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| add to favorites | Ever since he went down | Cottages |
| Kevin Durant made his approach to taking over a pivotal NBA playoff game sound so simple – and look that way http://www.giantsauthorizedshops.com/authentic-saquon-barkley-jersey , too. ”I just try to tell myself that I’m at my best when I don’t care what happens after the game, the outcome or anything,” Durant said. ”That’s when I’m free and having fun out there, and forceful. That was thing – just try to play with force no matter if I missed shots or not, just keep shooting, keep being aggressive.” Durant scored Golden State’s first two baskets on pull-up jumpers of 21 and 15 feet before a minute-and-a-half had elapsed in Game 4 of the Warriors‘ Western Conference semifinal series against New Orleans on Sunday. He finished with 38 points on 15-of-27 shooting to go with nine rebounds, and Golden State soundly defeated the Pelicans 118-92 to take a commanding 3-1 series lead back to the West Coast. Warriors guard Stephen Curry said it was apparent early that getting the ball to Durant would be wise. ”Just find ways to get him in scoring positions,” Curry said. ”Sometimes, that’s not really hard to do – just throw it to him. ”Just keep the game simple at that point because he’s such a great scorer, you don’t have to really overthink things.” The Warriors lost by 19 in Game 3 Friday and the Pelicans were looking to even the series. Instead, the Warriors responded with a resounding effort that produced a wire-to-wire win with leads as large as 26 points. Curry scored 23 Authentic Lukas Dostal Jersey , Klay Thompson added 13 and Quinn Cook, who was a Pelicans reserve earlier this season, contributed 12 points. Anthony Davis had 26 points and 12 rebounds for New Orleans, but the Pelicans hit only 36 percent (32 of 88) of their shots, missing 22 of 26 3-point attempts. Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry said Golden State’s defense ”had a lot to do with” the Pelicans’ poor shooting. ”We didn’t have the looks we normally have,” he said. ”We pressed a little bit when we got behind.” E’Twaun Moore scored 20 and Jrue Holiday 19, but New Orleans reserves combined for just 14 points after scoring 32 two nights earlier. Rajon Rondo finished with 11 rebounds but had only six assists after racking up 21 in Game 3. The Pelicans also committed 19 turnovers, which led 21 Warriors points. ”We missed a lot of easy shots, a couple game-plan discipline mistakes early on and they came out on fire,” Davis said. ”We just can’t afford to shoot that poorly. ”But we’ve got another one,” Davis added. ”Any time we’ve been punched in the mouth http://www.vikingsauthorizedshops.com/authentic-mike-remmers-jersey , we’ve always responded very well.” TIP-INS Warriors: Draymond Green had eight points, nine rebounds, nine assists, four steals and two blocks. With his fourth rebound, Green became the third player in Warriors history to reach 800 playoff rebounds. Wilt Chamberlain (922) and Nate Thurmond (896) are the only others. … Green was assessed his first technical foul of the playoffs after he fell to the floor on a Davis layup and no foul was called. Pelicans: Davis committed six turnovers and Rondo four. … Davis shot 10 of 10 from the foul line. … The Pelicans made 18 of 19 free throws in the first half but finished 24 of 30. … Nikola Mirotic grabbed 11 rebounds but missed six of seven shots to finish with seven points. BREAKING AWAY After shooting poorly Friday night, the Warriors were eager to regain their rhythm and did so immediately. They hit six of their first eight shots, with Durant making his first three. ”He was attacking tonight right from the beginning and he was brilliant,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. ”He found better spots on the floor with his aggression and created easier shots for himself.” Thompson and Curry each added early 3s. That, and solid defense that included Green’s block of Rondo’s layup, helped Golden State open a 10-point lead in the first four minutes. The Pelicans missed eight of their first 10 shots and trailed 20-6 after Green made Golden State’s fourth 3. The Pelicans slowly ground their deficit down to seven by halftime – only to botch the opening of the third quarter. Rondo’s bounce pass handcuffed Davis as he cut to the hoop for what looked like a thunderous dunk in the making. Moments later, Green fired a cross-court pass to Durant for a one-handed jam. Andre Iguodala and Curry followed with 3s Quenton Nelson Color Rush Jersey , and in two minutes, the Warriors’ lead ballooned to 15. GOING SMALL Kerr went with a different starting lineup for a third consecutive game. Green moved to center after starting at forward in Game 3, 7-foot center JaVale McGee returned to a reserve role and Iguodala, who’d started games 1 and 2, returned to the first unit at forward. Curry, Thompson and Durant rounded out the starting five. ”Obviously, the lineup worked, but it’s not about the lineup,” Kerr asserted. ”The effort at both ends tonight was night-and-day from Game 3. ”There’s a good chance I’ll start these same five guys on Tuesday.” UP NEXT The series returns to Oakland, California, for Game 5 on Tuesday night. — Carson Wentz sat in the stands and soaked in the experience while his teammates on the Philadelphia Eagles took part in Super Bowl media night. A torn ACL ended the MVP contender’s season Brian O'Neill Color Rush Jersey , but he’s doing everything he can to be supportive and help the team beat the New England Patriots. “I don’t know anyone more competitive than myself,” Wentz said Monday night. “Wanting to be out there is definitely tough, but I get over that pretty quick and just be around these guys and things are going as well as they can be.” Wentz spoke for about 25 minutes, answering questions about his injury, backup Nick Foles, and several queries about his faith. “I’m super excited for these guys and for Nick. We’re so close,” he said. “He understands the pressure of not only playing in this game but playing in Philly and everything that’s involved in that. I just tell him to be yourself, play your game and when he’s done that, he’s played great. I couldn’t be happier for his success. He’s a great guy.” Wentz didn’t want to take any spotlight off his teammates or be a distraction, but the second-year pro plans to be part of many Super Bowl weeks, so he thought it was important to see it up close. “I’m going to use this as a learning opportunity and motivation Daniel Kilgore Color Rush Jersey ,” he said. “Being here and seeing this all week, it’ll give me an edge to want to be back without a doubt.” Wentz revealed last week that he tore his LCL along with his ACL in Week 14 against the Los Angeles Rams. He’s already walking without crutches or a cane – he was on crutches on the sideline in the divisional round against Atlanta, then used a cane while watching the NFC championship game against Minnesota – and hopes to be ready for the season opener in September. “Ever since he went down, I don’t think he hasn’t been a part of every element of the team, coaching and working with Nick,” owner Jeffery Lurie said. “That’s just who he is. He’s someone drawn to being great, really bright and humble at the same time … and a great leader at age 24 who is incredibly popular.” — AP Pro Football Writer Barry Wilner contributed to this report. — AP NFL website: . | ||
| add to favorites | The Wild also reassigned | Cottages |
| Two days after opening the second round with their worst game of the playoffs Jalyn Holmes Color Rush Jersey , the San Jose Sharks responded with a gritty performance. Logan Couture’s second goal of the game, on the power play at 5:13 of the second overtime, lifted the Sharks to a 4-3 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday night, tying their Western Conference semifinal series at one game apiece. Moments after Vegas’ Jon Merrill was called for hooking, Couture found the back of the net to give the Sharks their first win inside T Mobile Arena this season. ”I thought we were better everywhere,” Sharks coach Peter DeBoer said. ”We were tighter, our team game was better, we were better in every situation, and I knew we would be.” San Jose rallied from two goals down in the second period to take the lead, before Vegas tied it in the third. ”We were down by two, but our game was good http://www.cardinalsauthorizedshops.com/authentic-mason-cole-jersey ,” DeBoer said. ”Like I said going in, as long as our game is good – even if we lost tonight – I think we’ve always taken the approach that if we play our game, at the end of the day good things happen. We stuck with it and even when they scored the second goal I really liked how we were playing.” Vegas lost for the first time in the playoffs after winning their first five games by a 14-3 margin, including a 7-0 victory in Game 1. The Golden Knights thought they won this one in the first overtime when Jonathan Marchessault’s backhand sailed past Martin Jones with 3:02 left, but officials ruled there was goaltender interference when Marchessault ran into Jones’ blocker and spun him around before his shot. Per the NHL: ”After reviewing all available replays and consulting with the Referee, the Situation Room determined that contact between Vegas’ Jonathan Marchessault and Jones prevented him from his job, in accordance with Rule 78.7.” Brent Burns also scored two goals and Jones stopped 26 shots for San Jose, which was playing without suspended forward Evander Kane. ”We fixed some things and it was a better team game,” Burns said. ”It’s just one game, obviously we had to win it, but it’s one game.” William Karlsson scored twice for Vegas Bryan Shaw Colorado Rockies Jersey , while Nate Schmidt got his first of the postseason to tie the score at 3-3 with 6 1/2 minutes left in the third period. Marc-Andre Fleury finished with 43 saves. Game 3 is Monday night at San Jose. ”We competed harder all over the ice,” Couture said. ”We were harder on pucks, we won more battles. I think when you’re creating offensive chances and you’re forcing other teams to play defensive hockey, that’s when penalties happen. They get tired and you wear them down.” Unlike the first game of this series, which saw the Golden Knights become the third NHL franchise to score at least seven goals in a playoff game during its inaugural season, Game 2 was much more physical, something that seemingly took Vegas out of its rhythm in the second period. In Game 1, Vegas blocked 26 shots, to the Sharks’ 13, but San Jose held a 36-26 edge in Game 2. And after being whistled for 10 penalties in first series-opener, as opposed to Vegas’ five Authentic Adam Boqvist Jersey , the Golden Knights found themselves in the box more than San Jose, 11-6. ”I wasn’t too happy with a lot of it to be honest with you,” Vegas coach Gerard Gallant said. ”I think we had one penalty and they had seven, so I wasn’t too happy. They better be ready (for Game 3) because we didn’t show up for 45 minutes tonight. … We played a great game the other night and competed and battled. Tonight, whether we thought it was going to be easy or what we thought I don’t know, but we didn’t show up to play our game.” The Golden Knights got on the board late in the first period when Karlsson took a rebound off the end boards and found the back of the net from a tight angle. He notched his second goal when he took advantage of a turnover and beat Jones from the circle to put Vegas up 2-0 just 26 seconds into the second. Burns brought an end to the Sharks’ 82-minute scoring drought when he picked up the puck off the draw and blasted a slap shot from the point to cut Vegas’ lead in half. Couture tied the game at 2 with a goal that conceivably could have been avoided. After blocking a shot by Dylan Demelo, Fleury pushed the puck to Deryk Engelland behind the net, rather than covering it up. Tomas Hertl got ahold of it and fed Couture, who one-timed in with just under nine minutes left in the second. Three minutes later, Burns gave San Jose a 3-2 lead after he snagged the puck off a faceoff, circled the back of the net and tucked it in on a wraparound. NOTES: Burns’ second-period goal ended Fleury’s scoreless streak of 143:51 Jordan Whitehead Color Rush Jersey , dating back to Game 3 of the opening round versus Los Angeles. … Vegas surpassed its season-high 13 penalties in minutes with 22 PIM. … The 18,671 in attendance was a new team record at T Mobile Arena. … Kane was suspended Friday because of a cross-check to the head of Pierre-Edouard Bellemare in Game 1. … It was the second straight series the Golden Knights went into double overtime in Game 2, with their opponent missing a key player due to suspension. Los Angeles was missing Drew Doughty in the opening round. The Minnesota Wild added one of their top prospects for the stretch run of the race for the playoffs, signing left wing Jordan Greenway to a three-year, entry-level contract on Monday. The 6-foot-6, 230-pound Greenway was expected to join the team in time to play at Nashville on Tuesday, with seven games to go in the regular season. The Wild are in third place in the Central Division, just ahead of a crowded race for the two Western Conference wild cards. Greenway had 92 points in 112 games for Boston University. The Terriers lost to Michigan in the Northeast Region final of the NCAA Tournament on Sunday. The 21-year-old Greenway had 13 goals, 22 assists and 52 penalty minutes in 36 games in his junior season. He took a hiatus to play for the U.S. team at the Olympics in South Korea, scoring one goal in five games while playing often on a checking line. ”It’s rare to find a player with that combination of size, speed and skill Johnny Townsend Color Rush Jersey , and he’s a guy we think is ready to play in the NHL,” Wild general manager Chuck Fletcher told reporters. ”It’s a tough league. I’m sure there are going to be adjustments, and he’s going to have to learn the league and figure out how his game translates at this level, but having said that the skill set is pretty impressive.” Greenway, who was drafted in the second round in 2015, can give the club a big-bodied, aggressive presence at the net that it could use more of. ”He’s certainly a physical strong man on the ice, but just a very good kind person off the ice,” Fletcher said. ”He gets along with people and loves life. He’s worked hard for this. I’m very happy for him.” The Wild also reassigned right wing Zack Mitchell to the minors on Monday. — . | ||
