With one emotional hurdle cleared, Doc Rivers and the Los Angeles Clippers have to get back to business tonight when they visit the Brooklyn Nets. Vapormax Flyknit 3 Nz . You can watch the game as part of an NBA doubleheader on TSN2, starting at 8pm et/5pm pt. Later, the Portland Trail Blazers host the Houston Rockets. Rivers returned to Boston as the Clippers coach on Wednesday, and although he guided his Los Angeles squad to a 96-88 victory at TD Garden, it was an emotional evening. Rivers spent nine seasons at the helm of the Boston Celtics, leading them to an NBA title in 2008. While his split this offseason wasnt without some acrimony, the Boston faithful gave Rivers a standing ovation before the game and once again during a video tribute between the first and second quarters. "It was just a really nice day," said a highly emotional Rivers. "This is, its just such a classy place here. So it was really nice when I walked out and, you know Im not used to walking out on that side, and all those guys, the people, they lined up and I was basically useless for the first 18 minutes of the game. "I thought, it was just nice." The Clippers overcame a six-point halftime deficit with a 27-19 third quarter. They held on with a 30-24 fourth to earn their second consecutive win and push their mark to 3-2 on this seven-game road trip. Jamal Crawford came up huge down the stretch, netting 11 of his 21 points in the fourth. Chris Paul tallied 22 points, nine assists and seven rebounds in the triumph while Blake Griffin scored 18 points. Antawn Jamison hit a 3-pointer in the second quarter to go over 20,000 points in his career and the newest Clipper, Stephen Jackson, went scoreless in 12:18 of action. The Clippers finish this road trip Saturday night in Washington. Brooklyn also features some nostalgia for Rivers in former Celtics stars Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett. Those two, along with Ray Allen, were the centerpieces of the Boston title team, but the Nets already visited the Clippers this season, so Rivers has seen both. The Nets have won two in a row, including a home victory over the Celtics on Tuesday. Deron Williams returned from a nine-game absence and scored a season-high 25 points to go with seven assists. "Hes a guy who can put pressure with a single fast break," Nets head coach Jason Kidd said of Williams. "Just his presence gave everybody a lift." Brook Lopez scored 24 points and Alan Anderson added 15. Garnett and Andray Blatche finished with 11 apiece. Pierce returned earlier than expected from a hand injury. He played 22:14 off the bench Tuesday and had four points, all from the foul line. It was the first time Pierce and Garnett played their old team. "Its different," Garnett said of facing the Celtics. "But no matter whos playing on that team, Ill always have an affiliation with that." The Clippers downed the Nets, 110-103 in L.A. on Nov. 16 and have won three of the last five meetings. The Clippers have dropped five straight as the visitors in this series. Rockets at Trail Blazers (TSN2, 10:30pm et/7:30pm pt) The Portland Trail Blazers will try to avenge one of their two home losses this season when they welcome the Houston Rockets to the Moda Center. The Rockets knocked off the Blazers, 116-101, in Portland on Nov. 5. Of course, the Blazers were an ordinary 2-2 after that setback. No one in the NBA expected whats happened since, which is a 16-2 record, including wins in five of their last six. Portland earned a tough victory in Salt Lake City Monday night, defeating the Utah Jazz, 105-94. It was an off night shooting the 3-pointer for the Blazers, but Portland scored 44 points in the paint. "With our offense, I want us to be opportunistic with whatever the game gives us," head coach Terry Stotts said. "If it gives us 3s, we knock them down. If it gives us the paint, thats good too with LaMarcus on the block. One thing weve done well with offensively is we take what the game gives us." Aldridge, the reigning Western Conference Player of the Week, was the game- high scorer with 24 points. Damian Lillard finished with 18 points, followed by 16 from Wesley Matthews. Robin Lopez registered a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds. Nicolas Batum only managed seven points, but handed out 11 assists. Portland will embark on a four-game eastern trip following Thursdays game. The Blazers visit Philadelphia, Detroit, Cleveland and Minnesota on the sojourn. The Rockets have won two straight since losing two in a row. They begin a three-game trek west and will also head to Golden State and Sacramento. Houston received some great news at practice on Tuesday as Jeremy Lin was a full participant. He hasnt played in almost two weeks with a right knee sprain, but declared himself ready to go for Thursday night. "I feel good, no limitations," Lin told the teams website. "Ill be back (for Thursdays game). Im full go. (I might need) a little conditioning, or maybe Im not jumping as high off of that right foot, but I never really jumped that high off the right foot, anyway." Lin averaged 15.3 ppg before the injury. Omer Asik and Greg Smith both missed practice and are expected to miss the Portland game. Chandler Parsons was a limited participant because of back spasms, but hes going to play Thursday. Houston won two in a row at home, highlighted by a 98-88 victory on Sunday over the Orlando Magic. James Harden dumped in 27 points with 10 assists and eight rebounds, while Dwight Howard scored 20 points and grabbed 22 rebounds against his former team. "I just wanted to get the win tonight," Howard said. "Im just happy our team came out tonight, settled down and played basketball." Parsons had 18 points and Terrence Jones had a double-double with 16 points and 13 rebounds. The Rockets have won three straight over the Blazers and seven of the last nine meetings. Houston has won two in a row and five of six in Portland. Air Max Plus 97 Nz . "All he says