to two blocks a game. Hes been steady and dependable a

Posted in IYH Forums by lavender123456 at 00:43, Jun 10 2014

MILWAUKEE -- Facing a potentially short and hectic transition from the regular season to the playoffs, the Philadelphia 76ers managed to get a win while Doug Collins rested a few of his key players. Evan Turner scored a career-high 29 points and the 76ers beat the Milwaukee Bucks 90-85 in a playoff tune-up Wednesday night. Jodie Meeks added 27 points for the 76ers. "Thats a good win for us," Collins said. "Im proud of them. We have a competitiveness about us. Regardless of who plays, guys play to win." The 76ers rested key players such as Elton Brand, Andre Iguodala, Lou Williams and Thaddeus Young. Turner, who had 13 rebounds and six assists, said playing 40-plus minutes was something of a shock to his system. "It feels good but when you havent done it in a while, youre killing your stomach a little bit, youre tired," Turner said. "I was just happy we could come out here and get a win." Brandon Jennings scored 19 points for the Bucks, who were playing short-handed in their home finale. Philadelphia eliminated Milwaukee from playoff contention with a victory over New Jersey on Monday. Jennings right eye was pink after he got poked during Mondays game, but he still wanted to play. "I just wanted to play because I just love the game, at the end of the day," Jennings said. "It doesnt matter to me. I get up to play basketball. Its my job. I have to still be a professional and finish the season." The Bucks played only nine players Wednesday -- and Jennings was the only regular starter on the court. Monta Ellis, Drew Gooden, Ersan Ilyasova, Carlos Delfino and Luc Richard Mbah a Moute all sat out. Then Milwaukee lost forward Ekpe Udoh to knee soreness during the game. Bucks coach Scott Skiles wasnt sure who the team might have ready for Thursdays season finale in Boston. "Do you know, math-wise, what I could get for a 10-day (contract) if I played tomorrow night?," Skiles asked, jokingly. Leading by four points in the fourth quarter, the 76ers went on an 8-2 run. But the Bucks rallied, cutting the lead to three on a 3-pointer by Jennings. Turner responded with a jumper as the shot clock expired on the 76ers next possession, and Philadelphia led 86-81 with 3:09 remaining. The Bucks had one last rally, cutting the lead to three on a jumper by Beno Udrih with 38.1 seconds left. After a miss by the 76ers, the Bucks couldnt find an open 3-point shot and Shaun Livingston missed a layup. "The ball wasnt moving as freely as normally we would move the ball," Skiles said. "Obviously, weve got different lineups out there. Weve got guys that havent played very much. You cant be too harsh on the guys about that." Although the playoff schedule has not been finalized, Collins said before Wednesdays game that he figures the 76ers will face the Chicago Bulls, the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, in the first round -- and he thinks theyll likely open in Chicago on Saturday. If thats the case, Collins says the 76ers will fly straight to Chicago after their regular-season finale at Detroit on Thursday and hold a practice Friday; he told players to pack their bags for four days when they left Philadelphia. Although there still was a slight chance going into Wednesdays game that the 76ers could face Miami in the first round instead of Chicago, Collins said he and his assistants are spending any extra time they have scouting Chicago. "The one thing Ive learned is dont start jockeying," Collins said. "Just win and play who youre supposed to play. Sometimes you can fool yourself and try to be too slick. Were going to try to win the games and then play whoever is in front of us." Notes: Xavier Silas, who signed with the 76ers on Tuesday after playing for their D-League affiliate, had five points. "This is something Ive been dreaming about a long time," he said. "Once you wrap it around your head enough times, it feels real." ... Philadelphias Sam Young left the game after injuring his eye. ... Jennings gave a brief speech thanking fans before the game. Milwaukee finishes the regular season at Boston on Thursday. cheap china jerseys . The second-ranked Nadal helped Spain beat France 4-1 in the semifinals to set up the Dec. 2-4 final on the hosts favoured clay surface at Olympic Stadium in Seville. Fifth-ranked David Ferrer is set to play singles alongside Nadal, while Feliciano Lopez and Fernando Verdasco should team-up for doubles, although Spain captain Albert Costa also included recent Valencia Open winner Marcel Granollers and Marc Lopez as playing partners. wholesale nfl jerseys . Canada and the United States will meet Thursday in the Olympic