LOS ANGELES - The Los Angeles Kings will try to avoid their longest losing streak in over six years on Saturday night when they open up a homestand against the Vancouver Canucks. The Canucks are a solid 10-2-2 in their last 14, but are coming off a 4-2 setback to the visiting Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday. Brad Richardson and Zac Dalpe scored in the Canucks second straight loss, while Eddie Lack yielded all four goals on 33 shots as Vancouver put forth a performance that disappointed head coach John Tortorella. "It was our worst game of the year," Tortorella said. "We deserved to lose that one. I just think it was a game that we were out of sorts, out of sync, and it wasnt just one particular guy. It was the whole team." Lack made his third straight start since Roberto Luongo suffered a lower-body injury on Dec. 22. However, Luongo will return to action after Vancouver sent goaltender Joacim Eriksson back to the American Hockey League on Thursday. Luongo is 14-10-5 with a 2.33 goals against average and three shutouts in his career versus the Kings, while Lack has faced them just once before in relief on Nov. 9, stopping 13-of-14 shots faced. The Kings have won the two previous meetings between the clubs this season and have split their last six at home versus the Canucks. The Kings have dropped five straight in regulation, capping a winless four- game road trip with Thursdays 5-0 loss to the St. Louis Blues. Martin Jones got the start between the pipes for Los Angeles, but was pulled in the second period after allowing two goals on 14 shots. Ben Scrivens stopped only nine of the 12 shots he faced in relief. "Were down on ourselves, but we cant be," said Kings defenseman Drew Doughty. "We need to pick ourselves up. We need to get that confidence back." After allowing just eight goals in winning the first eight starts of his NHL career, Jones has yielded seven goals in three straight losses. Scrivens, meanwhile, has not won since Dec. 2, losing three straight starts, as the duo is slumping in place of the injured Jonathan Quick. There is a good chance that Quick will return tonight from a strained groin that has sidelined him since Nov. 12. The Kings now begin a five-game homestand on their longest losing streak since dropping five in a row from Dec. 3-13, 2011. A loss tonight would give Los Angeles its longest skid since it dropped eight in a row from Dec. 12-26, 2007. Carlton Fisk Jersey . Anaheim Ducks Reassign D Colby Robak to Norfolk Admirals (AHL). - Team Website D Eric Brewer (foot) removed from injured reserve. Heath Hembree Red Sox Jersey . Patty Mills had 20 points, Tim Duncan had 11 points and 13 rebounds in limited action, and San Antonio rolled to a 110-82 victory over Milwaukee that kept the Bucks winless in the new year. https://www.cheapredsox.com/1631z-ryan-weber-jersey-red-sox.html . Louis still looking for a way out of Tampa Bay, the 38-year-old NHL veteran isnt showing his cards. Bill Buckner Jersey . 5 Trade Deadline is drawing closer and teams will be deciding on whether to buy or sell while figuring out which players can make the biggest difference and hold the greatest value. John Smoltz Jersey . It all would have been for naught, however, had it not been for some clutch shooting in the fourth quarter by Kobe Bryant and a couple of equally critical hustle plays by Derek Fisher and Pau Gasol in the final minutes.TORONTO -- DeMar DeRozan is playing the part of the all-star perfectly. In Torontos last game before the NBA all-star break this weekend, DeRozan, who was named a reserve on the Eastern Conference team, scored 31 points -- including 14 in the third quarter -- to lead the Raptors over the Atlanta Hawks 104-83 on Wednesday. Raptors coach Dwane Casey says hes been pleased with his all-stars constant improvements. "Hes done a great job every year of getting better," Casey said. "I know he wont (get complacent), because hes such a conscientious (guy). Hes a basketball junkie. I dont see him taking time off this summer just because he made the all-star team." Kyle Lowry delivered another solid performance, scoring 16 points and 13 assists. While he wont be heading to New Orleans for all-star festivities, Lowrys strong play this season has helped Toronto go into the break leading the Atlantic Division for just the second time in franchise history. "Kyles an all-star on and off the court in my opinion," DeRozan said. "My opinion, he should be in New Orleans as well. We wouldnt be where we are today if it wasnt for Kyle. I wouldnt be where I am now if it wasnt for Kyle, to be honest. We all understand that." Patrick Patterson started for the Raptors in place of Amir Johnson, who missed his second consecutive game to rest a sore right ankle, and scored 14 points in his second start of the season. While the Raptors got off to a slow start on Wednesday night, they found themselves trailing by only five after the first quarter, despite shooting just 29 per cent from the floor. They woke up in the second quarter and took a 45-44 lead into the half. Toronto had a strong start to the third quarter, opening on a 7-0 run to take