he stretch the guys made plays, Griffin said.A PLUM AD

EUGENE, Ore. -- Allyson Felix is supposed to be cementing her track legacy this summer.Instead, she comes into U.S. Olympic trials hobbling, unsure and simply hoping for third place.On a slow, painful comeback from a freak injury to her right ankle, the most decorated female sprinter in U.S. history will have to grit out spots on the 200 and 400-meter teams to have a chance to become the first woman to capture that double at the Olympics.The trials were supposed to be little more than a warmup and a bon voyage party for the 30-year-old, six-time Olympic medalist. But when Felix landed awkwardly on a medicine ball while doing core exercises at her gym in Los Angeles two months ago, everything changed.Ive never seen my ankle that big before, and it happened just immediately, she said. When it happened, there were a number of thoughts running through my head. A scary moment. Id never had anything like that happen before.After the fright, came frustration and a slow recovery.Shes had to alter her workout routine, including running the wrong way around the track, so as not to put as much strain on her right ankle, which, as the outside ankle, is more at risk over counterclockwise trips around the oval.She has not been able to prepare for the grueling schedule that the double will require in Rio. It was Felixs camp that pushed for the scheduling change the International Olympic Committee granted in order to make the double possible. Even with the adjustment, Felix will have to race on five consecutive days, including Aug. 15, which features 200-meter prelims in the morning and the 400 final at night.Maybe most alarming, Felix has barely raced this year. The 400-meter prelim Friday will be only her second test of the ankle in real competition since the injury.She concedes she has thought about scaling back her schedule, maybe to focus on the 200 meters -- her specialty, and the one at which shes won three gold medals at world championships and a gold and two silvers at the Olympics.She hasnt been able to let go of her dream, though.I set those goals long ago, she said. I wanted to fight to be able to have that opportunity. I dont know if Ill ever have it again.Here are five more things to watch at Olympic track trials, starting Friday:ANOTHER DOUBLE?: The worlds best time at 200 meters this year doesnt belong to Usain Bolt. Or Justin Gatlin. Or any other runner who is known for that distance. Rather, it belongs to American LaShawn Merritt, a 400-meter specialist whose 200 time of 19.78 in April is the best of 2016. Merritt is entered in both the 200 and 400, and the mens schedule at the Olympics is even more friendly for a 2-4 double. Michael Johnson is the only man to do that, back in 1996.ANOTHER RECORD: At the last Olympic trials, Ashton Eaton broke an 11-year-old world record in decathlon. He broke it again last year at world championships. Whats in store next? The defending Olympic champion doesnt go into meets thinking about setting records, but he does believe in Hayward Magic, that mystical feeling he gets when running and throwing at what is, essentially, his home track -- Hayward Field. He said it all but carried him across the line in the 1,500 meters -- the final event of the 2012 decathlon, when he needed to beat his personal best at that distance to set the record. Eatons record now stands at 9,045 points.FIRST THINGS FIRST: Barring surprises, Gatlin will be the main challenger to Usain Bolt when the Olympics roll around. But the 34-year-old has to earn his spot first. It shouldnt be a problem, but with the U.S. rules, in which the top three qualify with no exceptions for past champions or top performers, Gatlin knows hes a false start or a stubbed toe away from being on the outside looking in. You think Olympic Trials, its a dream. Its making dreams happen. People are running with dreams in their eyes, and thats when people are most deadly, he said.DOUBLE THREAT: Before receiver Marquise Goodwin checks into training camp with the Buffalo Bills, he may have to make a short detour. He doubles as a long jumper and has a chance to make it to his second Olympics. The two-time NCAA champion finished 10th at the London Games. He said that less-than-satisfying result gave him a sense of unfinished business. When he started training again under the guidance of 2004 Olympic champion Dwight Phillips, Bills coach Rex Ryan told Goodwin he could have a pass on training camp if he makes the U.S. team.ALL AGES: Among those with good chances to make the Olympics are 18-year-old Vashti Cunningham, the high jumper who is the daughter of former NFL star Randall Cunningham, and 17-year-old sprinter Candace Hill, who has dubbed 2016 the Year of the Youth. On the other end, theres 40-year-old shot putter Adam Nelson, who