Kritik und Lob » linebacker Ryan Andersons fourth-down

(Sports Network) - The Western Conference Finals shift to Memphis on Saturday as the Grizzlies try to get back into the series against the San Antonio Spurs. Its been three days since the teams last took the court on Tuesday, when San Antonio emerged with a 2-0 series advantage after a 93-89 overtime win. "Im sure if you get a break you want to take advantage of it and maybe take a little bit of a mental as well as a physical break," said Spurs coach Gregg Popovich about the extended layoff. "But, at the same time do something to make sure you maintain at least your base conditioning, do some film and keep everybody focused on what were trying to do, but not beat anybody over the head and then just pick it up toward game time." The Grizzlies needed the break to try and get their offense going, especially the spectacular big-man combo of Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol. Their scoring is way down through the first two games and Randolph, in particular, has been disappointing with an average of 8.5 ppg. "It was frustrating," admitted Randolph. "When you miss shots that you usually make, its frustrating." Another problem offensively has been Tayshaun Prince. The starting forward has eight points in this series, but head coach Lionel Hollins wont change the starting lineup. Although, he did admit to thinking about it. "Its something Ive thought about. Its not something Im ready to do," said Hollins. "Theres no need at this point to change the starting lineup. We lost an overtime game and we got blown out in a game. Weve got to play better earlier, and weve got to play better later." The Grizzlies put the clamps on the Spurs in the fourth quarter of Game 2. After getting demolished in Game 1 and down double-digits at the start of the final frame Tuesday, Memphis held San Antonio to nine points to force overtime. The Grizz didnt get it done in the extra session, but there were encouraging signs. "Yeah, the way we came back, the way we put pressure on them in the game," said Randolph when asked about gaining confidence from the comeback in Game 2. "In overtime we missed some shots, they made some shots, just little mistakes here and there kept us out of the game." The Grizzlies may be down 0-2, but they know they arent out of it if recent history is any kind of barometer. They fell down 0-2 to the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round of the playoffs, then won four straight to advance. "We went on the road in every series and we lost, we had to come back," explained Hollins. "Were at home, and we want to come out and play much more aggressive, much more confident, which teams usually do at home, and as I told our team, being home is not going to win anything for us, we have to go out and play much better." The Spurs received steady contributions from everyone in Game 2. All five starters scored in double figures, and all five bench players who got into the game managed at least three points. San Antonio was led in scoring by the venerable Tim Duncan, who was named to the All-NBA First Team on Thursday. "I know that he was touched when he found out," Popovich said on Thursday. "All-NBA anything is pretty special if you think about it. Its something we really respect and feel great about, and then well forget about it." Duncan was not the only Spurs player to make one of the leagues three teams. Tony Parker made the All-NBA Second Team, but the elite guard underwent an MRI exam on his ailing calf and theres no real change. "Everything is fine," said Parker, who had 15 points and 18 assists in Game 2. "I feel like Im turning the corner and I feel like Ill be fine for Saturday. It feels better." Game 4 will be Monday night in Memphis.Chicago Bulls Shirts . Philadelphia is 2-0 against the Senators this season and scored five goals in each victory. The Flyers recorded a 5-0 win in Ottawa on Nov. 12 and then earned a 5-2 home decision on Nov. 19. The Flyers have claimed three straight and four of the last five encounters with the Sens overall and Philly has won two in a row and three of its past four tests in Canadas capital city. Wholesale Bulls Jerseys .Y. - Free agent outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury, fresh off winning the World Series with Boston, reached agreement with the rival New York Yankees on a seven-year contract worth about $153 million, a person familiar with the negotiations said Tuesday night. https://www.cheapbulls.com/ . Ouellette, from Montreal, already has three Olympic gold medals since joining the team in 1999. Bulls Jerseys China . The nimble-footed quarterback got his wish, dashing through the snow and a weary defence all the way into the NCAA record book. Chicago Bulls Store . Coach Tom Thibodeau says the former MVP will probably start travelling with the team in the next few weeks. Rose tore the meniscus in his right knee at Portland in November and was ruled out for the remainder of the season by the Bulls.ARLINGTON, Texas -- Nick Saban had a moment early in top-ranked Alabamas season opener when he wondered if it really had been a good idea to go with two freshman quarterbacks.After a shaky first quarter, including dual-threat true freshman Jalen Hurts fumbling on his first play, things worked out for the Crimson Tide in a 52-6 victory over No. 20 Southern Cal.Just dont ask Saban what the quarterback plans are moving forward for the defending national champion Tide.I made a decision for this game that whatever we did at quarterback was for now. ... We made a decision today for now. Thats the only decision we made, Saban said. So Im not speculating on what were going to do in the future.Alabama plays its home opener next Saturday against Western Kentucky before getting into SEC play the following weekend at No. 11 Ole Miss, the only team to beat the Tide in the regular season the last two seasons -- and the Rebels did it both years.Saban never even revealed who was taking the first snap against USC until redshirt freshman Blake Barnett went out for the opening series Saturday night, becoming the youngest starter the coach has used at Alabama. Saban went even younger when, as he had planned, Hurts got into the game on the third series.We think both guys are talented, and we wanted both guys to play in the game, Saban said. When the first quarter was over, I was wondering to myself, `Was this a good plan or a bad plan? Both guys were a little shaky in the beginning.Alabama gained 12 yards on 10 plays in the first quarter, and trailed 3-0 before Hurts overcame the fumble to account for four touchdowns.The Tide led for good when Hurts hit ArDarius Stewart for a 39-yard TD, and found him open again for a 70-yard scoring pass. The quarterback who at this poinnt last year was playing high school ball in Texas, and not in the Dallas Cowboys NFL stadium, added touchdown runs of 7 and 6 yards to make it 38-3 before he exited late in the third quarter.ddddddddddddHe had the hiccup at the beginning, bit it was his first game, he turned the page and got back on it, Stewart said of the young quarterback.Barnett added a 45-yard touchdown after returning in the third quarter, and finished 5-of-6 passing for 100 yards. Cooper Bateman, the sophomore who started a game last season, completed his only pass for 5 yards and was sacked while playing Bamas final offensive series.With a defense that is still dominating after four players were taken in the first two rounds of the NFL draft last spring, Alabama has more leeway in getting things settled at quarterback.After allowing a field goal on the games opening series, and stopping USCs second drive in Bama territory on linebacker Ryan Andersons fourth-down sack, the Tide allowed only 11 yards on the Trojans seven possessions the rest of the half. Southern Cal was held without a touchdown for the first time since 2007 in its most lopsided loss in a half-century.Of course, Saban was still far from completely satisfied after improving to 10-0 in season openers at Bama.If you want to know the truth about it, I wasnt pleased with the way we played, Saban said. So my focus with our team right now is what can we do better? How can we get better? How can every guy improve? ... Look, Im happy that we won. And Im proud of our team for beating a good team. And I dont want you to think that Im not.---AP college football website: www.collegefootball.ap.org ' ' '