nonconference play, with one more game to go, US

The Golden State Warriors have been dominant during the regular season over the past two years. They finished 67-15 in 2014-15 and had a record-breaking 73-9 record during their 2015-16 campaign.But theres one team that has given them trouble over that stretch, and seems to have the formula for how to give the Warriors fits -- the Boston Celtics.All four meetings between the Celtics and Warriors over the past two seasons have been decided by five points or fewer. Their first matchup last season went to double overtime, where the then-unbeaten Warriors squeaked out a 124-119 victory. The second time around, the Celtics defeated the Warriors 109-106, handing?Stephen Curry and company one of their nine losses and snapping Golden States 54-game home winning streak.Friday nights first matchup between the teams this season (8 p.m. ET, on ESPN) will be played at the TD Garden in Boston, where both Curry and his new teammate, Kevin Durant, have excelled in recent years. Curry is averaging 37.5 points in his past two games there, while Durant has averaged 30.5 points in his past four games in Boston.The Warriors are starting to find a comfort level with their newly constructed team. Theyre on a five-game winning streak and have scored at least 115 points and dished out at least 30 assists in each contest. The last team to have six straight games of 30 or more assists was the Portland Trail Blazers in November of 1990.Golden State is averaging 33.2 assists since Nov. 7, which is eight more than any other team over that span. They could become the first team since the Showtime Lakers in 1984-85 to average 30 assists in a season.Not only has the team shared the ball well, but Curry and Durant are starting to gain chemistry playing alongside one another. Theyre both averaging 27 points per game while shooting over 50 percent from the field. They were the only two players in the NBA to reach both of those thresholds last year and are hoping to become the first teammates in NBA history to accomplish that during the same season.Boston, meanwhile, has stepped up its defense since the first seven games of the season, allowing just 93.8 points per game in the last four contests. Teams are shooting just 40.4 percent from the field during that stretch. In their past three home games, the Celtics have held opponents to just 90 points per game.And Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas, whos averaging 27.2 points per game, is on pace to become one of the the most prolific scorers among players under 6-feet tall in NBA history.Thomas has scored 30 or more in his past two games. He never has scored 30 in three straight contests, but has a chance to do so Friday night against Golden State. Thomas is also the first Celtics player since the great Kevin McHale in 1986-87 to score 20 or more points in each of the teams first 11 games of a season.His backcourt mate, Avery Bradley, also has played well this season. Bradleys averaging a career-best 18.5 points and 8.7 rebounds per game -- which is second among guards behind the?Oklahoma City Thunders Russell Westbrook. Marcedes Lewis Jersey . Fred Couples, captain of the U.S. side, put it all into perspective. "We know whos in charge," he said. Darrius Shepherd Jersey . "No difference at all," chirped U.S. roommate and linemate James van Riemsdyk. "Its still the same cranky Phil. http://www.wholesalepackersjerseys.com/?tag=youth-brady-sheldon-jersey . Soukalova missed only one target and completed the 15-kilometre course in 40 minutes, 32.6 seconds for both victories in this seasons individual discipline. Darya Domracheva of Belarus was second, 34. Bryan Bulaga Jersey . "Trying to breathe," he said with a grin. Bernier stopped 42 of 43 shots on Monday night, including all 22 in a hectic middle frame, his heroic performance propelling the Leafs toward an undue point in their final game before the Christmas break. Jace Sternberger Jersey . 1, meaning problems for the doping controls at both major international sports events next year. The World Anti-Doping Agency provisionally suspended the Moscow Antidoping Center on Sunday, saying its operations must improve or a six-month ban on the facilitys accreditation will be imposed. LOS ANGELES -- Mississippi State remained undefeated with its 12th straight win, but it wasnt easy.Victoria Vivians scored 19 points and Morgan William had 18 to lead the fifth-ranked Bulldogs to a 76-72 victory over Southern California in the championship game of the Women of Troy Classic on Sunday.William shot 5 for 10 from the field and 8 for 9 on free throws, had three steals and was named the MVP of the tournament.They gave us a run for our money, said William, who helped MSU win its third tournament of the season. After a poor first half, we came out more focused, aggressive and took care of the ball in the second half.Breanna Richardson added 17 points and nine rebounds for the Bulldogs, who are 12-0 for the third time in school history. Vivians, William and Richardson combined to shoot 17 for 38 and MSU outrebounded the Trojans 40-24.Mississippi State coach Vic Schaefer said his team did not have its best game but was grateful to come away with the victory.I dont know how we won this game today, it was clearly not one of our best and we feel fortunate, Schaefer said. USC has us on our heels the whole first half. We had 13 turnovers in the first half and only two in the second. But when there is 5 minutes to play, I like our competitiveness and that speaks volumes of our team.Sadie Edwards scored 24 points on 9-for-14 shooting, Kristen Simon had 15 points and Minyon Moore added 14 points, six assists and four steals for the Trojans (8-2), who snapped a six-game winning streak and lost for the first time at home this season. Asiah Jones also had eight blocked shots.Im disappointed, USC coach Cynthia Cooper-Dyke said. I thought we played well enough to win this game. They made their run and we just didnt recover, but my hat is off to my team. They played 40 minutes of basketball tonight. I think our defense helped caused MSU not to play a great game tonight.After trailing most of the game, thee Bulldogs extended their lead to 75-70 on Williams three-point play with 1:26 to play.dddddddddddd Courtney Jacos 3-point attempt with 2 seconds remaining hit off the rim and Mississippi State grabbed the rebound and held on to win.Simon scored 11 points in the first half and USC shot 42.3 percent to take a 33-29 lead at the break.In the tournaments consolation game, SMU defeated Grambling State 56-36 behind Dai Thomas 17 points.BIG PICTUREMississippi State: The Bulldogs completed a nine-game road trip that covered six states and 17,190 miles in 24 days. MSU returns to Starkville and will play five of the next seven games at home.USC: After a strong showing in nonconference play, with one more game to go, USC will begin its Pac-12 schedule Dec. 30 with an improved offensive attack that is averaging 11.1 more points per game than last seasons squad that finished 6-12 in conference.TIP-INSMSU 5-8 guard Blair Schaefer has suffered a few bumps and bruises during Bulldogs 9 game road trip but it hasnt slowed her down. In a game against Hawaii, Schaefer suffered a broken nose and didnt miss the next game. On Friday against SMU Schaefer was elbowed above her left eye and received 4 stiches but still scored a career-high 18 points before leaving the game late in the third quarter.POLL IMPLICATIONSMSU remained No. 5 in the AP Poll for the second consecutive week, its highest ranking ever in schools history. USC, after pushing the Bulldogs to the limit, should get consideration for nearly knocking off its second Top 25 team this season.UP NEXTMississippi State: Host Alabama State on Tuesday and then complete its nonconference action against Northwestern State on Dec. 28 before opening its SEC schedule against LSU on New Years Day.USC: At Big West opponent UC Irvine on Wednesday. ' ' '