|
CHARLOTTE, N. Warren Sapp Buccaneers Jersey .C. -- Al Jefferson is doubtful for Game 4 Monday night against the Miami Heat due to a lingering foot injury, according to Bobcats coach Steve Clifford. Jefferson, the teams leading scorer and rebounder, has been hobbled since straining the plantar fascia in his left foot in the first quarter of Game 1. He didnt participate in Mondays shoot around. "Hes not close to where he was for the last two games," Clifford said. Clifford said in Game 3 Jeffersons foot got worse as the game progressed and having only one day off in between games didnt help his chances of being ready for Game 4. Jefferson hobbled noticeably Monday as he left the gym after watching teammates shoot around in practice. Jefferson said he feels as if hes "walking on needles." "I wouldnt wish this pain on anyone," Jefferson said. "Its the worst pain Ive ever dealt with in my career." Jefferson wouldnt rule himself out, saying hes taking things hour-to-hour. "Im seeing how its going to feel and go from there," Jefferson said. Miami leads the series 3-0 and can close out the Bobcats with a win Monday night in Charlotte. Clifford said Bismack Biyombo is expected to start for Jefferson. That represents a major dropoff in production, particularly from the offensive end. Jefferson averaged 21.8 points and 10.8 rebound per game in his first season with the Bobcats, while Biyombo has never scored more than 14 points in a game. Biyombo has only played 15 minutes in the playoffs and scored one point. Jeffersons teammates said they respect his ability to get on the floor the past two games. "He has given us all he can," point guard Kemba Walker said. "And I think down to a man we appreciate his effort. Hes been nothing but great for us. He has been playing really well and hes not 100 per cent." Said Clifford: "I know how badly Al wants to play. The most upset person about this is him. So its frustrating, but again its part of pro sports." Clifford said the Bobcats will play more five-man basketball using pick and rolls, rather than relying on Jefferson in the low post. Walker, the teams second-leading scorer, will be relied upon to help pick up the slack in Jeffersons absence. "We have to find better ways for Kemba to be on the attack," Clifford said. Jefferson said its frustrating that he worked so hard all season only to injure the foot in the first quarter of the playoffs. "This season has been a great season for all of the things we have done so far," Jefferson said. "We are going into the game tonight trying to win... Regardless of what may happen it has been a wonderful season and guys have a lot to be proud of for the things we have done this season. But we cant take any steps back. We have to continue to build and get better." Jefferson said he wont need surgery after the season. William Gholston Buccaneers Jersey . Salamida, 29, has played the last four seasons with the Goldeyes. Returning to the team halfway through last season, he went 7-1 with a 2. Doug Martin Buccaneers Jersey . With four remaining Olympic berths up for grabs, Canadas Peng Peng Lee, Kristina Vaculik, Victoria Moors, Talia Chiarelli, Brittany Rogers and Madeline Gardiner finished second overall with a combined 221.SPOKANE, Wash. -- Mitch Holmberg continued with his offensive dominance on Friday as the Spokane Chiefs defeated the visiting Prince George Cougars 5-2 in Western Hockey League play. The 20-year-old forward scored twice and added two assists, giving him 25 goals and 55 points in just 22 games. He currently leads the WHL in both categories. Jason Fram, Liam Stewart and Mike Aviani also scored for the Chiefs (15-7-0) while Reid Gow had three assists. Todd Fiddler scored for the Cougars (8-13-4) and earned an assist on Zach Pchiros goal for a two-point