came out of retirement to try to make his fourth Olympic team.Malik Monk Jersey . Fred Couples, captain of the U.S. side, put it all into perspective. "We know whos in charge," he said. Malik Monk Hornets Jersey . -- Al Jefferson found a groove just in time for the Charlotte Bobcats. http://www.hornetsteamproshop.com/Cheap-Marvin-Williams-Hornets-Jersey/ . -- Bryant McKinnie came out of his stance and lowered his shoulder into a practice squad player, causing a crisp thud to reverberate in the Miami Dolphins practice bubble. Alonzo Mourning Jersey . - Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie never doubted he would bring back coach Dennis Allen for a third year despite back-to-back 4-12 records. Frank Kaminsky Hornets Jersey . Francis told several hundred members of the European Olympic Committees that when sport "is considered only in economic terms and consequently for victory at every cost .LOS ANGELES -- J.J. Redick came through at the free-throw line in the closing seconds to help the Los Angeles Clippers pull out a win in a game that saw the teams trade leads until the final minutes.Blake Griffin had 26 points and 12 rebounds, Chris Paul had 21 points and 14 assists, and the Clippers held off the Portland Trail Blazers 121-120 Monday night to sweep the three-game season series.Redick finished with 19 points, hitting all eight of his free throws -- including three in the final seconds to push Los Angeles lead to four points.Portlands Damian Lillard hit a 3-pointer with 1.7 seconds left for the final margin.It was an up-and-down game, back and forth, Blazers coach Terry Stotts said. Each team made not big runs, but little runs and that was kind of the ebb and flow of the game.The final minutes saw Clippers center DeAndre Jordan and Blazers forward Evan Turner ejected. Portland center Mason Plumlee was hit with a technical after he elbowed Griffin on a drive in his face, causing a cut on his upper lip that needed three stitches after the game.That only highlighted what was a roughly played game throughout.Im sure there is no love lost, Clippers coach Doc Rivers said. We play each other a lot and whenever you play each other a lot it seems like you get testy. We dont really care if you like us or not.Paul was also charged with a flagrant foul.Its just competition, Paul said. Guys out there fighting and trying to get a win and stuff happens.Paul hit a three-pointer with just over 2 minutes to play, and later added a pair of free throws to give the Clippers a 118-113 lead with 18 seconds to play.But the Blazers responded again, Lillard hit a pair of free throws himself. After Lillards last 3 the Clippers ran out the clock.It was probably our most competitive game of the year, Stotts said. It was a tough loss but I like the way we competed throughout the game. We got down and came back. It was a very good effort.C.J. McCollum had 25 points and Lillard finished with 24 points and eigght assists for the Trail Blazers, who lost their fourth straight -- all on the road.ddddddddddddhe way we played tonight is the way were supposed to play, Lillard said. This is what gives us our best chance against good teams, like they are. Its what weve kind of been missing on a consistent basis. We did a good job but lost the game. We want to win.The Clippers acted like they were going to dominate early, jumping out to a 38-27 lead at the end of the first quarter. They connected on 14 of 22 field goals (63.6 percent), came up with four blocked shots and outscored Portland 14-4 to close the quarter.But Portland charged back in the second, opening with a 13-2 run and then just kept rolling. The Blazers outscored the Clippers 33-18 in the second quarter to take a 60-56 lead at the half.I thought we did a great job early being an aggressor and then somewhere we lost it, but down the stretch the guys made plays, Griffin said.A PLUM ADDITIONThe 6-11 Plumlee had a strong game, finishing with 18 points, seven rebounds and five blocked shots.TECHNICAL AFFAIRStotts also picked up a technical when he objected to foul called against McCollum on a three-point attempt with 4:14 left. Redick hit all four free throws.No comment, was all Stotts offered.TIP-INSTrail Blazers: F Al-Farouq Aminu (back contusion) was called a game-time decision, but started against the Clippers. ... Lillard scored a team-record 695 points in the Blazers first 25 games, eclipsing Clyde Drexlers previous mark of 681 in 1988.Clippers: Backup PG Austin Rivers is undergoing NBA concussion protocol and missed Mondays contest. ... Monday marked the Clippers 247th consecutive sellout at Staples Center. ... G Raymond Felton returned to the team after missing the past two games to attend his grandmothers funeral.UP NEXTTrail Blazers: Host Oklahoma City on Tuesday night.Clippers: At Orlando on Wednesday night. ' ' '