miaowang123: HOME, BLAKEBlake, in his third tour with t
HOME, BLAKEBlake, in his third tour with t
Lithuania boss Edgaras Jankauskas admits he fears the impact Scotlands full-backs could have as the sides prepare to meet at Hampden Park on Saturday. John Wetteland Rangers Jersey . The former Hearts striker watched Callum Paterson and Andy Robertson play significant roles as the Scots won their World Cup qualifying opener against Malta 5-1 last month.Scotland manager Gordon Strachan insists he is yet to decide if Robertson will play amid competition for his place from Celtics Kieran Tierney and Rangers captain Lee Wallace. Jankauskas is concerned, however, that whoever starts could have the same kind of effect against his team.He said: We watched the film of Scotlands game with Malta and we saw how they can harm any team. Lithuania have lost on each of their previous four visits to Glasgow The first half gives us a little hope because when Malta had all their players on the pitch, they did quite well. It was not so easy to break that wall.But the match goes for 90 minutes and all the Scottish players are representing clubs in England and Germany and are used to that physical demands of the game.I saw a lot of strengths in the Scotland team. Those full-back runs created space for them and the crosses can harm any team.It was a very good example in the last game against Malta when the full-backs just killed the game with their sharp runs and good crosses into the area. Were the same as Malta, we are not so lucky to have those same experiences as Scotland. We have no players playing in the biggest leagues in England, Spain or Italy.Im sure at some point that will show up on the pitch. We know we will have to put in a very good performance to match up to the Scottish team.Lithuania have lost on each of their previous four visits to Glasgow and are underdogs going into this weekends match, which is live on Sky Sports. Watch NOW TV Watch Sky Sports for just ￡6.99. No contract. Jankauskas maintains that means all the pressure is on his opposite number and added: We know that the old stats are against us.We accept that we are not favourites for tomorrows match but its okay, all good runs and all bad runs have to come to an end at some point.Im not concerned about the facts. What bothers me more is my team, the way we approach the game and the way we will face such a strong and physical team like Scotland. Jankauskas has tried to shift the pressure on to opposite number Gordon Strachan ahead of the game at Hampden Its not a secret Scotland has more pressure on their shoulders than we do. We know that we are underdogs, even without mentioning the old stats.I have no doubts that Scotland will have a go against us and the only result they will accept is a victory.You can watch Englands tour of Bangladesh, plus Premier League football and the Japan Grand Prix on Sky Sports. Upgrade now and enjoy three months at half price! Also See: Sky Live: Scotland v Lithuania Fletcher seeks fortress Hampden Strachan spoilt for choice Qualifying counts most for Scots Michael Young Jersey . PETERSBURG, Fla. Jeff Russell Rangers Jersey . Numbers Game looks at the As getting Jon Lester from Boston, sending Yoenis Cespedes to the Red Sox along with a deal involving the As and the Minnesota Twins. The Athletics Get: LHP Jon Lester, LF Jonny Gomes, OF Sam Fuld and cash.PORTLAND, Ore. - After the Trail Blazers clawed back from a 23-point deficit and withstood a video review of the final shot, guard Wesley Matthews enjoyed a laugh in the locker room.Thats how we drew it up, he joked.Portland edged the Charlotte Hornets 102-100 on Tuesday night, barely escaping after instant replay showed Gary Neals potential game-tying layup didnt quite beat the buzzer.Damian Lillard scored 29 points, and LaMarcus Aldridge added 25 points and 14 rebounds for the Blazers, who have won four of five and improved to 5-1 at home.It just felt like a game we could turn around, Lillard said. It was just a matter of us understanding that, Hey, if we stick with it, things will come around.Al Jefferson scored 22, and Lance Stephenson had 14 points and 14 rebounds for the Hornets.Portland rallied in the final period. Lillards 3-pointer and Aldridges 10-foot turnaround jumper narrowed it to 92-90 with 5:11 left.The Blazers took their first lead, 97-96, on Steve Blakes 3-pointer with 3:04 to go. Portland stayed in front, going up 102-98 with 14.3 seconds left. After Neal made a layup, Charlotte got the ball with 3.5 seconds left.It appeared that Neal hit another layup at the buzzer to tie it at 102, but upon review it was determined the ball did not leave his hand in time.When I made the basket I thought it was good, Neal said. It was a bang-bang play, so it was hard to say. I thought it was out of my hand but they said it wasnt, so it wasnt.Neal also addressed why he didnt go for a 3-pointer and the win. Lillards defence was the reason.A 3 wouldve been a bad shot in that situation, he said. The way that Lillard closed in on me, that would have been a terrible shot, a terrible decision. So I drove strong right and attacked the basket, and like I said I was a tenth of a second too late.The Blazers played without Nicolas Batum, who injured his knee Sunday in the final minutes of Portlands 116-110 victory at home over the Nuggets.An MRI revealed that Batum has a bruised right knee, which will also keep him out of Wednesday nights game in Denvver and Saturday nights game against the Nets. Kyle Bird Jersey. Still sore and unable to bend his knee very much, Batum said he hoped to return next Monday when the Blazers host the Pelicans.Im glad I wont have surgery or be out for months, he said Tuesday.Alan Crabbe, a second-year player out of California, made his first NBA start in Batums place.Charlotte took a 27-15 lead after a 14-2 run that was capped by Cody Zellers basket with 2:39 to go in the first quarter.Brian Roberts hit a layup to give the Hornets a 48-27 lead. Portland narrowed the margin to 64-51 at halftime after Aldridges layup before time ran out.Aldridge also hit a jumper to open the second half, but the Hornets kept the Blazers from getting too close. Zeller tossed up a floater that gave Charlotte a 78-64 lead.The Blazers closed to 85-75 heading into the fourth quarter, then outscored the Hornets 27-15 in the final period.Charlotte was coming off a 107-92 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday night.TIP INSHornets: Charlottes 35 first-quarter points were a season high. The 64 points at halftime were also a season best. ... Jefferson has scored at least 20 points in six straight games.Trail Blazers: Batum played in all 82 games last season. ... The Blazers are 19-6 against Charlotte in Portland. ... The Moda Center was lit up in red, white and blue for Veterans Day.OFFENSIVE BOARDSThe Hornets had just six offensive rebounds, compared to Portlands 15 — something that wasnt lost on Jefferson. It was the offensive rebounds, man. A couple of them just bounced right to them, but we didnt do a good job, he said. Thats one of the things about that team. They get a lot of first- and second-chance points.WELCOME HOME, BLAKEBlake, in his third tour with the Blazers after he was picked up in the off-season, hit the go-ahead 3. He also played tough despite five fouls. Steve plays very hard, coach Terry Stotts said. I think the way he plays is contagious.UP NEXTThe Hornets visit the Phoenix Suns on Friday night.The Trail Blazers visit the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night. ' ' '
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