oar but there are still close to a dozen players coming off contract at the end of the season, including Maclaren, Broich, defender Luke DeVere, mmidfielder T

LOS ANGELES -- With Blake Griffin hurt again, the Los Angeles Clippers will try to absorb his absence as they begin a three-game homestand Tuesday night against the Denver Nuggets. Astros Jerseys China .Griffin is scheduled to undergo a minor arthroscopic procedure on Tuesday to remove loose bodies in his right knee. Griffin, who has been hurting for several games, is expected to be out three to six weeks.The five-time All-Star leads the team in scoring at 21.2 points per game. He also is collecting an average of 8.9 rebounds and 4.6 assists.It is the second consecutive season injuries are sidelining Griffin. Last season, he sat out 45 games with a quad ailment and a broken hand, the latter of which was sustained during an altercation with a team trainer. He aggravated the quad again in last seasons playoffs when the Clippers were eliminated in the opening round by the Portland Trail Blazers.Griffin scored 26 points in the Clippers 117-110 loss to the Washington Wizards on Sunday. He also had seven rebounds and seven assists. However, after the game, a decision was made for him to have surgery.Griffins loss occurs at a time when the Clippers arent playing their best. The defeat at Washington left Los Angeles (20-8) with a 6-6 mark since roaring out of the gate with a 14-2 record. The Wizards shot 80 percent from the floor in a decisive fourth quarter to snap the Clippers four-game winning streak.Before winning four straight, the Clippers dropped five of seven contests. Defense, which had been one of the teams hallmarks early on, is failing the Clippers.I think us as a team, weve got to talk about it because weve lost confidence in our defense, point guard Chris Paul, who had 13 points and 12 assists against the Wizards, told the Los Angeles Times. And I think a lot of that starts with me, being on the ball. But no way should we have lost this game.The Nuggets (12-16) are coming off a 117-107 win over the Dallas Mavericks on Monday. Nikola Jokic tied a career high with 27 points to go with 14 rebounds and nine assists as the Nuggets claimed their third consecutive victory.Jokics near triple-double came a week after he scored 27 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in the 20-point loss in Dallas. A missed 3-pointer by point guard Emmanuel Mudiay in the final minute kept Jokic from reaching 10 assists Monday.It doesnt really matter, Jokic said of falling short of the triple-double. The game is more important than your name.An abundance of offense is the name of the game for the Nuggets. They are averaging 125.3 points during their streak. For the season, Denver is scoring 107.4 points per contest, which ranks seventh in the NBA. However, the Nuggets are allowing 109.4 points (26th).The Clippers are averaging 109.6 points per game, fifth best in the league. On defense, Los Angeles is giving up 101.6 points. Although that ranks eighth, those numbers have risen from the hot start when the Clippers were frequently holding opponents under 100 points per game.The Clippers won five of their past six meetings with the Nuggets. Gerrit Cole Jersey . Newcastle dominated in the early stages but City weathered the storm and then raised its game in extra time. Negredo broke the deadlock from close range after a simple move in the 99th minute before Dzeko took the ball round goalkeeper Tim Krul to seal the victory in the 105th. Andy Pettitte Jersey .Y. -- Injured Buffalo Sabres forward Marcus Foligno did not practice with the team Monday and head coach Ron Rolston said its unlikely hell play in Wednesdays season opener in Detroit. http://www.customastrosjersey.com/custom...large-936y.html . -- Stanfords Kevin Danser knelt on one knee and hardly moved on the sideline as Michigan State celebrated its Rose Bowl victory and his Cardinal teammates made their way to the locker room. Brisbane Roar captain Matt McKay is hopeful his off-contract teammates, including star striker Jamie Maclaren, will follow his example and re-sign with the A-League club.The 33-year-old has penned a one-season extension with the Roar, keeping him at his hometown club until at least the end of the 2017-18 campaign.McKay is currently one of Brisbanes marquee players, along with Thomas Broich, but the new deal will see him come under the salary cap when Tommy Oar and Brett Holman are elevated to marquee status next season.I had probably a 15-minute discussion with them, and then it was 30 seconds about a price, and we agreed, and it was done, McKay said on Tuesday.Im delighted to be staying, its a great club, Ive enjoyed my time here and the happier you are, the better you play.McKays signature is vital for the Roar but there are still close to a dozen players coming off contract at the end of the season, including Maclaren, Broich, defender Luke DeVere, mmidfielder Thomas Kristensen, playmaker Dimi Petratos and goalkeeper Michael Theo. Will Harris Jersey. With the clubs two marquee spots already allocated, keeping them all at the club is highly unlikely - particularly given Maclarens stand-off with Brisbane management over what his agent recently described as a disgusting first renewal offer.A few of the boys will (leave) but thats the nature of football, people will come and go, McKay admitted.But hopefully we can keep the core guys together because its a great group, theyre all good players, really talented and I want to see them develop.Hopefully this spurs on a few more boys to sign up.McKay, the clubs games record holder on 205 caps, believes he still has plenty of football left in him.I wouldnt say this is my last contract, but you never know. 18 months is a long time, he said. ' ' '