MPhillies: RHP Aaron Nola was transferred to the 60-day DL, ending his season. Out since Aug. 3 with a right elbow strain, the 23-year-old was 6-9 with a 4.78 ERA in 20 star

LOS ANGELES -- The Clippers regular-season record of 166-80 in Doc Rivers first three years as coach proves theyre one of the better teams in the NBA.Their postseason results, however, suggest something else.Theyve never gotten past the second round of the playoffs in pursuit of the franchises first-ever NBA championship.Now, time is ticking on Blake Griffin, Chris Paul and DeAndre Jordan, who enter their sixth year together. Griffin and Paul will be free agents at seasons end, while J.J. Redick is also in the final year of his contract.If the Clippers dont at least make the Western Conference finals, speculation is rife that the team could be broken up and rebuilt.We have the talent, leadership, tangibles and coaches, Griffin said, we just have to put it together.The Clippers went 53-29 in the regular season and lost to Portland in the first round of the playoffs, when Paul broke his right hand and Griffin reinjured his left quadriceps tendon, forcing both to miss the last two games of the series, which the Clippers lost in six.It was the latest in a series of playoff failures for a team whose potential has yet to be fully realized.In 2015, the Clippers lost to Houston in seven games in the Western Conference semifinals after blowing a 3-1 lead. In 2014, they bowed out in six games to Oklahoma City in the second round.This is the deepest, most talented group weve had since Ive been here, Rivers said. Thats why this year should be great.Los Angeles opens the season on Oct. 27 at Portland in a rematch of last seasons playoff series and opens at home against Utah three days later.Some things to watch for this season with the Clippers:HOW GRIFFIN GOES: After missing much of last season because of a broken hand and the quad injury, he figures to have extra motivation. Griffin averaged 21.4 points, 8.4 rebounds and 4.9 assists while limited to 35 regular-season games. His hand injury was the result of a fight with a former staff member and landed him a four-game suspension and a loss of pay. Besides demonstrating greater maturity, Griffin needs to stay injury-free and boost a shooting percentage that has declined five consecutive seasons.FIFTH STARTER: Who will join Griffin, Paul, big man Jordan and shooting guard J.J. Redick as a reliable fifth starter? The small forward options are Luc Mbah a Moute, Wesley Johnson, veteran Alan Anderson and Austin Rivers. The elder Rivers may pick one or rotate depending on the need in a particular game. Mbah a Moute started 61 games last season, Johnson shot 33 percent from 3-point range last season, and the younger Rivers can guard an opposing teams top guard, giving Paul a chance to focus on offense.ADDING VETERANS: Rivers, who also serves as director of basketball operations, went after veterans during the offseason to add depth. He brought in 12-year pro Dorell Wright, 11-year pros Brandon Bass and Raymond Felton, eight-year pro Marreese Speights, who left Golden State, and seven-year pro Anderson. Along with three-time sixth man of the year Jamal Crawford, theyll comprise a talented bench. We all understand what were playing for, Crawford said. Starting the season, they all appear to have bought into the vision of Rivers, who will have to juggle minutes among veterans who might have found more playing time had they gone elsewhere.PIERCES FINALE: Paul Pierce is playing his 19th and final season before retiring at seasons end. He turned 39 earlier this month and is the NBAs only active player with 25,000-plus points, 7,000-plus rebounds and 4,500-plus assists. He and Doc Rivers won the 2008 NBA Finals together in Boston, and Rivers enjoys having him around as a veteran presence in addition to the Big Three of Griffin, Paul and Jordan. Pierce started 38 of 68 games last season and hed like to improve his averages of 6.1 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.0 assists before calling it a career.Jason Spezza Jersey . On Tuesday, Ottawa placed forward Cory Conacher and defenceman Joe Corvo on waivers as trade rumours swirl around the Senators. Dylan DeMelo Senators Jersey . Those lessons were more than enough to overwhelm the Utah Jazz. Lou Williams scored 25 points and the Hawks continued their offensive upswing as they rolled to an easy 118-85 victory over the Jazz on Friday night, winning their third straight and for the fourth time in five games. http://www.senatorssale.com/authentic-brady-tkachuk-senators-jersey/ . 