HOUSTON -- Lakers center Tarik Black on Monday night added his name to a long list of wounded rotation players whose absence is undermining the promise that marked the first few weeks of this season in Los Angeles.Black suffered an ankle sprain in a 107-101 home loss to the Utah Jazz, increasing the number of sidelined rotation players to five for the Lakers (10-13). Relatedly, the Lakers have dropped three consecutive games, four of six and six of eight as they ready for their second meeting with the Rockets on Wednesday night at Toyota Center.When the Lakers topped the Rockets at Staples Center on Oct. 26, it seemed to mark the start of something surprising. But one by one, the Lakers have succumbed to injuries, with Black following guards DAngelo Russell (left knee), Jose Calderon (right hamstring) and Nick Young (calf) and forward Larry Nance Jr. (right knee) to the injured list. The Lakers momentum has suffered in lockstep with the lost bodies.Just continue to play, continue to work, Lakers guard Lou Williams said. Its still early in the season. Weve hit a little turbulence right now and hit a little rough patch. Weve got to have other guys step in and weve got to continue to compete.The Lakers were forced to utilize a patchwork lineup against the Jazz, starting rookie forward Brandon Ingram at point guard. The experimentation was borne out of necessity and strategy, with the Lakers attempting to employ a personnel package capable of switching everything defensively. A similar gambit might be required against the Rockets, whose pick-and-roll proficiency has yielded the third-ranked offense in the NBA.For Ingram, opportunities abound with Russell and Calderon unavailable.Its great for him. Its absolutely great for him, Lakers coach Luke Walton said. To be able to call plays and bring the ball up and play from that position whether he struggles or has a good game, its still great learning opportunities and experience for him.The Rockets (14-7) thought theyd been made whole with the news that the front office had matched the Brooklyn Nets offer sheet for restricted free agent forward-center Donatas Motiejunas, at least until his agent -- former Bulls guard B.J. Armstrong -- declared Tuesday that Motiejunas would not show for his mandatory physical.Assuming that the issue is resolved, Motiejunas provides the Rockets something theyve lacked in his absence: A big who can pass and help facilitate their offense. Motiejunas posted a career-high 12.2 assist rate last season. Currently, second-year forward-center Montrezl Harrell leads all Houston big men with an 8.0 assist rate.Thats where hell fit in, Rockets coach Mike DAntoni said. He will move the ball a lot. Most of our guys move it toward the rim, which is good. I like that. Its hard to get into specifics with what he can do because hes not with the team but his role will be a good one. He knows how to play so I cant see why it would be anything but positive.Added Rockets guard James Harden on what Motiejunas brings to the table: His passing. Hes versatile. Hes smart, playmaking. Hes not one-dimensional. Hopefully he can get acclimated in our system and be ready to go. Hurricanes Jerseys 2020 . The International Olympic Committee released the official list of bid cities on Friday after the deadline for applications had passed. The candidates -- all previously announced in their own countries -- are: Almaty, Kazakhstan; Beijing; Krakow, Poland; Lviv, Ukraine; Oslo, Norway; and Stockholm. Carolina Hurricanes Shirts . The Olympic champion curler and TSN curling analyst immediately went online to look at the Halls long list of honoured members. Thats when the enormity of the honour sunk in. https://www.cheaphurricanes.com/ . 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MOSCOW, Idaho -- Aaron Duckworth ran for 108 yards and two touchdowns to help Idaho stave off a second-half charge from Montana State, 20-17, in the season opener for each team on Thursday night.Both of Duckworths scoring runs came in the first quarter, including a 43-yarder which gave the Vandals a 10-7 lead -- which they held the rest of the night.Matt Linehan threw for 128 yards and Austin Rehkow kicked field goals of 44 and 34 yards for the Vandals.The Bobcats Chad Newell raan for 105 yards and a touchdown, and Tyler Bruggman threw for 191 yards and a 12-yard scoring toss to Justin Paige.ddddddddddddMontana State cut Idahos advantage to 20-17 with 9:22 left after a 3-yard TD run by Newell. After stopping the Vandals on fourth-and-1 with 5:21 remaining the Bobcats had a final opportunity to win it, but went three-and-out. ' ' '