Each week, TSN.ca takes a look at the top storylines in NCAA football and gives you all you need to know heading into Saturdays action to Win The Day. Top ranked Mississippi State travels to Alabama as underdog Despite topping both the AP and Coaches Poll, and leading the College Football Playoff rankings through 11 weeks of the season, Mississippi State is a 10-point road underdog against No. 4 Alabama (fifth in the College Football Playoff rankings). The Bulldogs havent gone from unranked to start the season to No. 1 without some impressive upsets however, having taken out LSU (ranked eighth at the time), Texas A&M (sixth), and Auburn (second) in a three-week stretch starting in late September. This game holds added significance because Mississippi State (9-0, 5-0 SEC) and Alabama (8-1, 5-1 SEC) are the final two teams to control their destiny in their conference. A win in this game would all but guarantee that team a spot in the College Football Playoff come January. This is also a matchup of two legitimate Heisman candidates in Mississippi State QB Dak Prescott and Alabama WR Amari Cooper. Prescott has already accumulated a combined 3,000 yards and 29 touchdowns but probably needs another signature performance to catch Oregons Marcus Mariota, while Cooper is second in the nation with 1,215 yards and has added 10 touchdowns. Cooper is also a Top 10 draft prospect in early rankings. Gurley returns in important matchup of two-loss teams No. 9 Auburn and No. 16 Georgia share identical 7-2 records with both losses coming in-conference so neither has much of a chance at the College Football Playoff, but the winner should still be in line for a strong bowl game while the loser may be playing their bowl game before New Years Eve. This game also marks the return of Georgia running back Todd Gurley. Gurley was suspended four games in early October for receiving cash for autographed memoribilia, bringing to an end his promising Heisman campaign. The electric running back and (early) Top 10 draft prospect is fun to watch and will give the Bulldogs a boost from the backfield down the stretch and into bowl season. You can watch this game on TSN3 at 7pm et/4pm pt. No. 11 Nebraska, No. 22 Wisconsin battle for spot in Big 10 title game With just one loss, the Cornhuskers have a (very) outside chance at the College Football Playoff but for that to happen they’ll need to win the Big 10. First things first, taking the West Division and the winner of Saturday’s game should be in the driver’s seat to do so. Both teams will have to win late-season games against Minnesota but the prevailing thinking is this weekend’s game at Camp Randall Stadium, with the Freedom Trophy on the line for whatever reason, will determine Ohio State’s opponent for the conference championship. This game also features a matchup of two of the top running backs in the nation in Heisman candidates Melvin Gordon for Wisconsin and Ameer Abdullah for Nebraska, both of whom project to be taken in the first two rounds of the NFL Draft. You can watch this game on TSN2 at 3:30pm et/12:30pm pt. Trevone Boykin has chance to pad stats in Heisman race Saturday’s No. 5 TCU-Kansas will be a blowout but it will matter to at least one person, TCU quarterback Trevone Boykin. Boykin has had a huge season leading the Horned Frogs’ explosive offence but still trails Mariota and Prescott on many Heisman ballots. With Mariota and the Oregon Ducks on a bye week, and facing a creampuff matchup (TCU is a 27.5-point favourite), Boykin can, and probably will pad his stats for all four quarters in hopes of making up some ground for college sports’ most prestigious award. No. 2 Florida State’s last test before the post-season? After getting past Notre Dame in mid-October, the Seminoles have had perhaps the easiest schedule of any College Football Playoff-eligible team. There’s hope the Gators will give them a test on Rivalry Weekend to close out the regular season but Miami (FL), led by fringe Heisman candidate Duke Johnson at running back, should be able to put up a fight as a conference opponent playing at home. Florida State is only a 2.5-point favourite. You can watch this game on TSN2 at 8pm et/5pm pt. Viewers Guide Watch four college football games on the TSN networks at 12pm et/9am pt. on Saturday. Penn State, Temple battle for bowl eligibility on TSN1 Once promising Penn State (5-4) followed four straight wins to open their season with four straight losses - including a one-point loss to Big 10 debutant Maryland. Yet, the group from Happy Valley bounced back last Saturday at Indiana and needs just one win to become bowl eligible - a feat that would have been impossible before September. The NCAA lifted post-season sanctions on Penn State earlier this season, allowing them a chance to reach the bowl season two years earlier then originally stated. Temple (5-4) will also look to win their sixth game of the season and clinch post-season eligibility this Saturday. Like the Nittany Lions, Temple got off to a strong start at 4-1, but have dropped three of their last four. Player to watch: Christian Hackenberg, Penn State The sophomore entered the season with Heisman expectations, but has fallen well short of those initial predictions. But his 7:12 touchdown-to-interception ratio is troubling and Hackenberg will not have an easy time getting back on track against the Owls, who rank 10th in the nation in points allowed. Hackenberg is still regarded as one of the most physically gifted quarterbacks in the NCAA, and someone who will garner high attention from the NFL when he becomes draft eligible. However, a strong ending to a disappointing season could help remove some question marks for the pivot as he enters his Junior year. Virginia Tech looks to upset No. 21 Duke on TSN2 The Blue Devils have a strong chance to improve their ranking in the final three weeks of the college football season, starting this Saturday against Virginia Tech. Duke closes their season against ACC rivals VT, North Carolina and Wake Forest, all of whom combine for a 10-17 record this season. ACC loses have derailed the Hokies season, going just 1-4 within the conference, and another loss will all but derail the post-season hopes of the Hokies. At 4-5, the Virginia Tech has to win two of their final three games in order become bowl eligible. No. 22 Georgia Techs rushing attack faces tough challenge in No. 19 Clemson on TSN3 The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets rank third in college football with an astounding average of 335.6 rushing yards per game, however their rushing attack will be put to the test against Clemsons second-ranked run defence, which also ranks fourth overall. Both teams likely need a win to keep their hopes alive of ending the season ranked, while their ACC Championship hopes are also likely on the line. Georgia Tech is trying to catch Duke atop the Coastal Division of the conference, while Clemson is chasing No. 2 Florida State in the Atlantic Division. Georgia Techs remaining games against the Tigers and No. 15 Georgia will decide their season - a top-15 ranked team or unranked squad. No. 25 Minnesota faces biggest test yet in No. 8 Ohio State on TSN4 Minnesota has earned a ranking, now theyll have to prove they deserve it. Starting Saturday, the Golden Gophers kickoff a three-game stretch to end their season against conference rivals Ohio State, Nebraska and Wisconsin, all whom rank in the top-20. Minnesota will likely have to rely on their defence to keep the Buckeyes explosive offence in check in order to have a chance on Saturday. Ohio State ranks fourth in points scored this season with an average of 46 points per game, that mark is well above Minnesotas 30.7. For Ohio State, a loss would cripple their hopes of a playoff berth - the Buckeyes rank eighth in the playoff rankings, four spots out of the dance. If Ohio State can survive Minnesota, the team should be able to take a one-loss record into bowl season with games against Indiana and Michigan to close their season. Player to Watch: J.T. Barrett, Ohio State The redshirt-freshman has been revelation for the Buckeyes, who entered the season with uncertainty at quarterback once Braxton Miller was lost for the year. Barrett is an explosive player both through the air and on the ground. He has thrown for 26 touchdowns compared to just seven interceptions this season, while adding 582 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground. Barretts impressive play has taken him from unknown to Heisman consideration. Aaron Holiday Jersey .D. Martinezs ninth-inning sacrifice fly scored Torii Hunter with the winning run and the Detroit Tigers beat the Minnesota Twins 4-3 Sunday. Mark Jackson Jersey . They actually finished with a better record in ‘07 than they did in ‘06 but only marginally, going from 61 victories to 66. http://www.cheappacersjerseyssale.com/ki...ers-jersey/.com) - Many people at Eastern Washington are waiting to see if star quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. Victor Oladipo Jersey . scored 18 of his career- high 28 points in the first half, as fifth-ranked Ohio State dominated No. Custom Indiana Pacers Jerseys . Viewers in the Canadiens region can watch the game on TSN at 7:30pm et/4:30pm pt and listen on TSN 690. The Canadiens have won three in a row and four of their last five games and recently put the finishing touches on a 3-1-0 road trip.Frances Martin Fourcade has won the gold medal in the mens 12.5 km biathlon pursuit. Fourcade had a terrific race, coming in at 33:48.6 and with just one penalty loop. He is joined on the podium by countryman Jean Guillaume Beatrix, who takes the bronze medal with a time of 34:12.8. The Czech Republics Ondrej Moravec takes home a silver medal, coming in at 34:02.7 and as one of only three competitors in the race that had no misses on shots.&nnbsp;Le Guellec flames out, Smith surgesAfter a very strong start that at one point had him in the overall lead, Canadian Jean-Philippe Le Guellec fell behind to a disappointing 26th place finish.dddddddddddd However, fellow Canadian Nathan Smith showed signs of promise on Monday, finishing 11th and with a time of 34:37.7 and only one penalty loop. Brendan Green finished in 35th place with a time of 36:21.2. 