performance. Spokanes Eric Williams made 24 saves for the win as Prince Georges Ty Edmonds stopped 25-of-29 shots in defeat. The Chiefs scored on their only power-play opportunity while the Cougars went 0 for 4. --- RAIDERS 3 ICE 2 PRINCE ALBERT, Sask. -- Cole Cheveldave stopped 28 shots as the Raiders edged Kootenay. Josh Morrissey, Jayden Hart and Chance Braid scored for Prince Albert (13-8-2) and Leon Draisaitl chipped in with two assists. Tim Bozon scored both goals for the Ice (11-10-2) and Luke Philp assisted on each of them. Kootenays Wyatt Hoflin made 23 saves in a losing cause. --- WHEAT KINGS 6 BLADES 2 BRANDON, Man. -- Tim McGauley scored twice and Ryan Pulock had a goal and two assists as the Wheat Kings handed Saskatoon its fourth straight loss. Peter Quenneville, Braylon Schmyr and Ryley Lindgren also scored for Brandon (12-11-0), which has won three games in a row. Nikita Scherbak and Cory Millette supplied the offence for the Blades (9-13-3). Jordan Papirny made 17 saves for the Wheat Kings while Alex Moodie stopped 44-of-50 shots in defeat. --- HITMEN 3 BRONCOS 2 (SO) CALGARY -- Radel Fazleev scored the winner as the Hitmen halted Swift Currents nine-game win streak. Chris Driedger made 37 saves for Calgary (11-6-4), which snapped its four-game slide, while Kenton Helgesen and Greg Chase scored in regulation. The Broncos (15-8-2) got goals from Jay Merkley and Graham Black. Landon Bow stopped 35 shots for Swift Current. --- REBELS 4 WARRIORS 2 RED DEER, Alta. -- Matt Bellerives goal 6:38 into the second period stood up as the winner as the Rebels doubled up Moose Jaw. Haydn Fleurry, Dominik Volek and Meyer Nell also scored for Red Deer (10-11-1) while Wyatt Johnson tacked on two assists.Black Friday Buccaneers Jerseys Deals. Brayden Point and Alexey Sleptsov scored for the Warriors (7-15-4). Patrik Bartosak made 17 saves for the Rebels. Zachary Sawchenko stopped 27 shots for Moose Jaw. --- AMERICANS 5 PATS 3 KENNEWICK, Wash. -- Brian Williams scored twice and Tri-City jumped out to a four-goal lead en route to defeating Regina. Lucas Nickels and Marcus Messier had a goal and an assist apeice for the Americans (13-9-2) while Philip Tot scored once. The Pats (12-10-0) were led offensively by Braden Christoffer, Boston Leier and Adam Brooks. Eric Comrie made 28 saves for Tri-City while Nick Schneider stopped 23 shots for Regina. --- ROYALS 2 THUNDERBIRDS 1 (OT) VICTORIA -- Logan Nelson scored 52 seconds into extra time as the Royals dealt Seattle its sixth loss in a row. Brandon Magee scored in the second period for Victoria (13-9-1) and earned the games first star. Brandon Troock scored the lone goal for the Thunderbirds (11-8-3). Coleman Vollrath made 21 saves for the Royals while Seattles Danny Mumaugh gave his team a chance to win by turning aside 32-of-34 shots. --- GIANTS 3 TIGERS 2 VANCOUVER -- Jared Rathjen stopped 31 shots as the Giants slipped past Eastern Conference-leading Medicine Hat. Ty Ronning, Dalton Sward and Jackson Houck scored for Vancouver (9-11-3), which led 3-0 less than 13 minutes into the game. Miles Koules and Tommy Vannelli responded for the Tigers (15-4-3), who lost in regulation for the first time in 10 contests. Medicine Hats Daniel Wapple made 32 saves in a losing effort. --- SILVERTIPS 3 WINTERHAWKS 2 EVERETT, Wash. -- Tyler Sandhu scored twice, including the winner, as the Silvertips hung on to defeat Portland. Manraj Hayer had a goal and an assist for Everett (15-3-4), which led 3-0 after 40 minutes of play, and Matt Pufahl had two assists. Oliver Bjorkstrand and Derrick Pouliot scored third-period goals for the Winterhawks (16-5-2), who were 8-1-1 in their last 10 games heading into action. Austin Lotz made 28 saves for the Silvertips. Brendan Burke kicked out 33-of-36 shots for Portland. --- ' ' ' |
