and followed that with two dramatic victories. They

Dennis Rodmans agent says the former NBA star did not take any payment from the North Korean government during his trip this week to the country. Darren Prince says the North Korean government did not finance any part of the trip, adding that Irish betting company, Paddy Power PLC, covered expenses for Rodman and his team of former NBA players that included Charles D. Smith, Kenny Anderson and Cliff Robinson. NBA Commissioner David Stern told CNN this week that Rodman was influenced by "a flash of North Korean money" to stage an exhibition game in Pyongyang. Rodman apologized Thursday for comments he made in North Korea about a detained American missionary, saying he had been drinking and was under pressure as he organized the game. He also sang "Happy Birthday" to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at the start of the friendly game. Rodman dedicated the game to his "best friend" Kim, who along with his wife and other senior officials and their wives watched from a special seating area. The capacity crowd of about 14,000 at the Pyongyang Indoor Stadium clapped loudly as Rodman sang a verse from the song. Rodman said he was honoured to be able to play the game in the North Korean capital and called the event "historic." Some members of the U.S. Congress, the NBA and human rights groups, however, say he has become a public relations tool for North Koreas government. Prince also said that an England-based production company, Chief Productions, filmed the North Korea trip for a documentary, and another outfit, Koryo Tours, sold VIP packages to the game and will make a donation to a childrens charity in North Korea this month with a portion of the proceeds. Wholesale Jerseys Cheap . The team let Keaton Ellerby, James Wright and Matt Halischuk become unrestricted free agents after declining to make them qualifying offers. Ellerby, 25, appeared in 51 games for the Jets last season and had two goals and four assists. Cheap Nike NFL Jerseys . Peko, a fourth-round pick in 2006, started all 16 games and a playoff loss to San Diego last season. He was second on the line with 72 tackles and had a career-high three sacks. http://www.wholesalenfljerseyssupplycheap.com/ . -- The Phoenix Coyotes have won three in a row for the first time in 4 1/2 months, and theyve done it just in time for the stretch run to the playoffs. China NFL Jerseys .5 million, two-year contract that runs through 2015. Venable, the son of former big leaguer Max Venable, will make $4. NFL Jerseys Supply .com) - Many people at Eastern Washington are waiting to see if star quarterback Vernon Adams Jr.CLEVELAND -- The Portland Trail Blazers kept it real simple with the game on the line. Just get the ball to Damian Lillard, and get out of the way. No need for any fancy calls when Lillards on the court. The point guard made a tiebreaking 3-pointer with 0.4 seconds remaining, lifting Portland to a 119-116 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday night. "There is no explaining it," Blazers coach Terry Stotts said. "Damian had it going, so we ran it through him." Lillard had a career-high eight 3-pointers while scoring 36 points. The 2013 NBA Rookie of the Year also had a fadeaway jumper as time expired to give Portland a 111-109 overtime victory over Detroit on Sunday. "That was cold-blooded," Cleveland guard Dion Waiters said. "We knew Lillard was getting the ball. That was a big-time shot." Anderson Varejaos tying basket for Cleveland with 7.1 seconds left prompted a Portland timeout. Lillard took the pass at mid-court, dribbled to the top of the key and buried the winning shot over Alonzo Gee from about 26 feet out. "Hes more capable of dribble-driving by you and finishing," Cleveland coach Mike Brown said. "Their last game he drove by somebody and shot a pull-up. So you pick your poison." Lillard had enough time to drive to the basket, but he decided to shoot from beyond the arc. "I didnt want to get in too deep because theyve got some giants in there," Lillard said. "And Alonzo Gee is a great athlete, so I didnt want to drive on him. I gave him a move to get him off balance, and I wanted to be ready when I froze him." Portland (22-4) has the best record in the NBA and is 11-0 against the Eastern Conference. The Blazers have won five straight and are 12-2 on the road. Kyrie Irvings bid for a tying 3-pointer from about 35 feet bounced off the back of the rim at the buzzer. Irving and Waiters scored 25 points apiece for Cleveland. LaMarcus Aldridge had 26 points and 15 rebounds for Portland. Lillards 3-pointer with 5:47 remaining gave Portland a 104-101 lead. Lillard then found Wesley Matthews for another 3, and Aldridges jumper pushed the lead too 109-101 with 4:16 to play.dddddddddddd Matthews made a 3-pointer and Aldridge scored to make it 114-104 with 2:15 remaining. Irving then scored nine straight points for the Cavaliers, including a three-point play with 33.8 seconds left that cut the lead to 116-114. After Aldridge missed in the lane, the Cavaliers called timeout with 16.5 seconds remaining. Irving drove into the lane and found Varejao, who tied the game. "That was an offensive shootout by both teams," Stotts said. "They made a great comeback to tie the game, but we keep finding a way to win. Obviously, Damian was fantastic." Waiters scored 11 points in the fourth quarter. He missed the morning shootaround after banging knees with teammate Tyler Zeller in practice Monday. Lillard hit three 3-pointers within a span of 1:09 in the third quarter as the Blazers scored nine straight points to overcome a 69-61 deficit. The Blazers began their four-game trip with a 35-point win in Philadelphia on Saturday in which they hit 21 3-pointers and followed that with two dramatic victories. They went 15 for 33 from long range against the Cavs. Cleveland scored the first nine points of the fourth quarter to take a 97-92 lead. Six points by Waiters and a 3-pointer by Earl Clark accounted for the run. The game featured two of the hottest players in the league. Irving was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week on Monday after averaging 29 points in three games last week. Aldridge was named the Wests top player for the third time this season after averaging 25.5 points in the Blazers four wins last week. Cleveland has lost to Miami and Portland by a total of 10 points in its last two games. NOTES: Tuesday marked the second career matchup between Irving and Lillard. The two faced off in Portland in January when Irving scored 31 points and Lillard was held to 13 in Clevelands 93-88 win. ... The Cavaliers scored 59 points in the first half, the most they have totalled in the first two quarters this season. ... The Blazers end their trip Wednesday against Minnesota. ... Portland rookie G C.J. McCollum, a Canton native, hasnt played this season because of a broken left foot. ' ' '