GREENBURGH, N.Y. -- Raymond Felton is determined to keep personal turmoil from affecting what was already his most trying season professionally. A day after his arrest on felony weapons charges, Felton returned to practice with the New York Knicks on Wednesday, saying that was "not a distraction" to the team. Felton spoke for less than a minute and did not take questions. He thanked family, friends and teammates for their support and insisted his thoughts were on the Knicks game Thursday night in Miami. "This is not a distraction to this team," he said. "Im focusing on finishing out this season, finishing out these games with my teammates and going down to Miami, focusing on this next game at task versus the defending champs." The Knicks are barely hanging on in the playoff race and Feltons struggles have been among their biggest problems. Slowed by nagging leg injuries early, hes averaging a career-worst 10.4 points on 40.3 per cent shooting for a team with a 21-36 record. Hes also dealing with the breakup of his marriage, and he was arrested early Tuesday after authorities said a lawyer for his wife turned into a police precinct a loaded semi-automatic handgun allegedly belonging to the point guard, claiming she no longer wanted it in their home. Felton was released on $25,000 bail, and his next court appearance is scheduled for June 2. Knicks coach Mike Woodson said he never considered not letting Felton play against the Heat. "The bottom line is Ray is a part of our team, and as his coach Im going to support him and make sure hes doing everything the right way from here on out, and to try to get him to just concentrate on basketball and practice and playing games," Woodson said. Felton was charged with criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree and criminal possession of a firearm. The firearm charge is punishable by up to four years in prison. The weapons charge is punishable by up to seven years in prison. He had turned himself into police not long after a 110-108 loss to Dallas dropped the Knicks farther back in the playoff race. His wife, Ariane Raymondo-Felton, filed for divorce last week, according to court records, and Felton acknowledged recently dealing with personal problems. He said he wouldnt comment on the case, referring any questions to his lawyer. "But other than that, Im here to concentrate on this team, finish this season out with the New York Knicks and see what happens, man," Felton said. "Trying to make it to the playoffs. Were 5 1/2 games out, 25 games left, so Im really focusing on that with these guys, with the team and trying to make that happen." Felton was playing well in his first stint in New York before he was traded to Denver in the middle of the 2010-11 season as part of the package for Carmelo Anthony. He had a dismal 2011-12 season for Portland, admitting he reported out of shape because he wasnt sure if, or when, the lockout might end. Yet the Knicks surprisingly re-signed him that summer, a move that paved the way for them to let Jeremy Lin leave as a free agent. Felton rebounded with a strong performance last season in helping the Knicks to their first Atlantic Division title since 1994, but neither he nor the team has been able to build on that. Felton has played better lately, and centre Tyson Chandler said he was focused at practice Wednesday. "He seemed like he was no different," Chandler said. Felton still could face punishment from the NBA, though likely not until the legal process has been completed. He is set to earn $3.8 million next season and has a player option that would pay him $4 million in 2015-16, and any attempt by the Knicks to void his contract would be met with a strong challenge from the players association. For now, Felton and the Knicks are just trying to salvage the season. "My job is to continue to coach and try to get guys to do the right thing on and off the basketball floor. I take pride in that, so when things creep in like this, its a surprise, but again weve got to get through it," Woodson said. "Again, I dont know the legal part, the severity of it. All I know is Raymond is still with us and Im on Raymonds side in terms of trying to make sure that hes doing the necessary things to play basketball and Im going to continue to do that." Notes: The Knicks plan to sign veterans Shannon Brown and Earl Clark to 10-day contracts Thursday and have them available to play against the Heat. ... Anthony missed practice for personal reasons but will be with the team in Miami. Diontae Johnson Jersey . New York (16-9-8) took over first place in the Eastern Conference and has the best record in the league with one game remaining. Houstons five-game unbeaten streak was snapped, and the Dynamo (13-11-9) are sixth in the East with one game remaining. Greg Lloyd Youth Jersey .C. - NASCAR team owner Rick Hendrick headlines this years electees into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame. http://www.steelerspronfl.com/Youth-Mel-Blount-Elite-Jersey/ . However, it wasnt a problem on Monday night. Evgeni Nabokov made 23 saves for his 56th career shutout in the New York Islanders 3-0 win over the Detroit Red Wings on Monday night. T. J. Watt Steelers Jersey . The mood in Seattle was electrified as the parade featuring the NFL champions began near the Space Needle and made its way to CenturyLink Field, the home of the team. At a ceremony inside the stadium, the team thanked its loyal followers -- the 12th Man -- capping a day of boisterous celebration that drew an estimated 700,000 revelers to Seattle. Joe Greene Womens Jersey . Burris threw for 247 yards in one half of a game -- on pace for a nearly 500-yard outing -- as the Redblacks downed the woeful Montreal Alouettes 26-10 in CFL pre-season play Friday night at Percival Molson Stadium.The Toronto Maple Leafs are looking to a hometown great to boost their front office. TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie reports that Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment Chief Executive Officer Tim Leiweke has reached out to NHL Director of Player Safety Brendan Shanahan in regards to a "top hockey operations position" with the Maple Leafs. Shanahan, a Mimico, Ont. native, has held various executive roles with the League since retiring from hockey in 2009. Mimico is a neighbourhood and former municipality located in the west end of the City of Torontoo.dddddddddddd From Dec. 2009 through 2011 he served as the NHLs Vice President of Hockey and Business Development. Since then he has taken on the Leagues top disciplinarian role, leading a crackdown on hits to the head and enforcing the Leagues concussion protocol. An eight-time NHL All-Star, Shanahan sits 13th all-time on the NHLs goal-scoring list with 656. He won three Stanley Cups - in 1997, 1998 and 2002 - all with Detroit, as well as an Olympic Gold Medal with the 2002 Canadian mens hockey team. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2013. ' ' '

DENVER -- Gordon Hayward and Trey Burke found a rhythm the Denver Nuggets backcourt could not match. Hayward scored a season-high 30 points to go with a career-high 13 rebounds, Derrick Favours had 19 points and the Utah Jazz rallied after blowing a big third-quarter lead to beat the Nuggets 103-93 Friday night. Point guard Trey Burke had 10 points and 10 assists for his second double-double in a week. Wilson Chandler and Jordan Hamilton had 17 apiece for the Nuggets, whose starting backcourt of Ty Lawson and Randy Foye was outscored 40-0. "Ty Lawson just came back off injury so you give him the benefit," Utah coach Ty Corbin said. "But I like the way our guys played." Brian Shaw couldnt say the same for his starters. A week after giving up 39 first-quarter points to the Boston Celtics, Shaws team allowed the Jazz to put up 33 in the first 12 minutes. "The first quarter was the beginning of the end for us. They were hitting everything," Denvers coach said. "Our defence was terrible. We scored 28 ourselves, which is plenty enough but continuing to give up those big quarters is not going to get it done for us." The poor starts have Shaw considering making a change in his starting lineup. "I dont know if I have to shake it up or what I have to do with that starting lineup, the chemistry for whatever reason is not there," he said. "Its putting too much pressure on our bench night after night." The Nuggets struggled from the foul line, going 14 for 24, while the Jazz hit their first 13 free throws in going 19 of 20 from the line. Denver fell to 6-3 on its home court after losing just three times at Pepsi Center all of last year. The Jazz, meanwhile, are happy to steal one on the road. After starting the year 