|
NEW ORLEANS -- Tyreke Evans scored a career-high 41 points to go with nine rebounds, eight assists and three steals, and the New Orleans Pelicans snapped an eight-game skid by shocking the playoff-bound Thunder 101-89 on Monday night. Kosuke Fukudome Authentic Jersey . Evans made 14 of 26 shots while scoring mostly on quick, powerful bursts to the hoop. He also scored 12 points at the foul line and made a 3 that put the Pelicans ahead 90-82 with 4:21 left. Kevin Durant scored 25 for the Thunder, who have lost two straight and wont lock up the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference playoffs without at least one more win or a Los Angeles Clippers loss. With Oklahoma City having played in Indiana on Sunday, coach Scott Brooks chose to rest point guard Russell Westbrook, starting Reggie Jackson in his place. Jackson, however, was not a factor on offence for much of the game, finishing with four points and three assists. Oklahoma could hardly complain about being short-handed, though. With all five early season starters and its best scorer off the bench out for the season, New Orleans one regular point guard was among 10 players in uniform. That was Austin Rivers, who was ejected, along with the Thunders Nick Collison, after the pair got into a scuffle with 7:56 left in the second quarter. Evans, normally a shooting guard, took over at point guard after that and went on to score 37 of his points. Luke Babbit scored 12 points, hitting a late 3 to help seal New Orleans first victory over the Thunder in 11 meetings, dating to Jan. 24, 2011. Darius Miller and Alexis Ajinca each had 10 points Serge Ibaka had 22 points and 16 rebounds for Oklahoma City. Caron Butler added 19 points on 6 of 9 shooting, but after making six of his first seven shots, he did not score in the fourth quarter and his turnover led to Evans driving layup, which put New Orleans ahead by 10 with 2:16 to go. Durant was somewhat below his usual standard, missing 14 of his 23 shots and not reaching double figures in scoring until his driving floater with 4:35 left in the third quarter. Three nights earlier in Oklahoma City, the Thunder opened up a double-digit lead on reeling New Orleans in the first half and was up 25 after three quarters en route to a 116-94 victory. Back in the Big Easy, where the Pelicans are 21-19, the matchup was far more competitive. New Orleans held a slim lead most of the first quarter and the game got testy in the second, Rivers was angered by a prolonged screen Collison set on him. Rivers pushed his way out of the screen and soon after the two were shouting at each other as they followed the action to the Pelicans offensive end, where Rivers lunged at Collison. Minutes later, Oklahoma City led by as many as six on Butlers 3, but New Orleans closed the half with Morrows short jumper and Evans layup after hed intercepted Thabo Sefoloshas pass, cutting Oklahomas lead to 46-45 at halftime. Notes: The loss prevented Oklahoma City from becoming the only NBA team with 60 wins in each of the past two seasons. ... The Thunder had won both previous meetings this season. Travis Wood Cubs Jersey . Ortega played 42 games for Double-A Tulsa in the Texas League last season before sustaining a hairline fracture on his shin. Andre Dawson Jersey . 1 and No. 2 in womens golf at the World Ladies Championship. Park closed with a 6-under 67 for a five-shot victory over Suzann Pettersen in a Ladies European Tour event.ARLINGTON, Texas -- Left-hander Martin Perez has agreed to a $12.5 million, four-year contract with the Texas Rangers that could be worth $32.55 million over seven seasons and puts four of their starting pitchers under contract through at least 2017. The 22-year-old Perez got a deal Thursday that includes three club options through 2020. Perez was 10-6 in 20 starts this season, matching Oaklands Dan Straily for the most wins by an American League rookie. After starting the season on the disabled list because he broke his left forearm in a spring training game, Perez was recalled on June 22 and got all of his wins. He was the first Texas rookie to win six consecutive starts and went nearly two months between losses. "Part of our long-term plan is to identify the best talent and best makeup guys, best workers that we have in the organization, and try to make sure to keep that core together as long as possible," general manager Jon Daniels said. "This is a really mutually beneficial deal in our minds. Martin gets security and a lot of money for a young man his age early in his career, and we get cost control and hopefully the comfort knowing that weve got a young quality, high-side left-hander in our rotation for years to come." Perez originally signed with the Rangers as a 16-year-old undrafted free agent from Venezuela. Perez got a $1 million signing bonus. His 2014 salary will be $750,000, then increase to $1 million, $2.9 million and $4.4 million over the successive seasons. The Rangers have a $6 million option for 2018 with a $2.45 million buyout. If Texas exerciises that it gets a $7. Fergie Jenkins Authentic Jersey. .5 million option for 2019 with a $750,000 buyout. And if thats exercised, the Rangers get a $9 million option for 2020 with a $250,000 buyout. "I can focus and play baseball and learn something new every day to be a better pitcher, and a better person. Thats what I want," Perez said. "My future is here." Daniels said the Rangers have seen continued growth in Perez as a pitcher and person. The young pitcher also impressed Daniels during discussions about the new deal, when Perez unprompted said the money wouldnt change him and that hed work even harder. He also talked about long-term goals. "From a management standpoint, thats all you can ask," Daniels said. Rangers ace Yu Darvish, along with left-handers Matt Harrison and Derek Holland are also signed through at least 2017. Like Perez, Harrison and Holland have options for additional years. Alexi Ogando, another starter, is eligible for salary arbitration this winter but is still under club control for three more seasons. Daniels expects a conversation with Ogando about a one-year deal. "To have four guys of that calibre and plus with Alexi, to have that talent in that rotation, thats an unusual position to be in for any franchise, especially us," Daniels said. "Its a good feeling. ... Things happen, there are no guarantees. But Ill take my chances to have that kind of ability and makeup and youth thats already had success pitching at the big league level." ------ AP Sports Writer Ronald Blum contributed to this report. wholesale jerseys cheap jerseys' ' ' |
