LOS ANGELES, Calif. Stitched Blues Jerseys . - Chris Paul couldnt remember the last time the Los Angeles Clippers needed quality practice time more than they do now.Their play has been a bit ragged at times, yet they were able to do enough good things down the stretch Monday night to hold off the Utah Jazz 101-97 with 24 points from Blake Griffin.The Clippers havent been able to get extra time in the gym because of their hectic schedule, so they have to try to improve on the fly. Several times this month, theyve had to close the court to reporters at Staples Center before games in order to fit in a couple of much-needed walkthroughs.Its been such a blur because theres been so many games, Paul said. But we cant look at that, or look for excuses like that. Weve pushed and fought through some times when guys are a little bit winded.We just talk about staying the course and figuring out a way to win. Tonight was one of those nights.The victory was the Clippers 12th straight against Utah, breaking the franchise record for consecutive wins against one team. The previous mark was set against Dallas from Feb. 4, 1992, through March 11, 1994.These guys had won four out of five, and this was our fifth time playing them — including preseason, Paul said. There were a couple of times where we could have gotten some separation, but they kept making timely plays.We didnt rebound well as a team. We gave up a lot of offensive rebounds, but we still found a way to win.Paul, who recorded his first triple-double with the Clippers during a 107-101 victory over the Jazz on Nov. 3, finished with 20 points and eight assists this time.It was Griffins first NBA game with at least 20 points, seven assists, six rebounds and four blocked shots.Blake was huge tonight. He made some big shots and got some tough rebounds, Paul said. He had some tough calls go against him, but he just didnt let it bother him. I think that shows the growth in our team, and also in Blake.DeAndre Jordan had 19 rebounds for the Clippers. The two-time defending Pacific Division champions blocked 12 shots and never trailed in the fourth quarter despite leading by no more than five.We got stops when we needed to, and Matt Barnes did an unbelievable job on Gordon Hayward, Paul said. We know how Hayward can score the ball, but when he was making all those moves, Matt was right there, and he never gave up on those plays.The Clippers are 10-6 in December with one game left. Its the seventh time they have reached double digits in a month since the start of the 2011-12 season — including December 2012, when they became the first NBA team to go 16-0 in a month. They capped it by beating the Jazz 107-96 at home.Hayward scored 22 points for the Jazz, and Rudy Gobert added 13 rebounds and 11 points off the bench.Shooting guard Alec Burks missed his second straight game because of chronic soreness in his left shoulder. He also sat out two games early this month.Theyre a really good team. And for us to fight on the road like this is really positive, Hayward said. But we just have to close out games a little bit better and find ways to get good looks.Pauls 3-pointer with 35.6 seconds left in the third quarter helped Los Angeles pull even at 77-77. Jamal Crawford was outscoring the rest of the Clippers bench 14-0 until Jordan Farmar made a 3-pointer on his first shot of the game with 10:25 to play.___TIP-INSJazz: Their most recent victory over the Clippers was on Jan. 17, 2012, when they extended their home winning streak against them to 16 with a 108-79 decision. ... Hayward totalled 57 points against the Clippers in the first two meetings — losses by six and 16 points respectively. The season series concludes on Jan. 28 at Utah. ... Monday marked exactly 13 years since the Jazz gave Jerry Sloan his 800th NBA regular-season coaching victory by beating Philadelphia.Clippers: They are averaging 12.6 3-pointers over the first 32 games. Their total of 320 is the best in club history at this stage of a season. ... Reserve F Spencer Hawes was back in action and played 12 minutes after sitting out the previous nine games because of a bruised left knee. ... The Clippers are 79-20 since the start of the 2012-13 season, and the .798 winning percentage is the best in the league during that stretch.Jazz: Host Minnesota on Tuesday.Clippers: Host New York on Wednesday. Blues Jerseys China . -- Wes Welker is unlikely to suit up for Denvers game Thursday against San Diego after leaving Sundays win over Tennessee with his second concussion in four games. St.Louis Blues Shirts . But when it was all over they had wasted another lead, seen another pitcher flame out on the mound and lost their fourth straight at home. https://www.cheapblues.com/ . The