Gildenberreich » how far weve come in the last decade, but at the same

Denver, CO (SportsNetwork.com) - Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried was able to carry the momentum from his starring role on Team USA this summer into the NBA regular season. Faried had 22 points, 17 rebounds and four assists in Denvers season-opening 89-79 win over the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday. Fresh off helping the United States win gold and earning All-Tournament honors at the FIBA World Cup, Faried was at his best for the playoff-hopeful Nuggets. Denver missed the postseason a year ago, finishing with 21 fewer wins than the 2012-13 season while dealing with a number of injuries. Every night I have to go out there and prove myself, Faried said. Finally healthy, these Nuggets hope to contend in a crowded Western Conference. Arron Afflalo chipped in 15 points and Timofey Mozgov tallied 13 and 11 rebounds. All 12 Nuggets that took the floor scored at least two points. Josh Smith netted a game-high 25 points to lead Detroit, which was without forward Greg Monroe, who is serving a suspension for a DUI arrest last February and is out for the first two games of this season. We just never got into any flow offensively, Pistons head coach Stan Van Gundy said. Denver led by two through three quarters and put the game away early in the fourth despite shooting just 5-for-22 in the period. One of those buckets was an 18-foot jumper by Faried, who hit it 12 seconds after checking in to extend the lead to six at the 5:48 mark. Detroit scored the next four points on layups from Andre Drummond and A.J. Augustin to get within two. Out of a timeout, Faried hit a pair of free throws amd Mozgov made one of two from the stripe before his tip-slam made it 84-77. The Nuggets made just 5-of-8 from the foul line after that, but got enough stops to hold off the visiting Pistons. Neither team led by more than six points during a balanced first half that featured 10 ties and 10 lead changes. Denver led by three after Nate Robinsons three-point play at 7:35 of the second, but the Pistons countered with nine in a row. Jonas Jerebko knotted the score with a triple and Kyle Singler capped the run with a 3-ball less than a minute later. The Nuggets responted from there, with Ty Lawsons step-back jumper near the end of the half sending Denver into the locker room leading 42-40. Afflalo came alive in the third, dropping 10 points on 4-of-6 to help Denver hold onto its lead. The teams played to a draw in the period, and the spread was 65-63 heading into the fourth. Game Notes The Nuggets have won six straight games in the series ... Denver outrebounded the Pistons, 51-45 ... Pistons guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, starting for the injured Jodie Meeks, shot 3-of-19 from the floor. Wholesale Hydro Flask Water Bottle . "We were left with the overall impression that the team wasnt trending toward being able to compete for a Stanley Cup," Capitals owner Ted Leonsis said in a news conference at the clubs arena. "And that was just a clear signal and why it was time to make those changes. Wholesale Hydro Flask Online . Scrivens stopped 48 shots and captain Andrew Ference scored in overtime as the Oilers pulled off a 4-3 upset of the Anaheim Ducks on Friday. http://www.wholesalehydroflask.com/ . Nowitzki scored 28 points, Harris had a season-high 14 for the second straight game and the Dallas Mavericks beat the Detroit Pistons 116-106 Sunday night. Wholesale Hydro Flask . None of them are Finlands Pekka Rinne, who stands as Canadas biggest challenge in Thursdays quarter-final round. Even while a young Finnish team has struggled with penalties, turnovers and a lack of offensive depth, Rinne has been a rock with a 1. Hydro Flask Cheapest . You can watch all the action on TSN2 beginning at 7pm et/4pm pt. Pineda won his second straight start last Wednesday against Chicago, as he held the Cubs to just four hits over six scoreless innings to run his record to 2-0, while lowering his ERA to 1.Argentina back-row Juan Manuel Leguizamon is delighted to be facing Australia at Twickenham on Saturday, live on Sky Sports 3, and wants a yearly visit to the stadium. The 33-year-old veteran is part of the Pumas squad for the Rugby Championship tie against the Wallabies this weekend, with the side hoping for a second victory after beating South Africa last month. Former London Irish forward Leguizamon is relishing a return to the English capital and believes the venue of the clash shows just how far his nation have come in his 11-year Test career. To be honest I would never have imagined we would be where we are when I started playing for the Pumas, said Leguizamon, who made his Argentina debut in 2005.Its amazing, the job that our union did, bringing the Jaguares team into Super Rugby, putting the Pumas in the Rugby Championship.I would never have imagined it. Were very happy to have these opportunities. Australia beat Argentina 36-20 in the Rugby Championship on September 17 and handed New Zealand the title. The competitions first match staged in the northern hemisphere represents a bold move by tournament bosses SANZAR, but one that has generally excited coaches and players.Australia boss Michael Cheika admitted his side would not have been eager to trade a home fixture for a trip to Twickenham, but Argentina are pleased to raise the profile of their game further in England, according to Leguizamon. Win the Rugby Trip of a Lifetime Enter a free prize draw when you buy tickets for Argentina v Australia at Twickenham We are really happy to be here, we love London and Enggland and its amazing to be playing at Twickenham again, said Leguizamon.ddddddddddddWe are enjoying it and all very happy to be here. Its a great opportunity to take, and its all about enjoying this week. Watch NOW TV Watch Sky Sports for just ?￡6.99. No contract. I would love to have this more regularly, definitely. I love London, having played for London Irish for three years.If we could do this once a year it would be amazing. I think its great for the sport, initiatives like this. Obviously its amazing to play in Argentina, but its brilliant for us too to be a part of a move like this. Highlights of the round 5 Rugby Championship clash between Argentina and the All Blacks. Its unbelievable for us how far weve come in the last decade, but at the same time this is where we are and we need to take these chances.We are improving and we are doing better but we need to keep moving forward, keep improving. We are looking for better results and to make steps forward. Tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.co.uk from £45 for adults, £25 for children (U16) and a family package (2 adults & 2 children) for £115. (Booking fees apply) Click here for details.You can watch Englands tour of Bangladesh, plus Premier League football and the Japan Grand Prix on Sky Sports. Upgrade now and enjoy three months at half price! Also See: Stuart Barnes talking points Team of the week WATCH: Greenwoods Favourite 5 Fixtures and results ' ' '