Sports briefs

BASKETBALLCavs upset Lakers

Looking nothing like two-time defending NBA champions, the Lakers dropped their third straight game, a stunning 104-99 loss last night to the Cavaliers, the league's worst team. Ramon Sessions scored a season-high 32 points for the Cavs, who avenged a 55-point loss to the Lakers last month.

Taurasi clearedWNBA star Diana Taurasi had her provisional suspension lifted by the Turkish Basketball Federation, which said the lab that returned a positive test for the stimulant modofinil retracted its report after it "evaluated" Taurasi's statements in her defense.

The federation did not say whether the lab made a mistake. Taurasi told The Associated Press by phone: "It's really good that the facts came out and the truth came out." Taurasi had insisted that she never used performance-enhancing drugs, even though she had her contract terminated by the Turkish club Fenerbahce last month.

SOCCERArsenal tops Barcelona

Andrey Arshavin capped a stunning second-half comeback that led Arsenal over Barcelona, 2-1, in the first leg of the second round of the Champions League. David Villa put Barcelona ahead in the 26th minute, but Robin van Persie scored in the 78th, Arshavin in the 83rd.

AUTO RACING

Earnhardt wrecks

Dale Earnhardt Jr. has wrecked his pole-winning Daytona 500 car. Earnhardt was pushing teammate Jimmie Johnson in practice when the contact caused Johnson to bobble. A second pack of cars led by Martin Truex Jr. closed quickly on Earnhardt's bumper, causing the No. 88 Chevrolet to spin into the inside wall. He will have to forfeit the pole in the 500 by driving in a backup car.- AP