NEWS » Batum and Wesley Matthews all left the Blazer

Olympic veteran David Andersen says mixed results in their warm-up games hasnt changed Australias end goal in Rio of a basketball gold medal.The Australians arrived in the Olympic city on Monday night with two wins tempered by two losses during preparations but Andersen, playing in his fourth Games, wasnt reading too much into the results.We try not to gauge ourselves in the warm-up games because its about getting the team on the same page, he said.Youre learning new offence, new teammates so its a matter of building progress in your team and weve been doing that.While USA are the heavy favourites to win gold, which they have done at the past two Olympics, Andersen said the Boomers were in it to win it.Weve always said the target is a medal so we are going for that gold medal, he said.Weve put the bar high and expectation is high so were coming out to try to live up to that.Point guard Patty Mills didnt play against China due to a virus but is expected to turn out for a midweek scrimmage against Spain before their opening Olympic game against France on August 6.Star centre Andrew Bogut looked to have pulled up well on his injured knee as he arrived in Rio from Sao Paulo after his first game in six weeks against China on Sunday.Andersen said Bogut brought more to the team than just skills.He has a great presence around the team, the 36-year-old said said.He has experience, hes won a championship and he brings an air of confidence to our team so its great to see him on the court again. USWNT Store .C. -- Kemba Walker and the Charlotte Bobcats got off to a fast start, and the Sacramento Kings were never quite able to catch up. Cheap USWNT Jerseys . Perez, 35, posted a 1-2 record with a 3.69 earned-run average in 19 relief appearances last season. His season ended Aug. 9 due to a torn ligament in his left elbow. Perez joins infielder Andy LaRoche and catcher Mike Nickeas with minor-league agreements for 2014 that include invitations to attend spring training. https://www.cheapuswnt.com/ . P.A. Parenteau scored early in the third period to help the Avs edge Toronto 2-1 on Tuesday night. Cory Sarich also scored for Colorado (3-0-0), which is off to its best ever start. USWNT Pro Shop . The judges scored it 48-47, 48-47, 49-46 for Jones (19-1). It was the champions closest call. Despite the loss, it was a remarkable show by the confident Swedish challenger, who had the best of the early rounds and then hung on in the fourth and fifth. USWNT Shirts . Pierce was ejected in the third quarter of Indianas 103-86 win Monday. George Hill stole a bad pass and was going in for a layup, and Pierce hustled back and appeared to be trying to wrap him up. PORTLAND, Ore. -- A pregame chat with teammate Dwyane Wade inspired Jimmy Butler against the Blazers.Butler went on to have 27 points and 12 rebounds, and the Chicago Bulls opened a six-game road trip with a 113-88 victory over Portland on Tuesday night.Wade had 19 points for Chicago, which extended its modest winning streak to three games. Former Blazers center Robin Lopez added 13 points and 11 rebounds.I was talking to D-Wade before the game and he tells me to go out with a killer instinct, make them adjust to you -- go out with a full head of steam and show them why you are one of the best players in the league, Butler said. Thats what I try to do. Having D-Wade tell me that makes me think there is some truth to it.The Blazers, who had won five of six, were cold from the start, falling behind by as many as 26 points. Damian Lillard, who made just two shots from the field in the first half, finished with 19 points.Chicago, coming off a 106-95 victory over Washington on Saturday, was without Rajon Rondo because of a left ankle sprain. Jerian Grant made his first start of the season and had 18 points.The Blazers played their third straight game without starting forward Al-Farouq Aminu, who has a sore left calf and is expected to be re-evaluated next week. Meyers Leonard has been inserted into the lineup in his absence, but he struggled and played 15 minutes with no points.The Bulls built a 20-7 lead to open the game as Portland struggled, hitting just two of 13 shots. The Blazers were outscored 35-14 in the first quarter.Butler led the way with 11 points. Lillard, who was ranked third in the league with an average of 30.7 points a game, went 0 for 7 from the floor and didnt make his first basket until midway through the second quarter.Once we got in that hole we couldnt dig out, Lillard said.Butler finished the half with 19 points and the Bulls led 56-37. Wade had a two-handed dunk to extend Chicagos lead to 66-42.We believe in ourselves, we are buying into the system, everyone is working on their game, Butler said.dddddddddddd We are actually paying attention to the scouting reports and doing what were supposed to do to win.Blazers coach Terry Stotts was asked if it was just one of those nights for Portland.I dont know, I think its difficult to evaluate. You ask about effort? When you shoot 20 percent (in the first quarter) I dont think thats effort, Stotts said. So thats why its a little difficult to evaluate when youre struggling on the offensive end.TIP-INSBulls: The Bulls lead the league with an average of 13.6 offensive rebounds per game. They had 19 against Portland. ... Doug McDermott was also out because of a concussion. ... Lopez and LaMarcus Aldridge, Nicolas Batum and Wesley Matthews all left the Blazers prior to last season, leaving Lillard as the lone starter to return.Trail Blazers: The Trail Blazers hosted the teams first Pride Night to celebrate diversity and inclusion. Proceeds from special sweatshirts and a raffle will go to the Q Center, a local LGBTQ community center. ... At the half, the Blazers also honored athletes who participated in this summers Rio Olympics with Oregon ties, including hurdler Devon Allen and marathoner Galen Rupp.JERIANS START: Grant made his first start a memorable one. In addition to his 18 points he also had five steals.Jerian stepped in big tonight, guarding one of the best point guards in the league, Wade said. He just found out right before the game that he was starting and he played big for us tonight.BULLS IN PORTLAND: Chicago has won two consecutive games in the Rose City for the first time since 1995-98, when it won three straight.UP NEXT:Bulls: Chicago visits the Utah Jazz on Thursday night.Trail Blazers: Portland embarks on a five-game road trip, starting with the Houston Rockets on Thursday night. ' ' '