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 Geplaatst: 04-11-2019 07:15:32 Onderwerp: s.Motivation? Thats n |
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| OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Detroit Pistons had Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. The Oklahoma City Thunder had Kevin Durant. Even on a career night for Caldwell-Pope, advantage Oklahoma City. Durant scored 42 points, including 21 in the fourth quarter, and the Thunder secured the No. 2 playoff seed in the Western Conference, rallying from 10-point fourth-quarter deficit to beat the Pistons 112-111 Wednesday night. Oklahoma City (59-23) had lost two straight to put itself in the must-win situation in the regular-season finale to earn the No. 2 seed. Durant rallied the Thunder while recording his 14th 40-point game of the season. He drove for the go-ahead dunk with 16.5 seconds left and won a tip over Greg Monroe with 1.8 seconds to go after a scramble for a loose ball resulted in a jump ball in Detroits end. Detroits Brandon Jennings could only manage a 30-foot heave at the buzzer that banged off the rim. "We just figured it out," Durant said. "We got it done. It wasnt the best game. We didnt play well defensively. We didnt shoot the ball well offensively. But theres something about just getting it done, having that willpower, having that fight in you, no matter what. It was a tough game, we persevered and we got a good win." The Thunder extended their winning streak over Detroit (29-53) to nine games, dating to December 2008. Caldwell-Pope scored 30 points for the Pistons (29-53), while Monroe had 22, Kyle Singler added 20 and Andre Drummond recorded his ninth straight double-double to end the season for Detroit, finishing with 22 points and 13 rebounds. "Our guys played their hearts out, competed from the opening tip," Detroit coach John Loyer said. "I feel terrible for them because they deserved to win the game. They did anything we asked them to do tonight. Some guys stepped up and made some incredible shots and they put together 48 minutes of as good of basketball as we can play." Russell Westbrook added 22 points for Oklahoma City, which will play Memphis in the first round of the playoffs. It was the ability of Westbrook, and especially Durant, to attack the rim in the fourth quarter that made the difference. Durants fourth quarter left Loyer almost speechless. "Hes one of the top one or two players in the world," Loyer said. "Thats what he did." For much of Wednesday, the Thunder looked and played like a tired team. Oklahoma Citys late-season defensive issues were on full display, as the Pistons shot 50.6 per cent from the field and Caldwell-Pope joined other non-marquee players such as Jodie Meeks (Los Angeles Lakers), Gerald Green (Phoenix Suns) and Tyreke Evans (New Orleans Pelicans) in enjoying a career night against the Thunder. Oklahoma City trailed for most of the first half before taking a one-point lead twice in the third quarter. Detroit went on a 15-7 run and took an 87-79 lead on a basket by Jonas Jerebko with 5 seconds left in the quarter. Detroit led 94-84 with 10:13 left in the game after a basket by Monroe. But Durants offensive flurry cut into that gap and the Pistons didnt score a basket in the final 3:17 or at all after Jennings hit two of three free throws with 2:07 left. On the Pistons final possession, the ball found its way to Jerebko, but he lost the handle as Thunder players slapped at the ball and officials ended up calling a tie ball. Caldwell-Pope hit four 3-pointers in the first half -- making one over the outstretched arm of the 6-foot-10 Durant -- and eclipsed his previous career high of 15 points by the 5:27 mark of the second quarter. His next basket put the Pistons ahead 48-37 with 4:52 left in the first half and hushed the crowd at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Durant, who was 2 of 8 from the field to that point, hit two free throws, then drained a 3-pointer to start a 17-7 run by Oklahoma City. Westbrook scored seven points in the final 2:41 and Durant drained an 18-foot jumper in the final second to pull the Thunder within 55-54. NOTES: Drummond set the Pistons record for highest field-goal percentage in a season, finishing at 62.3 per cent. Dennis Rodman had held the previous team record of 59.5 per cent, set during the 1988-89 season. ... Kendrick Perkins was called for a technical foul by official Tony Brothers with 8:01 left in the third quarter when he protested after picking up his fifth foul. ... The Thunder recorded their 130th straight regular-season sellout at Chesapeake Energy Arena, which seats 18,203 fans. Black Air Max 2018 . So they rushed to re-sign the first baseman who general manager Ben Cherington described Friday as "a unique player." The World Series champions finalized a $32 million, two-year agreement Thursday with the slugging former catcher who turned into a surprisingly good defender. Cheap Air Max 2018 China . Cavaliers shooting guard Craig Ehlo makes a solid play on the ball, but still Jordan hits the amazing shot. http://www.cheapairmaxonlinesale.com/ . Messier, who had been a special assistant to Rangers general manager Glen Sather, announced Thursday in a statement that he is resigning in order to "expand the game of hockey in the New York area by developing the Kingsbridge National Ice Center. Air Max 2018 Sale . The Vancouver coach and an announced sellout crowd of 18,910 watched in dismay as the Canucks lost 7-4 to the New York Islanders on Monday night by squandering a 3-0 lead in the third period. Wholesale Air Max 2018 .J. Barea during a three-game shooting slump that was getting him booed off his home court with regularity.Jamie Carragher says Rafa Benitez is the man to bring trophies back to Newcastle - if he can keep them up this season. Benitez has 10 games to rescue the clubs Premier League status after agreeing to replace sacked head coach Steve McClaren in a revised role of manager.If he succeeds, the Spaniard will begin work on a three-year contract, while relegation will leave him the option of walking away. Supporters waiting for a first trophy since 1969 should not get too hung up on that release clause, according to Carragher, who won the Champions League under Benitez at Liverpool and believes Newcastle have finally found a worthy successor to Sir Bobby Robson. Five challenges for Rafa Five issues for Rafa Benitez to address at Newcastle I think for Newcastle, its a fantastic appointment to get a manager of that calibre, the Sky Sports expert said. I think over the last decade, youd have to go back to Bobby Robson [to find someone] who has won that many honours.These next 10 games - if he can get through those, then over the next three years he could be the man that stops that rot of trophies. Hes won so many trophies in his career. Sky Sports News HQs Keith Downie gets reaction from fans as Benitez takes over at Newcastle The fans shouldnt be concerned, not at all. For any Newcastle fan, forget the next three years, focus on the next 10 games. If youre a fan and Newcastle went down, you wouldnt want Rafa, youd want someone that has experience in that league and has success in that league. Rafa wont wannt to be there.dddddddddddd Rafa Benitez and Jamie Carragher won the Champions League together at Liverpool in 2005 It works perfectly for both parties; if he keeps them up, itll be a great appointment over the next three or four years and hopefully he can get Newcastle back up the table I think the next 10 games are all that matters for everyone involved.Benitez has a CV featuring some of Europes most well-known clubs, but has little experience of fighting a relegation battle. Benitez calls his players in on a day off to put them through training on his first day in the job I cant remember ever seeing Rafa at this end of the table, Carragher told Sky Sports News HQ. Thats why Im interested in seeing how he goes about it. Thats why Im interested in seeing how he manages, how he prepares his players.Motivation? Thats not Rafas biggest strength. He will look at how they suffer tactically. Rafa was probably the best I had with setting up a back four. Theres probably going to be a lot of repetition and he wont apologise for that. Those players will work hard - whoever theyre playing, it will be a difficult game for them. It wont be the open expansive style the fans want, for now he will be focusing on trying to make Newcastle difficult to beat. Also See: Newcastle appoint Benitez Rafa cancels players day off McClaren: I couldve saved Toon Five challenges facing Benitez ' ' ' |
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