ammates. You all mad

[panxing18]

Kyle Kuzma and the Los Angeles Lakers easily could have surrendered to fatigue on the second night of a back-to-back late in the season against a team fighting for playoff positioning.

Instead Jim Kelly Bills Jersey , the Lakers found the resolve to end a three-game losing streak.

Kuzma scored six of his 30 points in overtime and the Lakers swept the three-game season series against the San Antonio Spurs with a 122-112 victory on Wednesday night.

Kuzma, who became first rookie in NBA history with 1,200 points, 450 rebounds and 150 3-pointers in a season, made a 3-pointer and a sky hook to start overtime and give the Lakers a lead they would not relinquish. Los Angeles outscored the Spurs 14-4 in the period.

”Tonight I could tell he wasn’t going to ask to come out of that game. He was going to fight through it,” Lakers coach Luke Walton said. ”Kuz, it’s fun watching him compete at that level when he gets in that zone.”

LaMarcus Aldridge had 28 points for the Spurs, who lost on back-to-back nights at Staples Center and are tied with Oklahoma City for fifth place in the Western Conference, a half-game behind Utah. The Spurs and Thunder both have three games remaining.

”It’s unreal Derick Brassard Penguins Jersey , but it can happen,” said Pau Gasol, who had 11 points and 12 rebounds. ”Those guys played with no fear. They have the green light to get them up, they made a lot of tough shots, and it hurt us.”

Dejounte Murray had 23 points, 10 rebounds and six assists, and Patty Mills scored 15 points, but the Spurs lost their seventh straight on the road.

Josh Hart had a chance to win it in regulation for the Lakers, but his layup hit the back of the rim and went off the front as time expired.

The Lakers swept the Spurs for the first time since 1997-98 Devin Hester Bears Jersey , relying on their second unit to fight back from an eight-point deficit in the third quarter. Channing Frye scored 19 points off the bench, and Tyler Ennis added 10 points and seven assists.

Walton was pleased with the sweep, but downplayed the idea it represented a significant achievement for a young team.

”To beat them multiple times in a season for a young team that’s kind of finding themselves is a nice accomplishment, but they are most likely still going to the playoffs this year and we’re not,” Walton said.

TIP-INS

Spurs: Rudy Gay had 14 points off the bench. … Manu Ginobili (rest) did not play. … San Antonio was outscored 21-9 in fast-break points, including an 11-2 disparity in the first quarter. … The Spurs’ magic number to clinch their 21st consecutive playoff berth remains two.

Lakers: G Lonzo Ball missed his fourth consecutive game because of a left knee contusion. … F Brandon Ingram remains in concussion protocol and missed his third straight game. … The Lakers set a single-season franchise record with 782 3-pointers, breaking the previous mark of 774 in 2013-14. … The Lakers wore their Minneapolis throwback uniforms.

ALMOST PERFECT

Frye was 8 of 9 from the field, but his only miss had his teammates and Walton laughing at the veteran’s expense after whiffing on an uncontested dunk at the start of the fourth quarter.

”It was funny because after that he made that 3 that hit the top of the backboard and fell in. I turned to him and said, ‘Stick to that http://www.buffalobillsteamonline.com/jim-kelly-jersey ,”’ Hart said.

DEFENSIVE SWITCH

Aldridge had 14 points in the first half and 12 more in the third quarter before Walton decided to start double-teaming him. The adjustment worked, forcing Aldridge to become a facilitator.

”He does what he’s supposed to do, get rid of the ball, and now it’s up to the rest of the players to attack and make plays,” Gasol said.

UP NEXT

Spurs: Host the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday.

Lakers: Host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday.

—

Defensive end Cliff Avril was released by the Seattle Seahawks on Friday with a failed physical designation due to a neck injury that cost him most of the 2017 season.

Avril’s release was expected and likely means the end of a 10-year career during which he was a standout player for the Seahawks and the Detroit Lions.

Avril was injured in Week 4 last season while trying to chase down Indianapolis quarterback Jacoby Brissett. The back of Brissett’s foot caught Avril in the chin as he lunged to make the tackle. Avril was seen shaking his arms and flexing his hands after the impact.

While the play looked innocuous, Avril’s head snapped back violently and he suffered a neck injury. Avril never revealed the specific diagnosis for his injury but coach Pete Carroll repeatedly called it a serious situation. Avril had neck surgery following the season.

Carroll praised Avril after Seattle concluded the first day of its rookie minicamp.

”He’s been a great leader. He’s been a bit of a statesman for us. He always says the right thing, stands for the right stuff and been a really high character guy that you can always count on,” Carroll said. ”A great competitor in the program. I love him and would like to keep him connected with our club as long as we can because he’s just exactly what you hope to represent you. He’s had a great career with us.”

Avril arrived in Seattle before the 2013 season and instantly helped transform the Seahawks defense into one of the best in recent memory. He was part of a rotation at first but became a full-time starter in 2014. His best season came in 2016 when Avril had a career-high 11 sacks and was voted to the Pro Bowl for the only time in his career.

Avril spent five seasons in Detroit before coming to Seattle. He was a third-round pick out of Purdue and suffered through a 0-16 season in his rookie year with the Lions. He became a standout in Detroit but experienced his greatest team success in Seattle, helping the team win the Super Bowl in his first season with the Seahawks. He made a return trip to the championship game with the team the following year.

”Thank you 12s for making the last 5 years in Seattle so amazing!” Avril wrote in a post on Instagram . ”Your cheers on Sundays are unmatched Deion Sanders Jersey , and you guys are by far the best fans in the NFL! Most importantly, I appreciate and value the lifelong friendships I’ve made. You all have supported my family, my foundation (the Cliff Avril Family Foundation), and I throughout my entire tenure, and I could not have asked for more! THANK YOU to the entire Seahawk organization as well as my teammates. You all made me a Pro Bowler and a Super Bowl Champ! I am forever grateful.”

Releasing Avril will save Seattle about $6 million against the salary cap. But the Seahawks will also be faced with replacing another productive standout from a defense that had already seen the departures of Michael Bennett and Richard Sherman earlier this offseason.

—

.
_________________
30