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Steve Harmison was full of praise for James Anderson and Stuart Broad as Englands opening pair took a combined nine wickets on day two of the first Test against Sri Lanka at Headingley. England bowled the visitors out for 91 - enforcing the follow-on - after they had notched 298 in their first innings.Anderson took 5-16 to move him up to sixth in the all-time leading Test wicket takers with 438 victims and is the third-highest seamer on the list behind only Glenn McGrath (563) and Courtney Walsh (519). Watch the pick of the action from the second day of the first Test between England and Sri Lanka James Anderson has to be talked about as one of the greats of our game, said Harmison.McGrath finished when he was 36, Walsh when he was 38, so of course Anderson at only 33 can keep going and pass both of them.They are two of the best fast bowlers of all time, so people have got to be looking now and saying that Anderson is in that same league. Glenn McGrath took 563 wickets in 124 Tests for Australia People say Jimmy has struggled to bowl in the past at Headingley, but he was awesome today, as was Stuart Broad.Those two as a combination together are fantastic. For me, they are the best duo that England have ever had, theyve got to be talked about as one of the top combinations of all time.Today they got the ball to consistently land on the same length, knowing what the conditions demanded at Headingley. Englands Stuart Broad celebrates the wicket of Kusal Mendis Was I surprised what happened to Sri Lanka today? No. The Test match has gone the way I thought it would.Its tough on the Sri Lankans, as there are some young, inexperienced lads in there, and you could have put the most experienced batting line-up in the world out there against those two in those conditions, and they would have struggled.Its similar for England on the sub-continent - if they are presented with a raging turner in India this winter with three high quality spinners, it will be similarly tough. Anderson celebrates one of his five Sri Lankan wickets on day two Englands tail is up now, and the conditions are unlikely to change, so I expect they will bowl Sri Lanka out for a reasonably low total again tomorrow.England only bowled 36 overs, just over a session. The players are so fit now, and theyd normally expect to field around 120 overs. So from that point of view, Im not surprised they enforced the follow on. Theyve now just got to put in the same amount of effort as they would on a flat pitch.Its a great way to start the Test summer, and hopefully by the end of this Test, they will have set a benchmark that they can try to look to better in the two games left in the series, and against Pakistan later in the summer.Watch live coverage from day three of the first Test between England and Sri Lanka at Headingley, live on Sky Sports 2 from 10.30am on Saturday. Also See: England dominate SL Scorecard As it happened Sky Cricket podcast Adam Frazier Jersey . Directly ahead was open field, the end zone and the Seattle Seahawks place in the NFC championship game. David Freese Jersey . Alina Fodorova of Ukraine took third place. Broersen based her gold-medal performance on great high jumping, and finished with 4,830 points, while Theisen-Eaton, from Humboldt, Sask., set a national record of 4,768. http://www.piratesrookiestore.com/Pirate...ds-Kids-Jersey/. Viewers in the Jets region can watch the game on TSN Jets at 6:30pm ct/7:30pm et. The game is also avialable on TSN Radio 1290 in Winnipeg at 7pm ct. Corey Dickerson Jersey . Hes still nowhere close to throwing yet. The four-time MVP was in good spirits when he made his first public appearance on the field since having neck surgery Sept. Bill Mazeroski Jersey . -- The Atlanta Braves are facing the possibility of losing another pitcher for the season after general manager Frank Wren said Saturday that Cory Gearrin has a serious injury to his right elbow.MONTREAL - The Montreal Alouettes released quarterback Troy Smith on Thursday.The former Heisman Trophy winner started the Als first six games before being placed on the six-game injured list. Montreal sputtered to a 1-5 start before Smith was sidelined with knee, ankle and thumb injuries.Smith completed 83 of 174 passes for 989 yards and four touchdowns this season. The six-foot 195-pound Columbus native also threw four interceptions.Smith, a former standout at Ohio Sttate University, also played three regular-season games for Montreal last year and the East Division semifinal.dddddddddddd. He won the Heisman Trophy as the top U.S. college football player in 2006.The 6-8 Alouettes have struggled to find a steady replacement for Anthony Calvillo, who was a starter for over a decade before retiring last winter.Jonathan Crompton has been under centre of late. He guided Montreal to a 40-9 win over Saskatchewan last week. 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Saskatchewan Roughriders receiver Chris Getzlaf suffered a sprained knee during Saturdays loss to the Calgary Stampeders. Getzlaf was wearing a brace on the injured knee Sunday and said hes going to be re-evaluated by doctors Sunday and Monday. "I think hell miss some time. Im not sure how much," head coach Corey Chamblin told the Regina Leader-Post. Getzlaf had three catches for 49 yards on Saturday, surpassing the 1,000-yard mark on the season for the second time in his career. Wholesale Houston Texans Jerseys . Colton Sissons also scored for Milwaukee (19-12-8), which went ahead with a two-goal third period. Wade MacLeod and Greg McKegg replied for Toronto (23-12-4). Houston Texans Jerseys China . "I love the game, its the best job you can have," he explained Tuesday as the players left Joe Louis Arena for the summer. "Ill sit down with my wife and well go from there. http://www.cheaptexans.com/69s-cheap-cus...sey-texans.html. According to TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger, it doesnt appear the offer was warmly received by the team. Blue Jackets director of hockey operations John Davidson and general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said on Wednesday the team has made offers of $6 million for two years, $32 million for six and $46 million over eight years but each one was refused by the restricted free agent centre and agent Kurt Overhardt. Discount Houston Texans Jerseys . Cox started the season with San Francisco, but was released by the team on Nov. 12 before being signed by Seattle, where he appeared in two games and tallied three tackles before being released on Dec. Houston Texans Jerseys Outlet . -- Canadian ski cross star Marielle Thompson accomplished two goals in one race Saturday.TORONTO - According to Masai Ujiris wish list, the Toronto Raptors draft picks will be tough, eager to play defence, able to blend in well with coach Dwane Caseys playing style, and one of them will be a shot blocker. The Raptors general manager has his list of possible draft selections whittled down to a handful ahead of Thursday nights NBA draft in Brooklyn, New York. The Raptors, who have auditioned dozens of players over the past couple of weeks, have the 20th overall pick in the first round, as well as the 37th and 58th picks in the second. "I think probably by (Tuesday), it will be narrowed down to probably five guys (for the No. 20 spot), and that doesnt include guys that could fall," Ujiri said. "And about 600 at 37," he added laughing. Ujiri said part of his pre-draft research is figuring out players who are capable of giving Casey what he wants. "Were an aggressive team, were going to play tough, play hard on the defensive end and stop people, and we are going to play up-tempo on the offensive end," Ujiri said. "We have to bring in those kinds of players, we cant just draft anybody to come here and throw to Dwane Casey, that wouldnt be fair." He and his staff will go for the best player on the board rather than draft specifically for position, although he said hed be happy if a shot blocker happened to be available at one of their three picks. Ujiri, who was still with the Denver Nuggets during last years draft, hasnt entirely ruled out moving up to a higher pick. "(But) I dont do heartbreaks very well," he said. "Those trades and talks, people dont understand, we talk about a hundred trades and maybe two happen. Thats just the nature of our business. "Well be aggressive, but our energy is focused on 20 rather than wasting our time on whats not. If theres anything, I always feel like those kinds of things almost come to you rather than you chase them. If we smell anything anywhere, well be aggressive, but 20 is what were counting on." Toronto didnt have a pick in last years draft. They selected Terrence Ross with their No. 8 pick in 2012. They selected Kareem Rush at No. 20 in 2002 and traded him to the Los Angeles Lakers. The previous year, they took Morris Peterson at No. 21. Ujiri saidd its been a gruelling few weeks of pouring over the specifics of this years draft class.dddddddddddd "We do a lot of mechanics, pictures, analytics, background checks, psych tests and all that stuff. When they come for workouts, there are so many things you look at, foot speed, how tall they are, their demeanours, so many things," he said. "Its a huge process for us and just builds and builds and builds. "Now hopefully by Wednesday morning we will have gathered all the information we have. And then mess it up with a trade or something," he added, laughing. The difficult part is judging a players potential — "we have to figure out where the player is now and what he will be in a couple of years from now or four years from now." Point guard Kyle Lowry led the Raptors to their first post-season appearance in six seasons, where they were eliminated by the Brooklyn Nets in the first round. Lowry becomes a free agent on July 1, but Ujiri said his status wont be a factor in how the Raptors select in the draft. "We are going full force after Kyle Lowry, and if theres a talented point guard in the draft. . . well go for talent in the draft. But Kyle Lowry is our target," he said. Several Canadians have been among the players whove worked out for the Raptors at the Air Canada Centre, including point guard Tyler Ennis, forwards Melvin Ejim and Khem Birch and seven-foot-two centre Jordan Bachynski. There could be as many as five to eight Canadians taken in the draft, led by Andrew Wiggins, the Vaughan, Ont., star whos expected to go No. 1 or 2. Ujiri pointed out that plenty can happen between now and Thursday night. Three days before the NBA draft, there have already been a couple of surprises. Highly-touted prospect Joel Embiid had surgery last week on the stress fracture on his foot. Draft prospect Isaiah Austin has been diagnosed with Marfan syndrome, a career-ending condition. "I walked into (the office) today and was like Please, no news thats going to throw me off right now. Because it will keep coming, there will be something tonight, tomorrow morning, there will be something, thats just the nature of the draft," Ujiri said. "You love it, thats why we do it, theres always action." 