OKLAHOMA CITY -- Serge Ibaka pointed to the sky, soaking in the cheers from the adoring home crowd moments before coming out of a game that just a few days earlier, he never imagined he could play. Blake Griffin Jersey . He scored 15 points in a dramatic return from what was thought to be a season-ending left calf strain, helping the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the San Antonio Spurs 106-97 on Sunday night in Game 3 of the Western Conference finals. Ibaka started after missing the first two games of the series. The Thunder originally said he would miss the rest of the playoffs, but changed course Friday. His presence helped the Thunder dominate and cut the Spurs lead in the series to 2-1. Oklahoma City coach Scott Brooks took Ibaka out with 3:17 remaining and the Thunder ahead by 20. "When you talk about a teammate, thats everything you want in a teammate," Thunder forward Kevin Durant said. "I gained so much more respect for Serge for sacrificing himself for the team. Regardless of what happened tonight, thats something you want beside you." Ibaka made six of seven shots and was a threat that gave Durant and Russell Westbrook relief. Westbrook had 26 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, and Durant added 25 points and 10 rebounds. On defence, Ibaka was a strong physical presence who blocked and altered shots and used his still formidable mobility to close out on shooters. He had seven rebounds, four blocks and a seemingly endless amount of energy. "Serge has put so much work in throughout the season that missing a couple of days didnt hurt him," Westbrook said. "Tonight, he jumped right back into where he was." Manu Ginobili scored 23 points and Tim Duncan added 16 points and eight rebounds for the Spurs. Game 4 is Tuesday night at Oklahoma City. The Thunder outrebounded the Spurs 52-36 after losing the battle of the boards in the first two games. San Antonio, which shot at least 50 per cent in the first two games, shot just 40 per cent on Sunday night. The first two games looked like a layup drill for the Spurs. This time, they were forced to reset numerous times. The passes were not as quick or as easy. "I was very disappointed that we didnt come out with more of a foot in the neck sort of attitude," San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich said. "They killed us on the boards, they beat us in 50-50 balls and thats very disappointing to me." San Antonio won Game 2 112-77, leaving the Thunder humiliated. "I knew that we were a better team than losing by 30," Brooks said. "Its not us. It was us that night, but were a much better team than that. I have a lot of respect for San Antonio, but theyre not that much better than us." Things were different from the start with Ibakas return. Brooks also inserted speedy Reggie Jackson into the starting lineup in Thabo Sefoloshas place. Jackson finished with 15 points. "We bounced back tonight. We always talk about that bounce-back ability and we had that tonight," Brooks said. The crowd roared when Ibakas name was announced during pregame introductions, and it got even louder when he started playing. He had eight points, three rebounds and two blocks in just over six minutes of play in the first quarter. Twice in the final minute of the first half, Ginobili hit 3-pointers, and both times, Westbrook answered with a 3-pointer. The last one, with 0.6 seconds left, gave the Thunder a 57-53 lead. Oklahoma City shot 56 per cent in the first half but turned the ball over 12 times. Ginobili had 20 points and made 5 of 7 3-pointers before the break to keep the Spurs close. Oklahoma City extended its lead to 83-76 at the end of the third quarter. A runner by Durant, then a 3-pointer by Caron Butler pushed the Thunder lead to 90-76 with just over 10 minutes to play. "Hopefully we realize that if were not intense, not very sharp and dont hustle like crazy, were not going to win here," Ginobili said. "They showed us reality. Hopefully we react in game four and play a much better game." Notes: Thunder C Kendrick Perkins picked up his third foul eight minutes into the game. He played just 13 minutes and finished with four points and three rebounds. Backup centre Steven Adams, a rookie, had seven points and nine rebounds. ... Thunder G Derek Fisher took a hit and was bleeding from the top of his head in the first quarter. He got six stitches. ... The Thunder shot 63 per cent from the field in the first quarter but trailed 29-28 at the end of the period. ... Ginobili scored just three points in the second half. Patrick Beverley Jersey .com) - Brad Stuart has yet to play a regular-season game for the Colorado Avalanche, but that didnt deter the club from signing the veteran defenseman to a two-year contract extension on Monday. Sam Dekker Jersey . “The shootout, theres nothing wrong with it, I think its an exciting part of the game but its just one small aspect,” said Chicago Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman. “Its a skill exhibition. If you can get it back closer to regular hockey and have it decided that way; that would be my preference.” “I dont think its a knock on the shootout, I think more of the managers would like to see it end in overtime,” added Washington Capitals GM George McPhee. http://www.clippersnbateamshop.com/ . Right-hander Todd Redmond took the loss. Jose Bautista hit his second home run of the spring. Here are a handful of tidbits from around camp: Hutchison impressive The Blue Jays are being cautious when talking about their young arms but internally, excitement is building over the way Drew Hutchison is looking and performing this spring. JERSEY CITY, N.J. -- Beast Mode was Least Mode again. Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch abruptly ended his media availability -- again -- walking away from a throng of reporters while escorted by a member of the New Jersey State Police on Wednesday after about 7 uncomfortable minutes in which he answered just a few questions. The elusive Lynch, who created a stir at media day Tuesday by talking for only 6 1/2 minutes, writhed in his seat and leaned his head back at times. A few dozen reporters, lined up as much as five deep, tried to ask questions during the players 45-minute availability at the team hotel. "I really dont have too much to say, boss," Lynch said in a tone barely above a whisper. "I really dont. I appreciate it, but I dont get it. Im just here so I wont get fined, boss. Thats the only reason Im here." Earlier this month, Lynch was fined $50,000 for not co-operating with the Seattle media. The NFL put that fine on hold, saying it would be rescinded if he complied with media obligations. During media day, Lynch spoke for 6 1/2 minutes before leaving, then returning to speak to Deion Sanders for NFL Network, to the Seahawks website, and to Armed Forces Network -- and acknowledged he was trying to avoid being fined by the league for not meeting his media requirements. It didnt appear Lynch would be fined, for either Tuesday or Wednesday. "Players are required to participate and he participated," NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said in an email to The Associated Press. "His comments of the past two days have been widely circulated." In a statement before Tuesdays media session, the Pro Football Writers of America said it was "extremely disappointed in the lack of meaningful access" to Lynch at media day. The PFWA added that several "long-standing and high-profile members were appalled by Mr. Lynchs conduct and refusal to answer any questions." The organization also called the statement by the league that Lynch participated Tuesday "an affront to our membership," but added that it was "encouraged" that the NFL would continue to monitor the situation. Players have clauses in their contract requiring them to co-operate with the media. Fullback Michael Robinson, one of Lynchs buddies who was seated to his left, even poked fun at the situation by asking Lynch a question of his own. "What do you think of your fullback?" Robinson said, laughing. Wesley Johnson Jersey. "Is he a pretty cool brother?" "No," Lynch responded. "What?" Robinson asked incredulously. "No," Lynch repeated. "Thats messed up," a smiling Robinson said. "We went to dinner last night and everything, man." After Lynch was short with his answers to a few questions, Robinson moved the microphone in front of himself and began answering questions for Lynch. "Im going to slide up in this thing," Robinson said with a smile, "and break up the monotony a little bit. Uhh, Marshawn aint going to try to say nothing to you guys, so you can direct your questions toward me." Robinson used the running backs "boss" figure of speech to end each sentence. One reporter asked how Lynch was feeling. "He just wants to play ball, boss," Robinson said. Robinson was then asked how he would define "Beast Mode." "Its a lifestyle, boss," Robinson responded as Lynch, wearing headphones on top of his head, sat back in his chair smiling. Lynch was asked if he was concerned he could be fined for not showing up at the availability, and he handled that one himself. "Im here, man," Lynch said. "So, I dont have to pay the fine, boss." Lynch said it was a "false" assumption that he doesnt like talking to the media because he was once misquoted. He also said that its not hard balancing being a private person and a football star because the fans dont mind how he goes about his business. "The media has a problem with it," Lynch said. "Its a problem if they choose to take something away from me for not doing it." A reporter reminded Lynch that its the NFL that issues the fines. "Well, reporters have to call it in," Lynch said. "So, it starts somewhere, right?" At one point, Lynch looked up at a team staffer and asked, "Whats up with that time?" A few moments later, a reporter tried to ask a question, shouting, "Hey, Marshawn!" Lynch got up, climbed over a few chairs and made his way through the crowd of reporters and disappeared through an area restricted to team personnel. "He gets it done on game day," Robinson said after Lynch left. "If youre looking for somebody whos going lead by example, all you have to do is watch him run the ball and you know what time it is." Cheap NFL Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Jerseys From China Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys ' ' '