Die Macht » error.Serving for the first set, Murray won

ATLANTA -- The Washington Wizards will try to ensure the Atlanta Hawks Dwight Howard Era gets off to a rocky start when they meet in the season opener on Thursday.Howard was the biggest offseason acquisition for the Hawks, who hope to return to the Eastern Conference finals and beyond. Atlanta signed the 6-foot-11 center to a three-year, $70 million deal in the offseason after incumbent center Al Horford took less money to sign with the Boston Celtics.Atlanta went 48-34 last season, finished fourth in the Eastern Conference and was swept by Cleveland in the conference semifinals. Washington went 41-41 to finish 10th in the East and missed the playoffs.The Hawks are hopeful that the 30-year-old Howard, a native of Atlanta, can revive his career. He averaged 17.8 points, 12.7 rebounds and 2.1 blocks over his 12-year career, but slipped to 13.7 points for the Rockets last season.Playing at home, where people have great expectations for what is supposed to happen here, sometimes it can get a little nerve-racking, Howard said. For me, I just try not to think about it. I just try to approach it as though its any other game. But I know this city. They have their hopes real high on us and on me.Its a new start for Washington, too. The Wizards fired coach Randy Wittman and hired Scott Brooks, who spent six seasons at Oklahoma City and took the Thunder to the NBA finals in 2011-12.The Wizards are led by guard John Wall, who averaged 19.9 points and 10.2 assists last season, and Bradley Beal, who averaged 17.4 points while dealing with hip and leg issues that limited him to 55 games. Beal showed he was fully recovered in the preseason, when he effectively distributed the ball and had very few turnovers.Us as players are coming in with a mindset of whatever we have to do, getting it done, Wall said. Its an all-new beginning for all of us, so we want to get off to a good start with a new coaching staff and new group of players we have on the team.Washington is also expected to start Otto Porter, Markieff Morris and Marcin Gortat. The Wizards are hopeful that Morris can become the 3-point shooting threat the team has been missing.The Wizards also expect to see second-year player Kelly Oubre Jr. take big strides forward and be a key player off the bench. He should play more than he did a year ago, when he averaged 11 minutes.The Hawks had their starting five on the court at the same time in their final two preseason games. Atlanta will start Howard, forwards Paul Millsap and Kyle Korver and guards Dennis Schroder and Kent Bazemore.Schroder will be the starter at point guard after veteran Jeff Teague was traded to Indiana. Malcolm Delaney will be the backup at point.The Wizards play their first two games on the road, going to Memphis on Sunday, before playing at home on Wednesday against Toronto. The Hawks travel to Philadelphia for a game on Saturday afternoon. Deandre Ayton Suns Jersey . -- Anaheim Ducks defenceman Luca Sbisa will be out at least six weeks with a torn tendon in his right hand. Penny Hardaway Jersey . "I wrote 36 on my sheet at the beginning of the game," the Cincinnati coach said, referring the yard line the ball would need to be snapped from. http://www.officialsunsfanstore.com/dan-majerle-suns-jersey/ . The Oilers come in having lost five in a row (0-4-1) and 16 of their last 20 games, dropping a 2-1 decision to the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday. Richaun Holmes Suns Jersey . -- Former San Diego Chargers safety Paul Oliver was found dead at his Atlanta-area home Tuesday night, and a medical examiner said Wednesday that the ex-player committed suicide. Elie Okobo Jersey . Self was acquired from the Buffalo Bandits in a trade for Alex Hill midway through last season, and made his debut in Rochester on March 16, 2013. PARIS -- Celebrating the best season of his career, Andy Murray cemented his rise to No. 1 by beating John Isner 6-3, 6-7 (4), 6-4 Sunday to win the Paris Masters for the first time.It was his eighth title this year, his 14th in Masters overall. It also ended Isners bid for a first Masters title.I felt really nervous before the match, Murray said, despite having beaten the big-serving American in all seven of their previous career meetings.Murray will officially replace Novak Djokovic at the top of the rankings when they are published on Monday.It might only be for one week. So, I might as well try and enjoy it, Murray said. Because I could lose it at the (ATP) Tour Finals and never be there again.The 29-year-old Murray is still getting accustomed to his newfound status.I dont really know if its sunk in or not, said Murray, who is a three-time Grand Slam winner and a double Olympic champion. It feels different (to) when I had won a Grand Slam or (the) Olympics.Especially in the number of congratulatory messages.More than Ive had after any match I have played in my life, Murray said. Its very nice, because you have won the respect of the players.Murray recently beat Isner 6-1, 6-3 in the quarterfinals of the Erste Bank Open in Vienna, but this was thoroughly contested.We played last week and the difference was huge, Murray said.Using 18 aces and hitting plenty of inside-out winners on his massive forehand, Isner generated considerable pressure.But he also wasted six break points overall.In the second set, he was 4-3 ahead and 40-0 up on Murrays serve, but failed to punish the Briton -- last years runner-up to Djokovic.But in a rare dip, Murray double-faulted during the tiebreaker and Isner profited to take the set.Isner saved break points on his first two service games of the third set, hanging on as Murray restored his superiority.Then, serving to stay in the match, the 2.08-meter (6-foot-10-inch) American double-faulted to trail 0-30. He won a tough first point and then hit yet another ace to make it 30-30.Isner sank a difficult volley into the net, giving Murray a first match point. With Isner on second serve, Murray dominated a brief rally, pinging a pass down the line that Isner patted into the net with the ball close to his body.ddddddddddddIt was a hard-fought victory and Isner stood with his head down at the net, waiting to congratulate Murray.Murray has won four consecutive tournaments, taking his career tally to 43.Next up is the season-ending ATP finals in London, beginning next Sunday.Murray will cross the English Channel to try and take the title there, having secured his top ranking here.This has been an incredible journey to get to the top of the rankings, said Murray, whose brother Jamie is among the worlds best doubles players.There havent been many tennis players from Scotland over the years, and a lot of what we have done is big credit to our parents, Murray said. Our mum was a tennis coach. She helped us learn the game really and helped us enjoy the game at a young age.The 31-year-old Isner, playing in the third Masters final of his career, ends the year without a title.He lost his other final this season to Australian Nick Kyrgios at Atlanta, Georgia, in August.Some small consolation is that he finishes the year with the most aces at 1,159 -- the fourth time he has achieved this.Murray broke Isner twice, the first time to move 4-2 up in the first set.Isner fought back, a booming forehand winner giving him two break points in the seventh game.Murray saved the first one with a lob -- impressive against such a tall player -- and volley. He rescued the second by forcing an unforced error.Serving for the first set, Murray won the first point with an extraordinary backhand retrieve from a speedy Isner forehand that he somehow turned into a cross-court winner.That was pretty spectacular from him, Isner said. He always clamps down on me when I have a bit of an opening.In the second set, Isner got a deserved ovation in the eighth game when he won a 20-stroke rally.Showing nimble footwork that belied his size, he traded shots with Murray, winning the point with a superb drop shot and then a forehand winner from Murrays retrieve.Isner was playing his best tennis of the match and had Murray 0-40 down.Murray recovered but gave Isner another chance at deuce.He missed that chance, too. ' ' '