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| Broncos coach Vance Joseph is going with experience this time Boone Logan Milwaukee Brewers Jersey , hiring Tom McMahon to replace Brock Olivo as his special teams coordinator. Joseph gave Olivo his first shot at coaching special teams last season, but Dave Toub’s longtime assistant in Kansas City oversaw one of the worst special teams in the league and was among six assistants Joseph fired last week. Rookie punt returner Isaiah McKenzie fumbled six times but kept his job for most of the season, a sore spot with several veterans who felt there was a sense of privilege among the members of the 2017 draft class. Olivo’s units had trouble getting the right personnel onto the field, twice telegraphing trick plays because of it, and they were even whistled for delays on kickoffs . Denver’s special teams gaffes led to 24 points by the Patriots in New England’s 41-16 win in Denver on Nov. 12 and Joseph drew criticism the next day for sticking with Olivo . However, Olivo was one of six assistants fired after a hugely disappointing 5-11 season when Joseph said he needed to ”change the culture” on offense and special teams. McMahon is a 26-year coaching veteran who has coached NFL special teams for the last 11 seasons, including the last five in Indianapolis, Kansas City in 2012 and St. Louis from 2009-11. The Colts featured one of the league’s most consistently solid special teams units during McMahon’s five seasons in Indianapolis. He became available after the Colts fired head coach Chuck Pagano last week. Joseph praised McMahon’s ”direct teaching style that emphasizes fundamentals,” noting he `has a proven track record developing young players on special teams that will bring leadership and energy to this important phase of our team.” Joseph also promoted Chris Strausser to coach the offensive tackles and hired ex-Colts assistant Greg Williams to coach defensive backs and ex-Bears assistant Zach Azzanni to coach wide receivers. Strausser Kyle Freeland Colorado Rockies Jersey , who was an assistant offensive line coach under Jeff Davidson last year, will coach the tackles with Sean Kugler coaching the guards and centers in a new setup along the O-line, which has been the Broncos’ bugaboo going back to Peyton Manning’s time in Denver. Last year’s first-round draft pick, left tackle Garett Bolles, was among the league’s leaders in penalties and often allowed an early mistake to affect him and the team adversely the rest of the game. — Peyton Manning takes a family to Universal Parks & Resorts. Chris Pratt works out to get in shape to tout Michelob Ultra. Bill Hader takes a break on set to snack on some Pringles. This year’s Super Bowl advertisers are minding their manners. They’re trying hard to steer clear of everything from politics to the (hash)MeToo movement with lightly humorous ads that don’t offend. The goal is to capture the attention of the 111 million-plus viewers expected to tune in Sunday when the Philadelphia Eagles take on the New England Patriots. Thirty-second slots are going for more than $5 million for airtime alone. Last year, ads that tackled political issues fell flat, like an 84 Lumber ad about immigration. And some thought the recent Grammy Awards’ low ratings were because the show contained too many political moments, such as Hillary Clinton reading from the Trump biography ”Fire and Fury.” People are in the mood for ”political-free entertainment,” said Kim Whitler http://www.panthersauthorizedshops.com/authentic-ian-thomas-jersey , a marketing professor at the University of Virginia. Several ads will be taking a light-humor approach with mostly male celebrities. PepsiCo brands Doritos Blaze and Mountain Dew Ice are showcased in two 30-second linked spots showing Morgan Freeman and Peter Dinklage in a lip-sync rap battle. In a Pringles ad , Bill Hader has a snack on set and introduces a made-up practice dubbed ”flavor stacking,” in which he mixes and matches different Pringles varieties. M&Ms enlisted Danny DeVito to embody what happens when a red M&M becomes a person after wishing on a lucky penny. Keanu Reeves surfs on his motorcycle through the desert in an ad for Squarespace. Chris Elliott lives in a bio dome to tout avocados from Mexico, while ”Stranger Things” star David Harbour shows up in Tide’s commercial. ”They’re light hearted and good natured,” Whitler said. ”That’s on target with the mood of the country.” ”We’re exposed to so much constant negativity,” said Andy Goeler, a marketing executive at Bud Light. ”Delivering something just light hearted and fun is the root at what beer is all about.” The brand’s two spots showcase a mythical kingdom a la ”Game of Thrones” centered on Bud Light and the catchphrase ”Dilly Dilly.” Amazon’s 90-second fourth-quarter ad stars a bevy of celebrities who sub for the voice of Amazon’s Alexa voice assistant: singer Cardi B, actress Rebel Wilson, star chef Gordon Ramsey and even actor Anthony Hopkins putting a Hannibal Lector spin on things. Leading up to the halftime show Hayden Hurst Color Rush Jersey , Pepsi’s ad references past celebrities who have appeared in Pepsi Super Bowl ads: Britney Spears, Michael Jackson, Cindy Crawford and others. Nonetheless, two Super Bowl ads are bucking the trend and sidling up to political issues, however obliquely. Coca-Cola’s anthemic 60-second ad features varieties of Coke, from Coke Zero to the stevia-flavored Coke Life, quaffed by women, men and a person who uses the ”they” pronoun. ”There’s a Coke for he, and she and her and me and them http://www.ramsauthorizedshops.com/authentic-john-kelly-jersey ,” a voiceover states. Coca-Cola executives say the ad highlights the diversity the company has always used in its advertising, adding that they consulted African-American and LGBTQ groups among its own employees. A biracial couple and a person in a wheelchair also appear in the spot. ”We want to celebrate all the people that make up the world,” Coca-Cola executive Brynn Bardacke said. ”We don’t want to exclude anyone.” On the other hand, WeatherTech, which makes car mats and other interior car products, has a staunchly pro-American approach in its ad, which shows the construction of a factory that opened late last year. ”At WeatherTech, we built our factory right here in America,” the ad’s text reads. ”Isn’t that the way it is supposed to be?” It’s the fifth year WeatherTech has advertised in the Super Bowl touting its all-American operations. Founder and CEO David MacNeil said his ad doesn’t have typical Super Bowl accoutrements – ”no ponies Kenny Young Color Rush Jersey , no puppies, no pretty girls” – but said it’s straight to the point about its message. ”Isn’t it just logical to build your own factory in your own country so your own fellow citizens can have jobs?” he said. He said he doesn’t believe the ad might be divisive. ”It wouldn’t occur to me that I could offend anyone by supporting my own country,” he said. While the majority of advertisers release their ads ahead of time to try to drum up publicity, there are some holdouts. Fiat Chrysler usually appears during the game without advance warning. Other advertisers that have remained mum about their plans so far include E-Trade and Monster Products. ”It may be that advertisers with risky ads are waiting for the game, hoping to protect the surprise and break through the clutter,” said Tim Calkins, a marketing professor at Northwestern University. . | ||
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| Sidney Crosby scored his fifth goal of the series and became the Pittsburgh Penguins‘ career postseason points leader in a 5-0 win over the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday night. The Penguins lead the first-round playoff series 3-1 as its shifts to Pittsburgh for Game 5. Matt Murray stopped 26 shots for his second shutout of the series and the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Penguins are a win away from playing in the second round for the 11th time in the last 12 seasons. Crosby scored in the second period for a 4-0 lead and passed Pittsburgh owner and Hall of Famer Mario Lemieux for most playoff points with 173. Crosby and the Penguins followed a 7-0 Game 1 win and a 5-1 Game 3 victory with another dominant outing. Evgeni Malkin http://www.seahawksauthorizedshops.com/authentic-barkevious-mingo-jersey , Phil Kessel and Kris Letang each scored to give the Penguins a 3-0 lead in the second and chase Flyers goalie Brian Elliott. Riley Sheahan made it 5-0 late in the third. SHARKS 2, DUCKS 1 SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) – Tomas Hertl scored the tiebreaking goal 9:09 into the third period, Martin Jones was spectacular in goal yet again, and San Jose Sharks completed a first-round sweep. Hertl scored just 1:16 after the Ducks finally got a puck past Jones when he deflected a point shot from Marc-Edouard Vlasic past John Gibson. San Jose then held on to advance to the second round against the expansion Vegas Golden Knights. Fourth-line winger Marcus Sorensen scored for the third straight game to open the scoring for San Jose and Jones did most of the rest of the work with 30 saves. Andrew Cogliano scored the lone goal for the Ducks, who were outscored 16-4 in the series and swept for the first time since 1999 against Detroit. Gibson finished with 22 saves. LIGHTNING 3, DEVILS 1 NEWARK, N.J. (AP) – Nikita Kucherov scored two goals Ryan Switzer Color Rush Jersey , set up another and knocked New Jersey’s top defenseman out of the game with a big hit, and the Tampa Bay Lightning moved within a game of making the Devils‘ first trip to the playoffs in six years a short one. J.T. Miller also scored and had two assists, and Vezina Trophy finalist Andrei Vasilevskiy stopped three breakaways in making 27 saves as the Lightning bounced back from a loss in Game 3 to tale a 3-1 lead in the first-round series. Tampa Bay can wrap up the best-of-seven series in Game 5 at home on Saturday. Kyle Palmieri scored on a 5-on-3 advantage for the Devils. Cory Schneider made 34 saves. New Jersey’s Sami Vatanen was knocked out of the game on the hit by Kucherov late in the first. No penalty was called but Kucherov appeared to jump before hitting Vatanen in the shoulder and head area. PREDATORS 3, AVALANCHE 2 DENVER (AP) – Filip Forsberg scored another creative goal, Pekka Rinne rebounded from a rocky performance with 31 saves, and Nashville withstood a furious rally by Colorado to take a 3-1 lead in the first-round series. Colton Sissons and Craig Smith also added goals for the Predators, who can close out the best-of-seven series Friday when it shifts back to Nashville for Game 5. Rinne was solid early after being pulled from the last game. Cruising along and up 3-0, the Vezina Trophy finalist allowed Gabriel Landeskog’s 5-on-3 power-play goal in the third and another on Alexander Kerfoot’s tap-in off a rebound. Colin Wilson nearly tied with about 2 minutes left when his shot appeared to hit the post. The Avalanche pulled backup goalie Andrew Hammond late http://www.patriotsauthorizedshop.com/authentic-jason-mccourty-jersey , but couldn’t get the tying goal. The Kansas City Chiefs have agreed to deals with wide receiver Sammy Watkins and middle linebacker Anthony Hitchens, filling two of their most glaring needs on the eve of free agency. The 24-year-old Watkins intends to sign a $48 million, three-year contract with $30 million in guarantees, while the 25-year-old Hitchens agreed to a five-year deal, two people familiar with their decisions told The Associated Press on Tuesday. The people spoke on condition of anonymity because the contracts, along with several other moves made by Kansas City, cannot become official until the start of the free agency Wednesday afternoon. The Chiefs have been looking for a playmaking wide receiver to pair with speedster Tyreek Hill since last offseason, but resorted to using Chris Conley in the role. Then Conley went down with a season-ending injury http://www.packersauthorizedshops.com/authentic-jaire-alexander-jersey , robbing the Chiefs of their No. 2 wide receiver and forcing journeyman Albert Wilson into a more substantial role in their West Coast offense. But questions persist about Conley’s health and long-term upside, and Wilson has agreed to a free-agent deal with the Miami Dolphins, leaving the Chiefs in the market for a wide receiver. Watkins was considered one of the premier talents on the market. The 2014 fourth overall pick of the Buffalo Bills spent last season with the Los Angeles Rams, where he caught 39 passes for 593 yards and eight touchdowns. And while he seems far removed from his best season in 2015, when he caught 60 passes for 1,047 yards and nine scores in a season shorted by injury, the Chiefs undoubtedly believe Watkins has yet to reach his ceiling. It would help matters if he stayed healthy. Along with a calf strain and ankle sprain that season, he’s had hip issues in the past Lamar Jackson Jersey Ravens , and missed eight games in 2016 with a fractured left foot. Buffalo decided to decline its fifth-year option on Watkins after all the injuries, and wound up sending him to the Rams last August for cornerback E.J. Gaines and a draft pick. On defense, the Chiefs have been trying to get younger across the board, releasing cornerstone linebackers Derrick Johnson and Tamba Hali and shuffling their defensive backfield. Hitchens, who The Kansas City Star reported will make about $9 million per season, would fill Johnson’s spot alongside Reggie Ragland in the middle of the defense. The 2014 fourth-round pick had 84 tackles in only 12 starts last season, when a knee injury sidelined him the first four games. Hitchens also had a couple of pass deflections and nine tackles for a loss, and showed flashes of the same kind of instincts that made Johnson the Chiefs’ career tackles leader. Watkins and Hitchens are expected to sign their contracts Wednesday Chris Herndon Color Rush Jersey , when the new league year means the Chiefs can finally consummate their agreed-upon trades sending quarterback Alex Smith to the Washington Redskins and cornerback Marcus Peters to the Rams. The Chiefs will get cornerback Kendall Fuller and a draft pick back from Washington and two picks back from Los Angeles, allowing them to restock with younger players through the draft. Kansas City intends to turn its starting quarterback job over to Patrick Mahomes II, whom former general manager John Dorsey traded up to select 10th overall last year. Mahomes dazzled during training camp and was dynamic in a Week 17 start against Denver, when the Chiefs were already assured of the AFC West title and their playoff positioning, allowing Smith to take the week off. That performance against the Broncos is what made the Chiefs comfortable moving on from Smith, who had a career season that made him coveted by several other teams in the trade market. — . | ||
