name on top of the regular-season standings.Michael van Gerwe

INDIANAPOLIS -- If the opening tip-off was any indication as to how the game would go, it was clear the Indiana Pacers didnt have anything for Dwight Howard and the Atlanta Hawks.As the referee tossed the ball between Myles Turner and Howard, Turner opted against jumping, conceding the tip-off to Howard and the Hawks. It was indicative of how the rest of the game would play out Wednesday night.The effort and energy (tonight) started with me and I have to make sure that every night I bring the same effort and energy, Howard said. When Im able to get in there and crash the boards, just get a feel for the game, it makes everything easier.Howard had 23 points and 20 rebounds to help the Hawks beat the Pacers 96-85. Paul Millsap added 18 points and 11 rebounds for the Hawks.I thought (Dwight) came out with a mindset from the beginning of the game, Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer said. It felt like he was getting every rebound, going to the offensive board and getting put backs. He had something to say before the game to the team. I think starting the right way was important and I think he did it with his actions, he did it with his play,Indiana rallied to cut Atlantas lead to a point with 3:42 left in the third quarter, but the Hawks pulled away with a 19-2 run. The Pacers failed to make a basket in the first 4 minutes of the fourth quarter.Budenholzer noted it was Atlantas finish to the third quarter, extending its lead to eight points, that was ultimately what gave the Hawks enough to keep the Pacers at a distance.Thaddeus Young led the Pacers with 24 points and had seven rebounds. Monta Ellis added 19 points, and Paul George had 18.The Hawks outrebounded Indiana 56 to 37, and outscored the Pacers 48 to 34 in the paint, and 19 to 11 in second chance points. Indiana had just seven offensive rebounds.We just didnt squash down on Howard. I think he had nine offensive rebounds and thats huge when playing a team like the Hawks. You cant let them get offensive rebounds and extra possessions, Young said.AN IMPORTANT TAKEAWAY:The Pacers are third in the NBA in turnovers created, forcing their opponents into 16.2 mistakes per game, ranking fourth with an average of 9.2 steals per game. On Wednesday night, the Hawks turned the ball over 21 times, and of those 15 were the result of an Indiana steal.LOCKED UP:The Hawks are second in the NBA in fourth quarter defense, allowing opponents 21.8 points per game in the fourth quarter. On Wednesday night, the Hawks held Indiana to 19 points. It was the eighth time this season Atlanta has held it opponent to fewer than 20 points in the fourth quarter. The Hawks are 6-2 when achieving this milestone.TIP INS:Indiana: Jeff Teague has scored in double figures in each of the last nine games. ... Youngs 24-point effort was just the second time this season he has scored 20 points or more.Atlanta: The victory was the Hawks 100th over Indiana ... The Hawks have held at least a 10-point lead in 12 games this season and have six double-digit wins.UP NEXT:Indiana: Hosts Brooklyn on Friday.Atlanta: At Utah on Friday. Miami Marlins Store . Brett Kulak and Jackson Houck of the Vancouver Giants were each charged with assault causing bodily harm on Aug. 18, according to the B.C. court services. Marlins Jerseys 2019 . On June 12, just as the sun sets on the magnificent historical city of Sao Paulo the inventors, innovators and purveyors of “joga bonitowill” open their campaign. The opponent, Croatia and all its football might and will. As opposites do attract we are set for a corker of an opener. https://www.cheapmarlinsjerseys.us/ . Its 1987 and a Brazilian playmaker, known as Mirandinha, is being paraded around St James Park to the passionate Newcastle fans. Custom Miami Marlins Jerseys . Oaklands loss to Seattle clinched the ALs best record for the Red Sox with one day to spare in the regular season. "I think everybody was kind of watching," catcher David Ross said. "Demp (Ryan Dempster) came out before he went to the bullpen and was just yelling that they lost. Miami Marlins Gear . After Mondays hard-fought loss, the wait seemed longer than usual. Getting set to go their separate ways for a short Christmas break, the Raptors coach credited his team for their effort on a seemingly impossible three-game road trip, urging them to build on that success when they get back to work at the end of the week.After Michael van Gerwens thrilling draw with Phil Taylor, we picked out the talking points from night seven in the Premier League. Things are hotting up with the play-off picture taking shape and the battle to avoid elimination set to go to the wire.This weeks trip to Glasgow proved pivotal at both ends of the table, so with Judgement Night just two weeks away, we look back on another terrific evening of tungsten action. Power a major threat Taylor remains level on points with Premier League leader Van Gerwen He may not have won but Phil Taylor showed that he will be very much in the shake up for major titles this year.The Power came from 5-1 and 6-4 down to register a 6-6 draw with Michael van Gerwen, who missed three darts to win the match in the 11th leg.By his own admission the 16-time world champion had a disappointing 2015 