Rockets At Thunder Friday, January 29th, 2016

DALLAS — Jamal Murray has a tendency to make situations more difficult on himself. When he slithers around a ball screen from Nikola Jokic or isolates in open space, his instinct and his dribble often compel him inside the 3-point arc, where contested jump shots are considered equally challenging but less valuable. When he was a rising prospect in high school, “at first he would make 100 free throws every day,” his former coach Larry Blunt recalled.

First, it was the bellowing, almost cartoonish laughter reverberating off the walls inside the room. Then, it was multiple balls of tape hurled in the direction of unsuspecting victims. It was just a random weekday in the middle of a long, grinding season for the Avalanche. It was also a day this past week at Family Sports Center that felt steeped in symbolism. The Avalanche locker room was suddenly a pretty fun place to be.

UFC 311 Results, Bonus Winners And The 8 Biggest Takeaways ForbesOfficial Scorecards | UFC 311: Makhachev vs Moicano UFCUFC 311 results: Sooo About last night | Makhachev vs. Moicano MMA ManiaUFC 311 Pay: Merab Dvalishvili Earns Highest Reported Fighter Payout ForbesUFC 311 Results: Islam Makhachev submits Renato Moicano in the first to retain his title Yahoo Sports

Commanders-Lions: Jayden Daniels, Washington pull off one of NFL's greatest playoff upsets in 45-31 shootout win over Detroit Yahoo SportsCommanders-Lions on Divisional Round Saturday: What We Learned from Washington's 45-31 win NFL.com'It hurts': Campbell, Lions see magical year end ESPNWhat to know from Saturday’s NFL playoff action as Washington and Kansas City advance CNNWashington shock top-seeded Detroit to reach first NFC title game in 33 years The Guardian

NFL playoffs: Chiefs reach seventh straight AFC championship game with 23-14 win over Texans The Washington PostKelce flips 'switch' for playoffs, explodes in KC win ESPNTexans voice dismay with officiating following 23-14 Divisional Round loss to Chiefs NFL.comTOUCHDOWN: Kareem Hunt's Score Boosts Kansas City Chiefs' Lead vs. Houston Texans in Second Quarter chiefs.comTaylor Swift joined by Caitlin Clark as she watches Travis Kelce and the Chiefs’ playoff win The Associated Press

How Ohio State, Notre Dame rallied from stunning losses, sparked national championship runs 247SportsOhio State-Notre Dame betting guide: Picks for CFP National Championship ESPNFor many Notre Dame fans, no stop on a magical College Football Playoff run can be missed - The Athletic The AthleticWho will win national championship game?