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| Here we go again. And again. And http://www.falconsauthorizedshops.com/authentic-ito-smith-jersey , well, again. Round 4 – as many predicted, and others probably lamented – is happening. Cleveland and Golden State will meet for the fourth straight year in the NBA Finals, the Warriors looking for a third championship in that span and LeBron James and the Cavaliers trying to wrestle the crown away just as they did in the 2016 series. On one side, the best team of this era. On the other, the best player of this era and maybe any era. Game 1 will be hosted by the Warriors at Oracle Arena on Thursday night. ”You’ve got to appreciate the moment,” Warriors guard Stephen Curry said. ”Somebody asked, `Four years in a row getting to the finals, do you appreciate it?’ Yes.” Both teams are entering this title matchup with injury concerns. Cleveland’s Kevin Love is in the concussion protocol and will need to complete a series of tests before he’s cleared to return, and Golden State’s Andre Iguodala – a former NBA Finals MVP – wasn’t able to finish the Warriors-Rockets series because of a bone bruise in his leg. The Warriors hoped Iguodala would return to the Houston series, but his progress stalled. ”That’s just not an easy injury to predict in terms of recovery,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. There wasn’t a lot of similarity in Cleveland’s and Golden State’s seasons Tyquan Lewis Color Rush Jersey , but their last few days have been mirror images of one another – both teams had to win Game 6s at home to fend off elimination, then had to go on the road and prevail in Game 7s to win their respective conference finals. ”One of the most challenging seasons I’ve had,” said James, who may be playing the best basketball of his life right now at the end of his 15th season. Here’s some of what the Cavaliers have dealt with since Golden State-Cleveland III ended last June: Kyrie Irving got traded for Isaiah Thomas over the summer, coach Tyronn Lue had to miss time to deal with health issues, Love missed two months, they lost 11 games by 16 or more points, revamped their roster in February and spent much of the season unable to guard anybody. They’re in the finals again anyway, led by someone who will play in the last series of the season for an absurd eighth consecutive year. ”It’s been a roller coaster,” said James, who is seeking a fourth ring in his ninth finals appearance overall. ”It’s been good, it’s been bad. It’s been roses. There have been thorns in the roses. There’s been everything that you can ask for.” This wasn’t all peaches for Golden State Authentic Lamar Jackson Jersey , either. The Warriors didn’t get the No. 1 seed out West, lost Curry to a knee injury late in the regular season, lost 10 of their final 17 games and got pushed to the brink. ”I’m glad we’re going back,” Warriors forward Kevin Durant said. The Warriors swept the two regular-season meetings with the Cavaliers, winning by seven at home on Christmas Day (without Curry) and prevailing by 10 in Cleveland about three weeks later. Film-wise, those two games are meaningless now. Of Cleveland’s five leading scorers against Golden State this season, three no longer play for the Cavaliers. James and Love combined to score 100 points in the two games, but Dwyane Wade, Jae Crowder and Isaiah Thomas were all shipped elsewhere by the Cavs in a series of trade-deadline moves. ”We obviously know what LeBron’s capable of,” Curry said shortly after the Warriors’ Game 7 win at Houston ended. ”It’s a new team over there, so the other guys, we’ve got to lock in on their tendencies. But we’ll worry about that when we get home.” If the Cavaliers win this championship Justus Annunen Blackhawks Jersey , it might be time to declare the regular season irrelevant. Cleveland was only 50-32 this season. Should James and his mates get it done, that would be the second-worst, regular-season record for an eventual champion in the last 40 seasons. Houston went 47-35 on the way to the 1995 title; to find another champion who was worse, go back to Washington in 1978 when the Bullets were a mere 44-38. ”Everybody doubted us,” Cavaliers forward Jeff Green said. ”Everybody had their opinions on what our team was, what we would do, what we can’t do, from the start. … And now, I mean, we’re where we want to be. We’re where we set out to be and where we knew we could be at this point.” Same goes for the Warriors. This season was no cakewalk for them, either. ”We’ve been through a lot with this team,” Warriors guard Klay Thompson said. ”Believe it or not Authentic Evan Bouchard Jersey , it’s not all success with the Warriors. We got our bumps throughout the season. But to get to this point again, we earned it.” And now it’s time for one of these teams to earn a title. Again. — Very little separated San Jose and Anaheim in the regular season, with the Ducks edging out the Sharks by one point for second place in the Pacific Division. Their first-round series wasn’t nearly as competitive. The Sharks rode their superior depth, potent power play and stellar goaltending from Martin Jones to the second sweep in franchise history, knocking out the Ducks with a 2-1 victory on Wednesday night. ”We’re playing well going into the second round,” defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic said. ”Everybody is contributing if it’s offensively, blocking shots, taking a hit. Everybody is doing what they have to for us to win.” After jumping on Anaheim early to win the first two games on the road, the Sharks earned a lopsided win in Game 3 thanks to undisciplined play by the Ducks and then withstood a strong push to end the series in Game 4. Jones kept Anaheim at bay for long stretches in the second and third period before finally allowing a tying goal to Andrew Cogliano. San Jose then took 1:16 to answer and scored the eventual series-clincher when Vlasic’s point shot deflected off Tomas Hertl and into the net. ”The response goal was huge,” coach Peter DeBoer said. ”We were on our heels. They were pressing. It’s tough to play an elimination game when you get an opportunity to sweep a really good team like that.” The Sharks were in control for most of the series, outscoring the Ducks 16-4 in their most lopsided series in franchise history, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. San Jose got as many goals from its fourth line in the series as Anaheim had from its entire team with Marcus Sorensen scoring his third of the series to give the Sharks a 1-0 lead in the first period of the clincher. Eric Fehr also had a goal from the fourth line in the series. ”Every night they hopped over the boards with energy and grabbed momentum for us Byron Maxwell Color Rush Jersey , drew penalties,” DeBoer said. ”They were fantastic, but I’ve said from Day 1 we need to be a four-line team if we’re going to have success. And I think the teams that are moving through are. I watched Vegas a little bit last night. They’re a four-line team.” The expansion Golden Knights are also the next team in the Sharks’ way. The two will meet in the second round starting sometime next week in just the second series in the past 22 years featuring teams coming off sweeps in the previous round. Vegas finished off the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday night, part of a record-setting inaugural campaign that included a Pacific Division title in the regular season. The Sharks will likely need another strong defensive effort next round led by Jones. He was brilliant in the clincher, making several tough saves against Corey Perry. He also had a shutout in Game 1 and set a San Jose playoff record with 45 regulation saves in Game 3. He finished the series with a .970 save percentage, helping the Sharks earn their second sweep in franchise history after also doing it in the first round against Vancouver in 2013. ”Goaltending wins this time of the year,” forward Logan Couture said. ”He was fantastic. He made a lot of Grade A saves. He was our best penalty killer. They had some really good looks. Perry had a lot of chances that Joner made some big saves on.” By extending their season another round, the Sharks may be able to get star center Joe Thornton back in the lineup. Thornton has been out since injuring his right knee on Jan. 23. He has resumed skating and took part in warmups throughout the series but has said he doesn’t want to return until he knows he’s healthy enough to help the team and make it through what he hopes will be a run to the Stanley Cup Final. The Sharks have time now to figure that out. ”That’s all hypothetical,” DeBoer said. ”That doesn’t even cross our desk. Those decisions will be something if he is healthy we’ll make then. Sometimes those things sort themselves out. I’m just really proud of our group, the resiliency, the composure.” — . | ||
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| LeBron James fought back tears. Former President Bill Clinton offered condolences. Craig Sager’s daughter tweeted that she was ”just sick” over the news. Such is the regard that so many http://www.falconsauthorizedshops.com/authentic-calvin-ridley-jersey , from so many walks of life, have for San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, whose 67-year-old wife, Erin, died Wednesday after a long battle with a respiratory problem. Spurs star Manu Ginobili says the team is ”devastated, we are all hurting.” But the players will ”go out there and compete” and respect Popovich’s philosophy of playing with ”fire” and ”determination.” Added San Antonio’s Tony Parker: ”It puts everything in perspective. It’s way bigger than basketball.” The Spurs trail the Golden State Warriors 3-0 in the first round after losing in San Antonio 110-97 on Thursday night. The 69-year-old coach ran practice Wednesday but was not on the sideline for the game. Assistant Ettore Messina coached the team. Clinton reached out on Twitter to the coach and his daughters: ”I join the NBA family and countless fans across the country who are thinking of you, Jill, and Micky tonight as you mourn the loss of your Erin.” The Spurs asked the media to respect the family’s privacy. General manager RC Buford said at Thursday’s shootaround he spoke to Popovich, who is ”overwhelmed by the support” but ”wants our focus to be about the game.” ”Erin and Gregg were best friends who were together for 40 years, and Erin’s impact and influence on our organization, on our families Mark Walton Color Rush Jersey , on our players and their families will be felt for years to come,” Buford said. Popovich has been a mentor to countless players and coaches, never afraid to speak out on social issues or rebuff a wayward question from a reporter. His humor is sharp, and just the other day he was the one in the film room who shouted ”Go Warriors!” Warriors coach Steve Kerr is one of those mentored by Popovich, and he knows the family well, having played for the Spurs in the late 1990s before being traded by Popovich. ”Erin was sort of the balance that Pop needed,” Kerr said with a laugh. ”She was part of the family, but she’s dealt with a lot over the last few years health-wise and has been very courageous.” Warriors star Stephen Curry tweeted that he is ”lifting up prayers” for the coach and his family. Ginobili had to contain tears at the shootaround. ”We all know the type of guy Pop is,” he said. ”Not many people know the type of gal that Erin was. It’s painful and having to go through this is always tough. There is never a good time. ”We want to be next to Pop, we want to support him, but we’ve got to go out there and compete today. But Authentic Lamar Jackson Jersey , for sure, we are toiling. It’s not an easy day to be here.” After Popovich ran practice Wednesday, Ginobili and Parker spent time with the coach that evening. ”She was a great lady,” Parker said. ”I always thought of them like a dad and a mom, everybody knows that. He was always very private, but I had an opportunity to see him in a different way.” Kacy Sager was heartsick because of the bond her late father shared with the coach. When the longtime broadcaster returned to his TNT job in 2015 after treatment for the leukemia that ultimately took his life, Popovich granted an interview if for no other reason than to welcome Sager back. ”Pop went out of his way to make sure our family knew we had his support when my father passed. … I hope the Popovich family are also able to find strength in all of the love this community has to give,” Sager wrote on Twitter. James was visibly upset by the ”devastating news” after Game 2 of the Cavaliers-Pacers series. ”The NBA family, we all stick together,” James told TNT. ”I know we compete every night. But something like this happens, it puts everything in perspective.” Popovich has coached San Antonio since 1996 Jeremiah Attaochu Color Rush Jersey , leading the Spurs to five NBA titles. He also is the U.S. Olympic team coach. James calls him a ”mastermind of the game” and has said he’d consider playing for the U.S. under Popovich at the 2020 Tokyo Games after skipping the Rio Olympics. Other NBA greats expressed their grief on Twitter – Bill Russell, Magic Johnson and Kobe Bryant among them. Steve Nash wrote: ”Knowing Pop, it’s fair to assume Erin Popovich was an absolute legend.” Popovich met his wife at the Air Force Academy in the 1970s when he was an assistant coach for the Falcons. Erin’s father, Jim Conboy, was Air Force’s head athletic trainer. Former Spurs assistant and current Philadelphia coach Brett Brown said he’s known Erin a long time. ”Their family has been incredibly kind to my family,” he said. ”And she was a star, like a real star. A very strong woman, and somebody that will be missed.” — AP freelancer Raul Dominguez contributed to this report. The Clippers are finally out of their misery, a long season marred by significant injuries coming to an end just short of the playoffs. They finished with a winning record of 42-40, but their streak of consecutive postseason appearances ended at six. They closed out the season Wednesday night with a 115-100 loss to the Lakers, dropping their last four games in a row. They kept their playoff hopes alive until the final week of the regular season despite the injuries. Eleven players missed a total of 265 games. Coach Doc Rivers started an NBA-leading 37 different lineups because of the injuries. The Clippers were forced to dip into the G League for starters Ronald Jones II Color Rush Jersey , most notably C.J. Williams (who was signed to a multi-year deal) and Tyrone Wallace. The season began with nine new players on the roster after the offseason departures of Chris Paul, J.J. Redick and Jamal Crawford. But injuries soon befell the newcomers. Point guard Patrick Beverley was lost for the season after right knee surgery; starter Danilo Gallinari missed 60 games with hand and glute issues; backup guard Milos Teodosic was out 36 games with foot problems; and guard Avery Bradley was out 24 games. Some takeaways from the Clippers’ season: BIG MAN’S FUTURE: DeAndre Jordan has a player option of $24.1 million for next season or he could explore free agency. He and the team have yet to agree on an extension. ”I want to be where I’m wanted,” Jordan said. ”I want to have a chance to contend. That’s really what I’m looking at.” He averaged 12 points and 15.2 rebounds, but just 0.9 blocks. Jordan has spent his entire 10-year career with the Clippers and he turns 30 in July. ”Let’s not write the script yet,” Rivers said of Jordan’s future. DOC’S FUTURE: Rivers is entering the final year of his contract. He could either receive an extension or leave after five years in Los Angeles. He was stripped of his duties as president of basketball operations a year ago, leaving his focus solely on the court. ”I love where we’re at as a franchise,” Rivers said. While he has yet to match the success he enjoyed in Boston (two NBA Finals appearances and one title), he pulled off one of his best coaching jobs by keeping the Clippers in contention all season when it would have been easy for them to fold. ”I really commend him for sticking with us,” Jordan said. Rivers trusted younger players to produce and swingman Montrezl Harrell blossomed under his tutelage. LOU WILL: Lou Williams led the team with career highs in scoring (22.6 points) and assists (5.3) coming off the bench in his 13th season and first in Los Angeles. His scoring average was the highest of any reserve in the last 25 years. He received a $24 million, three-year deal in February and was a key reason the Clippers remained competitive despite their injuries. ”My job this summer is getting myself prepared,” he said. ”There’s always room for improvement.” DRAFT PICKS: Besides their own pick Authentic Blake McLaughlin Jersey , the Clippers will have Detroit’s pick that they received from trading Blake Griffin in January. FREE AGENCY: Besides Jordan, the Clippers could have decisions to make if starting guard Austin Rivers and Teodosic exercise their player options and become free agents. Rivers averaged career highs in points, assists, 3-point percentage and minutes. Bradley will be an unrestricted free agent. However, injuries blunted his impact. Harrell will be a restricted free agent, which allows the Clippers to match any offer he would receive. He was an energetic force off the bench. — . | ||
