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Less than three weeks ago [url=http://www.giantsfootballauthentic.com/saquon-barkley-jersey-authentic]Saquon Barkley Game Jersey[/url] , Ty Lawson was playing professional basketball in China.

 

Nowadays, he’s one of the first subs off the bench for the Washington Wizards in their Eastern Conference first-round series against the Toronto Raptors.

Lawson is hardly the only player who went from not having a spot on an NBA roster to getting some run, and maybe even filling a key role, during these playoffs. As much as teams develop plans for acquiring talent via the draft, free agency or trades, sometimes a late pickup can become a piece that completes the puzzle.

”It’s not ideal,” Wizards coach Scott Brooks said about adding someone on short notice. ”It (requires) a lot of work that has to be done in trying to figure it out and try to incorporate him and integrate him into our offense and defensive schemes.”

With Lawson, though, Brooks added, ”It probably is not as much of a disadvantage because he’s been in the league, understands the NBA and understands the schemes. A lot of the schemes are the same. It’s just different names and a lot of the plays are the same but different names. He picks up things pretty quick. His IQ level is extremely high.”

The series, which the Raptors lead 3-2 heading into Game 6 on Friday, has been Lawson’s first NBA action in about a year. He was with the Sacramento Kings last season and spent time with three other clubs before that; Lawson was always a success on the court, although a couple of arrests in 2015 on drunken driving charges drew unwanted attention.

His sudden return to the league’s hardwoods came in Game 2 against Toronto, when Brooks turned to his 30-year-old backup and told him to replace All-Star John Wall.

”It was a little bit of a shock. … I was like, `Who?'” Lawson said. ”Once I got my feet wet, hit my first shot, I felt like I was back at home.”

Sure looks that way.

The guard [url=http://www.broncoscheapshop.com/cheap-authentic-bradley-chubb-jersey]Bradley Chubb Jersey[/url] , a 2009 first-round draft pick, is averaging 5.8 points, 3.8 assists and 2.5 rebounds in 19 minutes per game, and he’s made a total of only three turnovers for the Wizards.

”That’s a smaller version of John Wall. He’s so quick. … Push the pace. Get out in transition,” Wizards forward Otto Porter Jr. said. ”Someone you can’t sleep on. He might be small, but he can create a lot of havoc in the paint. A lot of us know Ty, just from playing against him, so it wasn’t nothing to get him acquainted with everybody.”

There have been other such easy fits.

For all the talk about the Philadelphia 76ers‘ ”process” that landed cornerstone stars Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons, for example, they moved into the East semifinals with notable contributions against the Miami Heat from two more impromptu arrivals, 3-point specialist Marco Belinelli and forward Ersan Ilyasova.

The team signed both in February after they were sent packing by worst-in-the-East Atlanta. Belinelli is averaging 16.6 points in the playoffs, while Ilyasova is putting up 10.8 points and 9.2 rebounds, including three of his five career 10-rebound games.

When the 76ers picked up Ilyasova, they waived Trevor Booker, who then went to the Indiana Pacers. Booker has added a physical presence for Indiana in its series against LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

As Oklahoma City faces the Utah Jazz, the Thunder are starting Corey Brewer, who was brought in last month after he was bought out by the Los Angeles Lakers. Greg Monroe, added by the Celtics after being bought out by Phoenix [url=http://www.giantsfootballauthentic.com/will-hernandez-jersey-authentic]Will Hernandez Giants Jersey[/url] , entered Thursday night’s Game 6 of Boston’s series against the Milwaukee Bucks averaging 7.0 points and 5.2 rebounds.

Even former league MVP Derrick Rose became available out of nowhere, signing with the Timberwolves in March. As part of a reserve unit that had been quiet most of the season, he offered some instant offense in Minnesota’s first-round loss to the Houston Rockets.

For the Wizards, Lawson stepped in as a reliable and experienced backup to Wall.

”We need his scoring, we need his playmaking, we need his toughness, we need his ability to get into the paint,” Brooks said. ”And he plays with no fear.”

Lawson crammed for his debut by watching Washington’s main plays on an iPad, learning about 60 to 70 percent of the offense that way. In his first game, he’d ask a teammate to let the basketball bounce on an inbound pass so Lawson would have a moment to ask Brooks which play to run.

But Lawson also relied on a simple mindset.

”I was like, `Be aggressive,”’ he said, ”`and we’ll figure it out.”’

—

AP Sports Writers Cliff Brunt, Dave Campbell, Dan Gelston, Kyle Hightower and Michael Marot contributed to this report.

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Mohamed Bamba could be the next Rudy Gobert, and that’s why he’s expected to go very high in the NBA draft.

The towering 7-footer from Harlem, who played his one collegiate season at Texas [url=http://www.clevelandbrownsteamonline.com/joe-thomas-jersey]Joe Thomas Jersey[/url] , worked out individually with Phoenix on Saturday, the third player to do so this week as the Suns weigh their options with the No. 1 overall pick this month in the NBA draft.

Deandre Ayton worked out Wednesday and Marvin Bagley III on Friday.

”Mo had a really good workout,” Suns general manager Ryan McDonough said. ”His wingspan, his standing reach, is off the charts. His ability to protect the rim I think will be elite at the NBA level, in addition to his ability to rebound the ball. Another thing that stood out to us in his workout today is we can tell he’s been working on his shooting.”

Bamba has been working with noted shooting coach Drew Hanlen and has made significant changes to his form.

McDonough described Bamba’s old form as ”a slingshot” approach with the ball released far behind the shooter’s head.

Bamba said the changes have ”made like a night-and-day difference in just my mechanics, getting the ball off smoother and having softer landing on the rim.”

”My makes are all net and my misses are landing very soft and long instead of short,” he said.

Bamba has a 7-foot-10 wingspan, the largest ever recorded at the NBA combine. McDonough said Bamba’s highest vertical jump was 12 1-2 feet, ”which is crazy.”

As for the comparison with Gobert, the shot-blocking center of the Utah Jazz, McDonough said ”honestly I think at 20 years old he’s ahead of where Rudy was.”

”Now Rudy’s made tremendous strides over the last three or four years,” McDonough said. ”The question for Mo is can he fill out his body the way Rudy has. But in terms of measurements, they’re similar. In terms of the willingness and desire to anchor a defense and protect the rim, they’re similar. I think Mo probably is a little more mobile at the same age and Rudy is probably stronger, more physically developed at the same age.”

Bamba loves the comparison.

”He just changed the geometry of the game,” Bamba said. ”When he’s not blocking the shot, he’s in the back of your mind.”

McDonough calls Bamba ”a super-bright guy [url=http://www.greenbaypackersteamonline.com/josh-jackson-jersey]Josh Jackson Jersey Elite[/url] , one of the smarter guys I’ve seen in the last 10 or 15 years come through the pre-draft process.”

Bamba believes that intelligence will serve him well in the NBA.

”I have the natural ability to pick things up a lot faster than I think most people would,” he said, ”and I think I’ve shown that in the workout that we did today. … IQ is really big. It’s something that you really want to have on and off the court and it takes your game to the next level for sure.”

Bamba weighs 234 pounds.

”He’s super-long but he’s thin so he needs to add some length to his body, especially the lower body,” McDonough said. ”But I think from day one he’ll be able to step on the court and impact games defensively, block shots, rebound and then be an over-the-top lob threat and then build the rest of his game out from there.”

Bamba said he is working out for other teams but didn’t want to identify them. Ayton said the Suns were the only team he’s working out with. Bagley planned to work out with Sacramento and Atlanta, teams with the No. 2 and No. 3 picks, respectively, in the June 21 draft.

Ayton said he knows he will be the No.1 pick. Bagley said he, not Ayton, deserves to be.

Bamba was more diplomatic.

”Everyone feels entitled to it, but I have no entitlement to it,” he said. ”It’s something that obviously I worked my butt off for and my whole thing is to put it in very short sentences – I do more and I require less. The Suns are more than a perfect fit for me.”

.

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (6-10)

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: RB Carlos Hyde; Ss Eric Reid and Antone Exum [url=http://www.greenbaypackersteamonline.com/clay-matthews-jersey]Clay Matthews Jersey Elite[/url] , DE Aaron Lynch; DLs Chris Jones, Tank Carradine and Leger Douzable; LB Brock Coyle; G Brandon Fusco; CBs Leon Hall, Dontae Johnson, and Asa Jackson; WR Louis Murphy; TE Logan Paulsen; C Tim Barnes.

