TSNs Jack Armstrong offer his thoughts on Kobe Bryants injury, the recent success of the Raptors, the impact of Deron Williams, the future of the Mavericks and the accomplishments of Rick Pitino. R... Tannehill Jersey . 1. KOBE BRYANT (Lakers): Devastating Injury. Hopefully, nine months from now hes back close to where he was before the injury. Achilles injuries are always tough, in particular for a guy approaching 35 years of age. Fingers crossed that one of the great competitors/players of our era makes a speedy and successful recovery. Another bit of bad news for a Laker organization thats been beaten down by drama and injuries. 2. RAPTORS ON A ROLL: Have won three in a row and five of the last six. Nice finish to an otherwise disappointing season. A sign of things to come or catching teams shorthanded and looking past them? Hopefully, the first part. Two observations. Dwane Casey still has their attention and respect in spite of being 32-48 after a 23-43 season last year (not easy to do) and secondly, I really like how DeMar DeRozan is finishing his season. Hes a true pro and cares very deeply about winning and improving his game. Yes, he has some areas of limitation yet his work ethic and attitude are terrific and that carries you a long way in this game. Hes going to keep getting better. 3. DERON WILLIAMS (Nets): Saw him Sunday in Toronto and compared to what Ive seen of him earlier in season, I love what Im seeing now. Hes healthy and in shape. The explosiveness is back in his game. A major development for their team. He impacts the game in so many ways as their lead guard and when hes rolling, watch out. Joe Johnson needs to be a lot more consistent. For the amount invested in him, thats the least they can ask. If they get great guard play, theyre a capable and possibly dangerous playoff team. 4. DALLAS MAVERICKS: Evened their record up at 40-40 on Sunday. You could easily argue that if Dirk Nowitzki had been healthy this year, theyre a playoff team and I agree with those folks who say that. Salary cap space is prevalent. Key off-season for them as they reconfigure their look. The positives: great ownership, terrific general manager and outstanding coach. Dirk is still a very good player. Attractive location for free agents to consider. 5. RICK PITINO (Louisville): Wins NCAA Tournament last Monday night in an entertaining game. Elected to the Hall of Fame on the same day. Not bad! Many folks will remember the rough times with the Boston Celtics, but if you look at his entire body of work, its really impressive. He did a top-notch job as the head coach at Boston University, Providence, Kentucky and now, Louisville. Hes an impact coach, turning around all four Programs. Dont forget his time with the NY Knicks, first as an assistant coach for Hubie Brown and then as the head coach. He was very good for their organization in both stints. His teams play harder than most teams youll ever watch and hes been a true innovator with the trapping/pressing component of the defensive game. And he was totally ahead of the curve utilizing the 3-point shot as a major weapon, particularly his amazing Final Four run with Providence. A career that has been one of major accomplishment and hes far from done yet. . -- Chiefs wide receiver Dwayne Bowe is questionable for Sundays game against the Cleveland Browns after straining his groin in practice this week. [url=http://www.titansproshop.us.com/Womens-Wesley-Woodyard-Authentic-Jersey/]We... Woodyard Elite Womens Jersey . First Mat Latos gave up a triple, ending his bid for a complete game. Then closer Aroldis Chapman gave up another triple, sending the game into extra innings. Nike Roshe Run Mens Sale Uk . According to an online Sports Illustrated report, the Impact are set to name defender Alessandro Nesta as their next head coach. cheap jerseys from china . Five victories, two of them World Golf Championship events along with the Players. You need a pretty sturdy mantle piece to hold the hardware from those events.LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Kings know all about the creeping inevitability that sets in when a team gets behind 0-3 in a playoff series. After all, thats where they put every opponent they faced on the way to the Stanley Cup title last year. With more big points from their Siberian defenceman and even more big saves from their champion goalie, Los Angeles stayed safely out of that hole in the Western Conference finals. Slava Voynov had a goal and an assist, Jonathan Quick made 19 saves, and Los Angeles beat Chicago 3-1 in Game 3 Tuesday night, trimming the Blackhawks series lead to 2-1. "This is kind of what I expected this to be when we did it last year," captain Dustin Brown said. "Last year, we were playing at a level few teams ever play at. This year, its taking that extra effort out of us, and were coming up with it." Game 4 is Thursday night in Los Angeles. Justin Williams also scored and Dwight King added an empty-net goal in the defending NHL champions 15th consecutive home victory since March. The Kings never trailed while ending the top-seeded Blackhawks five-game post-season winning streak, but they had to survive a tense third period with Quicks brilliance and a strong defensive effort, avoiding that nearly insurmountable three-game deficit. "Its not something we wanted to try and test out, so it was certainly a must-win in our situation," Kings defenceman Rob Scuderi said. "We were just able to be aggressive instead of sitting back and letting them dictate the pace this time. Thats what we have