Auburn Hills, MI (SportsNetwork.com) - Al Horford collected 19 points and 16 rebounds and the Atlanta Hawks held off a furious rally to beat the Detroit Pistons 106-103 on Friday night in a game between two of the NBAs hottest teams. Sitting on a seven-game winning streak since releasing Josh Smith last month, the Pistons trailed by as much as 23 points but had a chance to tie the score at the buzzer after an out-of-bounds call went their way following a replay review. But Kentavious Caldwell-Popes off-balance 3-pointer from the right sideline was short, ending the winning streak. Paul Millsap added 17 points points for the Eastern Conference-leading Hawks, who extended their winning streak to seven games, improving to 21-2 since late November. They have won eight in a row and 12 of their last 13 on the road. Caldwell-Pope fired up 23 shots, including 16 3-pointers, and led Detroit with 20 points. He missed all seven of his 3-point attempts over the first three quarters, then made four to lead a Pistons rally in the fourth. . Acclaimed by world football leaders but held in contempt by many football fans. Blatter should arrive at the Itaquerao stadium in Sao Paulo to watch host Brazil play Croatia confident that this tournament -- his fifth as president -- wont be his last leading the worlds favourite sport. . The club was unable to retain hitting coach Kevin Seitzer, who is bound for Atlanta. Seitzer replaces Greg Walker, who was assisted by Scott Fletcher this season as the Braves finished 79-83.
http://www.celticsofficialsstore.com/ki ... cs-jersey/. PETERSBURG, Fla. . Consider it received. Attacking on offence early and often, the Penguins topped the Columbus Blue Jackets 3-1 on Saturday night as Jussi Jokinen scored the go-ahead goal in the third period to help give Pittsburgh a 3-2 lead in the Eastern Conference playoff series. . Dougie Hamilton and Jordan Caron scored in the first period after the Red Wings had miscues on the ice and Tuukka Rask finished with a 23-save shutout, giving Boston a 3-0 win over the Red Wings and a 2-1 series lead in their first-round series.MIAMI -- With his wife about to give birth, Tom Koehler hurried through the Philadelphia Phillies lineup. Koehler retired 15 in a row during one stretch and pitched six innings Wednesday, helping the Miami Marlins beat the fading Phils 5-0. "He was warming up and pitching like she was going to give birth any second," said Marlins catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia, who hit a two-run homer in the ninth. Koehler (6-6) left the ballpark immediately after the game. The Marlins placed him on paternity leave and said his wife, Ashley, was expected to deliver their first child -- a daughter -- by Thursday morning. "Big news," manager Mike Redmond said. "Were excited about that, and glad he got a big win on a big day for him and his wife." Casey McGehee reached base three times, doubled home a run and scored another to help hand the Phillies their sixth consecutive loss. The Marlins, who lead the majors in home victories, clinched the three-game series and improved to 27-21 at Marlins Park. Cole Hamels (2-5) gave up three runs and needed 97 pitches to get through five innings, ending his career-best 10-game streak of pitching at least seven innings. "I wasnt getting ahead of guys," Hamels said. "Then, when I had to throw a strike, I left it up in the zone in a place where they were able to make solid contact." Hamels, a victim of poor run support all season, remained winless since June 6. The Phillies were shut out for the 11th time, which is tied for second-most in the majors. "Its hard to believe," manager Ryne Sandberg said. "Maybe its a pressing situation. We need somebody to get it going -- everybody to feed off of somebody coming through." The Phils matched their longest losing streak of the year and fell 12 games below .500 for the first time. Philadelphia reliever Mario Hollands took a sharp grounder off the left knee for a singgle in the ninth, gave up Saltalamacchias homer and a double and then left the game accompanied by a trainer.ddddddddddddAfterward, he said he was fine. The homer snapped Hollands streak of 18 consecutive scoreless innings. Koehler allowed three hits and earned his first victory since June 4. Three relievers completed a five-hitter. Ben Revere and Jimmy Rollins started the game with singles, but Koehler didnt allow another baserunner until the sixth. The Phillies first two batters also reached in that inning, but again they failed to score. They went 0 for 6 with runners in scoring position. The Marlins took a 1-0 lead in the fourth on a bases-loaded single by Donovan Solano. They added two runs in the fifth on RBI doubles by Ed Lucas and McGehee. McGehee increased his hits total to 100, hiked his average to .312 and reached base for the 26th game in a row. He has revived his career after spending 2013 in Japan, but he said hes not about to rest on his accomplishments since joining the Marlins. "Its half a season," he said. "Ive seen how quick things can change. Ive got to keep going every day. If you start patting yourself on the back, this game has a nasty way of reminding you youre not bigger than the game. Itll hunt you down." NOTES: Marlins LHP Brad Hand (0-1, 6.38) will come off the disabled list to start Thursday against Phillies RHP Kyle Kendrick (3-8, 4.22). ... Philadelphia OF Domonic Brown went on the paternity list, and hes expected to rejoin the team this weekend in Pittsburgh. OF Aaron Altherr was recalled from Double-A Reading. ... The Marlins recalled INF Justin Bour from Triple-A New Orleans. ... Phillies LHP Cliff Lee (elbow) is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment Sunday with Class-A Clearwater. Hell throw 65 to 75 pitches. ... Phils C Wil Nieves began a rehabilitation assignment with the Gulf Coast League Phillies. ' ' '
