INDIANAPOLIS -- Theres something about teams on a hot streak that makes the Indiana Pacers want to beat them.
Stitched Nike MLB Jerseys . Dont expect to leave with momentum after playing in Indianapolis. "Its a different story when you come to play here," Paul George said. "Whatever youve done previously, when a team comes in hot, we make that commitment that its going to be tough to play here." George scored 31 points, making four 3-pointers, to lead the Pacers to a 116-92 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday night. David West had 16 points and eight rebounds, and Lance Stephenson added 13 points, five rebounds and five assists for the Pacers (30-7), who have won five of six. The victory clinched the Eastern Conference coaching spot for Frank Vogel, since the Pacers are guaranteed to have the best winning percentage in the conference through games of Feb. 2 with Miamis Erik Spoelstra ineligible after coaching last year. "My name is on the release, but this is recognition of our teams success," Vogel said. "Its a team honour and Im really excited about it." George was fouled driving to the basket with 8:36 remaining and converted the three-point play before Luis Scola made a free throw to cap off a 16-2 run in the fourth quarter. George sparked the big run for Indiana with a 3-pointer at the buzzer to give the Pacers an 86-74 lead at the end of the third quarter. The shot took away any hope the Kings (13-23) had left after Marcus Thornton made a 3 with seconds left to put Sacramento within nine. George then opened the fourth with another 3-pointer. "Throughout our whole locker room weve built that culture as were going to be dominant at home," George said. "And were working towards being that team on the road as well, but its just something about home that we just try to protect." The NBAs top defensive team had little trouble against a Sacramento team that scored over 100 points in 18 of the previous 19 games and held the Kings to under 100 points for the first time in 12 games. Sacramento coach Mike Malone said taking care of the ball played a big role. Indiana forced 15 turnovers and scored 22 points off the Kings mistakes. "To win on the road in the NBA against a great team, we cannot have the kind of turnovers we had," he said. "Theyre the No. 1 defensive team in the NBA for a reason." And despite breaking away with 19 third-quarter points, DeMarcus Cousins, who finished with 31 points and 13 rebounds, caused few problems for the Pacers. He scored 12 points in the first half, with just three defensive rebounds, before he scored nine of Sacramentos first 13 to open the second half. "He was really the only one to go off," Roy Hibbert said. "Everyone else was under their average, so Im happy about that." Rudy Gay, who finished with 12 points, was the only other player to reach double-figure scoring for the Kings, whose season-best, three-game winning streak was snapped. "I thought we reverted back to our old ways tonight," Gay said. "We have to do a better job of proving we are a changed team." Cousins picked up his third foul with 5:22 left in the third when Hibbert went up for a follow shot. Hibbert split from the line to give Indiana a 68-58 lead and Indiana kept just enough room. The Pacers host New York and the Los Angeles Clippers before making a trip to the West Coast for five games. Indiana didnt waste any time taking a lead on the Kings, opening the game on an 11-2 run. Hibbert converted a three-point play, George Hill made a layup and George dunked before Stephenson and West scored to give the Pacers the early lead with 8:27 remaining in the first quarter. Then the Kings scored eight straight. The Kings went on a late 7-2 run, but West scored to give the Pacers a 59-45 halftime lead. Notes: Vogel is 141-81 as Pacers coach. ... Thornton and Isaiah Thomas, Sacramentos starting guards, combined for one assist.
Cheap Nike MLB Jerseys .com) - Colorado Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki was named the National League Player of the Month for April.
Wholesale Baseball Jerseys Online .ca! There is plenty of blame to be shared as a result of the most recent NHL player (Pittsburghs Brooks Orpik) to be evacuated from the ice on a stretcher following an ugly incident Saturday night in Boston. HOUSTON -- Less than a month ago, the Montreal Impact were sitting comfortably in playoff position looking like a team destined to make the post-season. Following Friday nights 1-0 loss to the Houston Dynamo, Montreal is in jeopardy of missing the playoffs altogether. Ricardo Clark scored in the sixth minute and the Dynamo defeated Montreal 1-0 to extend the Impacts winless streak to four games. The loss stings even more for Montreal (13-10-7, 46 points), who fell to fourth in the Eastern Conference, as Houston (13-10-8, 47 points) jumped past the Impact into third place. The Dynamo are now unbeaten in their last four games. With four games left, including one game in hand on almost every team in the Eastern Conference, the Impact have time to right the ship, but Montreal goalkeeper Troy Perkins says there has to be a sense of urgency. "I certainly hope the guys know what this means now," Perkins said. "We are close to falling out of the pot now. We got to pick ourselves up and get back to it." Clark gave Houston an early lead going back to his right in the middle of the field and sending a blast that both Clark and Perkins said grazed off of Matteo Ferrari and inside the near post from 25 yards out. Davy Arnaud said the Impact knew the game would be tough, but the goal made it that much tougher. Montreal head coach Marco Schallibaum said giving up a goal in the first six minutes changed the game plan. "We were too shy (in the first half)," Schallibaum said. "We let Houston dominate in the first half and do what they wanted. The second half was OK. It looked like we might get one point here, but the luck was not on our side." Montreal had two chances midway through the second half to tie the game, with the first chance in the 68th minute coming with controversy. With Houston goalkeeper Tally Hall off his line, Arnaud sent a blast from 14 yards out in the middle that was blocked by Houston defender Bobbby Boswell, who was moving his body to avoid being hit in the front.
Cheap MLB Jerseys China. The ball appeared to hit him in the left elbow. Schallibaum and Arnaud both said the play should have been a penalty as Boswell committed a handball, but referee Drew Fischer did not blow his whistle even as the Impact cried out for a penalty kick. "For me, its a penalty," Arnaud said. "I think when everyone reacts like that, its pretty clear. For me its a penalty. Things happen quickly. Maybe he didnt see it." Montreal had another chance to tie it a couple minutes later, but Andrew Wenger sent a shot from the penalty area wide left. "I thought we more than deserved to get the equalizers," said Impact midfielder Justin Mapp said. "I thought we were just as good as them on the night. (Its) very frustrating because we know how tight the races are. They were close to us, now (they are) ahead of us." Perkins echoed Mapps thoughts. "I think we played well to at least get a point," Perkins said. "Little mistakes, little decisions come back and bite us in the end. We need to be able to get a point on the road this late in the season." In less than four weeks, the Impact have gone from a 4-2 win at New England and sitting atop the East to dropping three of their last four. The Impact play two of the last four games at home, and will be looking for a better outcome from their next match, Oct. 12 against New England. "We know we go back home for a big game," Arnaud said. "As much as we dont want to put this behind us, we need to. We are still in a good position. We have a game in hand on a lot of teams, but now going back home, we know we need to get three points." Mapp added: "Each game will have to be like a playoff game. Two games remaining at home, and at this point they are must-win. No other way around it. We have to protect our home field the next two games." ' ' '