Magicgames II » But we cant start to play well only after we

ATLANTA -- The Chicago Bulls strengthened their hold on home-court advantage in the playoffs, and made it a little tougher for the Atlanta Hawks to extend their season. For that, the Bulls can thank D.J. Augustin. Again. Keeping up his inspired play, Augustin scored 23 points as Chicago held off slumping Atlanta for a 105-92 victory Wednesday night, bumping the Hawks out of the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference with two weeks left in the season. Chicago stretched its lead to 2 1-2 games over Brooklyn for home court in the opening round of the playoffs. The Bulls may have lost Derrick Rose to major knee injuries two years in a row, but they are 35-20 since signing Augustin in mid-December. "Hes saved our season," coach Tom Thibodeau said. "D.J. can beat you a lot of different ways." The performance came three days after Augustin scored a career-high 33 points against Boston. "D-Rose is the face of this team," Augustin said. "Im just trying to come in, just trying to help us out, do whatever I can do to help us win and go forward in the playoffs." Chicago took control with a 16-3 run in the second quarter and led the rest of the way, fending off the last of Atlantas runs when Jimmy Butler swished a 3-pointer with just over a minute remaining. "We just want to finish the rest of the season strong," Augustin said. The Hawks are heading in the opposite direction, losing for the 21st time in 28 games. This one dropped them slightly behind New York for the eighth playoff seed. "We still control our own destiny," DeMarre Carroll said. "But now things got more interesting." The Knicks (33-43) routed Brooklyn 110-81 to climb percentage points ahead of Atlanta (32-42). Cleveland is also in the mix, two games out after beating Orlando. The Hawks host the Cavaliers on Friday night. Paul Millsap led the Hawks with 22 points and 11 rebounds, while Jeff Teague added 21 points. But Kyle Korver, with 12 points, was the only other Atlanta player in double figures. Everyone else went 13 of 32 from the field. "Were a new team," Carroll said, referring to Atlantas massive turnover the last two summers. "This year is not going to make or break us. Just to be talking about making the playoffs is amazing." The Hawks were up 42-38 with 9 minutes left in the second quarter after Mike Muscala knocked down a couple of free throws. Chicago took control from there, clamping down defensively and scoring 16 of the next 19 points. The Hawks missed 12 of 13 shots, forced to settle mostly for outside jumpers and botching a couple of easy ones when they did get inside. Augustin capped the spurt with a brilliant hesitation move, freezing the Atlanta defenders before bursting through a gap for an easy layup. The Bulls led 57-49 at the half and never surrendered the advantage. Atlanta made several runs, only to have Chicago answer every one of them. With the Hawks down 93-87 and in possession, Taj Gibson swatted away Carrolls driving shot, the Bulls grabbed a loose ball and took off the other way, with Augustin sinking a 3-pointer that led to an Atlanta timeout. It was another trey by Butler that finished off the Hawks -- appropriate enough, since the Bulls went 12 of 25 beyond the arc. Augustin was 4 of 8 from long range, while Butler chipped in with three more. In contrast to the Hawks, six players were in double figures for the Bulls, including Butler and Kirk Hinrich with 17 points apiece. Atlanta has eight games left to pull out its seventh straight playoff appearance. "This team is competitive," Elton Brand said. "Theres no quit in us. Were going to play it out until the end." NOTES: Chicagos Joakim Noah had 10 points and 10 rebounds. ... The Bulls swept the season series 4-0 and now have won six straight against the Hawks since last season. ... Thibodeau shrugged off the 200th career victory. "Ive got a good team," he said after improving his record to 200-105 in four seasons. Cheap Tony Perez Jersey . The Raptors general manager has his list of possible draft selections whittled down to a handful ahead of Thursday nights NBA draft in Brooklyn, New York. The Raptors, who have auditioned dozens of players over the past couple of weeks, have the 20th overall pick in the first round, as well as the 37th and 58th picks in the second. Cheap Joe Morgan Jersey . Halladays resume as a Blue Jay is among the elite in the franchises 36-year history. Over 12 seasons in Toronto, he was named an All-Star six times. He had arguably the finest campaign of his career in 2003 when he posted a 22-7 record, a 3. http://www.cheapredsjerseys.com/. -- Rodney Stuckey