before scoring a short-neck win from Magna Rossa ($11) with Very Choosy

The first week hasnt gone as expected for the Dallas Mavericks. Still in search of their first win, the Mavericks (0-4) host only their second home game Friday night against the Portland Trail Blazers.The winless start is obviously a source of concern, but the Mavs arent hitting the panic button. At least not yet.Its frickin four games in, Dirk Nowitzki said after Wednesdays 97-81 setback at Utah. Youve just got to keep battling and then stop the bleeding at home. We know we have two tough teams coming in, tough matchups, but weve got to stop the bleeding.The last time the Mavericks opened the season 0-4 in 2006-07, they rebounded to win a league-best and franchise-record 67 games. Of course, that Dallas squad was coming off an appearance in the NBA Finals and Nowitzki was in his prime.These Mavs dont have the same margin of error. Dallas and New Orleans (0-5) are the only teams without a win in the Western Conference.Were fighting, but weve got to play better, said Dallas coach Rick Carlisle, who suggested changes could be coming.The Blazers (2-3) arent exactly off to the races, even with Damian Lillard playing at an MVP-like level. The two-time All-Star point guard is averaging 32.6 points -- third in the league -- 6.0 rebounds and 4.6 assists.Lillard is the first player to score at least 27 points in his teams first five games since Kobe Bryant in 2005-06 season. Lillards 163 points in the first five games are the most ever in franchise history.Lillard also joined some elite company in surpassing the 7,000-career point mark. Hes the fifth-fastest player in NBA history to tally at least 7,000 points and 2,000 assists behind Oscar Robertson, Tiny Archibald, Dwayne Wade and LeBron James.Lillards 27 points Wednesday night werent enough in Portlands 118-115 overtime loss at Phoenix. The Blazers were up 90-83 on the Suns midway through the fourth quarter, but couldnt close the deal.Up six, up seven, youve got to put them away, CJ McCollum said. A team like that with good players, theyre going to fight, especially at home. Once they see theyve got a chance then theyre really going to try to turn it up. Its a learning experience. Obviously, you dont want to have too many of those.McCollum scored a season-high 24 on 8-of-18 shooting from the floor, including 3-6 from 3-point range, against the Suns. Evan Turner had 11 points and 10 rebounds.The Mavericks have enjoyed success in the series with Portland. Dallas has won four straight at home and 26 of the last 32 games. The Mavs havent lost a season series since 2009-10.Nowitzki is expected to make his American Airlines Center debut after missing last weeks home opener with a stomach illness. He returned against the Jazz after missing two games.Nowitzki scored only nine points and admitted to be winded.Ive just got to keep battling through it and get my stamina back, said Nowitzki, who was also experiencing soreness in his Achilles while out.Portland should be without center Festus Ezeli, whos nursing a left knee injury. Tigers Jerseys 2019 . Defenceman Yannick Weber scored the go-ahead goal early in the third period and the Canucks breathed a sigh of relief with a 2-1 win on Saturday night. Tigers Jerseys 2020 . The All-Pro lineman got the leg bent under him while trying to make a tackle during the first half of a 22-20 overtime loss at Miami on Thursday night. The medical staff initially thought hed torn the ligament, and the test a day later in Cincinnati confirmed it. https://www.cheaptigers.com/ . Parker had 26 points and eight assists and San Antonio beat Toronto 112-99 Monday night. "We won that game because of Tony Parkers aggressiveness," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "His juice; his aggression all night long. Wholesale Tigers Jerseys . Neymar curled home a free kick from just outside the area to put the 2014 World Cup host ahead in the 44th minute. Three minutes after the break, a simple through pass from Paulinho freed Oscar and the Chelsea star rounded goalkeeper Jung Sung-ryong to extend Brazils lead. Detroit Tigers Store . - The Washington Redskins have cut defensive lineman Adam Carriker and punter Sav Rocca. Attending one of the second-tier yearling sales has proven beneficial for trainer Darren Weir and his friends.Lyuba, winner of Saturdays Lanec Services Handicap at Flemington, recorded her fifth win from seven starts and took her prize money past $200,000.All from a $2000 yearling purchase at the 2014 Melbourne Autumn Yearling Sale.Ridden by apprentice Ben Allen, Lyuba was sent out the $4.40 favourite before scoring a short-neck win from Magna Rossa ($11) with Very Choosy ($7.50) a short-head away third.Weir took the gamble on the daughter of Turffontein after liking the look of the filly.He explained noted bloodstock agent John Foote buys the majority of his horses while Weir himself gambles on ones priced between $5000 and $20,000.If theyre no good Ill get rid of them but if theyre alright Ill put my mates into them, Weir said.ddddddddddddA few of Weirs close friends have been the beneficiary of his cheap buys with some of the owners of Speedeor, one of the leading hopes in the next months Magic Millions 3YO Guineas on the Gold Coast, in the ownership of Lyuba.When theyre cheap and theyre nice horses you can put your mates into them because theyre affordable and youre a chance of getting it back, Weir said.They all love their racing but theyve never had a lot of money so its good for them to get into these sort of horses.Weir said Lyuba wasnt a big robust type of yearling but he could see she was going to grow into something.She was an athletic type of horse, Weir said.She was hard work early but shes come good. 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