News & Neuigkeiten » Hughes successor as captain when

SAN ANTONIO -- Manu Ginobili ran onto the floor as fans stood and screamed. He went to the bench, and they chanted his name. The sights and sounds of so many San Antonio spring nights were back Sunday -- and the real party might be just a few days away. Ginobili broke out of a slump in a big way with 24 points and 10 assists in his first start of the season, and the Spurs beat the Miami Heat 114-104 to take a 3-2 lead in the NBA Finals. Tony Parker scored 26 points, Tim Duncan had 17 points and 12 rebounds, and Ginobili had his highest-scoring game of the season as the Spurs became the first team to shoot 60 per cent in a finals game in four years. "Hes such a huge part of what we do and how far weve come. You can see it tonight in how we played and the results of the game," Duncan said. "Were always confident in him. ... we know he has it in him. We hope he can bring it forward for one more win." Danny Green smashed the NBA Finals record for 3-pointers, hitting six more and scoring 24 points. Kawhi Leonard finished with 16, but the stage was set when Ginobili trotted out with Duncan, Parker and the rest of starters in what could have been the last finals home game for a trio thats meant so much to San Antonio. One more victory and the Spurs Big Three, not Miamis, will be the one that rules the NBA. And a big reason was Ginobili, as hes been for so long -- just not during what had been a miserable series for the former Sixth Man of the Year. "I was angry, disappointed," Ginobili said. "We are playing in the NBA Finals, we were 2-2, and I felt I still wasnt really helping the team that much," Ginobili said. "And that was the frustrating part." On Sunday, it was all forgotten. "Hes obviously very popular. Hes been here a long time. Hes helped us have a lot of success over the years," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. LeBron James and Dwyane Wade each scored 25 points for the Heat, who host Game 6 on Tuesday night. They need a victory to force the first Game 7 in the finals since the Lakers beat the Celtics in 2010. Miamis Big Three formed a few weeks after that game, with predictions of multiple titles to follow. Now theyre a loss away from going just 1 for 3 in finals to start their partnership, while the Spurs could run their perfect record to 5 for 5. "This is the position were in and the most important game is Game 6," James said. "We cant worry about a Game 7, we have to worry about Game 6." Duncan won his first title in 1999, and Parker and Ginobili were with him for three championships since. They have been the perfect partnership, keeping the Spurs in the hunt virtually every year while teams like the Lakers, Mavericks and Suns have all risen and fallen in the Western Conference during that time. They remained unbeaten in Game 5s, including two previous victories when the series was tied at 2-2. Of the 27 times the finals have been tied at 2-2, the Game 5 winner has won 20 of them. Miami was the most recent loser, falling to Dallas in Game 5 in 2011 before being eliminated at home the next game. "Were going to see if were a better ballclub and if were better prepared for this moment," Wade said. San Antonio shot 42 of 70, right at 60 per cent. The last team to make 60 per cent of its shots in the finals was Orlando, which hit 62.5 in Game 3 against the Lakers in 2009, according to STATS. "They just absolutely outplayed us," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. "At times they were just picking one guy out at a time and going at us mano-a-mano. Thats got to change." Ray Allen scored 21 points on the night for the Heat as he watched Green shatter his finals 3-point record. Green has 25 3s in the series. Allen made 22 3-pointers in six games in 2008 finals for Boston. Chris Bosh scored 16 for Miami, Wade had 10 assists, and James had eight assists and six rebounds, but it was their defence that let the Heat down in this one. The Heat were within one with 3:05 left in the third before Green hit yet another 3-pointer and Ginobili followed with the stretch that turned the game into the fourth straight blowout of the finals. The crafty lefty plays with a flair developed on the courts of Argentina and perfected in Europe before coming to the NBA. He sees angles other players cant and takes risks few others would, but his style has been the perfect fit alongside Duncan and Parker. He converted a three-point play, tossed in a floater with his left hand as he drifted right, and found Tiago Splitter under the hoop with a pass to make it 85-74. He flipped in another runner with 2.9 seconds to go, sending the Spurs to the fourth with an 87-75 lead as fans chanted "Manu! Manu!" during the break between the third and fourth quarters. Ginobili had been averaging just 7.5 points on 34.5 per cent shooting in the series, making only three of his 16 3-point attempts. But Popovich made the finals second lineup change in two games, after the Heat inserted Mike Miller to start Game 4. Ginobili didnt make a start this season and certainly hadnt been playing like someone who belonged with the first five. But in the Spurs biggest game of the season, they remained confident he would break out, and they were right. "I knew that I was not scoring much and I felt it in the air. But I tried not to care about it. I know Im critical enough of myself to be worrying about what other people say," Ginobili said. It was the first time he scored 24 or more points since having 34 on June 4, 2012, against Oklahoma City, according