Clan-Members » extend his hitting streak to 1

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota Timberwolves are trying to find any sense of traction this season and will have yet another chance to win back-to-back games for the first time when they play at home Saturday night.Standing in Minnesotas way is just the team on the hottest streak in the NBA: the Houston Rockets.The Timberwolves (7-18) host Houston on Saturday night after the Rockets (20-7) won their ninth game in a row on Friday, beating the New Orleans Pelicans 122-100 in Houston.We came in today and had a different swagger about us, Minnesota center Karl-Anthony Towns told the Minneapolis Star Tribune a day after the Timberwolves 99-94 comeback win in Chicago. A different swagger that we have never had; an arrogance in a way that great teams have.Minnesota recovered from a 21-point deficit against the Bulls, the largest comeback in the NBA this season. The Timberwolves felt good about themselves and also had three days off before the Rockets come to town.But its a Minnesota team that hasnt won two games in a row all season. The Timberwolves hope something changed this time.I think, in Chicago, thats the first time we played team basketball, forward Gorgui Dieng told the Star Tribune.Minnesota can benefit from back-to-back practices as well, a rare occurrence rare in todays NBA. The young Timberwolves need the practice as much as anyone as they continue to learn the ways of new coach Tom Thibodeau.For us, practicing hard and practicing well is critical, Thibodeau told the Star Tribune. It is not punishment, but it is what we need to do to build habits. This is all about building habits and building a foundation.Tuesdays comeback was made possible because of defense. It was the first time in 10 games that Minnesota had held a team below 100 points. Chicago scored 56 total points in the final three quarters.Stopping the Rockets is a more daunting task.The Rockets entered Friday second in the league in scoring with 122.8 points per game. That was before Houston bombarded New Orleans.Houston hit 24 3-pointers in Fridays win against the Pelicans. The total broke a mark the 2013 Rockets shared with the 2009 Orlando Magic. They shot 61 3-pointers in the win, breaking another record they had set earlier this season when they shot 50 in a game.It was one of those nights where it didnt feel like we put up 60 3s, said forward Ryan Anderson, who was 2 of 8 from 3. They were in-motion shots, they were good shots.Eric Gordon was 7 of 12 on 3-point shots in scoring 29 points. James Harden was 6 of 12 from beyond the arc on the way to his sixth triple-double of the season with 29 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds. Trevor Ariza added five 3s and scored 20 points.We can still be better, Gordon said. I wouldnt doubt that before the season is over well break that record (for 3-pointers made) again.I think itll happen again for sure. A lot of teams like to load up trying to not let us get layups and it forces us to shoot 3s. Its like, Why not? I think well have that chance again.Harden also passed Hakeem Olajuwon with his 15th triple-double for Houston, the most in team history.The Rockets have played twice while the Timberwolves rested and practiced. Houston also put up 132 points in a win on Wednesday over Sacramento, which scored just 98 points in the game.Jason Williams Jersey . Duchene scored two goals and had an assist, helping the Colorado Avalanche beat the Carolina Hurricanes 4-2 on Friday night to match the best 10-game start in team history. Harry Giles Jersey . The Browns coaching search remains incomplete. http://www.nbakingsonline.com/Authentic-Marvin-Bagley-III-Kings-Jersey/ . Tracey comes to the Blue Bombers after spending over a decade with Queens University. Most recently he was the schools assistant football coach. Sacramento Kings Jerseys .1 million pounds ($61.2 million) on Saturday, giving the beleaguered English Premier League champions a major lift. Bogdan Bogdanovic Kings Jersey .Y. - Nelson Mandela will be honoured by the New York Yankees with a plaque in Monument Park.WASHINGTON -- Two big innings were enough for the Washington Nationals to overcome the Atlanta Braves and top prospect Dansby Swansons inside-the-park home run Tuesday night.Pinch-runner Michael A. Taylor scored the go-ahead run on catcher Tyler Flowers throwing error as part of a three-run eighth inning as the Nationals defeated Atlanta 9-7.Youve got to believe and think it and everybody was believing, Nationals manager Dusty Baker said. The power of positive thinking goes a long way, especially in this game. That brought the crowd back into the game.Washington had a five-run third inning for the second consecutive night.We just sometimes cant stay away from that crooked number in one inning, Atlanta interim manager Brian Snitker said.Taylor pinch-ran after Braves reliever Jose Ramirez (2-2) walked Ryan Zimmerman. Taylor stole second and, after Danny Espinosas walk, scored when an off-balance Flowers threw pinch-hitter Ben Reveres bunt attempt well to the left of third baseman Adonis Garcia.I knew if I got my hand on it, it had to be quick, Flowers said. When I went through it all in my head, I imagined it being a little more accurate in my head before it happened. Its a do-or-die play. The game is essentially on the line. I tried to be an athlete and it just didnt work out.Trea Turner then hit a two-run single for Washington, which beat Atlanta for the 13th time in 15 meetings this season.Koda Glover (2-0) retired the only two batters he faced to earn the victory, while Mark Melancon got his 39th save in 42 opportunities.Washington used seven relievers, who combined to retire 17 of the 20 batters they faced.They did a great job tonight, Zimmerman said. Theyve done a really great job all year long, coming into games and keeping us where were at. Theyre not an easy team to pitch to.Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper secured his first career 20 homer-20 steal season with a stolen base in the seventh.Swanson, the 2015 overall No. 1 draft pick, hit an inside-the-park home run in the second inning. The shortstop lined a pitch from Gio Gonzalez over Turner and high off the fence in center field, 399 feet away. The ball caromed toward the infielld, and Swanson slid home headfirst, easily beating the throw from Harper.dddddddddddd It was his first career home run.Swanson, who made his big league debut Aug. 17, entered the game hitting .236 with four RBI in 55 at-bats. Atlantas previous inside-the-park home run was by Wes Helms on Oct. 7, 2001.It was one of those things where I thought it was going to be my first triple, Swanson said. Then as I kept going, judging by the reaction in the dugout and the crowd, I thought `Maybe Ill get an inside-the-parker. I just kept going.Swansons homer gave Atlanta a 3-1 lead, and the Braves added another run in the third on Freddie Freemans RBI single. But Washington blasted starter Williams Perez in the third inning, collecting three singles before Rendon launched an 0-2 pitch to left for his first career grand slam. Zimmerman chased Perez two batters later with a solo homer.Perez allowed six runs in 2 1/3 innings. Gonzalez didnt fare much better, allowing six runs in three innings.STREAKS CONTINUEOF Ender Inciarte singled twice to extend his hitting streak to 17 games, two shy of his career high. Freeman pushed his hitting streak to 13 games with a single.TRAINERS ROOMBraves: RHP Matt Wisler (sore side) played catch a day after he missed his scheduled start Snitker said Wisler would likely need a couple of side sessions before returning to the rotation.Nationals: Washington recalled INF Wilmer Difo and RHP Lucas Giolito from Triple-A Syracuse. Difo hit .257 with five RBI in 35 at-bats in earlier stints with the Nationals, while Giolito is 0-1 with a 5.63 ERA in four starts in the majors.UP NEXTBraves: RHP Mike Foltynewicz (8-5, 4.31) starts the series finale for Atlanta. Foltynewicz earned a victory in his only previous start this year against Washington, allowing four runs in 5 2/3 innings on Aug. 12.Nationals: Strasburg (15-4, 3.59) will return from the DL and start Wednesday. Strasburg has not pitched since Aug. 17 because of right elbow soreness. He is 2-1 with a 4.26 ERA in three starts against Atlanta this season. ' ' '