an eight-point lead and force the Hawks into a timeout. The Raptors didnt look back from there. Thanks to a brilliant quarter from DeRozan, the Raptors stretched their lead to double figures midway through the third and outscored the Hawks 33-21 to take a 78-65 advantage into the fourth quarter. After scoringg 11 points in the first half, DeRozan exploded for 14 in the quarter, on 5-for-6 shooting including two three-pointers and a three-point play.dddddddddddd. Toronto continued to dominate in the fourth quarter and easily rolled to the victory from there. "I commend our guys for coming out and focusing in the second half," Casey said. Point guard Greivis Vasquez says he saw the victory as part of an overall goal that extends beyond this regular season. "(Were) third in the East, leading our division," Vasquez said. "If thats not a motivation then youve got to get the heck out of here. You dont see these opportunities very often. Were committed to the team and we understand what were playing for. "We want to be third. We want to win our division. We want to make a run in the playoffs but weve got to finish the season strong and keep building confidence." The Hawks were led by Gustavo Ayons 18 points and 10 rebounds, with Paul Millsap adding 17 points. Torontos Jonas Valanciunas struggled from the floor, connecting on just 1-for-9 field goals, but grabbed a game-high 14 rebounds. Atlanta was without starter DeMarre Carroll after he strained his left hamstring in a 100-85 loss to the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday. Lou Williams started in his place. Kyle Korver extended his NBA record for most consecutive games with a made three-point field goal to 120 games, connecting on 2-of-4 attempts from beyond the arc against the Raptors. The Raptors will resume their season in Washington against the Wizards next Tuesday. Toronto will send three players to New Orleans for all-star festivities, headlined by DeRozan playing in Sundays all-star Game as well as in the skills competition on Saturday night. Terrence Ross will defend his Slam Dunk title and Jonas Valanciunas will represent the team in the Rising Stars game between the leagues best rookie and sophomore players. NOTE: Canadian snowboarder Mark McMorris was at the game, and the Regina native showed off the bronze medal he won at the Sochi Olympics. ' ' 'in Las Vegas, Tempe, Ariz. Fake Vans . -- Brad Gushue of St. https://www.vansfake.com/ . -- Arizona coach Sean Miller rose from his seat every time Roberto Nelson touched the ball and yelled "Shooter!" He could have been talking about his own team, too. Fake Vans From China . - Chris Davis hit a two-run double, scoring Nelson Cruz in his Orioles debut in Baltimores 9-7 win over to the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday. Fake Vans 2020 . Williams withdrawal came less than 24 hours after losing in the final Auckland WTA tournament final. "I dont believe she has an injury," Hobart tournament director Mark Handley said.CALGARY - A fourth-quarter rally gave the Calgary Stampeders a 40-27 win over the visiting Saskatchewan Roughriders on Friday. Down 12 points after three quarters, quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell threw a touchdown pass to Jock Sanders, Matt Walter scored his second major of the game on a two-yard scamper and defensive back Jamar Wall ran an interception back for a major. Rene Paredes added an 18-yard field goal and the Roughriders also conceded a two-point safety in the quarter. The Stampeders (14-2) already had first place in the West Division sewed up heading into the game. The division final Nov. 23 will be played in Calgary. Saskatchewan (9-8) is playoff-bound and will be on the road in the post-season. The defending Grey Cup champions will either finish third in the West or be the crossover team in the East. The Roughriders lost their fifth in a row. Drew Tate also scored for the Stampeders in front of an announced sellout of 35,400 at McMahon Stadium. Mitchell completed 21 of 31 pass attempts for 231 yards and one touchdown pass. The 24-year-old improved to 15-1 in career CFL starts. Saskatchewan quarterback Kerry Joseph was 21-for-37 in passing for 322 yards and a pair of touchdown passes, but he was intercepted three times. It was the 42-year-olds second start for the Roughriderss since coming out of retirement.dddddddddddd The Roughriders fell to 1-6 since regular starter Darian Durant tore a tendon in elbow Sept. 7 in a 30-24 win over Winnipeg. The Riders auditioned young pivots Tino Sunseri and Seth Doege before summoning Joseph, who quarterbacked them to a Grey Cup win in 2007. Rob Bagg and Chris Getzlaf were Josephs scoring targets. Linebacker Brian Peters added a defensive touchdown off an interception and had a team-high 10 tackles. Kicker Chris Milo contributed field goals from 32 and 33 yards. The CFLs top two running backs didnt play Friday. Leading rusher Jon Cornish of the Stampeders was healing aches and pains, while No. 2 Anthony Allen of the Riders was scratched because of back pain. Walter started at halfback in relief of Cornish and scored the second and third