1-14 Utah is 5-5 in its last 10 games. "We have all of our guys," Corbin said. "We have different options." They needed them against Denver after the Jazz scored just 10 points in an 11-minute stretch spanning the third and fourth quarters. The Nuggets, who trailed by 16 early in the third, finished the quarter on a 26-8 run to go ahead by two. The lead grew to four before Utah responded. Hayward and Richard Jefferson had three-point plays and Favours putback gave the Jazz a 94-89 lead. "I remember Rich kind of bringing everyone together and saying, Theyre a good team, they made theyre run, now its our turn to make a run, Hayward said of Jefferson. "We slowed down and kind of made one of our own." Denver cut it to 96-93 on two free throws by Andre Miller, but a layup and free throw gave Utah a 99-93 lead and the Jazz closed it out from there. "They came out and hit us early," Miller said. "Four or five 3-pointers to start the game. It was just an uphill battle the rest of the game." Utahs nine-point halftime lead grew to 16 but Denver rallied. Hamilton hit a 3-pointer and a fadeaway jumper to give the Nuggets a 70-69 lead with 2:43 left in the third. It was their first lead since 4-3. Hamilton hit a breakaway layup and a free throw at the end of the period to give Denver a 75-73 lead heading into the fourth. "We kept our poise, we stayed together," Jazz forward Marvin Williams said. The Jazz used strong shooting to take the early lead. Utah hit its first four 3-pointers and made six of seven in the first period. The Jazz cooled off in the second quarter, but used a strong finish to the half to lead 53-44 at the break. Hayward had 14 points at the intermission and Williams 11. Chandler had 13 points at the break for the Nuggets, who struggled from 3-point range (3 for 11) and from the free-throw line (5 for 11) in the first half. "(We) miss 10 free throws in our building, on our court, and we lose by 10 points," he said. NOTES: Hayward has two 30-point games in his career and both have come against Denver. ... There was a moment of silence before the national anthem for Arapahoe High School staff, students and families affected by the shooting at the suburban Denver school on Friday afternoon. ... Friday marked the 30th anniversary of the highest-scoring game in NBA history. Detroit beat the Nuggets 186-184 in three overtimes in Denver. ... The Jazz have the best 3-point shooting percentage (45.4) in the league during December. Nike Air Force 1 Γυναικεια . Maricopa County spokeswoman Cari Gerchick says thats the finding from an autopsy conducted Thursday by the county Medical Examiners Office. Nike Air Force Παιδικα . Mickelson shot a 2-under 70 after opening with a 77 -- his worst score of the season -- on TPC San Antonios AT&T Oaks Course. Lefty was 11 strokes behind leader Steven Bowditch, the Australian who had a 67 to reach 8-under 136. http://www.airforce1greece.com/air-force-1-low-greece/i-i-i-i-i-i-i-i-i.html . - Jerome Verrier scored the winner 8:24 into overtime and Louis-Phillip Guindon stopped 46 shots as the Drummondville Voltigeurs edged the host Val-dOr Foreurs 4-3 on Friday in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League playoff action. Nike Air Force Φθηνα .C. -- The Bobcats announced theyve signed centre Justin Hamilton to a 10-day contract. Nike Air Force Προσφορες .C. -- Eric Staal kept his focus after his apparent breakaway goal was waived off early in the third period. @Giancarlo818 deserves 10 outs in the #HRDerby...wow. #GotGrownMenScreamingLikeGirls — andrew mccutchen (@TheCUTCH22) July 15, 2014Other players also took to Twitter to talk about what they just watched: Wow Giancarlo Stanton is not human!!!!!!! ???????? #HRDerby — Todd Frazier (@FlavaFraz21) July 15, 2014 @Giancarlo818 wow.?? — Dee Gordon (@FlashGJr) July 15, 2014 Its really unfair to whoever had to follow Giancarlo! — Jimmy Rollins (@JimmyRollins11) July 15, 2014 Man i am so happy he is on our team. #checckinbigfella that a boy G — Tom Koehler (@TKREFRESH22) July 15, 2014 Stanton needed one or two more push ups and he would have left the stadium.dddddddddddd Definitely backing up the hype at the #HRDerby — Hunter Pence (@hunterpence) July 15, 2014 Thats a joke !!!! #HRDerby — Mike Trout (@Trouty20) July 15, 2014 Heads up in Winnipeg... #HRDerby pic.twitter.com/yeX0VMPaGp — Tyson Ross (@TysonRoss) July 15, 2014If you didnt know who Giancarlo Stanton was before, you definitely know who he is now. ' ' '

Frisco, TX (SportsNetwork.com) - The Portland Timbers claimed a 2-0 victory over FC Dallas at Toyota Stadium on Saturday but ultimately lost out on a playoff berth after Vancouver Whitecaps FC earned a narrow win later in the night. Portlands victory put the club on 49 points to temporarily climb ahead of the Caps, but Vancouvers 1-0 defeat of the Colorado Rapids restored their one- point lead in the table for good. The Timbers broke the deadlock in the 43rd minute of Saturdays contest at Toyota Stadium when Darlington Nagbe took a pass from Diego Chara and unleashed a shot from the top of the box that received a massive deflection on its way past Chris Seitz. FC Dallas thought it had leveled the score in the 63rd minute when Michels free kick ricocheted into the back of the net, but the goal was disallowed as Fabian Castillo clearly directed the ball into the goal with his hand. Portland eventually doubled the lead as Gaston Fernandez slipped a pass through the Dallas defense for Maxi Urruti to smash home with eight minutes remaining. It proved to be the dagger Portland would need to kill off the match, but Vancouvers win dashed the clubs hopes of a second consecutive playoff appearance. Dallas, meanwhile, squandered its chance to avoid the Western Conference play- in game, instead settling for fourth place in the table by remaining on 54 points. Auston Matthews Maple Leafs Jersey . Tristan Jackson returned a missed field goal 129 yards early in the fourth quarter as the Roughriders beat the B.C. Lanny McDonald Maple Leafs Jersey . Cory Batey and Brandon Vandenburg were each convicted on four charges of aggravated rape, one of attempted aggravated rape and two for aggravated sexual battery. Vandenburg was also found guilty of tampering with evidence as well as an unlawful photography charge. http://www.mapleleafsteamstoreonline.com/ . -- With the Memphis Grizzlies struggling to find their offensive rhythm, O. Felix Potvin Jersey . The win puts Arsenal four points clear of Everton in fourth place with two games to play in the Premier League, a position which would qualify the club for Europes top competition for the 17th straight year. Bobby Baun Jersey . Omar Rahou made the discriminatory gesture several times while celebrating scoring a goal against Romania at Antwerp in January, UEFA said. The sanction was double the five-match ban Nicolas Anelka received from an English Football Association independent tribunal last week for the same act.PHILADELPHIA -- The Braves took advantage of a little help from their opposition. Justin Upton had two hits and three RBIs, and the Atlanta Braves were helped by two straight Ryan Howard errors in a 10-3 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies in the first game of a day-night doubleheader on Saturday afternoon. Tommy La Stella hit a three-run triple and Chris Johnson drove in two runs for the Braves, who have won four of five. Atlanta trailed 2-0 before tying it in the fourth on two unearned runs. "You make an error and give teams extra opportunities, and sometimes theyll make you pay for it," Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "We only got two runs out of those errors, but it got us back in the game. You have to take advantage of those. If you give opportunities to good baseball teams, theyre going to get you." Tony Gwynn Jr. and Ben Revere had a pair of hits for the slumping Phillies, who have lost six of eight. Philadelphia scored three runs or less for the 40th time, dropping to 7-33 in those contests. The Phillies also fell to 18-25 at hitter-friendly Citizens Bank Park, where they entered Saturday batting .229 as a team. While the offence didnt shine, it was the defence that really let Philadelphia down this time. Howard made two costly errors in the fourth inning, resulting in two unearned runs that allowed the Braves to tie the game at 2. Freddie Freemans hard-hit grounder went through Howards legs and the error put runners on second and third. "It was a possible double-play ball and we wouldve been out of the inning," Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg said. "It changed the whole game." The next batter, Upton, hit a medium grounder to first but reached safely when Howard