Join us » a pair of dominant former

Rory McIlroy admits his hopes of retaining his Dubai Desert Classic title are all-but over, despite a late run of birdies for the second day running. McIlroy was outside the projected cut after 11 holes on Friday and once again struggled through the front nine during the third round, but made a move up the leaderboard with a strong finish. The world No 2 found himself eight strokes off the lead at the turn, but went on to fire six birdies along the back nine to card a four-under 68. Although the bogey-free finish takes the Northern Irishman to eight under for the week, McIlroy feels he may have left himself too much to do for a third Desert Classic crown. Highlights from day three of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic at the Emirates Golf Club It is going to be a long shot, McIlroy told Sky Sports. I came back from seven shots behind at Wentworth a couple of years ago, so its not out of the realms of possibility.But at the same time, you know, its a great field here, and I need the wind to blow a lot this afternoon and I need to play a front nine tomorrow just like I played the back nine there today. The world No 2 played alongside Oliver Fisher on Saturday Ive played the back nine this week very well, so theres a lot there to sort of take from that. Theres just a few too many mistakes in there that I need to try and figure out why they are happening.Resuming six shots off the pace at the Emirates GC, McIlroy got off to a strong start by pitching to two feet from the rough at the second for an early birdie, only to give the shot back after missing the green off the tee at the par-three seventh.A double-bogey six at the ninth after finding the hazard left McIlroy two over for the day, but the defending champion bounced back with three gains over the next four holes. McIlroy in action at the Dubai Desert Classic After carding a birdie-two at the 15th, McIlroy picked up another shot at the 17th before finding the par-five final green in two and two-putting for a seventh gain of the day.I just think I havent quite figured out the front nine yet, McIlroy added. The last two days, Ive played the front nine in a combined five over par, and thats just not good enough.There are more chances on the back nine and more opportunities for birdies, but you know, theres no reason why I shouldnt be playing better golf on the front nine. Thats really whats cost me this week, and depending on what the guys do this afternoon, I might be just a few shots too far back to make that up tomorrow.Watch the final round of the Dubai Desert Classic on Sunday live on Sky Sports 4 - your home of golf. Coverage gets underway at 8am. Also See: McIlroys record in Dubai Dubai Desert Classic leaders Recap: Rory avoids R2 exit Golf live on Sky Sports 4 Air Jordan China . First off, the fans ripped the Cubbies introduction of a fuzzy new kid-friendly mascot named "Clark". Cheap Jordan From China . Fred Couples, captain of the U.S. side, put it all into perspective. "We know whos in charge," he said. https://www.jordanchina.us/ . MORITZ, Switzerland -- Fog prevented downhill racers from getting their Olympic dress rehearsal. Wholesale Air Jordan .J. Ellis hit two-run homers and the NL West champion Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the San Diego Padres 4-0 Saturday night. Jordan China . Boucher previously coached the Tampa Bay Lightning and had a 97-78-20 record over two-plus seasons. He was dismissed by the team last March after the Lightning struggled in the lockout-shortened season with a 13-18-1 record. NEW ORLEANS -- Anthony Davis exuded an unmistakable swagger as he strode slowly toward the charged-up crowd behind the basket where hed just rolled in an off-balance scoop while being fouled. Then, he exchanged a congratulatory five with Arcade Fire singer Win Butler, who was sitting along the baseline.The Pelicans star wasnt going to be denied -- and neither, for that matter, was the rest of his recently resurgent team.Davis finished with 45 points and 10 rebounds, and the New Orleans Pelicans won their fourth straight game, beating the Minnesota Timberwolves 117-96 on Wednesday night.Were just playing great and when our crowd is into it like they were in it tonight, it gives us juice, said Davis, who hit 17 of 27 shots that included thunderous dunks, 3-pointers and just about everything in between. My teammates are doing a great job of just finding me and vice versa. Were all just locked in, playing well together, clicking.Terrence Jones scored 17 points for New Orleans, which trailed early in the second half before Davis scored eight points during a 13-2 run that gave the Pelicans the lead for good.Im amazed every time at the shots he makes. You know, hes able to do it with double-teams and triple teams -- MVP performance, guard Tim Frazier said. He just came out there and he led us.New Orleans led by as many as 23 points in the fourth quarter and cruised to its sixth victory in eight games. ETwaun Moore added 12 points, and Tim Frazier had 11.Zach LaVine scored 26 for Minnesota, but the Timberwolves lost their third straight.We have to play tougher, Timberwolves coach Tom Thibodeau said. We are not playing any defense, and if you are not doing that, you cant win.Andrew Wiggins and Gorgui Dieng each had 13 points, and Karl-Anthony Towns grabbed 11 rebounds for Minnesota, which did not shoot well. Wiggins was 2 for 19 and the Wolves hit only 38 percent (33 of 86) of their shots. New Orleans shot 544 percent (45 of 83).dddddddddddde have to change something, said Minnesota guard Ricky Rubio, who did not score and had five assists. We have to change our mentality.TIP-INSTimberwolves: The Timberwolves opened a three-game road trip by dropping to 1-6 on the road this season. ... Minnesota shot 3 of 17 from 3-point range.Pelicans: The Pelicans are 4-0 since Jrue Holidays return. After scoring at least 15 in each of his first three games, he had seven points and eight assists against Minnesota. ... F Dante Cunningham left the game early in the second quarter. Team officials said he had a left knee bruise.STAR POWERThe game featured a pair of dominant former Kentucky big men in Davis and Towns, but it was the Pelicans who owned the paint, where New Orleans outscored Minnesota 66-44. The Pelicans also outrebounded the Wolves, 45-41.I just tried to get into him and be physical, Davis said of his approach against Towns. I know its tough for me when teams get physical with me. Its tough to get into a groove and get into what you like. So thats all I tried to do, knowing hes a big key to their offense, just try to take him out as much as possible and have other guys beat us.MOMENTUM SWINGSDavis had 12 points in the first seven minutes, including a 12-foot jumper that gave New Orleans a 21-9 lead.But the Timberwolves closed the gap late in the third quarter and surged in front in the second period with a 11-0 run capped by Diengs foul-line jumper as he was fouled by Omer Asik, putting Minnesota up 46-38.New Orleans, however, closed the half on a 10-0 run during which Jones hit two free throws and dunked twice -- once on a put-back of Davis miss -- to put the Pelicans back in front, 53-50.UP NEXTTimberwolves: Visit Phoenix on Friday night.Pelicans: Visit Portland on Friday night. ' ' '