4 Villanova with a 96-68 drubbing on Monday. Wragge hit 9-of-14 from behind the arc, matching Kyle Korvers school record for 3-pointers in a game set in 2003, as Creighton (16-3, 6-1 Big East broke a conference record with 21 treys in the rout. Daniel Alfredsson Jersey . Now, correct me if Im wrong but I saw one official distinctly pointing at the net indicating a good goal but after an inconclusive review they overturned the goal. Shouldnt the ruling on the ice (good goal) stand after an inconclusive review? Why was this overturned? James Veaudry Pembroke, ON -- Hey Kerry, Youll get a lot of these, but why was the Montreal goal against Nashville Saturday night overturned? Eller puts the puck on net and the on ice ruling from the ref behind the net is a Montreal goal. Bobby Ryan Senators Jersey . 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.PHILADELPHIA -- Adrian Gonzalez is crushing baseballs again and the Los Angeles Dodgers are riding their veteran slugger up the standings.Gonzalez hit two home runs and had five RBI to help the Dodgers extend their lead in the NL West with a 7-2 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday night.Justin Turner also homered and Joc Pederson reached base four times for the first-place Dodgers, who moved 1 1/2 games ahead of the San Francisco Giants, who lost to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday. On Tuesday, Los Angeles took over sole possession of the division lead for the first time since May 10.I just continue to do the things that are working, said Gonzalez, who had an epidural in early May to deal with back problems. When you feel good physically and you can take the right path, you just keep doing the things that are working -- good base, be on your back side and then let your hands work.With the Dodgers trailing 1-0 in the fourth, Gonzalez lined a 3-1 fastball into the seats in right-center field for a three-run homer. Turner singled and Josh Reddick walked to lead off the inning.Gonzalez followed that with a two-run homer in the seventh after Corey Seager led off the inning with a double.It was the 34-year-old first basemans first multi-homer game of the season and the 20th of his career. Gonzalez, who has 12 homers, extended his hitting streak to 10 games and is 18 for 40 in that span.With Adrian, I know his preparation, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. I know he always has the ability to drive in a run. I think early on, he was a victim of trying to out-think things as far as beating the shift. There was a point about five weeks ago when he decided to get the head to the ball and pull the baseball in the air a little bit more.Turner hit his 22nd home run after Seager singled in the fifth, pushing the Dodgers ahead 5-1.Scott Kazmir (10-6) allowed eight hits and two earned runs in five-plus innings to pick up his first win in four starts and improve his road record to 6-0. He escaped a bases-loaded jam in the fifth and reliever Grant Dayton got out of another bases-loaded jam in the sixth after Kazmir allowed a leadoff homer to Tommy Joseph followed by three straight singles.Kazmir admitted he didnt feel very good throughout his start but was pleased to see the lineup have his back.ddddddddddddFinally I feel like the offense is catching up to the pitching staff, Turner said. It makes it fun to play when everybodys having good at-bats.Making the third start of his career, Jake Thompson (1-2) surrendered just one hit through the first three innings before allowing five runs, four hits and three walks over the next two to get chased after five.I think I was a little too fine, falling behind hitters, Thompson said. When youre facing a lineup like those guys have, thats not a very good place to be.UTLEYS BIG WELCOME (AGAIN)Chase Utley went 0 for 5 with two strikeouts in his second game back in Philadelphia since the Phillies traded him to the Dodgers last August. In his emotional return a night earlier, the Dodgers second baseman homered twice and received two curtain calls from the adoring Philly fans. Utley, a six-time All-Star who helped the Phillies win five straight NL East titles and the 2008 World Series, was greeted to another long standing ovation leading off Wednesdays game.DOING IT WITH HIS GLOVE, TOOGonzalez made a diving catch to snag a line drive by Odubel Herrera in the first, before falling right on first base to complete a double play.LOVING THE CITY OF BROTHERLY LOVEThe Dodgers are 12-3 in their last 15 games at Citizens Bank Park. They have won five straight series in Philly.TRAINERS ROOMPhillies: RHP Aaron Nola was transferred to the 60-day DL, ending his season. Out since Aug. 3 with a right elbow strain, the 23-year-old was 6-9 with a 4.78 ERA in 20 starts.The Phillies announced Wednesday that Nola was replaced on the 40-man roster by RHP Frank Herrmann, while Elvis Araujo was optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Herrmann made his first major league appearance since 2012, pitching a scoreless inning Wednesday.Dodgers: The Dodgers plan to activate LHP Adam Liberatore (2-0, 1.62) on Friday. The reliever made his second rehab appearance Tuesday night, striking out two in a scoreless inning for Triple-A Oklahoma City.UP NEXTThe Phillies and Dodgers conclude their three-game series Thursday night with Philadelphia RHP Jerad Eickhoff (8-12, 3.82) opposing RHP Ross Stripling (3-4, 4.07). ' ' '