Öffentlich » said. Its about really going

LOS ANGELES - The Los Angeles Clippers begin a new era Thursday night, the Steve Ballmer ownership era, by hosting the Oklahoma City Thunder at Staples Center. Catch all the action on TSN2 beginning at 10:30pm et/7:30pm pt. Ballmer bought the Clippers for $2 billion after former owner Donald Sterling was caught on tape making racially-insensitive remarks. The Sterling saga took place during the Clippers playoff push last season, one that ended in the Western Conference semifinals to the Thunder. Neither team is the same as it was in the postseason. For the Thunder, reigning MVP Kevin Durant is shelved with a broken foot. Theyre not going to change completely who they are, and there were actually minutes where Durant wasnt on the floor, so you can kind of watch those, head coach Doc Rivers said. But theyll be a little different without him, obviously. Theyll play a little different. For the Clippers, the team now has solid support from ownership. The on-court product is solid with Chris Paul and Blake Griffin, both of whom finished in the top five in MVP voting last season. The Clippers didnt have much to address in the offseason, but a backup big man was a huge priority. Spencer Hawes agreed to a four-year deal and he will open up the floor for, and spell, both Griffin and DeAndre Jordan, who led the NBA in rebounding last season. And, despite leading the league on the glass, the Clippers were badly out- rebounded in the offseason. Its an issue Rivers and Jordan have addressed with the team. Reboundings not purely athleticism, Griffin said. Its about really going and getting it. DJ does a great job. I need to do a better job of, especially when Im out on the perimeter guarding a stretch four or something like that, of coming back in and pursuing the ball and not leaking out. Thats something Ive been working on. The Thunder try to endure without Durant. Oklahoma City fell to fellow Northwest Division rivals, the Portland Trail Blazers, 106-89, in Wednesdays season opener. OKC built a two-point lead after three quarters, but fell apart totally in the fourth quarter. The Blazers outscored the Thunder, 31-12, over the final 12 minutes. Our guys played their hearts out, head coach Scott Brooks said. We played hard. Thats the only thing I can ask from the guys: to compete, play hard and play for each other. They did that tonight but we made too many mistakes at the end of the game. Russell Westbrook, who had 36 points through three, netted just two points on 1-of-6 shooting in the fourth. He posted 26 of his 36 points in the first half, ended 11-of-26 from the field and sunk 15-of-16 foul shots for the Thunder, who lost to San Antonio in the West Finals last season. Lance Thomas managed 14 for the second unit and Serge Ibaka chipped in 10 points, eight rebounds and four blocks. The Thunder didnt get much from the remaining three starters - Perry Jones, Steven Adams and Andre Roberson. They combined for 17 points, but were forced into duty thanks to injuries to Durant, Reggie Jackson, Anthony Morrow and Jeremy Lamb. The Thunder, who shot 2-for-16 from beyond the arc on Wednesday, have won five of the last seven regular-season meetings with the Clips. Oklahoma City has won three of its last four regular-season matchups as the visitor in this series. Discount Air Force Ones Wholesale . But Paul Osbaldiston, Hamiltons assistant special teams and kicking coach, said the team still relished the championship game workout. Air Force 1 Cheap Wholesale . LOUIS -- The Tampa Bay Rays have placed right-handed pitcher Joel Peralta on the 15-day disabled list with an undisclosed illness. http://www.discountairforce1.com/ . Saltalamacchia has agreed to a $21 million, three-year deal with the Miami Marlins, two people familiar with the negotiations said Tuesday. Wholesale Air Force Ones . According to TSN Edmonton reporter Ryan Rishaug, agent Rick Valette met with Oilers senior VP of hockey operations Scott Howson and general manager Craig MacTavish on Monday to kick off the talks. Air Force 1 Clearance .C. - The Carolina Hurricanes hope they now have the leadership tandem in place to turn the franchise around.INDIANAPOLIS -- Colts starting running back Vick Ballard will miss the rest of the season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. Coach Chuck Pagano said Friday that Ballard was hurt making a cut in practice Thursday. "It was a non-contact injury, just put a foot in the ground, went to cut on a running play and knee went out on him," Pagano said. "Hell require season-ending surgery, unfortunately. We feel awful for Vick." Former New York Giants star Ahmad Bradshaw is expected to start Sunday against Miami, and the Colts (1-0) are promoting rookie Kerwynn Williams, their seventh-round draft pick, from the practice squad to the active roster. Former first-round pick Donald Brown also could see more action. Ballard was Indys top rusher in 2012. The rookie ran for 814 yards and two touchdowns but was best remembered for making the diving, twisting TD he scored on a 16-yard TD pass to beat Tennessee in overtime. Last week, Ballard ran 13 times for 63 yards and was 6 for 6 on blitz pickups. He declined to talk with reporters Friday in the locker room.dddddddddddd But his teammates were supportive. "Unfortunately, its the game of football and its not the first time its happened to somebody on this team this season," Brown said. "Unfortunately, it probably wont be the last, either. Its a very tough injury and you hate to see somebody who puts in the work like he did, to see that happen to somebody like that. But next man up and you have to keep going." Tight end Dwayne Allen missed practice again with a hip injury but Pagano said he was probable for Sundays game against Miami. Linebacker Pat Angerer (concussion) was a full participant at practice for the third consecutive day. Linebackers Kavell Conner (ankle) and Jerrell Freeman (quad) did limited work and are listed as questionable. Linebacker Erik Walden (hamstring) returned to full work after being limited Thursday. Walden also is listed as questionable. Receiver David Reed (concussion/quad) did not practice and has been ruled for Sundays game. ' ' '