miaowang123: We need to play our best golf to make it a close ma

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CHARLOTTE, N. Craig Biggio Astros Jersey .C. - Manu Ginobili said he needed a game like this.Maybe its the game the San Antonio Spurs needed to get things turned around, too.Ginobili was the focal point of the Spurs offence Wednesday night, scoring 27 points on 10-of-14 shooting in San Antonios 98-93 victory over the Charlotte Hornets.When the Spurs needed a big play, they didnt hesitate to turn to the 13-year NBA veteran.In the past few games Ive had the opportunity to have the ball in my hands a lot of times, Ginobili said. Sometimes it is not that easy against very athletic teams. Today I made a couple of shots and made better decisions, so I am happy about it.The Spurs, seventh in the Western Conference standings, played for the second straight night on the road. The defending NBA champions will look to make a push when the play eight of their next 10 games at home.We had an opportunity to win some other games and weve blown them, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. Tonight we came through so it feels pretty good.Danny Green scored 18 points and Tim Duncan added 14 points and 10 rebounds to help the Spurs snap the Hornets five-game win streak. The Spurs have won eight straight against the Hornets.Nothing seems to be easy for us this year, Ginobili said. We are playing a lot of close games. But we are learning from it.Ginobili was the key to this win.After the Hornets drew to 86-85 with 4 minutes, the left-hander drove the right side of the lane and made a high-banking shot off the glass over two leaping Hornets. Then he hit a 3-pointer from the top of the key on the next possession to make it a six-point game. He followed that with a feed to a cutting Tiago Splitter for a layup to push the lead to 93-85.Kemba Walker had 28 points on 9-of-24 shooting after averaging 30.2 points during the Hornets winning streak.Lance Stephenson returned from a 14-game absence due to a pelvic sprain and had eight points in 19 minutes. Stephenson said he didnt feel winded, and said the time off helped give him a new perspective.When I was out, I watched people share the ball and play without negative energy, Stephenson said. So I dont want to play with any negative energy and bring everybody down.The Spurs appeared on the verge of running away from the Hornets late in the first half when Green hit back-to-back 3-pointers to push the lead to 16.But the Hornets climbed within 10 after getting some production from an unlikely source — centre Bismack Biyombo. In a span of 10 seconds, Biyombo slid underneath Matt Bonner and tipped in a missed free throw, blocked a shot on defence and then grabbed an offensive rebound and scored while drawing a foul for a 3-point play.But Ginobili halted any momentum the Hornets had by draining a 26-footer from the top of the key at the buzzer to give the Spurs a 57-45 lead at the break.The Hornets has several defensive lapses in the second quarter and were outscored 35-27, which Charlotte coach Steve Clifford called the key to the game.Every team has a different level of room for error, Clifford said. We dont have room for error. We cant have that.___TIP-INSSpurs: Boris Diaw, who previously played in Charlotte, was booed almost every time he touched the ball.Hornets: The Hornets were 23 of 35 from the free throw line. ... Gerald Henderson had a technical foul for arguing calls.BIZ MODE: Biyombo continues to improve, finishing with 12 points, 15 rebounds and five blocks while filling in for Al Jefferson. He played with a ton of energy, though he was a little embarrassed when he air-balled a free throw.LEONARD NEEDED: Popovich said after the game the Spurs stink on defence without Kawhi Leonard. Thats the bottom line, Popovich said. He does all kinds of stuff for us. He guards the best player. He guards a couple of different guys. He rebounds the position. He makes steals. He covers for his teammates. He is huge on D.SMOOCHING RIVERA: Carolina Panthers coach Ron Rivera, sitting courtside, was shown on the Kiss Cam and he drew a big roar from the crowd when he leaned over and gave wife Stephanie a smooch. The Panthers lost Saturday night to the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC divisional playoffs.UP NEXTSpurs: Host Portland on Friday night.Hornets: Host Indiana on Saturday night. J. R. Richard Jersey .com) - St. Louis Blues right wing Vladimir Tarasenko, Detroit Red Wings center Pavel Datsyuk and Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury have been selected as the NHLs top players for last week. Carlos Correa Astros Jersey . Minutes before the final whistle of Sporting Kansas Citys 3-0 victory over a shorthanded Montreal Impact squad on Saturday afternoon, Saputo tweeted: "Our fans deserve better.GLENEAGLES, Scotland - Phil Mickelson is certainly proud to be playing in his U.S. record 10th consecutive Ryder Cup. Hed just rather not be reminded about those other records he holds in golfs premier team event. Mickelson has won five majors in his career but hes also a symbol of recent U.S. failures against Europe in a competition the Americans used to dominate. Since playing in his first Ryder Cup 19 years ago, Mickelson has been on the losing side seven out of nine times. Hes won 14 of his matches, but lost a U.S. record 18 matches — including a record five defeats in singles. So, he was asked by a British reporter on Wednesday, is the Ryder Cup record a blot on your resume? I wouldnt say it as eloquently as you did by calling it a blot, a smiling Mickelson said. But I think that its a record that Id like to improve on. The reporter pressed on, asking whether he was stung by the knowledge that he has lost more matches than any other American. Are you always this half empty? Mickelson said with a laugh. Is that how you look at things? Because were more optimistic here. But the numbers dont lie. And Lefty knows that. Absolutely, I would like to improve my record, he said. Thats certainly a goal. It doesnt take too much to improve my winning percentage, Ill say that. The 44-year-old Mickelson has qualified automatically for 10 Ryder Cups going back to 1995, when he went 3-0 as a rookie at Oak Hill. He hasnt required a captains pick once during that time. Its 20 years of Ryder Cups, I just cant believe it, Mickelsons teammate Keegan Bradley said. Its amazing because you have to stay healthy, youve got to stay sharp with your game. Its going to be tough for somebody to do that. Youve got to be super consistent for 20 years, which is almost impossible. Mickelson and Bradley are expected to line up again together in Fridays opening matchess. Jake Marisnick Astros Jersey. They teamed up to go 3-0 two years ago in Medinah, where Europe overcame a 10-6 deficit after the first two days to win 14 1/2-13 1/2. Im going to play again with Keegan, Mickelson said. I dont think Im letting go of any secrets here. Weve played together these first few rounds and we seem to have a good partnership, and he brings out some of my best golf. Neither Mickelson nor Bradley has won a tournament this year. But the two feed off each other when it comes to the Ryder Cup. Bradley said he has been exchanging regular text messages with Mickelson, sending him video highlights of their matches together. We just keep telling each other that theres no one wed rather be out there with than each other, Bradley said. Mickelson went out of his way to play up the Europeans as big favourites on home soil, suggesting the U.S. will have to play its best just to keep close, let alone win. The last time the U.S. won on the road was in 1993 at The Belfry. Were here without Tiger Woods, Mickelson said. Were without Dustin Johnson. Were without Jason Dufner. And were playing a team that has players like McIlroy and (Henrik) Stenson who have played just incredible golf over the years. ... We have not won here in 20 years. Weve got a team that is a heavy underdog and the expectations certainly arent high. ... We need to play our best golf to make it a close match. Yet, Mickelson couldnt resist a playful dig at his opponents. Asked whether the Americans were not as closely knit as the Europeans, he replied: Well, not only are we able to play together, we also dont litigate against each other. That was a reference to the lawsuit involving McIlroy and Graeme McDowell. McIlroy is suing his former management company. McDowell, represented by the same company, has been dragged into the case. I couldnt resist, Mickelson said. Sorry. ' ' '