bobbled and then lost control of the ball. Simmons scored on that error and Freeman, who went to third on the play, then reached on Jason Heywards groundout to first. Fans gave a sarcastic cheer when Howard made the putout of Heyward. "We have to tighten up on the defensive end," Sandberg said. Atlanta then went ahead in the sixth on Uptons two-run double off the wall in left. The teams were scheduled to play the nightcap at 7:15, with Atlanta right-hander David Hale (3-2, 2.72) facing Phillies right-hander Sean OSullivan, who is making his 2014 debut after being called up from Triple-A Lehigh Valley for the spot start. Ervin Santana (6-5) snapped a four-game winless streak after allowing two runs on seven hiits with five strikeouts and one walk in 6 2/3 innings.dddddddddddd Santana had lost his last three starts with a 5.89 ERA in those outings. But he was strong after the first two innings against the Phillies, retiring nine straight during one stretch and surrendering just three hits after the second inning. "It was a great effort," Gonzalez said. "We were looking for that kind of outing to be able to save the bullpen." Said Santana, "In the first inning, a couple pitches were up. After that, I just made a good adjustment and kept the ball down for the most part." Roberto Hernandez (3-7) didnt allow a hit through 3 1-3 innings and ended up giving up just three hits in seven innings with two strikeouts and three walks. Two of the four runs he allowed were unearned. "His pitching was better than his line," Sandberg said. "The defence let him down in the fourth inning, but he hung in there and pitched pretty well." The Braves broke the game open in the eighth when they scored five runs off Antonio Bastardo, snapping an 11 1-3 inning scoreless streak for the Philadelphia bullpen. La Stella had the big blow, a bases-clearing triple that pushed the Atlanta lead to 8-2. It was the first career triple for the rookie La Stella, who had two hits in his last 30 at-bats prior to the hit. The Phillies jumped in front 2-0. Gwynn Jr. snapped an 0-for-23 skid by tripling with one out in the first and scored on Howards single to left. It was Gwynns first hit since the June 16 death of his Hall of Fame father. Hernandez helped himself in the second inning when he recorded his first career RBI by singling home Koyie Hill. Notes: Hill, a catcher, was called up from Triple-A Lehigh Valley Friday after Carlos Ruiz was placed on the 7-day DL with concussion-like symptoms. Philadelphias regular backup catcher, Will Nieves, has been on the DL since June 19 with a right quad strain. . Atlanta C Evan Gattis, who left due to back spasms after striking out in the first inning on Friday night, didnt play. His replacement, Gerald Laird, went 0-for-3. . Philadelphia Flyers goalie Steve Mason, in town for the NHL Draft at the Wells Fargo Center Friday and Saturday, was in attendance. . Following the second game of Saturdays doubleheader, the Phillies and Braves will conclude their four-game series at 1:35 Sunday afternoon with Atlanta RHP Aaron Harang (6-6, 3.78) facing Philadelphia RHP David Buchanan (4-3, 4.79). ' ' '

Due to the circumstances surrounding adverse weather conditions, the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Mobil 1s Budweiser 300 has been postponed to Sunday. The accumulation of rain on the grounds at the speedway for three consecutive days, and a forecast for continued precipitation today, prompted series and track officials to postpone the event to Sunday in the best interest of the fans expected to attend the Canadian Tire Series inaugural appearance at the Quebec quarter-mile. The Budweiser 300, the second race of the 2014 season, is now slated to take the green flag at 1:30 p.m. Kenta Maeda 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. A. J. Pollock Dodgers Jersey . -- Athletics manager Bob Melvin is already starting to run out of superlatives to describe Scott Kazmir. http://www.dodgerssale.com/dodgers-joc-pederson-jersey/ . Former two-time Olympic gold medallist Evi Sachenbacher-Stehle tested positive for the stimulant methylhexanamine in both her "A" and "B" samples, the German Olympic Committee said. Rich Hill Jersey . With one penalty, Fourcade finished in 24 minutes, 58.2 seconds, just nine-tenths of a second ahead of Timofey Lapshin, who shot clean in the cold. Mike Piazza Jersey . A receiver doesnt make the catch on a passing play and instantly motions to the ref – and everybody else – for a pass interference flag. LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Clippers had every reason to quit down 17 points with 4 1/2 minutes to go. They had already blown a double-digit lead, fans were hitting the exits, and a long seven-game road trip waited at the end. But in their huddle, Doc Rivers and the other coaches told the players to keep believing. They did, and pulled out a wild 129-127 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday night. J.J. Redick scored a career-high 33 points, Matt Barnes added 25, Blake Griffin had 23 and Jamal Crawford scored 16, including a pair of free throws that gave the Clippers the lead with 11 seconds to go. They improved to 18-3 at home with their fourth straight win. "We locked in," Griffin said. "We made the plays down the stretch, they tightened up and got a little too comfortable." Dirk Nowitzki scored 27 points and Samuel Dalembert added a season-high 20 for the Mavs, whose three-game winning streak ended when they couldnt hold a 123-106 lead. Jose Calderon hit four 3-pointers on his way to 16 points. "Theres no way we should lose this game," Nowitzki said. "Weve got to do a better job of protecting a lead. We made some bad decisions and gave up some 3s." Redicks seventh 3-pointer with 34 seconds to go had the Clippers trailing 127-126. Nowitzkis step-back jumper hit the rim. "We had J.J. guarding Dirk on one play and it worked," Rivers said. "I cant explain that game." After Crawfords two free throws put the Clippers ahead 128-127, Calderon missed a 3-pointer with 3 seconds to go, and DeAndre Jordan got fouled. After his first free throw hit the right side of the backboard, he made the second for a 129-127 lead. DeJuan Blair inbounded the ball but his pass was intercepted by Jordan to end the heated and stunning finish. "It was like a playoff game the last three or four minutes. Everybody was mouthing back and forth and getting techs, and it became a brawl out there," Shawn Marion said. "But if you let that take away from what your main focus is -- executing at both ends of the floor -- then its going to take you out of your game." Griffin uttered expletives at Dalembert after they scrapped for a rebound near the baseline late in the game. One of the referees put both his arms around Griffins waist and backed him away. Nowitzki was waiting with an earful as Griffin ended up near him. "I was more upset about some of the things that were said than the situation," Griffin said. Dalembert was called for a technical. Griffin madde the free throw and the Clippers retained possession.ddddddddddddCrawford drove the basket and scored to pull them to 125-118. "It was a difficult and a physical game," Dalembert said. "Some calls were suspicious, and it was just one of those games. So many things happened in those seven minutes. We have to keep some of their guys under control." Redick said Dalembert stepped on his head and he ended up with a cut in his ear. "Any time a 270-pound man steps on your head it takes a little while to get it back," he said. Down 127-118, Barnes hit a 3-pointer and Nowitzki fouled Crawford on a 3-point attempt. Crawford made two of three free throws, pulling the Clippers to 127-123 with 1:10 to play. Crawford struggled for most of the game, and in the final 6 minutes the coaches were debating whether to take him out. "He was off-balance, he was going too fast and turning the ball over, yet you keep him in because he has ability to score," Rivers said. "He can miss 20 in a row. He just needs to make one and he thinks hes hot." Crawford credited Rivers patience with him this season for making a difference. "Hopefully I make him look good in the end for still believing in me," he said. Earlier in the fourth, Vince Carter was hit with a technical, one of four in the game for the Mavs. Griffin picked up one in the third. The Mavs outscored the Clippers 60-40 in the paint, and outrebounded them 47-38, with both teams shooting at least 50 per cent. "Thats awful on our part," Rivers said. Dallas opened the fourth with consecutive 3-pointers by Monta Ellis and Calderon. They keyed a 25-6 run that gave the Mavs a 123-106 lead. The Mavs borrowed a page from the Clippers high-flying playbook, with Brandan Wright dunking off Carters alley-oop pass against the Clippers hapless defence. Notes: Rivers said the team anticipates signing free agent F Hedo Turkoglu. Rivers expects Turkoglu to join the team for the start of its seven-day, 11-city trip that begins Friday in New York. Turkoglu was cut by Orlando earlier this month. He played just 11 games last season because of injuries and a 20-game suspension for use of performance-enhancing drugs. ... Clippers F Reggie Bullock returned after hurting his left ankle on Dec. 7 at Cleveland. ... Mavs G Devin Harris, who had left foot surgery, isnt expected to play this trip. ... The Clippers Grammy trip comes a month earlier than usual since the music awards held at Staples Center were moved up to avoid conflicting with the Olympics. ' ' '

