PAISLEY, Scotland -- Billy Joe Saunders enjoyed a successful first defense of his WBO middleweight title against Artur Akavov on Saturday night, with the British boxer starting slowly but finishing the 12-rounder strongly.The three judges called it 116-113, 116-112 and 115-113 in favor of Saunders (24-0) at the Lagoon Leisure Centre in Paisley.With former world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury at ringside supporting Saunders, the champion was determined to retain the title he won against Irelands Andy Lee last December.Akavov, previously beaten once in 17 fights but never stopped, looked impressive in the early stages.Saunders started to move forward with more purpose, perhaps sensing the Russian was beginning to feel the effects of his earlier work, and took the eighth and ninth rounds.Akavov came back at the start of the 10th, but Saunders had gained control and soon had his man on the run, imposing himself in the final rounds to take the contest. Shareef Miller Jersey . But by the time the game started, the Toronto Raptors forward felt even worse. And, for three quarters, it showed as Gay shot a woeful three-for-13 from the field. Ron Jaworski Womens Jersey . The home side created most of the chances but struggled to break down Braunschweigs resilient defence, resulting in the Bundesligas 1,000th scoreless draw. http://www.eaglesrookiestore.com/Eagles-Carson-Wentz-Jersey/ . LOUIS -- Heading into the final stretch of the season, the issues for the Chicago Bears banged-up defence only seem to be getting worse. Brian Westbrook Eagles Jersey .Y. - New York City has been selected to host the NBA All-Star weekend in 2015, with the game played at Madison Square Garden and the slam dunk contest and other skills events held at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Clayton Thorson Jersey . But by the time the game started, the Toronto Raptors forward felt even worse. And, for three quarters, it showed as Gay shot a woeful three-for-13 from the field. WASHINGTON -- Bradley Beal scored 20 of his 28 points after halftime, and the Washington Wizards finally gave new coach Scott Brooks his first victory with the team by beating the Atlanta Hawks 95-92 on Friday night.Beal averaged only 14 points during Washingtons 0-3 start, never getting more than 15, and Brooks said before facing Atlanta he considered that his fault for not giving his young shooting guard enough opportunities.Hes going to have a breakout game sooner or later, Brooks said, nearly 2 hours before tipoff. Hopefully its tonight.How prescient.Before an announced crowd of only 14,663 -- nearly 5,000 fewer people than were at Wednesdays home opener against Toronto -- an aggressive Beal made 13 of 14 free throw attempts and hit three 3-pointers. One came with about 4 minutes left and pushed the Wizards lead back up to 89-82 after the Hawks had pulled within two points.Atlanta cut the deficit to 95-92 and inbounded the ball after a timeout with 11.7 seconds left, but Kyle Korver air-balled a 3-point try with 3.6 seconds left with Markieff Morris in his face. Korver finished 1 for 9 from the field, including 1 for 6 on 3s.This was already the teams second meeting of the young season. Atlanta beat Washington by 15 points on Oct. 27.Both clubs were playing on the first of back-to-back nights, but they often looked as if they were on the second part of that schedule during an uneven game. Atlanta, in particular, sleepwalked through much of the evening, missing its first nine shots and winding up shooting 39 percent.Dwight Howard led the Hawks with 20 points and 12 rebounds, and Dennis Schroder also scored 20.John Wall had 21 points, 10 rebounds and six assists for Washington. He is four assists shy of breaking Hall of Fame center Wes Unselds franchise career mark.ddddddddddddMorris added 18 points and nine rebounds for the Wizards, who led by as many as 16 points in the third quarter before letting the Hawks get back into the game.The Hawks shot only 29 percent from the field in the first half -- including just 2 of 15 on 3-point attempts, 13 percent -- and made fewer than half of their free throw tries, 7 of 16, entering the break trailing 48-35.Atlantas first basket came on a 3-pointer by Thabo Sefolosha -- 7:23 into the game.TIP-INSHawks: Entered the night No. 2 in the NBA in assists as a team, getting 28.3 per game, with at least 24 in each of their first four games. They had 22 against Washington. ... Atlanta has accumulated at least 10 steals in every game this season, topping that number by the end of the third quarter Friday.Wizards: Walls streak of 16 consecutive games with at least 10 assists, dating to last season, ended. It was the longest active such run in the league.WHATS IN RESERVE?Atlantas reserves outscored Washingtons 33-8. The Wizards bench players wound up with the exact same number of points and personal fouls.MAHINMIS PROGRESSWizards C Ian Mahinmi is right on target; hes doing well after having surgery Oct. 15 for a partially torn medial meniscus in his left knee, Brooks said. Mahinmi was hurt in an exhibition game after signing a $64 million, four-year deal as a free agent. Hes progressing well, Brooks said, but he still has some ways to go.UP NEXTHawks: Host the Houston Rockets on Saturday.Wizards: Travel to face the Orlando Magic on Saturday.---Follow Howard Fendrich on Twitter at http://twitter.com/HowardFendrich ' ' '