Globale News » e agents, including a $20 million

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- The Grizzlies know they have to stop blowing fourth-quarter leads. Consecutive overtime wins makes the needed corrections much easier for Memphis. Mike Conley scored five of his 20 points in overtime, and the Grizzlies beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 98-95 Thursday night to take a 2-1 lead in their first-round Western Conference series. "Obviously, were happy with the win but disappointed at the way we handled that last quarter," Conley said. "We knew they were going to make runs. We knew theyd keep fighting because thats what they do, and its the playoffs. Theyre going to make runs. Theyre going to make plays. They have two of the best players in the league." Still, the Grizzlies won their second straight overtime game this time after leading by 17 before going cold for most of the final 7:43 of regulation. Courtney Lee clinched the win, hitting three of four free throws in the final 10.9 seconds of OT. Game 4 is Saturday night in Memphis. The Thunder, who had the NBAs second-best record in the regular season, have to figure out how to shoot better against the team that ousted them in the conference semifinals in five games last year. "We just got to stay together, and we will do that," Oklahoma City coach Scott Brooks said. "Were down right now in the series 1-2, but just got to focus all of our attention after tomorrows review of the film together as a group and take it all to the next game and do our best to tie it up and take it home 2-2." NBA scoring champ Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook each scored 30 for the Thunder, who even got another four-point play in the final minute to force overtime. This time, it was Westbrooks turn with 26.6 seconds left. But Durant missed all eight 3-point attempts and was 10 of 27. Westbrook was 9 of 26, though he grabbed 13 rebounds. The Thunder hit only 3 of 12 overall in overtime. "Kevin is really prideful," Brooks said. "He loves what he does and loves doing it with the guys that hes playing with. He was frustrated a few times with himself missing shots he normally makes in his sleep." Durant said they have to get easier shots and will figure it out for the next game. "Personally, I think we missed a lot of good looks, some open 3s, some lay-ins, some I wish I could take back," Durant said. Zach Randolph scored 16 points and had 10 rebounds for Memphis, which now has won 15 straight at home. Tony Allen, who scored 16 points for Memphis, gave the Thunder one final chance at an improbable play to keep the game alive. After Lee split his free throws with 1.7 seconds left, Westbrook was racing up the right sideline trying to get a shot off before the buzzer. Allen tripped Westbrook, sending him to the line for three attempts. Westbrook hit the first, missed the second and then clanked the third off the rim on purpose. But Ed Davis tipped away the ball to seal the win for Memphis. Marc Gasol scored 14 points for Memphis. Beno Udrih added 12 points, and Lee finished with 10. Serge Ibaka had 12 points for the Thunder, which went 5 of 28 beyond the arc. The Thunder trailed 81-64 in the fourth quarter. Then they scored 17 straight with Westbrooks 3-pointer in the left corner tying it up with 57.3 seconds left, and setting up yet another thrilling finish between these teams. "We got to be better down the stretch is the thing that sticks out," Allen said. Memphis couldnt protect its lead by going completely cold after a hook shot by Kosta Koufos with 7:43 left. The Grizzlies didnt score again until Allens baseline dunk with 57.3 seconds to go. He then scored on a layup after stealing the ball from Westbrook for an 85-81 lead. But Westbrook made up for his turnover on the next trip down the court. He hit a 3-pointer and dropped to the floor on a hard foul by Allen. His free throw tied it at 85 with 26.6 seconds left. Memphis tried to hold for the late shot, but Conleys one-handed layup clanked twice on the rim before rolling off. Durants 3-pointer for the win missed harmlessly off the backboard, sending these teams into their second straight overtime. In overtime, the Thunder took their first lead since 9-8 on a three-point play by Durant for an 88-85 lead. Notes: Mike Miller checked in with 1:06 left in the first quarter for his first playoff game in Memphis since May 1, 2006, in his first stint with the Grizzlies. ... Memphis last lost at home Feb. 5 to Dallas. ... Memphis now is 6-1 in overtime games against the Thunder since the start of the 2010-11 season. ... The Grizzlies went 10-4 in games decided by three points or less during the regular season. Steve Nash Mavericks Jersey .C. -- The Bobcats announced theyve signed centre Justin Hamilton to a 10-day contract. Jalen Brunson Mavericks Jersey .5 million, four-year contract with the