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: None.

NEEDS: 49ers answered biggest question last month when they signed quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo to $137.5 million contract after he led them to five straight wins following midseason trade with New England. Then San Francisco got a head start on free agency by signing former nemesis Richard Sherman to upgrade at cornerback following his release from Seattle. The task this spring will be to get Garoppolo help and improve the pass rush on defense. San Francisco could use big target at either receiver or tight end to help in red zone, as well as improvement on interior of offensive line. Biggest question on offense comes at running back where San Francisco must decide whether to try to re-sign Hyde or look for someone else as lead back.

AVAILABLE SALARY CAP SPACE (approximately): $64 million.

—

For the first time in 30 years [url=http://www.dallascowboysteamonline.com/cole-beasley-jersey]Cole Beasley Jersey[/url] , the U.S. Marine Corps will air an ad during the Super Bowl, using an online-only spot Sunday to target a young, tough, tech-savvy audience for potential recruits looking for a challenge.

The high-powered, battle-heavy [url=http://www.buccaneerscheapstore.com/vita-vea-jersey-cheap]Cheap Vita Vea Jersey[/url] , 30-second ad shows Marines deploying from ships in amphibious vehicles, dropping bombs from aircraft and hurling a shoulder-launched drone into the air.

”It’s not just the ships, the armor or the aircraft. It’s something more. It’s the will to fight and determination to win found inside each and every Marine that answers a nation’s call,” the announcer says, as the camera follows a squad of Marines storming off helicopters into a mock firefight while explosions erupt around them.

The goal [url=http://www.buccaneerscheapstore.com/m.j.-stewart-jersey-cheap]M.J. Stewart Jersey[/url] , said Maj. Gen. Paul Kennedy, head of the Marine Corps Recruiting Command, is to reach young men and women who have faced and conquered challenges in their life, probably played physical sports such as wrestling or rugby, and have a bit of that fighting spirit.

Network television viewers of the game won’t see the Marine spot. But those watching through online streaming services – which charge a fraction of the advertising price – will see it twice.

”I’m not trying to enlist fathers or mothers [url=http://www.redskinscheapstore.com/da_ron-payne-jersey-cheap]Da'Ron Payne Redskins Jersey[/url] , I’m trying to enlist 18- to 24-year-olds,” said Kennedy. ”And they tend to be cord cutters. They take in entertainment differently and they tend to do it on a device rather than a television.”

The Marine Corps would not provide the exact cost because the specific pricing is proprietary. But the online ad represents a savings of nearly 85 percent over the broadcast price. Thirty-second slots are going for more than $5 million for broadcast airtime alone. And the online ad – which can be viewed on .

Whenever the Cubs come to town [url=http://www.dallascowboysteamonline.com/zack-martin-jersey]Zack Martin Jersey Womens[/url] , their fans fill the stands at Great American Ball Park and their offense usually carries the day. Not so for the last two.

 

Eugenio Suarez hit a go-ahead homer off Jose Quintana in the fifth inning, and the Cincinnati Reds held on for their fifth straight victory Friday night, 6-3 over the Cubs .

The Reds have won the first two games in the four-game set, a recent rarity in the rivalry. It’s only the second time in the last two years that they’ve won back-to-back games in a series against Chicago. The Cubs are 43-21 against the Reds over the last four seasons.

Cincinnati’s winning streak is one shy of its season high. The Reds are last in the NL Central at 30-45.

”We’re playing really good baseball right now,” Suarez said . ”When you play like that, good things can happen.”

Suarez’s two-run shot in the fifth inning off Quintana (6-6) gave him a team-high 16 homers and put the Reds ahead 4-3. Billy Hamilton and Joey Votto also singled home runs off Quintana, who had allowed only six earned runs in his last four starts combined.

Quintana hung a changeup on his second pitch to Suarez, who has four homers in his last six games.

”I just missed my spot – a bad pitch,” Quintana said through a translator. ”A bad time to have that happen.”

Suarez also singled twice and extended his hitting streak to a career-high 12 games, the longest by a Reds third baseman since Todd Frazier hit in 14 straight in 2014.

Javier Baez drove in a run with a bunt single off Luis Castillo (5-8), and Kyle Schwarber followed with a two-run homer, his third in four games. Castillo went 5 2/3 innings for his first victory since May 24, ending a streak of four straight losses.

Raisel Iglesias retired the side in the ninth for his 12th save in 14 chances.

”That was one of our cleaner ballgames of the season [url=http://www.newyorkgiantsteamonline.com/landon-collins-jersey]Landon Collins Giants Jersey[/url] ,” interim manager Jim Riggleman said. ”We played a good ballgame – offensively, defensively, ran the bases well, timely hitting.”

Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo went a combined 0 for 8 with three strikeouts as Chicago’s offense struggled again, managing only four hits.

”We’ve played maybe two of our least-impressive games in a month,” manager Joe Maddon said. ”It’s just not been us playing our typical game.”

DUENSING BACK

Left-handed reliever Brian Duensing was activated off the bereavement list before the game. He had been gone for four days to attend his grandfather’s funeral. The Cubs optioned right-hander Justin Hancock to Triple-A Iowa.

GREAT GRAB

Cubs reliever Justin Wilson made a diving grab of Jesse Winker’s bunt in the seventh, landing on his chest while stretching for the ball. He was shaken up for a moment but stayed in the game.

STATS

Each of Schwarber’s last three hits has been a home run. Schwarber grew up in nearby Middletown and attended Reds games at Great American. He’s batted .318 in 30 career games against the Reds with nine homers and 25 RBIs.

TOP PICK, FIRST PITCH

Bengals center Billy Price threw a ceremonial pitch pregame, bouncing it to the plate. Price was the Bengals’ top pick in the draft.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Cubs: Yu Darvish could begin a rehab assignment next week. He threw 50 pitches in a simulated game without problem on Wednesday. Darvish has been sidelined since May 23 because of tendinitis in his right triceps.

Reds: Homer Bailey will make a rehab start for Triple-A Louisville on Saturday, throwing between 75 and 90 pitches. Bailey has been sidelined since June 2 with a sore right knee. He’s 1-7 with a 6.68 ERA.

UP NEXT

Cubs: Luke Farrell (2-2) will make his first start of the season after a dozen relief appearances.

Reds: Anthony DeSclafani makes his fourth start. He was sidelined for the first two months with a strained oblique suffered during spring training. DeSclafani is 2-1 with a 4.60 ERA.

—

The jerseys and venues will be the same, but so much has changed since the last time Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics met in the Eastern Conference finals.

Kyrie Irving was dealt to Boston in a blockbuster offseason deal for Isaiah Thomas and Jae Crowder. But following a roster upheaval in February , the Cavs were left with only five players from last year’s team that rolled past the Celtics 4-1 to earn a place in the NBA Finals.

Irving will watch this year’s rematch from the sideline after a pair of knee surgeries late in the regular season denied him an opportunity to play this postseason. It was the capstone of an injury-plagued year in Boston that also saw the seasons of Gordon Hayward and rookie Daniel Theis truncated.

The one constant has been Cleveland’s LeBron James, who at age 33 has again found another gear in the playoffs despite the different pieces surrounding him. His 34.3 scoring average in these playoffs is his highest since the 2009 postseason.

James can become the sixth player in league history to play in at least eight consecutive NBA Finals. The five others who have done so all played with the Celtics [url=http://www.newyorkjetsteamonline.com/jamal-adams-jersey]Jamal Adams Jersey[/url] , led by Hall of Famer Bill Russell’s run of 10 straight appearances.

James hasn’t yet had a chance to reflect on his own run but says he isn’t taking anything for granted at this point in his career.

”You dream about being able to play in big games in the NBA and even when I got to the NBA that was one of my only goals to be as great as I can be, to play in big games in the NBA and be remembered and I think I’ve done that in my career,” he said. ”Just trying to add onto it while I can.”

The series starts Sunday in Boston. This is the eighth playoff matchup between the teams overall, with the Celtics leading 4-3.

The Celtics are seeking their first trip to the NBA Finals since 2010, when they got past James and the Cavs in the East semifinals.

Since Irving’s injury, Celtics coach Brad Stevens has relied heavily on veteran Al Horford and a youthful corps that includes 24-year-olds Terry Rozier and Marcus Smart, 21-year-old Jaylen Brown and 20-year-old rookie Jayson Tatum.

