Hilfestellungen » play-offs and final at the end of

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- James Harden has made a living at the free throw line in recent years. This time, his touch was off when it mattered most.Harden, who entered the game shooting 82 percent from the line, missed five free throws in the final 3 minutes against the Detroit Pistons. Fortunately for the Houston Rockets, they were able to hold on in a 99-96 victory Monday night.Harden finished with 28 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds. He went 14 of 19 at the foul line, but only 4 of 9 in the fourth quarter.I had to laugh it off. Its funny, Harden said. But we all have games like this. I cant let it happen. I have to take my time, go up there concentrating on the free throw.Clint Capela added 15 points and 12 rebounds for the Rockets, who won their third straight game.We did not play well all night. I didnt think we were sharp, but we found a way to win, coach Mike DAntoni said. Its just a good win for everyone.Kentavious Caldwell-Pope scored 26 points and Andre Drummond had 13 points and 16 rebounds for Detroit, which has lost four in a row.With the Rockets clinging to a one-point lead and less than 10 seconds left, Harden made a free throw and missed the second, leaving Houston up 98-96.Drummond rebounded the miss and was immediately fouled by Capela with 4.6 seconds to go. Drummond missed both free throws and the Pistons fouled Harden, who again made one of two, giving Detroit a chance.Ive got to make free throws -- thats all, Harden said. Make free throws, win the game. Its pretty simple.Caldwell-Pope missed a halfcourt heave at the buzzer, handing Detroit its second straight close loss at home.Were going to have to toughen up to be able to accomplish what we want to accomplish, coach Stan Van Gundy said.Detroit led by 12 in the first quarter and took a 29-18 lead early in the second on Jon Leuers dunk. The Rockets, however, chipped away and tied it 43-all on Capelas alley-oop dunk from Harden with 4:11 left in the period.The Pistons regained a two-point edge, but Harden scored the final seven points of the first half to put Houston ahead 51-46.Houston stretched its lead to 11 in the third quarter and settled for a 79-75 advantage heading into the final period.The Pistons used an 8-0 run early in the fourth quarter to open an 85-82 lead. The teams went back and forth the rest of the way, and neither led by more than four points.Detroit, trailing 96-95 with 55 seconds left, had a chance to take the lead, but Ish Smith missed a layup. Harden made one free throw to leave Houston ahead 97-95 with 15.4 seconds left, and Caldwell-Pope answered with a free throw to get Detroit within one.TIP-INSRockets: Nene was assessed a Flagrant 1 foul in the third quarter after tripping Detroits Aron Baynes. The play was originally called a common foul, but after review it was changed to the Flagrant 1.Detroit: Marcus Morris nailed a 33-foot 3-pointer over Hardens outstretched hand to beat the third-quarter buzzer and cut Houstons lead to 79-75. The play was reviewed and replays showed the ball left Morris hands just in time.NO HOME COOKINGAfter starting the season 5-0 at home, the Pistons lost their second straight at the Palace. They lost Saturday to Boston 94-92 on Al Horfords last-second shot. Detroit is just 1-7 on the road.Its tough, especially coming off (the Boston loss), said Morris, who finished with 13 points. Weve got to find a way to play harder or just get rebounds.OFF TARGETThe Rockets were held under 100 points after surpassing the century mark in their previous seven games. Houston shot 44.9 percent from the field, including 32.3 percent from beyond the 3-point arc.We just have to continue to get better and continue to do good things down the stretch and win, Harden said. Thats all that matters.UP NEXTRockets: At home Wednesday against Toronto.Pistons: At home Wednesday against Miami.Cheap Adidas Shoes China . -- Adam Snyder returned to the San Francisco 49ers this season because the offensive lineman thought it was his best opportunity to win a championship. Discount Air Force Ones . On Mar. 16, coming off a "fight of the year" performance at UFC 154 the previous November, St-Pierre faced Nick Diaz at UFC 158 in what would be his eighth defence of the welterweight title. Using his superior athleticism, St-Pierre cruised to a five round, unanimous decision victory