touchdowns of his career. It was the first meeting at McMahon between the two teams since Saskatchewan upset Calgary 35-13 in last years division final en route to the Grey Cup title. The Stampeders were the top team in the regular season with a 14-4 record. The Roughriders enter a bye week and conclude the regular season at home against the Edmonton Eskimos. The Stampeders face Winnipeg next Saturday in the final home game and finish on the road against the B.C. Lions. ' ' 'fficials missed the puck hitting the protective netting, then the Kings wound up losing in a shootout. That could affect playoff positioning in the Eastern and Western Conferences, and thats a concern for everyone. Nike Jerseys . LaQuinton Ross scored 17 of his 20 points in the first half, hitting his first four 3-pointers, to send No.NEW YORK -- Lawyers for Major League Baseball are seeking a speedy dismissal of an Alex Rodriguez lawsuit accusing the league and Commissioner Bud Selig of trying to drive him out of baseball, according to a letter sent to a judge Monday. U.S. District Judge Lorna G. Schofield in Manhattan agreed that lawyers on both sides could make their formal requests by Nov. 8. A hearing is scheduled for a day earlier. Jordan Siev, a lawyer for Rodriguez, wrote in a joint letter to the judge from lawyers on both sides that MLB lawyers planned to ask that the lawsuit be dismissed. He said lawyers for the New York Yankees third baseman would ask that the case be remanded to state court in Manhattan, where Rodriguez had filed it early this month before the league removed it to federal court. Siev said the requests by the league and Rodriguez both concern whether the lawsuits claims fall outside or are pre-empted by the Taft-Hartley Act, known formally as the Labor Management Relations Act. In thee lawsuit, Rodriguez accused the league and Selig of going on a "witch hunt" designed to force him out of the game.dddddddddddd. The Major League Baseball Players Association has filed a grievance to overturn a 211-game suspension given to Rodriguez by MLB on Aug. 5 for alleged violations of baseballs drug agreement and labour contract. A ruling in a case being heard by arbitrator Fredric Horowitz is not likely before winter. The three-time AL MVP claimed in his lawsuit that MLB and Selig targeted Rodriguez to cover up Seligs alleged past inaction on performance-enhancing drugs. The lawsuit claimed Selig hoped to redeem himself by going after Rodriguez. At the time the lawsuit was filed, the league called the action "desperate" and a violation of the confidentiality provisions of the league and unions Joint Drug Agreement. A lawyer for the league and Selig referred a request for comment Monday to an MLB spokesman, who did not immediately respond. ' ' ' 4-2 win over Villarreal on Saturday, giving the powerhouse a share of the Spanish league lead after Atletico Madrid stumbled to a 2-0 loss at Almeria. With leading scorer Cristiano Ronaldo serving the first of a three-game suspension, Bale stepped up by opening in the seventh minute at the Santiago Bernabeu before he crossed for Benzemas first goal in the 25th. After Villarreals Mario Gaspar struck in the 43rd, Jese took what proved to be Madrids winner in the 64th before Villarreal forward Giovani Dos Santos curled in a free kick in the 69th. Jese found Benzema for his double in the 76th. If any Madrid supporters were worried how their team would fare without Ronaldo and his league-leading 22 goals, they neednt have as Carlo Ancelottis side extended its unbeaten streak to 23 games in all competitions. Instead of struggling, Benzema recorded his 12th and 13th league goals, Bale provided more arguments he was worthy of his world-record transfer, and the 20-year-old Jese gave Madrids fans more hope they have finally found their next homegrown star. "Its great to be back on the pitch and get a goal and an assist as well," Bale, who had missed two games with a leg injury, said. "(Cristiano) is obviously missed. He is the worlds best player. We knew we had to do the job without him." Also, Valencia rolled over bottom-side Real Betis 5-0 as it continued to show its turnaround under coach Juan Pizzi, while Rayo Vallecano broke a run of six home losses by humbling 10-man Malaga 4-1 to move to within two points of safety. Atletico failed to rebound from its 3-0 Copa del Rey defeat at Madrid on Wednesday as it lost for just the second time in 23 league matches in this campaign. It has dropped seven points in the last five rounds. Almeria stifled its attack and a pair of mistakes by back-up goalkeeper Daniel Aranzubia, starting for the injured Thibaut Courtois, doomed Diego Simeones side. After Almeria forward Aleix Vidals shot came off both posts, Aranzubia llet Jose "Verza" Garcias cross fall over his head in the 80th.dddddddddddd The veteran goalie compounded that in the 86th by losing the ball to Jonathan Zongos pressure and earning a questionable red card as he dove to recover the ball. Verza slotted the spot kick past midfielder Gabi Fernandez, who had to defend the net with all three changes already made. To make matters worse, Atletico