Horford is averaging career playoff-high 17 points per game, while carrying the leadership torch.

Rozier has flourished in a starting role since Irving was sidelined in mid-March. It’s carried over into the postseason where he is averaging 18.2 points per game. And Tatum is coming of a series against Philadelphia that saw him average 23.6 points per game – the second-highest by a Celtics rookie in franchise history.

”I feel like we more together (than last year),” Rozier said. ”Obviously guys been going down all year and it’s like you never know who’s going to down. But we found a way, we pulled together.”

As for Rozier’s prediction for the series?

”Stay tuned,” he said.

Some other things of note in the Eastern Conference finals:

BUCKEYE ROOTS

Like James, Rozier first bounced a ball in Northeast Ohio.

Rozier is from Shaker Heights, Ohio [url=http://www.greenbaypackersteamonline.com/ty-montgomery-jersey]Ty Montgomery Jersey Youth[/url] , a suburb on Cleveland’s east side. He’s been on James’ hoops radar since he was a high school freshman. And while Rozier has been a breakout star in these playoffs to NBA fans, James knew he would eventually shine.

”He was a confident kid then when I watched him at Shaker. And he’s a confident player now, so I’m not surprised,” James said. ”He’s gotten better and better. It was a steal when they drafted him out of Louisville, and he’s just showcasing his abilities. … So, everybody is going crazy over what he’s doing but I’m not. He’s a local guy.”

(TD) GARDEN PARTY

Boston has become a preferred spring destination for James.

After a 2-9 start to his playoff career in New England, James has won his six straight postseason games on the road against the Celtics, a streak that began with his epic 45-point, 15-rebound performance in Game 6 for Miami in the 2012 conference finals. In those six wins, James averaged 34.3 points, 9.5 rebounds and 6.5 assists.

James has averaged 30.5 points, 8.8 rebounds and 6.1 assists while going 8-9 on Boston parquet’s hardwood.

Since losing two straight series with Cleveland to Boston in 2008 and 2010, James has eliminated the Celtics four times [url=http://www.buccaneerscheapstore.com/vita-vea-jersey-cheap]Vita Vea Youth Jersey[/url] , going 8-1 in the past two matchups.

CELTIC PRIDE

Indiana pushed Cleveland to seven games in the opening round. The Pacers were physical, resilient and confident.

The Cavs feel the young Celtics might be a greater challenge.

”Boston is better than Indiana,” Cavs forward Kyle Korver said. ”With as much respect as we have for Indiana, obviously, they took us to seven, I think defensively Boston is elite. They’re really good. They’re always in the right spot. They have a great game plan.

”For sure the Indiana series has prepared us for the playoffs in a lot of ways. Now that we’re through that series, we’re glad.”

—

AP Sports Writer Tom Withers in Independence, Ohio contributed to this report.

—

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BOSTON — Having survived to play at least one more game [url=http://www.cincinnatibengalsteamonline.com/andy-dalton-jersey]Andy Dalton Jersey[/url] , the Philadelphia 76ers continue to battle history when they visit the Boston Celtics on Wednesday night.

You have likely heard this all before: No team has ever come from down 0-3 to win an NBA playoff series, with teams going 129-0 when leading 3-0.

More history? The Celtics are 36-0 all-time when taking at least a 2-0 lead in a series.

And the Sixers/Warriors/Nationals are 0-14 all-time when dropping the first two games of a series.

Oh, and the Celtics are 6-0 at home in the playoffs this season.

Still, the insertion of T.J. McConnell into the starting lineup provided a spark and the Sixers stayed alive in a convincing victory in Philadelphia Monday night.

“Got to give a lot of credit to T.J. … He came in and he changed everything,” Joel Embiid said after McConnell played 39 minutes and scored a career-high 19 points and added seven rebounds and five assists in only his second start of the season.

Philly fans chanted “T.J., T.J.” for the guard, who said, “It was a pretty special moment, but I was trying to do anything I could to get us a win. I think we have the best fans in the NBA. They’ve been here through the dark times, and they’ve certainly been here on our rise. I just appreciate them, and I know we all do.”

Said Celtics coach Brad Stevens: “He was great. He was a tough guy. He’s a heck of a basketball player, and obviously, we didn’t do a great job of defending him and his impact was tremendous.”

The injury-ravaged Celtics suffered another one in the game [url=http://www.packerscheapstore.com/marcedes-lewis-jersey-cheap]Marcedes Lewis Packers Jersey[/url] , with Shane Larkin injuring his left shoulder running into the wall known as Embiid. Stevens said Tuesday he won’t know until Wednesday’s shootaround whether he’ll have his backup guard.

The Celtics were sloppy as their four-game playoff winning streak came to an end.

“I mean, obviously, what did we end up with? Fifteen turnovers,” Stevens said after the game. “The offensive rebounds were enormous for them, just the extra possessions. Neither team shot it great, but they were really good tonight.”

Celtics guard Terry Rozier, who has emerged as a star late in the season and into the playoffs with Kyrie Irving out for the year, has become a quote machine in these playoffs.

Asked after Game 4 what he learned from the loss, Rozier, who has had verbal battles with Eric Bledsoe and Embiid in the playoffs, said, “Bleep, win the next one.”

As far as Game 5 [url=http://www.buffalobillsteamonline.com/lesean-mccoy-jersey]LeSean McCoy Jersey[/url] , Rozier said, “I feel like we just have to come out, be aggressive and try to make them quit.”

Marcus Smart, clearly playing through some pain in his surgically repaired right thumb, agreed.

“We’re pitbulls. It’s a dog fight and we’re going straight for the neck,” he said.

Regardless of how this comes out, count Stevens among those singing the praises of Brown as a coach.

“I think the part that is most difficult in this league is when you’re not having success is maintaining a joy and desire to continue to work for yourself and your team,” Stevens said. “I don’t think anybody has done it better than Brett, and the way that he’s led. You can see it in the way (the Sixers) play. You can see it in the way they played before this year.

“Obviously, with more guys available now, with Embiid and (Ben) Simmons healthy, and now all the older guys they’ve added, you can see the joy with which they play. Everybody quote “loves” basketball. That gets tested in an 82-game season [url=http://www.sanfrancisco49ersteamonline.com/reuben-foster-jersey]Reuben Foster 49ers Jersey[/url] , and if it’s extended. And it really gets tested if you’re not having success. That’s hard. I have an unbelievable amount of admiration for Brett anyways, but the way in which he’s created a culture in which they find joy is pretty special.”

Boston’s Jayson Tatum became the first Celtic to notch six straight 20-plus-point playoff games since Paul Pierce in 2009. He joined David Robinson, Billy Knight and Donovan Mitchell as the only NBA rookies to achieve the feat since 1975. Utah’s Mitchell scored 20 or more in seven straight games earlier this postseason.

The Minnesota Wild played the season finale with more urgency even though it was the San Jose Sharks who had something at stake.

 

Jason Zucker scored twice in the second period, Eric Staal matched the franchise record for goals in a season and the Wild denied San Jose home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs with a 6-3 victory over the Sharks on Saturday night.

While the Wild were locked into the third seed in the Central Division, the Sharks needed one point to finish second in the Pacific and open the playoffs at home. Instead, San Jose lost for the fifth time in the final six games and will be forced to hit the road to start the playoffs against Anaheim in the first meeting between the rivals since the Ducks upset the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Sharks in 2009.

”It was disappointing tonight, but one game doesn’t define our season,” coach Peter DeBoer said. ”I think if someone told me a month ago that we’d have 100 points, I would have taken that, regardless if we had home-ice or who we were playing or not.”

Mikael Granlund scored the tiebreaking goal 28 seconds before Zucker got his first and Jonas Brodin and Matt Cullen also scored for the Wild. Staal added an empty-net goal to tie Marian Gaborik’s franchise record for goals in a season with 42.

”I wasn’t going to miss that one,” Staal said. ”It’s cool, it’s fun to have that alongside Marian, he’s a great player and a great goal scorer [url=http://www.pantherscheapstore.com/donte-jackson-jersey-cheap]Donte Jackson Panthers Jersey[/url] , so it was fun.”

Devan Dubnyk made 27 saves. Minnesota finished the season with 101 points, going over the 100-point mark for the second straight season and fourth time in franchise history.