final for a fourth time. The Canadians have won three gold in a row at the Winter Games. http://www.personalized-nfl-jersey.com/. MORITZ, Switzerland -- Martins Dukurs rallied in the second heat to pass his brother Tomass Dukurs and win a World Cup skeleton race on Friday, the second straight 1-2 finish for the Latvian siblings. cheap jerseys . -- The Buffalo Sabres are making a serious push for a post-season berth. wholesale jerseys . The 38-year-old, a two-time All-Star, had been relegated to part-time duty and was batting .208 in 24 at-bats for the last-place Angels (6-14).TSNs Jack Armstrong offers his thoughts on the skilled and efficient Kevin Love in Minnesota, if Danny Granger gets bought out by the 76ers, discussions of a four-point line, the steady and dependable Robin Lopez with the Blazers and Kirk Hinrichs help in the Bulls resurgence. 1. KEVIN LOVE (Timberwolves): Another monster game Tuesday night vs. Phoenix with 33 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists and he goes 3-6 from 3-point range. Hes been off the charts lately and just dominates games in so many ways. You look at him and he doesnt have great explosiveness or lift in his game yet all he does is work you over. Incredibly skilled and efficient and hes very strong. Plays the game at the right pace and sees the game a few frames ahead of most. Former GM/coach Kevin McHale got ripped for selecting him out of UCLA but as we can all see now, one great big man knows another. He saw something in this guy that few others saw. Everyone knew he was good - not just this good. The fact that hes made a serious commitment to his conditioning and diet has taken his game to a whole new level. 2. DANNY GRANGER (76ers): Everyone in the NBA will be keeping an eye on what happens with the buyout negotiations here. Hes got until this weekend to get it done and be on another roster for the March 1 deadline so hes eligible for the playoffs. The big question is; does he do it? He gives up his Bird Rights if he agrees to the buyout which takes away some of his potential earning power as a free agent this summer. In addition, he can be a nice bargaining chip for Philly in a sign-and-trade this June/July. If he hits the open market, hell get lots of offers. Obviously, injuries the past few years (averaging only eight ppg and shooting a woeful 36 per cent) have really impacted him and he probably wont be right until next fall but is worth the risk if he becomes available in the next few days. Clock is ticking and its ticking real fast. 3. FOUR-POINT LINE: Is this a Hoax? Like the Justin Bieber protest in Atlanta? Really? Look, Im a fan of widening the court a little bit - Ive said it on the air many times that we see guys stepping on the sideline way too often, but a four-point shot - maybe Im too old fashioned or out of touch but I really dont want to get that extreme.dddddddddddd Enough guys in the league right now that have a hard enough time making free throws let alone adding a gimmick like this. 4. ROBIN LOPEZ (Blazers): When you reflect on great under-the-radar pickups in the summer, this has to be one of the best. What was New Orleans thinking here? Hes been an ideal complement to LaMarcus Aldridge and has allowed the All-Star to play at his natural four-spot. Hes been the anchor for their defence and has posted nice numbers at 11 ppg and nine rpg while getting close to two blocks a game. Hes been steady and dependable and plays with wonderful energy and enthusiasm. Obviously, not an A-list talent but if I had to grade his performance for the Blazers, Id give him an A for the impact hes had in transforming their team into one of the fun stories in the league along with the Suns and the Raptors as surprise teams. 5. KIRK HINRICH (Bulls): Dont let the numbers deceive you (nine ppg and shooting only 38 per cent while averaging only 4.3 assists per game) compared to his career accomplishments. This guy is a winner and is healthy again and a big part in the resurgence of his team. Outstanding defensive player who competes really hard every night. Knows how to run a team and does whatever you need when you need it. Ideal role player in their system and his energy and relentless style is typical of their organizational culture. Really respect this guy and what he brings to the table each game. Yes, limited in many ways but if you really sit and watch him you gain a greater appreciation for his contribution to the team. Numbers are nice to look at and a judgment tool for many but its also about how a guy meshes with his teammates and compliments their games and sacrifices his for the greater good. He understands what it means to be a team guy first, last and everything in between. ' ' '