ASS News » probably ruined Tim Duncans hopes of

SAN ANTONIO -- The San Antonio Spurs are on an unprecedented post-season roll that not even a boatload of turnovers in Game 1 of the NBA Finals could stop. They probably ruined Tim Duncans hopes of a career change, though. Duncan wants to be a point guard, coach Gregg Popovich revealed Saturday, a wish that wont be granted. But Duncan would gladly settle for another championship, and the Spurs would be halfway there by beating Miami on Sunday night in Game 2. The Spurs have won eight straight post-season home games by 15 or more points, an NBA record, but know as well as anyone that a one-game lead means nothing against the Heat. "Thats why I think we cant be satisfied," said point guard Tony Parker, who isnt worried about losing his job to Duncan. "Because we was in the same situation and we know they can win here, and so we just have to go out there and play our game and try to win this one. I think its a big game for the series." LeBron James expects to be fully ready for the Heat, who also dropped the opener last year in the finals against the Spurs, and in 2012 to Oklahoma City. Miami is 5-0 in series with James when dropping the opener, rebounding to win Game 2 every time. A 2-0 deficit would surely bring loads of unwanted attention to whats already one of the most scrutinized players and teams in sports. "Im sure the series would be over from the outside," Heat guard Dwyane Wade said, laughing. "Our focus is on how we can win ballgames and understand in the series its the first one to four; not the first one to one, not the first one to two, not the first one to three. You win a series by being the first one to four. We understand the journey, we understand the path and what it takes to get there." The Heat were in position to win Game 1 before James departed with cramps. The Spurs committed 23 turnovers that not only led to 28 Miami points but also prevented them from getting the ball more often to Duncan, who shot 9 of 10 from the field. Popovich said Duncan never demands more shots, even when he is in a good rhythm like he was Thursday. "No, the only thing Timmy has ever demanded is he wants to play the point and he thinks Ive held him back," Popovich said. "True story. He thinks hes a point guard." Duncan is one of the best power forwards in NBA history but likes to think like a little guy, though he realizes he hurt his chances of getting to actually play the part of one. "After my five turnovers the other night, I think I took a step back from that," he said. "I dont think that Im going to be able to step up and fill that role for a little while. But, no, I enjoy getting in the middle of the floor and making decisions and getting the ball to the right place, and thats what a point guards got to do." The Spurs dont need one, not after Parker looked healthy while posting 19 points and eight assists in the opener after missing the second half of the Western Conference finals clincher because of a sore left ankle. He laughed when told that Popovich and Duncan had brought up his teammates aspirations. "Are we still talking about that? I cant believe they brought it up in the NBA Finals," Parker said. "Its been a joke that Timmy thinks hes a great quarterback, that he can be a good passer. I disagree with that. I want to keep my spot." With Parker seemingly fine, James health remained the focus. He practiced Saturday and was still receiving treatments in hopes of preventing more cramping. It also should help that the air conditioning inside the AT&T Center has been repaired, but he wont be worrying about that, anyway. "You cant think about what may happen in the third or fourth quarter. Live in the moment," James said. "And for me, whatever I can give my teammates if it happens again, hopefully I can make an impact while Im on the floor and thats all that matters to me." The Spurs knocked James into a 2-0 hole in the 2007 finals, but that was when he was still in Cleveland. The team James is on now gets out of trouble just as quickly as it gets into it. "Thats why they are two-time champs," Parker said. "To win championships, you have to face adversity and come back from any situation, and theyve proved that over the years. Thats why its our job to stay focused and we know its just one game, and we know theyre capable to come back and win at our place." Nate Davis Jersey . Nick Young scored 17 points for Los Angeles, which lost five of its last seven before trouncing the Pelicans, who beat them handily last week in New Orleans. Jodie Meeks and Xavier Henry scored 15 points apiece for the Lakers, who led by 20 points in the first half before coasting to their 12th win in their last 13 regular-season meetings with New Orleans. Amani Hooker Jersey . Ireland was the last unbeaten side in the championship after France fell to Wales on Friday, and was favoured to end a three-match losing run to England with a side with more than twice as many caps, rampant momentum, and added incentive to celebrate Brian ODriscolls world record-tying 139th test cap. http://www.cheaptitansjerseyselite.com/ .Y. Islanders 4Winnipeg 5 Dallas 2Nashville 3 Colorado 0San Jose 5 Edmonton 2---AHLProvidence 5 St. Johns 4 (OT)Chicago 6 San Antonio 2---NBACleveland 105 Toronto 101Portland 98 Detroit 86New Orleans 104 New York 93Oklahoma City 114 Milwaukee 101Memphis 114 Dallas 105Miami 103 Phoenix 97Utah 100 San Antonio 96L. Cheap Titans 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. A.J. Brown Jersey . Trailing by a goal after 20 minutes of play, Joe Pavelski responded with three goals and an assist as the Sharks snapped a two-game losing skid with a 5-2 victory over the struggling Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday. VANCOUVER -- It was a case of two points lost rather than a point gained for the Vancouver Whitecaps. The Montreal Impact came into Wednesday with the worst record in Major League Soccer, but managed to hold the high-powered Whitecaps to a 0-0 draw in a