SAN ANTONIO -- Pau Gasol signed with San Antonio because he believes the Spurs can win the NBA championship.He knows the Spurs cannot achieve that goal if they keep playing lethargically at home, so the 16-year veteran helped change that.Gasol had season highs with 21 points and six assists, and San Antonio snapped a three-game home losing streak with a 96-86 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Friday night.I think he got tired of losing, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said.Gasol was 10 for 16 from the field as San Antonio snapped its longest home skid since dropping three straight in December 2014.After winning their home opener against New Orleans, the Spurs lost to Utah, the Los Angeles Clippers and Houston. San Antonio went 40-1 last season to match the league record at home.You just cant afford to lose at home, period, Gasol said. We just needed to snap out of that bad streak at home and start playing with some fire.Gasol, who also had nine rebounds and two blocked shots, had 13 points in the opening quarter. It was the most points he has scored in any half this season and was his second-highest total this year.(San Antonio was) definitely much more aggressive from the beginning, Gasol said. Established a good pace and we needed to as a team collectively to get off a good start because we havent done that lately at home.Kawhi Leonard had 17 points and LaMarcus Aldridge added 14 points and 12 rebounds for the Spurs.Tony Parker added seven points and four assists in 21 minutes after missing the previous three games with a sore right knee.Andre Drummond matched his season high with 20 points and added 17 rebounds in Detroits third straight loss.Im not upset at anybody, Detroit coach Stan Van Gundy said. I thought we played the game well. As a matter of fact, in terms of both defense and ball movement, putting both ends of the floor together, thats one of our best games of the year.After trailing by 13 points in the fourth quarter, Detroit held San Antonio to two points in a four-minute span to pull within 89-84 with 2 minutes remaining. Leonards 3-pointer ended the drought and helped seal the victory.The team is still trying to improve, Parker said. We have a lot of guys to try and put in our team like Pau. Everybody is trying to find their role in this team. And so, well be fine. Its going to take some time.TIP-INSPistons: Detroit is winless in five road games this season. ... Former Spurs Aron Baynes, Beno Udrih and Boban Marjanovic are all reserves for the Pistons. Marjanovic did not play, but received a rousing ovation when he was shown on the video screen. A huge fan favorite during his one season in San Antonio, Marjanovic was showered with shouts of Boban! in the final minutes.Spurs: Gasols previous season high was 20 points against Miami on Oct. 30. Aldridge did not play in that game for rest. ... Spurs G Danny Green sat out for rest after playing 26 minutes in his season debut Wednesday. Green missed the teams first six games with a strained left quadriceps. ... The Spurs have yet to play a game with their projected starting five of Parker, Green, Aldridge, Gasol and Leonard. . San Antonio, which plays Saturday in Houston, is 3-1 in back-to-back games this season. The Spurs won both road games.WINNING TRADITIONSan Antonio has not lost more than three games in a row at home since 2002. Every other team in the league has lost at least five straight home games over that span.GOT YOUR BACKLeonard had his second-lowest point production of the season, shooting 6 for 14.The 6-foot-7 forward has scored 30-plus points in four games after entering the season with four games of 30-plus in his career, including the playoffs.Leonard scored 34 points in San Antonios 101-99 loss to Houston on Wednesday, attempting a career-high 26 shots.He shouldnt need to get 30 to 34 every night, Gasol said. We have enough guys on this team, enough talent on this team that he shouldnt have to have that responsibility or pressure.UP NEXTPistons: At Denver on Saturday.Spurs: At Houston on Saturday. Dave Croston Jersey Online . Speaking Thursday on TSN 1050 Thursday, the Leafs GM also touched on the questions surrounding the teams leadership and the struggles of his big-name free-agent signing. “Its not from lack of effort from the coaching staff. Ed Allen Jersey Online . The news was first reported on Gonzalezs Twitter account and confirmed by the Rockies. Gonzalez has a six-week window before position players have their first workout at spring training in Arizona. https://www.cheapjerseysatwholesale.com/ . -- San Francisco 49ers linebacker Ahmad Brooks was fined $15,570 by the NFL on Wednesday for his hit on Saints quarterback Drew Brees last Sunday. Cheap Jerseys Free Shipping .com) - The red-hot Los Angeles Kings will try to extend their winning streak to a season-high seven games when they visit the Edmonton Oilers for Sundays clash at Rexall Place. Carmen Cavalli Jersey Online . Laudrup revealed Thursday he was notified of his dismissal in "the briefest of letters which gave no reasons why such hasty and final action was deemed necessary.Wayne Rooney feels England have a squad capable of matching any