but told Sky Sports this week that he has got his love and appetite for the game back and that was evident on stage in Glasgow. Van Gerwen missed three match darts as Taylor came from 5-1 behind to draw And perhaps the shorter forms of the game are where the Power can add to his major tally - the Premier League final is played over no more than 21 legs and that might just suit Taylor.The draining format of the World Championship can take its toll but the Matchplay in Blackpool and the quickfire Premier League may just suit a rejuvenated Taylor, who has already admitted the top four is his target in order to be back at the O2.Taylor last won the title in 2012 and after missing out on Finals Night last year, few would bet against him being in contention this yearWelcome home champ Gary Anderson picked up four points in front of his Scottish fans The Glasgow crowd were in attendance in their thousands as they welcomed home the back-to-back world champion and defending Premer League champion Gary Anderson.The Flying Scotsman now resides in Somerset but is always assured of rousing reception when the Premier League heads north of the border and the Hydro crowd did not disappoint as they welcomed him with one of the best atmospheres weve experienced this season.After Anderson missed the opening night in Leeds, the 10,000 strong crowd had their champ on stage twice and he kicked off with a repeat of the World Championship final against Adrian Lewis. Premier League recap Look back on night seven of the Premier League Anderson had won the last four Premier League meetings between the two and he made it five with a dominant display against an inconsistent Lewis for a 7-4 win.MC John McDonald cranked up atmosphere and when House of Pains Jump Around kicked in the welcome for Anderson was rapturous.A 13-darter followed by an early break of throw delighted the masses, who responded a chorus of Oh Gary Gary.Anderson was back for more in the last match of the night. In a battle of Scotsmen, his victory over Peter Wright sent the masses into the Glasgow night happy and Anderson into the play-off places for the first time this season with a second win of the night and fifth straight win in the format.Whats gone wrong for Chizzy? Dave Chisnall suffered his third straight loss (Pic by Lawrence Lustig) Its three straight defeats for Dave Chisnall after losing a crunch clash with Raymond van Barneveld - both men have been in free fall of late but it was Barney who produced a five-leg surge from 3-2 down for a 7-4 win that should keep him in the competition for an extra few weeks.dddddddddddd.Chisnalls 7-0 win over Robert Thornton seems light years away and its now four defeats in a row for the man from St Helens, who only has a two-point advantage over the Scotsman and Michael Smith.Chisnall faces Anderson next week before a Judgement Night showdown with Wright - he may need at least two points in some capacity to preserve his Premier League status.Signs of life from ThornThornton remains bottom of the table but there were signs of life from the Scot in Glasgow that suggest he is up for the battle to avoid relegation.Despite a fifth defeat from six matches the Thorn averaged 101 and hit more than two 180s for the first time in the competition as he went down to a battling 7-4 defeat to James Wade. Robert Thornton (right) can draw confidence from his defeat to James Wade A single break was enough for the Machine, who moved into the top four, while Thornton is two points adrift at the foot of the table but with a game in hand over Michael Smith and Dave Chisnall. He plays Smith next week before Judgement Night.Rod Harrington believes there was improvement from the two-time major winner.The first six legs he held on to his throw at three legs apiece, Harrington told Sky Sports.You thought then he just needs to put one really good leg together to nick the throw and he would have a chance of his first win.But all of a sudden it was him who had the bad leg, Wadey stuck in a good leg and you have to give James credit - he is playing so solidly at the moment and he got over the line.There was improvement from Thornton but just a few too many edgy legs.Top spot up for grabs Van Gerwen will be determined to hold off the chasing pack The battle for the next two weeks will be at the bottom as the scrap to avoid relegation goes to the wire, but a quick glance at the top of the table suggests there could be a new name on top of the regular-season standings.Michael van Gerwen has topped the last three renewals and before him Taylor had topped the first eight editions of the tournament.The Dutchman currently sits top of the pile by one leg from The Power, with the pair just one point clear of Anderson and Wade, who complete the top four. Taylor had a message for Van Gerwen after their Premier League draw Anderson and Wade are previous winners of the competition and will pose a huge threat to the big two - Taylor would love to pinch top spot, MVG admits he wants to finish top. Lewis, despite his inconsistency, is only three points back and would be a threat if he can find his best on a more regular basis.It could be quite a battle before we even get to the O2. Also See: MVG and Taylor duke out draw WATCH: MVGs 170 checkout Fixtures/Results Prem Table ' ' '