dreary match that seemed destined to remain goalless after just a few minutes. "It wasnt very enjoyable watching it, was it?" Whitecaps head coach Carl Robinson asked the media afterwards. "I didnt enjoy watching it and I dont think the players enjoyed playing in it. Bad day at the office I think we call it. We take a point." In reality it was a missed opportunity for Vancouver (5-2-7), which entered play having scored nine goals over its last three contests, but looked flat coming out of the MLSs World Cup hiatus that resulted in an 18-day layoff. "We were hoping that the break didnt have any impact on us but obviously we have to say after this match it looked like it did," said Whitecaps goalkeeper David Ousted. "Definitely not the result we were looking for. We were definitely hoping for a win at home but this just shows you theres no easy games in MLS. I think we took it a little bit too lightly today." Ousted was forced to make a number of key saves early as the Whitecaps -- who had not played since June 7 -- looked asleep at the switch in the first half. Vancouver eventually got on the front foot as the game wore on, but it wasnt enough to earn a sixth victory on the season. "Well take the positives from it. We kept a clean sheet and thats eight games unbeaten now," said Whitecaps defender Andy OBrien. "I think its a sign ... that if you dont play well make sure you dont get beat." Montreal (2-7-5) entered the night last in MLS and remains winless on the road in 2014, but gutted out a hard-fought point. "I thought we defended very well and were committed to that part of the game (and) also had some very good chances to get the three points," said Impact head coach Frank Klopas. "I felt in the end we got a point in a difficult place and now we have to continue." The result is a disappointment for Vancouver, which occupies a Western Conference playoff spot and have games in hand on every other team currently in a post-season position. The Whitecaps travels to Colorado on Saturday to take on the Rapids, one of the teams theyre battling in the standings. After a first half that showed some considerable rust on the hosts, Vancouver came out with renewed vigour after the break. Whitecaps midfielder Kekuta Manneh fired a shot from outside the box that Troy Perkins had dive to keep out a mminute in, before Pedro Morales nearly snuck a free kick home on a shot that required a finger-tips save from the Montreal goalkeeper.dddddddddddd Things then started to open up a bit with 20 minutes to go as the teams finally found some inspiration. Vancouver striker Darren Mattocks flashed a shot wide in the 72nd minute before Impact midfielder Maxim Tissot hit the crossbar behind Ousted moments later. Whitecaps defender Carlyle Mitchell then forced a fine save from Perkins off a corner five minutes later, and Jordan Harveys follow up hit the crossbar. Montreal found the woodwork again in the 83rd when striker Jack McInerney headed off the post following a free kick. "The top teams in the world dont play well every game," said Robinson. "Thats the reality of it. I think every game weve played (at home) weve been excellent. "We were not playing with an urgency and a tempo that we have done." Montreal also had an extended 14-day break, but an Impact team missing striker Marco Di Vaio and midfielders Justin Mapp and Calum Mallace because of injury were perhaps a bit unlucky not to be leading at halftime. Ousted was forced to make a one-handed save off a deflection in the fourth minute that easily could have found its way over the line. McInerney then sent a shot into the side netting of Ousteds goal in the 26th minute, before Mattocks fizzed a ball towards Perkins from a distance that didnt cause any trouble five minutes later. Montreals best chance to take the lead came in stoppage time when Ousted had to scramble to make two saves to keep things level heading to the locker-rooms. "Theyre not going to come here and lie over, and they didnt," said Robinson of the Impact. "They thoroughly came and probably got something they deserved." The Welshman added he wont dwell on the missed opportunity with a critical away game in Colorado set for the weekend. "Well put this one to bed," said Robinson. "I watched it once, and that was enough." Notes: Ousted and Perkins each picked up their third shutouts of the season. ... Whitecaps striker Erik Hurtado saw his streak of goals in five straight games come to an end. ... Mitchell started in place of Vancouver captain Jay DeMerit, who tore a ligament in his left ankle in the game on June 7. ... Montreals next game is Sunday at home against the Houston Dynamo. ... Montreal has had a disastrous MLS campaign so far, but did win this years Amway Canadian Championship. ... Vancouvers two losses in MLS play is tied for second lowest with Real Salt Lake. ... Attendance at B.C. Place Stadium was 21,000. Cheap Buffalo Sabres Gear Wholesale Calgary Flames Jerseys Cheap Adidas Colorado Avalanche Jerseys Montreal Canadiens Outlet Store Wholesale New Jersey Devils Jerseys Adidas Arizona Coyotes Jerseys Cheap Adidas Boston Bruins Jerseys Cheap Adidas Carolina Hurricanes Jerseys Chicago Blackhawks Shop Free Shipping Wholesale Columbus Blue Jackets Jerseys Dallas Stars Shop Free Shipping Cheap Adidas Detroit Red Wings Jerseys Anaheim Ducks Jerseys China Wholesale Edmonton Oilers Jerseys Florida Panthers Shop Free Shipping Wholesale Los Angeles Kings Jerseys Minnesota Wild Outlet Store Cheap Adidas Nashville Predators Jerseys Cheap Adidas New York Islanders Jerseys New York Rangers Winter Classic Jerseys Cheap Adidas Ottawa Senators Jerseys Cheap Adidas Philadelphia Flyers Jerseys Wholesale Pittsburgh Penguins Jerseys Cheap Adidas San Jose Sharks Jerseys St. Louis Blues Winter Classic Jerseys Wholesale Tampa Bay Lightning Jerseys Toronto Maple Leafs Outlet Store Vancouver Canucks Outlet Store Cheap Adidas Vegas Golden Knights Jerseys Cheap Adidas Washington Capitals Jerseys Cheap Adidas Winnipeg Jets Jerseys ' ' '