SAN ANTONIO -- The Portland Trail Blazers were clearly rattled by the San Antonio Spurs in the opener of the Western Conference semifinals, and they were almost snake bit before Game 2. [url=http://www.custompackersjersey.com/custom-eddie-lacy-jersey-large-6 02r.html]Eddie Lacy Jersey[/url] . A baby

SAN ANTONIO -- The Portland Trail Blazers were clearly rattled by the San Antonio Spurs in the opener of the Western Conference semifinals, and they were almost snake bit before Game 2. Eddie Lacy Jersey . A baby rattlesnake, estimated at about 3 to 4 feet, was discovered in the teams locker room at the AT&T Center about two hours before the game Thursday. It was found by reserve forward Thomas Robinson, who recoiled a few feet after seeing the snake when he moved a bag from his locker. "I didnt (see it)," Portland coach Terry Stotts said. "They said it was a young one." Young or not, guard Mo Williams tweeted that it was a scary experience. Rattlesnakes are a venomous species that can grow up to 8 feet and weigh more than 10 pounds. It takes its name from a "rattle" at the end of its tail that produces a rattling sound when shaken to warn predators of its presence. It is unknown if the rattlesnake found in the locker room made any noise, but Robinsons cries were enough to alert his teammates of its presence. "Well, its bizarre to have a venomous snake in your locker room," Stotts said. "I dont know if its ever happened before. That sounds like an ABA story." The Spurs have a history in the ABA and also with critters in the AT&T Center. The stadium hosts the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo each February and its grounds are used for livestock shows during the three-week event. Spurs guard Manu Ginobili also swatted down a bat that was flying above the court at the AT&T Center on Nov. 1, 2009. Ginobili had to have rabies shots after striking the bat with his bare hands. Fortunately for the Spurs, Ginobili wasnt needed to corral the snake. "I think some people here (captured it)," Stotts said, smiling. "They have them on hand at the AT&T Center. They have a specialist." It probably wasnt a good omen for Portland, which is seeking to even its series with San Antonio. "Or a good sign," Stotts said. "We survived." The Trail Blazers will gladly accept any good fortune after being walloped in their first second-round appearance in 14 years. San Antonio led by as many as 31 points and never trailed in rolling to a 116-92 victory on Tuesday. Tony Parker had 32 points and nine assists, as many as Portland had as a team, as the Trail Blazers never threatened the defending Western Conference champions. Stotts was asked if he thought someone from the Spurs had planted the snake to rattle his young charges. "Youre the investigative reporter, you figure it out," Stotts said, tongue in cheek. Stotts was then asked if he considered returning the favour and planting the snake in San Antonios locker room. "That thing, its like Fort Knox over there. You cant get in," he said. Well, the room with officials Joe Crawford, Bill Spooner, Derrick Stafford and Sean Wright is only about 50 feet away from the Blazers locker room. "And I cant comment on the officials," Stotts said, laughing. Billy Howton Jersey . Canadas 5-1 loss to Finland in the semifinal ranks as the tournaments most-watched game with a record 2.7 million viewers, the largest ever for a World Juniors game played outside of North America, and winning Saturday as the most-watched program on Canadian television. Montravius Adams Jersey . Patrice Bergeron and Daniel Paille scored 20 seconds apart a few minutes after Stamkos was taken off the ice on a stretcher with a broken right leg, and the Bruins beat the Lightning 3-0 on Monday afternoon. http://www.custompackersjersey.com/custom-dean-lowry-jersey-large-2172r.html .B. -- Canadas Rachel Homan had ideal preparation for the playoffs at the Ford World Curling Championships with a pair of hard-fought wins over tenacious opponents Thursday.Winnipeg Goldeyes manager Rick Forney announced Tuesday the signing of veteran outfielder Ray Sadler to a contract for the 2014 season. Sadler, 33, is a former Major Leaguer with the Pittsburgh Pirates who was acquired from the Kansas City T-Bones last season. In 59 games with the Goldeyes last summer, he hit .313 with 11 home runs and 50 RBI. Overall, he batted .276 with 21 home runs and 72 RBI in 100 games between Kansas City and Winnipeg. "I love the way he plays and the way he carries himself as a true pro," Forney said. "Hes been very productive in this league. Last year in the second half of the season he was as good as anyone in the league in terms of driving in some big runs, especially the last four weeks of the season. He was as important to our team as anyone that we had in terms of giving us a chance to compete for a playoff spot. We anticipate him drivving in some more big runs for us in 2014. Allen Lazard Jersey. " Sadler has played the last four seasons at the independent level. In 382 games, mostly with Kansas City, he has a .298 average with 82 home runs and 318 RBI. Hes reached 20 home runs in three of the four seasons and drove in 100 RBI with the T-Bones in 2011, which was three shy of the American Association record for a single-season. A product of Clifton, Texas, Sadler has played 14 professional seasons. He reached the Major Leagues with the Pirates in 2005 for three games and hit a home run in one of his eight at-bats. Aside from his time in the Pirates organization, Sadler spent time with the Chicago Cubs, Houston Astros and Tampa Bay Rays. He was drafted by the Cubs in the 30th round of the 1999 MLB Amateur Draft. He has parts of eight seasons at Class AA and four seasons at Class AAA on his resume. ' ' '