The Detroit Pistons and Cleveland Cavaliers will face each other Friday night for the first time since a somewhat chippy and intense playoff series last spring that ended in a Cleveland sweep in the first round. But the games were more competitive -- and physical -- than a typical sweep.Pistons forward Stanley Johnson, at the time only a rookie, bragged he thought he was in LeBron James head during the series. And if he wasnt, the Pistons certainly seemed to be targeting it.Andre Drummond clubbed James with a blow to the head during the series, and Marcus Morris caught James with a body shot. The series grew in intensity throughout, although both sides survived without serious injuries.James sat out Wednesdays loss at Indiana to rest, lowering the Cavs record in games without him to 4-16 since he returned to Cleveland three seasons ago. But hell be back in the lineup for Fridays game in Cleveland, and J.R. Smith could return after missing three games with a sore right ankle.The Cavs appear to have a decided edge over Detroit in rebounding. Although Drummond ranks second in the league in rebounding (13.8 per game), he isnt getting much help. The Pistons rank toward the middle of the pack in rebounding, while the Cavs rank fifth and feature two of the best in Kevin Love (10.8 rpg) and Tristan Thompson (9.9 rpg).The Pistons were smashed on the glass during Tuesdays loss at New York, losing the rebounding 52-40 while allowing the Knicks 19 offensive rebounds that led to 15 second-chance points. Given the number of extra looks the Knicks received, that figure shouldve been even higher.Well be able to go in and look at 10 or 12 plays that were just lack-of-effort plays, lack-of-focus plays, Pistons coach Stan Van Gundy told the Detroit Free Press. You cant afford that on the road and we continue to do that.The Pistons are perfect at home this season, but have just one road win in seven tries. Its a disappointing start for a team that expected to take a big leap after securing the eighth seed last season and pushing the eventual champions despite the sweep.Now the Cavs are rolling despite Wednesdays loss. Theyre among the league leaders in a number of offensive categories and coach Tyronn Lue believes they can play even better.Quickening the pace was a focus for Lue since taking over at midseason last year. He likes the way James pushes when the ball is in his hands, but believes the pace slows a bit when Kyrie Irving is in charge. After lagging near the bottom of the league in pace last season, the Cavs rank just outside the top 10 this year. They are one of 11 teams right now generating at least 100 possessions per game.I think offensively were doing a good job of sharing the basketball. Were trying to play with pace. We need to play even faster, Lue said. At times we play fast, at times we kind of slowly bring the ball up the court. So, if we play with pace were hard to stop. Wholesale Custom Hockey Jerseys . Francis told several hundred members of the European Olympic Committees that when sport "is considered only in economic terms and consequently for victory at every cost . Custom Hockey Shirts . -- Devin Hester is done returning kicks in Chicago. http://www.customhockeycheapjerseys.com/ . "Four now," Carl Gunnarsson told the Leaf Report proudly following a 5-2 victory over New York on Tuesday night, the clubs fifth straight at home. Cheap Custom NHL Jerseys . The 29-year-old Baines has established himself as one of the top attacking full backs in the country and was the subject of two bids from United during the last off-season. Everton manager Roberto Martinez says that keeping Baines at the club is a "massive boost and exciting for the future" because he brings "maturity and football knowledge in a very specialized position on the pitch" and an "infectious and positive influence to the rest of the squad. Custom Adidas NHL Jerseys . -- The plastic that was taped across the lockers in Oaklands clubhouse came down and the champagne that was on ice went back into the cooler. ANAHEIM, Calif. -- The Los Angeles Angels and Oakland Athletics open up the post-trade deadline portion of their season Tuesday in Anaheim, both having made it clear that they have given up on contending for a playoff spot.Both teams traded their top starting pitchers this season, in terms of victories, on Monday.The Angels traded Hector Santiago to Minnesota, even though Santiago (10-4, 4.25 ERA) has won seven decisions in a row. He will likely win American League Pitcher of the Month honors for July after going 6-0 with a 1.78 ERA in six starts.The As traded Rich Hill to the Dodgers, though Hill is currently on the disabled list with a blister on his finger. Hill is 9-3 with a 2.25 ERA in 14 starts, having missed all of June with a groin injury.Angels general manager Billy Eppler told MLB.com the trade of Santiago was more about what they were getting than what they were giving up. Los Angeles acquired veteran pitcher Ricky Nolasco, but the key to the trade was pitcher Alex Meyer, a highly-regarded pitching prospect.I think for us to get to where we are now to where we want to go, we have to take a little more of a risk than the play-it-safe type, Eppler added. Alex Meyer represents that. He has an extraordinary ceiling of potential that we hope to be able to harness and reap the rewards of.For the As, knowing that Hill -- along with outfielder Josh Reddick, also traded to the Dodgers for a package of minor leaaguers -- will be free agents at the end of the season played a part in making the deal.ddddddddddddIts tough, As pitcher Sonny Gray told the San Francisco Chronicle. But you know its going to happen one way or another, either theyre going to try to get guys or get rid of guys. Everyone knows its coming, at least.The Angels also traded Joe Smith, their best set-up man in the bullpen the last few years, though he recently had been replaced by Cam Bedrosian for the eight-inning spot.Smith, eligible for free agency at end of the season, went to the Cubs for pitching prospect Jesus Castillo.The Angels and As open the series Tuesday tied for last place in the American League West and are hoping to at least finish strong.Matt Shoemakers name popped up in trade discussions as well, but he instead will make the start for the Angels on Tuesday. His record of 5-11 is a bit misleading, considering his ERA of 4.17 is actually better than Santiagos.Shoemaker has had some outstanding performances this season.He shut out Baltimore on three hits over 7 1/3 innings on May 21, then silenced Cleveland on three hits over eight frames on June 11.Most recently, Shoemaker threw a shutout against the Chicago White Sox on July 16.Sean Manaea, 3-5 with a 4.57 ERA in 15 games (14 starts), will start for Oakland. ' ' '