R&A announced Monday that golfs oldest championship will return to Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland for the first time since Max Faulkner won in 1951.Concordia defensive lineman Quinn Smith, a top prospect for next weeks CFL draft, admitted Thursday he tested positive for a banned substance. Smith, who raised eyebrows at the CFL combine in March with his ability on both sides of the ball, confirmed in a statement he tested positive for the anabolic steroid Stanozolol prior to auditioning for league officials. Its the same substance Canadian sprinter Ben Johnson tested positive for at the 88 Seoul Summer Games, which resulted in him being stripped of the 100-metre gold medal and suspended. "I accept full responsibility for the result of Stanozolol metabolite in my test," Smith said in the release. "I can assure you it was not my intention to use a banned substance or to try to beat the system. "I did not properly research the contents of supplements I obtained online and I will accept the consequences of my actions." Smith added he has asked that his B sample be tested and is awaiting those results. Prior to releasing his statement, Smith sent emails to all nine CFL teams informing them of the positive test and formally apologizing. "I have the deepest respect for the CFL, the CIS and Concordia University and am thankful for the opportunities they offer young people like myself," Smith said. "I have brought undue negative attention to these organizations and for this I am truly sorry. "I will have no further comments to offer publicly." The six-foot-two, 305-pound Smith, a Toronto native, was ranked fourth among the CFL scouting bureaus final top-15 prospects for Tuesday nights draft, heady stuff considering Smith wasnt rated on either the fall or winter lists. A big reason for Smiths meteoric rise was his performance at the combine, where he impressed as both an offensive and defensive lineman. That versatility had Smith being mentioned as a bona fide first-round prospect -- and possibly going first overall to the expansion Ottawa Redblacks -- in the 14 draft. On the first day of testing, Smith benched 225 pounds 28 times, had a 27.5-inch vertical jump and eight feet three inches in the broad jump. The next day, prior to the one-on-one drills, Smith posted a 40-yard dash time of 4.808 seconds, 7.56 seconds in the three-cone drill and 4.62 seconds in the shutttle. Custom St.Louis Blues Jerseys. If Smiths B sample also tests positive, his college football career would be over. Smith still has two years of CIS eligibility remaining but as a first-time drug offender hed receive a two-year ban. But the positive test wont hamper his ability to play in the CFL as a rookie. Under the leagues drug policy, Smith will be deemed a first-time offender. He will automatically be subjected to mandatory testing and an assessment, followed by counselling. A second offence will trigger a three-game suspension. The agreement also calls for a one-year ban for a third offence and a lifetime suspension for a fourth positive test. "Its very disappointing that this player tested positive for a banned substance," Michael Copeland, the CFLs president and chief operating officer, said in a statement. "If he is drafted and signed by one of our teams, and the positive test is confirmed, he will immediately be subject to mandatory testing as governed by our drug policy. "While we never want to see a player test positive for a banned substance, it does demonstrate the benefit and effectiveness of testing prospects as they prepare for the CFL combine and draft." The CFLs drug policy is part of the leagues collective bargaining agreement with the CFL Players Association. The two sides are currently negotiating a new deal with the current one scheduled to expire May 31. The question remains, however, what impact the positive test will have on Smiths draft stock Tuesday night. Toronto Argonauts GM Jim Barker said for some teams, the news will impact their overall assessment of the former Concordia star. But Barker wouldnt say whether his opinions of Smith have changed as a result of his miscue. "It really depends on the team," said Barker, who has the sixth overall selection Tuesday. "The kid had no idea what he was taking contained a banned substance, all he thought he was doing was taking a supplement to try and make himself better. "Teams will take things different ways. To say whether its going to hurt his draft stock is speculation. It goes into the pool of knowledge that we have on every player. Its going to be viewed both ways by people. It adds intrigue to the draft, good, bad or indifferent." ' ' '  |
M'inscrire 
Me connecter 
Mot de passe oublié 
Retour au forum
