ce to do 100, that is special.First of all, you have to be good. Then second of all, you do have to really approach the day properly. Beecause we have rested our guys.dddddddddddd Everybody has played. Weve been fortunate with our starting pitching that theyve been able to get

ATLANTA -- There was a buzz in the Hawks locker room after their long-awaited first look at their new starting five together.Clearly, Atlantas new big man has generated big expectations for the season.The Hawks final home preseason game on Tuesday night provided the first chance for forward Paul Milsap, who has made three straight All-Star teams, to play beside center Dwight Howard, an eight-time All-Star and three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year.Milsap was brought along slowly following a non-surgical procedure before training camp to reduce swelling in his right knee before making his first start in Atlantas 96-89 preseason win over New Orleans.Seeing Howard and Milsap finally playing together boosted small forward Kent Bazemores enthusiasm for the season.The ball moves really well for us, Bazemore said. Paul and Dwight have really good chemistry and theyre going to be passing the ball a lot to each other ... so they looked really good tonight.Howard signed a three-year, $70.5 million deal in July, giving Atlanta the legitimate center it lacked through much of the Al Horford era.Horford, now with Boston, was a big reason the Hawks reeled off nine straight playoff seasons, but even he said he wasnt a true NBA center. No one has ever said that about Howard, whose defensive rebounds and blocked shots have coach Mike Budenholzer thinking about fast-break opportunities.Howard, entering his 13th NBA season, is still only 30. He sees his move to his hometown as a fresh start and an opportunity to repair his reputation following eight seasons with Orlando, one with the Lakers and the last three with Houston.I really want to show the Hawks fans how dedicated I am to winning, Howard said. I think a lot of people have probably got it twisted with the things that have happened in my past but Im very dedicated to this sport, very dedicated to myself and winning and being whatever I can be for this team.---Here are some other things to know about the Hawks:NEW POINT: The other new piece in Atlantas lineup is point guard Dennis Schroder, who moves up after playing behind Jeff Teague for three years. Bazemore said Schroder, like Howard, boosts the Hawks defense. Defensively hes a stud and thats where it starts, Bazemore said. Weve got one of the best on-the-ball defenders in the league at point guard. Its just a pleasure playing with him and the grit he brings every night. Its huge for us.DELANEY THE BACKUP: Schroders backup will be rookie Malcolm Delaney. Veteran Jarrett Jack, who was still recovering from surgery to repair torn ligaments in his right knee last season with the Nets, was released on Thursday. Delaney, from Virginia Tech, has played in Europe for five years. Budenholzer said Delaney is not your typical rookie. ... I just feel very good about the way he has progressed and fit in with the group.KORVERS ROLE: Kyle Korver, 35, likely will open the season as the starting shooting guard, but for how long? The 3-point specialist saw his scoring average fall from 12.1 in 2014-15 to 9.2 last season. The Hawks could bring Korver off the bench if they opt for a bigger lineup with Bazemore at shooting guard and rookie Taurean Prince (6-8, 220) or Thabo Sefolosha (6-7, 220) at small forward.FOR OPENERS: The Hawks open at home against Washington on Thursday. After trying a later 8 p.m. tipoff for most home games last season, most night games will start at 7:30 p.m. this season.THE TRY FOR 10: The nine straight playoff seasons is the longest in franchise history and the longest active streak in the Eastern Conference. The Hawks set a franchise record with 60 wins in 2014-15, when they made their first appearance in the Eastern Conference finals. They fell back to 48 wins last season.Kevin Durant Shoes For Sale . -- Golden State Warriors coach Mark Jackson asked his players a simple question during Fridays morning shootaround: How many of them had ever been on a team 14 games over . Clearance Kevin Durant Shoes . They had already blown a double-digit lead, fans were hitting the exits, and a long seven-game road trip waited at the end. https://www.kevindurantshoescheap.com/ . -- Aaron Murray threw for 408 yards and three touchdowns, ran for another score, and led No. Kevin Durant Shoes Deals . Any real chance at payback wont come until the playoff. Still, Pittsburgh knows its taut 3-2 win over the Bruins on Wednesday night is a pretty good place to start laying the groundwork. "They are a very good defensive team," Penguins forward Brandon Sutter said. Wholesale Kevin Durant Shoes . -- Most satisfying to Russ Smith about No.CHICAGO -- The National League Central champion Chicago Cubs have lost just 24 of their 80 home games this season.The St. Louis Cardinals have delivered six of those losses. Theyre 6-3 at Wrigley Field this season.The Cardinals can steal another victory Sunday night when they play the rubber match of their three-game series against the Cubs.With their unlikely success at the famed ballpark, the Cardinals (81-73) remain focused on the NL wild-card race. They are one-half game behind New York and San Francisco, who are tied for the top spot.The records and all that dont mean that much, said Cardinals manager Mike Matheny, whose team is 9-9 against the Cubs. Weve got a whole lot of fighting left to do.Catcher Yadier Molina echoed that sentiment.We dont think about numbers, he said. We just come here and try to win games. Obviously, we know what kind of team they are. Theyre obviously the best team in the league. We respect that, but at the same time, we come here thinking about winning.The Cubs have their own goals in mind. After securing home-field advantage in the NL playoffs, the team is aiming for 100 victories.The Cubs are 98-56 after falling 10-4 to the Cardinals on Saturday. The Cubs last won 99 games in 1935, when they reached 100 victories.When you start the year, you think 90 wins; that should get you to the dance pretty much, said Cubs manager Joe Maddon, who won 97 in 2008 with Tampa and last year with Chicago. When you get a chance to do 100, that is special.First of all, you have to be good. Then second of all, you do have to really approach the day properly. Beecause we have rested our guys.dddddddddddd Everybody has played. Weve been fortunate with our starting pitching that theyve been able to get their normal turn. Thats probably the most important thing.Left-hander Jon Lester, who is scheduled to start Sunday, and the rest of the Cubs rotation have been able to stay relatively healthy.The biggest surprise overall is health, general health, Maddon said.When you get a starting group that has a chance to pitch 1,000 innings or close to it among five pitchers, thats the part thats really special.Lester (18-4, 2.36 ERA) posted his league-leading 18th victory on Tuesday when he held the Cincinnati Reds to one run in seven innings.His ERA ranks second in the majors behind teammate -- and fellow NL Cy Young contender -- Kyle Hendricks 2.06.Its a huge, huge honor to even be in consideration, Lester told reporters.Lester also owns a nine-game winning streak and is 9-2 with a 1.86 ERA at Wrigley this season. In eight career starts against the Cardinals, he owns a 2.22 ERA. With Lester and 2015 NL Cy Young winner Jake Arrieta, the Cubs are the first NL team with two 18-game winners since the 2004 Astros and first Cubs team with such a pair since 1989.For St. Louis, right-hander Carlos Martinez (15-8, 3.16) is scheduled to start Sunday. In his last outing, he allowed two runs in five innings against Colorado. The right-hander is 3-2 with a 4.85 ERA in 18 career games, including eight starts, against the Cubs. ' ' '