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Philadelphia, PA - The Philadelphia Phillies have agreed to terms with right-handed pitcher Jerome Williams on a one-year, $2.5 million contract, the team announced Tuesday. Williams was 4-2 with a 2.83 earned run average in nine starts for the Phillies after being claimed off waivers from Texas on Aug. 10. The well-traveled veteran also pitched for Houston this past season and was 6-7 overall with a 4.77 ERA in 37 games, including 11 starts. He has compiled a 48-54 record with a 4.40 ERA over nine seasons with the Giants, Cubs, Nationals, Angels, Astros, Rangers and Phillies. Chicago Blackhawks Jerseys .com) - Coming off a pair of tough losses last week, the Syracuse Orange will try to put an end to their first losing skid of the season when they pay a visit to the Maryland Terrapins at the Comcast Center on Monday night in Atlantic Coast Conference action. Keith Magnuson Jersey . -- Joe Thornton scored the tiebreaking goal with 5:39 left in regulation to help the San Jose Sharks overcome a two-goal deficit to beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-3 on Thursday night. http://www.officialblackhawksfanstore.co...ckhawks-jersey/. The same for both the Calgary Flames and the Edmonton Oilers. Clark Griswold Jersey . Tony Parker had 33 points and nine assists and San Antonio never trailed in a resounding 116-92 victory over Portland, bullying the younger Trail Blazers in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals. Martin Havlat Jersey . Assistant coach Glen Gulutzan said Thursday that Edler, who played Tuesday in Nashville, is out indefinitely.MELBOURNE, Australia - Milos Raonic tied a Canadian tennis record by reaching his third career Grand Slam quarterfinal with a 6-4, 4-6, 6-3, 6-7 (7), 6-3 win over Spains Feliciano Lopez on Monday at the Australian Open. Raonic, from Thornhill, Ont., joins Robert Powell as the only other Canadian man to reach the quarter-finals at three major events (1908, 1910 and 1912 Wimbledon). Raonic made it to the Wimbledon semifinals last summer and reached the French Open quarter-finals in 2014. But he had never been past the fourth round in Melbourne. There was some great tennis played today and its only going to get better, said Raonic after the match. Its an exciting time for Canadian tennis, he added. Its great to see a lot of red and white at these matches. Its a pleasure to play. The eighth seed will next face top-seeded Novak Djokovic of Serbia, who posted a 6-4, 7-5, 7-5 win over Gilles Muller of Luxembourg. Raonic is the first Canadian man to make the quarter-finals in Melbourne since Michael Belkin did it back in 1968. Its great to be doing what Im doing and that it is making a difference, Raonic said. It is, I guess, part of somee history, if you look really deep.dddddddddddd But at the end of the day, Im always pushing myself for what I want to achieve. Im always looking in the mirror and saying, Thats who I have to compare myself to — to myself. In womens play, seventh seed Eugenie Bouchard of Westmount, Que., will play a Tuesday quarter-final against five-time Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova of Russia. Raonic needed to go five sets and more than three hours to beat Lopez, breaking for 5-3 in the final set and hammering home huge serves — including three aces in the final game — before an errant return from the Spaniard sealed the win. The 24-year-old Raonic finished with three breaks and 30 aces in a victory that also featured a massive 81 winners. Im happy with the attitude that got me through. I stayed calm even though things werent always panning out how I would have liked, he said. I missed a lot of break-point opportunities, but overall I cant complain too much. I fought my way through. Raonic improved his career record against Lopez to 2-2. He lost to the 14th-ranked Spaniard last summer in a Rogers Cup quarter-final in Toronto. Cheap Buffalo Sabres Gear Wholesale Calgary Flames Jerseys Cheap Adidas Colorado Avalanche Jerseys Montreal Canadiens Outlet Store Wholesale New Jersey Devils Jerseys Adidas Arizona Coyotes Jerseys Cheap Adidas Boston Bruins Jerseys Cheap Adidas Carolina Hurricanes Jerseys Chicago Blackhawks Shop Free Shipping Wholesale Columbus Blue Jackets Jerseys Dallas Stars Shop Free Shipping Cheap Adidas Detroit Red Wings Jerseys Anaheim Ducks Jerseys China Wholesale Edmonton Oilers Jerseys Florida Panthers Shop Free Shipping Wholesale Los Angeles Kings Jerseys Minnesota Wild Outlet Store Cheap Adidas Nashville Predators Jerseys Cheap Adidas New York Islanders Jerseys New York Rangers Winter Classic Jerseys Cheap Adidas Ottawa Senators Jerseys Cheap Adidas Philadelphia Flyers Jerseys Wholesale Pittsburgh Penguins Jerseys Cheap Adidas San Jose Sharks Jerseys St. Louis Blues Winter Classic Jerseys Wholesale Tampa Bay Lightning Jerseys Toronto Maple Leafs Outlet Store Vancouver Canucks Outlet Store Cheap Adidas Vegas Golden Knights Jerseys Cheap Adidas Washington Capitals Jerseys Cheap Adidas Winnipeg Jets Jerseys ' ' '

SAN ANTONIO -- The Spurs play a style thats been described as boring and ugly at times, so it only made sense that they felt comfortable down the stretch against Charlotte in a game their own coach said was "hard to watch." Tim Duncan had 17 points and 16 rebounds, and San Antonio overcame a sluggish start to beat the Bobcats 92-82 on Friday night. The Spurs clinched their 17th consecutive winning season, dating to Duncans first with the team. Manu Ginobili scored 15 points, Marco Belinelli and Patty Mills added 14 each and Kawhi Leonard had 12 for San Antonio (42-16). "Im really proud of how they hung in and realized it was a 48-minute game," coach Gregg Popovich said. "Manu didnt have a good game for a while, but down the stretch he came through. He and Timmy, they executed well; Patty really well (and), obviously, Marco was a big help. Overall it was a hell of a win against a very good basketball team." Al Jefferson scored 20 points and former Spurs guard Gary Neal added 15 for Charlotte (27-31), which had its four-game winning streak snapped. Gerald Henderson scored 12 and Kemba Walker 11. San Antonio had 19 turnovers, but only one in the final 6 minutes of the game. That helped the Spurs overcome a 14-point deficit in the first half. "Fourteen points in this league is nothing," Bobcats coach Steve Clifford said. "Especially against a team like that, that shoots the ball like that. I think the way you look at it, to me, is you want to have a chance on the road at the end of the game to win, which we did." There were three ties and two lead changes in the final 7 minutes as the Spurs celebrated Military Appreciation Night with camouflage uniforms. Ginobili blocked Walkers layup attempt and drew a charge on Jefferson on consecutive possessions. Duncan followed with a 15-foot jumper that gave San Antonio an 82-80 lead with 1:43 remaining. Duncan then fired a pass to Belinelli in the right corner for a 3-pointer over Neal that gave the Spurs an 85-80 edge. "We know (Neals) a bad defender. All he wants to do is shoot," Duncan said, smiling afterward. "We took advantage of that. Gary was great tonight, actually. He played hard, played well." Neal said he knew that play was coming off an inbounds set, but Duncan simply executed it well. "Ive made a couple of 3s like that from Timmy over the 207 games I played here," Neal said. "Tim is a Hall of Famer. He made a great play. Thats what he does. Thats why the Spurs are so successful." Duncan had six assists and shot 6 for 12 from the field, including 4 of 4 in the second half. Ginobili later completed a three-point play after rolling in a left-handed layup from the right side of the rim just beyond the reach of Jefferson and Henderson to put San Antonio up 88-80. The rally helped the Spurs wipe away a second straight sluggish start at home. "Its frustrating at times that were not able to come out of the gates and play the way we want to play night in and night out," Duncan said. "To play through the ups and downs and find a way to win a game like that is good for us." Charlotte led throughout the first half, extending its cushion to 34-20 with 8:26 remaining on three free throws by Anthony Tolliver. Showing the type of ball movement the Spurs are normally known for, the Bobcats had 15 assists on 19 first-half baskets. San Antonio had only three assists early in the game, missing all but five of its first 17 shots while shooting 30 per cent. "Its hard to watch, isnt it?" Popovich said, laughing when a reporter responded that the game was ugly. "Appreciate your honesty. The turnovers are how we dug a hole for ourselves in the first half. The only thing that kept us in the first half is we hit five 3s." Charlotte built its advantage with little help from Walker, the teams second-leading scorer. He had only three points, going 1 for 8 from the field in the first half. Ginobilis 3-pointer gave the Spurs their first lead at 51-49 with 5:21 left in the third. His second 3 gave San Antonio a 64-57 advantage and brought a loud cheer from the sold-out crowd, which began buzzing in anticipation before he even released the ball. "We made too many mistakes and we got away from our defensive principles," Jefferson said. "The one thing we know about San Antonio is you have to play 48 minutes because they are not going to stop what theyre doing." NOTES: With his 12th rebound, Duncan passed Hakeem Olajuwon (13,748) for 12th on the NBAs career list. At 13,753 rebounds, Duncan is 16 shy of tying Wes Unseld for 11th. "Obviously, I watched (Olajuwon) growing up playing and played against him for a little while," Duncan said. "I respect what he did throughout his career. Its an honour." ... Neal and Duncan shook hands and hugged following a timeout with 4 minutes remaining after Duncan glared at his former teammate before giving a sly smile. ... Spurs point guard Tony Parker sat behind the teams bench as he continues to recover from a series of leg maladies that began before the All-Star break. ... Charlotte C Brenden Haywood (broken left foot) and F Jeff Taylor (ruptured right Achilles) sat out. Cheap Jacksonville Jaguars Jerseys Online .ca NHL Power Rankings, ahead of the Chicago Blackhawks, St. Louis Blues and Anaheim Ducks. Moving up, from 10 to seven this week, the Pittsburgh Penguins have won seven straight despite a depleted lineup. Discount Jacksonville Jaguars Jerseys . LOUIS -- To stay a step ahead of goaltenders, T. http://www.jaguarscheap.com/.B. -- Canadas Rachel Homan had ideal preparation for the playoffs at the Ford World Curling Championships with a pair of hard-fought wins over tenacious opponents Thursday. Wholesale Jacksonville Jaguars Jerseys . The former central defender calmly nodded it down and quietly went about celebrating a win with his staff. For a man who has had a lot on his shoulders this season, it was an appropriate moment. Stitched Jacksonville Jaguars Jerseys . Louis Blues and back into top spot of the TSN.ca NHL Power Rankings. The Sharks had been ranked No.Canada has already had two close calls for medals on the luge track in Sochi. Those fourth-place finishers will join forces on Thursday, trying once again to climb onto the podium in the new Olympic sport of luge team relay. Womens slider Alex Gough, mens slider Sam Edney, and the doubles pair of Justin Snith and Tristan Walker will compete for Canada in the events Olympic debut at the Sanki Sliding Center. Both Gough and the doubles team came in fourth in their respective events andd spoke after their races about ignoring the disappointment of missing out on a medal by mere fractions of a second, concentrating on this race instead.dddddddddddd The Canadians, all hailing from Calgary except for Walker, who is from nearby Cochrane, Alta., had plenty of success on the World Cup circuit in team relay this past season, picking up four silver medals in six attempts. The event will get underway at 11:15 a.m. ET, with the Canadians set to start second-last. 