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| The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have finalized new contracts with receiver Mike Evans and tight end Cameron Brate. Evans agreed to a five-year Chad Thomas Color Rush Jersey , $82.5 million extension last week. Brate signed a six-year, $40.8 million deal on Tuesday, when the Bucs formally announced the agreements. The deals, locking up two of Jameis Winston’s most consistent playmakers, run through the 2023 season. Evans’ extension includes $55 million guaranteed and makes him the second-highest paid receiver in the NFL behind Pittsburgh’s Antonio Brown at an average annual salary of $16.5 million. Brate’s contract includes $18 million in guarantees. Evans has started 60 of 61 games while catching 309 passes for 4,579 yards and 32 touchdowns since entering the league as the seventh overall pick in the 2014 draft. The 24-year-old is one of three receivers in NFL history – along with A.J. Green and Hall of Famer Randy Moss – to begin a career with four consecutive seasons with at least 1,000 yards receiving. Brate originally joined the Bucs as a college free agent out of Harvard in 2014. He was cut twice and spent time on the practice squad before eventually earning a starting job in his third stint with the team. Over the past two seasons, the 26-year-old Brate had 105 receptions for 1 Denzel Ward Color Rush Jersey ,251 yards and 14 touchdowns. Jimmy Graham (16) and Kyle Rudolph (15) are the only NFL tight ends with more TD catches since the start of 2016. — Ray Allen has enjoyed watching former teammate LeBron James lead Cleveland through the NBA playoffs. And it’s not much different than what Allen saw almost daily when the two were part of the Miami Heat’s run to a NBA title in 2013. ”He’s the main cog of what the Cavaliers are doing,” Allen said Monday. ”I don’t see him doing anything outside of his spectrum. He’s doing what he’s been doing most of his career. When we start talking playoff basketball and about the players who are good, we expect them to do their jobs when it’s time to do their jobs.” For the two-time NBA champion in Allen, there’s no higher compliment. Allen spent his stellar, 19-year career well prepared for whatever moment there was. He was a 10-time NBA all-star who helped a trophy-starved Boston to a championship in 2008, then joined James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh with the Heat to capture the 2013 crown. Allen, the son of an Air Force veteran Rasmus Dahlin Sabres Jersey , starred for Hillcrest High School in Dalzell, South Carolina, about an hour east of Columbia. He returned to the Palmetto State this week to be part of the newest group of inductees into the South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame. ”This is my first induction into any hall of fame,” Allen said, smiling. Allen, 42, left the game after the 2014 season as the NBA leader in career 3-pointers made – more than 400 more than Reggie Miller in second place. Allen’s also known for several big moments on the court, including his seven 3-pointers in the sixth and final game of the 2008 title series to defeat the Los Angeles Lakers to help the Celtics win their first championship since 1986. It was Allen’s 3-pointer from the right corner for the Heat in game six of the 2013 series with San Antonio that tied things at 95-all Authentic Saquon Barkley Jersey , a game Miami would go on to win in overtime before closing out the title run a game later. Allen, who also played for Milwaukee and Seattle , prefers remembering the smaller moments, ones fans don’t see where teammates practice together and commit to let their talent and effort loose in games. ”The moments when the guys counted on me to come through for them,” he said. ”Just being accountable.” That’s what Allen sees from James as much in a first-quarter blocked shot or box out as in a last-second banker to defeat Toronto in the Eastern Conference semifinals. ”It’s being a good teammate,” he said. ”The people see the big shots, but what we see is, `Man Josey Jewell Color Rush Jersey , he was a great teammate. He was always there.”’ As far as the all-time debate, Allen gives the edge to Michael Jordan over James. Playing against both of them, Allen said Jordan ”didn’t have any weaknesses. There was just no way that you could stop him.” Allen is certain James, especially with more playoff showings like this season, will make a stronger case for the top spot. Allen missed Boston’s opening game conference finals win over Cleveland and James on Sunday as he had just returned from China where he was promoting the NBA. It’s a country hungry for more of the game, Allen said. He said he met one fan there who had his signature sneakers from his early days in Milwaukee. He’s not pulling for the Celtics or Cavaliers, just more compelling playoff basketball. And there should be plenty of that Tuesday night when Golden State plays at Houston, and when there should be plenty of 3-pointers being tossed up. Allen Antonio Callaway Color Rush Jersey , though one of the all-time great long-range shooters in the NBA, doesn’t enjoy talking about the role he played in the evolution of game, where 3-pointers are being shot in record numbers. Allen attempted 500 or more 3s just three times in 19 seasons. Steph Curry and Klay Thompson have each done that for the Warriors the past six seasons. ”I just believe I did what I was supposed to do when I had my time,” Allen said. ”I try never to play those woulda, coulda, shouldas.” Allen credited his time in South Carolina for learning to overcome adversity on being a military child mixing with civilian students who knew little about life on an air base. ”This is a place that grew me up as a young person,” Allen said. ”It’s where I got my start.” — . | ||
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| Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews says he needs surgery on his nose after getting hit in the face with a line drive during a charity softball game. Matthews was pitching during Saturday’s game when offensive lineman Lucas Patrick hit the ball directly into Matthews’ face Brian O'Neill Color Rush Jersey , knocking him to the ground. The Green Bay Press Gazette reports that Matthews got up, covered his face with his glove, then walked to the dugout. He did not return to the game. Matthews tweeted later that he busted his nose and would have surgery after the swelling subsides. He thanked fans for their well-wishes and expressed gratitude that his injury wasn’t more serious. The Packers are in the middle of their organized team activities. Matthews hasn’t participated in OTAs because of a knee injury. — NEW YORK — Omaha’s loss Saturday night will be a big win for anyone who likes watching two of the best pitchers in baseball face off against one another. Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw is scheduled to make a surprising return to the major league rotation Saturday night, when the Dodgers visit the New York Mets in the middle game of a three-game series at Citi Field. The Dodgers won the opener 5-2 on Friday night when Cody Bellinger’s sixth-inning grand slam snapped a scoreless pitcher’s duel between Los Angeles left-hander Alex Wood and Mets right-hander Zack Wheeler. There will likely be more zeroes on the board Saturday when Kershaw (1-4, 2.76 ERA) may not even be the best pitcher to take the Citi Field mound. The Hall of Fame-bound southpaw Tyler Anderson Colorado Rockies Jersey , who hasn’t pitched this month because of a lower back strain, will be opposed by the hottest pitcher in baseball, Mets ace Jacob deGrom (5-2, 1.51 ERA). The Mets finally provided deGrom some run support in his most recent start on Monday when he picked up a long-awaited win after allowing two runs (one earned) in eight innings of a 12-2 victory over the Colorado Rockies. DeGrom lowered his major league-leading ERA to 1.51 in the win. Since 2000, only Randy Johnson (1.47 ERA in 2000) has produced a lower ERA through 15 starts. DeGrom has a 0.90 ERA in his last 11 starts Authentic Thomas Vanek Jersey , during which he has only gone 3-2 while the Mets have gone 3-8. New York scored 16 runs while deGrom was on the mound in his 10 starts before Monday. “I watched (Corey) Kluber have about a 1.40 ERA for like 12 or 13 starts at the end of one season to win a Cy Young,” said Mets manager Mickey Callaway, who was the pitching coach for the Cleveland Indians when Kluber locked up the American League Cy Young Award by posting a 1.42 ERA in his final 12 starts last season. “But this is pretty special. You don’t see this often.” Nor do matchups like Kershaw-deGrom happen very often. The clash Saturday night will mark their first regular-season matchup and the second time they’ve opposed one another. DeGrom picked up the win in the decisive Game 5 of the 2015 National League Division Series when he tossed seven scoreless innings in the Mets’ 3-1 win over the Dodgers and Kershaw, who pitched on three days’ rest and took the loss after giving up all three runs in 6 2/3 innings. Kershaw was originally scheduled to pitch for Triple-A Oklahoma City against Omaha, but with an uncertain weather forecast in Nebraska Cassius Marsh Color Rush Jersey , the Dodgers decided to take their chances by having him pitch for the big league team in New York, where scattered thunderstorms are expected. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts hinted the famously competitive Kershaw did his share of talking his way out of the rehab start. “He did play a little weatherman, so with weather.com and Clayton, we were pretty abreast with the weather in Omaha,” Roberts said with a grin Friday afternoon. Roberts said the Dodgers will proceed carefully with Kershaw Logan Morrison Minnesota Twins Jersey , who has made as many trips to the disabled list as to a big league mound since May. Kershaw was sidelined from May 2 through May 30 because of biceps tendinitis. Kershaw was activated May 31, when he didn’t factor into the decision after pitching through a tight back while allowing one run in five innings of the Dodgers’ 2-1 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies. Los Angeles placed Kershaw back on the disabled list the next day. “We don’t know how much he’s going to pitch,” Roberts said. “I don’t want to put a limit on him. Obviously, there is a limitation with Clayton, and I’ll make that decision.” Both pitchers will have a unique http://www.vikingsauthorizedshops.com/authentic-mike-remmers-jersey , opponent-specific streak on the line Saturday DeGrom is 0-3 with a 3.26 ERA in six career regular-season starts against the Dodgers. He has beaten every other team he has faced more than once. Kershaw is 8-0 with a 1.84 ERA in 12 regular-season starts against the Mets. He is undefeated against eight other teams but has beaten only one of those squads, the Atlanta Braves, more than twice. . | ||
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| The Chicago White Sox will go for a series win against the Cleveland Indians when the teams square off Thursday afternoon at Guaranteed Rate Field on Chicago’s South Side. Chicago (24-42) has endured a bumpy start to the season but has won two of the first three in its four-game series against the Indians. The White Sox have gone 8-5 in June thanks in large part to better starting pitching. Meanwhile http://www.brownsauthorizedshops.com/authentic-denzel-ward-jersey , Cleveland (35-31) hopes to escape the Windy City with a series split. The Indians remain atop the American League Central standings but have posted an underwhelming 5-6 record in June. The getaway-day contest will represent the second start of the season for White Sox left-hander Carlos Rodon (0-1, 3.60 ERA), who spent two-plus months on the disabled list as he recovered from shoulder surgery. The White Sox’s 2014 first-round pick (No. 3 overall) allowed four runs (two earned) on six hits in five innings during his season debut Saturday against the Boston Red Sox. He walked two and struck out seven. Teammates were impressed with Rodon’s assortment of pitches after a long layoff. “Carlos has that killer (look in his eye) whenever he starts getting a little geeked up, when he’s about to throw some stuff that is going to be unhittable,” White Sox catcher Kevan Smith told The Athletic. “Even whenever we were catching in Triple-A, he had the same things kind of happen. He would pitch out of these jams, and that’s what I’m saying. … “He has a fastball that … just kind of control it and let it do its work, it’s an impressive pitch.” In 10 career appearances (nine starts) against the Indians, Rodon is 4-1 with a 2.34 ERA. He has walked 19 and struck out 64 in 61 2/3 innings. The only other team he has beaten four times is the Minnesota Twins. For the visitors, Indians right-hander Mike Clevinger (4-2, 3.31 ERA) will take the mound for his 14th start of the season. The 27-year-old needs one more win for No. 20 in the big leagues. Clevinger has pitched six-plus innings in nine of his past 10 outings. In nine of his 13 starts this year Marshall Newhouse Color Rush Jersey , he has given up three earned runs or fewer. The White Sox have had sporadic success against Clevinger, who is 1-2 with a 4.29 ERA against that team in five career appearances (three starts). Clevinger has walked nine and fanned 20 in 21 innings versus Chicago. Chicago is 12-20 at home this season; Cleveland is 15-20 on the road. The Indians are still without left-hander Andrew Miller out of the bullpen as he recovers from inflammation in his right knee. Miller threw a bullpen session Wednesday and could face hitters in live batting practice or in a simulated game as part of the next step in his rehabilitation. “He did well, he did real well, probably his best one yet,” Indians manager Terry Francona told mlb.com. “When we get back home, we’ll see if he’s ready to face hitters. “How he’s bouncing back is still the biggest challenge, but he’s building up, he’s doing a good job, so we’re making progress, which is good. I’d much rather have that happen than the other way.” There’s a definitive answer every year to the question of who is No. 1 in the NBA draft. But who is the No. 1 pick of all No. 1 draft picks ever? Or No. 1 among the list of No. 2 draft picks? Those are questions that have no definitive answer, except perhaps in a handful of rare cases. Here’s a look at The Best of The Best – the top all-time NBA picks in each of the top 30 draft spots. The best No. 1 overall pick Cecil Cooper Milwaukee Brewers Jersey , the best No. 2 overall pick … and so on. One note: This doesn’t include the territorial selections that were used through 1965, which ruled out Wilt Chamberlain. The list of top picks in each of the 30 draft slots: 1. KAREEM ABDUL-JABBAR Arguments for the best-ever overall pick could and should be made for LeBron James, Shaquille O’Neal, Oscar Robertson and Magic Johnson, among others. When in doubt, give it to the man who has more points than anyone who ever played the game and who mastered perhaps the most difficult shot to guard in NBA history. 2. BILL RUSSELL You didn’t know Bill Russell was a No. 2 overall pick? Jerry West was too, and he’s The Logo for goodness sake, but the 11 rings make Russell the call here. Also, it’s time to lay off Portland. Sam Bowie wasn’t the biggest ”oops” pick of all time. Si Green was picked before Russell in 1956. 3. MICHAEL JORDAN The easiest pick of them all. Except for Portland in 1984, when the Trail Blazers took Bowie No. 2 ahead of MJ. OK, now it’s really time to lay off Portland. 4. CHRIS PAUL Dikembe Mutombo http://www.dolphinsauthorizedshops.com/authentic-kalen-ballage-jersey , Chris Bosh and Russell Westbrook were all No. 4s as well, but Paul’s body of work over 13 seasons and counting can’t be overlooked. 5. DWYANE WADE Charles Barkley will think this pick is terrible. So will fellow No. 5s Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, Scottie Pippen and Vince Carter. Wade’s scoring wins out. 6. LARRY BIRD Second-easiest pick of this process. Only Adrian Dantley comes close, and he absolutely doesn’t come close. 7. STEPHEN CURRY He will be the leader in 3-pointers, by a ton, when his career is over. Fellow No. 7s John Havlicek and Chris Mullin merit consideration, but why wait? 8. ROBERT PARISH As time goes on, people might forget how vital The Chief was to those Celtics teams of the 1980s. That shouldn’t happen. 