the Camp Nou as a coach.---REINFORCED MADRIDCristiano Ronald

The Detroit Pistons and Cleveland Cavaliers will face each other Friday night for the first time since a somewhat chippy and intense playoff series last spring that ended in a Cleveland sweep in the first round. But the games were more competitive -- and physical -- than a typical sweep.Pistons forward Stanley Johnson, at the time only a rookie, bragged he thought he was in LeBron James head during the series. And if he wasnt, the Pistons certainly seemed to be targeting it.Andre Drummond clubbed James with a blow to the head during the series, and Marcus Morris caught James with a body shot. The series grew in intensity throughout, although both sides survived without serious injuries.James sat out Wednesdays loss at Indiana to rest, lowering the Cavs record in games without him to 4-16 since he returned to Cleveland three seasons ago. But hell be back in the lineup for Fridays game in Cleveland, and J.R. Smith could return after missing three games with a sore right ankle.The Cavs appear to have a decided edge over Detroit in rebounding. Although Drummond ranks second in the league in rebounding (13.8 per game), he isnt getting much help. The Pistons rank toward the middle of the pack in rebounding, while the Cavs rank fifth and feature two of the best in Kevin Love (10.8 rpg) and Tristan Thompson (9.9 rpg).The Pistons were smashed on the glass during Tuesdays loss at New York, losing the rebounding 52-40 while allowing the Knicks 19 offensive rebounds that led to 15 second-chance points. Given the number of extra looks the Knicks received, that figure shouldve been even higher.Well be able to go in and look at 10 or 12 plays that were just lack-of-effort plays, lack-of-focus plays, Pistons coach Stan Van Gundy told the Detroit Free Press. You cant afford that on the road and we continue to do that.The Pistons are perfect at home this season, but have just one road win in seven tries. Its a disappointing start for a team that expected to take a big leap after securing the eighth seed last season and pushing the eventual champions despite the sweep.Now the Cavs are rolling despite Wednesdays loss. Theyre among the league leaders in a number of offensive categories and coach Tyronn Lue believes they can play even better.Quickening the pace was a focus for Lue since taking over at midseason last year. He likes the way James pushes when the ball is in his hands, but believes the pace slows a bit when Kyrie Irving is in charge. After lagging near the bottom of the league in pace last season, the Cavs rank just outside the top 10 this year. They are one of 11 teams right now generating at least 100 possessions per game.I think offensively were doing a good job of sharing the basketball. Were trying to play with pace. We need to play even faster, Lue said. At times we play fast, at times we kind of slowly bring the ball up the court. So, if we play with pace were hard to stop. Air Max 90 Leather White . Luis Suarezs double powered Liverpool to a 4-0 victory over Fulham, and Southampton easily overcame Hull 4-1 to continue the south coast clubs impressive start to the season. Liverpool and Southampton sent Chelsea down to fourth place as the west London club was held to 2-2 at home. Fake Air Max 90 2019 . Ryan Garbutt had a goal and two assists as Dallas snapped a six-game losing streak with a 5-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday night. http://www.outletairmax90cheap.com/outlet-air-max-90-off-white-cheap.html . Houston won 3-0 to advance to face New York in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Last in the game, Di Vaio and Romero got into a shoving match with several Houston players. Romero appeared to elbow and kick Houston defender Kofi Sarkodie. Air Max 90 Ultra Outlet . 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. Air Max 90 Ultra 2.0 Essential Triple Black . Tracey comes to the Blue Bombers after spending over a decade with Queens University. Most recently he was the schools assistant football coach. MADRID -- Even rivals are coming out to defend Neymar after his late-game antics got him into trouble in the Spanish league.The Brazil forward use his ball trickery in Barcelonas 5-1 win over Leganes last week, prompting a wave of criticism from people who accused him of showing off and trying to provoke opponents. Neymar appeared to ignore the un-written convention that top players should not make lesser opponents look foolish.Three key former players who turned coaches supported Neymar on Tuesday, the day before Barcelonas game against rival Atletico Madrid.Neymar has fun playing football. They can criticize him as much as they want, but he responds where he needs to respond, Atletico coach Diego Simeone said. He has his own style. He is an extraordinary player.With the victory safely secured on Saturday, Neymar used back-heel passes and other nifty moves against Leganes defenders. He scored one of the teams goals in the 44th minute and was fouled inside the area -- leading to a penalty kick converted by Lionel Messi in the 55th.Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane said he didnt think Neymar was disrespecting his opponents.I dont think he is trying to provoke anybody, the former France midfielder said. He can do things that not a lot of players can do. You would have to ask him directly, but I dont think its a provocation.Barcelona coach Luis Enrique said Neymars style shouldnt surprise anybody.He has been playing like this since he got here, Luis Enrique said. And we want him to keep his playing like this, we enjoy it. He is allowed by the rules to do what he does.---RENEWED RIVALRYBarcelona is bracing for another hard-fought match against Atletico Madrid.The teams meet Wednesday in the first big game of the season in Spain -- the first encounter between the clubs since Atletico eliminated Barcelona in the quarterfinals of last seasons Champions League.Theres never an easy match against Atletico. Its practically the same team that has succeeded in receent years, and it will continue to contend for titles, Barcelona coach Luis Enrique said.dddddddddddd Its a direct rival. These are very important points that will be up for grabs.Barcelona is second in the standings with nine points, three less than leader Real Madrid. Atletico is fourth, four points behind Madrid after four rounds.Both teams have their top players available and are boosted by huge wins.Barcelona was stunned at home by promoted Alaves two weeks ago but rebounded with a 5-1 rout of Leganes on Saturday. It also trounced Celtic 7-0 in the Champions League. Atletico began the league with consecutive draws but picked up the pace with a 4-0 win at Celta Vigo and a 5-0 thrashing of Sporting Gijon.We will need to defend very well because Barcelona has a tremendous offensive power, said Simeone, who has never won at the Camp Nou as a coach.---REINFORCED MADRIDCristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale are expected to return to Real Madrids starting lineup for the game against unbeaten Villarreal at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday. The Spanish powerhouse has a chance to set a record with its 17th straight league victory. Madrid is tied with Pep Guardiolas Barcelona from the 2010-11 season, which won 16 in a row.The record is nice and we will try to achieve it, especially because we want to keep adding points, coach Zinedine Zidane said.Madrid is the only team to have won all four matches to start the league and has a three-point lead over Barcelona and Las Palmas.Ronaldo and Bale were rested in the teams 2-0 win at Espanyol on Sunday after a hard-fought 2-1 win over Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League.Zidane will not be able to count on defender Pepe because of a knee injury sustained at Espanyol.---Tales Azzoni on Twitter: http://twitter.com/tazzoni. His work can be found at http://bigstory.ap.org/content/tales-azzoni ' ' '