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CHICAGO -- Jose Abreu is not going to let the pressure get to him. The touted rookie from Cuba hit a game-winning grand slam with two outs in the ninth inning for his second home run of the night, rallying the Chicago White Sox past the Tampa Bay Rays 9-6 on Friday. Evan Longorias two-run homer in the top of the ninth put Tampa Bay ahead 6-4, but the White Sox werent done. Abreus drive off closer Grant Balfour (0-1) won it after Chicago pitchers combined for 11 walks. Abreu, who signed a $68 million, six-year contract in the off-season, finished with three hits and six RBIs. He became the first rookie in major league history to hit nine home runs by the end of April. "I really didnt have any expectations. As a matter of fact, I was talking to Albert Pujols during spring training and he told me, Hey, dont worry about hitting the home runs early in the season since its your first season and all that," Abreu said through a translator. "So I wasnt trying to hit them -- they have just happened." Balfour gave up a one-out double to Alejandro De Aza in the ninth, then walked Tyler Flowers and pinch-hitter Paul Konerko. As Konerko trotted to first, Balfour and Konerko exchanged words. "I dont know. I know his thing after every pitch, he comes way in. Likes to get the ball, likes to stare at you, stare at the hitter," Konerko said. "Thats fine, no big deal. You know thats what he likes to do. After I walked there, he is close to me, eye contact was made and I start to run down the line and I heard yelling. I dont know what he was yelling about. I was just trying to make sure it wasnt toward my direction. Thats really it. I think he was probably yelling at himself to get going or get better. When someone that close is yelling, you want to find out why." Balfour said he wasnt trying to show up Konerko. "Im angry at myself, so if he wants to yell at me, whatever. I wasnt yelling at him. I was frustrated by the fact I missed by 6 feet back there," Balfour said. "This is a frustrating night for me. I know Im better than that. So Ill come back tomorrow and turn the page. If I get an opportunity, go out there and get it done." Adam Eaton hit a grounder to second base, but Tampa Bay was unable to turn the double play after getting a force at second. Rays manager Joe Maddon challenged the call, but Eaton clearly beat the throw to first and the ruling was upheld on replay. Balfour walked Marcus Semien to load the bases again and Abreu drove an 0-1 pitch to right-centre for his ninth home run. "Pretty impressive. Really a big, strong fella with a controlled attitude at the plate thats not a wild swinger. You have to make good pitches to him or hes going to hurt you like he did tonight," Maddon said. "Its not fun when that happens, but Im still going to go out for my Guinness tonight regardless." Matt Joyce drew his team-record fifth walk of the game leading off the ninth against White Sox reliever Matt Lindstrom (2-1). Longoria followed with his third home run of the season to centre to break a 4-all tie. Tyler Flowers had two hits and two RBIs for the White Sox in the opener of a four-game series. Chicago starter Erik Johnson couldnt get out of the second inning. The Rays tied a club mark by drawing 11 walks. Tampa Bay starter Chris Archer pitched six-plus innings. He allowed four runs and nine hits. With the Rays trailing 1-0 in the second, Yunel Escobar and Ryan Hanigan hit back-to-back RBI singles. Ben Zobrist followed with an RBI double. Johnson was chased after walking Joyce with the bases loaded on his 39th pitch of the inning, giving the Rays a 4-1 lead. The Rays batted around against Johnson in the second. Abreu hit a solo shot in the third and the White Sox tied it in the fourth when Flowers lined a two-run single with the bases loaded. But a baserunning gaffe by Chicago prevented a potentially bigger inning. Eaton grounded back to Archer, who caught De Aza between third and home. De Aza was eventually tagged out in a rundown, then Flowers was tagged out while trying to go to third. The Rays had the bases loaded with one out in the fifth, but Hanigan grounded into an inning-ending double play. "Its one of those games, if you permit it to fester, it will, and if you dont permit it, it wont," Maddon said. "So for me, its a loss and a loss is a loss is a loss. Of course, we really had a chance to win that game, but youve got to come and play tomorrow -- you dont get a week off." After missing five games with a mild left knee strain, Eaton led off the first inning with a single and stole second. He later scored on Abreus single. NOTES: Before the game, the White Sox claimed reliever Hector Noesi off waivers from Texas. He is expected to throw a bullpen before Saturdays game. ... Rays LHP Cesar Ramos will start Saturday in place of LHP Matt Moore, who had Tommy John surgery Tuesday. Orlando Magic Jerseys . Mike Babcock has turned to the Montreal Canadiens goalie over Roberto Luongo, who backed Canada to a gold medal in Vancouver in 2010, for Canadas final preliminary round game against the ailing Finns. Dwight Howard Jersey . -- Catriona Matthew remained atop the Airbus LPGA Classic leaderboard Friday, birdieing four of the last seven holes to take a one-stroke advantage over Charley Hull into the weekend. http://www.magicauthentic.com/kids-jason...gic-jersey/.com) - Baltimore Ravens running back Justin Forsett is active for Sundays matchup with the Miami Dolphins. Evan Fournier Jersey . -- James Harden scored 31 points, including 25 in the second half, and the Houston Rockets dug out of a double-digit, first-half hole to beat the Orlando Magic 101-89 on Wednesday night. Jerian Grant Jersey . The 17-time Grand Slam champion, who lose three straight finals in Monte Carlo to Rafael Nadal from 2006-08, has not played in the tournament since 2011, when he lost to Jurgen Melzer in the quarterfinals. DALLAS -- Being the subject of trade rumours has not slowed down Martin St. Louis. St. Louis scored two goals for the second consecutive game to lead the Tampa Bay Lightning to a 4-2 win over the Dallas Stars on Saturday afternoon. The Lightning had lost five of their previous seven games, including a 3-2 loss to Nashville Thursday. Tampa Bay coach Jon Cooper said he wasnt thinking about that game when Dallas cut a 3-0 second-period deficit to 3-2. The Lightning won despite being outshot 41-21. "Clearly we were under siege for the second half of that second period, but I thought our goalie stood tall. Guys committed to blocking shots and kept pucks out." The 38-year-old St. Louis has been the subject of trade rumours, but with the Lightning fourth in the NHLs Eastern Conference, they might not want to send away their scoring leader. "That kid comes to play, and thats what you want in a player," Cooper said. "And all this speculation of him being moved or asking for a trade, that doesnt come into one spot of our locker room of trying to win a hockey game. "We needed four goals to win tonight, and he had two of them. You need that from one of your go-to guys." Nate Thompson and Sami Salo also scored for Tampa Bay. Victor Hedman and Ondrej Palat each had two assists. Goalie Ben Bishop cooled off Dallas by making 39 saves for his 29th win. Antoine Roussel and Vernon Fiddler each had a goal and an assist for Dallas. "Hes a big man," Fiddler said of the 6-foot-7 Bishop. "He covers a lot of the net. He made some big saves." The four goals allowed by Stars goalie Kari Lehtonen were his most in 12 games, since a 4-3 loss to Colorado Jan. 27. He made 17 saves. The Stars, who had been 7-1-2 in their previous 10 games, remained eighth in the Western Conference. St. Louis scored just 1:25 into the game. Eric Brewer sent a shot from the slot wide right, but the puck hit St. Louis left leg and deflected into the near side of the net past Lehtonen. The Lightning had another chance on a 2-on-1 rush 7 minutes later, but Lehtonen deflected Ryan Malones shot away into the left corner. At 12:09, Thompson gave Tampa Bay a 2-0 lead by deflecting Hedmans drive from the left point over Lehtonens left shoulder. That was the seventh shot on goal, equaling the Lightnings total for the final two periods in Thursdays loss to Nashville. Hedman earned his 100th career assist. "They got a break on the first two," Stars coach Lindy Ruff said. "One was off the side of St. Louis, and the next shot was about 4 or 5 feet high and probably going wide, butt they got a stick on it.dddddddddddd" Tampa Bay outshot Dallas 11-8 in the period. The Stars dominated the second period, outshooting the Lightning 18-7. However, Tampa Bay scored on St. Louis breakaway for a 3-0 lead at 14:31. Dallas intensified its pressure, and scored twice to go into the final period trailing 3-2. At 15:50, Roussel deflected Kevin Connautons shot from the left wing boards off Lightning defenceman Michael Kostkas skate and past Bishop. Fiddler scored on a wraparound at 18:11. It was only the fourth goal for Fiddler and 10th for Roussel, who play on a defensive line with Ryan Garbutt. They combined for nine shots on goal Saturday. "When the Olympic break ended, we had a fresh start," Fiddler said. "We know weve got to get scoring throughout the lineup." The Stars had chances while on a power play for the periods final 22 seconds, but couldnt score again. "It was good we had the intermission to kind of talk about things," Bishop said. "I think Samis goal (at 7:12 of the third) was big. I think that was what sealed the game and kind of gave us a little more oomph there to finish the third period and kill off a couple penalties." In the third, Fiddlers line continued to pressure Bishop. He stopped good scoring chances by Fiddler and Garbutt early in the third. "We needed to fight back, and we did," Ruff said. "When it was 3-2, we had two or three unbelievable opportunities to tie it up. If Fiddler takes another look and just gets it up, its in the net." Salo extended Tampa Bays lead to 4-2. He took a pass off a faceoff in the neutral zone, skated in to the high slot and sent a slap shot into the top of the net. "I think we kind of burst their bubble when we got that fourth one," Cooper said. NOTES: Before Thursday, St. Louis hadnt scored since a four-goal game Jan. 18. He has scored 29 times, with multiple goals in seven games. He has a five-game point streak (four goals, three assists, seven points). ... Palat has at least a point in four consecutive games. ... Dallas had outscored its previous 10 opponents 31-13. ... The Lightning have a 5-0-2 record in the past seven games against the Stars. The teams hadnt met in more than 2 years, since Tampa Bays 2-1 victory Jan. 20, 2012, in Dallas. ... A puck sent into the Stars bench hit Ruff in the head, cutting him between his eyebrows. "Ive been hit harder. I have a small cut and a little headache," he said ... The Stars are 1-5-3 this season in games when theyve had 40 or more shots on goal. . Dallas defenceman Brenden Dillon was inactive because of a lower-body injury. 