setting up a much-anticipated title defence against number one contender Johny Hendricks. http://www.brandshoescheaponline.com/wholesale-nike-air-vapormax-china/vapormax-2019-clearance-sale.html . The Australian is competing in his final season in Formula One and still looking for his first win this year. He will look to end Vettels run of six straight race wins on Sunday. Webber, who is fifth in the championship, earned his second pole from the past three races and 13th of his career. Cheap Fake Air Max 90 . Clarke was injured while practicing on the Doha Golf Club range after the pro-am on Tuesday. The Northern Irishman arrived at the course on Wednesday hoping to start, but after hitting a few balls on the practice putting green Clarke advised officials he was not fit to play. Cheap Air Max 95 China . -- Canadian Andrew Wiggins got the ball on the wing, made a nifty spin move and then let go with a soft floater from about 10 feet that swished through the net in Allen Fieldhouse.Michael van Gerwen says the ever-improving standard of darts is part of the reason for his world record average in Aberdeen last week.The Dutchman was at his blistering best to set a new highest benchmark of 123.4 in a 7-1 victory over a shell-shocked Michael Smith.The plaudits have been flying in for Van Gerwen with Sky Sports expert Wayne Mardle saying he is now setting the benchmark with his averages and title victories - the world No 1 has won three of the six UK Open qualifiers as well as defending his Masters and Dutch Masters titles already this year. Mardle marvels at MVG Wayne Mardle on MVGs record breaking night The nights average in Aberdeen was 103 and while delighted with his own mark, it is the bar being raised across the board driving him on to great heights.It was just one of them things! I got two points and a good performance of course but I need to show it again this week, van Gerwen told Sky Sports. Sky Live: Premier League We preview Thursday nights action in Exeter I cant afford any mistakes. I hope I can bring the good performance from last week through to this week. I try to put on a new level but everyone is playing on a different level now. Everyone is playing better so I have to try my best every game.The standard is getting higher and higher and you need to make sure you prepare for that and you cant make any mistakes against anyone. Van Gerwen was quick to point out he wants to be able to better his mark, joking that he would be forced to bow out at an unprecedented level had he pinned a double 18 for an average of 136: But then I would never have a chance to break my record again.Then that would be the end of the road for me! Of course you want to have the highest performance, but 123 was still a fantastic performance and I was happy with that.Up next for the world No 1 is top-of-the-table Peter Wright, but MVG admits Snakebite hasnt been at his best despite an unbeaten opening four weeks. Mystic Mardle Wayne reveals his predictions for Exeters matches He is unbeaten but he is not playing really well to be fair, vvan Gerwen added.dddddddddddd.He got away in two of his games, against Raymond [van Barneveld, won 7-5] and against Robert Thornton [drew 6-6] last week. Raymond should have definitely beaten him and Robert had a chance to beat him - his confidence must be high but I just need to do one thing and that is play very well.Van Gerwen has recovered well from losing his opening match to James Wade in Leeds and while he is targeting top spot, it is about being in the play-offs and final at the end of the regular league format. van Gerwen reflects on his amazing performance in Aberdeen A win takes me back where I belong! There is an extra prize to be top of the table and I have been top of the table in the last three years and I hope I can make it four in a row, the 2014 world champion added.My first game in the Premier League was a disaster, I lost two points and just gave it away but after that I have picked it up really well.It doesnt matter in the early weeks, you cant win all the games, no one has ever done that and I dont think anyone ever will. The most important things is to hold the trophy in the air in May. Doesnt matter how you win, just as long as you win. Get a Sky Sports Pass Dont miss the Darts! Watch live on NOW TV for ￡6.99. No contract.Also See:Mardles PL predictionsSky Live: PL night fiveRod recalls greatest matchWATCH: Taylor-Lewis classic ' ' '