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le bit differently when Steve Smith i

Started by wff0605, 2016/01/11 10:02AM
Latest post: 2016/01/11 10:02AM, Views: 153, Posts: 1
le bit differently when Steve Smith i
#1   2016/01/11 10:02AM
wff0605
SAN ANTONIO -- Russell Westbrook says theres no question Oklahoma City is the leagues best team. He backed up his words Saturday night by leading the Thunder to a dominant victory in a place few visiting teams have had success. Westbrook had 31 points and eight assists and Oklahoma City used a strong second quarter to beat the San Antonio Spurs 113-100 for its ninth straight victory. "We got the best record in the league; I believe were the best team in the league regardless of who says this and who says that," Westbrook said. "You have to go out and play. You can predict anything, but you have to play the game." The Thunder outscored the Spurs 40-29 in the second quarter to hand San Antonio only its second home loss this season. "It was one of our best scoring quarters," Oklahoma City coach Scott Brooks said. "Not sure we have even had a 40-point quarter this season, but we moved the ball well and made shots. Both teams are hard to guard and both teams can score points. We got hot there in the second." Tony Parker had 23 points and eight assists in his return from a two-game absence due to a bruised shin, but Kawhi Leonard was a late scratch following a dental procedure. Even though they were without their best defender on the wing, San Antonio said Leonards absence had little to do with the loss. "Well, Im sure wed like to have Kawhi, but that happens to every NBA team at some point in the season," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "You dont lose just because of that. We would have loved to have had him, but they played better than we did tonight for more of the game." Kevin Durant, whom Leonard would have defended, only had 17 points while going 6 for 14 from the field. Instead, it was Westbrook and reserve guard Reggie Jackson who proved difficult to stop. Jackson had 21 points, four assists and only one turnover in 30 minutes. "This is the second game hes been playing good against us," Parker said. "We have to find a solution for him. Westbrook and Durant they are going to score and take a lot of shots, but we cant let Jackson score that much. Thats two games in a row that I felt hes the one that hurt us the most." Westbrook and Jackson were a combined 21 for 36 and handed out 12 assists. Playing their seventh game in 10 days, the Spurs looked lethargic after a strong start. The Thunder never trailed after Jacksons reverse layup put them up 21-19 with a minute remaining in the first quarter. Jackson had 10 points in the quarter. "Once we move the ball the way we did tonight, everybody touches it, were a pretty good team," Durant said. "Once (the ball) gets sticky and try to play one-on-one, thats when we kind of struggle. Russell is doing a great job of getting everybody involved and picking and choosing his spots; when to score." The Spurs had won six of seven entering Saturdays game, but couldnt recover from the second-quarter pasting. "They made a lot of shots, you have to give them credit," Parker said. "I thought overall we played well, but they just played better." The Spurs committed five turnovers while taking only 17 shots in the period, which was one less than the Thunder made. San Antonio was 20 for 49 in the paint, continually missing layups. "That was tough," Parker said. "We couldnt get a lead. We were playing well, we made some stops, but we missed a lot of layups, thats basketball." The Spurs pulled within a pair of baskets on several occasions in the second half, but the Thunder responded with a small run each time. Jackson was usually at the forefront of the runs, going 8 for 14. "I just told the guys to keep inspiring each other on the defensive end," Brooks said. "I told them to help their teammates out when they needed help and I felt they did that extremely well tonight. We have improved in that area for the past few years, but tonight was really good." NOTES: Parker (shin bruise) was questionable, but started and played 33 minutes. He had eight assists while shooting 6 for 14. ... Entering Saturdays game, the Thunder were averaging 109.9 points during their eight-game winning streak and shooting 50.2 per cent. ... Popovich was whistled for a technical foul after complaining to official Monty McCutchen about a non-call on Tiago Splitters dunk attempt against Ibaka. Roger Clemens Blue Jays Jersey .25 million option on reliever Jose Veras. Kolten Wong Cardinals Jersey . LOUIS -- Cardinals cleanup hitter Allen Craig says hes recovered from a foot injury and ready to be put on St. http://... . The judges scored it 48-47, 48-47, 49-46 for Jones (19-1). It was the champions closest call. Despite the loss, it was a remarkable show by the confident Swedish challenger, who had the best of the early rounds and then hung on in the fourth and fifth. [url=http://www.baseballgreet.net/Tampa-Bay-Rays-Desmond-Jennings-Jersey/]Desmon... Jennings Jersey . Jon Montgomerys gold medal in skeleton at the Whistler Sliding Centre and his subsequent auctioning off of a pitcher of beer in the village square elevated him to folk-hero status. Evan Longoria Jersey . The Court of Arbitration for Sport ruling "puts an end to my dreams of being a top player," the 27-year-old Troicki said in a statement. "I worked my entire life for it, and it has been taken away from me in one afternoon by a doctor I didnt know," said Troicki, whose ranking peaked at No. CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith has been ruled out for Sundays game against the Atlanta Falcons. Panthers coach Ron Rivera made the announcement following Fridays practice, adding that running back Jonathan Stewart (knee) and defensive tackle Colin Cole (calf) will not play either. Smith sprained his left knee during Carolinas 17-13 win over New Orleans last Sunday. The win assured the Panthers a playoff spot, but this weeks game looms even larger. Carolina (11-4) can wrap up the NFC South division title and a first-round bye by beating the Falcons. "Steve has actually improved a lot," Rivera said. "In Steves way he basically said if I had to I would play this weekend. He probably couldnt, but he would try." Rivera, however, said the team doesnt want to risk losing Smith for the playoffs. "Not a chance," Rivera said. "Its about going forward. This game is very important and we know it. But there are other things ahead, too." Rivera said if the Panthers dont win the NFC South and secure a first-round bye, he expects Smith would be ready to play next Sunday in the wild-card round of the playoffs. Smith leads the team with 67 receptions for 774 yards and five touchdowns. Ted Ginn Jr. is expected to start at wide receiver for Smith, but Domenik Hixon will see increased action. Falcons coach Mike SSmith acknowledged earlier in the week his team will probably alter how it defends the Panthers if Smith doesnt play.dddddddddddd "Steve Smith is one of the most competitive, not just wide receivers, football players that Ive been fortunate enough or, weve been fortunate enough, to compete against," Smith said. "He brings a lot of energy. He brings a lot of passion to the way he plays the game. You do defend a little bit differently when Steve Smith is in the game based on where hes aligned and what the down and distance is, because to me hes one of the marquis wide receivers still in the NFL." Rivera said hes interested to see what Brandon LaFell will do as Carolinas primary wide receiver. LaFell is third on the team in receptions with 49 for 627 yards and five touchdowns. "Brandon has done nothing but take strides and get better as a football player," Rivera said. "And it will also be good to see as far as Ted Ginn is concerned and Domenik Hixon. These three guys have done some really good things for us. It will help us gauge where were at." The Panthers are also expected to lean heavily on tight end Greg Olsen, who has 64 receptions for 747 yards and four touchdowns. NOTES: Safety Robert Lester was added to the injury report Friday as questionable after getting his ankle stepped on at practice. cheap jerseys cheap jerseys cheap nfl jerseys Ray Ban Outlet Michael Kors Outlet Michael Kors Sale Cheap Michael Kors ' ' '


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