Reiseplan » -8 with a loss to eventual NCAA runner-up North

INDIANAPOLIS -- If the opening tip-off was any indication as to how the game would go, it was clear the Indiana Pacers didnt have anything for Dwight Howard and the Atlanta Hawks.As the referee tossed the ball between Myles Turner and Howard, Turner opted against jumping, conceding the tip-off to Howard and the Hawks. It was indicative of how the rest of the game would play out Wednesday night.The effort and energy (tonight) started with me and I have to make sure that every night I bring the same effort and energy, Howard said. When Im able to get in there and crash the boards, just get a feel for the game, it makes everything easier.Howard had 23 points and 20 rebounds to help the Hawks beat the Pacers 96-85. Paul Millsap added 18 points and 11 rebounds for the Hawks.I thought (Dwight) came out with a mindset from the beginning of the game, Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer said. It felt like he was getting every rebound, going to the offensive board and getting put backs. He had something to say before the game to the team. I think starting the right way was important and I think he did it with his actions, he did it with his play,Indiana rallied to cut Atlantas lead to a point with 3:42 left in the third quarter, but the Hawks pulled away with a 19-2 run. The Pacers failed to make a basket in the first 4 minutes of the fourth quarter.Budenholzer noted it was Atlantas finish to the third quarter, extending its lead to eight points, that was ultimately what gave the Hawks enough to keep the Pacers at a distance.Thaddeus Young led the Pacers with 24 points and had seven rebounds. Monta Ellis added 19 points, and Paul George had 18.The Hawks outrebounded Indiana 56 to 37, and outscored the Pacers 48 to 34 in the paint, and 19 to 11 in second chance points. Indiana had just seven offensive rebounds.We just didnt squash down on Howard. I think he had nine offensive rebounds and thats huge when playing a team like the Hawks. You cant let them get offensive rebounds and extra possessions, Young said.AN IMPORTANT TAKEAWAY:The Pacers are third in the NBA in turnovers created, forcing their opponents into 16.2 mistakes per game, ranking fourth with an average of 9.2 steals per game. On Wednesday night, the Hawks turned the ball over 21 times, and of those 15 were the result of an Indiana steal.LOCKED UP:The Hawks are second in the NBA in fourth quarter defense, allowing opponents 21.8 points per game in the fourth quarter. On Wednesday night, the Hawks held Indiana to 19 points. It was the eighth time this season Atlanta has held it opponent to fewer than 20 points in the fourth quarter. The Hawks are 6-2 when achieving this milestone.TIP INS:Indiana: Jeff Teague has scored in double figures in each of the last nine games. ... Youngs 24-point effort was just the second time this season he has scored 20 points or more.Atlanta: The victory was the Hawks 100th over Indiana ... The Hawks have held at least a 10-point lead in 12 games this season and have six double-digit wins.UP NEXT:Indiana: Hosts Brooklyn on Friday.Atlanta: At Utah on Friday. Cheap Adidas NHL Jerseys . Vancouver Whitecaps and Toronto FC failed to make the postseason while Montreal Impact fell at the first hurdle losing heavily to Houston Dynamo in the Eastern Conference Knockout Round. Fake NHL Jerseys . 8 Kansas to a 64-63 win over Texas Tech on Tuesday night. The freshman from Vaughan, Ont. http://www.cheapnhlcustomjerseys.com/ ., for the next three years with the signings on Monday of Daryl Townsend and Michael Carter. Stitched NHL Jerseys . The 15th-ranked Canadian men lost the opening two games of their European tour: 19-15 to No. 17 Georgia and 21-20 to No. Wholesale NHL Jerseys Authentic . Perez, 35, posted a 1-2 record with a 3.69 earned-run average in 19 relief appearances last season. His season ended Aug. 9 due to a torn ligament in his left elbow. Perez joins infielder Andy LaRoche and catcher Mike Nickeas with minor-league agreements for 2014 that include invitations to attend spring training. HONOLULU -- Kansas must venture to Hawaii for its season opener, but anticipation over the debut of Josh Jackson will not let attention wander.Rated as the No. 1 recruit as part of an incoming national class loaded with talent, Jackson is an addition the Jayhawks hope will enable them to reach the Final Four for the first time since 2012.That is the biggest goal entering a season in which Kansas is expected to rule the Big 12 again and tie the all-time Division I record of 13 consecutive conference championships set by UCLA from 1967-79.But first things first as the season begins Friday in the Armed Forces Classic against reigning Big Ten champion Indiana.The opener will be followed by a game Tuesday against top-rated Duke at the Champions Classic in New York.Hardly an easy start for any freshman, including Jackson, whose position is hard to define.Im just easing my way in, just trying not to think about making too many mistakes, Jackson said after playing four different positions in the second of two exhibition games the Jayhawks played.Just going out and trying to play basketball. Its just a game. I really enjoy playing each and every position. So, coming up this year, I think you guys will see me in a bunch of different positions.If he provides the expected impact, the No. 3 Jayhawks should be quite formidable. They return one of the most experienced set of small guards in America.Bullish senior Frank Mason never shies away from contact underneath and came within one assist of a triple-double in the Jayhawks first exhibition. Junior Devonte Graham was the most outstanding player in last years Big 12 Tournament when he was regarded as the most improved player on a 33-5 squad that bowed out in the Elite Eight against eventual NCAA champion Villanova.Each dealt with minor ailmeents in exhibition games -- Mason, a jammed thumb and sore shin; Graham, with cramping.dddddddddddd.We have to get (Graham) to where he can play 30-plus (minutes) along with Frank. Thats key for us, said Bill Self, who enters his 14th season as Kansas coach.Indiana was a blueblood that started poorly last season. A difficult opening stretch included a 1-2 mark at the Maui Invitational and a 20-point loss to Duke in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge. Yet the Hoosiers went 15-3 in the Big Ten and finished 27-8 with a loss to eventual NCAA runner-up North Carolina in the Sweet 16.Sophomore forward OG Anunoby came on late for the Hoosiers and should easily surpass the 13.7 minutes he averaged, while contributing in all areas.Hes a great example, said Indiana coach Tom Crean, of somebody thats getting better constantly, understands that it all starts with what you do with your defensive mindset and how important it is to make the game easier for everybody else.Others must seamlessly fit into the Hoosiers rhythmic ball movement, particularly after losing All-Big Ten point guard Yogi Ferrell.Pittsburgh transfer Josh Newkirk will step into that spot after recovering from microfracture surgery on his knee. Crean estimates Newkirks vertical jump has improved seven to eight inches since arriving at Indiana, then healing.Another guard, junior James Blackmon, recovered from an injured knee that limited him to 13 games last year. He offers scoring pop. Underneath, and high expectations exist for 6-10 sophomore center Thomas Bryant, who was a 68.3 percent shooter last season.We dont just want to be a good offensive team, cautioned Bryant. We want to be defensive, as well. ' ' '