9. DIRK NOWITZKI Jordan was the only true candidate at No. 3, Bird was the same at No. 6, and Nowitzki stands alone at No. 9 as well. 10. PAUL PIERCE Pierce and Nowitzki have haunted those who made the decisions at the top of the 1998 draft – where Michael Olowokandi http://www.coltsauthorizedshops.com/authentic-tyquan-lewis-jersey , Mike Bibby and Raef LaFrentz went 1-2-3 – for 20 years and counting. 11. REGGIE MILLER Kiki VanDeWeghe was a No. 11 pick and so was Klay Thompson, but Miller is the deserving call here. His shot was art. 12. JULIUS ERVING Drafted in 1972 and didn’t come to the NBA until 1976, Doctor J ekes out the pick here over Chet Walker – a seven-time All-Star. 13. KOBE BRYANT This could easily have been Karl Malone. But Kobe has five rings and an Oscar. 14. CLYDE DREXLER The Glide was automatic for 20 points a night for basically his entire career. Apologies to Tim Hardaway. 15. STEVE NASH Someday, this spot might go to Giannis Antetokounmpo or Kawhi Leonard. But Steve Nash going this low in 1996 should remind everyone how good that draft was. 16. JOHN STOCKTON This is yet another reminder that Sam Bowie wasn’t the only mistake made in 1984. 17. DON NELSON This was a difficult group, and Shawn Kemp was probably the better player. Nellie gets the call on total body of NBA work. 18. JOE DUMARS There are some really good players at No. 18, including Calvin Murphy and the vastly underrated Ricky Pierce. Dumars’ role on the Bad Boys was invaluable. 19. TINY ARCHIBALD When looking at No. 19 picks, two things stand out: Rod Strickland should have been an All-Star, and that Tiny was better than many remember. 20. LARRY NANCE So consistent for so long, and now with his son in the league that means more people will get educated about Sr.’s game. 21. RAJON RONDO Michael Finley and Ricky Davis also went this far down in the draft. Rondo was an absolute steal in 2006 – except he wasn’t a steal for Phoenix, which drafted him and then traded him to Boston for cash. 22. REGGIE LEWIS Still sad. Still missed. 23. ALEX ENGLISH Tayshaun Prince was so good and World B. Free was as much fun as anyone, but English had about a 10-year run where he hardly ever missed a game and dropped about 25 every time he was out there. 24. ARVYDAS SABONIS Officially http://www.steelersauthorizedshops.com/authentic-terrell-edmunds-jersey , the hardest of all 30 picks. Don’t just look at his NBA numbers. Look at his whole career. He did things no big man was doing 20 years ago. Terry Porter, Andrei Kirilenko, Kyle Lowry, Sam Cassell, Derek Fisher, Latrell Sprewell all went No. 24 as well … good luck to whoever No. 24 is this year. There’s a legacy to follow. 25. MARK PRICE Jeff Ruland was known as ”McFilthy” and became a good college coach, Tony Allen was a true defensive star, but Price’s game is too solid to miss here. 26. VLADE DIVAC Now running the Sacramento Kings, Divac gets to pick No. 2 in this year’s draft. The guy he takes there would be well-served to learn from Vlade. 27. DENNIS RODMAN Before he became a political operative, Rodman was as good at rebounding and defense as anyone in the game. 28. TONY PARKER If he . | ||
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| Arizona manager Torey Lovullo had quite the dilemma when the game was stopped by rain for the second time in the middle of the fourth inning. When the showers subsided DJ Moore Color Rush Jersey , Lovullo gave the ball back to Zack Greinke, and the ace right-hander delivered. Greinke pitched six scoreless innings, Paul Goldschmidt homered and the Diamondbacks beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 7-2 on Saturday for their third consecutive win. ”We were having debates in here whether we should send Zack out or not,” Lovullo said. ”He said he felt great and he wanted to keep pitching. Just felt like we had to do the right thing and take him off the mound, but he saved us today. He did a great job.” David Peralta had two hits and two RBIs for NL West-leading Arizona. Goldschmidt also walked twice and scored three times. Greinke (7-5) allowed two hits, struck out seven and walked none. He also doubled and scored on Jon Jay’s double in the fourth. The Pirates hit just four balls out of the infield against Greinke, who had never before stayed in through two rain delays. They combined to halt play for 1 hour, 21 minutes. ”Didn’t really know how to respond,” he said. ”Told Torey if it feels terrible Jessie Bates III Color Rush Jersey , I’d let them know. It wasn’t too bad.” Greinke’s extra-slow curveball was especially effective. Sitting around 69 mph at a big separation from his 89 mph fastball, it accounted for four of his strikeouts. ”It’s obviously a weapon that slows the hitters down because it’s such a slow pitch,” Arizona catcher Jeff Mathis said. “He has a good feel for it too. He’s always looking for an opportunity to drop it in there.” Arizona grabbed control with five runs in the first four innings against Joe Musgrove (2-3). Goldschmidt walked and scored on Peralta’s triple in the first. Peralta then scored when Sean Rodriguez’s relay throw landed in the Pirates’ dugout. The duo combined for another run in the third when Goldschmidt walked again and scored on Peralta’s double. Chris Owings singled in Jake Lamb to make it 4-0. ”If I can’t control the inner half to the lefties, it’s a tough day for me to get them out,” Musgrove said. ”It showed today.” Goldschmidt hit his 17th homer in the seventh, and Lamb added an RBI single in the ninth. Musgrove’s day ended with the second rain stoppage. He allowed seven hits, struck out two and walked three. ROUGH DAY Rodriguez went 0 for 4 with two strikeouts in addition to his error on his bobblehead day. He is hitting .149 on the season. TRAINER’S ROOM Diamondbacks: LHP Robbie Ray (strained right oblique) will make his third rehab start on Monday. Pirates: C Francisco Cervelli, already on the seven-day disabled list, has been diagnosed with a concussion. There is no timeframe for his return. … LF Corey Dickerson returned from the Family Medical Emergency Leave List and started. INF/OF Adam Frazier was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis. UP NEXT Diamondbacks: RHP Clay Buchholz (1-1 Tony Conigliaro Boston Red Sox Jersey , 2.94 ERA) is expected to start the series finale on Sunday. In three starts on the road, he has a 2.12 ERA and is holding opponents to a .180 batting average. Pirates: RHP Trevor Williams (6-4, 4.00 ERA) is coming off one of his best outings of the season, when he struck out seven over seven one-hit innings Monday against Milwaukee. Jesse Winker hit his first career game-ending homer against the Rockies on June 7 and got a pair of Carlos Gonzalez’s white batting gloves during the series as a keepsake. He wore them for another career breakthrough on Thursday night. Winker hit his first major league grand slam during a big sixth-inning rally, putting Matt Harvey in line for his second win for the Cincinnati Reds, 6-2 over the Chicago Cubs. The Reds sent 11 batters to the plate and scored six times, matching their biggest inning of the season . ”Guys put together great at-bats in front of me,” Winker said. ”Obviously, you can’t hit a grand slam unless guys get on base.” Kyle Hendricks (5-7) walked three to set up the two-out rally Will Dissly Color Rush Jersey , including Eugenio Suarez with the bases loaded. Hendricks has equaled his career high with four walks in each of his last two starts. ”That’s not me, giving up walks like that,” Hendricks said. ”Those were the problem there.” Winker connected on the second pitch from left-hander Randy Rosario, who hadn’t allowed a homer this season. The Reds’ sixth grand slam of the season moved them into a tie with Boston for most in the majors. Billy Hamilton walked, stole a base, scored and singled home the final run during the rally. Harvey (2-5) went six innings for his first victory since May 22, allowing five hits, including Javier Baez’s two-run double. He’d lost his last three decisions with the Reds, who got him from the Mets for catcher Devin Mesoraco in a deal on May 8. ”He was really good http://www.coltsauthorizedshops.com/authentic-nyheim-hines-jersey ,” interim manager Jim Riggleman said. ”He’s getting better and better.” Harvey plunked Kris Bryant on the left hand and Anthony Rizzo on the left shin in the third inning, but both remained in the game. Baez’s two-run double was his fourth extra-base hit in the last two games. Amir Garrett relieved and fanned Rizzo on three pitches to end a bases-loaded threat in the seventh. Jared Hughes pitched out of a two-on jam in the eighth and finished for his fifth save. The Reds have won four straight, their second-best streak of the season. They took six in a row from May 8-13. ROSTER MOVES The Reds put outfielder Scott Schebler on the bereavement list, optioned struggling left-handed reliever Wandy Peralta to Triple-A Louisville, and called up outfielder Phillip Ervin and left-hander Kyle Crockett. They also released catcher Tony Cruz. ALL EVEN The Reds’ comeback left the NL Central teams tied 3-3 in their season series. Chicago has gone 43-20 against Cincinnati since 2015, including a 23-11 mark at Great American Ball Park. EVEN DOZEN Scooter Gennett gave Hendricks a workout with a 12-pitch at-bat in the first inning before flying out. VOTT-OH Joey Votto came into the game 8 for 16 in his career against Hendricks with a pair of homers and 10 walks. He grounded out, struck out and walked. GETTING TWO Harvey tried to put down a sacrifice bunt in the fifth, but catcher Willson Contreras quickly got to the ball and threw to second to start an inning-ending double play. STATS Jason Heyward had three singles and a double for his ninth career four-hit game. … The Reds have six grand slams in the last 31 days. The only other teams in NL history with six in 31 days were the 1996 Expos, the 1997 Braves and the 2006 Mets Bryan Shaw Colorado Rockies Jersey , according to STATS. … Suarez extended his hitting streak to a career-high 11 games. TRAINER’S ROOM Cubs: Yu Darvish felt good a day after throwing 50 pitches in a simulated game, manager Joe Maddon said. He could begin a rehab assignment soon. Darvish has been sidelined since May 23 because of tendinitis in his right triceps. … Left-handed reliever Brian Duensing could rejoin the team Friday. He’s been on bereavement leave following his grandfather’s death. UP NEXT Cubs: Jose Quintana (6-5) started at Great American Ball Park on May 19 and allowed just one hit in seven innings of a 10-0 win. He’s 2-0 in three career starts against the Reds. The left-hander has been much better on the road this season: 2.78 ERA in eight starts compared to a 6.00 ERA in six starts at Wrigley Field. Reds: Luis Castillo (4-8) has lost his last four starts, allowing 16 earned runs in 20 2/3 innings. One of his best starts came against the Cubs on May 19, when he gave up one run in five innings of a 5-4 victory. — . | ||
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| The Minnesota Wild have hired Tom Kurvers as assistant general manager. The Wild announced Kurvers’ hiring on Tuesday. He joins the team after spending the last 10 seasons with the Tampa Bay Lightning Will Hernandez Color Rush Jersey , where he was senior adviser to Tampa Bay’s general manager the last seven years. Before joining the Lightning, Kurvers spent 11 seasons with the Phoenix Coyotes Authentic Sam Darnold Jersey , including three as director of player personnel. The former University of Minnesota Duluth defenseman won the 1986 Stanley Cup with the Montreal Canadiens. He totaled 421 points (93-328) and 350 penalty minutes in 659 career NHL games during 11 seasons with Montreal, Buffalo Derrick Nnadi Color Rush Jersey , New Jersey, Toronto Authentic Olivier Rodrigue Jersey , Vancouver, the New York Islanders and Anaheim. He was selected by the Canadiens in the seventh round of the 1981 NHL Entry Draft. The Bengals signed defensive tackle Chris Baker to a one-year deal on Thursday http://www.raidersauthorizedshops.com/authentic-daryl-worley-jersey , their first free agent acquisition on defense under new coordinator Teryl Austin. Baker played with Tampa Bay last season after spending six seasons with Washington and one each with Miami and Denver. The Broncos originally signed him as an undrafted free agent from Hampton. The ninth-year veteran has started 53 games in the past four seasons. He has 12 career sacks. He’ll get a chance to become part of the Bengals’ rotation on the defensive line. The defense finished 18th in the NFL in yards allowed last season under coordinator Paul Guenther, who left for the Raiders after the season. Austin was signed from Detroit. — . | ||
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| PHILADELPHIA — The top-seeded Eagles are in search of their first trip to the Super Bowl since the 2004 season when they host the second-seeded Minnesota Vikings in the NFC Championship Game on Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles (14-3) posted a 15-10 win over the Atlanta Falcons in the divisional round last Saturday and will participate in the NFC Championship Game for the first time since the 2008 season. They dropped a 32-25 decision to the Arizona Cardinals in that contest. Philadelphia hasn’t hosted an NFC Championship Game since recording a 27-10 win over the Falcons following the 2004 season. The Vikings (14-3) advanced following a thrilling 29-24 victory over the New Orleans Saints. Stefon Diggs hauled in a 61-yard touchdown catch from quarterback Case Keenum on the final play of the game Sunday. Like the Eagles Jordan Whitehead Color Rush Jersey , Minnesota has yet to win a Super Bowl. The Vikings have dropped five consecutive NFC Championship games. Philadelphia will enter Sunday’s game as an underdog, especially with quarterback Carson Wentz out with a torn ACL. “It’s about those players in that dressing room, whether we’re three-point underdogs or three-point favorites. They really don’t listen to that stuff,” Eagles coach Doug Pederson said. “Of course, they have been sort of force-fed for about two weeks now, three weeks now, the information, and they just stick together. They just stick together and find a way and it’s been that way all season.” Backup quarterback Nick Foles did an admirable job against the Falcons Alexander Alexeyev Capitals Jersey , completing 23 of 30 passes for 246 yards and a 100.1 passer rating. In two career playoff games with the Eagles — the other coming in a 26-24 loss to the Saints in 2014 — Foles is 46 of 63 for 441 yards, two touchdowns, no interceptions and a 102.7 passer rating. “I am very humbled to win this game and to be a part of this team,” Foles said. “That’s what it’s always been about. I know there was a lot of people against us this last week. Just answering questions, and just hearing about it. “… The biggest thing in our locker room is we believe in one another. Everyone believes, and that was shown on display. The city of Philadelphia obviously believes because they were here and loud. So we are grateful for that. Honestly, it’s unbelievable to win this game and we are not finished.” The Vikings are in search of their first trip to the Super Bowl since the 1976 season — Super Bowl XI. During the regular season, the Vikings’ defense ranked first in points allowed per game (15.8) and yards given up per game (275.9). Defensive end Everson Griffen was tied for fourth in the league with a career-best 13 sacks this season. While the Vikings likely have seen video of Diggs’ amazing catch a million times Billy Price Color Rush Jersey , another game awaits in the NFC Championship. “We should celebrate this and enjoy this,” tight end Kyle Rudolph told the Minneapolis Star Tribune. “It’s hard to win playoff games. There’s a lot of guys in this locker room, including myself, this is our first