After months of optimism surrounding a potential new collective bargaining agreement that would allow the NBA and the players union to avoid another work stoppage, the momentum has slowed a bit as a critical date approaches.Both sides have until 11:59 p.m. on Thursday to opt out of the current deal. If that were to happen, they would have until the end of June to negotiate a new contract. Neither the owners nor the players believe it will get to that point, with both sides seeking a deal to ensure the league keeps enjoying skyrocketing revenue and rising television ratings.Were working tirelessly, union president Chris Paul said this weekend.Many of the major parts of the deal have been addressed, including keeping the basketball-related income split the same as it is in the current agreement. There was a belief in early November that an accord could be struck by Thanksgiving, but the complex negotiations have carried on well into December.There remain a few issues for the sides to settle before a deal can be voted on, and the owners overseeing the leagues side of the negotiations planned to meet on Monday for a progress report. If the two sides do not agree to a deal by the deadline, they could implement an extension to give them extra time.While union vice president Carmelo Anthony told ESPN that he was skeptical that a deal would get done by Thursday, there remained a healthy amount of optimism from both sides of the negotiating table that a deal will eventually be reached.We still got a few days, union vice president LeBron James told reporters in Cleveland on Saturday. Obviously, our game right now is the best its ever been, from where it is right here domestically to all the way around the world, so hopefully both sides come to an agreement.---GRIZZLIES ROLLINGWhen Mike Conley was diagnosed with a back injury that was expected to keep him out at least six weeks, the consensus was that the Memphis Grizzlies would have a difficult time remaining in the Western Conference playoff picture. But Grit `n Grind has always been much more than just a catchy slogan for the Grizzlies, who have once again refused to give in when misfortune strikes.Memphis (17-8) has won six straight since Conley went down, climbing to fifth place in the West, just a half-game behind Houston and the Los Angeles Clippers. First-year coach David Fizdale has inserted little-known Troy Williams into the starting lineup for Conley, while veterans Tony Allen, Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph have all stepped up their games to pick up the slack.The Grizzlies are also missing free agent prize Chandler Parsons (knee) and veteran Vince Carter (hip), but they thumped the Golden State Warriors on Saturday by 29 points, the first time they won a game by more than five points during this streak.---THE WEEK AHEADA look at some games to watch this week:Memphis at Cleveland, Tuesday: The red-hot Grizzlies face the rolling Cavs in a home-and-home back-to-back starting at Quicken Loans Arena on Tuesday night.Minnesota at Chicago, Tuesday: Timberwolves coach Tom Thibodeau coaches in Chicago for the first time since he was fired by the Bulls in an acrimonious split two years ago.New York at Denver, Saturday: Its been six and half years since the trade, but its always worth watching when Carmelo Anthony returns to face the Nuggets.Oklahoma City at Portland, Tuesday: The human triple-double against Damian Lillard? Sign us up.---STAT LINE OF THE WEEKKlay Thompson, Golden State Warriors: 60 points, 21-33 FG, 8-14 3s, 29 minutes. The Splash Brother may be the most explosive player on Golden States star-studded roster, and proved it with an incredible scoring binge in just three quarters of work. Had coach Steve Kerr played him in the fourth quarter, Kobe Bryants 81 points were certainly in jeopardy.---This story has been corrected to show CBA deadline is Thursday. Detroit Red Wings Jerseys . -- The proud fathers huddled near the Dallas Stars dressing room, smiling, laughing and telling stories while wearing replica green sweaters of their sons team. Curtis Joseph Jersey . Coach Mike Munchak says Fokou stretched ligaments in his left knee Oct. 13 against Seattle, which could keep out up to five weeks even though the linebacker didnt need surgery. http://www.redwingshockeyauthentic.com/tyler-bertuzzi-jersey/ . But what about the officials? Every sport has officials and they also have stories about hard work and sacrifice but their accomplishments are seldom recognized by anyone outside their inner circle. Trevor Daley Red Wings Jersey . If ever they start actually putting pictures beside words in the dictionary, the Blue Jays left-handers mug will appear beside “Consistency. Brett Hull Jersey . Down by seven with 90 seconds left in regulation, thats where they looked comfortable. Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan has backing to continue making the shock substitution calls as the Sharks continue their quest for a maiden NRL premiership.Flanagan shocked many when, for the first time this season, he benched halfback Chad Townsend midway through the second half of Saturdays NRL qualifying final win over Canberra.However the move paid off, with Jack Birds injection into the halves giving the Sharks enough impetus to complete a courageous comeback despite facing an early 12-0 hole.Cronulla now get an extra week for their injured players to recuperate as they await the winner of Fridays semi-final between North Queensland and Brisbane.The preliminary final will be played at Allianz Stadium on Friday week.Vice-captain Wade Graham said he and his teammates had faith in Flanagan to impact the game from as high up as the coachs box.The playing group and coaching staff believe in each other. We wouldnt be able to come down here and get the job done if we didnt, Graham told AAP.Flanagaan later revealed post-game that he initially planned to insert substitute back Gerard Beale in the centres and shift Bird to lock.ddddddddddddut his intentions were scuppered when skipper Paul Gallen withdrew on game day with a back injury, and Graham himself was concussed five minutes into the contest.Graham said the players were ready to sacrifice for the sake of the team.You do whatever the team needs, thats what rugby league is, he said.Its a team sport. When you get the results like (Saturday night), everyone can appreciate it and everyone enjoys. Its the reward that everyone gets.I have no doubt that Chaddy (Townsend) will be back in the seven in a couple of weeks and hell be playing 80 minutes.Graham declared himself certain to return for the grand final qualifier along with Gallen and Sam Tagataese, who hasnt played since injuring his shoulder in round 22. ' ' '