SALT LAKE CITY - Just four days after becoming one of the most disputed all-star omissions, Kyle Lowry received his consolation prize from the NBA. The Raptors point guard has been named the Eastern Conference Player of the Week for games played Monday, Jan. 27, through Sunday, Feb. 2, the league announced ahead of Torontos meeting with the Jazz on Monday. Lowry led off the week topping 30 points in back-to-back games for the first time in his career - including a season-high 33 points in Wednesdays win over the Magic - carrying his team to a pair of victories without injured leading scorer DeMar DeRozan. Overall, the eighth-year guard averaged 25.0 points and 8.0 assists as Toronto finished the week with a 3-1 record. For Lowry, the recognition is long overdue. "He is one of the best point guards in the league right now," Dwane Casey said in Denver Thursday evening, hours after the all-star reserves were announced and Lowry, despite his body of work this season, was left off the list. DeRozan, a first-time all-star, was voted in by the coaches and will deservedly represent the Raptors in New Orleans later this month but Lowrys case should have been just as, if not more, compelling. Since the early-December trade of Rudy Gay, Lowry has come out of his shell, emerging as the teams leader. Hes been the Raptors most reliable contributor and a big part of the post-trade resurgence. Toronto has won 19 of 29 games since moving Gay, recording 20 or more assists in 23 of those contests. "Me personally, I thought he should have made [the All-Star team]," DeRozan said Thursday. "Especially [with] what he means to this team. There are not too many players that are doing the things he is doing." Lowry, sincerely happy for his teammate, shrugged off the coaches oversight, concerning himself with team success over individual accolades. Similarly, he downplayed a couple nominations for earlier Player of the Week awards and will likely do the same after winning one, but after putting the team on his shoulders this past week, the honour comes well deserved. With DeRozan sidelined for the first time this season, nursing an ankle injury, Lowry engineered a thrilling victory over the surging Nets in Brooklyn to begin the week. In that game, Lowry become the first player this season to record at least 30 points, five rebounds, five assists and five steals, something only LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Kobe Bryant accomplished last year. The 27-year-old is also having a career year from beyond the arch, connecting on 16 of his 36 attempts from three-point range last week. Lowry goes into Mondays game in Utah needing nine more threes to match his career-high for treys in a season (129). Hell also chase down Morris Petersons franchise record for most three-pointers made in a single campaign (177). Lowry became the fifth Raptor to win Player of the Week, joining Chris Bosh, Vince Carter, Mike James and Jalen Rose. Also left off the All-Star squad, Suns guard Goran Dragic - Lowrys former teammate in Houston - captured the award in the West. Bryant Reeves Grizzlies Jersey . Correia pitched six innings of one-run ball, Eduardo Escobar homered, and the Minnesota Twins pulled away late to beat the Colorado Rockies 9-3 on Saturday. Lorenzen Wright Jersey . -- Washington Capitals forward Brooks Laich is expected to miss the rest of the regular season after having an operation on a groin muscle. http://www.grizzliesbasketballpro.info/Zach-Randolph-Grizzlies-Jersey/ .Y. - Alex Rodriguez paid $305,000 for evidence that could be used in the case involving the Biogenesis of America drug clinic, the Daily News reported Saturday. Dillon Brooks Grizzlies Jersey .ca Fantasy Editor Scott Cullen, NFL Editor Ben Fisher, and Isaac Owusu discuss three hot fantasy football topics. Mike Bibby Grizzlies Jersey . This week, topics cover the Blue Jays rotation, the futures John Gibbons and Alex Anthopoulos, protecting pitchers and a bonus question on his predictions for the MLB playoffs.KAZAN, Russia -- FIFA says the qualifying draw for the 2018 World Cup will be made on July 25, 2015 in St. Petersburg. The event was confirmed on Tuesday at a meeting of the local organizing committee in Kazan. FIFA also confirmed a lucrative expansion of its sponsorship program for the 2018 and 2022 tournaments, being played in Russia and Qatar, respectively. The third tier of sponsors will include fourr partners in each of five regions: Asia, Europe, Middle East and Africa, North America and South America.dddddddddddd FIFA first outlined the plan last December, which replaces the six national sponsors signed for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and 2014 tournament in Brazil. FIFA earned $1.072 billion in marketing rights from the 2010 World Cup, and an increase is expected for 2014. ' ' '

The Winnipeg Jets made qualifying offers to six players on Monday, including John Albert, Ben Chiarot, Patrice Cormier, Michael Hutchinson, Carl Klingberg and Eric ODell. The team let Keaton Ellerby, James Wright and Matt Halischuk become unrestricted free agents after declining to make them qualifying offers. Ellerby, 25, appeared in 51 games for the Jets last season and had two goals and four assists. He was claimed off waivers from the Los Angeles Kings in November, 2013. Halischuk, 26, had five goals and five assists in 46 games for Winnipeg last season. He missed 28 games with a forearm injury. Wright, 24, had two assists in 59 games with the Jets. He also experienced injury troubles, missing the last 20 games of the year with a sprained ankle. Also on Tuesday, the Jets signed Adam Pardy and Chris Thorburn to new contracts. Willson Contreras Jersey .1 Sam Stosur will meet Germanys second-ranked player Andrea Petkovic in the opening match of the Fed Cup World Group semifinal. Greg Maddux Cubs Jersey . His right arm rested in a sling and was encased in a cast from above the elbow to his hand. "Im excited," Fernandez said with a grin. http://www.thecubsteamshop.com/Cubs-Javier-Baez-Kids-Jersey/ . - Joao Plata scored twice in the final 24 minutes, including the winner in stoppage time, to help Real Salt Lake remain unbeaten with a 3-2 victory over the winless Chicago Fire on Saturday night. Ron Santo Cubs Jersey .Y. - Carey Price had an early feeling that one goal might be enough to settle the latest matchup between his Montreal Canadiens and longtime Original Six foe, the New York Rangers. Fergie Jenkins Jersey . Louis Cardinals won the World Series last season, but after losing first baseman Albert Pujols to free agency and manager Tony LaRussa to retirement, they opened the 2012 season in 12th spot in the TSN.Denver, CO (SportsNetwork.com) - Jameer Nelson is on the move again. The Denver Nuggets acquired Nelson from the Boston Celtics on Tuesday in exchange for fellow point guard Nate Robinson. Nelson, 32, appeared in just six games for the Celtics after coming over from Dallas in the Rajon Rondo deal last month. He was averaging 4.8 points and 5.5 assists in just over 20 minutes per game for Boston. The 11-yearr NBA veteran and all-time Orlando Magic assists leader hasnt played since Jan.dddddddddddd2 because of an ankle injury. He has averaged 6.8 points and 4.4 assists in 29 games between the Mavericks and Celtics this season. Robinson, 30, was averaging 5.8 points in 33 games during his second season with the Nuggets. The 10-year NBA veteran played in 81 games for Boston between 2010-11. ' ' '

