Alles Andere » one-game absence to attend his grandfathers funeral

PORTLAND, Ore. -- The Golden State Warriors were thrilled to have Klay Thompson. Thompson, returning after a one-game absence to attend his grandfathers funeral in the Bahamas, scored 23 of his 27 points in the second half and hit the go-ahead 3-pointer with 11.1 seconds remaining to lift the Warriors to a 113-112 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday night. Stephen Curry led all scorers with 37 points for the Warriors, who rallied from an 18-point deficit midway through the third quarter to snap a two-game skid. Golden State also moved 1 1/2 games behind Portland for the Western Conferences No. 5 playoff spot. "Thats as good a win as weve had in three years," Warriors coach Mark Jackson said. "It would have been very easy to fold our tent and hang our heads. Klay and Steph were spectacular." Damian Lillard finished with 26 points and Nicholas Batum had 23 points and 14 rebounds for the Blazers, who lost for the fifth time in six games. Portland also played without injured All-Star forward LaMarcus Aldridge, who missed his second game with a lower back contusion. Batum had a chance to tie the score with 5.8 seconds remaining, but missed the second of two free throws. The Blazers got the rebound but failed to get another shot off. Curry dedicated the victory to Thompson, who had to take three different flights to get from the Bahamas to Portland and didnt arrive until the wee hours Sunday morning. "We wanted to get this one for Klay," said Curry, who made 11 of 24 shots, including 6 of 12 from 3-point range. "Hes been through a lot this week, put on a lot of miles, and obviously ben through a lot. "For him to compartmentalize a little bit for two hours and come out and play was big for us. It says a lot about how much hes committed to whats going on here." Thompson didnt show any fatigue, especially in the second half when he connected on 8 of 14 shots, including three 3-pointers. "Yeah, three flights, but I slept on most of them," Thompson said. "I actually felt fresh when I stepped on the court. You might not believe me, but I warmed up before the game and felt good." Robin Lopez finished with 14 points and 10 rebounds, and Wesley Matthews and Dorell Wright had 13 points each for the Blazers, who led by 18 points twice, the second time at 72-54 with 7:20 remaining in the third quarter. "We have to put that game away," Matthews said. "With guys like Steph and Klay, they can get hot and thats what they did. We still gave ourselves a chance, but were at the point now where if we have a team down 18, we have to put that game away." Golden State pulled to 85-77 going into the fourth quarter and took the lead with 6:01 to play after Thompson blocked Lillards shot at one end of the court and got fouled on a drive to the basket at the other end while Portland coach Terry Stotts was also assessed a technical foul. Curry made the technical free throw and then Thompson made 1 of 2 foul shots to put the Warriors in front 97-96 -- their first lead since 31-29. From there, the lead changed four times and there were two ties before Thompsons 3 from in front of the Portland bench put the Warriors in front, 110-107, with 53.8 seconds left. After a dunk by Lillard pulled Portland to 110-109, Curry turned the ball over. Lillard was then fouled driving to the basket and made both free throws to make it 111-110 with 20.7 seconds remaining. Thompsons third 3 of the game gave the Warriors the lead for good. "Hes a big-time player," Jackson said of Thompson. "Hes as cool as they come. It does not bother him making and missing shots. Hes not afraid to take the next one." David Lee had 16 points and Jermaine ONeal added eight points and four rebounds off the bench for the Warriors. "Disappointed to lose another close game," Stotts said. "Curry got hot in the second half. We have to figure out ways to close out games and realize when we have a 16-, 18-point lead, we cant take our foot off the gas." Portlands Mo Williams, expected to miss two weeks with a strained right hip muscle, returned after missing only two games and had 12 points, four assists and two steals. NOTES: Batum matched his season high with five 3-pointers and became the first player in franchise history to record consecutive games with 20 or more points, 10 or more rebounds and four or more 3-pointers. Hes also the first NBA player with 22 or more points, 14 or more rebounds, and four or more 3-pointers in back-to-back games since Minnesotas Kevin Love on Jan. 1-2, 2012. ... Jackson said before the game that the Blazers are a different team without Aldridge, who was averaging team highs of 23.4 points and 