ekansekans's blog: "df"

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Its not often that Andray Blatche plays a pivotal offensive role for a talented Nets team loaded with scorers. Yet it was Brooklyns reserve centre who got things going against Sacramento on Sunday when the starters were shooting poorly. Blatche scored 22 points to lead the Nets to their fifth straight victory, 99-90 over the struggling Kings. Blatche was part of a huge effort by an extremely productive Brooklyn bench. He made his first 10 shots and finished 11 of 12 in 19 minutes subbing for starter Brook Lopez. "I got to open spots and my teammates were looking for me," Blatche said. "When the double team came I was able to make the open shots. Our starters believe in the second group because we play with energy and effort. They know weve got their back." Coming to Brooklyn has been a nice change for Blatche, who spent his first six seasons with the Wizards and grew tired of Washingtons frequent losses over the past few seasons. "Im not sure, but I think this is the first time in my career that Ive been on a team thats won five straight," Blatche said. "Im at a loss for words right now. Its a good feeling to be on a team that has a good chance of winning every game." The Nets (6-2) matched the teams best start since the 2002-03 season when they went to the NBA finals, losing to San Antonio in six games. Brooklyn can thank its reserves, who combined for 52 points and shot 21 of 30 against the Kings. Deron Williams had 14 points and 10 assists for the Nets, whose longest winning streak last season was three games. MarShon Brooks had nine of his 14 points in the fourth quarter, Brook Lopez had 13 points and four blocks, and C.J. Watson had 13 points. Joe Johnson, a key pickup in an off-season trade, never got it going offensively. He missed 9 of 10 shots and finished with 10 points for the Nets. "It doesnt have to be Deron and me having a great game for us to win," said Johnson, who helped seal the victory by making 8 of 8 free throws in the fourth quarter. "We can come at you offensively in a lot of different ways. Im not worried about it (my shot) at this point, it will come." DeMarcus Cousins had 23 of his 29 points in the second half for the Kings, who have dropped five straight. Tyreke Evans had 21 points and seven rebounds and Marcus Thornton added 12 points. Struggling to find a cohesive lineup, Kings head coach Keith Smart started Aaron Brooks at point guard and John Salmons at small forward. The move paid off early with the Kings jumping out to a 16-8 lead, but they trailed 21-20 after one quarter. "Overall, when you make some changes like we have its hard, but they were smiling for the most part," Kings coach Keith Smart said. "This is an adjustment period. Thats something we have to go through to get out team turned around." The Kings got to within three early in the fourth when Thornton connected on back-to-back 3-pointers. Brooklyn never lost the lead and increased it to 84-74 with six unanswered points, the final two on a driving hoop by Brooks at the 4:42 mark. "MarShon came on strong in the second half for us and was making some really good plays," Nets coach Avery Johnson said. "Thats probably the most composed Ive seen him play since Ive been here. Im really proud of our young guys MarShon, Blatche and C.J." Brooklyn cooled off in the third quarter after shooting nearly 54 per cent in the opening half. But the Nets still maintained a 74-65 lead and closed the third with a 7-0 run which included a three-point play by Reggie Evans. "Brooklyn is playing great right now," Thornton said. "They have a great point guard, a great shooting guard, and are solid all around. The rest of the guys fit in and play their roles well." After a poor first half where he shot 3 of 12, Cousins got going in the third quarter to keep the Kings close. The Kings centre made 5 of 5 shots from close range and had 12 points, and Evans contributed seven. Blatche exceeded his previous season high of 15 points in the first half. He was 9 of 9 and had 18 points in the opening half, helping the Nets take a 54-42 lead at the break. Lopez scored 12 points and Watson also gave Brooklyn a huge lift off the bench with 11. "We got him (Blatche) three easy layups in the first quarter, thats how you get in a rhythm," Williams said. "After that he had that feeling that he couldnt miss." Notes: Sacramento is last in NBA attendance and has drawn crowds of 12,000 or less in four of its six home games this season. The attendance was 11,965 for the rare Sunday matinee. . Brooklyns reserves outscored the starters 34-20 in the first half. . Gerald Wallace started for the Nets after missing the last five games with a sprained left ankle. . Johnson went scoreless until making a jumper at the 10:03 mark of the third quarter. Cheap Jerseys .J. -- Tim Tebow was surrounded by dozens of cameras and reporters -- a backup quarterback with unmatched star power. Cheap NFL Jerseys ., beat fifth-seeded Klara Zakopalova of the Czech Republic 6-0, 7-6 (2) on Sunday in the first round of the Texas Open. http://www.azulvirtual.org/hot.html . Burris threw for 326 yards and five touchdowns in the Tiger-Cats 41-28 win over the Montreal Alouettes on the weekend as Hamilton got a crucial win. The Ticats are 5-8, third in the CFL East and