r the warm welcome," Beckham said on an 80-degree February morning. In this case, it was soccer weather. The sport moved a

BOSTON -- Charlotte Hornets coach Steve Clifford was impressed with what he saw from the San Antonio Spurs -- sans the retired Tim Duncan -- on Wednesday night in North Carolina.They have a guy who is an MVP candidate (Kawhi Leonard), Pau Gasol and Tony Parker who are probably Hall of Famers, (LaMarcus) Aldridge, who is a perennial All-Star and Danny Green who has been a starter on two championship teams, Clifford said after losing to the Spurs 119-114. Plus they have a guy (Gregg Popovich) who is maybe the best coach of our time -- except for all that theyre just OK.The Spurs, 8-0 on the road, 12-3 overall and winners of seven straight overall, visit the Boston Celtics in a Friday matinee that should cause people to interrupt looking for shopping bargains to watch.San Antonio comes to Boston having beaten the Celtics nine straight times since Boston swept the two-game 2010-11 season series.The Celtics are coming off a perfect 3-0 road trip, capped by Wednesday nights wire-to-wire win over the Nets in Brooklyn.For us to win three games in a row on the road and one of the games being a back-to-back, is big for us, Bostons Avery Bradley said Wednesday. I think it does a lot for our team, our confidence level.And not only that, but this might be our fourth game playing together as a team or fifth game with everybody, so Im happy with how were growing together every single game. Al (Horford)s playing well, Jae (Crowder)s playing well, everybodys just playing basketball.Both Horford (concussion) and Crowder (ankle) rejoined the team on this trip. And while defeating Detroit, Minnesota and Brooklyn on the road is hardly a reason to make plans for the NBA Finals, three road wins is three road wins -- and the Celtics are 9-6 coming into this game.Leonard is truly playing like an MVP for the Spurs. He scored 30 at Charlotte and is averaging 25.1 points, 6.3 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game this season. His time has come.The Spurs opened their current three-game trip with what Popovich called a pathetic 96-91 over the undermanned Mavericks in Dallas before winning at Charlotte. The trip ends Friday in Boston.The Celtics, having an early holiday feast, waltzed all over the woeful Nets Wednesday night. They built an early 17-point lead, blew and then recovered to cruise.I think we played very well, Marcus Smart said. We came out really aggressive. We closed out well. That little hiccup we had, but other than that everything else was great.Having their entire roster on the floor, and having the players finally get to grow together, makes the picture brighter for Brad Stevens team.There is more experience, more depth, more comfort to this team, Smart said. Everybody is ready to play now. Everybody is healthy. Like I said, everybody is clicking again.Now, if the Celtics can just figure out a way to end that long streak against the Spurs, perennial contenders in the NBA playoff picture ... the model franchise of the NBA, with or without the great Duncan. Jim Brown Youth Jersey . "Thank you for the warm welcome," Beckham said on an 80-degree February morning. In this case, it was soccer weather. The sport moved a step closer to returning to South Florida on Wednesday, when Beckham confirmed he has exercised his option to purchase a Major League Soccer expansion franchise in Miami. Odell Beckham Jr Browns Jersey . Tomas Berdych and Radek Stepanek defeated Nenad Zimonjic and Ilija Bozoljac 6-2, 6-4, 7-6 (4) on the indoor hard-court at Belgrade Arena. The victory improved the Czech pairs impressive cup doubles record to 14-1. http://www.footballbrownsnflprostore.com/Youth-Baker-Mayfield-Elite-Jersey/ .ca! Hi Kerry, Heres an interesting one. I know its common knowledge that all players are responsible for their sticks. We witnessed that when Zack Kassian hit Edmontons Sam Gagner in the face after a missed check. Greedy Williams Jersey . Didier Drogba gave away the penalty that put Senegal one goal away from a major upset, but the veteran striker will get another chance -- probably his last -- at the World Cup after Salomon Kalous injury-time strike sealed the Ivorians place in Brazil next year. Jim Brown Browns Jersey . A knee to the thigh might have stung him the most, but his sixth straight double-double made up for the brief burst of pain.SASKATOON -- Jaco Ahlers fired a 9-under 63 to take a two-stroke lead after two rounds at the PGA Tour of Canadas Dakota Dunes Open on Friday. The South Africa native moved to 16-under par ahead of countryman Doug McGuigan (64) and Nick Taylor (63) of Abbotsford, B.C., who finished the day tied for second. "I just hit the ball great," said Ahlers, who made eight birdies, a bogey and an eagle. "Ive been hitting the ball great for a long time and just this week it all came together. Ive made a few putts and hit a few great shots, but mainly Ive been hitting the ball well." Ahlers, who is rooming with McGuigan, said their strongg play is no coincidence.dddddddddddd. "Its funny enough, I said to Doug earlier in the week, the greens are designed very South African, and its all the same grass," said Ahlers. "You can see the line better because youre used to this type of grass." Taylor, a former world No. 1 amateur who finished fourth at last months Times Colonist Island Savings Open, said hes making strides in his play this season. "I felt like Ive improved every year," said Taylor. "Maybe mentally this year Im a bit better, and Ive progressed a bit there too. I think everythings been a little bit better this year." ' ' '