side for the first time in his career having won 10 out of 10 in the European Qualifiers. England head to France for Euro 2016 in confident mood after their 100 per cent success in qualifying Group E, and are up against Russia, Slovakia and Wales in the group stage in June.Captain Rooney scored seven goals in the qualifying campaign, including a record-breaking 50th to take him above Sir Bobby Charlton in Englands all-time goalscorer list. Rooney has 51 goals for England at the age of 30 In an exclusive interview with Sky Sports Nick Collins, Rooney says that while Englands versatility and quality is clear to see, consistency will be key to any success.I feel weve got a very good squad. Its probably the first time Ive felt the squad is capable in any given game of matching any team, he said.But obviously its one thing having that, and another being able to do that consistently throughout a tournament. Roy Hodgson has announced his England squad ahead of Euro 2016 Weve got players who can play anywhere across that front line. Myself, Jamie Vardy, Raheem Sterling, Daniel Sturridge can play out wide too. Its always difficult for opponents as well.You never know with the players weve got how well they can do. Weve had a good European Qualifiers campaign, but we need to make sure that we dont slack, that we keep going and keep pushing forward, and give ourselves every possible chance. Rooney has played much of the season with Manchester United in midfield The Manchester United skippers best position for England is highly-debated, and while Rooney wants to play as striker he is open to playing in different positions for his country. Rooney on... England skipper speaks exclusively to Sky Sports about Englands chances at Euro 2016 Rooney has been used both as a striker and as a central midfielder by United manager Louis van Gaal this season but it is understood Hodgson will use him on the left wing in a 4-3-3 system following conversations between the two. QUIZ: England squads Test your knowledge of previous squad announcements Another option would be to use the 30-year-old at the top of a midfield diamond or as a No 10, where he has also been used by United this season, and Rooney feels he is suitable for a number of positions.As a player you are always adapting, said Rooney, who was speaking as part of a Home Nations and Republic of Ireland special, where captains Ashley Williams, Steven Davis and Robbie Keane will speak with Sky Sports.You adapt to your team-mates, you adapt to the different coaches you are working under. It depends what the coaches want from you. The England captain is keen to be a leader for the younger players Throughout my career Ive adapted to different situations and different teams Ive played in, and I have no problem doing it. In football you need players who can play in different positions. Ive always felt like I can play in different positions.But Ive always believed I am capable of playing in different positions. I think you saw in World Cup 2006 with Owen Hargreaves, he was probably Englands best player, purely for the fact he could play in different positions.To have players like that in your squad is really important. The good thing that Roy has now is that he can look at the opponents and pick a midfield which is best for beating the opponent. We havent always had that. Roy Hodgson thinks Rooney is key for England but admits he doesnt have to pick him in the starting XI He could change the whole 11 if he had to now, and we would still have the chance of winning the game.ddddddddddddooney was made captain after the World Cup in 2014 following Steven Gerrards international retirement, something he says he takes immense pride in.With several young players coming through, including Dele Alli, Harry Kane, Eric Dier, Marcus Rashford and John Stones, Rooney is keen to take on a leadership role, but not without the help of a small group of other senior team members. Former England defender Jamie Carragher thinks Rooney may have to play in midfield to make room for Harry Kane and Jamie Vardy Rooney said: I felt I was the natural successor to Steven as captain, and the manager did too. Its something I was delighted to do, and I want to do it to be successful as well.Its something I really take pride in and want to do to the best of my ability. I think the young lads in the squad, theyve helped a lot, I feel its an exciting time for English football with the squad we have.The manager involves me in a lot of decisions. Obviously theres myself, and then weve put a team together with a few of the other senior players. Paul Scholes evaluates Englands chances at Euro 2016 If decisions on behalf of the team need making, I will go to those players, talk through it and decide what is best for the team.But of course, you have to be a role model and ambassador for the country, and thats what Ive tried to do to the best of my ability.For more from Wayne Rooney, including his thoughts on the European Qualifers campaign, the extended interview will be shown throughout the day on Tuesday on Sky Sports News HQ Also See: Rashford, Wilshere called up Rooney wants midfield role QUIZ: England Euros squads Euro 2016 news ' ' '