PORTLAND, Ore.
Camiseta Iker Casillas España . - The
Portland Trail Blazers have had few breathers during this seven-game homestand,
but Saturday nights finale seemed well on the way to an easy victory.Portland
caught Orlando short-handed and riding a five-game losing streak. The Blazers
were rolling early, and the Magic couldnt shoot straight. Portland was about to
coast to a victory when Magic centre Nikola Vucevic got hot and extended the
Blazers for four quarters before they secured a 103-92 win.LaMarcus Aldridge hit
10 of 22 shots and scored 25 points to lead Portland (29-8). The Blazers tied
Golden State for most wins in the NBA this season.Vucevic made 15 of 23 shots,
scored a career-high 34 points and grabbed 16 rebounds. But he couldnt stop
Orlando (13-27) from losing its sixth consecutive game.As has often been the
case during Portlands 6-1 homestand, the Blazers needed a big fourth quarter to
pull out the win. Wesley Matthews scored 10 of his 18 points in the fourth,
including two free throws that gave the Blazers the lead for good at 87-85 with
3:56 remaining.Portland appeared on its way a rout at the outset, as Orlando
made just 5 of 22 shots during the first quarter, and trailed by as many as 19
in the first half. Then the Blazers eased up, Vucevic took over and the Magic
often had Portland on the ropes in the second half.It was a great start for us,
but we relaxed because we just thought it was going to be easy. We took what we
did for granted and they took advantage of that, Portland guard Damian Lillard
said.Vucevic had 15 points and 10 rebounds in the first half, then continued to
punish Portland by scoring twice during Orlandos 11-0 run early in the third
quarter.Portland eventually found an antidote in Matthews.Matthews made several
hustle plays during the fourth quarter, including two steals and a circus-like
reverse layup that gave the Blazers a 91-85 lead. Matthews appeared to finish
Orlando when his 3-pointer with 1:19 left put Portland up 96-89.Thats what he
does for us every night. Hes a soldier, Lillard said of Matthews.Portland coach
Terry Stotts noted his teams struggles, but liked the result and the Blazers
finishing kick.We made a lot of plays in the last five minutes to secure a win.
It was a little disappointing to give up the lead, but in the end, we did what
we needed to do, Stotts said.Vucevic said Fridays 14-point performance against
the Los Angeles Lakers motivated him against the Blazers.I wanted to come out
aggressive and have a better performance than last night, Vucevic said. We
wanted to come out and show a better performance and I think we did that,
against one of the best teams in the league. We played them to the end.Portland
had five players in double figures.Victor Oladipo had 18 points and eight
rebounds for Orlando.The Magic out-rebounded Portland 49-43. The Blazers lead
the NBA in rebounding at 46.7 per game.TIP-INSMagic: F Tobias Harris (ankle) and
G Evan Fournier (knee) both sat out against the Blazers. They both suffered
injuries during Fridays game against the Los Angeles Lakers. ... G Devyn Marble
made his first NBA career start. ... The Magics six-game losing streak is a
season high.Trail Blazers: G Allen Crabbe strained his left knee during
Thursdays win over Miami, and will miss at least two games. ... Portland went
6-1 on its seven-game home stand, losing only the East Division-leading Atlanta.
... The Blazers won its NBA-best 19th home game.UP NEXTMagic: Visit Chicago on
MondayTrail Blazers: Visit Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday
Camiseta
España Euro 2016 . Ames was unanimously named for induction into
the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame on Wednesday, becoming the 74th member of the
countrys golfs shrine.
Camiseta Seleccion Española . Catch the game
on TSN starting at 9pm et/6pm pt. The Kings are 0-2-1 on their final trip of the
regular season. They end the campaign at home on Saturday versus the Pacific
Division-champion Anaheim Ducks before kicking off a first-round playoff matchup
with the second-place San Jose Sharks.Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender
James Reimer gets the call in net as Canada opens up its World Championship
group stage play on Friday against France. You can catch the action live on TSN
at 9:30am et/6:30am pt. Coach Dave Tippett says he made the call of Reimer over
Edmonton Oilers goalie Ben Scrivens, Reimers former teammate, strictly due to
seniority. Its expected that both goalies will split time at the tournament in
Belarus with Scrivens likely seeing action in Canadas next game on Saturday
against Slovakia. Reimer last played for Canada at the 2011 World Championships
in Slovakia, posting a 4-0 record in the group stage. Jonathan Bernier, now
Reimers teammate with the Leafs, was preferred for Canadas quarterfinal game and
dropped a 2-1 decision to Russia. This is Scrivenss first time representing
Canada at any level. Meanwhile, Kevin Bieksa was named Team Canadas captain on
Thursday. Coach Dave Tippett said Bieksa got the nod because hes outgoing but
also plays hard and with passion. Jason Chimera is one alternate because he
brings the experience of winning at this tournament before and Kyle Turris is
the other because he bridges young and old on the roster. One thing Canadas
leadership group has in common is a love for keeping things light on the ice.
