If Leonard is locked in and returns to his MVP form, the Raptors should project as a legitimate threat to the Warriors, Celtics and Rockets.
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The best-case scenario for Kawhi Leonard and the Raptors
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Free-agent center Alex Len has agreed to a two-year contract with the Hawks, sources confirmed to ESPN.
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Source: Center Len agrees to deal with Hawks
Source: Center Len agrees to deal with Hawks was last modified: July 22nd, 2018 by KarolynKUY
MILWAUKEE (AP) — — Christian Yelich hit a tying homer off Clayton Kershaw in a three-run sixth inning, and the Milwaukee Brewers snapped a seven-game losing streak with a 4-2 win Saturday night over the Los Angeles Dodgers. Brewers reliever Josh Hader struck out four in two scoreless innings during his first appearance since Hader’s racist and homophobic tweets surfaced during the All-Star Game. Hader, who has apologized for the years-old social media messages, received an ovation from the crowd after he was introduced, with many fans at Miller Park standing. Hader’s work highlighted five scoreless innings from the Milwaukee bullpen, though closer Corey Knebel provided a couple of nervous moments in the ninth. Knebel allowed a two-out single to Logan Forsythe, bringing up the potential tying run in slugger Manny Machado. Just the kind of big spot made for Machado, who was acquired from the Baltimore Orioles during the All-Star break. But Machado bounced out harmlessly to third to end the game, and Knebel got his 12th save. The Brewers’ bats caught up to Kershaw in the sixth, when Yelich led off with a first-pitch homer for a 2-all tie. Another run scored on an error, and Keon Broxton added an RBI triple. Kershaw (3-5) allowed seven hits and four runs in six innings, though only one was earned. He struck out five in taking his first loss since April 25, a span of eight starts. Milwaukee rookie Corbin Burnes (1-0) picked up his first major league win with two scoreless innings, bailing starter Chase Anderson out of a bases-loaded, nobody-out jam in the fifth. Kershaw was thrown out at the plate trying to score on a wild pitch before Burnes struck out All-Star Matt Kemp and got cleanup hitter Max Muncy to fly out. Chris Taylor drove in the Dodgers’ two runs with a bases-loaded single in the first. TRAINER’S ROOM Dodgers: OF Yasiel Puig took about 30 swings off a tee at the team’s training complex in Arizona on Friday. Puig could return some time during a four-game series at Atlanta, which starts Thursday, if he doesn’t have a setback, manager Dave Roberts said. Brewers: OF-1B Ryan Braun went 1 for 3 and scored two runs in his return from a stint on the 10-day disabled list for a strained back. … OF-1B Eric Thames (right hamstring) is getting closer to returning after taking batting practice for a third straight day and running, manager Craig Counsell said. … After throwing off the Miller Park mound before the game, reliever Matt Albers (right shoulder) will next pitch in a rehab appearance at Triple-A Colorado Springs. UP NEXT Dodgers: Start a left-hander for the third straight game, with Alex Wood (5-5) taking the hill for the first time after the All-Star break. Brewers: LHP Brent Suter (8-6) makes his first career start against the Dodgers. (@Copyright 2018. The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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Brewers Beat The Dodgers, 4-2
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ANAHEIM (AP) — George Springer hit a grand slam while the Astros batted around in the sixth inning, and Justin Verlander ended his six-start winless streak with 11 strikeouts over six dominant innings in Houston’s 7-0 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Saturday night. Verlander (10-5) yielded five hits while getting ample support in his third win over Los Angeles already this season. He has thrown 23 consecutive scoreless innings over his last three starts at Angel Stadium, including a five-hit shutout on May 16. Four batters after Josh Reddick homered to lead off the sixth, Springer delivered his fifth career grand slam on a full count against reliever Noe Ramirez. Springer had driven in only five runs in his previous 24 games, but everything clicked for the defending World Series champions in their fourth win in five games, extending the second-best start in franchise history to 66-35. Verlander hadn’t won since June 14 despite setting career bests for strikeouts, ERA and opponents’ batting average before the break. The All-Star right-hander walked two and allowed just one runner to reach third base. Shohei Ohtani had two doubles as the Angels (49-50) dropped below .500 for the first time since the season opener. Los Angeles has scored one run in the first 18 innings after the break in what’s looking like yet another lost season for a big-budget franchise that hasn’t won a playoff game since 2009. Nick Tropeano (3-5) pitched five innings of two-hit ball in his return from injury, but Los Angeles committed