Thomas Godoj Thread » r defensive tasks the way we had the first

The San Antonio Spurs will once again try to polish off the Portland Trail Blazers, this time it will be at AT&T Center for Wednesday nights Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals. San Antonio had a chance to sweep on Monday night, but Portland pulled out a 103-92 victory. With their backs against the wall, Portland was led by its point guard. Damian Lillard scored 25 points and was one of five Trail Blazers in double figures for the night. "We knew that this could have been our last game if we didnt come out and correct the things that we had been doing wrong over the first three games," said Lillard. "I think guys were locked in. Everybody competed." Lillard was 11-for-21 from the field on Monday after shooting 37.5 percent over the first three games. LaMarcus Aldridge was next for Portland with 19 points, followed by a sensational all-around effort from Nicolas Batum, who had 14 points, 14 rebounds and eight assists. Wesley Matthews added 10 and Will Barton gave the Blazers bench a much-needed lift with 17 points. "It was a good game, but we still got another three to go," Blazers head coach Terry Stotts said. Tony Parker was held to 14 points after going for at least 29 in three of his last four games. Tim Duncan had 12 points and nine rebounds for San Antonio, which is looking to head to the conference finals for a third consecutive season. Boris Diaw (12), Kawhi Leonard (11) and Patty Mills (10) also scored in double figures for San Antonio. "I dont think that we had the energy, the focus," said Spurs coach Gregg Popovich. "We didnt accomplish our defensive tasks the way we had the first three games. Both mentally and physically, we played at a lower level than we have." After leading for just 33 seconds over the first three games, Portland used a big run during the middle stages of the third quarter to pull away in this one. The Blazers led throughout the second half, building a 20-point, fourth- quarter cushion. No NBA team has ever lost a best-of-seven playoff series after going up 3-0. The Blazers were the last team to take one to a seventh game, but lost to the Dallas Mavericks in a 2003 first-round series. "Like we said, why not us?," asked Batum. "Its never been done before. Were down 3-0. We know its going to be tough. It wont be easy, especially against this team, the San Antonio Spurs. Like we always say, just take one game at a time. "We had a great game tonight. Well try to do the same thing, go down there to San Antonio and just be focused on that game and move on." A potential Game 6 would be Friday night in Portland. Dallas Mavericks Jerseys .Inter Milan and Napoli also advanced to ensure there will be at least three Italian clubs in the last 32 of Europes secondary competition.Spurs victory, secured by Benjamin Stamboulis 49th-minute winner, was overshadowed by a succession of pitch invasions that forced the referee to halt the game after 41 minutes. Dirk Nowitzki Jersey .com) - Guess whos back, back again? Josh Gordons back, tell a friend. http://www.mavericksteamofficial.info/st...vericks-jersey/. -- Novak Djokovic benefited from an erroneous call and claimed he didnt realize he had broken the rules. Jose Juan Barea Jersey . Coach Randy Carlyle didnt know the severity of Bozaks injury. Bozak left the bench and went down the tunnel early in the second period, returned to play a handful of shifts and then did play in the third. Steve Nash Mavericks Jersey .C. -- Clemson celebrated a senior class Saturday that brought the program back as a national contender.ARLINGTON, VA – Jonathan Bernier remained off the ice Saturday afternoon as his teammates practiced at the Kettler IcePlex just outside of the D.C. area. His immediate status for the surging Leafs isnt quite clear at this point, though his situation is not believed to be serious. The 25-year-old left his long-awaited return to Los Angeles after just 20 minutes Thursday evening – his team rallying for a 3-2 win – unable to continue because of a nagging lower-body injury. Kept off the ice on Saturday – following a travel day on Friday – Bernier opted for two rounds of treatment on the ailment and may require an MRI to make certain that the injury is not serious. "Berniers still feeling the effects of the injury the other night, said head coach Randy Carlyle of the undisclosed issue following practice. "We dont think its that severe, but youd always like to make sure that you are making the right decision there." Carlyle said it had yet to be determined whether Bernier would indeed go for the MRI and whether he would be able to acquire the image in the Washington area or would require a trip back to Toronto. He wont play against the Capitals, though, in a Sunday matinee at the Verizon Center. That challenge will instead go to James Reimer, who was brilliant with 31 saves in Berniers place against the Kings. Superb in his first season with the Leafs, Bernier had been bothered by the injury before his return start in L.dddddddddddd.A. – he was "stiff" according to Carlyle – but felt well enough to give it a go opposite his former team. Sliding across his crease for one particular save in a first frame that saw the Kings jump out to a 2-0 lead – perhaps the extended right pad stop on Anze Kopitar – Bernier "didnt feel good" and opted to come out. He was replaced by Reimer, who guided the Leafs to their 15th win in the past 22 games. "We felt comfortable putting Reims in and, obviously, the way he played, he shut them out the rest of the way, you cant complain about that, thats for sure," said Carlyle. While hoping that the injury isnt serious, the Leafs arent certain when Bernier will return. Capturing wins in Anaheim and L.A., they have three games remaining on a season-long five-game road trip. Certainly out against Washington on Sunday, Carlyle wouldnt rule out a return for Bernier in Detroit, though, that would seem unlikely at this point given his inability to take the ice Saturday. The team recalled Drew MacIntyre from the Marlies to be the backup against Washington. Bernier was unavailable for comment. ' ' '