scored 15 of his 21 points in the second half, and the Detroit Pistons beat the New York Knicks for the first time in eight meetings, 92-86 on Tuesday night. Cheap MLB Jerseys Authentic .Voegele will next play Anna Schmiedlova of Slovakia, who saved 10 of 16 break points to defeat Annika Beck of Germany 7-6 (6), 6-4.Also, Marina Erakovic of New Zealand defeated eighth-seeded Caroline Garcia of France 6-2, 4-6, 6-4. Cheap Cincinnati Reds Jerseys . The Toronto Maple Leafs were holding a news conference, so they got curious. It didnt take long for them to find out via social media that coach Randy Carlyle was coming back — with a two-year extension — and assistants Greg Cronin, Scott Gordon and Dave Farrish were being let go.MILAN - Roma was held to 1-1 at Palermo on Saturday in another slip-up in its quest for the Serie A title.Rudi Garcias team fell three points behind Juventus after last weeks derby draw against Lazio, and the defending champion can pull further ahead on Sunday when it hosts Hellas Verona — which it beat 6-1 in the Italian Cup on Thursday.We didnt play in the first half, Garcia said. We were rooted to the spot and without any movement at all. And thats even more of a handicap if then were facing a team full of confidence, and to which we give a belated Christmas present.Fortunately the team found itself again in the second half when we changed system and ran more, playing more intensely. But we cant start to play well only after we concede. The truth is that, at the moment, were lacking consistency. The players need to change their attitude.Paulo Dybala returned from injury to stun Roma by firing Palermo ahead in the second minute following a defensive error. Mattia Destro levelled nine minutes into the second half.Palermo remained level on points with Inter Milan, which was fortunate to leave relegation-threatened Empoli with a 0-0 draw.We all have to do something more, Inter coach Roberto Mancini said. We have to have the courage to take risks and to start plays right from the back. We are Inter and we shouldnt be scared.Both are level with AC Milan in mid-table, but just five points below third-plaaced Lazio ahead of the rest of the weekends fixtures.ddddddddddddRoma knew it could move provisionally level with Juventus but had key players Daniele De Rossi and Radja Nainggolan suspended, so Garcia handed rare starts to Kevin Strootman and Destro.Palermo was keen to bounce back after its club record nine-match unbeaten run ended in a 4-3 thriller at Fiorentina.The Sicilian side took the lead less than two minutes in. Franco Vazquez intercepted a woeful pass from Davide Astori and immediately threaded the ball to Dybala, who struck it into the bottom right corner.It was Dybalas eighth goal in his past nine league matches, and his 10th this season.Roma risked going further behind shortly before the break when Michel Morganella crossed for Edgar Baretto but Morgan De Sanctis flew acrobatically to pluck his header away from goal.The capital side levelled in the 54th when Miralem Pjanics free kick was nodded on by Strootman, and Destro stuck out a leg to bundle it in.Earlier, an insipid Inter could find no inspiration from new signing Lukas Podolski, or his replacement, Xherdan Shaqiri, on debut.Empoli made most of the running, especially in the second half when visiting goalkeeper Samir Handanovic was made to make some fine saves to deny Manuel Pucciarelli twice, as well as Piotr Zielinski.But Empoli saw the end of a seven-match unbeaten run it used to climb out of the bottom three. Cheap Buffalo Sabres Gear Wholesale Calgary Flames Jerseys Cheap Adidas Colorado Avalanche Jerseys Montreal Canadiens Outlet Store Wholesale New Jersey Devils Jerseys Adidas Arizona Coyotes Jerseys Cheap Adidas Boston Bruins Jerseys Cheap Adidas Carolina Hurricanes Jerseys Chicago Blackhawks Shop Free Shipping Wholesale Columbus Blue Jackets Jerseys Dallas Stars Shop Free Shipping Cheap Adidas Detroit Red Wings Jerseys Anaheim Ducks Jerseys China Wholesale Edmonton Oilers Jerseys Florida Panthers Shop Free Shipping Wholesale Los Angeles Kings Jerseys Minnesota Wild Outlet Store Cheap Adidas Nashville Predators Jerseys Cheap Adidas New York Islanders Jerseys New York Rangers Winter Classic Jerseys Cheap Adidas Ottawa Senators Jerseys Cheap Adidas Philadelphia Flyers Jerseys Wholesale Pittsburgh Penguins Jerseys Cheap Adidas San Jose Sharks Jerseys St. Louis Blues Winter Classic Jerseys Wholesale Tampa Bay Lightning Jerseys Toronto Maple Leafs Outlet Store Vancouver Canucks Outlet Store Cheap Adidas Vegas Golden Knights Jerseys Cheap Adidas Washington Capitals Jerseys Cheap Adidas Winnipeg Jets Jerseys ' ' '