”I thought our team played really hard,” coach Bruce Boudreau said. ”I don’t know if (San Jose) took the night off, or not, I’m hoping to believe that we played well enough that we didn’t give them an opportunity.”

Brent Burns, Joe Pavelski and Timo Meier scored for San Jose. Martin Jones allowed five goals on 19 shots before being replaced by Aaron Dell to start the third period.

The Sharks started strong in the second period and held Minnesota without a shot for more than eight minutes. But the Wild then struck twice within less than a minute midway through the period to take control.

Granlund started it with a wrist shot for his 21st goal before Zucker took over with two goals of his own, giving him 33 on the season and the Wild coasted from there to the victory.

”We didn’t play too well,” Sharks forward Logan Couture said. ”We should have played better. Disappointing. I think over 82 games in the season we had a pretty solid year to make the playoffs.”

The Wild started fast, holding San Jose to no shots on goal for nearly nine minutes and taking a 2-0 lead on goals from Brodin and Cullen.

The Sharks then found their game late in the period and scored twice in 64 seconds to tie it, with Burns getting the first on a shot from the point and Pavelski tying the game after a turnover by Matt Dumba.

NOTES: Wild D Louie Belpedio made his NHL debut after signing a contract earlier this week following a four-year career at Miami of Ohio. He had two assists to become the first Minnesota player ever with two points in his debut. … Sharks F Evander Kane returned to the lineup after missing two games with an undisclosed injury. … Brodin’s goal gave him 100 career points.

UP NEXT

Wild: First round of playoffs vs. Winnipeg.

Sharks: First round of playoffs vs. Anaheim.

—

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A year ago at this time [url=http://www.chicagobearsteamonline.com/roquan-smith-jersey]Roquan Smith Jersey[/url] , the Los Angeles Chargers‘ lives were still unsettled amid the upheaval of their franchise relocation season. Some were still looking for houses, and others needed to get kids into school.

 

When Philip Rivers and his teammates reported to the same sunny spot Saturday for the first practice their second training camp in Orange County, pretty much everyone was feeling perfectly at home.

”Now it’s just football,” Rivers said. ”There’s not as much wondering about schedules and what the practice field was going to be like. There’s not as much of that uncertainty. It’s all football now. There’s definitely a level of comfort that I think we have now and we can just put our focus on the field.”

A year after leaving San Diego, the Chargers are eager to take another shot at living up to their enormous potential. Although they already lost two key players to injuries before training camp even began, the Bolts are aware they’re still a popular pick to be a playoff team and likely even a Super Bowl contender.

Those are nothing less than the Chargers’ own internal expectations, and they’re much more interested in proving themselves right.

”We just want to be the team we know we can be,” running back Melvin Gordon said. ”Yeah, expectations are high, but we make them higher than other people make them.”

The 36-year-old Rivers has started every game for the Chargers since 2006, and he realizes he has fewer and fewer shots at reaching his first Super Bowl. He won the AFC West and appeared in playoff games during each of his first four seasons as a starter, but the Bolts have made the playoffs just once since that run ended in 2009.

Rivers understands the excitement around the Chargers after their 9-3 finish to last season. He even welcomes it.

”It’s interesting, because it’s been a while,” Rivers said. ”I’ve been on some teams here that had those expectations [url=http://www.packerscheapstore.com/marcedes-lewis-jersey-cheap]Marcedes Lewis Packers Jersey[/url] , and we went out and did it year after year there for a while. It’s been a long time, though. There aren’t many guys that have been through that on this team. … We know there are a lot of expectations outside. We have those same expectations on the inside.”

The Chargers return with remarkable continuity from last season’s team, with veteran center Mike Pouncey joining a largely unchanged offense and rookie safety Derwin James moving into a solid defense. Their biggest personnel losses happened recently, and did nothing to shake the Chargers’ reputation for soul-crushing injury problems: tight end Hunter Henry was lost for the season in May, and former Pro Bowl cornerback Jason Verrett tore his Achilles tendon Friday in a conditioning test.

The coaching staff also stayed essentially intact, with second-year head coach Anthony Lynn keeping coordinators Ken Whisenhunt and Gus Bradley. Lynn said he feels more confident as a head coach after getting through his first year in good form – and even finishing up his college degree along the way.

”I definitely feel a little bit more comfortable knowing what to expect, not moving and not living out of boxes, knowing where we’re going to training camp, and (having a) similar coaching staff and players,” Lynn said.

Although the stands at Jack Hammett Sports Complex were filled with an estimated 7,000 fans for the first practice, the Chargers realize they’ve still got plenty of work to do if they hope to win over the Los Angeles marketplace in the coming years – particularly with the Los Angeles Rams looking like a potential Super Bowl team as well. Fielding a winning team this fall would be the most potent way to do it, the Bolts players and coaches agree.

But after four consecutive non-playoff seasons, and after the challenges of their relocation year [url=http://www.chicagobearsteamonline.com/roquan-smith-jersey]Roquan Smith Bears Jersey[/url] , the Chargers are grateful to settle in for a few weeks of training camp with their thoughts on nothing bigger than the next practice or scrimmage.

Rivers even had a catchphrase for it: ”Enjoy the boring.”

—

William Karlsson put a spectacular bow on a surprising Pacific Division championship for expansion Vegas.

Karlsson scored a short-handed goal in the third period, and the Golden Knights clinched the title with a 3-2 victory over the San Jose Sharks on Saturday night.

”It’s a great feeling to win our division. Obviously, nobody had those expectations the first of the season,” coach Gerard Gallant said. ”A lot of things went right for us, a lot of guys played real well, a lot of guys had career years, so that’s why we’re here today.”

Vegas (50-22-7) reached 50 wins in its inaugural season with its third victory in four games. San Jose (44-25-10) is second in the Pacific, four points ahead of Los Angeles.

”It’s a great accomplishment, but we all know what the real accomplishment is gonna be,” Gallant said. ”A great regular season means a lot, but a great playoffs can mean a lot more.”

For the second straight night, Karlsson scored a short-handed goal on a breakaway, this time with what might have been his sweetest of 42 goals this season – between his legs to beat Martin Jones top shelf for the game-winner.

”I kind of had a great spot there to pull that move … it’s instinct, when you black out [url=http://www.sanfrancisco49ersteamonline.com/reuben-foster-jersey]Reuben Foster Jersey[/url] , that’s usually when you do good – don’t overthink it,” Karlsson said. ”It was a great game, a lot of fun to play. It’s good to clinch not only the division, but the home advantage over the Pacific teams.”

Shea Theodore and Oscar Lindberg also scored for the Golden Knights, and Marc-Andre Fleury stopped 29 shots. Fleury improved to 29-12-4 this season and moved into sole possession of 11th place on the career wins list with 404 victories.

”This is obviously a nice feeling, to do this at home, in front of our fans, you know they’ve been so great to us all season long,” Fleury said. ”I’m very proud of these guys, the way they’ve played all season long. To have an expansion team win the division in our first year, I think it’s pretty cool.”

Jones made 35 saves. The Sharks had allowed fewer than 30 shots in eight of their previous 15 games.

Joe Pavelski and Marc-Edouard Vlasic scored for San Jose, which has dropped three in a row.

The Sharks, who went 10-4-1 in March, will have to wait until Tuesday to try to clinch a playoff berth for the 13th time in 14 years.

”You’re going to come in here and win in this rink in this time of year [url=http://www.sanfrancisco49ersteamonline.com/jimmy-garoppolo-jersey]Jimmy Garoppolo Jersey Limited[/url] , you’re going to have to bring your A-plus game, and I thought we were B tonight,” coach Peter DeBoer said. ”Just not good enough at certain moments and we probably got what we deserved.”

Vegas struck early in the first period. Theodore took a pass from Karlsson at the point and sent a wrist shot past Jones at 2:21.

Pavelski tied it when he fired a rebound into an open net at 7:14 while Fleury was still recovering from making a save at the other side of the goal.

Lindberg got the lead back for Vegas when he redirected Theodore’s shot from the point past Jones 3:03 into the second. But Vlasic tied it midway through the period when he backhanded home a rebound that came off Vegas defender Brayden McNabb’s knee.