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(SportsNetwork.com) - The Oakland Athletics needed to rely on a lot of young pitchers to win an American League West title this season. Theyll turn to one of those young arms on Tuesday, as they try to finish off the Detroit Tigers and advance to the American League Championship Series in Game 4 of the ALDS at Comerica Park. Dan Straily gets the call for the As, who will be trying to secure their first trip to the ALCS since 2006 when they were swept by the Tigers. The 24-year-old righty made 27 starts this season for the As and went 10-8 with a 3.96 ERA. Like Sonny Gray on Saturday, Straily will be making his first postseason start tonight. "We come in here and were a very confident group," Straily said of the As young staff. "Just because everyone hasnt heard of us, doesnt mean that we dont belong here, that we arent good enough to be here. We all know what we can do individually and accomplish as a group as well." Straily has made one career start against the Tigers, coming at Comerica on Aug. 28. He threw six innings of one-run, eight-hit ball and was credited with the victory in a 14-4 win. After splitting the first two games of this series in Oakland, the Athletics seized control of the best-of-five set Monday, as Seth Smith smacked a two-run homer and Brandon Moss added a solo shot as part of a three-run fifth inning in the As 6-3 win. Josh Reddick cracked a solo blast as well for Oakland, which pounded out 10 hits after tallying just 11 with three runs through the first two games. Oakland, of course, was up among league leaders with 186 homers on the season. "Thats the logic with our team," said Josh Reddick, who hit the other homer. "Were going to strike out and were going to hit the long ball, so once we get those going, its going to be a good day. And to do it against a guy like (Anibal) Sanchez, whos been great all year, it does a lot for your confidence coming into tomorrow." Grant Balfour tossed a scoreless ninth for the save. He and Victor Martinez traded barbs during an at-bat, which caused the benches and bullpens to empty. "He was staring me down," said Balfour. "So I said, Why you staring me down? Whats your problem right now? You got a problem, come out here. So he came out. We had a few words. No big deal. I like the fire. Obviously he does, too." Coco Crisp had two doubles among his three hits to go with an RBI and a run scored, while Jarrod Parker (1-0) surrendered three runs on five hits and a walk over five innings to pick up the win. Teams that have gone ahead 2-1 in the Division Series have won it 35 out of 43 times, and nine of the last 10. And the As lost two in a row just once in their final 35 games this season. "Were good. We know what we have," Tigers third baseman Miguel Cabrera said. "We have to be ready to play tomorrow and try to force Game 5." Sanchez (0-1), the ALs ERA leader (2.57), allowed just 0.45 homers per nine innings during the season, but gave up all three of the Oakland homers in his 4 1/3 frames of work. Sanchez was shelled for six runs -- five earned -- on eight hits and two walks for the Tigers, who have scored in just two innings so far in this series. "Hes my guy, and he did lead the league in earned-run average," said Detroit manager Jim Leyland. "You figure hes going to get out of it at any time, because hes good at making pitches." Hoping for a little more support on Tuesday will be righty Doug Fister, who won 14 games and pitched to a 3.67 ERA this season. "Hes one of our four," Leyland said. "Hes a competitor. He keeps the infielders and outfielders on their toes because he works fast. Hes a terrific fielder. He has movement and his forte is to make them miss-hit the ball. He makes them miss-hit the ball, put it in play and makes the defense work." Fister, who was rocked to the tune of seven runs in five innings in that Aug. 28 tilt with the As, has pitched well in the postseason, going 2-3 with a 2.97 ERA in six games (5 starts). "Its not going to change anything. Its the same as any other start that we have made all year," Fister said of being tasked with extending his teams season. "Its one of those things that Im honored to be able to pitch, period. When your name is called, youre ready to go. And thats kind of the way things have been and thats my mindset. Weve just got to out there and play like we always would." Detroit, which lost four of seven games against the As during the season, has beaten Oakland the last two times these teams have met in the postseason. The As only win against the Tigers in the playoffs came in the 1972 ALCS, which started a run of three consecutive world titles for Oakland. Washington Wizards Jerseys . Cruz set the tone with a two-run homer in the first inning, and Baltimore scored eight times in the eighth to pull away for a 12-3 victory in Game 1. The major league leader with 40 homers during the regular season, Cruz added an RBI single to his early blast off Max Scherzer. Bradley Beal Jersey . The Twins announced Thursday the 28-year-old Albers cleared waivers. He will join the Hanwha Eagles of the Korea Baseball Organization. http://www.cheapwizardsjerseyssale.com/k...wizards-jersey/. - Connor McDavid scored twice and added two assists as the Erie Otters beat the Sarnia Sting 7-3 on Saturday night in Ontario Hockey League action. Otto Porter Jersey . "I never commented to anyone that I wanted out," he explained. "My heart is with this group and making the playoffs." Kesler added that the rumours are "completely false" that he asked to be traded - recently or ever. Jeff Green Jersey . With Bernard hurt, the second-round pick has emerged.Hill ran for 152 yards during a 27-10 win at New Orleans on Sunday, his second big game. He also ran for 154 yards against Jacksonville earlier this season.San Jose, CA (SportsNetwork.com) - Antti Niemi made 25 saves and six different Sharks scored as San Jose used a five-goal second period to ease past the Anaheim Ducks, 6-3, on Thursday. Patrick Marleau, Barclay Goodrow and James Sheppard each tallied a goal and an assist and Brenden Dillon, Matt Irwin and Joe Pavelski also scored for the Sharks, who have won seven straight home games against the Ducks. Special teams got us going and it was good to see, Pavelski said. Andrew Cogliano, Patrick Maroon and Matt Beleskey all lit the lamp for the Ducks, who had their six-game winning streak come to a screeching halt. Ilya Bryzgalov gave up all six goals on 25 shots and Frederik Andersen turned aside all eight shots fired his way in relief. If I made a couple of saves on some of those goals, it might be different, said Bryzgalov. The Sharks seized control with five goals during the middle stanza. Goodrow started the drastic momentum shift 2:15 into the frame as he shot the puck through Bryzgalovs pads and Marleau made it a 3-1 game four minutes later after he deflected Brent Burns point shot. Irwin stepped up into the slot annd wristed a shot past a screened Bryzgalov at 12:37, Sheppard found twine with a wrister off the rush two minutes later and Dillon made it a 6-1 game after his cross-ice feed on a short-handed two-on- one went in off a sliding Beleskey with 3:53 left in the second.dddddddddddd Anaheim got one back after Beleskeys fluttering backhander fooled Niemi just 1:23 into the third and Maroon accounted for the final score with 1:10 to play as he took Hampus Lindholms cross-ice pass and ripped a wrister short side. Cogliano gave the Ducks an early lead after he deposited a rebound in front just 4:57 into the game. San Jose tied the game less than three minutes later as Pavelski redirected Joe Thorntons offering past Bryzgalov during a power play. Game Notes The Ducks last won in San Jose on March 19, 2012 ... Pavelski and Maroon each scored in a third straight game for their respective teams ... The Ducks suffered their first regulation loss when scoring first. They entered the game with a 23-0-5 record when doing so ... The Sharks improved to 3-1-1 on a seven-game homestand. 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The spongy instruments add another level of scientific difficulty, which in turn makes for much more insane celebrations when things go right. To be fair, the celebrations are already anything but tame. Nerf ball tricks shots are just the tip of the iceberg for a group that has performed in zero gravity, faced pro-skateboarder Rob Dyrdek and an assembled team on the MTV series "Fantasy Factory", and even hit a basketball trick shot from a passing blimp. This video in real time will blow your mind. The slow-motion footage will likely do further damage. Pavol Demitra Jersey . That still leaves a big hole.You dont replace the leadership, defensive co-ordinator Billy Davis said. You just dont. Leadership is something that is earned over time. Tony Twist Jersey . Louis Cardinals a hard-fought victory. The Colorado Rockies intentionally walked Yadier Molina with one out and runners on first and third to load the bases for Kozma. http://www.cheapbluesjerseys.info/authen...r-blues-jersey/. -- Arizona pitcher Bronson Arroyo is expected to miss a week to 10 days because of a back injury. Vladimir Tarasenko Jersey . Old times for a defence that has looked just plain old recently? "No," safety Ryan Clark said. "We used to be much better than that. Joe Mullen Jersey . Jackson Houck added a goal and two assists for the Giants (28-23-10), who halted a five-game slide, while Tyler Morrison, Mason Geertsen and Dominik Volek each scored once. Matt Bellerive scored both goals for the Blazers (12-43-5), who are 1-9-0 in their last 10 outings.With the regular season right around the corner, TSN.ca profiles each NBA division before the first tip. TSN Basketball analyst Jack Armstrong also gives his pick for division champ and a player to keep an eye on this season. We finish our trip around the NBA with the Southeast Conference where the defending champion Miami Heat begin life without LeBron James, John Wall and the Washington Wizards look to emerge as an Eastern Conference power, while the Hornets return to Charlotte for the first time since 2002. Atlanta Hawks Jeff Teague in 2013-14: 16.5 PPG, 6.7 APG, .438 FG% Coach: Mike Budenholzer (second season) GM: Danny Ferry (third season) Last year: 38-44, fourth in Southeast (eighth in Eastern Conference) Playoffs: Lost in first round to Pacers Notable additions: SG/SF Thabo Sefolosha (acquired from Thunder), PF Adreian Payne (drafted) and SG Kent Bazemore ($4M, two-year deal) Notable subtractions: SF Louis Williams (traded to Raptors) and SF/SG Cartier Martin (signed with Pistons) Hawks Depth Chart POSITION STARTER BENCH Point Guard Jeff Teague Dennis Schroder, Shelvin Mack Shooting Guard Kyle Korver Kent Bazemore, John Jenkins Small Forward DeMarre Carroll Thabo Sefolosha Power Forward Paul Milsap Mike Scott, Elton Brand, Adreian Payne Centre Al Horford Pero Antic, Mike Muscala Few teams are looking forward to the regular season more than the Atlanta Hawks and not because of why they should be looking forward to this year. The Hawks should be looking forward to the regular season because they were gamers in the playoffs. Fading down the stretch in the regular seasons, the Hawks looked to be a soft touch in the postseason, but they were a big surprise, taking the top-seeded Pacers to a surprising seventh game in the first round. That should have been a momentum builder for a team struggling to assert itself in the Eastern Conference. Instead, nobody is even talking about the Hawks on the court. The real reason why the Hawks are looking forward to the regular season is because actual basketball might shift the focus away from their front office’s disaster of an offseason. Mired in scandal stemming from a racist e-mail sent by general manager, Danny Ferry (now on leave), the Hawks hope that the regular season will provide some sort of respite from this massive PR nightmare. Though, Ferry isn’t with the team or involved with day-to-day operations, the longer the situation persists and the longer the team is in search of new ownership, the Hawks have a cloud hanging over them. As the Clippers can attest to last season, off-court issues will distract as best the players attempt to put them on the backburner. This certainly isn’t something any of the players have asked for or deserved, but it’s up to them to persevere. On the court, the Hawks’ fortunes are tied to Al Horford’s health. Horford going down in December with a shoulder injury (his second major shoulder injury in three seasons) limited him to just 29 games last year and ensured that the Hawks would be life-and-death for the playoffs. A two-time All-Star, Horford can take the Hawks from a very average team