raft, it would not forfeit a pick. "Any time you have players on t

NEW ORLEANS -- By necessity, the Pelicans keep heaping more responsibility in Tyreke Evans lap -- and he keeps coming through. John Starks Jersey . Evans had 22 points and a career-high 15 assists, and the short-handed Pelicans overcame the loss of Anthony Davis to extend their winning streak to a season-high five games, 102-95 victory over Utah on Friday night. The performance came with Evans starting at point guard, a role Evans occupied in stints with Sacramento earlier in his career, but not with New Orleans until this week, beginning with an upset victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday. "I always seem to make it work. Im a basketball player," Evans said. "So, just trying to make the best of it, you know, for me and my teammates and the coaching staff and the organization. Just trying to finish the season out strong and win as many games as possible." Davis left with a left ankle injury less than four minutes in, further depleting New Orleans already injury-riddled roster. But the 6-foot-6 Evans simply looked for other teammates when the Jazzs defence collapsed on him, and the offence flowed. "Hes so big, he can see over the other guards and that gives him the ability to find guys," Pelicans coach Monty Williams said. "Hes always a threat to score at the basket, so that helps." Anthony Morrow scored 20 points, Al-Farouq Aminu added 13, and Austin Rivers and Darius Miller each had 12. Alexis Ajinca, playing 28 minutes in Davis absence, had 10 rebounds, nine points and three blocks. Derrick Favours had 18 points and 11 rebounds for the Jazz, who lost their third straight. Gordon Hayward added 21 points. "We just have to continue to fight and close those games out," said Trey Burke, who had 12 points. "We definitely had a chance to win this game tonight. "We arent going to get discouraged," Burke continued. "Were all good players and we know we are capable. No matter what, were sticking together." Before the game, the Jazz ruled out reserve guard Alec Burks with a left ankle sprain. The Pelicans, meanwhile, scratched guards Eric Gordon (left knee tendinitis) and Brian Roberts (left knee bone bruise). Davis started grimacing during the opening minutes. With 8:17 left in the first quarter, Ajinca was subbed into the game and Davis headed for the locker room. Williams did not update Davis condition after the game. Still, the Pelicans managed to maintain the lead for most of the way. Evans pushed the ball in transition and routinely slashed to the hoop to convert short floaters or layups in traffic. Otherwise, he found players such as Morrow and Miller on the perimeter. "Hes been doing a great job in that role change, but thats what great players do," Morrow said of Evans. "Im proud of him, glad hes stepped it up. Obviously he does a lot of things for us on both ends of the floor, and obviously hes adjusted his game and hes been great for us." Evans layup put the Pelicans up 72-66 heading into the fourth quarter, and his weaving dribble drive for a reverse scoop made it 87-81 with 1:52 left. Morrow hit three of his four 3-point attempts, the last giving the Pelicans an 85-79 lead with 3:05 left. Ajincas three-point play on an 8-foot jumper as he was fouled by Favours made it 90-83 with less than a minute left, but the teams traded a slew of free throws before it was over. Marvin Williams finished with 12 points for Utah, but the Jazz committed 19 turnovers, leading to 33 Pelicans points. Evans normally plays shooting guard or small forward, but once again looked comfortable at the point while scoring 13 first-half points. The Pelicans 39-31 when Morrows consecutive jumpers capped an 8-0 run, and New Orleans lead was 43-38 at halftime. NOTES: The Pelicans and Jazz split their previous two meetings. They meet once more on April 4 in Utah. ... The Jazz are 8-29 on the road. ... Utah next plays on Sunday in Oklahoma City. ... Evans has hit 20 points 15 times this season and has nine double-doubles. ... The Pelicans shot 50.7 per cent (36 of 71), marking the third time during their current winning streak they eclipsed the 50 per cent mark. Phil Jackson Jersey . His apology came before a pregame ceremony in which the team honoured its 2004 team that won Bostons first World Series championship since 1918. "I realize that I behaved bad in Boston," Ramirez said. Anthony Mason Jersey . The person spoke on condition of anonymity because no announcement was made. By releasing Bailey, the Broncos would open up cap space with the 12-time Pro Bowl player scheduled to make around $10 million next season. https://www.cheapknicks.com/711x-kyle-oquinn-jersey-knicks.html . Off-Season Game Plan looks at what the Blue Jackets may do to build upon last seasons success to return to the playoffs again next year.PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Calling the New York Mets a "marquee franchise," new players union head Tony Clark is paying attention to the teams payroll. Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said he expects the teams payroll to be between $85 million and $88 million this season, which would be a slight decrease from its $90.9 million final figure last year. Despite the additions of free agents Curtis Granderson, Bartolo Colon and Chris Young, the Mets have a payroll resembling that of a mid-market franchise. The Los Angeles Dodgers payroll is over $225 million and the New York Yankees will top $200 million. "Any time there are concerns or issues with any club related to certain habits or trends, we pay attention to it," Clark said after speaking with Mets players Tuesday during his tour of the 30 spring training camps. "New York is no different than any other club, from the standpoint of appreciating whats paid in payroll and how clubs may be functioning in general, related to improving the group they have on the field." Clark declined to say specifically whether the union has spoken with the Mets owners or front office about payroll. "Rest assured that any conversations were having with management likely wont end up in the newspaper," he said. "We will always stay engaged, from top to bottom with any club, at leastt related to any concerns we may have and how those concerns manifest themselves. J. R. Smith Jersey. " Clark also said he was concerned free agent shortstop Stephen Drew has not signed. Drew, pitcher Ervin Santana and designated hitter Kendrys Morales declined to accept $14.1 million qualifying offers, and teams signing them would lose a selection in Junes amateur draft. But if a team signs one of those players after the draft, it would not forfeit a pick. "Any time you have players on the free-agent market who are still sitting at home come March 4 that I think everyone would agree can have a positive impact on any club that they would happen to play on, it is a concern," Clark said. "Its a topic that we pay a lot of attention to because we dont think its in anyones best interests to have some of the top players in the game sitting at home and not playing on the field." NOTES: RHP Matt Harvey is paid $546,625 while on the major league roster this year under the one-year deal announced Monday and at an annual rate of $299,250 if on option to the minors. Harvey, recovering from elbow ligament-replacement surgery on Oct. 22, gets paid at the big league rate while on the disabled list or during a minor league injury rehabilitation assignment. ... RHP Zack Wheeler has a $512,375 salary in the majors and $169,349 in the minors. ' ' '

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