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导出博客文章OKLAHOMA CITY -- Serge Ibaka pointed to the sky, soaking in the cheers from the adoring home crowd moments before coming out of a game that just a few days earlier, he never imagined he could play. Rafael Marquez Jersey . He scored 15 points in a dramatic return from what was thought to be a season-ending left calf strain, helping the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the San Antonio Spurs 106-97 on Sunday night in Game 3 of the Western Conference finals. Ibaka started after missing the first two games of the series. The Thunder originally said he would miss the rest of the playoffs, but changed course Friday. His presence helped the Thunder dominate and cut the Spurs lead in the series to 2-1. Oklahoma City coach Scott Brooks took Ibaka out with 3:17 remaining and the Thunder ahead by 20. "When you talk about a teammate, thats everything you want in a teammate," Thunder forward Kevin Durant said. "I gained so much more respect for Serge for sacrificing himself for the team. Regardless of what happened tonight, thats something you want beside you." Ibaka made six of seven shots and was a threat that gave Durant and Russell Westbrook relief. Westbrook had 26 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, and Durant added 25 points and 10 rebounds. On defence, Ibaka was a strong physical presence who blocked and altered shots and used his still formidable mobility to close out on shooters. He had seven rebounds, four blocks and a seemingly endless amount of energy. "Serge has put so much work in throughout the season that missing a couple of days didnt hurt him," Westbrook said. "Tonight, he jumped right back into where he was." Manu Ginobili scored 23 points and Tim Duncan added 16 points and eight rebounds for the Spurs. Game 4 is Tuesday night at Oklahoma City. The Thunder outrebounded the Spurs 52-36 after losing the battle of the boards in the first two games. San Antonio, which shot at least 50 per cent in the first two games, shot just 40 per cent on Sunday night. The first two games looked like a layup drill for the Spurs. This time, they were forced to reset numerous times. The passes were not as quick or as easy. "I was very disappointed that we didnt come out with more of a foot in the neck sort of attitude," San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich said. "They killed us on the boards, they beat us in 50-50 balls and thats very disappointing to me." San Antonio won Game 2 112-77, leaving the Thunder humiliated. "I knew that we were a better team than losing by 30," Brooks said. "Its not us. It was us that night, but were a much better team than that. I have a lot of respect for San Antonio, but theyre not that much better than us." Things were different from the start with Ibakas return. Brooks also inserted speedy Reggie Jackson into the starting lineup in Thabo Sefoloshas place. Jackson finished with 15 points. "We bounced back tonight. We always talk about that bounce-back ability and we had that tonight," Brooks said. The crowd roared when Ibakas name was announced during pregame introductions, and it got even louder when he started playing. He had eight points, three rebounds and two blocks in just over six minutes of play in the first quarter. Twice in the final minute of the first half, Ginobili hit 3-pointers, and both times, Westbrook answered with a 3-pointer. The last one, with 0.6 seconds left, gave the Thunder a 57-53 lead. Oklahoma City shot 56 per cent in the first half but turned the ball over 12 times. Ginobili had 20 points and made 5 of 7 3-pointers before the break to keep the Spurs close. Oklahoma City extended its lead to 83-76 at the end of the third quarter. A runner by Durant, then a 3-pointer by Caron Butler pushed the Thunder lead to 90-76 with just over 10 minutes to play. "Hopefully we realize that if were not intense, not very sharp and dont hustle like crazy, were not going to win here," Ginobili said. "They showed us reality. Hopefully we react in game four and play a much better game." Notes: Thunder C Kendrick Perkins picked up his third foul eight minutes into the game. He played just 13 minutes and finished with four points and three rebounds. Backup centre Steven Adams, a rookie, had seven points and nine rebounds. ... Thunder G Derek Fisher took a hit and was bleeding from the top of his head in the first quarter. He got six stitches. ... The Thunder shot 63 per cent from the field in the first quarter but trailed 29-28 at the end of the period. ... Ginobili scored just three points in the second half. Javier Hernandez Jersey . As deep as their roster is, they need their superstar. Rose scored 23 points in his return from a five-game absence due to back pain, and Chicago hung on to beat the struggling Atlanta Hawks 90-79 on Monday. Diego Reyes Jersey . - UFC 178, previously announced for Sept."I dont believe in building through free agency." Argos general manager Jim Barker uttered those words during an interview with TSN 1050 radio just prior to the CFLs annual free agent frenzy. If you turn back the clock Barker is true to his word. Last February the only free agent the team added was LB/DE James Yurichuk. He proved his worth as a situational