to a pretty decent one and a club that will contend for the playoffs. Elsewhere, Thabo Sefolosha returns to the Eastern Conference looking for a fresh start. Sefolosha fell out of favour in Oklahoma City, but feels that he can still be a major contributor and can play starter’s minutes. He’ll be afforded the chance to prove his credentials under Mike Budenholzer and the Hawks will gladly welcome a return to form. Still, the team is in for a fight in the East and might not have the horses to make a return to the postseason. They will need more steady production in the back from Jeff Teague and hope that being in a contract year raises the game of Paul Millsap. If anything, after what they’ve gone through with this team, Hawks fans deserve a winner or, at the very least, a club that won’t embarrass them on the court. Projection: Fourth in the Southeast (10th in the Eastern Conference) Charlotte Hornets Lance Stephenson in 2013-14 (with Pacers): 13.8 PPG, 7.2 RPG, .491 FG% Coach: Steve Clifford (second season) GM: Rich Cho (fourth season) Last year: 43-39, third in Central (seventh in Eastern Conference) Playoffs: Lost in first round to Heat Notable additions: SG Lance Stephenson ($18M, two-year deal), SF/PF Marvin Williams ($14M, two-year deal), SG PJ Hairston (acquired from Heat), PF Noah Vonleh (drafted) and PG Brian Roberts ($5.59M, two-year deal) Notable subtractions: PF Josh McRoberts (signed with Heat), PF Anthony Tolliver (signed with Suns) and PG Luke Ridnour (signed with Magic) Hornets Depth Chart POSITION STARTER BENCH Point Guard Kemba Walker Brian Roberts, Jannero Pargo Shooting Guard Lance Stephenson Gerald Henderson, Gary Neal, PJ Hairston Small Forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist Jeff Taylor Power Forward Marvin Williams Cody Zeller, Noah Vonleh, Jason Maxiell Centre Al Jefferson Bismack Biyombo The Bobcats are the Hornets again (because the Hornets are the Pelicans now…look, let’s not get into this. It actually makes sense, I promise) and Charlotte is a team on the upswing after making only its second postseason appearance in a decade Like its first appearance in the playoffs, last season ended in a first-round sweep, but fortunes are looking up for Michael Jordan’s club. Lance Stephenson comes over from the Pacers as the team’s prized free agent signing. Stephenson led the league in triple-doubles last season with five and represents a massive upgrade at the two. He’s a creative, two-way player with explosive speed. He can also be temperamental as seen in last year’s playoffs, including the ridiculous episode of blowing in LeBron James’s ear. The Hornets figure that Stephenson’s extracurriculars can be reined (as well as his below-average shot selection) in Charlotte and he can get a fresh start with a team crying out for a player of his ilk. His contract isn’t remotely egregious and, if Stephenson can perform up to the level he’s capable of, he could end up being a steal. His partnership with Kemba Walker will be a fun one to watch this season. The other addition to the Hornets’ starting five is Marvin Williams to replace Josh McRoberts who headed south to Miami. Williams is a serviceable veteran who can stretch the floor, but he’s a downgrade to McRoberts, who was a surprisingly adept playmaker for a guy of his size. The addition of Williams should also be seen as a bit of a warning sign to Cody Zeller. If the fourth-overall pick in the 2013 had any designs of starting with McRoberts gone, those were dashed with Williams coming aboard. Zeller got better as his rookie campaign progressed, but he’s still a long way’s away from being the impact player that Hornets fans hoped they drafted. This is also a pivotal year for Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. While a fine perimeter defender who will gladly welcome the help that Stephenson will provide in that regard, MKG has struggled mightily with his offensive game in the pros. A gifted athlete, Kidd-Gilchrist’s offensive inefficiency is forgiven due to his tenacity for the most part, but his jump shot needs to improve in a hurry so that his offensive game doesn’t go from a detractor to an actual burden for the Hornets. The only lights out member of the Hornets frontcourt is Al Jefferson, who quietly had an outstanding season last year (21.8 PPG and 10.8 RPG). The Hornets have more depth this season, but the absence of McRoberts will hurt. That said, Stephenson is going to help a lot and the Hornets should even win their first playoff game this season. They might not take a series, but you will see progress. Projection: Third in the Southeast (sixth in the Eastern Conference) Miami Heat Chris Bosh in 2013-14: 16.2 PPG, 6.6 APG, 1.0 SPG Coach: Erik Spoelstra (seventh season) GM: Pat Riley (20th season) Last year: 54-28, first in Southeast (second in Eastern Conference) Playoffs: Lost in NBA Finals to Spurs Notable additions: SF Luol Deng ($20M, two-year deal), SF Danny Granger ($4.25M, two-year deal), PF Josh McRoberts ($22.65M, four-year deal), SG/PG Shannon Brown (claimed from Knicks) and PG Shabazz Napier (acquired from Hornets) Notable subtractions: SF LeBron James (signed with Cavs), SF Michael Beasley (signed with Grizzlies), SG Mike Miller (signed with Cavs), SG Ray Allen (unsigned) C Greg Oden (unsigned) and SG/SF Shane Battier (retired) Heat Depth Chart POSITION STARTER BENCH Point Guard Norris Cole Mario Chalmers, Shabazz Napier Shooting Guard Dwyane Wade Shannon Brown, Andre Dawkins Small Forward Luol Deng Danny Granger, James Ennis Power Forward Shawne Williams Udonis Haslem, Josh McRoberts (IR) Centre Chris Bosh Chris Andersen, Justin Hamilton A year ago, it would have sounded utterly bizarre, but the Miami Heat finds itself in the role of underdog for the first time in recent memory. With LeBron James taking his talents away from South Beach and the Big Three down to a duo, there are no more givens in Miami and this team will have to fight for everything it gets this season. Obviously, the best player on the planet is irreplaceable and the hole LBJ leaves is immense, but there are still some very good basketball players on this team and the Heat are far from dead just yet. As the forgotten member of the Miami troika, people tend to overlook just how dominant Chris Bosh has proven himself capable of being. It’s not so much that he forgot to how to hack and slash in the paint or be a double-double man every night, menacing the boards when he left Toronto– his role changed. He was no longer the focal point of an offence and he dropped back into a tertiary role. With James gone and Dwyane Wade’s health of constant concern, the Miami Heat is very much Chris Bosh’s team right now. I don’t think anybody is expecting him to score the near 25 points a night he averaged in his final year in Toronto, but you’re going to see an assertiveness that Bosh has yet to show with the Heat. Choosing to stick with the Heat, rather than signing with the Houston Rockets and becoming the third guy in another Big Three, Bosh hass reaffirmed his desire to be a number-one scoring option and lead a team.dddddddddddd In many ways, this could be the most important season in his career. As for Wade, Erik Spoelstra had the luxury of resting the 10-time All-Star as often as he liked last season, knowing that the scoring would be taken care of from James. It was more important to have Wade ready for a playoff run. That luxury doesn’t exist anymore. Not to take anything away from what a Luol Deng or a Josh McRoberts can bring to the table, the Heat will need more from Flash. Wade is an all-time great and will welcome the challenge – it’s all a matter of his body being willing to do so. He’s only 32, but it’s an old 32, considering the wear and tear. Wade hasn’t played anything close to a full season in three years, so it might be optimistic to expect him to do so now. As Wade goes, so will the Heat. Even after James’s exit, the Heat retain a vast majority of last season’s team. Along with Bosh and Wade, the likes of Norris Cole, Mario Chalmers, Udonis Haslem and Birdman Andersen are back in tow. Obviously, the loss of James means big changes in terms of actual systems and a game plan, but Spoelstra has players he can trust and is greatly familiar with to make those adjustments. The Heat will struggle like they haven’t in sometime, but the post-James era won’t be nearly as rough as their first season after Shaquille O’Neal left where the team was the worst in the conference. Though not the juggernaut they were, not close, the Heat will still be a playoff team and they have enough veteran savvy and quality to make the team that everybody will want to avoid in the first round. Projection: Second in Southeast (fifth in Eastern Conference) Orlando Magic Victor Oladipo in 2013-14: 13.8 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 4.1 APG Coach: Jacque Vaughn (third season) GM: Rob Hennigan Last year: 23-59, fifth in Southeast (12th in Eastern Conference) Playoffs: Did not qualify Notable additions: PF Aaron Gordon (drafted), PF/C Channing Frye ($32M, four-year deal), SG Evan Fournier (acquired from Nuggets), PG Elfrid Payton (acquired from Sixers), SG Willie Green (claimed from Clippers), SG Ben Gordon ($9M, two-year deal) and PG Luke Ridnour ($5M, two-year deal) Notable subtractions: PG Jameer Nelson (waived, signed with Mavericks), SG Arron Afflalo (traded to Nuggets) and SG/PG ETwaun Moore (signed with Bulls) Magic Depth Chart POSITION STARTER BENCH Point Guard Elfrid Payton Luke Ridnour Shooting Guard Evan Fournier Ben Gordon, Willie Green, Victor Oladipo (IR) Small Forward Maurice Harkless Devyn Marble Power Forward Tobias Harris Aaron Gordon, Kyle OQuinn, Channing Frye (IR) Centre Nikola Vucevic Andrew Nicholson, Dewayne Dedmon The Magic were in the basement of the Southeast a year ago and will be back there again this season. The team went with youth in a big way last season with impressive rookie Victor Oladipo being thrown right into the fire, playing 31 minutes a night and finishing second in Rookie of the Year voting. They’re going to do that again this season, but they’ve supplemented the kids with some savvy veterans. Still, this team is going to have trouble scoring and the goal this season will be an attempt to form some sort of identity going forward. In June’s draft, the Magic just missed out on one of the three franchise-changers in Andrew Wiggins, Jabari Parker and Joel Embiid and went with a guy considered a reach with the fourth pick in Aaron Gordon. Gordon has a good head on his shoulders and is a superior athlete with impressive smarts. He’s got a good first step and doesn’t take plays off. The issue with Gordon is the questions around whether or not he’s going to be able to score at an NBA level. He scored 12.4 points a game in his only year at Arizona and doesn’t handle the ball particularly well. He’s not the thickest guy in the world and will certainly need to bulk up. Don’t look for Gordon to be given the responsibility that Oladipo was last season and that’s for the best because Oladipo was much more of a polished product coming out of Indiana. Still, he’s only 19 and has room to grow and Orlando is a great situation for that. The team’s other first-rounder, Elfrid Payton, Jr., son of CFL Hall of Famer, Elfrid Payton, is likely to see more of a workload than Gordon in his freshman campaign out of necessity. With Jameer Nelson allowed to go in search of a