Dein erstes Forum » and scored 13 points.Thunder:

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Aaron Rodgers used the same word to defend Mike McCarthy that his coach used last month in response to mounting criticism of the Green Bay Packers quarterback.I think its ridiculous, Rodgers said Wednesday when asked about the scrutiny on McCarthy.At 4-5 and on a three-game losing streak, McCarthy has come under criticism for his failure to get the Packers out of their tailspin in a year when many tabbed them among the Super Bowl favorites.I think people dont understand how difficult it is to win in this league and win consistently, Rodgers said. The success that weve had here, its tough to do. Weve set the standard pretty high.But I wouldnt listen to some of those people out there. I mean, theyre not in this locker room, theyre not in the meeting rooms, theyre not in the practice environments. They dont know whats going on, they dont know the type of work ethic that we have here and that Mike has here.McCarthy reacted strongly on Monday, when he defended his 11-year run as the Packers coach.McCarthy, who has a 108-60-1 record, has led the Packers to the playoffs each of the last seven seasons, including one Super Bowl title. The Patriots are the only other team that also has made the playoffs each of the last seven years.Last month, when Rodgers came under fire for not playing like a two-time NFL MVP, McCarthy said the scrutinys ridiculous.Earlier on Wednesday, Hall of Fame general manager Bill Polian said on SportsCenter that McCarthy was doing the best he can with a very, very short deck in terms of players.I dont see any problem with the coaching, Polian said.Baltimore Orioles Store . -- The goal posts lying flat on the field, Arizonas fans lingered on the field, congregating around the locker room entrance nearly 30 minutes after rushing out of the stands. Custom Baltimore Orioles Jerseys . Scott Kazmir allowed four hits in seven shutout innings, Michael Brantley hit a two-run homer in a three-run first inning and the Indians maintained their hold on an AL wild-card spot with a 4-1 win over the Houston Astros on Saturday night. https://www.cheaporioles.com/ . -- Jimmie Johnson held off a teammate, passed a pair of Hall of Famers, and dominated once more at Dover. Baltimore Orioles Pro Shop . Bryzgalov stopped 25 shots on Saturday in the Oklahoma City Barons 4-1 victory over the Abbotsford Heat. The Oilers signed Bryzgalov to a one-year $2 million contract last Friday after shedding payroll by dealing defenceman Ladislav Smid to the Flames. Fake Orioles Jerseys . Defencemen Drew Doughty, Shea Weber and forward Ryan Getzlaf also scored for the Canadians, who started their gold-medal defence 2-0. Goalie Roberto Luongo, getting the call in place of Game 1 starter Carey Price, was solid when needed in making 23 saves for the shutout.OKLAHOMA CITY -- As Russell Westbrook took off, he saw Clint Capela as a mere obstacle to victory rather than an athletic 6-foot-10 shot blocker.In the blink of an eye, Westbrook uncorked a vicious left-handed hammer dunk over Capela in the closing seconds to help the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Houston Rockets 105-103 on Wednesday night.Oklahoma City led by three when the 6-3 Westbrook threw it down with 5.5 seconds left to put the Thunder up five.Westbrook said Capelas reputation -- he had already blocked three shots on the night and ranks among the leagues leaders -- didnt deter him.It dont matter, man, Westbrook said. Game on the line. If you get blocked, or you make a dunk -- its one or the other. Fortunately, it went in and it closed the game for us.Oklahoma City center Steven Adams, who isnt easily impressed, cracked a smile when asked about Westbrooks jam.Just happy its not me, he said. Thats pretty much like the only thing is `Thank goodness hes on my team. That was crazy. Honestly, he did a good job, Capela. Nice little bit of defense, honestly. Verticality, avoided the foul, and obviously, hes (Westbrook) just a really athletic dude. Just caught him.Westbrook finished with 30 points, nine assists and seven rebounds. Victor Oladipo added season highs of 29 points and 10 rebounds for the Thunder, who snapped a four-game losing streak.James Harden, the leagues assist leader and No. 4 scorer heading into the night, finished with 13 points, 13 assists and seven rebounds. He made just 4 of 16 shots while being harassed by Andre Roberson.Dre did an amazing job, like hes been doing all season, Westbrook said. James is a tough player, obviously, and he (Roberson) did a great job of making him shoot over his length. He needs to get credit for what hes been doing defensively all year.Capela added 13 points and 14 rebounds for the Rockets, who went scoreless for more than six minutes in the fourth quarter to help the Thunder position themselves for the win.We didnt play well, Harden said. We didnt shoot the ball well, and we still had an opportunity to win.Oklahoma City led 65-63 at halftime as Westbrook had 20 points and Oladipo 17. Thhe shot 61 percent before the break.dddddddddddd The Rockets offense worked, despite just five points from Harden on 1-for-6 shooting.The Rockets started strong after the break, and a 14-5 binge put Houston up 77-70 and led to an Oklahoma City timeout. The Rockets stretched their lead to 11, but the Thunder pulled to 90-85 by the end of the period.Oladipos 3-pointer with just under three minutes to play tied the score at 100, then Robersons alley-oop dunk on a lob from Westbrook finally put the Thunder ahead.Westbrook made a free throw to extend Oklahoma Citys lead to three with 28 seconds remaining. Houston missed an opportunity when Harden and Trevor Ariza failed to connect while Ariza was open in the corner. That set up Westbrooks game-clinching dunk.I still wasnt able to make a couple of passes, Harden said. Normal game, just didnt make shots, especially down the stretch when we needed to. That was it.TIP-INSRockets: G Patrick Beverley, one of Oklahoma City fans most hated players, was out with a left knee irritation. He hasnt played this season. ... Eric Gordon shot 5 for 20 from the field and scored 13 points.Thunder: It was the second straight home game in which the Thunder faced a core member of its team that reached the 2012 NBA Finals. Serge Ibaka scored 31 points and made the game-winner for Orlando on Sunday. ... The Thunder shot 75 percent in the first quarter to lead 38-32. ... Oklahoma City made 13 of 14 free throws.STAT LINESOklahoma Citys starting guards, Westbrook and Oladipo, combined to make 21 of 38 shots. Houstons starting guards, Harden and Gordon, shot a combined 9 for 36.STAR POWEROklahoma wide receiver Dede Westbrook, who is starting to gain traction as a Heisman candidate, attended the game. He has 68 catches this season for 1,254 yards and 14 touchdowns in 10 games. The eighth-ranked Sooners will play at No. 10 West Virginia on Saturday.UP NEXTRockets: Host Portland on Thursday night.Thunder: Host Brooklyn on Friday night.---Follow Cliff Brunt on Twitter: www.twitter.com/CliffBruntAP ' ' '