LAUSANNE, Switzerland -- Six candidates from Europe and Asia -- including two former Summer Olympic host cities -- are in the running to host the 2022 Winter Games. The International Olympic Committee released the official list of bid cities on Friday after the deadline for applications had passed. The candidates -- all previously announced in their own countries -- are: Almaty, Kazakhstan; Beijing; Krakow, Poland; Lviv, Ukraine; Oslo, Norway; and Stockholm. Krakow is bidding jointly with the mountain resort of Jasna in neighbouring Slovakia. Beijing hosted the 2008 Summer Olympics and Stockholm held the 1912 Games. Oslo hosted the 1952 Winter Olympics. Beijings bid envisions hosting snow events in the northern Chinese city of Zhangjiakou, while Stockholm plans to have the Alpine skiing in the northern Swedish resort of Are, more than 600 kilometres (400 miles) away. Oslo would hold Alpine events in Lillehammer, which hosted the highly successful 1994 Winter Games. The winning city will be selected in 2015. The IOC said the 2022 field "includes a strong mix of both traditional and developing winter sports markets" and "highlights the keen interest cities around the world have in the games and the lasting benefits and legacy they can bring to a region." The field has twice as many candidates as there were for the 2018 Winter Games, when the South Korean resort of Pyeongchang defeated Munich and Annecy, France. "These cities and their supporters clearly understand the benefits that hosting the games can have and the long lasting legacy that a games can bring to a region," IOC President Thomas Bach said in a statement. "Indeed, while recent games have left an array of sporting, social, economic and other legacies for the local population, many cities that did not go on to win the right to host the games have also noted benefits as a result of their bids." The IOC did not mention that potential 2022 bids from two traditional European winter sports countries were rejected by voters. Last week, voters in Bachs home country of Germany said no to another bid from Munich, citing financial and environmental concerns. In March, Switzerland dropped its candidacy from St. Moritz, the 1928 and 48 host, when voters in the region refused to support it amid concerns over costs and disruption. Fridays announcement marks the first phase of a long bid campaign. The six cities will be invited to a seminar in Lausanne from Dec. 4-6 to participate in an observer program for Februarys Winter Games in Sochi, Russia. The candidates must submit their detailed bid files to the IOC by March 14. The IOC executive board will decide which cities go through to the final round in a meeting next July 8-9. The finalists will have to present their bid documents and financial guarantees by January 2015. An IOC evaluation commission will visit the cities in February and March 2015. The IOC will select the host city by secret ballot on July 31, 2015, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Adrian Peterson Jersey . -- Those impatient for the Stanley Cup to return to Canada will have just one team to root for in the NHL playoffs -- the Montreal Canadiens. Adrian Peterson Vikings Jersey . TSN Hockey Insiders Pierre LeBrun and Bob McKenzie both reported Thursday that there have been ongoing trade discussions between the Oilers and Los Angeles Kings over forward Sam Gagner. http://www.authenticvikingspro.com/Randy-moss-vikings-jersey/ .com) - Former FBI director Robert Mueller said his investigation found no evidence that the NFL saw the elevator video of Ray Rice striking his then-fiancee before the tape was released in September. John Randle Vikings Jersey .com) - Mikko Korhonen carded a 5-under 67 on Thursday to claim medalist honors at the European Tours Final Qualifying Stage tournament. Randy Moss Womens Jersey . The Calgary Stampeders announced both moves on Wednesday. Parker played 17 regular season games with the Stampeders in 2013, setting career-highs in catches (21) and yards (217).The Atlantic Division champion Toronto Raptors are guaranteed home court advantage in the first round of the NBA playoffs and can finish with the either the third or fourth seed. The Raptors finish with the third seed with: - A win (at the New York Knicks) OR a Chicago Bulls loss (at the Charlotte Bobcats) The Raptors finish with the fourth seed with: - A loss (at the Knicks) AND a Bulls win (at the Bobcats) The Raptors will face the Washington Wizards IF: - They finish in third AND the Wizards win (at the Boston Celtics) AND the Brooklyn Nets win (at the Cleveland Cavaliers) - They finish in third AND the Wizards lose (at the Celtics) AND the Bobcats lose (at home to the Bulls) - They finish in fourth AND the Wizards win (at the Celtics) AND the Nets lose (at the Cavaliers) The Raptors will face thee Brooklyn Nets IF: - They finish in fourth AND the Nets win (at the Cavaliers) - They finish in fourth AND the Wizards lose (at the Celtics) - They finish in third AND the Nets lose (at the Cavaliers) AND the Wizards win (at the Celtics) The Raptors face the Charlotte Bobcats IF: - They finish in third AND the Bobcats win (at home against the Bulls) AND the Wizards lose (at the Celtics) The Indiana Pacers have secured the top seed and will host the eighth-seeded Atlanta Hawks.dddddddddddd The Miami Heat have wrapped up the second seed and will either host the Bobcats or Wizards. Games of interest: Wednesday: Chicago Bulls at Charlotte Bobcats (7pm et)Toronto Raptors at New York Knicks (8pm et)Washington Wizards at Boston Celtics (8pm et)Brooklyn Nets at Cleveland Cavaliers (8pm et) ' ' '

DETROIT - The Detroit Red Wings have recalled centre Stephen Weiss from his conditioning loan with Grand Rapids of the AHL.The 31-year-old Weiss was limited to 26 games for the Red Wings in 2013-14 and did not play after Dec. 10 because of hernia surgery. The Toronto native had two goals and two assists in his first season with Detroit after signing a five-year, $24.5 million contract.Weiss has played in 681 games since 2001-02. He has 147 goals and 251 assists with Detroit and Florida.The Red Wings host the Los Angeles Kings on Friday night. Alejandro Villanueva Jersey .com) - The San Francisco Giants delivered plenty of big hits to tie the World Series. Custom Pittsburgh Steelers Jerseys . Pironkova, who was ranked outside the top 100 despite reaching the Wimbledon semifinals in 2010, beat three top 10 players in Sydney, 2012 French Open finalist Sara Errani, 2011 Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova and Kerber. http://www.steelerspronfl.com/Youth-Jack-Ham-Elite-Jersey/ . Raymond, 31, started 15 regular-season games for the Stamps in 2013, racking up 51 tackles. He also returned two kickoffs for 79 yards including a 61-yarder. Rod Woodson Womens Jersey . The Australian is competing in his final season in Formula One and still looking for his first win this year. He will look to end Vettels run of six straight race wins on Sunday. Webber, who is fifth in the championship, earned his second pole from the past three races and 13th of his career. JuJu Smith-Schuster Womens Jersey . Mark Teahen scored the go-ahead run in the home seventh on an error by Scott Sizemore, who had knotted the game with a solo homer in the previous half- inning. Paul Konerko then hit an RBI single which proved to be the winning run.We challenged Matt Le Tissier to put together the best combined XI from Manchester United and Arsenal ahead of Saturdays clash. The pair will go head to head in Saturdays 12.30pm kick-off, live on Sky Sports 1HD from 11.30am, with Arsenal looking to climb top of the Premier League and add to Jose Mourinhos troubled start to life at Old Trafford.However, the hosts are marginal favourites with Sky Bet as Mourinho looks to extend his unbeaten record against Arsene Wenger, but Le Tiss believes the Gunners boast a superior squad. In fact, two of his five United picks are unavailable for the clash, with Eric Bailly sidelined with a knee injury while Zlatan Ibrahimovic serves a one-match ban.Heres his best line-up from both squads if all were fit and available... GOALKEEPERIts close one to start with and Petr Cech is obviously a very good goalkeeper as well but I have to go with David de Gea. He has youth on his side and three excellent seasons behind him.DEFENDERSIve gone with the two Arsenal full-backs, Hector Bellerin and Nacho Monreal. Bellerin is up there with the best right-backs in the league and I think theyll really miss him, while Monreal has been pretty consistent. Hector Bellerin has been ruled out for four weeks with an ankle injury United have had to play Antonio Valencia, who has done a decent job but is not a natural right-back. If Luke Shaw was fit and playing on a regular basis hed be in there. Even two years ago it would have been no contest against Monreal, but obviously its been a tough 18 months for him.At centre-back my first pick in Laurent Koscielny. Hes almost like an old school centre-back. I like him a lot and he has been very consistent this season.Then Im going for Eric Bailly. I think hell