midfielder Tiago Cardoso was carried off with a leg injury after he received a hard tackle midway through the second half. "We dont look for excuses," Simeone said. "The only way we know how to continue forward in the same fashion that got us here is to keep on working. What concerns me most about today is Tiago." Barcelona trails Atletico and Madrid by three points before it visits Sevilla on Sunday. Bale seemed particularly eager to take charge with Ronaldo out, and he was helped to start the scoring by defender Jose Dorados bad decision-making and even poorer execution. Dorado unwisely tried to dribble around Bale instead of passing to a nearby teammate. The Wales winger pounced on his clumsy touch to steal the ball, press forward unchallenged, and coolly chip helpless goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo. Bale then used a burst of speed to leave behind Jaume Costa on the right flank before crossing for Benzema, whose short-range volley hit Asenjo before landing in the net. Villarreal, however, didnt wilt and Gaspar drilled the ball inside the far corner of the goalframe to halve the deficit before halftime. Madrid lost left back Marcelo to injury when he gingerly walked off the pitch in the 18th, and his replacement, Fabio Coentrao, didnt return after halftime, apparently due to injury. Alvaro Arbeloa took his place. Jese ran onto Angel Di Marias incisive pass before he slipped the ball around Asenjo with a sly touch using the outside of his right boot to make it 3-1. Again Villarreal wasnt done, and Dos Santos bent his left-footed free kick over the barrier, but Jese steered a Madrid counterattack before squaring for Benzema to fire home and secure the three points. ' ' 'sion not to be taken lightly. However, after much thought I feel very strongly its the right one." "As Ive stated many times, all decisions I make will be in the long-term best interest of the Carolina Panthers. Decisions, either popular or unpopular, have to be made for the greater good and it is imperative to take an unemotional global view. Sometimes it may appear that short term interests will suffer, and I can assure you we have no interest in taking a step back from our 2013 accomplishments." The Panthers also lost wide receivers Domenik Hixon and Ted Ginn Jr. to free agency on Thursday. Hixon signed with the Chicago Bears and Ginn with the Arizona Cardinals. Panthers cornerback Captain Munnerlyn told The Associated Press he has signed with the Minnesota Vikings for a deal that could pay him $15 million over three years with incentives.dddddddddddd One possible replacement at wide receiver is free agent Hakeem Nicks, a Charlotte native who played for New York Giants. The Smith move marks the end of an era for the Panthers. Smith joined the team as a third-round draft pick out of Utah in 2001. He made an immediate impact in the NFL, returning the opening kickoff of the season for a touchdown against the Vikings. He became the first Panthers rookie selected to the Pro Bowl, earning that honour as a return specialist. Known for his feisty behaviour on the field, Smith became a dominant receiver over the next 12 seasons. He is Carolinas all-time leader with 75 total touchdowns and has 836 receptions for 12,197 yards. "On the football field Steve had a competitive arrogance that (was) second to none -- second to none," said former Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme in a telephone interview. "That helped him be as good as he was. He made other guys step up their game. But off the field he was totally different. He loves his wife and his family. Hes a genuinely good person with a great heart." Panthers coach Ron Rivera said in the release: "He is a great competitor with Hall of Fame-worthy statistics and has made a great contribution to our community." Fox said Smith would have welcomed a chance to move inside to slot receiver, but the team never offered him that opportunity. As productive as Smith was, his fiery personality often rubbed people the wrong way, and some viewed him as a distraction in the locker room. Smith had run-ins with teammates on at least two occasions. He punched out fellow wide receiver Anthony Bright in a film room fight and later socked cornerback Ken Lucas on the field during a practice at training camp in Spartanburg, S.C. On both occasions, Smith was suspended by the team. Delhomme said that was a "humbling experience" for Smith, who apologized to Lucas and the teams fans after the incident. Despite the two incidents, Smith was immensely popular with the fan base, in large part due to his production on the field. He also worked hard to change his public image over the last several years and has been an active member of the Charlotte community. When asked if he was surprised Smith was released, Delhomme said, "It does surprise, but thats the NFL. I mean, look, Peyton Manning plays for the Denver Broncos -- that the way it goes." NOTES: Panthers backup quarterback Derek Anderson announced Thursday on Twitter he has re-signed with Carolina for a fourth season. Anderson tweeted: "Happy to be coming back to Charlotte next season!" ' ' '