playoff win. But it’s just the beginning. We’ve still got a lot of work to do. “It’d be a shame to let something like that go to waste by us not showing up.” The incredible final play will be etched in viewers’ minds forever. “I don’t think it’s still really sunk in as far as like what something like that’s going to be,” guard Jeremiah Sirles told ESPN.com. “That’s the stuff that in 20 years, you turn on NFL Films and it’s going to be the 2018 NFL Classic. Something like that that you can’t take away from any player that’s in this room right now. We’ll always be a part of something that happened that was super special like that.” A win over the Eagles would not only clinch a trip to the Super Bowl, but it would also be the Vikings’ first playoff victory against Philadelphia in four tries. The last time the teams met was in the 2008 wild-card round. The Vikings are 0-4 all-time in the Super Bowl. In order to get a fifth shot, they’ll have to travel to a hostile environment and knock out the No. 1 seed. “They’re a pretty resilient bunch Derrick Nnadi Color Rush Jersey ,” Vikings coach Mike Zimmer told ESPN.com. “They’re pretty determined in what they’re always trying to get done. They’re always trying to get better. They’re a good group of guys that work really hard.” There was no dogpile in the dressing room. No champagne celebration. Not even a beer. Nothing. The Washington Capitals have been here before. Many times, actually. It’s not that they don’t appreciate winning Metropolitan Division title after Metropolitan Division title like the one they wrapped up with a 3-1 victory over rival Pittsburgh on Sunday night. It’s just that they’re tired of division banners being the only ones raised to the rafters. Still, star Alex Ovechkin knows not all playoff runs are created equal. The group that skated off the ice at PPG Paints Arena after keeping the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions in check for three taut and occasionally chippy periods is not the juggernaut that rolled into postseason in 2016 and 2017 only to be sent home in the second round by Pittsburgh. ”We lost lots of players,” Ovechkin said after playing in his 1,000th career regular season game. ”Guys in the locker room, experience guys. But different guys step up and they play different. … We play as a team.” One that hopes following a familiar script will lead – at last – to an unfamiliar ending. Philipp Grubauer made 36 saves to continue his push to supplant Braden Holtby as Washington’s top goaltender as the Capitals won for the 10th time in 12 games to assure themselves of home-ice advantage through the first two rounds of the playoffs. ”We had a challenge there from the beginning (of the season) on,” Grubauer said. ”We lost a couple experienced guys. We learned from our mistakes and we’re still learning. It’s nice to wrap that up, for sure.” T.J. Oshie Cordy Glenn Color Rush Jersey , Dmitry Orlov and Tom Wilson scored for Washington and Grubauer did the rest, including a spectacular glove save on Penguins star Sidney Crosby in the third period that served as an exclamation point on the kind of performance that would fit right in over the next two months. ”Last couple games we played in here weren’t too good, so it’s a momentum builder for us,” Grubauer said. ”We have to make sure we play the right way next couple games. It’s going to be huge.” The Penguins have the top power play in the league but went 0 for 5 with the man advantage. Patric Hornqvist picked up his 27th of the season late in the third period to avoid a shutout. Matt Murray stopped 31 shots but couldn’t quite match Grubauer. ”I thought that’s probably as good as our power play has looked the last month, we just didn’t score,” Pittsburgh coach Mike Sullivan said. A night after earning a playoff berth for a franchise-record 12th straight year, the Penguins lost at home in regulation for just the second time since Jan. 4 to end a late push for a division crown. Not that it matters much to Pittsburgh. The Penguins have ended each of the last two regular seasons as the division runner-up to Washington. And each time the Penguins have used a second-round playoff series victory over the Capitals as a springboard to the Stanley Cup. ”We never win division,” Pittsburgh center Evgeni Malkin said. ”It’s not first time. It’s not surprise. We’re fine.” Ovechkin called becoming just the 57th player in NHL history to play at least 1 Rafael Devers Boston Red Sox Jersey ,000 games for one team ”a milestone” but didn’t exactly get caught up in the moment. The 32-year-old knows his career has been equally defined by his 603 goals and his team’s inability to make a deep playoff run. Despite seven division titles and nine playoff appearances since he made his debut in 2005, Ovechkin has never played on a team that reached the Eastern Conference finals. Postseason success is the only thing that’s eluded him, but Washington appears to be peaking behind Grubauer. Washington coach Barry Trotz opted to give Grubauer his first career start against Pittsburgh and Grubauer responded brilliantly. He was at his best in the second period, when the Penguins’ lethal power play had four chances to draw even and came up empty each time, including an extended two-man advantage in which Grubauer received a little help from the crossbar when a shot from Malkin clanged off the crossbar. The lucky bounce preserved a 1-0 lead. Orlov pumped in his career-high 10th just after a Pittsburgh power-play expired later in the period, firing a shot from the slot that went between the legs of Penguins defenseman Olli Maatta and over Murray’s right arm. When Tom Wilson redirected Matt Niskanen’s shot from the point by Murray 23 seconds into the third period the Capitals had another division title wrapped up but not bragging rights. That will have to come later. NOTES: Washington went 0 for 4 on the power play. … Malkin was given a 10-minute misconduct with 1:01 left in regulation after mixing it up with Oshie. … Penguins C Derick Brassard missed his third consecutive game with a lower-body injury. … Pittsburgh is 9-7-2 on the second night of back-to-backs this season. UP NEXT Capitals: Visit St. Louis on Monday. Washington beat the Blues 4-3 on Jan. 7. Penguins: Get three days off before finishing regular season with a back-to-back starting on Thursday in Columbus. — . | ||
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| For the first time since 2004 Bradley Chubb Color Rush Jersey , the Minnesota Timberwolves are entering May without their customary collection of good-luck charms for the NBA draft lottery. The longest-running absence from the playoffs in the league finally over, the Wolves took a significant accomplishment into the summer after their 47-35 record during the regular season tied for the fifth-best in franchise history. ”When you haven’t done something for 14 years, it’s a major step for our organization, and it’s not easy to do. Winning in this league is very difficult, and we should understand that,” said president of basketball operations and head coach Tom Thibodeau, who joined general manager Scott Layden on Monday for a wrapup news conference. Jimmy Butler and Karl-Anthony Towns gave the Timberwolves multiple representatives at the All-Star game for the first time since Kevin Garnett and Sam Cassell in 2004 on their way to the Western Conference finals. That was the most recent postseason appearance until the first round series with Houston tipped off earlier this month. With 16 out of 41 home games declared sellouts, they had their highest number since 1991-92, and local television ratings were way up, too. Still, in typical Timberwolves fashion, the road to relevancy was not without potholes. Falling in five games to the Rockets was forgivable Trent Murphy Color Rush Jersey , considering their opponent had the NBA’s best record, but the Wolves were beaten a total of eight times by the league’s bottom eight teams that all won fewer than 29 games. Win just two of those, and they’re in third place in the West with a much more favorable matchup for the playoffs. With Butler the resident alpha male in the locker room, the Wolves can no longer be considered an up-and-coming atmosphere where patience with the development of young cornerstones Towns and Andrew Wiggins will be welcomed. With the presence of Butler and the other acquisitions from last year, Taj Gibson, Jeff Teague and Jamal Crawford, there’s clearly a win-now window in place. ”They’ve learned what it takes to get yourself to the playoffs,” Butler said. ”Now us as a whole, we have to figure out what it takes to win, whenever we get there. No matter what seed we are, that’s what we’re expected to do.” Layden wondered aloud whether the Wolves should have been more aggressive to acquire a new player at the trade deadline in February. ”We had a lot of things that went back and forth, and maybe we should’ve done something a little different D.J. Fluker Color Rush Jersey ,” Layden said. ”I take responsibility for that, but we’re always looking to push and push and get better.” BUTLER’S HEALTH Thibodeau has always leaned heavily on the starters he trusts the most, and this season with the Wolves was no exception. Butler was third in the NBA with an average of 36.7 minutes played per game, and coincidentally or not he missed 23 games, all but two because of trouble with his right knee. Thibodeau said Butler will not need an additional procedure. Butler can also opt out of his contract after next season, without an extension in place. ”It’s important for him to feel good about everything that we’re doing here,” Thibodeau said. LONG RANGE The Wolves actually led the NBA during the playoffs with a 41.3 percent make rate from 3-point range, but part of the problem is a lack of space in the playbook for setting up attempts from beyond the arc. They finished last in the league in the regular season with an average of eight 3-pointers made per game. ”I thought our guys in the second half of the season were doing a very good job of looking for opportunities, but we do have to take more,” Thibodeau said. Even owner Glen Taylor, in an interview earlier this month with his hometown newspaper, the Mankato Free Press http://www.bengalsauthorizedshops.com/authentic-billy-price-jersey , openly questioned the lack of improvement. ”If other teams can learn to shoot 3s, why can’t we?” Taylor told the Free Press. WINNING WITH WIGGINS? The maximum contract the Wolves gave Wiggins last summer will kick in next season, paying the 23-year-old more than $25 million. There’s no player on the roster who will be under more pressure to be more consistently productive on both ends of the court. ”The experience of the playoffs was huge for him. He did a lot of good things,” Thibodeau said. ”I think we saw down the stretch him playing a more complete game, and I think he can build off that.” BJELICA Nemanja Bjelica, who played both forward spots off the bench and was a relatively productive starter during Butler’s absence, will be a restricted free agent. His playing time was scant during the playoff series, which Thibodeau said was matchup-related. ”But I thought overall he played really well for us,” Thibodeau said. ”Sometimes you have to put the team first.” — Josh Cribbs has pulled off another stunning return. A three-time Pro Bowler during eight seasons returning kicks for the Browns, Cribbs is joining Cleveland’s coaching staff as a special teams intern. Cribbs was a threat to score any time he lined up deep for a kickoff or punt, and he’ll now give some of his expertise to young, impressionable Cleveland players. ”I’ve earned their respect already as a player. Now I get to earn their respect as a coach Giants Saquon Barkley Jersey ,” Cribbs said. ”I pour into them all the knowledge I have to make them successful and make them do the things I did. I have this burning desire to be around football, to get back in the game. This is the closest way I can be around football, to still make an impact in the NFL. What better team for me to make an impact than the Cleveland Browns?” Cribbs accepted the internship about a month ago from coach Hue Jackson. He’s working under new Browns special teams coordinator Amos Jones, who is showing him the coaching ropes. He has quickly learned that coaching is as demanding as playing. ”It’s a lot of time involved, a lot of hours and not everyone is cut out for it,” Cribbs said. ”Not that they can’t coach, but everybody is not cut out for the hours and the time it takes to put into coaching. That was one of the main important things in my discussion with Hue. He said, `Hey, look down in three months and you figure it’s not for you, no hard feelings, we still love you. Coaching’s not for everybody.” An undrafted quarterback out of Kent State, Cribbs became one of the NFL’s most dynamic and dangerous returners. He also played one season each for the New York Jets and Indianapolis Colts. Cribbs last played in 2014 and had considered a comeback before officially retiring last year. Cribbs shares the league record with eight kickoff return touchdowns. He had hoped to land an assistant’s job on Jackson’s staff http://www.billsauthorizedshops.com/authentic-josh-allen-jersey , but when that opening was filled, he accepted the internship – starting from the bottom, just as he did as a player. ”I wanted to do everything I could to put him in position where he could be successful,” said Jackson, who is 1-31 in two seasons with the Browns. ”He was very open to it and we made a decision of, `Let’s start on the ground floor and work our way up.’ His reputation precedes itself. He was one of the best return guys in pro football. Plus he’s a Cleveland Brown. He’s one of our own. He told me over a phone call that he had a tremendous passion to get the organization back to winning and that means something to me. ”We’ve had several other (former players) reach out, but this ended up being the right fit at the right time for us.” — . | ||
