Australian tenpin ace Jason Belmonte has capped off a stellar season by taking out the World Bowling Tour Finals in Las Vegas.

Marcus Mariota has led the Tennessee Titans to three second-half touchdowns, incredibly catching a deflected TD pass himself, in an amazing 22-21 comeback NFL playoffs win at the Kansas City Chiefs.

After another NFL season, the play-offs have finally arrived.

Ben Simmons claimed honours over Patty Mills in a high-scoring battle of the Australian NBA guards as Philadelphia were victorious 112-106 over San Antonio.

Aron Baynes is ready to face two Big Bens when he heads to London with his Boston Celtics to take on the Philadelphia 76ers.

The New York Rangers and goaltender Henrik Lundqvist came into Monday's Winter Classic unbeaten in outdoor games, and despite below freezing temperatures and a gritty performance by the last-place Buffalo Sabres, the Rangers prevailed again.

The new year may invoke the idea of a fresh beginning, but for a certain class of underperforming or unwanted NFL coaches it always means the end.

• UPDATED

​The wretched Cleveland Browns completed a season of complete futility when they lost again on Sunday, if only narrowly, which means coach Hue Jackson can go jump in the lake

Matt Bungard takes you through the year in US Sports.

The 76ers needed this. Monday's 105-98 victory over the New York Knicks snapped a five-game losing streak.

• ANALYSIS

The last thing we need to worry about right now is what this will do to Parramatta's season. Footy is secondary.

A candidate has already emerged to buy the Carolina Panthers in the aftermath of owner Jerry Richardson's sudden move to sell the NFL team after misconduct allegations. It's Diddy.

LeBron James used a visit to Washington on Sunday to express his continued displeasure at Donald Trump, without once mentioning the United States president by name.

Minnesota Vikings have powered to the NFC North title with a 34-7 victory over the injury-hit Cincinnati Bengals that keeps them on course for a first-round bye in the play-offs.

America's Luke Rockhold knows that he'll be coming to Australia to fight not just Robert Whittaker, but also a boisterous Perth crowd – and says he'll make the fans respect him.

UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker faces his first title defence in just eight weeks' time at UFC 221 in Perth, and says it's a ''dream come true'' to do so on home soil.

NBA rookie Ben Simmons had 27 points and 10 assists in a dazzling display for the Philadelphia 76ers but 34 points from Jrue Holiday got the New Orleans Pelicans home 131-124.

While most of Australia basks in warm summer temperatures, spare a thought for American football players (and their fans) in Buffalo, New York.

Ben Simmons has battled flu-like symptoms to score 20 points but he couldn't prevent Philadelphia suffering an upset home NBA loss to Phoenix.