run against the Hawks.Timberwolves coach Adelman missed the game for personal reasons, while Love is out indefinitely after reinjuring his right hand last week, but the home team still had enough beat the Hawks...

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Microsoft's Ballmer, group to pay $500 mln for NBA's Kings-report

SEATTLE, Jan 9 (Reuters) - A group of investors including Microsoft Corp CEO Steve Ballmer and hedge fund manager Chris Hansen is close to a deal to buy the Sacramento Kings professional basketball team for $500 million and move the National Basketball Association franchise to Seattle, Yahoo Sports reported on Wednesday.The Maloof family is close to agreeing to sell the Kings to the Ballmer group,...

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NBA-Knicks' Anthony banned one game for approaching Garnett

Jan 9 (Reuters) - New York Knicks All-Star forward Carmelo Anthony has been suspended one game by the National Basketball Association (NBA) for approaching an opposing player on multiple occasions after a recent game, the league said on Wednesday.Anthony confronted Boston Celtics forward Kevin Garnett in the arena tunnel near the players' locker rooms and again in the parking garage following New...

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FACTBOX-Soccer-African Nations Cup finalists South Africa

JOHANNESBURG, Jan 9 (Reuters) - Factbox on African Nations Cup finalists and hosts South Africa ahead of this year's tournament from Jan. 19 to Feb 10.Previous appearances African Nations Cup finals: 7Best performance: Winners in 1996; Runners-up in 1998FIFA world ranking Dec 2012: 87Coach: Gordon Igesund was appointed last June after the country's poor start to the 2014 World Cup qualifiers. He...

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FACTBOX-Soccer-African Nations Cup finalists Morocco

Jan 9 (Reuters) - Factbox on African Nations Cup finalists Morocco ahead of this year's tournament in South Africa from Jan 19 to Feb 10:Previous appearances in African Nations Cup finals: 14Best performance: Winners in 1976; Runners-up in 2004FIFA world ranking Dec 2012: 74thCoach: Rachid Taoussi was appointed in September to replace former Belgian international Eric Gerets after Morocco had lost...

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FACTBOX-Soccer-African Nations Cup finalists AngolaJan 9 (Reuters) - Factbox on African Nations Cup finalists Angola ahead of this year's tournament in South Africa from Jan. 19 to Feb. 10: Previous appearances in African Nations Cup finals: 6 Best performance: Quarter-finalists in 2008 and 2010 FIFA world ranking Dec 2012: 84th Coach: Gustavo Ferrin made his name in youth soccer, starting at Defensor Sporting in his native Uruguay and then taking his country's under-17 and under-20 teams to world championships. His only previous senior job was at Montevideo-based Defensor Sporting, where he was responsible for a turnaround in fortunes in 2004. He took over as Angola coach in June from Lito Vidigal, who was fired after the team failed to reach the quarter-finals of the last Nations Cup in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon. Key players: Djalma Campos (Kasimpasa). Age: 25. Pos: Forward After scoring only one goal for Portuguese champions FC Porto he was sent on loan to Turkey where he is again struggling to find the back of the net. He has been more effective with the national team where he plays as a foil to Manucho. His father Abel Campos played at Benfica and also for Angola. Manucho (Real Valladolid). Age: 29 Pos: Forward Two quick goals in the vital qualifying tie against Zimbabwe in October allowed Angola to squeak into the finals and confirmed Manucho's status as their lead striker. His three goals made him joint top scorer at the 2012 finals in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon. At Real Valladolid last month he scored twice against Real Madrid. Zuela (Apoel Nicosia). Age: 29 Pos: Defender Zuela was born in Luanda and brought up in Portugal but most of his career has been spent at clubs in Greece, Russia and now Cyprus. Three years ago he went to Wigan Athletic on trial but did not prove successful. Can play at full back, centre defence or as a defensive midfielder.

Jan 9 (Reuters) - Factbox on African Nations Cup finalists Angola ahead of this year's tournament in South Africa from Jan. 19 to Feb. 10:Previous appearances in African Nations Cup finals: 6Best performance: Quarter-finalists in 2008 and 2010FIFA world ranking Dec 2012: 84thCoach: Gustavo Ferrin made his name in youth soccer, starting at Defensor Sporting in his native Uruguay and then taking his...

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