three errors and again struggled at the plate against an Astros ace. Ohtani’s fourth-inning double was the Halos’ only extra-base hit off Verlander. The Japanese rookie doubled again in the ninth. Mike Trout went 0 for 2 with two walks, leaving him hitless in three consecutive games for only the second time in two months. Tropeano walked four and recorded five strikeouts in his first start since June 10. The former Astros prospect missed the past 31 games with right shoulder inflammation. Houston went ahead in the third when rookie Kyle Tucker singled and eventually scored on Yuli Gurriel’s sacrifice fly. Marwin Gonzalez then scored in the fourth on Tony Kemp’s double after reaching base on a rare error by Andrelton Simmons, the Angels’ Gold Glove shortstop. SHOHEI THROWS Ohtani played catch in the outfield for the third straight day as he continues a deliberate throwing progression. The two-way sensation hasn’t pitched since June 6 due to a sprained elbow ligament, but the Halos are hopeful he’ll be back on the mound this season. UP NEXT Astros: Lance McCullers Jr. (10-4, 3.77 ERA) hopes to return to his dominant June form after one mediocre start before the break. He has 119 strikeouts in 112 1/3 innings. Angels: Andrew Heaney (5-6, 3.78 ERA) will match his career high with his 18th start already this season. He pitched eight innings of four-hit ball in May to beat the Astros for the first time. (@Copyright 2018. The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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Justin Verlander Helps Astros Blank The Angels, 7-0
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Yet another Los Angeles mural of LeBron James as a Laker has been vandalized.
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Another LeBron mural vandalized in Los Angeles
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Yet another Los Angeles mural of LeBron James as a Laker has been vandalized.
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Another LeBron mural vandalized in Los Angeles
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FAIRFAX DISTRICT (CBSLA) – A new mural of new Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James has been vandalized in the Fairfax District, the second such case of vandalism in the past few weeks. July 21, 2018. (Credit: Mike Shab/Twitter) The mural had just gone up Wednesday on Melrose Avenue and North Ogden Drive in the Fairfax District. It included LeBron in a Lakers jersey, looking up at several Laker legends, including Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Wilt Chamberlain. The vandalism was discovered Saturday and documented across social media. This is the second time in the past two weeks that a LeBron James mural has been vandalized in L.A. Earlier this month, a mural went up on the side of Baby Blue Barbecue at 444 Lincoln Blvd. in Venice, almost immediately after James announced he was signing a new $154 million deal with the Lakers. However, it drew the ire of some Lakers fans who don’t believe James has earned a mural yet. They vandalized it with messages including “We don’t want you,” “LeFraud,” “No King” and “3-6,” James’ record in the NBA Finals. One of the artists initially repainted the mural, before removing it completely.
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Second LeBron James Mural Vandalized In Fairfax District
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Montrezl Harrell, a restricted free agent, has agreed to a two-year, $12 million deal to remain with the Clippers.
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Harrell stays with Clippers on 2-year, $12M deal
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Kawhi Leonard and Jordan Brand are parting ways, making the new Raptor one of the top players in a star-studded group for new sneaker endorsements.
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Kawhi Leonard, Joel Embiid and the other top shoe free agents
Kawhi Leonard, Joel Embiid and the other top shoe free agents was last modified: July 21st, 2018 by GradyRussel
Lawrence Guy also should help up front after making a strong first impression on the coaching staff.
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Danny Shelton will upgrade Patriots’ strength on defensive line
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The Colts’ second-round draft pick didn’t play varsity football until his senior year of high school, when his dad finally decided to let him play.
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Kemoko Turay’s path to NFL began with father’s blessing
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Cardinals tight end Jermaine Gresham’s airport act of kindness was just the tip of his compassionate iceberg. Some stories from those he has affected.
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The story behind Jermaine Gresham’s random acts of kindness
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Cardinals tight end Jermaine Gresham’s airport act of kindness was just the tip of his compassionate iceberg. Some stories from those he has affected.