winner, Payton gets to start at the one. A tenacious defender, look for Payton to be among the league’s leaders in steals in a hurry. He’s big for a point guard and cuts well, but will need to work on his shot. Like Gordon (and most rookies, for that matter), Payton is going to need to pack on the muscle. The biggest challenge for the Magic seems to be on who’s going to score for this team. With Arron Afflalo and his near 19 points a game back in Denver and Oladipo on the shelf to start the year (next to the absurdly overpaid Channing Frye), there’s no obvious offensive leader. Tobias Harris regressed offensively last season and is a potential trade candidate and, while Nikola Vucevic looks to be a double-double guy every night, he’s not a dynamic scorer. The Magic are a couple of year away from contending for a playoff spot, but they have a couple of very nice pieces, and, by the time the team will be fighting for the postseason, the likes of Oladipo, Gordon and Payton will be just at the cusp of their best years. Couple that with another high lottery pick this year and the Magic’s cupboard is far from bare. Projected finish: Fifth in Southeast (12th in Eastern Conference) Washington Wizards John Wall in 2013-14: 19.3 PPG, 8.8 APG, .351 3P% Coach: Randy Wittman (third season) GM: Ernie Grunfeld (12th season) Last year: 44-38, second in Southeast (fifth in Eastern Conference) Playoffs: Lost in Eastern Conference semi-finals to Pacers Notable additions: SF Paul Pierce ($10.85M, two-year deal), PF/C DeJuan Blair (acquired from Mavericks), PF/C Kris Humphries (acquired from Celtics) and SF Rasual Butler ($1.45M, one-year deal) Notable subtractions: SF/SG Trevor Ariza (traded to Rockets) and PF Trevor Booker (signed with Jazz) Wizards Depth Chart POSITION STARTER BENCH Point Guard John Wall Andre Miller, Garrett Temple Shooting Guard Glen Rice, Jr. Martell Webster, Bradley Beal (IR) Small Forward Paul Pierce Otto Porter, Jr., Rasual Butler Power Forward Nene Hilario DeJuan Blair, Drew Gooden Centre Marcin Gortat Kris Humphries, Kevin Seraphin The Washington Wizards would have gladly driven LeBron James’s personal effects back to Akron, Ohio had he asked. The team that gained the second-most with James returning to the Cavs, the Wizards smell blood in the Southeast. The team is positioned to capture their first division crown since 1979 when the Bullets made an NBA Finals appearance. But it won’t come without adversity. The first challenge facing the Wizards is an injury to one half of the House of Guards in Bradley Beal. Breaking his wrist in the preseason, Beal was lucky not to incur any ligament damage, which would have put his entire season in question. As it stands, Beal should be out until mid-December, though, the two-guard himself is optimistic about coming back earlier than that. The 21-year-old is coming off of a breakout campaign in his sophomore season and forms, along with John Wall, one of the most dynamic young backcourts in the NBA. The sooner Beal is back, the better. Randy Wittman’s team feels prepared to weather the storm of his absence, namely because of Wall. Blistering speed, supreme vision and no shortage of panache have made the 24-year-old one of the best point guards in the NBA with a claim to perhaps being the best. An absolutely mind-blowing statistic about the emergence of Wall: the former Kentucky Wildcat assisted on 43 per cent of every field goal made when he was on the court last season. Even with Beal out, the Wizards’ backcourt is in good hands with Wall, but Beal isn’t the only injury concern there. Veteran Martell Webster is still feeling the aftereffects of a lingering back injury and Glen Rice, Jr., is banged up with an ankle sprain. Otto Porter, Jr., a forward by trade, will start the year at shooting guard. Though out of position, the Wizards believe that Porter’s athleticism is enough to adequately defend at the two. If you’re talking about the Wizards and health, you’d be remiss not to mention Nene. With Paul Pierce, who proved last season that reports of his demise were greatly exaggerated (just ask Kyle Lowry), and Marcin Gortat, who just missed out on averaging a double-double a night in his first year in DC (and was rewarded with a bumper new deal), comprising two-thirds of a solid frontcourt, the onus falls on the big Brazilian to stay fit. Nene’s two full seasons in Washington haven’t exactly been that, missing 21 games two years ago and 29 games last year. When he’s healthy, Nene is fine contributor on both sides of the ball and an imposing figure in the paint. The acquisitions of DeJuan Blair and Kris Humphries provide depth when it comes to bigs, but this Wizards team will be at its best if Nene is playing significant minutes. If the team can manage Beal’s early injury, make up for the loss of Trevor Ariza’s athleticism and get close to a full season out of Nene, the Wizards win this division. None is a given, but all three can be done and the Miami Heat are looking at the usurpers of their division crown. Projection: First in Southeast (fourth in Eastern Conference) Jack Armstrongs Pick: Bradley Beal in 2013-14: 17.1 PPG, 3.1 APG, .402 3P% Washington Wizards - The Wizards will deal with the early injury to Bradley Beal just fine and the leadership of Paul Pierce will help. Theres a good talent level there and John Wall is still emerging. They gotta keep Nene healthy, though. Hes a bit fragile. Jack Armstrongs Player to Watch: Dwyane Wade in 2013-14 (54 games): 19.0 PPG, 4.7 APG, .545 FG% Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat - Its funny how just a few weeks ago NFL fans were questioning how much Tom Brady had left. Well, not anymore. Those same questions exist here with Wade and they might be more relevant. Can he still bring it? Yes. Can he do it 75-80 times a year? Not anymore. Hell still be Flash, but not as consistently as in past years. 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MINNEAPOLIS -- Kevin Love landed hard on his hip after a foul late in the game. His head snapped back from the impact and hit the floor. The All-Star power forward was all right afterward, a relief for the Minnesota Timberwolves. The win over the languishing Los Angeles Lakers was nice, too. Love had 31 points and 17 rebounds to lead the Timberwolves to 109-99 victory on Tuesday that spoiled Steve Nashs return and stuck the Lakers with their seventh straight defeat. "I just want to continue to keep playing and give this team all that I can," Love said. "Yeah, Ive taken a physical beating, but youve got to expect being one of the top guys that theyre going to come at you." Kevin Martin helped the Timberwolves get off to a fast start, scoring 14 of his season-high-tying 32 points in the opening 10 minutes as the NBAs highest-scoring first-quarter team surged to a 25-point lead midway through the second period. They stumbled some after halftime, letting the Lakers pull within seven points early in the fourth quarter. "Its just one of those things where the game isnt going to be as easy as you think," coach Rick Adelman said. "You just have to persevere." With Nikola Pekovic likely out through the All-Star break, the Wolves started a difficult week, a theme of Adelmans pregame message. They play at Oklahoma City on Wednesday and New Orleans on Friday before hosting Portland on Saturday, a crucial stretch for a team running out of time to climb back into the playoff picture. But Love picked up the Wolves and carried them to an important win, playing the part of the burly Pekovic by throwing his body at the basket as often as he could. He made it to the line for 18 free throws, making 13. "We realize how good he is. He has incredible toughness," Martin said, adding: "He gets dirty down there. Thats why we pay him the big bucks and thats why hes an All-Star starter, to do things like that." Nash had been sidelined since Nov. 10 because of nerve problems in his back. The soon-to-be-40-year-old two-time league MVP had seven points and nine assists in 25 minutes, about 10 more than he was supposed to play. "I feel a bit selfish in that we lost but it felt great just to play in the NBA again," Nash said, smiling. "Obviously the game didnt go as we hoped, but for me personally thats pretty cool to be back out there." Coach Mike DAntoni was pleased. "I thought he competed, and weve got to have everybody compete that way," DAntoni said. Steve Blake also returned, coming back from a torn ligament in his right elbow that had shelved him since Dec. 10. He ruptured his eardrum during the game but kept playing on another night of bad luck and bad defence for the fallen franchise. Blake was scoreless in 31 minutes and took only two shots. Fittingly, as soon as two guys came back, two more went out. Jodie Meeks (sprained right ankle, first quarter) and backup Jordan Hill (headache and neck strain, first quarter) were hurt for the Lakers, who have been without star Kobe Bryant for most of the season. Pau Gasol also sat out with a strained right groin and could be out until after the All-Star break. DAntoni said Meeks wont play the rest of the road trip at Cleveland on Wednesday or at Philadelphia on Friday. Hill was walking stiffly in the locker room after the game but was held out as a precaution, the coach said. "I just feel for those guys. I just was in their position," Blake said. "Unfortunately its a part of the game, and the rest of us have to pick it up." The Lakers reserves had a whopping 70 points, with Nick Young (24 points), Manny Harris (17 points) and former Timberwolves first-round draft pick Wes Johnson (15 points and nine rebounds) leading the way. But the Lakers still lost for the 19th time in their last 22 games and fell into a tie for last place in the Western Conference with Utah and Sacramento. This was also their first loss at Target Center in almost seven years, ending an 11-game run. NOTES: This was the league-high seventh time this season that Love had at least 30 points and 15 rebounds. He has 25 for his career, one more than Kevin Garnett on the franchises career list. ... The Lakers have allowed 100-plus points in 15 straight games, their longest such streak since 17 in a row during the 1986-87 season. Marc-Andre Fleury Jersey . Rodgers was ruled out on Friday by Packers head coach Mike McCarthy. Matt Flynn will make his second consecutive start for the Packers. Cody Eakin Jersey . He never mentioned anything about his hitting. The 33-year-old right-hander had success with both Sunday, pitching six solid innings and helping the offence-starved Mets with an RBI single as New York salvaged a doubleheader split with a 4-2 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks. http://www.officialgoldenknightspro.com/Customized/. The traditional pre-Masters event was halted early due to inclement weather. Harrington, who tied for first in 2003 and won in 2004, became the first three-time champion of the event. Paul Stastny Jersey . Therrien would not confirm his lineup for the game, but he did have the same line combinations practicing together for the third straight day which is usually a pretty good indication of what the lineup will be. Brad Hunt Jersey . (January 11, 2014) – Once again Kevin Martin proved why he is the all-time TSN skins leader, winning $11,500 in prize money and a spot in the Travelers All-Star Curling Skins Game presented by Pintys final following a semifinal victory over Brad Jacobs earlier this