NOTES: In a pregame ceremony, the Golden Knights retired No. 58, raising a banner with 58 stars and the names of the lives lost in the Oct. 1 concert shooting. … The 18,458 in attendance was the largest crowd of Vegas’ inaugural season. … Vegas’ James Neal played in his 700th career game, while teammate Jonathan Marchessault played in his 200th game. … San Jose’s Joonas Donskoi played in his 200th career game. … San Jose, which has the league’s second-best penalty kill, denied Vegas’ four power-play opportunities, and hasn’t allowed a power-play goal in 16 of its last 18 contests. … The Golden Knights improved to 33-5-2 record when scoring the first goal of the game.

UP NEXT

Sharks: Host Dallas on Tuesday.

Golden Knights: Visit Vancouver on Tuesday.

.

Padres manager Andy Green is trying not to get too excited about San Diego’s run of success. His players seem to be enjoying it [url=http://www.dallascowboysteamonline.com/leighton-vander-esch-jersey]Leighton Vander Cowboys Esch Jersey[/url] , though.

 

Eric Lauer carried a shutout into the sixth inning, Manuel Margot had three hits and the Padres beat the St. Louis Cardinals 4-2 on Wednesday night to win their fifth straight series.

San Diego has won 11 of 15 games, including five of its last seven. It’s the first time the Padres have won five consecutive series since 2010.

”It means we’re playing good baseball and that’s the most important thing,” said shortstop Freddy Galvis, who sparked the attack with a two-run double in the first inning.

Marcell Ozuna homered for the Cardinals, who have lost three of four.

Green warned his players about staying on an even keel heading into a four-game series in Atlanta.

”I don’t want to make too much out of the streak,” Green said. ”Over the course of a season, every team has some hot streaks and cold streaks. You can’t get caught up in those moments. It doesn’t serve the purpose.”

The Padres took two of three in a stadium where they had struggled. St. Louis had won 30 of its previous 42 home games against San Diego.

Lauer (3-4) gave up two runs and eight hits over 5 2/3 innings. He’s 3-0 when getting two or more runs of support.

”I felt a lot more comfortable out on the mound as far as not pressing,” Lauer said. ”I think I did a good job. I was out there just throwing my game.”

Lauer gave up six runs to St. Louis on seven hits during a 9-5 loss on May 11. The Cardinals hit four homers off him in a short 2 1/3 inning stint.

”I pretty much had the same game plan [url=http://www.sanfrancisco49ersteamonline.com/mike-mcglinchey-jersey]Mike McGlinchey Jersey Youth[/url] , I wanted to attack hitters,” Lauer said.

Brad Hand recorded his 21st save in 23 opportunities. He got Jedd Gyorko to ground into a double play after hitting Yadier Molina to start the ninth.

San Diego reliever Jose Castillo struck out all four batters he faced. The Padres pitching staff did not walk a batter in the three-game series.

St. Louis starter Luke Weaver (3-6) gave up four runs and nine hits over 5 1/3 innings. He has just one win over his last 11 starts.

”I didn’t think it was a terrible start,” Weaver said. ”They just capitalized on the moments they needed to. I’ve just got to go back to the drawing board.”

Margot, who singled in the second and fourth, stretched the lead to 3-0 with a run-scoring triple in the sixth. Raffy Lopez followed with a broken-bat single off reliever Austin Gomber for a 4-0 lead.

Margot has hit safely in his last six games, going 9 for 20. He had two hits in a 4-2 win Tuesday.

Ozuna, who leads the team with 21 multihit games, has hit safely in 11 of his last 12.

St. Louis came into the series having won three of four.

”Sometimes we do our best with a real good team and sometimes – well I don’t know,” Ozuna said. ”It’s baseball and in baseball anything happens.”

SHARP DEFENSE

The Cardinals have not allowed an error in their last six games. It is their longest errorless stretch since Aug. 3-8 last season.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Padres: C Austin Hedges began a rehab assignment with Class A Lake Elsinore on Tuesday. He went 1 for 2. Hedges was placed on the DL on May 1 with right elbow tendonitis. He has missed 38 games.

Cardinals: INF Jose Martinez will be out on paternity leave for the upcoming weekend series against the Chicago Cubs.

UP NEXT:

Padres: RHP Tyson Ross (5-3 [url=http://www.chicagobearsteamonline.com/tarik-cohen-jersey]Authentic Tarik Cohen Jersey[/url] , 3.43) will open a four-game series at Atlanta against RHP Anibal Sanchez (2-0, 2.37) on Thursday. The Padres are in 10-3 when Tyson starts and have won the last six.

Cardinals: RHP Michael Wacha (8-1, 2.47) face LHP Jon Lester (7-2, 2.22) in the first of a three-game home series against the Chicago Cubs on Friday. Wacha has won his last eight decisions against the Cubs.

—

 

WASHINGTON — A pair of old friends will reconnect when the Boston Red Sox visit the Washington Nationals on Monday night.

Former teammates Rick Porcello (9-2, 3.60) of the Red Sox and Max Scherzer (10-4, 2.04) square off for the first time in the opener of a three-game series.

Porcello and Scherzer spent five seasons together with the Detroit Tigers, reaching the 2012 World Series before losing to the San Francisco Giants.

Since leaving Detroit, Porcello won the 2016 American League Cy Young Award and Scherzer is making a strong case for his third straight National League Cy Young. Both have been aware this matchup was coming.

“Looking forward to it. We’ve been texting back and forth,” Porcello told the Boston Globe. “We’ve had a good time with it and I’m sure we’ll both get a kick about going against each other once the game starts.”

Scherzer is looking for his first win since June 5 [url=http://www.dallascowboysteamonline.com/sean-lee-jersey]Sean Lee Jersey Elite[/url] , though he’s pitched well enough to win each of his past four starts, allowing two earned runs or less in each outing. The Nationals are 1-3 in those starts and were shut out in each loss.

“I think everybody’s been punched in the face before of not having success,” Scherzer told The Washington Post after his last start, a 1-0 loss to the Marlins. “This is the big leagues; they are going to keep coming down your throat and keep attacking you.”

Scherzer, Washington’s only dependable starter of late, is 4-4 with a 6.05 ERA in 10 starts versus Boston.

Porcello allowed four runs on eight hits in 5 2/3 innings last time out in a no-decision against the Angels.

He’s 1-0 with a 3.38 ERA in his lone start against Washington, an eight-inning effort in April of 2015.

The Nationals (42-40) squandered an early 3-0 lead in Philadelphia on Sunday and fell 4-3 in 13 innings on Andrew Knapp’s pinch-hit walk-off home run as Washington dropped a second straight weekend series to their division rivals.

Washington managed only four hits in eight innings against the Philadelphia bullpen in the finale.

“Offensively, we’ve got to do more,” outfielder Adam Eaton told The Post. “That’s plain and simple. We score early and then we can’t coast. We can’t take our foot off the accelerator. We got to keep going.”

The Nationals are now 6-15 in their past 21 games and fell six games behind Atlanta in the NL East.

In each of their last nine losses [url=http://www.sanfrancisco49ersteamonline.com/reuben-foster-jersey]Reuben Foster Jersey Youth[/url] , they’ve scored three or fewer runs.

“We’ve got to start striking out less,” manager Dave Martinez told MASN, “putting the balls in play, driving in runs when we have the ability to drive in runs.”

Boston (56-29) finished a three-game series against the Yankees on a forgettable note Sunday night, getting routed 11-1 behind starter David Price as New York blasted six home runs, including three by Aaron Hicks.

Price allowed eight runs on nine hits in 3 1/3 innings.

The Red Sox dropped two of three and travel south percentage points behind the Yankees in the AL East.

.

CHICAGO BEARS (5-11)

OPEN CAMP: July 19 [url=http://www.greenbaypackersteamonline.com/davante-adams-jersey]Davante Adams Jersey[/url] , Olivet Nazarene University, Bourbonnais, Illinois

LAST YEAR: Bears finished last in NFC North for fourth straight year, then fired coach John Fox after three losing seasons. GM Ryan Pace got contract extension through 2021 and hired Andy Reid protege Matt Nagy as head coach, hoping he gets most out of QB Mitchell Trubisky. Wide receivers were big weakness, with Cameron Meredith (left knee) out for season and Kevin White (shoulder) missing most of it. Chicago’s leading receiver was Kendall Wright – now with Minnesota – with 59 receptions for 614 yards. Bears had formidable RB tandem with Jordan Howard (1,122 yards) and Tarik Cohen (370 yards rushing, 353 receiving), though Howard struggled to catch passes. Defense ranked 10th overall despite injuries to several key players, including LB Leonard Floyd.