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The story behind Jermaine Gresham’s random acts of kindness
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Nemanja Bjelica, who recently reneged on a deal with the 76ers, instead has reached a three-year deal with the Kings.
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Bjelica reaches three-year deal with Kings
Bjelica reaches three-year deal with Kings was last modified: July 21st, 2018 by BernadeDoe
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Dallas Keuchel took a no-hitter into the seventh and finished with 7 2/3 innings of two-hit ball in the Houston Astros’ 3-1 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Friday night. Justin Upton broke up Keuchel’s bid with two outs in the seventh when his line drive escaped the glove of leaping Astros shortstop Marwin Gonzalez. The Angel Stadium scorer awarded a hit instead of an error on what would have been a fine defensive play if Gonzalez had held on. Keuchel (8-8) shrugged it off and improved to 5-0 in his last seven appearances for the Astros (65-35), who are off to the second-best start through 100 games in franchise history. Josh Reddick had an RBI triple for the Astros. Only last season’s World Series champions got off to a better start than these Astros, who are 15 games ahead of the injury-plagued Angels (49-49) in the AL West. Keuchel retired the Angels’ first nine batters before walking David Fletcher to open the fourth. The heavily bearded lefty then retired the Angels’ next 11 batters before Upton’s hit with solid defensive help, getting within seven outs of the first no-hitter by a left-handed pitcher in the history of the Astros, who have 11 no-hitters. Yuli Gurriel made an impressive diving catch on Upton’s liner to first base to end the fourth inning, and Kyle Tucker plucked Andrelton Simmons’ sinking liner right before it hit the left-field grass leading off the seventh. Mike Trout went 0 for 3 and Shohei Ohtani struck out three times against Keuchel, who left to a big ovation after Jabari Blash’s sacrifice fly in the eighth. Gonzalez nearly made the play to save the no-hitter, but the 6-foot-1 shortstop couldn’t quite hang onto Upton’s liner. Houston’s regular shortstop, injured Carlos Correa, is 6-foot-4. Ian Kinsler added a clean leadoff single in the eighth and scored on Blash’s first RBI for the Angels. Hector Rondon pitched the ninth for his ninth save. He got a generous call to strike out Trout, who went 0 for 4 for only the second time since June 8. The Astros piled up five singles and scored two runs off Tyler Skaggs (7-6) in the first two innings before Reddick’s drive down the right-field line scored Evan Gattis in the third for a 3-0 lead. Skaggs settled into six innings of six-hit ball in yet another strong start, but the left-hander took just his second loss since May. SHOHEI THROWS Before Ohtani went 0 for 3 as the Angels’ designated hitter, he played catch in the outfield for the second straight day since getting approval to begin a throwing program. The two-way rookie took six weeks off from throwing to rest the sprained ligament in his pitching elbow after getting treatment with platelet-rich plasma and stem cells. The Angels hope he’ll pitch again this season. TRAINER’S ROOM Astros: Correa won’t return from his lower back injury until after this five-game road trip. He has been out since June 25, and he hasn’t resumed baseball activities while making “slow but steady progress,” manager AJ Hinch said. Angels: Albert Pujols is scheduled to return to the lineup Monday, manager Mike Scioscia said. The 38-year-old slugger went on the disabled list July 13 with left knee inflammation, one day after hitting his 629th and 630th career homers. … Reliever Jim Johnson pitched a scoreless rehab inning for Triple-A Salt Lake. He has been out since June 12 with a lumbar strain, but should be back in LA’s bullpen shortly. UP NEXT Astros: Justin Verlander (9-5, 2.29 ERA) went winless in his final six starts before the All-Star break, but has already beaten the Angels twice this year, allowing two runs in 16 innings. Angels: Nick Tropeano (3-4, 4.83 ERA) returns from a 31-game injury absence with right shoulder inflammation. Although he has been effective when healthy this season, he has never beaten the Astros in his career, and hasn’t won at Angel Stadium since May 18, 2016. (© Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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Keuchel Takes No-Hitter Into 7th, Astros Top Angels 3-1
Keuchel Takes No-Hitter Into 7th, Astros Top Angels 3-1 was last modified: July 21st, 2018 by Novella36O