turn into a very good centre-back. Hes obviously injured at the moment but I think hell be a very good signing for them in the long term. Charlie predicts Find out what Charlie Nicholas is tipping up at 25/1 for Man Utd v Arsenal. MIDFIELDERSMy holding midfielders would be Paul Pogba and Santi Cazorla. I think Pogba can play in either the holding or number 10 role but jjust needs time and the expectation to calm down.dddddddddddd.As for Cazorla, I think hes an underrated player and has adapted well to the position. He rarely gives the ball away and great with two feet.On the left of my attacking midfielders would be Mesut Ozil. It would be very difficult to leave him out of any team. Hes such a brilliant creative player with great vision and a fantastic passer of the ball. Alexis Sanchez is set to be assessed after international action Then on the right Ive got the Duracell bunny Alexis Sanchez. Hes got incredible energy to go with incredible talent and is just a fantastic example to the team with his work rate.In the middle Ive gone for a player Ive always had a soft spot for, Juan Mata. Hes got lot of talent but not so much pace, which perhaps reminds me of someone! Hes a bit underrated because of that lack of speed but Ive always had a lot of time for him. Six months half price Upgrade to Sky Sports to watch Man Utd v Arsenal on Saturday and get the first six months half price STRIKERIm going with Zlatan Ibrahimovic over Olivier Giroud and Wayne Rooney, who I still think can play there. Marcus Rashford was probably closest to getting in and I think he may well lead the line on Saturday after what he did to Arsenal last time, but I still think United will miss Ibrahimovics presence up front.FANTASY SIX-A-SIDETheres £5,000 up for grabs in Sky Sports Fantasy Six-a-Side for the highest-scoring team from Manchester United v Arsenal. Heres Le Tiss team... Fantasy Six-a-Side: Pick six players to win the £5,000 jackpot. Fantasy Six-a-Side Who makes your combined team? Enter here to win the ￡5,000 jackpot. Also See: Premier League video Fixtures Table Live on Sky ' ' '

A federal judge on Monday granted preliminary approval to a landmark deal that would compensate thousands of former NFL players for concussion-related claims. The ruling by U.S. District Judge Anita Brody in Philadelphia came about two weeks after the NFL agreed to remove a $675 million cap on damages. Brody had previously questioned whether that would be enough money to pay all claims. "A class action settlement that offers prompt relief is superior to the likely alternative — years of expensive, difficult, and uncertain litigation, with no assurance of recovery, while retired players physical and mental conditions continue to deteriorate," Brody wrote. More than 4,500 former players have filed suit, some accusing the league of fraud for its handling of concussions. They include former Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Dorsett and Super Bowl-winning Chicago Bears quarterback Jim McMahon, who suffers from dementia. The settlement is designed to last at least 65 years and give $1 million or more to retirees who develop Lou Gehrigs disease and other profound neurological problems. "This is an extraordinary settlement for retired NFL players and their families — from those who suffer with neuro-cognitive illnesses today, to those who are currently healthy but fear they may develop symptoms decades into the future," plaintiffs attorneys Sol Weiss and Christopher Seeger said in a statement. NFL senior vice-president Anastasia Danias said in a statement that the league was "grateful to Judge Brody for her guidance and her thoughtful analysis of the issues as reflected in the comprehensive opinion she issued today." The original settlement included $675 million for compensatory claims for players with neurological symptoms, $75 million for baseline testing and $10 million for medical research and education. The NFL would also pay an additional $112 million to the players lawyers, for a total payout of more than $870 million. The revised settlement eliminates the cap on overall damage claims but retains a payout formula for individual retirees that considers their age and illness. A young retiree with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrigs disease, would receive $5 million, a 50-year-old with Alzheimers disease would get $1.6 million and an 80-year-old with early dementia would get $25,000. Even with the cap removed, both sides said they believe the NFL will spend no more than about $675 million on damage claims by ex-players. Critics of the deal have said the league, with annual revenues approaching $10 billion, was getting off lightly. They could raise objections at a fairness hearing scheduled for Nov. 19, and ultimately opt out of the settlement. However, they would then face the risk of a protracted legal fight, and would have to prove any injuries were caused by NFL concussions and not any suffered in youth or college sports. The proposed NFL settlement had originally barred claimants from seeking a separate settlement against the NCAA, but that clause has been removed. A separate lawsuit is pending against the NCAA in Illinois. "I think the judge has forced them to make improvements," said University of Richmond law professor Carl Tobias, who teaches product liability law. "I think she always felt she had an obligation to the players, to be sure they were getting a fair deal ... given the treatment to date." The settlement would be capped at $4 million on behalf of players diagnosed with traumatic brain injury after their deaths, such as San Diego star Junior Seau or Pro Bowler Dave Duerson. Both of their families, through lawyers, have expressed concerns about the settlement. Duerson died at age 50. A family lawyer has called their projected $2.2 million award to the family "not adequate." George Blanda Raiders Jersey . But last years runner-up Jarkko Nieminen crashed out despite winning the first set against Denis Istomin. Istomin fired 10 aces and won 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-2 to even his career record against Nieminen at 3-3. Willie Brown Youth Jersey . -- Brady Heslip scored a season-high 20 points to help Baylor beat No. http://www.footballraidersmall.com/Youth-Josh-Jacobs-Elite-Jersey/ . Sixteen teams have moved on. Sixteen teams have gone home. Jim Plunkett Womens Jersey . He also had some help Monday night.Hibbert scored a season-high 29 points to help Indiana beat the Utah Jazz 97-86 Monday night, ending the Pacers six-game losing streak. Lester Hayes Jersey . According to various reports, the striker is about to sign a five-and-a-half year extension with Manchester United worth a reported 300,000 pounds a week that would see him at Old Trafford until 2019.Arsenal - Reports linking Arsenal to 20-year old German midfielder Julian Draxler of Schalke excite. Arsene Wenger reportedly wants to convert the player into an attacking force, much like he did with Robin Van Persie. Draxler could very well fit the mold but such a transition takes time. Arsenal has legitimate title aspirations this campaign and a more mature, ready-made attacking option is required. Will Wenger swing for the fences for a short-term push? Aston Villa - Lose a big striker, sign another. With Libor Kozak out for the season (broken leg), Villa reunites manager Paul Lambert with former Norwich City striker Grant Holt. Its hardly the move Villa supporters are looking for. The positive; the team adds more size and strength up front, which could bode well for a side desperate for goals. Villa has only scored four in their last seven league matches. Nickel and diming will only get the team so far. Cardiff City - Somehow, some way the Blue Birds are in the relegation zone. Its tight at the bottom with only five points separating 13th from 20th. Ole Gunnar Solksjaer doesnt have time to find his way, so hes bringing in young players he knows. Hes landed Norwegian midfielder Mats Moller Daehli. Cardiff has reportedly turned their sights to Manchester Uniteds Fabio and Wilfried Zaha. Both players need games and fill roles of need in South Wales. Seems like a win-win. Chelsea - The Blues spent £21 million on a player they once had. Its hardly good business, but irrelevant for an owner flush with cash. Serbian Nemanja Matic will slot into a midfield pivot role; a position of weakness for Jose Mourinho. Frank Lampard cannot play there. Michael Essien is on his way out. Marco van Ginkel would have filled the role if healthy. Its a big ask of Matic to make the quick transition to Premier League football in the middle of a title race. Good news for Chelsea, team defensive play has