player who excelled on special teams, but it was far from being the kind of deal that captured the attention of more than just the die-hard fan. This may be a similar season in terms of who the Argos bring in according to Barker. "I do believe in plugging holes (via free agency) and trying to find that right guy thats going to bring our club up a notch," Barker noted. The bigger question may be what the club does about three specific players who may opt to not return to Toronto, Pat Watkins, Robert McCune and Swayze Waters. Watkins, a league all-star at cornerback last year, would be the toughest to replace. Hes also been the hardest to find. "Honestly we have not been able to get in touch with him. He doesnt return our calls, which is a bad thing," chuckled Barker. "If a guy doesnt want to be in Toronto then god bless him and good luck. Were persistent. Were sending players to his house, doing all those kind of things to try and run him down. But Pat is one of those guys who is very elusive. Its not a shocking development for us. Its possible hes just involved in something and not worried about it." Swayze Waters led the CFL in punting average and was virtually automatic on field goals down the stretch and is looking at returning to the states. "Hes tried out for a couple of NFL teams," Barker told TSN 1050. "Every indication hes given us is that hes coming back to Toronto if he comes back to the CFL." The Argos are preparing for the scenario where Waters makes an NFL team, and last week signed LSU grad Josh Jasper. Robert McCunes worth was evident in the teams loss to Hamilton in the Eastern Final. The middle linebacker, who was third in the league with 99 tackles, missed the game with a shoulder injury. It seemed every time Henry Burris scrambled, he ran right where McCune would have been. "With Robert were kind of waiting," said the GM. "Obviously Robert had a great year for us. Hes 34 years old. Thats a decision that were in the process of making, to which direction were going to go with him." If the Argos and McCune were to part ways it would leave the team down a couple of middle linebackers, as Jason Pottinger was selected by Ottawa in the expansion draft. Barker has a replacement all picked out, someone who may not be thought of as an MLB. "Shane Horton. Thats his natural position." Barker said, tthen may have tipped his hand about McCunes future. Miguel Layun Jersey. "(Horton) played out of position playing rush end last year. Hes going to be a very, very good middle linebacker." Barker added he feels that at 215 pounds, Horton is big enough to play in the middle. Herve Tonye-Tonye, a non-import who just completed his rookie season, can also play the inside. As far as non-imports are concerned, it may be an interesting free agency period because of the recent expansion draft. Stocking the Ottawa RedBlacks took its toll on the existing teams rosters, so there will be a desire to restock the shelves with fresh talent. Barker commented on a few of the Canadians on the Argos that are on the verge of free agency. Chad Rempel, long snapper: "Chad worked out with Tampa Bay (NFL). He wants to give that a chance until thats exhausted." Zander Robinson, tight end/fullback: "Zander loves being in Toronto and loves how weve used him in the offence. Hes a valuable guy for us, but hes also exploring NFL opportunities." David Lee, defensive end: "Is a guy that had a real good year for us. I think he wants to try the free-agent market. Its his first time going through that and I think hes a guy that wants to go out and see what the market is all about." Mike Bradwell, wide receiver. "I think were really close. He loves being in Toronto." Coaching Moves/Tryout Camp: The Boatmen lost several coaches in the off-season. Special teams coordinator Mike OShea left to become the head coach of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, while defensive coordinator Chris Jones took over the head coaching job with the Edmonton Eskimos. Jones also took a handful of assistant coaches with him. Barker says there will be announcement about the new-look staff in the immediate future. "Were excited about what our staff is going to look like" said Barker. "Scott (head coach Milanovich) will be announcing those (soon). Hes come up with a couple of guys who have great CFL experience.” Barker spoke to TSN 1050 from Atlanta, where the Argos were hosting a tryout camp. Over 60 players were in attendance and Barker was happy with what they found. "There were two players that were going to attempt to sign" said the GM. "Were pretty excited." If those players head north in June theyll attend training camp. Where that will be is still anyones guess. The team will not be back at the University of Torontos Erindale campus and at present are homeless. Where are they heading? "Those are questions for (Executive Chairman and CEO) Chris Rudge. "I know that theres some different things going on with York University," said Barker. "Other than that, Im not privy to those things.” Cheap Nike NFL Jerseys China NFL Jerseys White China NFL Jerseys Wholesale Authentic Jerseys China NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL T-shirts Cheap NFL Jerseys Wholesale ' ' '
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