Ankündigungen » t." Whether Hutchisons approach translates in

MINNEAPOLIS -- Kevin Love landed hard on his hip after a foul late in the game. His head snapped back from the impact and hit the floor. The All-Star power forward was all right afterward, a relief for the Minnesota Timberwolves. The win over the languishing Los Angeles Lakers was nice, too. Love had 31 points and 17 rebounds to lead the Timberwolves to 109-99 victory on Tuesday that spoiled Steve Nashs return and stuck the Lakers with their seventh straight defeat. "I just want to continue to keep playing and give this team all that I can," Love said. "Yeah, Ive taken a physical beating, but youve got to expect being one of the top guys that theyre going to come at you." Kevin Martin helped the Timberwolves get off to a fast start, scoring 14 of his season-high-tying 32 points in the opening 10 minutes as the NBAs highest-scoring first-quarter team surged to a 25-point lead midway through the second period. They stumbled some after halftime, letting the Lakers pull within seven points early in the fourth quarter. "Its just one of those things where the game isnt going to be as easy as you think," coach Rick Adelman said. "You just have to persevere." With Nikola Pekovic likely out through the All-Star break, the Wolves started a difficult week, a theme of Adelmans pregame message. They play at Oklahoma City on Wednesday and New Orleans on Friday before hosting Portland on Saturday, a crucial stretch for a team running out of time to climb back into the playoff picture. But Love picked up the Wolves and carried them to an important win, playing the part of the burly Pekovic by throwing his body at the basket as often as he could. He made it to the line for 18 free throws, making 13. "We realize how good he is. He has incredible toughness," Martin said, adding: "He gets dirty down there. Thats why we pay him the big bucks and thats why hes an All-Star starter, to do things like that." Nash had been sidelined since Nov. 10 because of nerve problems in his back. The soon-to-be-40-year-old two-time league MVP had seven points and nine assists in 25 minutes, about 10 more than he was supposed to play. "I feel a bit selfish in that we lost but it felt great just to play in the NBA again," Nash said, smiling. "Obviously the game didnt go as we hoped, but for me personally thats pretty cool to be back out there." Coach Mike DAntoni was pleased. "I thought he competed, and weve got to have everybody compete that way," DAntoni said. Steve Blake also returned, coming back from a torn ligament in his right elbow that had shelved him since Dec. 10. He ruptured his eardrum during the game but kept playing on another night of bad luck and bad defence for the fallen franchise. Blake was scoreless in 31 minutes and took only two shots. Fittingly, as soon as two guys came back, two more went out. Jodie Meeks (sprained right ankle, first quarter) and backup Jordan Hill (headache and neck strain, first quarter) were hurt for the Lakers, who have been without star Kobe Bryant for most of the season. Pau Gasol also sat out with a strained right groin and could be out until after the All-Star break. DAntoni said Meeks wont play the rest of the road trip at Cleveland on Wednesday or at Philadelphia on Friday. Hill was walking stiffly in the locker room after the game but was held out as a precaution, the coach said. "I just feel for those guys. I just was in their position," Blake said. "Unfortunately its a part of the game, and the rest of us have to pick it up." The Lakers reserves had a whopping 70 points, with Nick Young (24 points), Manny Harris (17 points) and former Timberwolves first-round draft pick Wes Johnson (15 points and nine rebounds) leading the way. But the Lakers still lost for the 19th time in their last 22 games and fell into a tie for last place in the Western Conference with Utah and Sacramento. This was also their first loss at Target Center in almost seven years, ending an 11-game run. NOTES: This was the league-high seventh time this season that Love had at least 30 points and 15 rebounds. He has 25 for his career, one more than Kevin Garnett on the franchises career list. ... The Lakers have allowed 100-plus points in 15 straight games, their longest such streak since 17 in a row during the 1986-87 season. Cheap Orioles Jerseys Authentic .Y. - For once, Clayton Kershaw was glad to see a long shutout streak end. Cheap Baltimore Orioles Jerseys . Bjoergen pulled away from Swedens Charlotte Kalla on the final straight to win in 38 minutes, 33.6 seconds and defend her title from the 2010 Vancouver Games. Kalla was 1.8 seconds back. Heidi Weng of Norway took bronze. http://www.cheaporiolesjerseys.com/?tag=...m-palmer-jersey. -- The Green Bay Packers have signed quarterback Graham Harrell to the active roster from the practice squad and placed tight end Andrew Quarless on injured reserve. Cheap MLB Jerseys .Mila Kunis was a guest on Kimmel last night and revealed a surprising side of herself that comes out when she watches sports. It turns out screaming something vulgar at professional athletes is therapeutic for Kunis. Cheap Eddie Murray Jersey . Cory Batey and Brandon Vandenburg were each convicted on four charges of aggravated rape, one of attempted aggravated rape and two for aggravated sexual battery. Vandenburg was also found guilty of tampering with evidence as well as an unlawful photography charge.ST. PETERSBURG, Florida – Drew Hutchison meant business when he arrived in Dunedin for spring training. He had a point to prove: hes back, and hes not worried about his surgically repaired elbow, as he enters what he hopes will be his first full season in the major leagues. "I expected make the team and now Im ready to go perform," said Hutchison after his final Grapefruit League start on March 27. Manager John Gibbons and pitching coach Pete Walker rave about Hutchisons poise. They love his mound presence. Theyve been thrilled with his bounce back from Tommy John elbow ligament replacement surgery dating back to his appearances in the Arizona Fall League. Hutchison, a command and control pitcher, routinely pumped his fastball to the plate at 92-94 miles per hour, painting the corners along the way. "We like him," said manager John Gibbons. "Hes got a chance to be a real good one. Ever since he had the Tommy John hes thrown better than he was." Results in spring training often dont matter. With Hutchison, they did. He was competing for a roster spot. He needed to show the Blue Jays he was healthy and could be consistently effective. As a young player, just 23 years old, with options, he needed to drastically outperform veterans who were out of options. He accomplished all that with a 1.80 ERA and 0.800 WHIP in four Grapefruit League starts, and gets the nod in Tuesday nights second game of the season-opening series in Tampa Bay. Not that it surprises him. "I thought Id come into camp and do exactly what I did," said Hutchison. "Thats my expectation levell and thats what I feel I would be able to do.dddddddddddd" Hutchison often repeats variations of the word "expect." He has high expectations of himself, he expects to succeed; hes expecting a long and healthy career. He speaks with supreme confidence but without a hint of arrogance. Its all matter of fact. "I dont understand, at least from my perspective thats just the way Ive approached things and thats the way Ive always been," said Hutchison. "I expect that out of myself and now its time, spring trainings over and its time to go perform and win because thats what its all about." Whether Hutchisons approach translates into a successful season will be known only with the passage of time. Gibbons and Walker are looking for someone on which they can rely. The club has a reasonable idea of what to expect from R.A. Dickey and Mark Buehrle. It isnt clear what the Blue Jays will get from Hutchison and Brandon Morrow, both because of their respective injury histories and because neither has shown the ability, yet, to be a front-line starter over the course of a full season. "Hes a pitcher," said Gibbons. "It takes effort for him but hes kind of an effortless type guy. I think hes going to have a big, big year for us. I really do." Surely Hutchison must have had his doubts during the laborious rehab of his elbow? He insists he didnt. "Thats just the way Ive always been," said Hutchison. "I just expect a lot out of myself and I expect a high level from myself. Thats not to try to be, you know, thats just how I am." ' ' '