TSNs Jack Armstrong offers his thoughts on the return of Paul Georges play, the defensive abilities of Chris Paul, the emergence of Mirza Teletovic, the struggles of Wesley Matthews and the successful formula of the Miami Heat. 1. Paul George (Pacers): Really looked like the All-Star hes been the past few years. Big time 39 point-12 rebound performance in Game #4 vs. the Wizards. Makes seven 3s and is clutch in so many instances for his team. Im not sure if the Pacers are truly back or if the Wizards dont know how to win as the stakes get higher but I will say that George looks back to normal and then some of late and thats a good sign for his club. 2. Chris Paul (Clippers): Yes, hes the best point guard in the game in my book and in spite of the fact that he gets 23 points and 10 assists in Game #4 vs. OKC, youve got to admire his grit and compete level taking on the defensive challenge of guarding Kevin Durant late. Hes an outstanding offensive player yet the thing that stands out to me is his ability to put the clamps on his opponent when need be, regardless of size. Tough competitor and special player. 3. Mirza Teletovic (Nets): Has made 10 3s in the past two games vs the Heat and has them shaking their heads on how to cover him. His stretch 4 game is quite a sight to behold when hes dropping long range shots. He opens the whole floor up for his teammates and has been a steady shooter (37 per cent) this season. Looks like hes gaining confidence with each passing game. What a steal for GM Billy King. A skilled and tough second unit guy that teams would love to have. 4. Wesley Matthews (Blazers): Normally close to 40 per cent 3-point shooter during the regular season. Rockets and Spurs have made it a point of making him work for every open look he can get on the perimeter while only shooting 31 per cent in the playoffs. His ability to open things up in the two-man game between LaMarcus Aldridge and Damian Lillard has been critical to their success. Spacing is such a huge component of getting the matchups you want to be effective. Hes a marked man and the Spurs are making sure he takes tough shots. 5. Miami Heat Formula: Theyve got the best player on the planet in LeBron James yet its what they put around him that counts. Of course, Dwyane Wade is a Hall of Famer and when hes healthy, hes still very good. The stretch ability of this team is remarkable. In the playoffs, theyre shooting 41 per cent from behind the arc. Thats really hard to do. Their spacing and ball movement is impeccable and when you have Ray Allen, Chris Bosh, Mario Chalmers, Norris Cole, James Jones and Shane Battier camping out behind the line, you have to pick your poison; double LeBron and give up 3s or play him single coverage, defend the 3s and hope that LeBron doesnt destroy you. The system works and is well thought out. Fits their personnel to a T. Tough to stop. . The game got off to a less-than-ideal start for the Jets as Oliver Ekman-Larsson found a wide open net from the slot and opened the scoring for the Coyotes a lead in the first period, but Olli Jokinen answered back just over half a minute later. . Hamelin overcame a weak start to win bronze in the 500-metre race behind winner Wu Dajing of China and American J.R. Celski on Saturday at the world short track speed skating championship.
http://www.officialavalanchefanstore.co ... he-jersey/. The Marlies centre set up three goals, including the game-winner, as Toronto cruised to a 4-1 victory over the Oklahoma City Barons in American Hockey League action. .C. - The Panthers will be without starting defensive tackle Star Lotulelei for Saturday nights NFC divisional playoff game against Seattle after undergoing surgery Wednesday to repair a broken bone in his foot. . -- With Tony Allen back, the Memphis Grizzlies were able to turn up their defence pressure and hold off the Los Angeles Clippers down the stretch.HOUSTON -- Dwight Howard joked about the need to "save centres" a day after Houstons big man wasnt named a starter in this years All-Star game. The league changed the voting last year to eliminate a separate category for centres, leaving the games largest players to compete with small and power forwards for a spot on the team. No centre was named a starter for next months game in New Orleans. Howard has been unhappy with the change since last year when he made a silly video asking people too help save the centres.dddddddddddd The video, which can be seen on YouTube, plays off the popular ASPCA commercial where Sarah McLachlan sings "Angel" and asks for donation to help abused animals. In Howards public service announcement, a song to the tune of "Angel," with lyrics about famous centres, plays in the background while Howard touts his fictional "Center Center for Centers." He joked before Fridays game against Memphis that the world needs centres. ' ' '