to do to compete with those guys." Jeff Carter had two assists in an inspired effort, despite the absence of injured linemate Mike Richards, and Voynov had his fourth multipoint game in a prolific post-season. Every time the Blackhawks mounted their speedy attack, the Kings survived with solid defence and fortunate bounces -- a combination theyve been getting all spring at Staples Center. Although they cant explain it, the Kings have won all eight of their home playoff games -- nine straight dating to last seasons title clincher. After their 16-4 roll through last seasons playoffs, not much has been easy this year for the Kings, who havent scored more than two goals without an empty-netter in their last eight games. "We have a certain way we need to play," Kings defenceman Robyn Regehr said. "For whatever reason, we do a heck of a good job of it at home, and not as good on the road." Bryan Bickell scored and Corey Crawford stopped 25 shots for the Blackhawks, who chased Quick from Game 2 and earned back-to-back home victories to open the series last weekend. The Kings had lost five of their previous seven playoff games before getting back to friendly Staples Center and their sellout crowd. Quick also returned to Conn Smythe Trophy form in Game 3, highlighted by a dazzling late save on Bickell, while his low-scoring teammates generated just enough offence to hold off the Blackhawks, who hadnt lost since Game 4 of the second round. "They play a lot better at home," Crawford said. "They were buzzing. They were running around a little bit more than in Chicago, but we were ready for that. We knew they would come harder. We were almost there. We almost tied it." The Blackhawks matched their playoff low with just 20 shots, but the Presidents Trophy winners were one good bounce away from tying the score in the final minutes. Brandon Saad nearly had an open net after a cross-ice pass from Viktor Stalberg with 5 minutes left, but couldnt collect the puck. Moments later, KKeith missed a near-breakaway at the Kings blue line when Chicago went offside -- and Quick set off a frenzy in the crowd when he stopped Bickells fine chance late. Wome... James Starks Elite Jersey. "We knew exactly what kind of game they were going to play, and that they would have more confidence and more energy in their own building," Saad said. "We just didnt bring that same effort and same pace. There were a lot of little thing we could do better, but that comes with our preparation and being ready to play at the highest level. We know weve got to be better than that." The Kings played their second straight game without Richards, their leading post-season scorer heading into Game 3. The veteran centre has an apparent concussion after a big hit from Dave Bolland in the series opener. Richards absence opened a lineup spot for promising rookie Tyler Toffoli, who has three points in the last two games. The 21-year-old AHL rookie of the year got the primary assist on Voynovs goal. After the Kings scored just 11 goals in their previous seven games, coach Darryl Sutter shook up his lines. Slumping centre Anze Kopitar was moved back to the third line, while Jarret Stoll moved up to the Kings nominal top line between Williams and Brown. Between the line changes and the desperation necessary in such a situation, the Kings came out with a noticeable edge and improved passing. They took the lead just 3:21 in on a strong sequence started and finished by Williams, who forced Nick Leddys turnover before scoring on a pass from Voynov. The two-time Stanley Cup winner has six goals in the playoffs -- four in the past six games -- after scoring just 11 in the 48-game regular season. Los Angeles kept up the pressure in the second period, with Carter and Toffoli generating sustained pressure before Voynov beat Crawford, who was screened. Voynovs shot was doubly hard to stop because he broke his stick on the swing, turning it into a changeup. The Kings got a four-minute power play moments later when defenceman Duncan Keith high-sticked Carter in the face, punctuating a bad-tempered game by opening a gash on Carters mouth. Sutter thought Keith deserved a match penalty for the nasty play, calling it "retaliation." But Los Angeles managed just one shot on that scoreless power play, and Bickell got the Blackhawks back in it with his seventh goal of the post-season in the final minute of the second period. Bickell was left untouched behind the net after Kings defencemen Drew Doughty and Robyn Regehr both lost their footing, and the pending free agent skated in front alone to beat Quick with just Chicagos third shot of the period. But the Blackhawks couldnt get another past Quick, who had dominated the first two rounds with the same style that made him the Kings playoff MVP last year. The Blackhawks hadnt been at Staples Center since both clubs season opener Jan. 19, when Chicago spoiled the Kings banner-raising ceremony with a 5-2 victory. NOTES: Williams and Chicago RW Patrick Sharp nearly fought early in the game while scuffling for position before a faceoff, but linesmen kept them apart. "He asked me to fight," Sharp said. "If he asks me again, Ill fight him any day he wants." ... D Jake Muzzin returned to the Kings lineup after sitting out in favour of Alec Martinez in Game 2. ... Carter went to the dressing room for repairs after Keiths high stick. Sharp went to the dressing room late in the second period after a big hit from Brown, but he returned to the bench for the third period. ... Tom Cruise and Jim Belushi attended the game. ' ' '