of the best-of-three World Cup of Hockey finals. Euro | Forum

SALT LAKE CITY -- Making the impossible seem ordinary on defense is becoming a habit for Rudy Gobert. NGolo Kante Chelsea Jersey . Its no secret that his defensive domination has played a big role for the Utah Jazz in building a four-game winning streak.Gobert has finished with double-doubles in three of his last four games, culminating in a 16-point, 14-rebound effort in Utahs 120-101 victory over Houston on Tuesday night. The 7-foot-1 center has averaged 15.3 points, 13.5 rebounds and 3.3 blocked shots during the Jazz winning streak.He is living up to his moniker The Stifle Tower by finding ways to block shots, alter others and force opponents out of their usual rhythm on offense. The scary thing for future Jazz opponents is that Gobert doesnt feel like hes even scratched the surface yet.Im just 24, Gobert said. I can get a lot better, but Im feeling good for sure.With Gobert at the top of his game defensively, Utah has turned the basket into a fortress where offenses cant even cross the moat to get inside. The Jazz have allowed 88.6 points per game through eight home games so far. In their last three home contests, theyve won by an average margin of 23.7 points.Utah coach Quin Snyder credits Gobert with an improved focus for allowing his game to open up on both ends of the court.Some of the things he is doing is he is just getting from play-to-play, Snyder said. You dont have those moments where he is distracted about something else thats happened on the court. As a result, his focus is so consistent when that happens.Miami has already seen firsthand what Gobert can do this season. He had 12 points and 12 rebounds to help lead Utah to a 102-91 victory over the Heat on Nov. 12. The Heat will likely need to counter him with a big game from their own big man, Hassan Whiteside.Whiteside stepped up to the plate big time in a 106-98 victory over Denver on Wednesday night. He finished with 25 points and 16 rebounds. It marked his third straight game that Whiteside finished with a double-double.Whiteside credited his teammates with making his job easier against the Nuggets through their own elevated defensive efforts.That was the best communication we had all season, especially on defense, Whiteside said. We had guys in the right spot, communicating with each other.The most remarkable part of these performances is Whiteside is getting this kind of production even while dealing with a sore left knee. An MRI on Monday came back negative. He isnt the only key player on either team thats been ailing.Both the Heat and the Jazz will be missing starters on Thursday night after injuries earlier this week.Rodney Hood suffered a right hamstring strain in the third quarter against Houston and did not return. He is listed as questionable. Derrick Favors has already been sidelined six games with a left knee bone contusion.Dion Waiters suffered a groin injury against Boston on Monday and will be out for at least two weeks. He joins Justise Winslow on the sideline. Winslow has only appeared in nine games because of a wrist injury. Willian Jersey . The recently retired Stern was elected Friday to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and will be enshrined with the class of 2014 on Aug. Cesc Fabregas Jersey .  Breaking three of his own world records on his way to winning in Paris, Chan silenced the critics and left the audiences standing in appreciation and awe. http://www.chelseafcproshop.com/Kids-Callum-Hudson-Odoi-Jersey/ . -- PGA TOUR Canada member Steve Saunders took a three-stroke lead Saturday in the Web. Some of the sports stories The Associated Press is covering Tuesday. A full Sports Digest will be sent by about 3 p.m. All times EDT:- MIAMI -- Jose Fernandez was at a Miami River bar and restaurant before he and two friends were killed in a boat crash. Its not clear if he had been drinking, and toxicology reports have not been released.- CHASKA, Minn. -- Europe, which has won eight of the last 10 Ryder Cups, faces an American squad that U.S. captain Davis Love III calls the best golf team maybe ever assembled.- NEW YORK -- The Boston Red Sox, riding an 11-game winning streak, have a chance to clinch the AL East title when they send David Price to the mound against the New York Yankees. Game starts 7:05 p.m.- TORONTO -- The Toronto Blue Jays and Baltimore Orioles begin a pivotal three-game series in a showdown between the top AL wild-card teams. Game starts 7:07 p.m.- INDEPENDENCE, Ohio -- Having finally brought a championship to Cleveland, LeBron James tells the AP he wants to pass Michael Jordan and be considered the greatest player in NBA history.- NEW YORK -- The usual basketball talk on the opening of NBA training camps gives way to discussions about social injustice and violence, with players worried about their communities and country.- OAKLAND, Calif. -- The Golden State Warriors, coming off a record-73 win season, hold their first practice sincce signing Kevin Durant. Kepa Arrizabalaga Jersey. - After firing the most successful football coach in school history, LSU needs a home run hire. But upgrading from Les Miles is far from a sure thing.- WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- Joining No. 3 Louisville and No. 5 Clemson in a tie for first in the ACCs Atlantic Division is Wake Forest. The Demon Deacons, unranked and undefeated, are off to their best start in a decade.- PHOENIX -- The Pac-12 has been filled with surprises this season, including Arizona States rise to the top of the South Division and Southern Californias fast fade.- ATLANTA -- Two road wins have energized Falcons coach Dan Quinn, whose team improved to 2-1 after a Monday night victory at New Orleans.- PITTSBURGH -- Whatever early momentum the Steelers had disappeared in Philadelphia. The worst loss since coach Mike Tomlin has been coaching Pittsburgh provided a reality check.- TORONTO -- Canada plays Team Europe in Game 1 of the best-of-three World Cup of Hockey finals. Europe is without high-scoring wing Marian Gaborik, who is sidelined for eight weeks with a foot injury. Game starts 8 p.m.- LAS VEGAS -- Conor McGregor will fight for Eddie Alvarezs lightweight title on Nov. 12 at Madison Square Garden in UFCs debut in New York. ' ' '