Laberecke » actual training Bolland got done while in London. "

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Goran Dragic said he hates to miss any game.He said the angst is even worse when his team is in the midst of a losing streak.Reserve Isaiah Thomas scored 23 points, Dragic returned from a two-game hiatus due to a strained back and had 20, and the Phoenix Suns snapped a six-game skid with a 111-106 victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday night.Tonight was an important win for us, said a relieved Dragic. We were close in some games, but you start doubting yourself.Dragic played 38 minutes in his first physical activity in four days. He said by the fourth quarter he could barely feel his legs.Its a good thing the Suns had Thomas to help carry the load down the stretch with Dragic dragging and Markieff Morris out of the game after being ejected in the third quarter for arguing with officials.Thomas registered his eighth 20-point game of the season, shooting 7 of 13 from the field as Phoenix erased a 17-point, first-half deficit. Thomas had 12 points on 4-of-5 shooting in the fourth quarter.The Suns outscored the Hornets 10-2 in the final 2 1/2 minutes.We got stops, Thomas said. That was the name of the game. We were down the whole game but stuck to it and got some key stops toward the end.Gerald Green had 16 points off the bench and Eric Bledsoe chipped in with 15 for the Suns.Its tough when youve lost six in a row and you get down (by 17 points), Suns coach Jeff Hornacek said. Thats an easy time to just quit and say, Here we go — number seven. But our guys didnt quit.Al Jefferson had 28 points and 10 rebounds for Charlotte, which has lost four straight. Kemba Walker scored 27 points before going cold in the final three minutes.Charlotte led most of the game but the Suns battled back to take the lead at 105-104 with 1:31 left when Dragic stole the ball from Gary Neal, resulting in an uncontested layup by Bledsoe on the other end. Thomas hit a 17-footer pushing the lead to 3.Jefferson answered with a jumper, but Thomas made two free throws to push the lead back to three.The Hornets had a chance to tie down the stretch, but Neal missed an awkward 3-pointer from the top of the key with Dragics hand in his face with 6 seconds left. P.J. Tucker sealed the win with two free throws.Tonight I just thought we had bad execution down the stretch. You have to make plays, Walker said. It was bad decisions, bad turnovers and forcing shots at the end of the shot clock. It cost us.Jefferson had 18 points on 8 of 10 shooting in the first quarter.Hornacek moved Tucker on Jefferson and he helped hold Charlottes centre scoreless in the second quarter by fronting him in the post and denying Big Al the ball.With Al, you cant let him touch it down there, Tucker said. I dont care how big you are or strong you are, he can score.Hornets guard Lance Stephenson was taken to the locker room midway through the third quarter after sustaining a groin contusion following a driving left-handed layup. He returned for about three minutes in the fourth quarter game before being removed down the stretch by coach Steve Clifford.___TIP-INSSuns: Phoenixs losing streak was its longest since a 10-game skid that started in March of 2013.Hornets: Charlotte fell to 1-11 against Western Conference teams.SHORTER PRESEASONNBA Commissioner Adam Silver said before the game that the league is considering lightening the load from back-to-back games by shortening the preseason and starting the regular season earlier.UP NEXTSuns: At New York on Saturday.Hornets: At Philadelphia on Friday night. Bruce Boudreau Jersey . - Canadian tennis star Eugenie Bouchard has signed with WME-IMG, saying the sports management powerhouse will help maximize the value of my brand. Mike Palmateer Jersey . With newly minted president of hockey operations Trevor Linden looking on from above one day after being handed the keys to the franchise, it was more of the same on Thursday night. http://www.officialmapleleafspro.com/Doug-gilmour-maple-leafs-jersey/ . Appearing on TSN 1050 on Tuesday, Sean McAdam of Comcast SportsNet New England reported that the Blue Jays, along with a number of other playoff contenders were in the mix for the Boston ace. Lanny McDonald Jersey . -- Josh MacDonalds second goal of the game kept his team alive as the Peterborough Petes edged the host Kingston Frontencas 6-5 in overtime on Friday in Ontario Hockey League playoff action. Darcy Tucker Jersey . Although head coach Randy Carlyle jokingly wondered how much actual training Bolland got done while in London. "I dont know how much training goes on when you go back to the junior team that you played for so I wouldnt read too much into that," laughed Carlyle after the Maple Leafs were put through an up-tempo practice that concluded with a 10-minute bag skate on Thursday.The Chicago Blackhawks have agreed to terms with free agent defenceman Trevor van Riemsdyk on a two-year contract. Van Riemsdyk, the younger brother of Toronto Maple Leafs forward and United States Olympic team member James van Riemsdyk, tallied four goals and 19 assists in 26 games at the University of New Hampshire this season. Despite playing in only 26 contests, hhe ranked fifth on the team in points and sixth in assists.dddddddddddd. Prior to his collegiate career, the 22-year-old played two seasons with the New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs of the Eastern Junior Hockey League from 2009 to 2011, tallying 24 goals and 49 assists in 70 games. He helped lead the Jr. Monarchs to the EJHL title in each of his two seasons with the club. ' ' '