tied with potential crossover team Edmonton. PITTSBURGH -- Mike Wallaces corner locker at the Steelers facility sat quietly, as neat as it has throughout training camp. Shoes were lined up methodically along the bottom, jerseys and other clothing hung on a rod, a cap sat on the top shelf and the team helmet hung on its customary hook. Many of Mike Wallaces belongings. Just no Mike Wallace. Despite reports and heavy speculation the holdout receiver would report to the Steelers (No. 7 in AP Pro32) on Monday, Wallace was not there. High school teammate and Steelers cornerback Keenan Lewis said Wallace would arrive Tuesday, however. So, the drama continues to build. Officially, Wallace, coach Mike Tomlin and the organization arent talking, but teammates openly discussed the pending arrival. Rookie guard David DeCastro was at the facility, took part in meetings and hung with teammates. But the Steelers first-round pick was in crutches after sustaining a potentially severe knee injury during Saturdays preseason game. He will undergo surgery Wednesday. Pittsburgh concludes the preseason by hosting Carolina Thursday. Lewis and cornerback Ike Taylor are arguably Wallaces closest friends on the team, and the two have openly embraced playfully acting as conduits for speculation concerning Wallaces status and whereabouts. After a media member requested Lewis call Wallace on Monday, Lewis and Taylor passed Lewis cellphone back and forth during a conversation. Taylor played coy. "Just to have him back, whenever he comes, its going to be a plus," Taylor said. "We miss him, we miss the attitude, we miss the way he clowns, we just miss Mike in general. So, when he gets back, were going to embrace him." Wallace had 2,450 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns the past two seasons. A restricted free agent, he would need to sign a one-year tender of approximately $2.7 million to report to the team. The Steelers suspended negotiations with Wallace on a long-term contract when he was a no-show on the first day of training camp. The organization also has a policy of not conducting contract negotiations during the regular season, meaning the clock is ticking if Wallace wants a long-term deal -- though he could be content to test the open market as an unrestricted free agent after this season. With Wallace not around, the Steelers gave an extension to their other starting receiver, Antonio Brown, on the third day of training camp. "Im excited for my guy to come in," Brown said, "get back on the same page and get working together toward something thats special." Wallace has averaged 18.7 yards per reception in his career and has had a touchdown reception of at least 56 yards each season he has played. "He adds another dimensioon to the field," Brown said.dddddddddddd "A player like Mike is so explosive and gets so many things done. You need a guy like that on your team. Its amazing when you can get him lined up on the other side and you know what he is capable of. Its a great thing to have him here." At least it will be at some point. No matter when Wallace reports this week, he cannot participate in a team practice until next week, as per the leagues collective bargaining agreement. DeCastro, meanwhile, did not practice Monday, but did say he was in good spirits as he left the team facility in a knee brace. Two days after classifying DeCastros injury as "potentially severe," Tomlin would not elaborate other than to say the team would update his status after the surgery Wednesday. "The guy is injured, so you feel sorry for him on a personal level," Tomlin said. "Professionally, we understand that this is as much a part of the game as blocking and tackling. So, we move on." Like all NFL teams, the Steelers were required to trim their roster to 75 on Monday. They will cut it down to the regular-season limit of 53 on Friday. A decision on the severity of DeCastros injury -- and how it affects the roster -- must be made within 48 hours of the surgery. Ramon Foster, in the interim, moves into DeCastros starting spot at right guard. Foster has 26 starts at guard. "Its unfortunate that David got injured, but Im the next man up," Foster said. "Its one of those things Ive grown used to doing, and its just time for the next man up to do the best job he can." ---- NOTES: Players cut by the Steelers Monday were DBs Myron Rolle, Andre Freeman, and Walter McFadden; LBs Ryan Baker and Mortty Ivy; DTs Mike Blanc and Kade Weston; WRs Paul Cox, Juamorris Stewart and Jimmy Young; K Daniel Hrapmann; OL Kyle Jolly; LS Matt Katula and TEs Jamie McCoy and Justin Peelle. Rolle is a Rhodes scholar who played at Florida State but skipped his final season to study at Oxford in England. ... The team claimed RB DuJuan Harris off waivers from Jacksonville. As a rookie last season, Harris had nine carries, one reception and returned 14 kickoffs.... Among the veterans who did not practice or were limited Monday due to minor injuries were WR Jerricho Cotchery (back), OT Marcus Gilbert (calf), DE Brett Keisel (ankle), RB Isaac Redman (ankle) and LB LaMarr Woodley (back). Keisels injury appeared serious when he left the game in Buffalo Saturday, but the veteran said Monday he will be fine. ... LB James Harrison remains on the PUP list. Harrison, though, refused to rule out playing in Denver Sept. 9. ' ' '