IMPORTANT ADDITIONS: Coach Matt Nagy, offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich, WR Allen Robinson [url=http://www.buffalobillsteamonline.com/tre_davious-white-jersey]Tre'Davious White Jersey Youth[/url] , TE Trey Burton, WR Taylor Gabriel, K Cody Parkey, rookie LB Roquan Smith, rookie WR Anthony Miller, rookie G/C James Daniels.

IMPORTANT LOSSES: Fox, Meredith, LB Pernell McPhee, LB Willie Young.

CAMP NEEDS: Trubisky needs time to develop rapport with new targets, particularly Robinson, coming back from torn left ACL in last year’s opener with Jacksonville. Something else to watch: G Kyle Long’s health. Three-time Pro Bowler is working way back from ankle, neck and shoulder surgeries.

EXPECTATIONS: Bears [url=http://www.sanfrancisco49ersteamonline.com/mike-mcglinchey-jersey]Mike McGlinchey Jersey[/url] , coming off fourth straight season with 10 or more losses, haven’t finished above .500 since 2012. Chicago has one playoff appearance since 2006 Super Bowl appearance. Bears are banking on Trubisky after surrounding him with playmakers and coaches they think will help him reach his potential. Chicago also added possible cornerstone at inside linebacker by drafting Smith, who led Georgia to national championship game last season.

—

Chris Sale wasn’t about to slow down the way he was pitching.

Sale struck out 13 over seven dazzling innings, Mitch Moreland hit a two-run homer and the Boston Red Sox won the weekend and season series over the Seattle Mariners with a 5-0 victory on Sunday afternoon.

”You try to find a good rhythm and tempo, find a groove and keep it going,” the 6-foot-6 lefty said after posting his first scoreless outing since going six shutout innings in his first start of the season.

He even had a solution when the Mariners’ hitters started stepping out of the batter’s box attempting to disrupt his rhythm.

”Keep throwing strikes,” he said. ”Try to not let what’s going on outside the zone affect you.”

Sale (7-4) gave up four hits, walked one and ended his day by striking out Mike Zunino swinging on a 100-mph fastball. Joe Kelly and Matt Barnes each pitched an inning to complete the four-hit shutout that only took 2 hours, 29 minutes.

Mostly mixing an overpowering fastball in the mid-to-upper 90s with a sharp-breaking slider in the low 80s, the lanky Sale was working quickly and dominant from the start.

He struck out 10 of the first 16 batters he faced, including the side in order in the fifth – the last two swinging on 99 mph fastballs.

”I’m glad that he’s on my team and I don’t have to face him,” Moreland said. ”He’s filthy and showed it again today.”

Jackie Bradley Jr. had three singles and Rafael Devers added an RBI double for Boston [url=http://www.dallascowboysteamonline.com/dak-prescott-jersey]Dak Prescott Jersey Elite[/url] , which struggled offensively in a loss Saturday after putting up 14 runs and 20 hits in the series opener.

The Mariners have lost six of seven games and fell to 1-5 on their 10-game East Coast trip.

”Chris Sale was on top of his game, no doubt, and he had really good stuff today,” Seattle manager Scott Servais said. ”When he’s got the off-speed pitches and the slider was really a dominant pitch for him today, like it often is.”

Marco Gonzales (7-5) gave up five runs on seven hits in six innings, striking out six without a walk. He was locked in a scoreless duel with Boston’s ace in the fifth.

”He’s a great pitcher,” Gonzales said. ”I knew that I needed some good stuff today and I knew I needed to give our team the best chance to win and keep it a close game.”

The Red Sox broke ahead 3-0 in the fifth on the double by Devers, and sacrifice flies by Sandy Leon and Mookie Betts after Xander Bogaerts doubled leading off and Eduardo Nunez singled.

Moreland’s homer into the center-field batter’s eye made it 5-0 an inning later.

Gonzales was sharp early, spotting a fastball that broke into the low 90s along with a changeup, curveball and cutter. He had the hitters off-balance, causing a lot of weak or early swings until they began waiting on pitches. He had all six Ks through the first four innings.

Nelson Cruz had a two-out triple in the fourth, but was stranded when Ryon Healy struck out on a slider in the dirt.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Mariners: SS Jean Segura missed his fourth straight game with a right forearm infection.

Red Sox: RF Mookie Betts (sickness) and SS Bogaerts (strained left index finger) both returned to the lineup after missing Saturday’s game. ”Good to have them both back in the lineup [url=http://www.clevelandbrownsteamonline.com/denzel-ward-jersey]Denzel Ward Jersey Youth[/url] ,” manager Alex Cora said after his club was held to three singles in the first eight innings Saturday. . Cora also said that LHP Drew Pomeranz (10-day DL, left biceps tendinitis) will ramp up this week if things go well in his next bullpen session.

GOOD GLOVE

Betts made a semi-leaping grab on Mitch Haniger’s fly ball to end the sixth with his back nearly up against the bullpen wall.

HOT BAT

Cruz went 1 for 4, finishing 8 for 13 in the series with two homers, seven RBIs and four runs scored.

SERIES EDGE

Boston won the season series, 4-3, which could come into play for homefield if the teams tied for the AL’s Wild Card spot.

UP NEXT

Mariners: RHP Felix Hernandez (6-6, 5.14 ERA) faces Orioles RHP Andrew Cashner (2-8, 4.72) on Monday when Seattle opens the final stop of its trip with the first of a four games in Baltimore.

Red Sox: After and a day off Monday, LHP David Price (8-5, 3.81) goes for Boston against LHP John Lamb (0-0, 5.40) when the Angles come to Fenway Park for a three-game series beginning Tuesday.

—

.

All Zach Miller knows is he’s not setting any limits on his recovery – and his doctors aren’t either.

 

Whether the Chicago Bears‘ tight end can play again after a gruesome injury last season nearly cost him his left leg still is to be determined.

”There has not been a definitive `You can never do this again [url=http://www.newyorkgiantsteamonline.com/odell-beckham-jr-jersey]Odell Beckham Jr Jersey Youth[/url] ,”’ Miller said.

”That hasn’t been talked about. It’s approach this as you are planning to get back to where I can be myself and play football, and then when that time comes some of that is out of my hands. So, I’m just going to do as much as I can to get to that point and see what happens.”

The Bears placed Miller on the physically unable to perform list on Tuesday, one day after he signed a one-year contract. The deal was at least a goodwill gesture for a popular player who dislocated his knee trying to make a touchdown catch during the Week 8 game at New Orleans. He has undergone nine surgeries since then, but was walking on his own by late December.

Miller has been spending several hours a day at the team’s facility in rehab and meetings. Though he is not yet allowed to run, he can at least play with his children.

He’s also wearing a brace on his leg to hold up a dropped foot that was brought on by nerve damage. The nerve started functioning again in the past month, and Miller ”wanted to have a party” that day.

”I don’t think I’ve ever been mentally defeated – ever,” he said. ”I feel good. I’m happy with where I’m at and with my recovery. I’m happy with the steps that we’ve made. Positivity has been one of my qualities that’s helped get me through all this stuff. I’m in a good place right now.”

He said being around the team, having ”that brotherhood” and people who ”check in on me” helps.

Miller also praised chairman George McCaskey and an organization that has ”taken care of me since Day 1.”

”It’s tough for me to put it into words what it means to me, but very thankful and just grateful to be a part of this family,” he added.

Defensive end Akiem Hicks was glad to see the organization taking care of his teammate.

”That’s what it said to me, that they’re willing to make sure that we’re all right and give us the opportunity to get better and just loyalty [url=http://www.chicagobearsteamonline.com/devin-hester-jersey]Devin Hester Jersey[/url] ,” he said.

Coach Matt Nagy called it ”without a doubt” the ”right thing to do.”

”I was happy for him,” Nagy said. ”We talked along with (general manager Ryan Pace) and it’s a good story and it needed to be done.”

Miller signed a futures contract with the Bears at the end of the 2013 season. After spending 2014 on injured reserve, he started 28 of 33 games while making 101 receptions for 1,161 yards and 11 touchdowns the past three years. He also spent three seasons with Jacksonville.

A healthy Miller probably would have a big role on a team that invested heavily on the offense in the offseason in order to get the most out of quarterback Mitchell Trubisky.

