Week 9 of the North American League of Legends Championship Series (LCS) continued with plenty of intriguing matchups. This was a perfect chance for playoff-bound teams to further solidify their place in the elite echelon, but a couple teams faltered in that regard.Counter Logic Gaming (CLG) needed to look strong. The matchup against the 4-12 NRG eSports looked like the perfect warm-up for momentum, but the plan did not exactly fall into place. NRG eSports did not look like the team its record indicated. Although the set ended up in CLGs favor, 2-1, NRG gave its foes a run for their money.CLG took the first game in a macro-intensive slugfest. The team suffocated the map with great vision and objective prioritizing. The fights were labored and NRG eSports looked outclassed. CLG simply dominated with snap calls, great decisions, and better rotations. However, NRG eSports would take game two and stood even in game three. In both games, CLG was punished for incorrect priorities, messy team fight execution and poor trading.Team Liquid entered the week with plenty left to prove. This was a show me matchup to test whether the team was prepared for the playoffs; it was predictably rocky. Apex Gaming blew through Team Liquid, 2-1. Game one was close. Team Liquid and Apex Gaming traded fights and objectives and the gold lead never fell out of control for either side. But for Team Liquid, who wanted to demonstrate commanding strength, that was unacceptable. Apex Gamings mid-game execution was better than Liquids. It prioritized the correct trades and fights, and managed to snake through the late game with the advantage. Team Liquid contrived to even the set, but then was thrown out of the building by the end of game three.If this was a preview of Team Liquids strength, its going to be impossible to call either way.Phoenix1s resurrection tour continued with a very strong showing against LCS second-place team Immortals. When Immortals lost against Team SoloMid yesterday and looked no worse for wear, the matchup against Phoenix1 looked easy on paper. As it turned out, this wasnt the case. Phoenix1 was masterful in the first game. Whether it was better rotations, stronger objective control, or just great decision-making, the team outclassed Immortals. The duo of Brandon Brandini Chen and Rami Inori Charagh were the stars of the set, regardless of the results.Immortals did manage to salvage and dominate the rest of the set, but with that kind of performance against a team in eighth place, it begs the question: Is Immortals even the second-best team? http://www.brownsrookiestore.com/Browns-Corey-Coleman-Jersey/ . -- Whether Jeremy Hill deserves a prominent role in LSUs offence this early in the season is a matter for debate. http://www.brownsrookiestore.com/Hats/ . According the Toronto Star, a knee injury will keep Sundin out of the lineup, which includes former teammates Gary Roberts, Darcy Tucker, Tie Domi and Curtis Joseph. http://www.brownsrookiestore.com/Browns-Christian-Kirksey-Jersey/ . Varlamov made 33 saves and Ryan OReilly had a goal and scored in the shootout as the Avalanche beat the New Jersey Devils 2-1 on Thursday night. http://www.brownsrookiestore.com/Browns-Isaiah-Crowell-Jersey/ . As he recorded his 23rd and 24th points of the evening, a segment of the sellout Air Canada Centre crowd expressed their appreciation for the Raptors point guard with a smattering of MVP chants. http://www.brownsrookiestore.com/Browns-Briean-Boddy-Calhoun-Jersey/ . LOUIS -- Cardinals cleanup hitter Allen Craig says hes recovered from a foot injury and ready to be put on St. ATLANTA -- The Braves acquired pricey slugger Matt Kemp and $10.5 million from San Diego for troubled outfielder Hector Olivera.Atlanta had tried for several months to deal Olivera following his April 13 arrest on domestic violence charges. He is eligible to play again in the major leagues on Tuesday following his 82-game domestic violence suspension. The Padres plan to designate Olivera for assignment when he comes off the restricted list Tuesday, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the decision has not been announced.Despite arthritis in both hips, Kemp could boost the weakest offense in the major leagues. Atlanta has baseballs worst record and ranks last in runs scored and homers.The Braves have just one marquee everyday player, first baseman Freddie Freeman, and need more star appeal as they move a few miles north into a new suburban ballpark next year.Kemp has a $21.5 million salary this year and is owed the same amount in each of the next three seasons.San Diego is sending Atlanta $3 million this year as part of the trade: half on Aug. 15 and the rest on Sept. 15. From 2017-19, the Padres will pay the Braves $2.5 million annually, half each May 15 and July 15.Olivera agreed in early 2015 to a $62.5 million, six-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, then was traded to the Braves last July. He has a $4 million salary this year, but lost $1,792,350 because of his suspension. He is owed $6 million next season, $6.5 million in 2018, $7.5 million in 2019 and $8.5 million in 2020.San Diego acquired Kemp, a two-time All-Star outfielder with the Dodgers, from Los Angeless in December 2014.dddddddddddd It took several days to consummate the trade because Kemp had to be cleared medically.In 254 games with the Padres, Kemp is hitting .264 -- 28 points lower than his nine-year batting average with the Dodgers -- with 46 homers, 169 RBI and 247 strikeouts.Atlanta acquired Olivera from the Dodgers last July 30 in a three-team, 13-player swap that sent Alex Wood and Jose Peraza to Los Angeles.This trade made financial sense with both teams trying to shed expensive contracts of players no longer fitting long-term plans.Olivera is on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Gwinnett but was removed from the lineup before Saturday nights game.He was arrested April 13 at a hotel near Washington, D.C., and Major League Baseball announced May 27 that he had agreed to the suspension, which was retroactive to April 30.Olivera, who was moved from third base to left field before the start of spring training, hit .245, two homers and 13 RBI in 30 games with Atlanta. He has a pending court date in Alexandria, Virginia.In rebuilding the Braves, president of baseball operations John Hart and general manager John Coppolella have traded Craig Kimbrel, Jason Heyward, Justin Upton, Melvin Upton Jr. and Andrelton Simmons for prospects.Atlanta also has taken on bad contracts for declining players such as Michael Bourn, Nick Swisher and Bronson Arroyo. Dan Uggla was released in July 2014 despite the Braves still owing him $18 million.---AP Baseball Writer Ronald Blum and AP Sports Writer Bernie Wilson contributed to this report. Discount NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Wholesale Black NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL T-shirts Wholesale NFL Autographed Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Online NFL Jerseys From China Nike NFL Jerseys China Cheap NFL T-shirts Wholesale NFL Camo Jerseys Jerseys From China China Womens NFL Jerseys China Jerseys Cheap Cheap Jerseys Free Shipping ' ' '