injury report Friday as questionable after getting his ankle stepped on at practice. Cheap NF | Forum

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. Jared Goff Rams Jersey . -- Al Jefferson beat up the Detroit Pistons in a key game in the chase for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. The Pistons are hardly the first team he has punished. Jefferson scored more than 30 points for the sixth time in nine games and led the Charlotte Bobcats to a 108-96 victory over Detroit on Tuesday night. He added 12 rebounds and seven assists, and sent Andre Drummond and Greg Monroe to the Pistons bench with foul trouble. "Hes a bad matchup for the entire league right now," interim Pistons coach John Loyer said. "We knew exactly what we was going to do -- they ran the same plays they always run -- but theres not much you can do to stop him." Jefferson had 24 points and 14 rebounds on Dec. 20 when the Bobcats rallied from a 20-point deficit to beat Detroit 116-106. "These games are what it is all about, especially with the Pistons chasing us," Jefferson said. "If you had told us before the season that we would be in this position, we would have been very satisfied. There are 28 games left, and were in the hunt." Kemba Walker scored 22 points, and Josh McRoberts added 14 points and 10 rebounds to help the Bobcats extend their lead over the Pistons to 1 1/2 games for eighth place in the Eastern Conference. "Our guys talked about it before the break, and said that everyone needed to do something to get ready for the rest of the season," Bobcats coach Steve Clifford said. "Whatever they did, they were all ready to go tonight, and it was obviously a factor." The teams will conclude the home-and-home set at Charlotte on Wednesday night. Drummond, coming off his MVP performance in the Rising Stars game on Friday, had 16 points, 11 offensive rebounds and 11 defensive rebounds for Detroit. That wasnt enough to overcome a terrible shooting performance by his teammates. "We didnt have the energy and concentration that I would have expected," said Loyer, who is 1-2 after replacing Maurice Cheeks last week. "Thats very disappointing. You cant let a good NBA team, and I think Charlotte is a good team, post that kind of start. "We had two good practices after the break, but it didnt carry over into tonights game." Detroit got double-doubles from all three post players. Monroe finished with 18 points and 10 rebounds, and Josh Smith added 12 points and 11 rebounds. The Pistons shot just 39.8 per cent, with Smith making only 5 of 17 attempts. The Bobcats got off to a quick start, making their first seven shots. Only four missed free throws by Michael Kidd-Gilchrist kept Detroit from digging itself a bigger hole. Even when Charlotte missed a shot, the Bobcats got the offensive rebound and found McRoberts for an open 3-pointer. "It was very important to us to have a great start," Jefferson said. "We know how important these games are, and we were able to start off the game by setting the tone." The Bobcats free-throw shooting didnt get any better -- they missed 11 of their first 14 attempts -- but they maintained a double-digit lead for most of the second quarter. Charlotte was ahead 54-43 at halftime. Detroit could have gotten a point at the start of the second half, following a technical foul called on Walker as the teams left the court for the break. Jennings, though, missed the free throw. Detroit was outshot 58 per cent to 36 per cent in the first half, but Charlottes struggles from the line and eight offensive rebounds in the second quarter kept the Pistons in the game. The Bobcats quickly moved ahead 67-49 within the first 5 minutes of the third quarter, but Drummond was active enough on the offensive boards to pull Detroit within 79-67, heading to the fourth period. He went to the bench with his fifth foul with 9:47 to play, ending the Pistons run. Detroit also started missing its free throws, going 1 for 7 to start the second half. NOTES: The Bobcats are 2-0 this season against the Pistons with both wins coming at the Palace. ... Detroits Rodney Stuckey, a subject of trade rumours because of his expiring contract, went 1 for 9 from the floor in the first half and finished with two points in 17 minutes. ... Jefferson pulled off a rare feat when he was able to talk an official into changing a call. Tony Brown whistled Jefferson for a delay-of-game violation, but after a brief discussion, the call was overturned. Alec Ogletree Jersey . -- Charlie Graham stopped 67 shots as the Belleville Bulls edged the visiting Guelph Storm 6-5 on Saturday in Ontario Hockey League action. Michael Brockers Rams Jersey . -- The Magic have their first victory of the new year. http://www.laramsfansshop.com/c-30-rams-tim-barnes-jersey.aspx . -- The proud fathers huddled near the Dallas Stars dressing room, smiling, laughing and telling stories while wearing replica green sweaters of their sons team. CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith has been ruled out for Sundays game against the Atlanta Falcons. Panthers coach Ron Rivera made the announcement following Fridays practice, adding that running back Jonathan Stewart (knee) and defensive tackle Colin Cole (calf) will not play either. Smith sprained his left knee during Carolinas 17-13 win over New Orleans last Sunday. The win assured the Panthers a playoff spot, but this weeks game looms even larger. Carolina (11-4) can wrap up the NFC South division title and a first-round bye by beating the Falcons. "Steve has actually improved a lot," Rivera said. "In Steves way he basically said if I had to I would play this weekend. He probably couldnt, but he would try." Rivera, however, said the team doesnt want to risk losing Smith for the playoffs. "Not a chance," Rivera said. "Its about going forward. This game is very important and we know it. But there are other things ahead, too." Rivera said if the Panthers dont win the NFC South and secure a first-round bye, he expects Smith would be ready to play next Sunday in the wild-card round of the playoffs. Smith leads the team with 67 receptions for 774 yards and five touchdowns. Ted Ginn Jr. is expected to start at wide receiver for Smith, but Domenik Hixon will see increased action. Falcons coach Mike SSmith acknowledged earlier in the week his team will probably alter how it defends the Panthers if Smith doesnt play. Mark Barron Rams Jersey. "Steve Smith is one of the most competitive, not just wide receivers, football players that Ive been fortunate enough or, weve been fortunate enough, to compete against," Smith said. "He brings a lot of energy. He brings a lot of passion to the way he plays the game. You do defend a little bit differently when Steve Smith is in the game based on where hes aligned and what the down and distance is, because to me hes one of the marquis wide receivers still in the NFL." Rivera said hes interested to see what Brandon LaFell will do as Carolinas primary wide receiver. LaFell is third on the team in receptions with 49 for 627 yards and five touchdowns. "Brandon has done nothing but take strides and get better as a football player," Rivera said. "And it will also be good to see as far as Ted Ginn is concerned and Domenik Hixon. These three guys have done some really good things for us. It will help us gauge where were at." The Panthers are also expected to lean heavily on tight end Greg Olsen, who has 64 receptions for 747 yards and four touchdowns. NOTES: Safety Robert Lester was added to the injury report Friday as questionable after getting his ankle stepped on at practice. Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap Jerseys From China Cheap NFL Jerseys Authentic Wholesale Jerseys China Cheap NFL Jerseys China NFL Cheap Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys ' ' '