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| The Dallas Stars reached into the collegiate ranks to find their new head coach. It’s a strategy that’s certainly working out well in Philadelphia. The Stars will hire the University of Denver’s Jim Montgomery as their next coach Sam Hubbard Color Rush Jersey , a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press on Wednesday. Montgomery takes over for Ken Hitchcock, who retired last month and will become a consultant for the Stars. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the hiring had not been announced. Montgomery becomes the second college-to-NHL hire in the past three years, following the Flyers’ Dave Hakstol in 2015. Hakstol was considered one of the premier college coaches at North Dakota before making the switch. The Flyers have gone to the playoffs in two of the three seasons Hakstol has been in charge. Dallas is banking on a similar showing under the 48-year-old Montgomery, who spent five seasons in charge of the Pioneers and led them to a national title in 2016-17. He finished 125-57-26 at a university well known for its hockey and lacrosse programs. Montgomery inherits a Dallas squad led by Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin. The Stars are coming off a season in which they missed the playoffs for the eighth time in 10 seasons. Hitchcock returned for just a season before hanging it up. He’s the only coach to lead the team to a Stanley Cup title. Before his arrival in Denver, Montgomery spent three seasons as the head coach/general manager of the United States Hockey League’s Dubuque Fighting Saints. He also served as an assistant coach at RPI from 2006-10. He started his coaching career as a volunteer coach at Notre Dame in ’05-06. As a player, Montgomery led Maine to a national title in 1993 before embarking on a 12-year pro career that included stops in an assortment of leagues, including parts of six seasons in the NHL. He finished his career by playing one game for the Stars during the `02-03 season. — AP Sports Writer Schuyler Dixon contributed to this report. — More NHL hockey: Sidney Crosby saw Jakub Voracek’s glove on the ice and wasn’t going to let his opponent pick it up easily. Crosby pushed the glove away with his stick and reignited a melee in a good, old-fashioned Pittsburgh-Philadelphia playoff game that featured three fights Chad Thomas Color Rush Jersey , way more scrums and 158 penalty minutes. When Crosby was asked afterward why he did it, the Penguins captain responded: ”I don’t like them. I don’t like any guy on their team.” Those were the days. ”It was awesome,” then-Penguins general manager Ray Shero said. ”If you look at it, it was wild. It really was. You had villains on both sides and people that hated each other.” That was six years ago. Is a rivalry still a rivalry in a league that has made a concerted effort against over-the-top hits and where fighting is truly a rare sight? NHL executive Colin Campbell once famously said the league sells hate, and at no time is hate more widely bought, sold, distributed and celebrated than during the Stanley Cup playoffs. The NHL’s divisional playoff format was brought back specifically to ignite old rivalries and create new ones, which has been a successful venture even if hate looks different than it did in the days of the ”Broad Street Bullies.” Playoff rivalries are no longer about dropping the gloves or laying out bone-crushing hits. Teams now play fewer regular-season games against each other and are made up of more skilled players and fewer enforcers. Still Sean Newcomb Atlanta Braves Jersey , thanks to how tight the league is and the volcanic snowball effect of what a playoff series does to hockey players and coaches, rivalries might have a different look but they have plenty of smoldering intensity. ”Playing against teams with high stakes when there’s a lot on the line – win or go home – that’s how you have rivalries,” veteran New Jersey Devils center Brian Boyle said. ”When it’s us or it’s them, that’s how you find those rivalries. The same guys for two weeks, I think that’s how you build them.” The first round in the Eastern Conference this year already has two old-school rivalries with the Penguins and Flyers meeting in the playoffs for the first time since their epic 2012 showdown, and Boston facing Toronto for the first time since 2013. In the West, Minnesota faces Winnipeg in the first playoff series between the two division rivals, which could heat up fast. ”The best thing about most of them are is the proximity to where they live http://www.raidersauthorizedshops.com/authentic-p.j.-hall-jersey , the close ones, but I think it needs a good playoff (series) against that individual team to create the rivalry full hand,” Wild coach Bruce Boudreau said. ”Until you play seven games in 14 nights where you learn to hate the opposition.” Playoff series in back-to-back years made the Penguins and Washington dislike each other plenty, and they’d meet again in the second round if they advance this year. Nashville and Anaheim developed a nontraditional rivalry with intense series the past two playoffs, making that a potentially combustible Western Conference final. When Predators players think about those Ducks series and other tense ones over the past several years, they know there haven’t been a lot of fights – and they’re not alone. The past four playoffs have included a total of 39 fights. There were 46 fights in the 1978 postseason alone and an incredible 85 in the 1988 playoffs. ”You get the odd scrum that turns into a fight and stuff like that, but there’s not too much fighting left,” Nashville defenseman Ryan Ellis said. ”You probably see the amount of blocked shots go up in the playoffs Josh Allen Jersey Elite , the amount of hits – the little things that may not be on the stat sheet is kind of what I guess gets your team through the playoffs. It’s just little things like that that really is the playoff intensity.” Boyle, who has blocked 113 shots in 106 career playoff games, has seen more fights in blowout games deep into a series than at other times because there’s too much at stake to take a retaliatory penalty. ”A lot of times you see a lot of other guys turn the other cheek in a playoff series,” Boyle said. ”You don’t want something like that to make a difference in a series.” Making a difference is more about scoring a big goal than leveling a big hit or punching someone in the face. Look at the Penguins’ and Flyers’ rosters now and the likes of Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Phil Kessel, Voracek and Claude Giroux are far more likely to beat someone with a slick shot than their fists. ”I think the game has changed in how it’s being played out there,” Pittsburgh coach Mike Sullivan said. ”I think personnel has changed. But I think rivalries are rivalries. There’s always a heightened emotion associated with the games.” So much so that retired player and former Penguins coach Ed Olczyk said of Penguins-Flyers Josh Sweat Color Rush Jersey , ”It only takes one player, one comment from somebody, where all bets are off and that gasoline tank will be ignited fairly quickly.” Crosby recalls more fights between the teams in the past – he was involved in two six years ago in the game he swatted Voracek’s glove away – but doesn’t want to downplay the intensity of this rivalry. ”You never know what can happen,” Crosby said. ”I feel like both teams are always kind of at their best, and there’s always a little bit extra in those games.” Capitals defenseman John Carlson said he thinks playoff rivalries have gotten worse more because of what players can get away with, the physical toll ga. | ||
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| Joe Mauer didn’t receive any gifts for returning from a lengthy stint on the disabled list. No http://www.buccaneersauthorizedshops.com/authentic-carlton-davis-jersey , his reward was an immediate matchup against two-time Cy Young winner Corey Kluber. ”Yeah, welcome back, right?” Mauer said with a laugh. The six-time All-Star returned to the lineup on Friday after missing 25 games with a strained neck and concussion-like symptoms sustained when he was injured diving for a foul ball last month. And while facing Kluber might not be an ideal first step back, the struggling Twins, who have one of the league’s weakest offenses Authentic Saquon Barkley Jersey , were thrilled to have Mauer back in their lineup. ”It’s good for any manager to have a chance to put a guy like Joe’s name down there,” said manager Paul Molitor, who had Mauer batting first against Kluber in the opener of a three-game series against the AL Central-leading Indians. ”Yeah, he’s in a good place, he’s excited to be here and we welcome him back. Hopefully http://www.redskinsauthorizedshops.com/authentic-da_ron-payne-jersey , he can give us a little bit of a boost.” The Twins came in seven games under .500 and batting just .238 as a team. They also entered the series with only three runs in the past 19 innings. That’s not ideal against Kluber, who is 5-0 with a 0.76 ERA against the AL Central this season. ”Obviously, he’s one of the best in the game,” Mauer said. ”That’s the big leagues. You’re going to face the best night in and night out. It’s a tough matchup first game, but the one tomorrow (Carlos Carrasco) is pretty tough Troy Niklas Color Rush Jersey , too. I’m just excited to be back.” Mauer has been symptom-free for a week. He went hitless in 10 at-bats over three games in a rehab stint with Triple-A Rochester, but the three-time batting champion feels ready to go. ”It’s been going good,” said Mauer, who was batting .283 with one homer and 11 RBIs when he got hurt. ”Obviously, I went down there and got in a couple of games and did everything I had to do to get back here. I’m excited to check off those boxes Rafael Devers Boston Red Sox Jersey , get a couple of at-bats and play in the field for nine innings.” Mauer said he didn’t have to make any diving stops in the field at Rochester, and that he won’t alter his game just because of the recent injury. ”My experience is when you try to do that you end up getting hurt,” he said. ”I got the full clear to go and I’m excited for that.”. — Timofey Mozgov has been traded for the second time this summer, dealt from Charlotte to Orlando in a three-team deal that also included Chicago. The Magic sent Bismack Biyombo and two future second-round picks to Charlotte, which traded Mozgov to Orlando. The Magic also got guard Jerian Grant from the Bulls in the deal completed late Saturday night. Chicago acquired Julyan Stone from Charlotte in the trade that saves the Bulls about $2 million. The Hornets had just acquired Mozgov from Brooklyn in the deal that sent Dwight Howard to the Nets before he was bought out so he could sign with Washington. Neither Mozgov nor Biyombo ever came close to living up to the contracts they signed in July 2016 Jessie Bates III Color Rush Jersey , and both have two seasons and more than $32 million remaining. Biyombo played for Charlotte from 2011-14. He is fifth in Hornets history in blocks and blocks per game (1.6). . | ||
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| Having no picks in the first three rounds made it look as though it would be a quiet http://www.cowboysauthorizedshops.com/authentic-dorance-armstrong-jr.-jersey , boring and ineffective weekend for the Calgary Flames. Instead, they became one of the biggest winners at the NHL draft by acquiring 23-year-old forward Elias Lindholm and 21-year-old defenseman Noah Hanifin in a five-player trade with Carolina on Saturday. It cost the Flames defenseman Dougie Hamilton, winger Micheal Ferland and prospect Adam Fox, but they got younger and may have restored their lineup to its rightful order. Lindholm is a natural center, but could be the perfect fit on Calgary’s first line alongside Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan. Moving Hamilton will allow T.J. Brodie to slide back on to the first defensive pairing with Mark Giordano, while Hanifin could benefit from playing with those veterans on the blue line. ”I think Noah is just scratching the surface Eddie Rosario Minnesota Twins Jersey ,” general manager Brad Treliving said. ”We’ve got some guys on the blue line who can produce. We also want guys who want to be in Calgary. Both players talking today, in Elias and Noah, they’re excited to get out there.” Beyond the Flames, here are some more winners and losers from the NHL draft: WINNER: PHILIPP GRUBAUER After lifting the Stanley Cup with the Washington Capitals, Grubauer was traded to the Colorado Avalanche where he’ll initially split time with Semyon Varlamov but should take over as the starter after next season. Grubauer signed a $10 million, three-year contract in the biggest payday of his career. LOSER: NEW YORK ISLANDERS They got strong value in first-round picks Oliver Wahlstrom and Noah Dobson Sam Hubbard Color Rush Jersey , but didn’t agree to terms on a new deal with John Tavares before he could begin meeting with other teams Sunday. Tavares will host five teams in the coming days and could become a free agent July 1, which would be devastating for the Islanders. ”I have no disappointment, no discouragement,” GM Lou Lamoriello said. ”He’s earned every right to make whatever choice he has. The most important thing is that we hope in the end that he’s an Islander.” WINNER: BUFFALO SABRES After years of wandering and floundering, the Sabres have a franchise defenseman in No. 1 pick Rasmus Dahlin. This was set in stone in April when Buffalo won the lottery, but the organization will get an up-close look at the Swedish playmaker at prospect camp and has every reason to be excited about the future. ”He’s a young player Lukas Dostal Ducks Jersey , he’s 18 years old, there’s high expectations down the road,” GM Jason Botterill said. ”But it’s going to be imperative to us to protect him, put him in and put him in the right situations so he can have success.” LOSER: ENTERTAINMENT The only trades involving NHL players were the deal by Carolina and Calgary and the Capitals trading Grubauer and defenseman Brooks Orpik to Colorado. None of the top 10 picks changed hands, and most of the two days went off without drama. WINNER: ILYA KOVALCHUK The Kontinental Hockey League’s leading scorer and Olympic MVP had plenty of suitors and wound up agreeing to a three-year deal with the Los Angeles Kings worth $6.25 million a season. The 35-year-old is returning to the NHL on the same deal Patrick Marleau got from the Toronto Maple Leafs a year ago, which is a coup for Kovalchuk. LOSER: MONTREAL CANADIENS Rumors persisted about Montreal trading captain Max Pacioretty or even acquiring center Ryan O’Reilly from Buffalo. Neither move happened Mike White Color Rush Jersey , leaving Marc Bergevin with a lengthy to-do list after already trading Alex Galchenyuk to Arizona for Max Domi. — The NBA will return to London next year with a regular-season game between the Washington Wizards and the New York Knicks. Tickets for the Jan. 17 game at the O2 Arena go on sale in the fall. It will be the NBA’s ninth regular-season game in London, all sellouts. The Knicks have played there twice, facing the Detroit Pistons in 2013 and the Milwaukee Bucks in 2015. This will be the Wizards’ debut in London. International players on the rosters include Wizards center Marcin Gortat of Poland, Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis of Latvia and Knicks point guard Frank Ntilikina, who was born in Belgium to Rwandan parents and grew up in France. The game will be shown by the NBA’s broadcast partners across Europe, the Middle East and Africa and on NBA League Pass International. — . | ||
