into organized team activities is consistency and believing i

DALLAS -- Fears that the Dallas Mavericks would a suffer hangover against the Utah Jazz following an emotional victory seemed improbable -- until the closing minutes. The Mavericks cruised to a 28-point lead in the second quarter but had to fend off the determined Jazz, who pulled within five in the final minutes before falling 103-93 Friday night. The Mavericks were coming off a 123-120 win Wednesday over the Rockets in which they rallied from an 18-point deficit in the third quarter. Dallas (9-4) has opened its home schedule 7-0 for the first time since 2003-04, when it won its first 10 home games of the season. Utah (1-13) is winless in its first eight road games. The Jazz have lost five straight since notching their only victory of the season on Nov. 13 at home against New Orleans. Monta Ellis scored 26 points to pace five Mavericks in double figures. Ellis added six assists, and Dirk Nowitzki and Samuel Dalembert scored 18 apiece, a season high for Dalembert, who also grabbed 12 rebounds. Reserve forward Marvin Williams scored 19 points, 16 in the second half, to lead the Jazz. Williams returned to the lineup wearing a protective mask after missing one game for surgery on a broken nose, arriving in Dallas about four hours before tipoff. "It was a long day," Williams said. "I got up in time this morning and then got here at 3 p.m. on the bus. Thats part of being a professional." The Jazz got 14 points reserve Jeremy Evans, his season high. Gordon Hayward, Utahs leading scorer this season averaging 18.2 points, scored 13 points after his 1-for-17 shooting night in New Orleans on Wednesday. "It was disappointing, but wins are hard to get so its a good win from that perspective," Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle said of Utahs furious finish. "Our execution was poor in the second half on both ends; it was pretty obvious." After Utahs Derrick Favours opened the games scoring with a finger roll, Dallas ran off the next nine points to take control. The outcome appeared secure when the Mavericks led 54-26 with 2:11 to play in the half. But Utah followed a 38.9 per cent effort in the first half by shooting 59.5 per cent after intermission. A dunk by Favours with 4:42 remaining in the fourth quarter shaved Dallas lead to 90-85. But the Mavericks starters responded with a 3-pointer by Jose Calderon and a putback by Dalembert to stave off Utahs rally. "They came back in the third quarter when we were kind of slacking a bit," Dalembert said. Utah coach Tyrone Corbin was pleased with his benchs production, particularly Williams given the circumstances. "I cant say enough about how much we appreciate him," Corbin said. "Actually playing a few games before having (his nose) reset (after) he broke it." "It was a long day. I got up in time this morning and then got here at 3 p.m. on the bus. Thats part of being a professional." In addition to Dalemberts rebounding, backup centre DeJuan Blair grabbed nine rebounds. The two combined for 10 offensive rebounds on a team that is waiting for No. 1 centre Brandan Wright to recover from a shoulder injury that he suffered before the season. "Those guys have been doing good things all year," Carlisle said of his post duo. "I am not shocked by it." NOTES: When Ellis scored 37 points and Nowitzki 35 on Wednesday, it marked the first time since April 1995 that two Mavericks topped 35 points in a game. . With the 50th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy commemorated in Dallas on Friday, Jazz players toured the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza on Thursday. Custom Nike Baseball Jerseys Online . - Playing a road game against a division rival raises the intensity for linebacker Clay Matthews. Cyber Monday Custom Nike Baseball Jerseys . PETERSBURG, Fla. https://www.customjerseysnikebaseball.com/custom-nike-tampa-bay-rays-jerseys/ . In the last race before the Sochi Olympics, Bjoergen followed up her win in the 10-kilometre classical race on Saturday by beating World Cup sprint leader Denise Herrmann of Germany by 0.43 seconds for her fifth victory of the season. Custom Nike Philadelphia Phillies Jerseys . You can watch the game on TSN at 7pm et/4pm pt and listen to the game on TSN Radio 690 in Montreal. After starting the month of November on an 0-3-1 slide, the Canadiens have recorded wins in three of their last five outings (3-1-1). Custom Nike Baseball Jerseys Black Friday .com) - The Utah Jazz look to put an end to their five-game losing streak when the Denver Nuggets visit Salt Lake City Monday night.KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Chiefs coach Andy Reid got a closer look at Dee Ford during the teams three-day rookie minicamp, and he liked what he saw from the teams first-round draft pick. Ford is transitioning from defensive end at Auburn to outside linebacker with Kansas City. "Its a new position for him," Reid said. "I think hes done a great job of jumping in the book and learning the drops, the things that you need to do with the pass coverage. Thats not an easy thing with all the combination things that we do. Im happy with what hes done there." Kansas City grabbed Ford with the 23rd overall pick. The 6-foot-2, 252-pound Ford had 20 1/2 sacks and 27 1/2 tackles for loss in 52 games at Auburn. He was an All-SEC selection in 2013. "I would tell you his quickness and athletic ability," Reid said when asked what stood out about Ford. "It looks like hes spent a lot of time learning." Throughout the weekend, Ford either stood up or got down in a three-point stance before the snap during 11-on-11 drills. He appeared comfortable in both positions. "All the rushers do it a lot," Ford said. "Its just all about disruption. Anything we can do to confuse the tackle, or as an upside for us, just putting your hand on the ground or standing up, you just want that freedom." Ford gives Kansas City another pass rusher after the Chiefs had 47 sacks last season, tied for sixth in the NFL. But 36 sacks came before the Week 10 bye. The absence of starting outside linebacker Justin Houston, who missed five games down the stretch with an elbow injury, played a role in the Chiefs recording 11 sacks in a span of seven games. Frank Zombo filled in for Houston, but recorded a single sack. Along with Fords skills off the edge, Reid said his intangibles are "off the charts." "He brings a lot of energy," Reid said. "He loves playing the game." Reid and the Chiefs will learn more about Ford in the nextt couple of weeks.dddddddddddd Ford lined up mostly over the right tackle during the rookie minicamp that concluded on Monday. He didnt appear to have any problem going against sixth-round pick Laurent Duvernay-Tardif on Saturday, and then Ryan McKee, an invited rookie tryout from Southern Mississippi, the last two days of camp. Starting in Tuesdays organized team activities, Ford will line up against right tackle Donald Stephenson or left tackle Eric Fisher. "It will give him a little different look," Reid said, "but I think that quickness is going to remain. That part is not going to change. Then hell just work his combinations against a better player, a more veteran player. But I think hell be fine." For his part, Ford said the biggest areas he wants to carry over from rookie minicamp into organized team activities is consistency and believing in his abilities. While he knows the competition level rises against the veterans, Ford wants to keep it simple. "I dont want to say its not much different," he said. "But in my mind, I dont make things harder than what it is." NOTES: Former Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray, who is coming back from November knee surgery, wore a brace on his left knee and practiced without limitations during the minicamp. ... Former Georgia State wide receiver and undrafted free agent Albert Wilson, who made some impressive catches throughout minicamp, caught Reids attention. "I like his athletic ability," Reid said of the 5-9, 200-pound former Panther. "Hes strong, I mean very strong even though hes not the tallest guy and he runs fast." ... Former BYU strong safety and undrafted free agent Daniel Sorensen recorded two interceptions on Day One of minicamp. "Ball skills is something I feel like is a strength for me," he said. "If I get a chance to play on the field, hopefully Ill be able to make the same plays I did in college." ' ' '