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After months of optimism surrounding a potential new collective bargaining agreement that would allow the NBA and the players union to avoid another work stoppage, the momentum has slowed a bit as a critical date approaches.Both sides have until 11:59 p.m. on Thursday to opt out of the current deal. If that were to happen, they would have until the end of June to negotiate a new contract. Neither the owners nor the players believe it will get to that point, with both sides seeking a deal to ensure the league keeps enjoying skyrocketing revenue and rising television ratings.Were working tirelessly, union president Chris Paul said this weekend.Many of the major parts of the deal have been addressed, including keeping the basketball-related income split the same as it is in the current agreement. There was a belief in early November that an accord could be struck by Thanksgiving, but the complex negotiations have carried on well into December.There remain a few issues for the sides to settle before a deal can be voted on, and the owners overseeing the leagues side of the negotiations planned to meet on Monday for a progress report. If the two sides do not agree to a deal by the deadline, they could implement an extension to give them extra time.While union vice president Carmelo Anthony told ESPN that he was skeptical that a deal would get done by Thursday, there remained a healthy amount of optimism from both sides of the negotiating table that a deal will eventually be reached.We still got a few days, union vice president LeBron James told reporters in Cleveland on Saturday. Obviously, our game right now is the best its ever been, from where it is right here domestically to all the way around the world, so hopefully both sides come to an agreement.---GRIZZLIES ROLLINGWhen Mike Conley was diagnosed with a back injury that was expected to keep him out at least six weeks, the consensus was that the Memphis Grizzlies would have a difficult time remaining in the Western Conference playoff picture. But Grit `n Grind has always been much more than just a catchy slogan for the Grizzlies, who have once again refused to give in when misfortune strikes.Memphis (17-8) has won six straight since Conley went down, climbing to fifth place in the West, just a half-game behind Houston and the Los Angeles Clippers. First-year coach David Fizdale has inserted little-known Troy Williams into the starting lineup for Conley, while veterans Tony Allen, Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph have all stepped up their games to pick up the slack.The Grizzlies are also missing free agent prize Chandler Parsons (knee) and veteran Vince Carter (hip), but they thumped the Golden State Warriors on Saturday by 29 points, the first time they won a game by more than five points during this streak.---THE WEEK AHEADA look at some games to watch this week:Memphis at Cleveland, Tuesday: The red-hot Grizzlies face the rolling Cavs in a home-and-home back-to-back starting at Quicken Loans Arena on Tuesday night.Minnesota at Chicago, Tuesday: Timberwolves coach Tom Thibodeau coaches in Chicago for the first time since he was fired by the Bulls in an acrimonious split two years ago.New York at Denver, Saturday: Its been six and half years since the trade, but its always worth watching when Carmelo Anthony returns to face the Nuggets.Oklahoma City at Portland, Tuesday: The human triple-double against Damian Lillard? Sign us up.---STAT LINE OF THE WEEKKlay Thompson, Golden State Warriors: 60 points, 21-33 FG, 8-14 3s, 29 minutes. The Splash Brother may be the most explosive player on Golden States star-studded roster, and proved it with an incredible scoring binge in just three quarters of work. Had coach Steve Kerr played him in the fourth quarter, Kobe Bryants 81 points were certainly in jeopardy.---This story has been corrected to show CBA deadline is Thursday.Fake Warriors Jerseys . The scientists believe the small earthquake during a Marshawn Lynch touchdown was likely greater than Lynchs famous "beast quake" touchdown run three years ago, which also came against New Orleans during a playoff game. Stephen Curry Jersey .Y. -- Injured Buffalo Sabres forward Marcus Foligno did not practice with the team Monday and head coach Ron Rolston said its unlikely hell play in Wednesdays season opener in Detroit. https://www.cheapwarriors.com/499o-howie-dallmar-jersey-warriors.html . Each of Houstons starters scored in double figures as the Rockets improved to 2-0 against the Spurs this season, with both victories coming on the road. They also moved within 3 1/2 games of San Antonio (22-7) for the lead the Southwest Division. Nate Thurmond Jersey . Louis Cardinals. Victorino is batting sixth and playing right field after missing two games because of back tightness. Joe Fulks Jersey . A knee to the thigh might have stung him the most, but his sixth straight double-double made up for the brief burst of pain.I dont know how Im ever going to rear children, says Joshna Chinappa, Indias highest-ranked squash player, breaking into an infectious laugh, before filling us in on the sprint sessions at the Marina beach in Chennai which have left her sapped.Only two days ago 29 year-old Joshna rose to her career-best ranking of No 10 in the world, to become the highest-placed Indian squash player. Theres, however, no hint of a giveaway to suggest the feat shes scaled. Probe her further and you learn why.Im happy to have broken into the top 10. Rankings arent my focus though. I obviously have it at the back of my mind, like most other athletes. Scores are what matter. Once your performance is taken care of, everything else follows, she says.Behind the impressive world ranking figures, lies a clutch of gritty shows and a steely resolve. Shes only the second Indian after Dipika Pallikal to break into the top 10. Part of the Indian team which returned with silver after losing to eventual champions Malaysia at the Asian Team Championships in May, Joshna went on to finish runner-up after losing to top seed Joelle King of New Zealand but not before ousting second seed Annie Au in the semifinals of the HKFC tournament in Hong Kong.Joshna, who has been working with former world No 1 David Palmer for a year and a half now, says the thrust has been on sharpening her game and staying injury free. Known for his all-court attrition game, Palmer, based in Florida, has evidently been of help. I usually travel there two or three times a year with each session lasting a couple of weeks, she adds.Next up for the 14-time national champion is yet another edition of the nationals in Mumbai two weeks from now followed by the World Doubles championships in Darwin from August 15-19.Turning a career-threatening injury in August 2011 into a springboard for rediscovery proved to be pivotal for Joshna. Being stretchered off midway through her semifiinal match at the Hamptons Open after a ligament tear on her left knee turned out to be a lot more morbid than it appeared.ddddddddddddShe could scarcely walk without limp, let alone touch a racket. Following surgery, doctors pretty much sounded the death knell on her playing career. Funnily, I almost forgot how to walk. My trainer kept telling me that if I kept limping I would end up walking like that.Her worst nightmare realised, Joshnas mind was clouded with doubts over being able to make a return to the playing circuit. Those who advised her to quit the sport, understandably, far outnumbered ones who urged her to hang in. She was away from the court for 10 months, her ranking nosediving from 31 to 72. I was worried whether my knee would ever heal but I never contemplated quitting. When I look back I can say with a fair amount of certainty that it was the best thing ever to have happened to me. I was going down the wrong path both professionally and personally and the injury helped me refocus and get back on track. Had it not been so I might not have been playing squash today, she says.In todays age, the increasing demand for sportspersons to flaunt a marketable image with a well-oiled PR machinery working overtime, in addition to their exploits in the sport, is passe. Results though, Joshna insists, is what finally matters.Brands would only sign a player whos performing. I dont put much conscious effort into promoting myself off the court. My results would speak for themselves, says Joshna, who has been endorsing leading sport apparel, Nike, for a decade now.While acknowledging that her career has hit a purple patch, Joshna says she isnt sitting back just yet. Im not overtly ambitious but I reckon Ive still a decent number of playing years left in me. My best is yet to come. ' ' '