The Bears hired an offensive-minded coach in Nagy to replace the fired John Fox and overhauled their receiving group, most notably signing Allen Robinson.

They believe bigger things are in store after four straight last-place finishes in the NFC North. And Miller would love to play in Nagy’s offense.

”That’s the bittersweet part of it, seeing first of all how awesome Coach Nagy is, not only as a guy but his football knowledge is unbelievable,” Miller said.

”Very cool, very collected, has a little bit of swagger to him, which is just fun to be around. Then you go to the football field and you look at the scheme that we have. It would be a lot of fun to be a part of. It’s not in the cards quite yet for me to take part in that.

”But as I sit and I watch and I see the weapons that we have and what we’ve added, the dynamic ability that we have as a collective group [url=http://www.chicagobearsteamonline.com/anthony-miller-jersey]Anthony Miller Bears Jersey[/url] , positive future here and I’m excited to be a part of it.”

—

For the first time in nearly two months, the New York Mets have won two in a row.

And they did it with style.

”The way we won,” Mets manager Mickey Callaway said, ”is probably more significant than just getting a back-to-back win.”

Brandon Nimmo and Asdrubal Cabrera homered off Brad Boxberger in a four-run ninth inning and the Mets rallied to beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 5-3 on Sunday.

The Diamondbacks led 3-1 entering the ninth and Boxberger (1-3), with his third blown save in 20 tries, struck out the first two batters.

Jose Reyes reached on a bunt single, which Boxberger said ”kind of threw the rhythm off.”

Reyes scored on Jose Bautista’s pinch-hit double that glanced off right fielder Jon Jay’s glove to cut the lead to 3-2. Nimmo, who doubled and scored in the first inning, followed with a two-run shot to right field to put New York ahead 4-3.

”When I came up to bat I was just looking to put the barrel on the ball. He’s on second base. A base hit ties it,” Nimmo said. ”For me, personally, and for this team [url=http://www.buffalobillsteamonline.com/josh-allen-jersey]Josh Allen Jersey Youth[/url] , maybe we’ve been trying to do a little too much lately, so there I was just trying to get the barrel on the ball.

”I wasn’t trying to hit a home run, but I know now with my swing that if I get on the barrel and the launch angle is right, it will go.”

Cabrera’s solo shot made it 5-3.

”I have to make a better pitch to Nimmo,” Boxberger said. ”I pulled a changeup right into his barrel? I have to make a better pitch and then we wouldn’t be standing here.”

The Mets split the four-game series in Arizona and won consecutive games for the first time since May 20-21.

The Diamondbacks were 4-3 on the homestand with a frustrating conclusion.

”But that is what makes this game great,” Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said. ”It is heartbreaking. It is rewarding. It is fulfilling and we experience all of those emotions and sometimes all in one game. When it ends like it did today, it is tough.”

Jeurys Familia (3-3), just off the disabled list, allowed a run in an inning of relief to get the victory.

Alex Avila reached to start the Arizona ninth when first baseman Dominic Smith dropped second baseman Cabrera’s throw for an error but Robert Gsellman retired the next three for his third save in seven tries.

Robert Gsellman pitched the ninth for his third save in seven tries.

Clay Buchholz and three Arizona relievers had shut down the Mets since the opening inning until the big rally.

David Peralta doubled in Arizona’s first run in the two-run fourth inning and made a diving grab in left field to rob Zack Wheeler of a hit to end the fifth. Jake Lamb’s bloop single in the eighth made it 3-1.

Buchholz went 5 2-3 innings, giving up a run and four hits.

Nimmo led off the game with a double, took third on a ground out and scored on Todd Frazier’s sacrifice fly to center.

New York won for only the third time in 15 games.

”It was really great to come back and get a win like that,” Callaway said. ”That’s something we were doing early on [url=http://www.chicagobearsteamonline.com/brian-urlacher-jersey]Brian Urlacher Jersey Youth[/url] , which feels like three years ago.”

The announced crowd was a sellout of 47,900, second-largest at Chase Field this season behind 48,703 for the season opener.

TOSSED

Mets left-hander Jason Vargas was ejected from the dugout by home plate umpire Jim Reynolds in the bottom of the fourth inning. Vargas is scheduled to start Tuesday night at Colorado.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Mets: Familia had been sidelined since June 7 with a sore right shoulder. To make room, New York optioned RHP Jacob Rhame to Triple-A Las Vegas.

Diamondbacks: RHP Shelby Miller (Tommy John surgery) made his fourth rehab start on Saturday night. He threw 6 2-3 scoreless innings for Class A Visalia against San Jose. Miller allowed three hits and struck out 10 with no walks. He threw 81 pitches, 56 strikes.

UP NEXT

Mets:

(4-2, 1.55 ERA) takes the mound for New York Monday night in the opener of a four-game series in Colorado. LHP Tyler Anderson (4-1, 4.48) starts for the Rockies.

Diamondbacks: Arizona heads to Anaheim for a two-game interleague series with the Angels. RHP Zack Greinke (5-5, 3.87) starts for the Diamondbacks in Monday night’s opener.

.

Basketball’s international governing body has opened disciplinary hearings against Australia and the Philippines after a wild brawl that included Milwaukee Bucks forward Thon Maker broke out in their Basketball World Cup qualifying game Monday.

 

The fight spilled into the area behind the baseline and video showed a chair being thrown at the back of an Australia player either by a fan or member of the Philippines team staff. Former NBA player Andray Blatche [url=http://www.greenbaypackersteamonline.com/jaire-alexander-jersey]Jaire Alexander Jersey Youth[/url] , now playing for the Philippines, appeared to throw multiple punches [url=http://www.sanfrancisco49ersteamonline.com/mike-mcglinchey-jersey]Mike McGlinchey 49ers Jersey[/url] , while Maker came at a Philippines player with legs flying high as it continued.

A total of 13 players were ejected after the melee that began in the third quarter of Australia’s 89-53 victory following a collision in the lane. The game continued with just three players from the Philippines.

Anthony Moore, chief executive of Australian basketball [url=http://www.chicagobearsteamonline.com/jordan-howard-jersey]Authentic Jordan Howard Jersey[/url] , apologized to fans in a statement, adding that ”this is not the spirit in which sport should be played and certainly not in the spirit in which we aim to play basketball.”

The Australians later tweeted that everyone on their team was safe and well . The Bucks said they would have no comment about Maker.

FIBA says a decision will be announced in the coming days.

The Los Angeles Chargers have placed cornerback Jason Verrett on injured reserve with a torn Achilles tendon.

 

The Chargers also placed rookie tight end Austin Roberts on injured reserve and signed receiver Marcus Peterson and cornerback Channing Stribling.

After Verrett was a Pro Bowl selection in 2014 [url=http://www.dallascowboysteamonline.com/tyron-smith-jersey]Tyron Smith Jersey Womens[/url] , he subsequently missed all but five games over the past two seasons with knee injuries. He was back to full strength this season until he tore his Achilles last week while running in a conditioning test before training camp began.

Roberts injured his knee on the first day of training camp.

Peterson most recently played for the Indoor Football League’s Iowa Barnstormers. Stribling was on three NFL practice squads last season.

—

.

Eric Thames doesn’t give much thought to the way he wrecks the Reds [url=http://www.sanfrancisco49ersteamonline.com/reuben-foster-jersey]Reuben Foster Jersey Limited[/url] , leaving everyone else to marvel.

 

Thames hit a three-run homer in the seventh inning Thursday night, and the Milwaukee Brewers slowed the Cincinnati Reds‘ best surge of the season with a 6-4 victory .

Thames has been the Reds’ biggest nemesis. He hit a record 10 homers against Cincinnati last year – the most by a Brewer against one team in a single season. Thames gave the Brewers a 5-4 lead when he homered in the seventh inning off reliever Amir Garrett (0-1).

Thames’ third home this season against the Reds was the turning point in a game that started badly for the Brewers and included a benches-clearing incident in the third inning when Cincinnati’s Joey Votto exchanged words with catcher Erik Kratz.

”I’m not really thinking about, `It’s the Reds, yeah I’m going to get some hits,’ or whatever,” Thames said. ”In this park, the ball will travel a little bit, so that’s nice. For me, it doesn’t matter if it’s the Royals, the Yankees or the Reds, I try to have the same approach.”

