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Indianapolis, IN (SportsNetwork. Rishard Matthews Jersey .com) - Indiana Pacers forward Danny Granger is expected to make his season debut on Friday after missing the teams first 25 games with a left calf strain. Granger appeared in just five games last season before a lingering left knee injury required season-ending surgery. While attempting a comeback in early October, Granger pulled a calf in the same left leg. "Theres no way to simulate game intensity," Indiana head coach Frank Vogel said of Grangers return to the court. "Theres going to be an adjustment period while he gets used to that." Granger, selected 17th overall by the Pacers in 2005, has averaged 18.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.0 assists over 515 games (423 starts) over eight NBA seasons, all in Indiana. The 30-year-old swingman will make his first regular-season appearance since March 3 when the 20-5 Pacers host Houston on Friday. Cheap Derrick Shelby Jersey. - Holden Cook and Kyle Hope combined for seven points as the Owen Sound Attack downed the visiting Barrie Colts 5-1 on Wednesday in Ontario Hockey League action. Cheap Mike Wallace Jersey . As the Toronto Argonauts prepare to face their hated enemies from down the QEW, the Hamilton Tiger Cats, in this Sundays Eastern Final, theyre faced with something they havent experienced all season - a healthy receiving corps.Gordon Hayward is staying in Utah after all. The Jazz on Saturday matched Charlottes four-year, $63 million offer for the restricted free agent. Hayward posted to Twitter: "Officially back with the (at)utahjazz!!!! Wanna thank them and all of .jazznation for believing in me! Lots of work ahead..." The Jazz had until late Sunday to match the Hornets maximum offer sheet for the 6-foot-8 small forward. Jazz general manager Gordon Lindsey repeatedly said he wanted to keep Hayward on the roster. "As we have said since the start of last season, we have always seen Gordon Hayward as a significant part of the future of the Utah Jazz," Lindsey said in a statement. "Gordon is a young, multi-faceted player and a high-character individual who we are pleased will remain a member of the Jazz for many years to come." Hayward averaged career highs of 16.2 points, 5.2 assists, 5.1 rebounds and 1.4 steals last season while leading the Jazz in scoring and minutes. He was the first Jazz player to average 16 points, five rebounds and five assists since Pete Maravich. He had seven games with double-digit rebounds and six with double-digit assists. He scored more than 20 points in 22 games. The Jazz, who couldnt reach an agreement on an extension with Hayward last fall, extended a qualifying offer on June 26, making him a restricted free agent. Hayward also saw interest from the Cleveland Cavaliers before Charlottes offer came Thursday. Haywardss agent, Mark Bartelstein, confirmed that Utah had matched on Saturday morning. Cheap Dan Marino Jersey. . The move was first reported by Yahoo! Sports. "I think its certainly a gigantic statement of how the Jazz value Gordon," Bartelstein told The Associated Press. Hornets coach Steve Clifford had praised Haywards "size, skill, competitiveness" and said he could play small forward or shooting guard. "Hes 24 years old and he has the talent, the character and the work ethic to be an All-Star player," Clifford said. The ninth overall pick in the 2010 draft, Hayward has played all four seasons in Utah. He has scored in double figures 63 times with nine double-doubles while averaging 12 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.1 assists. The young Jazz struggled last season, going 25-57. In the aftermath, coach Tyrone Corbin was let go after three-plus seasons in Utah and the Jazz hired Atlanta Hawks assistant coach Quin Snyder. Under Snyder, Utah is rebuilding around Hayward, Trey Burke, Derrick Favours and Enes Kanter. Last month, the team added promising Australian guard Dante Exum and former Duke forward Rodney Hood in the NBA draft. "I am excited to have the opportunity to coach Gordon," Snyder said. "He is a talented and versatile player, and will play an integral role in our effort to build the Utah Jazz into a championship-calibre team. We look forward to seeing him continue to develop as a leader on our team." ' ' ' |