been outstanding, conceding just twice in their last six. Crystal Palace - The Eagles are in trouble. Help doesnt seem on the horizon in the transfer window for the last place team. Palace is playing much better under manager Tony Pulis. If it werent for a dreadful penalty miss by Jason Puncheon last weekend, Palace could have taken points from Spurs. Palace was the better side to start. There is simply no room for error for this team on a weekly basis. Everton - Ross Barkley will only miss three weeks with a broken toe. It was feared the injury was the dreaded metatarsal. More good news with reports Leighton Baines is prepared to sign a new long-term deal to stay at Goodison, fending off interest from Manchester United. Keeping the core together is essential for a team on the rise. A January purchase of another striker is required for a true push for Champions League qualification. They are perilously thin up front behind Romelu Lukaku. Fulham - A striking fall from grace for Bryan Ruiz who moves from Craven Cottage to PSV Eindhoven. Ruiz looked to be a proper Premier League attacking talent. Thankfully for the Cottagers, they have attacking talent to spare. Fulham are in desperate need of defensive help in their relegation fight. The team has conceded a disturbing 20 goals in the last six games. And yet Fulham have reportedly moved for West Hams Ravel Morrison? Strange. Hull City - The Tigers splashed £12 million in transfer fees for mediocre-at-best strikers Nikica Jelavic and Shane Long, signaling intent to stay in the BPL. Its over-spending at its finest, but I actually like the moves - a good gamble for a team playing above expectations. In Jelavic, Steve Bruce is hoping a similar return to the impressive nine goals in 13 games after his move from Rangers to Everton in 2012. The Croatian needs to impress ahead of FIFA World Cup 2014. Long is a useful player, bringing some necessary steel to the front line. Liverpool - Its been a wonderful season at Anfield, but an honest assessment of where the team would be without Luis Suarez and his 22 goals suggests they lack top-level talent across the midfield. More is needed behind him and Daniel Sturridge. A 5-3 win at the Britannia continued to expose midfield and defensive frailties. Brendan Rodgers has work to do. Will there be money for a significant January purchase? Manchester City - Huge loss for Manchester City losing Samir Nasri to a knee injury for eight weeks. Nasri has been on sensatiional form.dddddddddddd. The Frenchmans absence opens up a starting role for Jesus Navas, who continues to impress. Navas adds more speed and natural width to a side often playing narrow. Thats not criticism; the tactical shift will simply change the approach for a team lethal in attack. The return of Sergio Aguero also softens the blow. For all the accolades Suarez receives, Aguero has been every bit the player as the Liverpool man this season. Manchester United - Darren Fletchers return is a significant upgrade in Uniteds midfield. Tom Cleverley has proven not good enough; a passenger and non-influential in a position crying out for a difference-maker. The all-action Scottish international has shown signs of his old self, working his way back to fitness. Fletcher can fill the short-term void in the middle until United likely land a top central midfielder player (or two) in the summer. Newcastle United - In a day managers are reprimanded for any discretion, Alan Pardew has escaped FA punishment for his rant/actions during last weekends 2-0 defeat. Pardew lost it on City manager Manuel Pellegrini in a tirade not safe for print, while lashing out at referee Mike Jones for his egregious decision, disallowing Cheick Tiotes wonder-goal. Soccer is a game officiated based upon interpretation of the rules. Jones biggest wrongdoing was overruling his linesmans decision. His hasty decision was a black-mark on a game with direct implications on the title race. Another example BPL officiating simply isnt good enough. Norwich City - Three goals in their last six, the struggles continue at Carrow Road. The Canaries get more experience in the side as Jonas Gutierrez joins on-loan, but that doesnt solve issues in attack. The next three weeks (Hull, Newcastle, Cardiff) are critical. Its more than Chris Houghtons job on the line. Its Premier League survival. Southampton - Executive chairman Nicola Cortese leaving raises questions about the direction at St. Marys. Highly regarded manager Mauricio Pochettino publicly remains committed. That remains to be seen. This kind of disruption threatens mid-table teams with ambition. A potential club sale further complicates matters. Now all eyes are cast towards possible players leaving. Left-back Luke Shaw is the most desirable piece, with striker Rickie Lambert having short-term value. Sunderland - Credit manager Gus Poyet for getting the most out of this rag-tag bunch. The team is playing well and has just sold possibly the worst player in the league, Ji Dong-Won to Augsburg. Good riddance. Midfielder Ki Sung-Yeung is developing into a top player. Belief at the Stadium of Light is tangible. A team on the rise. Stoke City - The Potters in an entertaining match seems an oxy-moron. A 5-3 loss to Liverpool was as exciting as it gets (so much for the defensive wall at the Britannia). Mark Hughes team is showing willingness to attack; it just doesnt have the players. The loan signing of John Guidetti from City, however, is intriguing. Guidetti in attack adds substance to a team in need of goals. Swansea City - Injuries have ravaged the promising side. Although squad depth has been impressive, the lack of consistency in selection has hurt. The passing is wonderful, but team defending leaves much to be desired. The decision to allow Ki Sung-Yeung to stay at Sunderland shows long-term vision. Tottenham - Midfield competition has created apparent discontent. Lewis Holtby and Nacer Chadli are both reportedly seeking moves elsewhere to find playing time. Tim Sherwoods four-man midfield changes the landscape. Natural width is priority, with multi-dimensional players who can cover lots of ground. The evolution in the squad will continue. With Jermain Defoe moving to Toronto FC, another striker should be priority. Where Eric Lamela fits is unknown. West Bromwich Albion - Another squad in transition. Pepe Mel has taken over and a more continental approach, ala Swansea or Southampton is should follow. The spine of the team and youth remains impressive. Lets see how they adapt in the coming weeks. West Ham United - Last weekends 2-0 win settled the nerves at West Ham for the time being. Sam Allardyce looks set to stay. Andy Carroll has returned. And West Ham looks intent to add a striker in January. Will it all be enough to avoid relegation? The team remains a mess defensively. ' ' '

HOUSTON -- LaMarcus Aldridges son JJ, who turned 5 on Wednesday, texted him after the Portland Trail Blazers playoff win and told him he looked like Spider-Man on one of his dunks. To the Houston Rockets the Portland star probably looked like a superhero on more than just that one play. Aldridge continued his dominance against the Rockets, scoring 43 points to lift the Trail Blazers to a 112-105 victory and a 2-0 lead in the first-round playoff series. Aldridge has made the most of the return to his home state and put the Trail Blazers in control heading home for Game 3 in Portland on Friday. The former University of Texas star who grew up in Dallas laughed heartily and said maybe when asked if hed rather stay in the Lone Star state after the way hes played in the first two games. "(Leading) 2-0 going home feels great, but its not over," he said. "Were going to stay hungry, stay humble and go home and try to duplicate the same (success)." Aldridge became the first player with consecutive games of 43 points games in the playoffs since Tracy McGrady did it in April 2003 after scoring a career-high and franchise playoff-record 46 in an overtime win in Game 1. Hes also the first player Trail Blazers history to have two 40-point games in the post-season and his 89 points in a teams first two playoff games trail only Michael Jordan (1986, 1988) and Jerry West (1965) in the last 50 years. Hes helped the Trail Blazers win two road games to start a playoff series for just the second time in franchise history and the first since they took the first two against the Lakers in the 1977 Western Conference Finals. Damian Lillard made six free throws down the stretch to help out in the win. But the guard gave all the credit for the win to Aldridge. "What can they do to stop him? He was great once again, just like Game 1," Lillard said. "When a lot of guys