Thames is 3 of 3 in his career against the left-handed Garrett with three homers.

”Me and him, we have a past history – three home runs,” Garrett said. ”He got me today. Sometimes [url=http://www.clevelandbrownsteamonline.com/josh-gordon-jersey]Josh Gordon Jersey Youth[/url] , you get got. That’s how the game is.”

Jesus Aguilar hit a two-run homer off Anthony DeSclafani, connecting for the third straight game. Eric Sogard added a sacrifice fly in the ninth.

Milwaukee beat the Reds for the sixth straight time and improved to 6-1 overall against Cincinnati this season, including 4-0 at Great American Ball Park.

Junior Guerra (4-5) gave up Jose Peraza’s second career leadoff homer and Jesse Winker’s two-run shot while getting his first victory since May 14. Corey Knebel pitched the ninth for his eighth save in 10 chances.

The last-place Reds were the hottest team in the NL Central heading into the game, winning nine of their last 10 games.

Votto was in the middle of a dispute for the second straight game.

The third inning opened with Votto thinking he’d drawn a walk on a 3-1 pitch, but plate umpire Roberto Ortiz called it a strike. When Votto returned to the batter’s box, he exchanged words with Kratz. Votto removed his batting helmet, and the benches and bullpens emptied.

Players milled briefly, many joking with one another. When play resumed, Votto flied out.

”It was just a little bit of a misunderstanding at the plate,” Votto said. ”It was just two guys having words. It was really nothing.”

Votto was ejected in Atlanta on Wednesday by plate umpire Carlos Torres for arguing a called third strike, his eighth career ejection.

MILWAUKEE MOVES

The Brewers called up LH reliever Mike Zagurski from Triple-A Colorado Springs and optioned RH Adrian Houser. Zagurski last pitched in the majors in 2013 with the Pirates. He played in the Japan Central League in 2015-16.

THAMES’ STATS

Thames homered off a left-hander for the first time since June 6 last year against San Diego’s Ryan Buchter. Thames missed 41 games earlier this season with a torn ligament in his left thumb. His three homers off Garrett are his highest total off any pitcher. He has six homers in 34 career at-bats in GABP.

”We’ve had no answer for him,” interim Reds manager Jim Riggleman said.

GOING DEEP

Aguilar has homered in three consecutive games for the second time this season – he also did it from May 18-20. He recorded his eighth three-hit game this season, a career high.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Brewers: CF Christian Yelich left the game with a tight lower back after he grounded out in the first inning. He felt his back tighten a couple steps toward first base. … Travis Shaw was back at third base after missing two games with a sore right wrist. He took batting practice pregame and felt good enough to play [url=http://www.clevelandbrownsteamonline.com/denzel-ward-jersey]Denzel Ward Jersey Elite[/url] , although the wrist is likely to bother him at times. He went 0 for 4.

Reds: Top prospect Nick Senzel today had surgery on his broken right index finger. Senzel hurt his finger Friday with Triple-A Louisville. There’s no estimate for the infielder’s return.

UP NEXT

Brewers: Chase Anderson (5-6) beat the Reds 7-6 at Great American Ball Park on May 1, allowing four runs in 5 1/3 innings. He’s 2-1 with a 4.15 ERA in six career starts at Great American.

Reds: Sal Romano (4-7) has lost all of his four career starts against the Brewers, giving up 13 runs in 18 2/3 innings.

—

In his first home Stanley Cup Final game after 13 long years checkered with as many disappointments as milestones, Alex Ovechkin was not going to be denied the opportunity to do something special.

He played with an edge. He played with joy. And he played with the leadership his Washington Capitals have come to expect.

Ovechkin dived to the ice to score his 14th goal of the playoffs, laid down to block shots, dished out hits and, along with Evgeny Kuznetsov, muscled the Capitals past the Vegas Golden Knights 3-1 on Saturday night to take a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.

Showing the kind of emotion on the ice and the bench from his younger days, Ovechkin led the way and now has Washington two wins away from the first championship in the 43-year history of the franchise.

”It’s the Stanley Cup Final,” Ovechkin said. ”What do you wanna do? It’s all in for everybody.”

The Capitals suddenly look in complete control of the series thanks to Ovechkin and Kuznetsov, who fired a wrist shot past Marc-Andre Fleury that made it perfectly clear the injury that knocked him out of Game 2 was not bothering him. Invoking Michael Jordan’s 63-point game on a broken foot and 38-point game with the flu, Kuznetsov said: ”When you’re hurt, you play a little better always.”

It doesn’t get much better than this for Kuznetsov and Ovechkin. As Kuznetsov flapped his arms in celebration of his goal on a 2-on-1 rush [url=http://www.chicagobearsteamonline.com/devin-hester-jersey]Devin Hester Jersey Youth[/url] , Ovechkin screamed and raised his arms to the bench – showing the same emotion he did in the final minutes of Game 7 of the Eastern Conference final and when Braden Holtby made a stick save of a lifetime to preserve a 3-2 win in Game 2.

”It’s just automatic. You just get excited,” Ovechkin said. ”It’s huge moments for us. You just want to give emotion to your teammates and to yourself, as well.”

Fired up for the first Cup Final game in Washington since 1998, the Capitals unloaded chance after chance on Fleury, who made 23 saves but couldn’t backstop a frazzled, disjointed team that lost two games in a row for the first time in the playoff and is trailing in a series for the first time.

At the other end, Braden Holtby gifted Tomas Nosek a goal by giving the puck away but stopped the other 21 shots he faced from the Golden Knights, who looked nothing like the winners of 13 of their first 16 playoff games through the first three rounds.

”All year we’ve had a lot of guys going,” Vegas defenseman Deryk Engelland said. ”That hasn’t been the case. Our goalie’s been bailing us out with huge saves all night and we have to bear down and be better for him.”

The Golden Knights’ historic run in its inaugural season is now in danger of coming to an end with Game 4 back in Washington on Monday night.

”We haven’t been behind in any series,” Fleury said. ”It doesn’t mean we’re out of it.”

They’re not out, but they’re down because Holtby was there when the Capitals needed him by making 21 saves on 22 shots. Of course, they didn’t need him much because they were on the attack for much of the game and also blocked 26 shots in front of Holtby.

”I think there’s more to blocking shots than just going out there and trying to get hit,” Holtby said. ”We’re doing a great job of creating the right layers [url=http://www.sanfrancisco49ersteamonline.com/mike-mcglinchey-jersey]Mike McGlinchey Jersey[/url] , guys going out there strategically to know which lane I’m picking for sight lines and they’re taking away the other half and making big blocks. That’s a huge part of why we’re having success defensively because it’s all through our lineup.”

Ovechkin attempted eight shots in the first period and scored a goal that seemed inevitable. It came 1:10 into the second period when Ovechkin threw himself full extension over Vegas defenseman Brayden McNabb to reach the rebound and backhand the puck past Fleury.

”I thought it was sort of the right thing in a playoff game, our first victory in the final at home, that Alex would score the first goal,” coach Barry Trotz said. ”I thought that was a little bit of poetic justice if you will for all the tough times.

Ovechkin’s goal matched John Druce’s franchise record set in 1990 and tied him for the league lead in these playoffs.

When Kuznetsov showed his injured left arm is just fine by scoring on a perfect shot on an odd-man rush, Ovechkin looked to the ceiling with his arms extended as he was hugged by Lars Eller.

”Ovi, he always shows his emotions when he scores, but he’ll be just as happy for somebody else scoring,” Eller said. ”He wants to win as bad as anyone. You see how our team celebrates when somebody else scores. Everybody is happy for one another and everybody is happy for the team.”

The red-clad raucous crowd was quieted when Vegas scored early in the third period. Holtby – well-aware of the Golden Knights’ ability to cross up opposing goaltenders – had his puck-handling attempt intercepted by Pierre-Edouard Bellemare. The puck skittered to Nosek for an easy goal.

Vegas built some momentum, but Devante Smith-Pelly gave the Capitals an insurance goal with 6:07 left – his fourth of the playoffs – after Jay Beagle took the puck away from Shea Theodore on the forecheck and found his teammate skating in alone on Fleury. Vegas pulled Fleury for more than two minutes at the end of the game but couldn’t break through.

The Capitals have now pieced together consecutive wins against the hottest team in the playoffs and are game-by-game exorcising the demons of the past decade and more.