Thats part of what Bieksa thinks his role is, but he also expects his teammates
to take the tournament seriously. "Just to keep guys loose having fun and then
focused for the games," the Vancouver Canucks defenceman said. "Everybodys
coming over here for a purpose. We didnt fly all this way just to have a good
time. We flew here to win games and to continue on the standard that Canada set
at the Olympics. Were going to come to compete." At 32, Bieksa is the
fourth-oldest player on the team, younger than only Chimera (35), Joel Ward (33)
and Alex Burrows (32). There are also a handful of very young players, including
Nathan MacKinnon (18), Sean Monahan (19), Jonathan Huberdeau (20), and
Mark Scheifele (21). Bieksa is in charge of helping meld this diverse group
together. "Its been pretty seamless so far. Everybody brings something to the
table," Bieksa said after practice at Chizhovka-Arena. "The young guys are young
and (add) a new perspective and energy and the older guys, theres some guys that
have played in this tournament a few times and they know what to expect and you
lean on them for some advice. Its a good mix." Chimera is Canadas only player
with an IIHF World Hockey Championship gold medal, won in 2007 in Moscow. His
message to a lot of his teammates is that they never know when theyll be able to
wear the Maple Leaf again. That could be true of Chimera, too, and if it is the
Washington Capitals winger is making sure he enjoys it. Even with two children
at home, his wife was supportive of him coming to Minsk to play in his third
world championship. "Hockey keeps you young," said Chimera, whos 4 1/2 years too
young to be able to play without a visor. "Its just awesome, you see these young
kids, how talented they are, they keep it light.
Camiseta Paco Alcacer. . A lot of them were
pretty nervous coming over here, but I try to keep it as light as possible."
Thursdays first practice in Minsk following an exhibition game against
Switzerland in Zurich was light but up-tempo. Tippett and assistants Paul
Maurice and Peter DeBoer had plenty of teaching to do a day before Canada opens
the tournament against France. James Reimer will start against France, while
Ben Scrivens is set to start against Slovakia on Saturday night. "It goes solely
off seniority," Tippett said. "Scrivens was upset because he thought he shouldve
got the call because he had 19 seconds longer than Reimer the other day (in the
exhibition game)." Reimer is playing at the world championships for the second
time after going 4-0-0 in 2011 before being replaced by now-Toronto Maple Leafs
teammate Jonathan Bernier. With Scrivens -- whos now with the Edmonton Oilers --
on board this time, Reimer is sharing the net with a former teammate. Come the
start of the 2014-15 NHL season, he very well could have another goaltending
partner if the Leafs trade the restricted free agent. Reimers season in Toronto
didnt go as he planned, and its only natural for him to think scouts and general
managers will be watching him in Minsk. "I assume so. I think theyre scouting
everyone," Reimer said. "I think everyones taking a peek at whoever might have a
contract up or might not, thats what theyre here to do. Any time youre playing,
especially in a different situation, theyre watching to see how you react and
respond. But in every NHL game theres scouts and GMs watching, too. Its just one
of those things wherever youre playing competitively, people will be watching."
Theres plenty for Tippett to watch for early in this tournament that could
affect his plan going forward. On Thursday he kept the top line of Burrows,
Turris and MacKinnon together from Tuesdays exhibition game and tinkered
elsewhere. Nazem Kadri centred Cody Hodgson and Troy Brouwer, while Philadelphia
Flyers teammates Brayden Schenn and Matt Read skated with Huberdeau. Chimera and
Capitals teammate Ward remained together, and Tippett said hell keep an eye on
having either Scheifele or Monahan between them. Because this tournament is such
a "scramble" with so little preparation time, Tippett is just trying to get
create some chemistry before the first puck drop. "Youve got to get your players
in roles early," he said. "Always subject to change, but I think one of the most
important factors of a tournament like this is you try to get everybody in their
spots as quick as you can." That starts with establishing Bieksa as captain.
Burrows voiced support for that choice because his Canucks teammate is good at
bringing people together. "He keeps it fun, he likes to have a good time,"
Burrows said. "But at the same time when its time to work and do the right
things, hes the first one to lead the way."
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