couldnt get going and couldnt hit shots, he just carried us. He played like an MVP again." The Rockets spent the last two days of practice focused on how to slow Aldridge down, but nothing they did seemed to faze the 6-foot-11 player. "We tried changing it up tonight," Houston coach Kevin McHale said. "Tonight, he was picking and popping and moving and we were having trouble running people at him. We were trying to get the ball out of his hands as much as we could." Aldridge credited coach Terry Stotts for moving him around early in the game to help evade Houstons double-teams. "I made tough shots," Aldridge said. "I dont think too much was easy tonight. I just got in that rhythm and started making shots." James Harden knocked down a 3-pointer with about 30 seconds left to get the Rockets within 3. Lillard made two free throws before Harden fouled out about 10 seconds later. Mo Williams and Lillard both made a pair of free throws after that to secure the win. Lillard finished with 18 points. Dwight Howard was unstoppable early and scored 25 points in the first half, but managed just seven in the second half. After missing 20 shots in Game 1, Harden promised a better performance in this game. But it was much of the same as he was 6 of 19 and finished with 18 points. "We dont have our same flow, our same mojo that we had throughout the season," Harden said. "We dont have our same swag ... weve got to get that back." The Rockets trailed by nine points before a 5-0 run cut the lead to 102-98 with about a minute left. Both teams made a pair of free throws after that before Lillard found Wesley Matthews wide open for a reverse layup to make it 106-100 with 33 seconds left. A one-handed dunk by Aldridge over Omer Asik gave Portland a 96-87 lead with about five minutes left. With Aldridge on the bench to start the fourth, Houston scored the first four points of the period to cut the lead to two points, but Williams and Dorell Wright made consecutive 3s to make it 89-81 midway through the quarter. Aldridge made 10 of Portlands first 14 points of the second half to help the Trail Blazers build a 67-58 lead with about eight minutes left in the quarter. Houston scored the next nine points, with the last five from Chandler Parsons, to tie it at 67 a couple of minutes later. Portland an 83-77 led entering the fourth quarter. The Trail Blazers scored seven straight points to take a 53-51 lead late in the second quarter, but Beverleys basket at the buzzer tied it at halftime. Howard scored Houstons first 13 points and had 19 -- with five dunks -- by the end of the first quarter to help the Rockets to a 31-23 lead. NOTES: Hall of Famer Hakeem Olajuwon, who has been working with Howard this week, watched the game from a courtside seat. ... Wright finished with 15 points. ... Howards 19 points in the first quarter were a franchise-high for a quarter in the playoffs, surpassing the 18 Olajuwon scored against Utah on May 5, 1995. Vin Baker Jersey . The Austrian ski federation said Morgenstern was "conscious and well responsive" and his condition would be monitored in the intensive care unit of a Salzburg hospital for the next 72 hours. The federation said it was "way too early" to judge Morgensterns chances of competing in Sochi, and that an update on his condition was not expected before Monday. Custom Milwaukee Bucks Jerseys . The 23-year-old Woods, Tiger Woods niece, closed with a 4-under 69 at Royal Pines to finish at 16-under 276. Lee also shot 69 in the event sanctioned by the European and Australian tours. Woods birdied the par-5 15th to open a two-stroke lead, hitting a wedge from about 120 yards to 4 feet. http://www.nbabucksproshop.com/Authentic-George-Hill-Bucks-Jersey/ . Richard Jefferson scored 17 points and Diante Garrett had a career-high 15 points as the Jazz had seven players with 10 points or more in Utahs largest margin of victory this season. Eric Bledsoe Jersey . A spokeswoman for the NLRB says its "a very incremental move" and does not necessarily indicate the board is close to a finding in the case. NFL owners filed an unfair labour charge against the players union in February, arguing that the union was not negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement in good faith. Ersan Ilyasova Bucks Jersey . As analysts we do the same thing, so here are some observations from week one. First there were two major upsets. I should say, major upsets in the eyes of the fans and prognosticators.Dustin Brown deflected in a Willie Mitchell slapshot for the game-winning goal in double overtime, as the Los Angeles Kings rallied to defeat the New York Rangers 5-4 in Game Two of the Stanley Cup Final, taking a 2-0 series lead. The Rangers held 2-0 and 4-2 leads in the game, but couldnt hold off the Kings, who have won three straight games in the postseason without holding a lead at any point in those three gaames. Brown, the double-OT hero, finished the game with the worst possession stats among Kings skaters. Mitchell, the 37-year-old veteran, logged 34:07 to rank third (behind the top pair of Drew Doughty -- 41:41! -- and Jake Muzzin) among Kings defencemen for time on ice. It was the first time since February 25, 2012 that defensive-minded Mitchell, who scored the Kings second goal, had a goal and an assist in the same game. (Incidentally, in all that ice time, Doughty had no shots on goal and only one attempt.) While Mitchell might count as some unexpected production, the Kings are getting used to big performances from RW Justin Williams, who had three assists to give him 23 points in 23 playoff games, tied with Jeff Carter, two points behind Anze Kopitar for the lead in the playoffs. Williams has eight points in his past four games, a stretch during which hes been on for 57.5% of the 5-on-5 shot attempts when hes on the ice. In a game that had many brilliant and exciting plays, the one that stands out, unfortunately, was the Kings third goal, scored 1:58 into the third period, when Kings LW Dwight King plowed into Henrik Lundqvist as D Matt Greenes shot from the point deflected off King into the net, cutting the Rangers lead to 4-3. Considering other goaltender interference calls in the playoffs, and even earlier in this game, its hard to fathom how King was granted immunity for invading Lundqvists crease, but it paid off and King had a strong night in general, adding an assist and on for 63% of the 5-on-5 shot attempts when he was on the ice. Rangers D Ryan McDonagh collided with King at the edge of the crease on that goal, though King was already in the blue paint at that point. McDonagh was front and centre in the action, scoring a goal and an assist for the Rangers, but McDonagh was also on the ice for the last three Kings goals.dddddddddddd After the King goal, McDonagh had the puck deep in the Rangers zone, tripped over Derek Stepan and turned it over to Marian Gaborik, leading to the game-tying goal. In overtime, McDonagh was matched up on Brown as he tipped in the game-winning goal. LW Mats Zuccarello was a threat for the Rangers, launching a game-high 11 shot attempts towards the Kings net. Only three of those made it on net, but Zuccarello did put up a goal and an assist, giving him 13 points for the playoffs. RW Martin St. Louis scored a nice one-time goal for the Blueshirts, but was dominated in terms of possession, on the ice for nine shot attempts for and 27 against during 5-on-5 play. The Rangers line of Chris Kreider, Rick Nash and Derek Stepan was territorially dominant, on for more than 64.0% of the 5-on-5 shot attempts when they were on. Kreider had an assist and had eight shot attempts, but was impressive physically, recording a game-high nine hits. Nash had a game-high eight shots on goal (10 attempts), but couldnt find his way to the scoresheet -- the story of his playoffs, as he has the best puck possession stats of Rangers forwards, yet has three goals and 10 points through 22 playoff games. The Rangers have every right to be upset about how the Kings third goal was scored but, in the big picture, cant be entirely discouraged by the way the first two games in Los Angeles turned out. They got bad breaks that cost them in overtime, but the Rangers had enough opportunities in two road games to believe that they can hang with the Kings. Odds are against the Rangers coming all the way back, but lets see what they have upon returning to Madison Square Garden. If this years playoffs have revealed anything, its that leads, both in games and series, are not as safe as they once were. Scott Cullen can be reached at Scott.Cullen@bellmedia.ca and followed on Twitter at http://twitter.com/tsnscottcullen. For more, check out TSN Fantasy on Facebook. ' ' '