Sports News Roundup: Djokovic ousts Federer in Paris semi-final; Breeders' Cup Classic; Biles clinches fourth gold

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

NBA roundup: Paul, Rockets halt losing skid

Chris Paul scored a season-high 32 points, and the Houston Rockets opened a five-game road trip by rallying from a 14-point deficit to record a 119-111 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Friday night. Paul helped the Rockets snap a four-game skid and avoid their first 1-6 start since 2010-11 by shooting 13-for-27 from the field. Paul also made five 3-pointers, including two that beat the buzzer in the second and third quarters. Carmelo Anthony drained six threes and scored 28 points in 31 minutes off the bench.

Pitt runs past No. 25 Virginia behind Hall's haul

Senior running back Darrin Hall rushed for 229 yards and three touchdowns to lead visiting Pittsburgh to a 23-13 victory over No. 25 Virginia in ACC play on Friday night at Charlottesville, Va. Hall, who had 19 carries, scored on runs of 41, 2 and 75 yards while topping the 200-yard mark for the second time in his career. The Panthers (5-4, 4-1 ACC) totaled 256 yards on the ground and recorded five sacks while moving into first place in the ACC Coastal Division.

Biles closes out Doha world championships with fourth gold

American Olympic champion Simone Biles, already the winner of more world championship gold medals than any other gymnast, closed out the 2018 championships with two more medals, one a gold, at Doha on Saturday. Biles pushed her all-time gold medal haul at world championships to a record 14 when she claimed top honors in the floor exercise for her fourth gold in Doha.

LeBron says Magic, Walton drama 'not a big deal for us'

LeBron James knows that people are talking about reported tension between the Los Angeles Lakers team president Magic Johnson and coach Luke Walton. But James doesn't want to hear it. He says he is focused on blocking out the noise and winning as many games as possible in his first season in Los Angeles.

NFL notebook: Bills' Anderson out for Sunday

The Buffalo Bills ruled quarterback Derek Anderson out for their Sunday game against the Chicago Bears, making Nathan Peterman the starter. Anderson (concussion) was listed as questionable on the Friday injury report. He didn't practice all week. Journeyman Matt Barkley, who was signed Wednesday, will be the backup quarterback against the Bears.

Horse racing: Accelerate wins Breeders' Cup Classic

Accelerate surged down the stretch to win the $6 million Breeders' Cup Classic at Churchill Downs on Saturday to deliver trainer John Sadler his first career win at the championships in 45 tries. The favoured, 5/2 colt was reluctant to enter the starting gate before the race and spent much of the 1 1/4-mile run in the middle of the pack.

Djokovic ousts Federer in epic Paris semi-final

Novak Djokovic ruined Roger Federer's ambitions of a 100th career title as he outlasted his great adversary 7-6(6) 5-7 7-6(3) in an epic Paris Masters semi-final that stretched his remarkable unbeaten run to 22 matches on Saturday. In a 47th meeting between the two greats, the stubborn Djokovic simply refused to be beaten as he eked out a fourth successive victory over Federer in a tiebreak decider after three compelling hours.

Stars' Radulov to miss at least three games

Dallas Stars forward Alexander Radulov will miss at least the next three games because of a lower-body injury, according to a report from the Dallas Morning News. Radulov, 32, returned to Dallas to receive more treatment on the injury. He has 11 points (five goals, six assists) in seven games this season but has played only once since Oct. 16.

NHL roundup: Pouliot leads Canucks past Avs in OT thriller

Derrick Pouliot's goal with 22 seconds left in overtime gave the host Vancouver Canucks a wild 7-6 victory over the Colorado Avalanche on Friday night. The winning goal was set up by 19-year-old rookie Elias Pettersson, who led the Canucks with two goals and three assists. Pettersson's second goal came in the final minute of regulation and forced overtime. The two-goal effort was his second of the week and third in nine career NHL contests.

NASCAR notebook: Elliott looks to end recent slump

Just when he needs it most, the newfound speed that has carried Chase Elliott to a pair of victories in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs seems to have deserted the driver of the No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet. On Friday night at Texas Motor Speedway, Elliott qualified 16th for the second race in the Round of 8 -- and a hard-fought 16th at that. In Sunday's AAA Texas 500 (3 p.m. ET on NBCSN, PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio), he'll have another fight on his hands as he tries to crack the top 10 and accumulate badly needed stage points.

(With inputs from Reuters)