o seasons after being drafted because of foot problems, and even in visiting arenas there is an audible gasp every time the 7-foot center falls to the court. He got tangled with Ricky Rubio early in the fir

The form of Canberra Raiders pair Jordan Rapana and Joseph Tapine has been rewarded with places in the Kiwis training squad for looming internationals.The uncapped duo join North Queensland Cowboys joint Dally M Medal winner Jason Taumalolo in the wider group, after their clubs were eliminated from the NRL playoffs in last weekends semi-finals.Rapana has been one of the NRLs form wingers this season, scoring 23 tries and making 26 line-breaks, leading the competition in both categories.A former New Zealand Maori representative, he has also played internationally for Cook Islands.He made a strong case for Kiwis inclusion, benefiting from his destructive combination with centre Joey Leilua down the Raiders right flank.Tapine is a former Junior Kiwi, who transferred from Newcastle Knights to Canberra mid-season and immediately made an impact off the bench.Wrecking ball forward Taumalolo debuted for the Kiwis during the 2014 Four Nations and last played for the national side against Australia in the loss in May.Meanwhile, Wests Tigers centre Tim Simona and Brisbane Broncos second row Alex Glenn have dropped out of contention through injury.Those changes bring the wider squad number to 32, with a squad of 24 to be finalised next week after Sundays NRL Premiership final between the Melbourne Storm and Cronulla Sharks.The Kiwis play Australia in a Test in Perth on October 15 followed by the Four Nations tournament in England.Kiwis train-on squad:Adam Blair, Lewis Brown, Greg Eastwood, James Fisher-Harris, Addin Fonua-Blake, David Fusitua, Shaun Johnson, Jordan Kahu, Solomone Kata, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Thomas Leuluai, Sam Lisone, Isaac Liu, Tuimoala Lolohea, Issac Luke, Simon Mannering, Te Maire Martin, Suaia Matagi, Manu Mau, Sam Moa, Jason Nightingale, Jordan Rapana, Brad Takairangi, Joseph Tapine, Jason Taumalolo, Martin Taupau, Elijah Taylor, Jazz Tevaga, Bodene Thompson, Manu Vatuvei, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak.Houston Astros Shirts . -- New England Revolution goalkeeper Matt Reis is retiring after a 16-year career to become the goalie coach for the Los Angeles Galaxy. Jose Cruz Jr. Jersey . Los Angeles star goalie survived those perilous gymnastics with no problem, and he eventually backstopped the Kings to a skid-snapping win. Quick stopped 27 shots in his return from a 24-game injury absence, Jeff Carter scored the tiebreaking goal with 7:55 to play, and the Kings snapped their five-game losing streak with a 3-1 victory over the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday night. https://www.cheapastros.com/ . Aduriz headed home Markel Susaetas cross in the sixth minute to open the scoring at San Mames Stadium. He bettered that with a long-range blast that went in off the goal frame in the 18th, and converted a penalty in the 72nd after Diego Mainz was sent off for fouling Aduriz with only the goalkeeper to beat. Astros Jerseys 2019 . -- Bobby Ryan helped the U. Luis Gonzalez Jersey . McCarthy, a player who played some games in the second tier for Wigan at the start of this season, would go on to shine inside Evertons midfield, outplaying the man he was brought in to replace, on one of the grandest stages in English football. On Saturday, it was fitting that Manchester Uniteds most recent dagger into the chest was delivered by Frenchman Yohan Cabaye, a wonderfully gifted central midfielder who put on an outstanding effort for Newcastle at Old Trafford.MINNEAPOLIS -- The Philadelphia 76ers and Minnesota Timberwolves had a combined record of 5-16 heading into their game on Thursday night, which may not seem an ideal matchup to be featured on TNT.But the network folks understand that these two long-suffering franchises boast some of the most intriguing young talent in the league. And the Timberwolves showed just how much further along they are in the rebuilding process.Andrew Wiggins had 35 points, 10 rebounds and four assists to lead the Timberwolves to a 110-86 victory over the 76ers.Karl-Anthony Towns had 25 points and 10 rebounds and Gorgui Dieng added 12 points and 10 boards for the Wolves (4-7). The Wolves shot 50.6 percent and avoided the poor third quarter that had plagued them this season.I think that theyre a lot further ahead for all the obvious reasons, and its not a lack of respect or disservice to our guys at all, Sixers coach Brett Brown said. This group that youre looking at played with each other all last year, many, many, many, many games together.Joel Embiid had 10 points and 10 rebounds in 23 minutes after sitting out the front end of Philadelphias back-to-back on Wednesday night. Dario Saric led the way with 16 points, but the 76ers lost their 21st straight road game.Theyre young and theyre still going to get better, and thats where weve got to get to, Embiid said. When you learn how to play with each other, its easier to play.Wiggins made 14 of 20 shots, including 3 of 6 3-pointers. The Wolves had been outscored by a league-worst 91 points in 10 third quarters this season, but they led by 28 at halftime on Thursday night, rendering a minus-1 in this game moot.At times last year I would drift to the corner and stay there, Wiggins said. Im just being more active. My awareness is higher. Im doing more.In a matchup of two of the best young big men in the league, Towns blew past Embiid to throw down a ferocious dunk in the fourth quarter to get the crowd on its feet. He made 12 of 18 shots.TIP-INS76ers: The last time the Sixers won a road gamee was Jan.dddddddddddd 20 at Orlando. ... Nik Stauskas had 13 points and five rebounds. ... Philly scored just 33 points on 31 percent shooting, tied for its lowest scoring output of the season.Timberwolves: Wiggins entered the game leading the NBA in 3-point shooting at 55 percent. ... F Shabazz Muhammad (sore right knee) and G/F Brandon Rush (right big toe) were both out again.NERVOUS FANSEmbiid missed the first two seasons after being drafted because of foot problems, and even in visiting arenas there is an audible gasp every time the 7-foot center falls to the court. He got tangled with Ricky Rubio early in the first quarter and appeared to be clutching his left ankle as he went to the bench. He was able to return in the second quarter, much to the relief of NBA fans everywhere.He waited so long to actually play and now hes dominating, said Wiggins, who was college teammates with Embiid at Kansas. Hes playing short minutes, but hes still getting numbers and playing really good.Embiid hit the deck again in the fourth when Wolves forward Adreian Payne threw him down while wrestling for a rebound. Payne was given a technical foul.GOOD CROWDThe Wolves announced attendance of 16,866, easily the largest of the year. It came one game after the arena was half-empty for a game against Charlotte. The low attendance early has been a troubling sign for an organization that was hoping to turn the corner this season.The Wolves targeted this game and select others to cluster their group tickets in hopes of padding attendance. They also offered season ticket holders two free additional tickets to the game to try to get more fans, which have been slow to spend their money this season thanks to Minnesotas 3-7 start, out to the game.UP NEXT76ers: Head back home to host Phoenix on Saturday.Timberwolves: Hit the road after a four-game home stand to face Memphis for the third time already this season. ' ' '