evening at the Fenlands Banff Recreation Centre in Banff, Alta.Southampton are without both of their first-choice full-backs Ryan Bertrand and Cedric Soares for the visit of Burnley on Super Sunday. Bertrand and Cedric are unavailable as they recover from hamstring and ankle injuries respectively meaning Matt Targett and Cuco Martina are expected to come in.Saints, who are unbeaten at home all season and unbeaten in all competitions since September 10, are up against a Burnley side who have seven points from seven games following a mixed start to their Premier League return. They lost late on against Arsenal last time out, and are yet to pick up a point on the road this term. Watch a preview of Sundays Premier League action - Middlesbrough v Watford and Southampton v Burnley Team newsOther than the problems at full-back for Saints, Shane Long is close to a return, also from a hamstring problem, and Jay Rodriguez could also feature after overcoming a groin strain.Burnley are crossing their fingers that goalkeeper Tom Heaton is fit to face Southampton on Sunday.Heaton withdrew from the England squad last week due to a calf problem and is touch-and-go, with veteran Paul Robinson standing by. Highlights: Leicester 0-0 Southampton Striker Andre Gray serves the third game of a four-match ban for historic social media posts but there are no other concerns.Match statsSouthampton have lost just one of their last five league meetings with Burnley, winning two and drawing two.On home soil, Saints have suffered just one defeat in their last 14 league clashes with Burnley (W7 D6). Burnley manager Sean Dyche believes the experience gained by Michael Keane on his first England call-up can only be of benefit to the club and player Saints have kept six consecutive clean sheets in all competitions.dddddddddddd Theyve only enjoyed a longer run once in their history (eight, ending in August 1922).Burnley have enjoyed just two victories in their last 15 Premier League away games, drawing three and losing 10. Highlights: Burnley 0-1 Arsenal Southampton have unbeaten in eight Premier League games on home soil (W5 D3) a run bettered only by Leicester (19) and Liverpool (10).Indeed, Saints have scored in each of their last 13 Premier League games at St. Marys, the best current run in the competition.In his two previous Premier League games against former club Burnley, Charlie Austin has scored twice and been sent off. Watch NOW TV Watch Sky Sports for just ￡6.99. No contract. 10 Burnley players have appeared in all seven Premier League games this season, more than any other club.Steven Defour has been directly involved in a Premier League-high 80% of his teams goals this season, scoring one and assisting three of the Clarets five goals.The Clarets have posted a Premier League-low 36.8% average possession figure this season. Claude Puels Saints are 10th in the Premier League Mersons predictionsSouthampton are a good team and I think some people are underestimating them. You look at their back four and they wouldnt look out of place at a club like Arsenal.They should have won easily at Leicester, and I dont care what standard of football you are playing, to keep six straight clean sheets like theyve done is some achievement.PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0 (Sky Bet odds 9/2)BettingSouthampton are on a six-game unbeaten run and are 2/5 with Sky Bet for another victory on Sunday against Burnley. Burnley have seven points from seven games this term The visitors are 15/2, with the draw 100/30. Saints have not conceded a goal in any of those last six games, and are even-money to win to nil at St Marys.Charlie Austin just shades favouritism in the first goalscorer betting at 100/30 ahead of Shane Long (7/2) and Nathan Redmond (4/1).Get all the latest Sky Bet odds here.You can watch Liverpool v Man Utd, plus Englands tour of Bangladesh and the British Masters on Sky Sports. Upgrade now and enjoy six months at half price! 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DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- David Gilliland might have summed up Daytona qualifying best. "Its uncontrolled chaos out there," Gilliland said Friday after landing the pole in a rain-shortened and somewhat hairy session that set the field for the Coke Zero 400 on Saturday night at Daytona International Speedway. Gillilands top speed during a hectic, cat-and-mouse qualifying session was 199.322 mph, earning him his third Sprint Cup pole and first since landing the top spot for the 2007 Daytona 500. All three of his poles have been at restrictor-plate races, with the first one coming at Talladega in 2006. "Front Row Motorsports, our strong point is definitely speedway racing," said Gilliland, who finished third in the 2011 Daytona 500. "It is something thats circled on our calendar from the start of the year. We put a lot of emphasis on it. The restrictor-plate tracks are good equalizers. David Ragan and I both have good enough cars to win, and that is an exciting feeling. Its something we dont have every week." The top 24 drivers Friday in the first knockout stage were supposed to advance to the next round, but rain prompted NASCAR to cancel the final two sessions. Reed Sorenson qualified second, followed by Landon Cassill, Bobby Labonte and Jimmie Johnson. Daytona 500 winner Dale Earnhardt Jr., who will attempt to become the sixth drive to sweep both annual races at NASCARs most famous track Saturday, was seventh. All the talk during and after was about how the qualifying session shook out. It was the first time NASCARs new qualifying rules were used at Daytona, and it produced some hairy moments as groups of cars slowed to a crawl around the 2 1/2-mile superspeedway. The small packs -- most of them formed by teammates -- were hoping to pull behind bigger groups to produce fast laps. But no one was eager to lead the way. "Its a mess," Earnhardt said. "You have to be in the very back and try to get a big tow. I aint ever seen anything like it. Its the funniest thing Ive ever seen." Risky, too. Several cars turned down pit road to get away from the disorder. But the most common concern was the speed differences, with some packs creeping along while others ran full speed. "It was really wild and it was pretty dangerous," Matt Kenseth said. "Theres car doing 80 and there were cars doing 200 and nobody wanted to go. Everybody wanted to be in the back of the pack and try to catch the front to get a (fast) lap, so it was pretty chaotic." Similar qualifying took place at Talladega in May, when teammates stuck together in hopes of besting the field. But drivers clearly tweaked some things from those sessions. "There was just so much going on out there and its a wonder we havent wadded a bunch of cars up," Brian Vickers said. "A lot of guys running even slower than at Talladega and then some guys even taking chances on blocking the field, which was what really almost caused a few wrecks." Penske Racing teammates Brad Keselowski and Joey Logano were among those who did not advance past the first stage. Danica Patrick, Clint Bowyer, Kyle Larson, Jamie McMurray, Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch also did not get to the second knockout round. Joe Nemechek was the only driver who did not qualify for Saturdays 400-mile race. "Its just about being lucky as to who can make it through and who gets the right run," McMurray said. "Its just so crazy that everyone pulls out and doesnt go and then stops. It is what it is. Everyone has the same conditions. It just doesnt feel like racing ... because half the time people are running 40 mph. I dont even really know what to say because its so messed up that I cant explain it." Michael Pineda Jersey . Saltalamacchia has agreed to a $21 million, three-year deal with the Miami Marlins, two people familiar with the negotiations said Tuesday. Minnesota Twins Jerseys . Dwyane Wade took over in the fourth quarter. http://www.twinsrookiestore.com/Twins-Ha...ew-Kids-Jersey/. -- Sami Salo joked that as the shootout went on and on, one thing went through his mind: "Youve got to tie up your skates. Jake Odorizzi Jersey . -- New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft wanted to keep Logan Mankins with the team for a long time. Paul Molitor Jersey .com) - In the absence of Dwight Howard, Donatas Motiejunas had a career night to keep the Houston Rockets winning streak alive. CEDAR PARK, Texas -- After allowing five goals in Game 1 of the American Hockey League final, Michael Hutchinson went back to the hotel Monday night and did his homework to prepare for Game 2 against the Texas Stars on Tuesday. That preparation was even more crucial as the Stars fired 50 shots against the goaltender, but Hutchinson stopped 49 of them in a 2-1 victory to even up the Calder Cup final at a game apiece as it heads back to St. Johns for Games 3 through 5. "We went over all their scoring chances and all my touches, and kind of got to see myself from a different angle," said Hutchinson. "I think that really helped me coming into the game tonight, knowing what to expect and I was more prepared." It was one of the best individual performances IceCaps coach Keith McCambridge had seen in more than two decades as a player and coach. "Without a doubt its up there in the top three with a lot of good goaltenders over the years," said McCambridge. "Hes really in a zone right now. Hes really focused on making sure we got that split on the road." Hutchinson made his biggest stops a minute apart in the third period while clinging to a 2-1 lead. With 13:05 remaining Kevin Henderson had a point-blank chance in the slot on a rebound, but Hutchinson sprawled to his right for what McCambridge called his best save of the night. "That was the obviously the key moment in the game for us," said McCambridge. A minute later Hutchinson made another spectacular stop, thiis time diving back to the left post with the blocker as Brendan Ranford attempted a wrap-around into an gaping net.dddddddddddd "I kind of just got into scramble mode," said Hutchinson. "I was fortunate I could reach far enough. For all those times you end up reaching just a little too short, I was fortunate I got my glove out there and able to get a piece of it." Hutchinsons lone mistake came 29 seconds into the second period when Ranford had tied the game at 1-1 for Texas. But 44 seconds later the IceCaps fourth line reinstated the lead. Blair Riley was left wide open in front of the net and easily beat Cristopher Nilstorp with a one-timed shot off a pass from Kyle MacKinnon. Earlier St. Johns scored on its first scoring chance 4:05 into the game. Eric ODell took a wrist shot that trickled between Nilstorps legs. Kael Mouillierat easily tapped the puck home, making sure it crossed the line to give St. Johns a 1-0 lead. Even with all the shots he faced, Hutchinson didnt have to make any stops on the power play. For the first time in 94 combined regular season and playoff games, the IceCaps didnt face an opposition penalty kill. St. Johns did commit a penalty-- a roughing minor against Jordan Hill-- but it was cancelled out by a matching minor against Stars defenceman Jamie Oleksiak. Nilstorp stopped 33 of 35 shots for Texas, and made several key stops in the second and third period to keep his team in the game. Game 3 is Wednesday at the Mile One Centre in St. Johns. 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