11.1 rebounds when was injured in the third quarter of Wednesdays 103-90 loss at San Antonio. ... The Blazers came in second in league scoring at 107.3 points a game and had scored 90 or more points in 20 consecutive games. The last time Portland was held to fewer than 90 points was in a 98-81 loss at home to Memphis. ... Jackson lobbied for eighth-year centre Andrew Bogut as a candidate for the NBAs all-defensive team. "Hes the anchor to our defence," Jackson said. "Hes a guy who changes, alters, blocks a lot of shots at the rim, protects the paint, and rebounds the basketball. Hes been very, very valuable to what weve been able to do this year and deserves a lot of credit." Matt Duchene Jersey . Torres scored the first goal by an English team in the knockout phase of the Champions League this season when he met Cezar Azpilicuetas cutback in the ninth minute of their first leg match in the last 16. But Chelsea failed to make the most of its counterattacks and the Turkish champions equalized in the second half after gaining in confidence and cutting out their defensive mistakes. Mark Stone Jersey . The match, billed as a "next-gen" encounter between two of the sports rising stars, lasted two and a half hours. The loss kept Raonic, from Thornhill, Ont., from reaching a third fourth-round spot in Melbourne over the past four years. http://www.senatorssale.com/customized/ .C. -- The Carolina Hurricanes used a strong third period to extend their winning streak to three games. Ottawa Senators Jerseys .Manager Brendan Rodgers told the Liverpool Echo on Friday that Sturridge pulled his calf muscle in training as he prepared to return from a five-week layoff due to a thigh strain. Jason Spezza Jersey . - Hitting was supposed to be the Pittsburgh Pirates weakness coming into the season yet they lead the major leagues in home runs through the first 16 games of the season.Mark Noble feels there is no ceiling to how big a force West Ham can become when they move into the Olympic Stadium. The Hammers face Manchester United on Tuesday night in their final game at the Boleyn Ground, live on Sky Sports, and emotions are bound to be high as they prepare to move out after 112 years.Their final season has been one full of positives, and victory over Champions League-chasing United would keep West Ham in the hunt for a place in next seasons Europa League. But West Ham captain Noble feels the move to Stratford, where all 50,000 season tickets have already been sold, could be the start of a very bright future for the team.How big could this club be? I dont think there is a ceiling, said the midfielder. West Ham captain Mark Noble will lead his team out at the Boleyn Ground for the last time tomorrow against Manchester United Everybody has seen what happened to Manchester City, to Chelsea, over the years. With people in the world these days with a lot of money to burn, anything can happen.Tuesday will be tough for Noble, who came through the playing ranks after time on the terraces as a supporter and then on the sidelines as a ball-boy. West Ham captain Mark Noble admits emotion could take over as his side play their last game at the Boleyn Ground. Ahead of the game against Manchester Utd But he does not feel the move to the OIympic Stadium will adversely affect the clubs identity.Its very special that the people who own the club are fans, tthey know what the club is about, he added.dddddddddddd West Ham captain Mark Noble admits hes booked his summer holidays and isnt expecting to be involved for England at Euro 2016 this summer That has shown this year - everyone is together and we have all pulled together. When the owners are West Ham fans, when the manager has played for the club, me as the captain being a West Ham fan, too, that has shown a lot this year.We are leaving a place that I have been coming to for over 20 years, first as a supporter. Every other weekend its going to be strange to get in my car in the morning and drive to a game, and not down a street I know so well. Some West Ham legends share their memories of the famous stadium. Watch The Boleyn Boys on Tuesday May 10 on Sky Sports 1 at 6.00pm But there is something special he will miss as he added: The 10 seconds before kick-off. When the music plays and whole crowd sings Bubbles. Its probably my favourite part of the day.Everything else is stressful. Getting people tickets, the phone calls, press officers. I hate it. But seriously, that 10 seconds when they switch the music off and everyone sings Bubbles. You feel free in a way and you can just concentrate on football. Also See: West Ham daring to dream Watch: The Boleyn Boys 50,000 season tickets sold Nobles tour of the Boleyn ' ' '