is, its crazy," DeMar DeRozan told reporters following Torontos win over the Pistons Wednesday. The Raptors longest-serving members, Johnson and DeRozan have had two coaches and 56 different teammates in five seasons with the club, all without appearing in a single playoff game. Nike Tn Shoes Nz . - Aroldis Chapman, with two black eyes, has returned to the Cincinnati Reds clubhouse four days after being hit in the face by a line drive. http://www.airvapormaxnz.com/vapormax-97-sale-nz.html . Canada Day is here and with it comes Free Agent Frenzy as the NHLs 30 teams storm out of the gate for signing season.COPENHAGEN - They were the two toughest moments in Mathew Dumbas young hockey career. "I really wanted to make this team," a glassy-eyed, 17-year-old Dumba said back in December of 2011 when he was cut by the Canadian national junior team. "It was hard for me to wake up this morning and pack my stuff up. Its emotional, but Ill get through it, but just the experience was great. I had trouble sleeping for sure, I was up every hour and it was just one of those things. Its on your mind constantly. Its tough to go through." One year later he was back in front of the cameras and microphones as one of the final cuts. "I thought I played alright the first two games," an 18-year-old Dumba said then. "I felt I played pretty good the last one. Its tough; its a tough team to make. Im disappointed, but I understand at the same time." A trip to the world junior championship was so close and yet so far. WATCH: Thats Hockey profiles Dumba "Those were my first two times being cut so it was kind of an eye-opener for me, but made me a better player and made me who I am today," said Dumba, who will play a key role on Canadas team this year. "Its tough. Even as a 17-year-old your expectation is to go into camp, play your best and hopefully make the team and thats what I thought I did. Just unfortunate the last two years. Hopefully this years my chance. I have a great opportunity and Im just trying to seize it." "Any time any player goes through that, for two straight years, its always difficult on you and it leaves, maybe, some scars on you," said Brent Sutter, head coach of the Canadian junior squad, who also coached Dumba in Red Deer of the Western Hockey League. MIXED EMOTIONS Dumbas spot on this years Canadian junior team was in jeopardy not because he was on the roster bubble, but because he was in the NHL. The 19-year-old, picked seventh overall by Minnesota in 2012, was struggling to crack the lineup consistently so the Wild loaned him to Hockey Canada. "Even though I felt I should be in the lineup its all based on what the coaches think and what their choices are so as a younger guy Ive just kept with the workouts and the skates and did everything I could to get back in there," said Dumba, who has played 13 games this season, but hasnt suited up since Nov. 23. "Im fortunate enough to have this opportunity and come here and maybe have a lot more minutes than Id have in Minnesota." Dumba is averaging 12:26 of ice time a game with the Wild. "My emotions were a little mixed," he admitted, "you know, you want to be in the NHL and playing every night, but the reality was I wasnt and its awesome to be here and I know Ill have an awesome experience here." "I cant tell you whaat the conversation was that Minnesota had with Matt when they told him they would assign him to the world junior team," said Sutter, "but Id like to think Matt was pretty excited about that and the fact that now, in his third year, he gets that chance. Nike Air Max Tn Nz. " Dumba insists the feedback from the Wild has been positive. "They really liked my play and thought I was strong as of late. This was purely based on what they thought was best for me and going out and getting that extra experience." The experience in the NHL so far this season has certainly been beneficial to Dumbas evolution. "The consistency day in and day out," said Dumba when asked what has stood out. "They come to practice every day and guys are on their game. You dont really see a guy have a bad game. At most, he has an OK game and he gets better the next game. Its just that consistency. Thats the biggest thing Ive taken away from being a pro." The Regina native has had an opportunity to watch Ryan Suter, the NHLs ice time leader at 29:37 a game, up close. "I think the other night he may have played 35 minutes or something," Dumba said. "I was checking the box score. Its crazy watching those guys and how they play so many minutes at such an elite level. I think its crazy. I got pretty good role models there." And those role models had a message for Dumba as he departed for the world juniors. "All the Canadian guys said, Bring back the gold, but the Americans had a bit of a different conversation with me," Dumba recalled with a chuckle. Canada will wrap up the round robin with a game against the United States on New Years Eve. HE DESERVES IT Its possible Dumba wouldnt be at this point without the influence of Sutter, who twice led the Canadian juniors to gold in 2005 and 2006. "Hes played a huge role, especially last year," said Dumba. "He really pushed me to the limit and made me more reliable, more responsible in my own zone and all over the ice in terms of understanding the game and being an elite player in all areas of the ice." Asked to describe Sutter in one word, Dumba pauses for a few second, laughs, and says, "intense." "I think we both know each other so he knows what I can bring and I know what he expects so I think everything will got smooth." As for Sutter, the no-nonsense taskmaster allows for a moment of sentimentality when talking about how Dumba will finally get a shot at wearing the Maple Leaf at the world juniors after so much heartache. "He deserves it," said Sutter. "Hes been one of the best defencemen not only in the Western Hockey League, but in our country for the last year. Were leaning on him to be a big part of this team." ' ' '