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| Two days later [link=http://www.bostonredsoxteamshop.com/authentic-ted-williams-jersey]Ted Williams Jersey[/link] , there is still no clarity on what J.R. Smith knew when he grabbed that offensive rebound in the final seconds of regulation of Game 1 of the NBA Finals. Not even in Smith’s own mind. ”I can’t say I was sure of anything at that point,” Smith said. All he and the Cleveland Cavaliers are sure of now is this: They’re down 1-0 to the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals, with Game 2 on Sunday night and Smith knowing that he’s going to be booed, made fun of, mocked and probably worse by the crowd at Oracle Arena. Smith became one of the big Game 1 stories for all the wrong reasons . He grabbed an offensive rebound off a missed free throw in the final seconds of regulation with the game tied, then ran toward midcourt as if he was running out the clock and thinking Cleveland had a one-point lead. The Cavaliers wound up losing in overtime. ”He probably took that loss as hard as anybody on the team,” Cavs star LeBron James said Saturday. ”But one thing about J.R., he has an uncanny ability to bounce back. I think people have seen that throughout our postseason runs [link=http://www.coltscheapshop.com/cheap-authentic-darius-leonard-jersey]Cheap Darius Leonard Jersey[/link] , where he hasn’t played well or played to his ability that he thinks he should have played, and then the next game he comes on and shoots the ball extremely well.” That bounce-back tendency for Smith will be tested now like perhaps never before. This wasn’t just a gaffe. This was a huge gaffe, in the final seconds of the fourth quarter of Game 1 of the NBA Finals with the game on the line. And in the immediate aftermath, it appeared Smith said to James on the court that he thought the Cavs were leading – something he denied afterward. ”I might have said that,” Smith said. ”Not sure, but I might have.” To say Smith was the reason Cleveland lost Thursday night isn’t right, or fair. There’s no guarantee that Cleveland would have scored to win the game in those final seconds if Smith had done anything differently. Still, he was blamed. ”I’m glad it happened to me as opposed to anybody else on my team [link=http://www.milwaukeebrewersteamshop.com/authentic-robin-yount-jersey]Robin Yount Jersey[/link] ,” Smith said. ”To be in that situation is tough and it’s not a situation everybody can handle, so I’m glad it happened to me.” Smith spent Friday in his hotel room for the most part, watching the Memorial (”Tiger played really well,” Smith said), talking with Kyle Korver and visiting with his kids over FaceTime. He knows he’s a punch line. He’s been there before. ”That’s pretty much who I’ve been my whole life,” said Smith, who bonded with a therapy dog earlier this season during a rough stretch. ”I’ve always been the one guy who’s the butt of the jokes, or that one guy who does something crazy and everybody’s got to look at or whatever the case may be. And then I come back and be myself and play the next day. I don’t really dwell on things too much. It’s been like that my whole life. That’s what it looks like it’s going to continue to be.” The Cavs have made clear that they’re not quitting on Smith. They need him. ”He’s going to start. And no [link=http://www.houstonastrosteamshops.com/authentic-carlos-lee-jersey]Carlos Lee Jersey[/link] , I haven’t lost confidence,” coach Tyronn Lue said. ”J.R. can shake off anything, and when everybody tends to count J.R. out, that’s when he comes through. So he’s definitely going to start again. He’s a big part of what we do. That last play is over, it’s behind us and now we’ve got to move on.” A bounce-back game would be more than welcomed by Cleveland. When Smith is good, the Cavs are really good. Cleveland is 10-1 this season, including playoffs, when Smith scores more than 15 points. The Cavaliers are 19-5 when he makes more than half his shot attempts. They’re 20-9 when he makes at least three 3-pointers. Those are some of the many reasons why Lue still has confidence in him [link=http://www.newyorkyankeesteamshop.com/authentic-joe-dimaggio-jersey]Joe DiMaggio Jersey[/link] , and Smith clearly appreciates that. ”I’ve been playing like dogcrap all year and he’s stuck with me,” Smith said. ”So he’s one of the people who gives me the most confidence.” And he’s due, too. Smith has missed more than half his shots in eight straight games – his longest such cold streak since November. The Warriors expect that Smith and the rest of the Cavaliers will be more than ready for Game 2. And Smith said his teammates still believing in him is helping. ”Everybody says it’s not just the one play or the reason why we lost,” Smith said. ”Take it however you want it. My teammates have been great. Very supportive.” — . [link=http://www.officialusafootballs.com/miami-dolphins/jerome-baker-jersey]Womens Jerome Baker Jersey[/link] , [link=http://www.officialusafootballs.com/new-york-giants/nathan-shepherd-jersey]Authentic Womens Nathan Shepherd Jersey[/link] , [link=http://www.officialusafootballs.com/miami-dolphins/mike-gesicki-jersey]Authentic Womens Mike Gesicki Jersey[/link] , [link=http://www.officialsbaseball.com/cincinnati-reds/scooter-gennett-jersey]Scooter Gennett Jersey Womens[/link] , | ||
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| The theory goes that a playoff series doesn’t officially start until someone wins on the road http://www.newyorkjetsteamonline.com/clive-walford-jersey , but the Nashville Predators and Colorado Avalanche are debunking that premise. The Avalanche beat the Predators 5-3 on Monday night in Game 3 to cut Nashville’s series lead to 2-1. The home team has won all three games and Game 4 is Wednesday in Colorado. While no one has been able to wrest control of the series, the tension has increased with each game. Things got pretty physical Monday night, with Predators defenseman P.K. Subban delivering a punch to the head of Colorado star Nathan MacKinnon that didn’t draw a penalty but did draw the ire of the Avalanche. Article continues below ... Subban shook off the criticism Tuesday. “If you’re in the playoffs, physical things are going to happen Wholesale Mike McGlinchey Jersey ,” Subban told The Colorado Springs Gazette. That has been evident in this series, from Nashville center Ryan Johansen’s hit on Colorado defenseman Tyson Barrie in Game 1 to the increased scrums throughout the games. The teams are guaranteed to play a Game 5 in Nashville on Friday night and if the Avalanche can win at home again, there will be a Game 6. That will only increase the animosity between the Central Division rivals. “Anytime you play the same team over and over and over again you start to really dislike each other,” Nashville forward Austin Watson said after Game 3. “That’s to be expected in the playoffs. It’s good battles Anthony Averett Jersey Elite , good intensity out there and it’s fun hockey.” Colorado’s win on Monday made it a closer series but if the Predators rebound to win Wednesday night, it’ll be tough for the Avalanche to come back against the Presidents’ Trophy winners. Colorado snapped a 12-game losing streak against Nashville without some key players in the lineup, and it might get some reinforcements for Game 4. Rookie defenseman Samuel Girard, who has missed two games with an upper-body injury Authentic Mike Green Jersey , skated in the optional practice on Tuesday and looks close to returning. “He’s still day to day,” Colorado coach Jared Bednar said Tuesday. “We’ll see how he is (Wednesday) morning and make some decisions from there. It’s a possibility.” The Avalanche could use everyone in what’s expected to be an intense charge by Nashville. Colorado has scored first in all three games but Monday was the first time in the series it built on the first goal and took control. MacKinnon, the team’s leading scorer in the regular season and a Hart Trophy candidate, had two goals http://www.miamidolphinsteamonline.com/josh-sitton-jersey , including a highlight-reel one that put the Avalanche up 4-0. It proved to be the game winner after a hard charge by the Predators after falling behind by four. Colorado’s fast start — four goals in the first 24:25 of the game — ended goaltender Pekka Rinne’s night but he wasn’t the problem, coach Peter Laviolette said. “We weren’t very good in front of him,” he said after the loss. “I didn’t think we were giving him the support he needed. It wasn’t a sharp game for us. We left (him) in after the first to see if we would be better.” Nashville players said they have to have a better start in Game 4. “We’re going to have to make a decision in our locker room to do it,” forward Colton Sissons said after Monday’s loss. “We’ve got to be the hungrier team right from the get-go Mark Walton Super Bowl LI Jersey , it’s just a mindset. “It’s going to be a new test in Game 4. It doesn’t matter how well we played in the third period, we’re going to have to find a way to have a full 60-minute effort and take our best foot forward. It’s a long series.” . Cheap Chris Paul Jersey , Alex Avila Jersey Womens , Los Angeles Chargers Elite Jerseys , Womens Christian Kirk Jersey , | ||
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| COLUMBUS Cheap Da'Shawn Hand Jersey , Ohio (AP) Backup goaltender Joonas Korpisalo helped the Columbus Blue Jackets put a distressing loss at Boston behind them. Returning home Wednesday night, Columbus topped the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-2, with Korpisalo stopping 39 shots in one of his strongest games of the season. Korpisalo played in just his eighth game, starting in place of Sergei Bobrovsky on the first night of a back-to-back. Article continues below ... ”The guy that is the second goalie not only needs to play the games but needs to win games if we want to get where we want to go in April,” Columbus coach John Tortorella said. ”Korpi has found his way here.” Seth Jones had a goal and an assist for the Blue Jackets Seahawks D.J. Fluker Jersey , who never trailed in snapping a two-game losing streak – including the 7-2 rout at the hands of the Bruins two days ago. They moved into a tie for second place in a traffic jam of teams battling for the top spot in the tough Metropolitan Division. Lukas Sedlak, Pierre-Luc Dubois and Alexander Wennberg also scored for Columbus, and Cam Atkinson had two assists. ”I thought the guys were really dialed in before the game,” Korpisalo said. Jake Gardiner scored in the second period and Mitchell Marner added another goal in the third for Toronto (21-14-1), which has lost four of its last five. Former Blue Jackets goalie Curtis McElhinney Cheap Dallas Goedert Jersey , starting for Toronto in place of Frederik Andersen on the second leg of a back-to-back, had 33 saves. ”I just thought we didn’t compete hard enough,” Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock said. ”Their team competed harder than us. There was no reason for us not to be ready here today.” Sedak opened the scoring for the Blue Jackets (21-13-1) in the first period. Matt Calvert gathered in the puck in the right corner and fired out to Sedlak, who spun and snapped it in off McElhinney’s hip at the 12:57 mark. Jones got a short-handed goal with 1:15 left in the period. He intercepted a pass in the defensive zone, carried the puck all the way and back and wristed it past McElhinney’s glove for his sixth of the season. ”We needed to get our confidence back Authentic Ryan Switzer Jersey , I think, and that starts with just making simple plays,” Jones said. The Maple Leafs cut it to 2-1 at 4:26 into the second period after William Nylander knocked down a Columbus pass and set up Gardiner with a nice circle-to-circle pass. The Blue Jackets answered with a power-play goal , with Cam Atkinson shoveling a rebound out from the back wall to Dubois, who tapped it in. Jones also picked up a helper on the goal. Wennberg capped the scoring for Columbus in the third period Authentic Kentavius Street Jersey , with Atkinson getting his second assist. Marner then made it 4-2 with about three minutes left. The Maple Leafs were without top-scorer Auston Matthews, who missed his sixth game with an upper-body injury. ”We’re not as good without (Matthews), obviously, but I didn’t think that part was the issue, to be honest Authentic Kolton Miller Jersey ,” Babcock said. Top-line defenseman Zach Werenski sat out with an undisclosed injury for Columbus. Markus Nutivaara skated next to Jones in his place. NOTES: Jones has three goals in the last four games…Scratches for the Maple Leafs were F Josh Leivo and D Martin Maraincin….Columbus recalled D Gabriel Carlsson from Cleveland (AHL) Wednesday, a day after sending F Tyler Motte back down…The Dubois goal was a rare power-play tally for Columbus, which is worst in the NHL with a man advantage. He has four goals and six assists in the last 14 games. UPCOMING: Toronto: At the New York Rangers on Saturday night. Columbus: At Pittsburgh on Thursday night. — . Womens Russell Bodine Jersey , Authentic Womens JK Scott Jersey , Authentic Womens Josh Rosen Jersey , Adidas Ryan Getzlaf Jersey , | ||
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| FOXBOROUGH Authentic Aroldis Chapman Jersey , Mass. (AP) Safety Duron Harmon and his buddies on the New England defense know they have to deal with Marcus Mariota’s ”unique skill” set when the Tennessee Titans visit the Patriots for Saturday night’s AFC divisional playoff game. ”He actually knows when to run and when to pass the ball when scrambling,” Harmon said Wednesday. ”It’s a very unique skill because a lot of guys once they get scrambling, they’re not even looking downfield anymore, they’re just looking to run. But he always has his eyes downfield – always knows when to run, when to throw the pass. I would say his touch on the ball, too, that gets people open when he’s scrambling.” Article continues below ... The Patriots have had their troubles with mobile quarterbacks this season – and there have even been not-so-mobile quarterbacks that have picked up yards on the ground against the defending champions. Cam Newton and the Panthers beat them. So did Kansas City’s Alex Smith Authentic Cassius Marsh Jersey , though Smith didn’t hurt them with his legs. They beat rookie Deshaun Watson and the Texans, but Houston scored 33 points and Watson gained 41 yards on the ground. The Patriots beat Tyrod Taylor and the Buffalo Bills twice and defeated Jameis Winston and Tampa Bay. Mariota, who had an 87-yard touchdown run in 2015, his rookie season, ran for 60 yards on 10 carries in the regular-season finale. He picked up 46 yards on eight attempts in the playoff win over the Chiefs last Saturday. Mariota had two touchdown passes in the wild-card game, one actually to himself as he caught a pass batted down by Darrelle Revis and took it into the end zone. He finished off the comeback with a 22-yard TD pass to Eric Decker, but the pass/catch touchdown was enough to make Harmon think. ”It looked like it was meant for them to win Authentic Carey Price Jersey ,” Harmon said. ”That was … first of all, that’s a very, very hard play to make and that shows you his skill set, his athletic ability – to be able to throw the ball, have it knocked down and be able to catch it where he caught it, and go in and run (on) a scoring dive, it shows his athletic ability. It shows that any time he touches the ball Leighton Vander Esch Jersey Elite , he’s dangerous.” Fellow safety Devin McCourty sees the same attributes in Mariota. ”It’s not like if he stays in the pocket he can’t make throws, but when he escapes outside the pocket and he has the ability to run and throw, you honestly really don’t have a shot to stop him, I think,” McCourty said. ”We’ve played quarterbacks like this where we do want to try to keep him in the pocket, but I think that’s just the beginning part of it. We also, when we’re man coverage or zone coverage Authentic Josh Reddick Jersey , we’ve got to be able to play our zones or our man tight and not allow windows or not allow a great pocket for him to sit back there and throw because he’s a good enough passer that he’ll make all the throws on the football field.” McCourty pointed to a pass Mariota made to Delanie Walker against Indianapolis that was between four players on the sideline. ”That was a tough throw, and that was in the pocket,” he noted. ”But I think we’ll have a better chance that way than him being able to escape, throw it deep or run for 30 or 40 yards. So, it’s going to be all 11 guys kind of playing their job with trying to contain him.” Mariota was sixth in the NFL in third-down passer rating this season, a list headed by the Patriots’ Tom Brady. ”An extremely athletic guy, so there is a huge factor of mobility with him Authentic Ryan Goins Jersey ,” New England defensive coordinator Matt Patricia said. ”But, you know, he’s a very strong-armed quarterback, he can extend plays, he can scramble to run or he can get out of trouble and then find his receivers downfield. He also has a run element to him, and the run game is very extensive.” NOTES: The Patriots may get both James White and Rex Burkhead back from injury for this game – both are practicing on a limited basis. Burkhead was asked Wednesday how he was feeling. ”Good. Just ready to get back out there … with the team. I’m just excited for the playoffs and everything that’s in store.” … LB Marquis Flowers missed practice Wednesday because of an illness. — For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL . Womens Alex McGough Jersey , Starlin Castro Jersey Womens , Womens Connor Williams Jersey , Cheap Alonzo Mourning Jersey , | ||
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