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Fri Dec 27, 2019 3:55 pm
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ATLANTA - Jeff Teague says he never doubted the Atlanta Hawks would be in the playoffs. Fake Curry 1 . Even with Al Horfords season-ending injury in December and a 1-14 stretch in February and March, the Hawks made the Eastern Conference field with two games remaining. "Im happy for all the guys," Teague said. "We worked so hard all year. Injuries and everything that can happen to a team happened. We were able to still make it to the playoffs." Teague scored 25 points, Lou Williams had 18 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter and the Hawks earned the Easts final playoff spot with a 98-85 victory over the Miami Heat on Saturday night. Atlantas third straight victory eliminated the New York Knicks from playoff contention. Williams scored the Hawks last 12 points. LeBron James finished with 27 points and Dwyane Wade, in his first game since missing nine straight with a sore left hamstring, scored 24 for Miami. The two-time defending champion Heat, who have lost three of four, gave up the ground they gained in the standings Friday by beating Indiana at home and taking a one-half game lead over the Pacers. Miami and Indiana are now tied atop the Eastern Conference with 54-26 records. The Heats 85 points were their third-fewest this season. "Its not finished," James said. "I see the standings. Theres a couple games left and the seeding is changing every day." James and Chris Bosh returned to the floor with 6:42 remaining and Miami trailing 81-72, but DeMarre Carroll stole the ball from Bosh and Mike Scotts fastbreak dunk put Atlanta ahead by 11 with 6:09 remaining. Heat coach Erik Spoelstra called timeout to settle down his team, but James missed a jumper and Teague hit a free throw to make it 84-72. James hit a 3 two possessions later, but Teague drove to the rim again for an 11-point lead, and Miami never got closer than eight the rest of the way. Wade finished the first half with 16 points, going 7 for 7 from the field in just 11 minutes. He began the third quarter with an offensive foul, a missed jumper and hit one of two free throws, but he finished strong before sitting out the final 5:46 to rest. "It was good, better than I can envision," Wade said. "When youre out so long, youre just thinking of getting your wind back. I think the best thing that happened was the first play of the game, getting that block and then LeBron kind of holding up and letting me get the first dunk. From there, I kind of was into the game." The Hawks never trailed after Teagues 12-footer made it 53-51 early in the third. Carroll finished with 17 points, and Paul Millsap added 11. Scott scored 12 points in a reserve role, joining Williams to help Atlantas bench outscore Miamis 35-8. Bosh finished with 11 points. "Needless to say that was a tough second half," Spoelstra said. "We couldnt get it going on either side of the court. Its disappointing to have this type of performance on the road." Miami visits Washington on Monday and end the regular season at home Wednesday against Philadelphia. The Pacers host Oklahoma City on Sunday and visit Orlando on Wednesday to close the regular season. Atlanta hosts Charlotte on Monday and visits Milwaukee on Wednesday. As the No. 8 seed, the Hawks will play either Miami or Indiana in the first round of the playoffs. "Im happy that we get to play more games and I get to talk more about improving and getting better each practice," Atlanta coach Mike Budenholzer said. "We want to build something here. Miami has been in the Finals for three years in a row. There are a lot of teams that have had a lot of success. It takes time to build your habits." NOTES: A moment of silence was held before the game following the death Friday of Lou Hudson, the six-time All-Star with the Hawks who retired in 1979 and still ranks as the franchises third-leading scorer. ... The Hawks are wearing a black stripe on their uniform to acknowledge Hudsons passing. ... The Heat dropped to 22-18 on the road. ... The Hawks improved to 24-16 at home. ... Atlanta is in the playoffs for the seventh straight year, longest active streak in the East. Ua Hovr Shoes For Sale . Fourteen players were suspended last summer by Major League Baseball as part of the Biogenesis drug scandal, ranging from All-Stars to also-rans. Scorpio Shoes Wholesale .Patterson marked his anniversary by proving his worth — once again.Lou Williams poured in 26 points, and Patterson drained two huge three-pointers late in the fourth quarter, as the Raptors topped the Denver Nuggets 112-107 in overtime Monday. http://www.outletunderarmourstore.com/fake-curry-4-online.html . Not that he was complaining. Davis had 13 points, nine rebounds and a career-high eight blocks, and the New Orleans Pelicans emphatically snapped a three-game skid with a 135-98 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday night.TORONTO -- Veteran forward Joffrey Lupul didnt practise with the Maple Leafs on Thursday due to a lower-body injury and his status is in doubt for Torontos home game against the Detroit Red Wings on Friday night. Lupul tweaked the injury in Tuesdays victory over the Colorado Avalanche, according to coach Randy Carlyle. After skating by himself Thursday morning, the 31-year-old winger left the ice before the full team workout. We are having an assessment done, Carlyle said. We felt it wasnt something that was too serious ... and that was the plan, to have him skate by himself and then not join our group for todays practice. Were trying to set our sights on tomorrow. Lupul, who missed time last season with foot and groin injuries, did not speak to reporters. With Lupul unable to practise, Brandon Kozun moved up to the second line alongside Daniel Winnik and Nazem Kadri. That trio could remain together Friday, with Kozun bringing his speed to go along with Winniks edginess and Kadris playmaking ability. I think its all about being versatile, Kozun said. Thats something that I want to bring to the team. I think thats something that helps me in my game that Im able to play with all different kinds of players and play certain styles. However, the Leafs are weaker without Lupul, who has two goals and an assist through four games. He had the tying goal in the third period against the Avalanche. (Hes) a bona fide goal scorer, Winnik said. You saw it the other night and youve seen it throughout his career. He scores goals and timely goals. When you miss a guy like that out of the lineup, other guys (have) got to step up and score. The top line of James van Riemsdyk, Tyler Bozak and Phil Kessel is the engine that makes Torontos offence churn. But Carlyle has stressed the desire for three offensive lines, and Lupul, Kadri and Winniik have been a part of that since being put together Sunday in New York. Ua Commit Shoes Outlet. Im good on the forecheck and get in on pucks, Winnik said. Me doing that creates offensive-zone time for them. Theyre both really creative with the puck and highly-skilled guys. I really just work as hard as I can for them to get loose pucks. Winniks job wont change if Lupul cant play. Kozuns doesnt, either, even though hed likely get some more ice time with the more prominent role. I just show up to the rink and try to work my hardest, and whoever I play with Ill do my best, Kozun said. Im not going to say Im going to play better with these guys or those guys. Im just trying to become a better player and thats the only thing I can do. The Maple Leafs host the Red Wings at the Air Canada Centre on Friday and travel to Joe Louis Arena for the back end of their home-and-home series on Saturday. Defenceman Jake Gardiner said after practice he couldnt say whether he would return to the lineup against the Red Wings. Gardiner has been a healthly scratch in each of the Leafs last two games, but did see time with the second power play unit in Thursdays practice. Goaltender Jonathan Bernier was the first netminder off the ice in practice, suggesting he could draw the Friday night home start against the Red Wings, while Reimer would play Saturday night in Detroit. Forward David Booth was out of a walking boot on Thursday and spent some time in the teams rapid shot machine during practice. Booth remains unlikely to return until early November with a foot injury. Practice Lines Forwards van Riemsdyk-Bozak-Kessel Winnik-Kadri-Kozun* Komarov-Santorelli-Clarkson Panik-Holland-Ashton/Frattin Defence Phaneuf-Franson Percy-Polak Rielly-Robidas Gardiner Goaltender Reimer/Bernier Injured: Booth, Lupul ' ' ' |
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