Albion sent Arsenal up to sixth.Our solidarity

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Al Jefferson is happy he didnt make the All-Star game. Kemba Walker said it might be a huge blessing for the Charlotte Bobcats that the big man got a few days off to rest his 29-year-old legs for the stretch run, particularly with four games in five nights coming out of the break. "Im glad he didnt make it either," Walker said with a laugh. "Hes fresh now. And you dont have to make the All-Star game to be an All-Star. I know hes a great player and unguardable in the post." Jefferson dominated the Pistons for the third time this season Wednesday night, and Walker played his best game since returning from an ankle injury to lead the Bobcats to back-to-back wins over Detroit, 116-98. Jefferson scored 29 points, while Walker had 24 points and a career-high 16 assists. The win gives the Bobcats (25-30) a sweep of the season three-game series and a 2 1/2-game lead over the Pistons in the race for the eighth playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. "We had a bad reputation around this league for a long time, at least since Ive been here," Walker said. "Coach (Steve Clifford) has done a great job of changing the culture. We just want to win. We dont want to be those Bobcats where guys come in here and beat us up every night." The 6-foot-10, 289-pound Jefferson, who had 32 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists in Tuesdays 108-96 win at Detroit, went 12 of 20 from the field and grabbed eight rebounds. He has scored at least 20 points in 16 of the last 18 games and barely missed his seventh 30-point game in the last 10 games. Jefferson said the Bobcats (25-30) are playing their best basketball of the season as they gear up for the stretch run and a shot at the franchises second career playoff appearance. "We have been a top 10 on defence all year," Jefferson said. "But now our offence is picking up and were learning how to play with each other." Frustration seems to be setting in for the Pistons, who have lost nine of 14. Brandon Jennings had 20 points for Detroit before being ejected from the game with 1:13 left after picking up his second technical foul for arguing a call. Jennings did not speak to the media after the game. "We definitely have to do a better job as a team of keeping our composure, especially in tough games like this," teammate Greg Monroe said. "Down the stretch these games mean a lot. You know, keeping a level head and playing hard, as a team is something were going to have to do." Coach John Loyer said its not too late to regroup. "Its two games," Loyer said. "Granted its two that we wanted to get, two we needed to get, but we didnt get them. You move on. You figure out your next plan and you just try to go win the next game." Josh McRoberts chipped in with 15 points for the Bobcats and Ramon Sessions had 10 points and 10 assists off the bench. But its Jefferson who is setting the tone. "We are just getting acclimated to Al," Walker said. "It took a little while but we know how to play with him and play off him. He makes all the right plays. All we have to do is get him the basketball in the right spots all we have to do is make shots." The Bobcats led by six at halftime, but opened the second half with a 17-3 tear to take a 70-50 lead behind 3-pointers from Walker, McRoberts and Gerald Henderson. The Pistons got within nine in the fourth quarter, but McRoberts buried a pair of 3-pointers and Walker hit a jumper to put the Bobcats safely ahead. Loyer stressed before the game the importance of starting fast, but Monroe and Josh Smith combined to miss their first 14 shots. Meanwhile the Bobcats got off to a fast start for the second straight night, hitting 7 of 9 shots to start the game and build a double-digit first quarter lead. Cody Zeller brought immediate energy and production off the bench for the Bobcats with a career-high three blocked shots. NOTES: Former South Carolina Gamecocks defensive end and top NFL draft prospect Jadeveon Clowney attended the game. ... Charlotte had lost five straight games at home to Detroit prior to Wednesday night. ... The more aggressive Bobcats dominated on the boards, outrebounding the Pistons 49-31. Jim Thome Indians Jersey . They have homered once every 27.3 at bats, which just happens to be the third best mark in the American League, albeit just 10 games into the season. Nick Wittgren Jersey . INJURIES - Cardinals 1B Matt Adams has been put on the DL with calf tightness, resulting in some lineup shifting, with Allen Craig moving from right field to first base, so that the Cardinals could bring up top prospect Oscar Taveras, who was the No. http://www.indianssale.com/indians-carlos-carrasco-jersey/ .com) - Troy Brouwer scored the game-winning goal with just 12. Larry Doby Indians Jersey . Thornton emerged as one of the leagues best defensive ends against the run in 2013. The former undrafted free agent from Division II Southern Arkansas led Philadelphias linemen with 78 tackles and had one sack. Bob Feller Jersey . - Pittsburgh Steelers president Art Rooney II says the NFL has told the team it will not be docked a pick in this years draft for coach Mike Tomlins foray onto the field against Baltimore last November.LONDON - With Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney scoring as Manchester United eased to a third successive victory, the fallen giants of English football appeared to be on the right track again on Saturday.However, leader Chelsea had its first real stumble, failing to score for the first time this season and being held to a 0-0 draw at Sunderland.Uniteds 3-0 victory over Hull ensured the Red Devils will complete a second successive weekend in the top four for the first time since Alex Ferguson retired as manager after winning the 2013 title.After a poor season under David Moyes, manager Louis van Gaal is slowly rebuilding confidence while contending with injuries as United pushes for a return to the Champions League.Uniteds opener came from a surprise source, with defender Chris Smalling scoring his first goal in 11 months, with goal-line technology confirming goalkeeper Allan McGregor failed to keep it out. Van Persie is expected to be finding the net regularly, but hit only his fourth goal of the season — a 66th-minute strike into the roof of the net — after setting up Rooneys fifth just before half time.It is the first match that we have dominated the game from the first minute until the last minute and in a way that I like, Van Gaal said.United cut its deficit to 11 points behind leader Chelsea, which was kept in check by a defensive-minded Sunderland.The other team wanted to stop us winning, Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho said. To defend well and aa lot isnt a crime.dddddddddddd Its part of the game. Its strategy. My players tried everything.Arsenal and Liverpool are out of the top four despite both posting 1-0 victories on Saturday. Glen Johnsons late scrambled header enabled 11th-placed Liverpool to overcome Stoke, while Danny Welbecks goal at West Bromwich Albion sent Arsenal up to sixth.Our solidarity got us through when the legs went in the last 10 minutes, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said. Defensively we were maybe a bit more stable today.West Ham rose to fifth by ending Newcastles five-game winning run. Aaron Cresswell clinched the 1-0 victory early in the second half before Newcastle midfielder Moussa Sissoko was sent off in the 76th after receiving two quick yellow cards.Queens Park Rangers climbed off the bottom after Charlie Austin clinched a 3-2 victory over Leicester, which sunk to the foot of the standings. Burnley remains sandwiched between QPR and Leicester, after Danny Ings scored a late penalty to cancel out Joe Coles goal for Aston Villa in a 1-1 draw.There was also a 1-1 draw between Swansea and Crystal Swansea. Mile Jedinak, who scored Palaces equalizer from a penalty, paid a pre-match tribute to fellow Australian Phillip Hughes, placing a cricket bat on the field to honour the cricketer who died after being hit by a ball.On Sunday, theres a meeting between second and third with Southampton hosting champion Manchester City, while Everton is at Tottenham. ' ' '