to STATS. The AT&T Center crowd roared when Ginobili was the last starter announced, the cheers growing louder when he made a jumper -- originally ruled a 3-pointer but later overturned by replay -- on the first possession. He assisted on the Spurs next three baskets, and it was 15-10 when he later hit a 3 that did count. Parker picked it up from there, dancing his way into the lane repeatedly and scoring seven points in a 12-0 run that made it 29-17. Leonards 3-pointer with 4.7 seconds left, on an assist from Ginobili, made it 32-19 and gave the Spurs 12 makes in 19 attempts (63 per cent) in the opening 12 minutes. Greens third straight 3-pointer made it 45-28 about 5 minutes into the second quarter, and it seemed the trend of blowouts would continue. But James suddenly got rolling during a 14-2 Miami spurt that cut it to five on his third consecutive Heat basket. San Antonio made 21 of 34 shots (62 per cent) in the first half, opening a 61-52 lead on Parkers drive with 0.4 seconds left. Miami then ran off eight in a row to start the second half and get within one. They cut it to one again later in the period before Ginobili led the flurry that finished the Heat for good. It was a fitting finish if it was the last home game in the finals for San Antonios star trio, which has combined for 101 playoff victories together. Ginobili has said he might think about retirement as he turns 36 next month, and Duncan is 37. Both coaches said it was difficult waiting two days between games -- Popovich said it was "like death" -- though he did say it was great for the Spurs because they have some older players. The break seemed to help his team early, particularly Parker, whose energy sagged in the second of Game 4 as he struggled with a strained hamstring that he said could tear at any time and wouldve had him sidelined during the regular season. If things fall right for the Spurs, hell have plenty of time to heal after Tuesday. Notes: The last team to lose Game 5 of a 2-2 series and then win the title was the Los Angeles Lakers, when they beat Boston in 2010. ... The Spurs said Sunday that reserve guard Patty Mills had surgery to remove an abscess Friday and would miss the rest of the series. Mills had an infection in his right foot and the abscess developed between his fourth and fifth toes. Custom David Ross Jersey . The Australian is competing in his final season in Formula One and still looking for his first win this year. He will look to end Vettels run of six straight race wins on Sunday. Webber, who is fifth in the championship, earned his second pole from the past three races and 13th of his career. Fergie Jenkins Jersey Large .Y. -- Paul Byron and Matt Stajan scored as the Calgary Flames started a five-game road trip with a 2-1 overtime win over the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday afternoon. http://www.customcubsjersey.com/custom-ryne-sandberg-jersey-large-280n.html . On Tuesday, Ottawa placed forward Cory Conacher and defenceman Joe Corvo on waivers as trade rumours swirl around the Senators. Custom Mark Grace Jersey .com) - Christian Ponder will get another chance to prove himself for the Minnesota Vikings, with head coach Leslie Frazier announcing Wednesday that the struggling quarterback will start this weekends game against the Green Bay Packers. Custom Cubs Jersey China . -- Jakob Silfverberg is making himself right at home with the Anaheim Ducks, scoring four goals in his first four games.Free agent Aaron Hughes is expected to win his 100th cap when Northern Ireland play Slovakia in Saturdays friendly in Trnava. The 36-year old, who made his debut against Slovakia in 1998, will become only the 12th Home Nations centurion on a list that includes Sir Bobby Charlton, David Beckham, Steven Gerrard, Wayne Rooney, Frank Lampard and his fellow countryman Pat Jennings.He will also become the first outfield Northern Ireland player to reach the milestone. Northern Ireland train in Austria on the eve of their final warm-up game against Slovakia Michael ONeill was not giving much away on whether Hughes would play but it was ONeill who helped convince the defender to backtrack on his decision to retire from innternational football in 2011.ddddddddddddHe wanted to be part of a squad that could do something, ONeill told Sky Sports News HQ.You want people you can rely on and Aaron is certainly that. Hes had a fantastic career and its fitting he will have the chance to go to a major tournament.Steven Davis was named as Hughes successor as captain when ONeill took over.Everyone can learn from him, said the Southampton midfielder. Hes the ultimate professional. I dont remember Hughesy ever having a bad game.Jonny Evans shared a room with Hughes on international trips when he first made his breakthrough for NI.He is fantastic player and person, said Evans. Hes very proactive with his defending and the way he holds the line. Hughes holds off Pall Klettskard off the Faroe Islands during a Euro 2016 qualifier I hope from a personal point of view that he can go on to reach 100 because its a massive milestone.The only Northern Ireland player to pass 100 caps is goalkeeper Jennings who made 119 appearances, and the Northern Irish legend said: It will be an absolutely fantastic achievement. Nobody deserves it more than Aaron.Northern Ireland are currently on the longest unbeaten run (11) of any Euro 2016 nation and play Slovakia on Saturday in their final warm-up friendly. Also See: Euro 2016 Slovakia v N Ireland preview ONeill pays Hughes tribute Washington looking for omens ' ' '