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Two teams in the headlines will do battle in the Western Conference semifinals when the Oklahoma City Thunder host the Los Angeles Clippers in the series-opener Monday night at Chesapeake Energy Arena. For the second-seeded Thunder, "Mr. Unreliable" became something of a rallying cry. The Oklahoman ran that headline describing Kevin Durant, who will probably be handed the leagues MVP award before a home game during this series. Durant responded with 36 and 33 points in the final two games against the Memphis Grizzlies, both double-digit victories for OKC in elimination games during the first round. "Hes one of the best players on the planet," Oklahoma City coach Scott Brooks said of his superstar. "Hes going to continue to help us win games and move us forward, not only with his shot-making, but his playmaking." Sadly, the Clippers headlines were of a much more serious tone during the first round against Golden State. Their owner, Donald Sterling, was caught on tape making racist comments. It affected the team in its Game 4 loss, then, before Game 5, NBA commissioner Adam Silver banned Sterling for life and prompted the Board of Governors to force Sterling to sell the team. Through this tumultuous time, the third-seeded Clippers hung on for a Game 7 win over the Warriors. "I just wanted us to win the game," said Clippers coach Doc Rivers. "Not because of all of this stuff, but this team just needed this win. I thought our guys fought. The adversity, they went through it. It drained them and they found enough energy to find a way to win the game." Each team features two superstars. For the Thunder, Durant averaged 29.9 points, 9.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.6 blocks against the Grizz. Granted, Durant shot 44 percent and 32 percent from 3-point range, which are low numbers by his standards. Russell Westbrook averaged 25.6 points in the Grizzlies series, but he took 23 shot attempts a game, which was the same number as Durant. Westbrook shot 38 percent from the field and committed 4.9 turnovers per game. For LA, Chris Paul is the leader and scored 22 points and handed out 14 assists in the Game 7 victory. Blake Griffin blossomed into a well-rounded offensive machine. And special mention to Clippers big man DeAndre Jordan, who averaged 12.1 points, 15.1 rebounds and 4.0 blocks against the Warriors. During the season, the two squads were evenly matched. The Thunder have won five of the last seven meetings, but the two sides split four games this season and each team managed a win on the road. The Thunder were eliminated in this round last season by the Grizzlies when Westbrook got hurt in the first round against the Houston Rockets. The Clippers have never advanced past the second round in franchise history. Game 2 will be Wednesday night in OKC. Tyus Jones Jersey . -- For one night, Nick Calathes provided a big reason to believe the Memphis Grizzlies might be able to withstand the loss of Mike Conley on a short-term basis. Dario Saric Jersey . I kind of got a taste of being able to pick a suit with the draft lottery, I went with the bow tie. http://www.timberwolvesgear.com/authentic-kevin-garnett-timberwolves-jersey/ . The Oilers jumped into the free agent market early by signing defencemen Keith Aulie (six-foot-six, 228 pounds) and Mark Fayne (6-3, 210 pounds) and left-winger Benoit Pouliot (6-3, 197-pounds). Two days earlier MacTavish traded lightweight forward Sam Gagner to Tampa Bay for 6-3, 203-pound right winger Ted Purcell. Josh Okogie Jersey . -- Kyrie Irvings last-minute 3-pointer helped seal another victory for Cleveland -- and the Cavaliers longest winning streak since LeBron James left. Robert Covington Jersey . Fielder ended 4-for-5 with a solo homer, while Avila was 4-for-4 with two runs scored for the Tigers, who put the brakes on a three-game skid and rebounded from a loss in Mondays opener. Victor Martinez and Austin Jackson both contributed two hits, an RBI and a run scored as Detroit maintained its healthy lead atop the AL Central.ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Andrew Cogliano already never leaves the Ducks lineup, and the speedy forwards new contract extension will keep him in Anaheim for four more years. Cogliano agreed to a $12 million extension through the 2017-18 season with the Ducks on Saturday. Cogliano is on pace for the best season of his NHL career with 13 goals, 12 assists and a plus-16 rating in 43 games, but the durable playmaker had no interest in testing the free agent market this summer at the risk of disrupting a good situation in Anaheim. "Im really happy it came together," Cogliano said in a phone interview. "Coming into this year, my goal was to play good enough to get an extension. There was never an idea I wanted to get into free agency and hit a home run." Usually playing on a line with fellow veterans Saku Koivu and Daniel Winnik, Cogliano has provided speed and secondary scoring for the Pacific Division leaders during their 30-8-5 start. Their line also gets the checking assignment against most opponents top scorers. "Its pretty obvious I have a great situation here," said Cogliano, who has scored four goals in the Ducks last five games. "I play on a line with two guys that complement me, two guys that are veteran guys, and if it wasnt for them, I dont know if Id be in this situation." The Ducks also know they can count on Cogliano: He has played in 501 straight games since the start of his NHL career with Edmonton in October 2007. Just five players in NHL history have played in 500 straight games to start their career, and Coglianoo is the first to do it since Doug Jarvis, who played from 1975-88.dddddddddddd. Cogliano has the NHLs third-longest active streak of consecutive games played behind St. Louis Jay Bouwmeester (676) and Vancouvers Henrik Sedin (671). The Ducks acquired Cogliano from the Oilers in July 2011 for a second-round draft pick, and he has acknowledged motivation from Edmontons decision to give up a former first-round selection. Cogliano has 74 points in 173 career games with Anaheim after scoring on a breakaway in the Ducks 5-2 win over the Oilers on Friday night. Cogliano, who is making $2.67 million this season, appears to be a good value for Anaheim at $3 million per season over the next four years, particularly now that his hands have begun to match his speed. Always known as a fleet-footed forward who lacked a world-class finishing touch, Cogliano is on pace for a 25-goal season while providing his usual help with forechecking and two-way play. "I think the number is fair," Cogliano said. "This season I think Ive made great steps, and the number is where it needs to be in terms of market value, and Im really happy it came together." The Ducks decisions on long-term contract extensions for their core players have worked out exceptionally well lately. Star forwards Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry have been outstanding in the first seasons of two eight-year extensions worth a combined $135 million, while defenceman Cam Fowler has matured into a U.S. Olympic team member in the first season of his five-year, $20 million deal. ' ' '

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