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• Doncic hails 'team player' Washington after Westbrook confrontation

  Luka Doncic saluted "team player" P.J. Washington following his confrontation with Russell Westbrook during the Dallas Mavericks' victory over the Los Angeles Clippers.

  The Mavericks prevailed 101-90 in Game 3 to take a 2-1 lead in their first-round series, with Doncic falling just shy of a triple-double with 22 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists.

  Although, it was a feisty affair at the American Airlines Center, where Washington and Westbrook were both ejected after an altercation following the latter's foul and shove on Doncic.

  The five-time NBA All-Star was grateful for Washington's support and intervention, paying tribute to his team-mate.

  "The things he does, he's a team player," Doncic said. "He helps all of us. I'm just really happy we've got him on our team.

  "I'm used to [getting subjected to extra physicality. I just try to stay calm and keep playing basketball."

  Mavericks coach Jason Kidd was also pleased by the togetherness demonstrated by his players with emotions running high.

  "We're all competing for each inch to try to win," he said. "This series is going to be more mental as it goes on, just because of the physicality.

  "It's very physical, but the mental aspect of this series, we have to be sharp and we have to understand what's taking place. I thought the guys did a great job of protecting one another."

  
   

• Durant urges Suns to use fans' frustration as 'fuel' towards playoff recovery

  Kevin Durant has urged the Phoenix Suns to use their supporters' frustrations as 'fuel' to reduce their first-round series arrears against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

  The Suns fell 3-0 behind in the series as they went down 126-109 in Game 3 at Footprint Center, where Anthony Edwards led the way for the Timberwolves with 36 points.

  No team has overturned a 3-0 deficit in NBA playoff history, and the home fans' disappointment in their side's performance was evident with many heading for the exits long before the contest's conclusion.

  Durant, who finished with 25 points, empathises with the supporters.

  "They expect so much out of us, and they pay their hard-earned money, and they deserve to react how they want to react," he said. "It's on us as players to use it as fuel, and hopefully it ignites us for the next game [on Sunday]."

  The Suns have now lost five successive playoff games - the joint-longest streak in their history - and face the prospect of getting swept for the first time in a quarter of a century.

  "I've never been swept a day in my life," guard Bradley Beal said. "I'll be damned if that happens."

  Head coach Frank Vogel added: "There's no quit in our group. This group does not want the season to come to an end. We want this really bad, so it is disappointing. It is frustrating.

  "We're all very invested in this, and we're all pouring everything we have to bring these fans a team they could be proud of, and we feel like we can still do that, but we haven't played well enough in this series."

• Ancelotti salutes Madrid's 'commitment and desire' following Sociedad victory

  Carlo Ancelotti hailed Real Madrid's commitment and desire as they edged closer to securing the LaLiga title with a 1-0 victory at Real Sociedad.

  Arda Guler scored the only goal as Los Blancos extended their lead to 14 points over second-placed Barcelona, who host Valencia in their game in hand on Monday.

  The 19-year-old was making his first start since arriving from Fenerbahce, as Ancelotti rotated his squad ahead of Madrid's Champions League semi-final against Bayern Munich.

  And the Italian was pleased by the character demonstrated by his players, who stretched their winning streak to six league matches.

  "It was clear that everyone thought we were coming here for a walk," he told reporters. "The only ones who didn't think so were the players. They had commitment and attitude. They had the desire and enthusiasm to keep winning.

  "We have a spectacular squad. They have this attitude that they feel like they have to win every game. There are four points left to clinch the LaLiga title, and we are very close."

  Guler added on Realmadrid TV: "This is the best club in the world and scoring is one of the best feelings.

  "This is Real Madrid, the quality of the players is incredible. We're all always ready to play, and I think we've shown that here. I'm waiting patiently, and I'm still working hard every day."

  Ancelotti's rotation meant a first start in eight months for Eder Militao, who marked his return from a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee with a clean sheet.

  "I've come back to play 90 minutes and I feel like a player again after many months out," the defender said. 

  "We have to keep winning, we know that nothing is won yet. We have a big advantage, but we have to keep doing a serious job until the end."