NEW YORK -- The Liberty have been finding ways to win close games lately.New York nearly blew an 18-point lead against Seattle before holding on for a 78-74 victory on Wednesday night. The Liberty have won five of their past six games that have either gone to overtime or been decided by four points or fewer.We said we dont want to just be a mediocre team, said Tina Charles, who led New York with 18 points. It was good finding a way to win again as we didnt want to lose two straight games.Since dropping three in a row at the end of May, including two in overtime, New York has won 11 of 14 overall. Tanisha Wright added a season-high 18 points for the Liberty (13-6).New York led for the entire game, building its advantage to 18 in the first half before Seattle rallied behind Breanna Stewart, the No. 1 pick in the WNBA draft this past April. She finished with 24 points and 16 rebounds.Its frustrating losing, but we are competing, Stewart said. We were coming off a back-to-back and wanted to be competitive with one of the best teams in the league.The Storm (6-12) trailed by seven midway through the fourth before Stewart scored five straight to get them within 75-73. After getting a stop on the defensive end, Sue Bird was fouled with 4.9 seconds left and hit the first of two free throws. Her second bounced off the rim and New York grabbed the rebound.Wright hit two free throws with 1.9 seconds remaining and Seattle turned the ball over on its last possession to seal the game.Bird, who grew up on Long Island and said she had about 60 family and friends at the game, matched her season high with 10 assists. She also had 10 assists against New York in the earlier meeting this season in Seattle.A beautiful rendition of the national anthem was sung before the game by a group of students from Daniels Music Foundation. The New York-based music school was founded in 2006, nine years after Daniel Trush had a burst arterial brain aneurysm at 12 years old. Now 32 years old, Trush was part of the group singing.Astros Jerseys 2019 . Pettersen, winner of last years Evian Championships, had nine birdies and three bogeys, holding off a series of challengers led by Marion Ricordeau of France. The second-ranked Norwegian made her season debut after missing the LPGA Tours opening event last month in the Bahamas because of a shoulder injury. Stitched Astros Jerseys . No. 13-seeded John Isner and No. 21 Philipp Kohlschreiber were among six players who dropped out of the tournament on Tuesday, joining No. 12 seed Tommy Haas and two other players who withdrew on Monday. https://www.cheapastros.com/73o-roberto-osuna-jersey-astros.html . -- Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Farmar will be out for roughly four weeks after tearing his left hamstring. Custom Houston Astros Jerseys . -- Ty Montgomery had 290 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns, and fifth-ranked Stanford held on to beat No. Astros Jerseys 2020 .com) - The Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks both take aim at their first wins of the season on Saturday, as the Canucks open their home slate at Rogers Arena.An MRI on J.R. Smiths left knee on Tuesday showed no structural damage, and the?Cleveland Cavaliers?said the guard will be day-to-day with what was diagnosed as a knee contusion.Smith, who will miss Wednesday nights game against the host New York Knicks, bruised the knee during the Cavs victory over the Toronto Raptors on Monday.Great news, great news, Cavs coach Tyronn Lue said of Smiths status before shootaround Wednesday at Madison Square Garden. I talked to him [Tuesday] night. He feels normal, thats a good sign and the MRI being negative. ... The way he reacted and the way he fell, I thought he was going to be out for a long time.Smith, who had been battling soreness in the knee for several weeks, returned to Cleveland to have the knee examined instead of going to New York with the Cavaliers.Smith had surgery on the knee in 2013, when he was a member of the Knicks.Although Smith is day-to-day, Lue hinted that he ccould hold him out of the lineup for an extended period of time for recovery, if necessary.dddddddddddd.Whatever he needs to get his leg right, Lue said. Thats the important thing, looking at the long haul, down the stretch.Lue added that?DeAndre Liggins?will start in Smiths place. It will be Liggins second start, in the 69th game of his career.Just like the energy he brings, Lue said. I think high energy from a guy, its contagious. Guys tend to play harder, seeing him flying around the floor, picking up full court. Thats the juice and spunk we need.Smith, 31, signed a four-year, $57 million deal in October to remain with the defending NBA champions. He has struggled this season, averaging 7.8 points and shooting just 31 percent.Information from ESPNs Dave McMenamin was used in this report. ' ' '