as also left to reflect on another close-run thing, play

HOUSTON -- What was once a legitimate concern for the Rockets over how big a hole theyd find themselves in after opening the season with seven of eight games on the road turned into glee following their victory in San Antonio on Wednesday night.With their 101-99 win, the Rockets (5-3) closed a five-game road swing that took them through Cleveland and New York, Atlanta, Washington D.C. and San Antonio with a 3-2 mark that seemed improbable given the amount of time needed to build chemistry under a new coach and with a largely reconfigured roster and rotation.Instead, the Rockets will host the Spurs on Saturday night at Toyota Center somewhat galvanized not only by their successful road trip, but by the gritty performance they showcased in outlasting San Antonio in the finale of their roadie.We know how good we are and we know how good we can be, said Rockets forward Ryan Anderson after the win. Its tough to win in this building. Theyre a team that obviously has some great players and to get a win in here, youve got to be happy.The Rockets continue to learn on the fly, having entrusted James Harden with the lead guard duties while also overcoming a rotation shortened by the loss of guard Patrick Beverley, who is slated to return from knee surgery later this month. Houston coach Mike DAntoni tweaked his lineup midway through the road trip, inserting swingman Corey Brewer aside Harden and shifting guard Eric Gordon to the bench in search of some offensive punch with the second unit.Harden has been sensational, averaging 30.6 points, 7.8 rebounds and a league-leading 13 assists. He leads the NBA in assist percentage (62.0), is fourth in usage rate (33.8 percent), and entered Friday third in player efficiency rating (32.3). Because the Rockets have relied so heavily on Harden to both score and facilitate, its no shock their offense collapses in those 10.4 minutes per game when he rests.Houston owns a 10.7 net rating in the 301 minutes Harden has played. Without Harden, the Rockets net rating is minus-28.5 over 83 minutes. When the second unit squandered an 11-point second-half lead against the Spurs, Harden was forced to reenter earlier than usual in the fourth quarter to stave off the San Antonio rally.We ask so much from him, DAntoni said of Harden.The Spurs (6-3) snapped a surprising three-game home losing skid with a 96-86 win over the Pistons on Friday night. When they opened the season with a 29-point drubbing of the Warriors on the road, it seemed like business as usual for the Spurs.But San Antonio has been undermined by backcourt injuries, with Tony Parker (knee) returning from a three-game hiatus one game after Danny Green (eye) made his season debut. Like Houston, the Spurs underwent roster upheaval during the offseason, and the result of those changes has been basketball not quite up to snuff.It could be a bunch of things but the bottom line is weve just got to get it done, said Spurs guard Patty Mills. And its not like we havent got it done before. Weve done it, we know how to do it, its a matter of going out and getting it done. We understand that its not going to be easy every night and it shouldnt be. Cheap Bengals Jerseys China . The Vikings announced Thursday that Priefer will be one of seven holdovers from the previous staff, along with offensive line coach Jeff Davidson, wide receivers coach George Stewart and others. Norv Turner will mark his 30th year of coaching in the NFL as the offensive co-ordinator, as widely reported for weeks, and George Edwards will be the defensive co-ordinator. Cheap Cincinnati Bengals Jerseys . It might not have mattered. While the Dodgers are preparing for the playoffs, the Padres showed their future has promise behind two rookies. http://www.cheapbengalsjerseyselite.com/ . Deulofeu injured a muscle in his right leg in Evertons 4-1 win over Fulham in the English Premier League on Saturday. Barcelona says that its team doctors will "co-ordinate" with Evertons medical staff as Deulofeu recovers. Cheap Bengals Jerseys Authentic . General manager Jarmo Kekalainen told Aaron Portzline of The Columbus Dispatch on Friday that he wants to see Gaboriks contributions go beyond the scoresheet before considering a long-term deal for the soon-to-be unrestricted free agent. Wholesale Bengals Jerseys . Most important, perhaps, it went off without a hitch. Organizers poked a little fun at the now-infamous opening ceremony gaffe that saw only four out of five snowflakes open up into rings, leaving the Olympics logo one ring short.Matt Fitzpatrick secured an invite to next years Masters with a sparkling final-round 67 on Sunday. With the top 12 getting an invitation to return to Augusta next year, the 21-year-old from Sheffield moved through the field with a stunning five-under-par round to set the early clubhouse lead by finishing level par for the championship.Starting the day at five-over, the youngster mixed six birdies with just one dropped shot to finish a memorable week in fabulous style and break 70 for the first time at Augusta. Four birdies in the last five holes including a gain at the 18th ensured Fitzpatrick, who claimed the British Masters at Woburn last year, will be back next year.It was fantastic. I am not going to lie I was nervous. It is a different type of nerves playing a major on a Sunday, Fitzpatrick told Sky Sports. Matthew Fitzpatrick will be back to play Augusta again next year You are just trying to go low and keep the momentum. Coming in I hit some great shots, I hit every green from the 12th and that is important around here.The round was equally incredible given the tournament is Fitzpatricks first since turning professional in 2014, his three previous majors had been as an amateur, and he intends to use all the experience gained.It is great experience for me - my second round score messed me up a little bit but it is one of those that you learn from and now I feel like I know I can go low particularly on a Sunday in a major, he added.When you have done it once you feel like you can do it again if your game is in the right shape. For me knowing that it is a real help going forward. Paul Casey was another to find form on the final day at Augusta Meanwhile, Paul Casey was another Englishman to produce a spectacular round playing in his tenth Masters, his round of 67 was his best effort at the course and got him to one-under-par for the MastersCasey hailed one of the best rounds of golf and also paid tribute to new caddie John McLaren.It was really solid round of golf, I really feel I missed maybe just two possibilities where i could have picked up another shot, he told Sky Sports.There is no question he [McLaren] has already elevated everything I do, he added. Paul Casey hit his best ever round at Augusta to finish the tournament on one under He is somebody I have got the utmost respect for, He had about six unbelieable years with Luke Donald - they got to world number one and won all over the globe.dddddddddddd That is something I want to emulate.Luke is an unbelieavble all Jerseys[/url] ' ' '