Texas Rangers that could be worth $32. http://www.officialmavericksfanstore.com...vericks-jersey/. -- Athletics manager Bob Melvin is already starting to run out of superlatives to describe Scott Kazmir. Steve Nash Jersey . -- Kansas City Royals right-hander Luke Hochevar will have Tommy John surgery that will sideline the pitcher for the season. Dwight Powell Jersey . Betancourt was 2-5 with a 4.08 ERA and 16 saves for the Rockies last season before tearing a ligament in his pitching elbow. He considered undergoing platelet-rich plasma therapy to fix his arm, but announced in August his decision to have Tommy John surgery. TAMPA, Fla. -- Joe Girardi found out about Derek Jeters retirement announcement the same way almost everyone else did: when the New York Yankees captain posted a letter to the world on his Facebook page this week. Girardi left snowy New York on Friday and arrived at spring training for his seventh year as Yankees manager, and he spent the first eight minutes of his 20-minute opening news conference discussing Jeters decision to retire after this season. "I think we were probably all a little bit taken aback by it," Girardi said. "Youre never sure how someones going to do it, but I had no inkling that thats what he was thinking." After missing the playoffs for just the second time in 19 years, the Yankees were back in business when pitchers and catchers reported ahead of Saturdays opening workout. Alex Rodriguezs locker was empty following his season-long suspension. Masahiro Tanaka inherited Mariano Riveras locker and Shawn Kelley got Andy Pettittes stall. Scott Sizemore, attending camp on a minor league contract, was assigned Robinson Canos jersey No. 24. Position players report next Wednesday, when Jeter holds a news conference at Steinbrenner Field to explain his decision. Girardi has exchanged texts with the 39-year-old shortstop but has not spoken with him. "This is going to be a guy thats hard to replace in your clubhouse and on your club," he said. "Its the nature of the business where people age and they move on and they go and do different things in their life, and in our life its a little bit quicker than some of the other working people of this world." Jeter was limited to 17 games last year after fracturing his left ankle in the 2012 playoffs and breaking it again last spring during his rehabilitation. Girardi said Jeter always told him "I feel great," but that he could sense frustration. After working out Friday with Brian Roberts at the Yankees minor league complex, Jeter demurred discussing his decision. "It makes no sense to do it here and then do it again over there, so Ill do it all over there one time," he said. And so now Jeter will go on a valedictory tour, much like Mariano Rivera did last year. JJeter is not the type to call attention to himself, making his public announcement before spring training all the more surprising.dddddddddddd "It could have been just watching how Mo did it, and how much fun everyone seemed to have with it with Mo," Girardi said. "He might have said, you know, its a pretty good way to go out." Jeter has won five World Series titles with the Yankees but none since 2009, and his final lap of the major leagues figures to set the theme as New York tries for title No. 28. His teammates looked forward to speaking with him after he reports. "Not really surprised, saddened I guess that hes not going to be around," ace pitcher CC Sabathia said. "You want a guy like that to play forever." Having witnessed Chipper Jones final season with the Atlanta Braves in 2012, new Yankees catcher Brian McCann is looking forward to Jeters last go-round. "Hes been the face of baseball since he broke in," McCann said. "I went through it with one Hall of Famer. Im going to go through it with another." David Robertson, inheriting the closers role from Rivera, hadnt thought Jeter would make his plans known before the seasons end. "But Im really glad he did," he said. "I think its going to give the fans a chance to come out this year and see him in his final season in pinstripes." Robertsons new job is one of many changes for the Yankees, who spent $471 million on free agents, including a $20 million payment to Tanakas old club in Japan. McCann and outfielders Jacoby Ellsbury and Carlos Beltran are among the many newcomers, and first baseman Mark Teixeira is returning from a wrist injury that sidelined him most of last season. Cano -- the Yankees top hitter -- left for a $240 million, 10-year deal with Seattle. Girardi predicted for the April 1 opener at Houston that Yankees players at every position other than pitcher will be different from opening day last year. The only time thats happened in franchise history was 1947, according to STATS. "I think it is probably the biggest transition Ive been through," Girardi said. "I need to learn a lot of new faces fairly quickly." ' ' '