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LOS ANGELES, Calif. - Kobe Bryant returned to the Los Angeles Lakers lineup Sunday night against Phoenix after taking three games off to rest.Coach Byron Scott didnt know how many minutes Bryants return will last, and he had no predictions about how much rest Bryant will need going forward in the winter.But the former Lakers teammates are determined to figure out how to preserve Bryants 36-year-old body for the rigours of his 19th NBA season, even if it means taking more games off in the near future.When you get to this point in your career, you have to listen to your body a little bit more, Scott said. I think hes being smart, allowing me to say, OK, lets sit this game, and not put up a fight and just trusting in me. I thought that was big for us.Bryant skipped three games in four days surrounding Christmas due to an overall soreness, missing the Lakers upset win over Golden State before a brutal back-to-back road trip in Chicago and Dallas.The third-leading scorer in NBA history played just six games in the previous 18 months before this season due to two major injuries. Although he has looked much like his former self for long stretches this season, Bryant has been more aware than ever of his susceptibility to fatigue and injury, and hes handling himself accordingly.I just think he understands right now that he has to get as much as he can out of his body while he can, and then sometimes were going to have to sit down, Scott said. The body will get you to change a little bit when it starts talking to you. I think we all know that Kobe is one of the smartest players in this league, so he starts to listen, just like everybody else.After showing up to Staples Center more than three hours early for a pregame workout, Bryant largely ran the point in the opening minutes against the Suns, focusing on playmaking instead of the physical grind of being a scorer. He had made just 29.2 per cent of his shots in his last five games before his rest.Scott hopes to reduce his minutes from their current 35.4 per game, aiming to play Bryant roughly 32 minutes each night. Bryant also is still skipping most practices with his teammates, although he chafes against that restriction.But Scott cant promise Bryant wont play extra minutes if a game is on the line for the Lakers, who are still scuffling at the edge of respectability despite their injury woes.He only knows one way to play, Scott said. If hes on the court, hes going to play all-out. He doesnt take plays off, so you know youve got to sometimes save a guy from himself. Lyle Overbay Jersey . The Brazilian-born strikers brace drew him level with Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo as the leagues leading scorers with 17 goals apiece through 16 rounds. "The important thing is to help the team win, not the goals," Diego Costa said. After a first half dominated by defence, Atletico pressed Valencia into its area and Diego Costa did the rest. Paul Goldschmidt Jersey . Leaning forward with both hands on his knees, Buffon appeared to be resting or somehow trying to withstand the rain. Or perhaps the 36-year-old goalkeeper and Italy captain was reflecting on this: He is only the third player in history to be part of five World Cup squads, along with Germany great Lothar Matthaus and former Mexico goalkeeper Antonio Carbajal. https://www.cheapdiamondbacksjerseys.us ... backs.html. Dallas (2-0-1) sits atop the Western Conference with an MLS-best seven points. Castillo opened the scoring in the 71st minute off a Mauro Diaz set piece, and Watson outran defender Tony Lochhead on a long ball and then juked goalkeeper Ian Kennedy for the eventual game-winner in the 78th minute. Greg Colbrunn Jersey .J. -- Travis Zajac of the New Jersey Devils took a lot of grief considering his scored the first of his career-best three goals just 12 seconds into a crucial game against the Florida Panthers. Emilio Vargas Jersey . Pierre last November, only to watch St. Pierre leave the UFC octagon with his welterweight title belt and a split-decision victory. MANCHESTER, England -- Manchester City ended Liverpools short stay at the top of the English Premier League and moved ahead of its title rival after Alvaro Negredo secured a 2-1 victory in their Boxing Day encounter. Englands most potent attacking team quickly recovered after Phillippe Coutinho put Liverpool ahead in the 24th minute. Vincent Kompany headed City level seven minutes later and Negredos high shot was fumbled into the net by Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet on the stroke of halftime. "Thats the hardest game so far. Liverpool are a good team so its great for us," Kompany said. "Its a weird (title race) because all the teams started a little slowly." City ended the day as it started: A point behind the leaders. But Arsenal is back atop the standings, with City moving up a place to second and Liverpool dropping to fourth behind Chelsea. "I thought we were absolutely outstanding," Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers said. "(The players) had no help whatsoever from the officials. They were horrendous." Aggrieved that Raheem Sterling had a goal ruled out for offside and Luis Suarez was denied a late penalty, Rodgers questioned why a referee from the Manchester area -- Lee Mason of Bolton -- was given a match involving a Manchester team. Rodgers could face an English Football Association charge for calling into question the referees integrity and implying potential bias. "We never got any decision," Rodgers said. Despite the setback, Liverpool was only three points behind leader Arsenal going into Sundays match at Chelsea. City, though, remain the favourite to repeat its 2012 title triumph after its ninth straight home win to start the season. Manuel Pellegrinis side has beaten every team in the top eight apart from Chelsea, and has netted a league leading 53 goals in 18 games. Despite going up against the high-scoring Suarez, City was again the superior attacking unit and created all the danger at the start. Jesus Navas headed against the post after five minutes, Kompany missed the target with a header from Samir Nasris corner, and Yaya Toures shot was deflected wide. It wasnt long, though, before City goalkeeper Joe Hart was calledd into action in his second league match after being dropped for two months.dddddddddddd Hart denied Suarez an 11th goal of the month when he blocked his free kick. But, after Raheem Sterlings goal was harshly ruled out for being offside while meeting Suarezs pass, Hart was beaten. Suarez flicked the ball through for Sterling to round Hart, whose goal was open for Coutinho to dispatch the loose ball into the net from a tight angle. The lead lasted only seven minutes. Kompany outjumped Martin Skrtel to meet David Silvas corner and his header first went past the diving Mignolet and then Joe Allen was powerless to stop on the goal-line. In a fast-paced game, City was at times exposed by the speed of Liverpools break. In the 40th, Suarez released Coutinho, who was denied this time by Hart. Harts counterpart, though, wasnt as assured between the posts. City broke through the middle, with Nasri and Navas leading the charge before feeding Negredo. The shot from Negredo didnt seem menacing but Mignolet pushed it looping over him into the net. "Im disappointed we shipped a goal from a corner and for the second goal, we have to manage the game better coming up to halftime," Rodgers said. "Thats an area we will look at, for sure." Liverpool, so devastating in December -- with 18 goals in four games -- couldnt produce an equalizer. Jordan Henderson struck over at the start of the second half from Suarezs layoff. Mignolet, though, wasnt beaten again, getting two hands on the ball this time when Negredo tried to chip him, and easily collecting a header from the forward. At the other end, Hart made a case for retaining his place in the City goal after error-strewn performances led to him being dropped in October for league matches. The England goalkeeper denied Glen Johnson before being alert to keep out Hendersons backheeled shot. Liverpools best chance of the half to equalize was squandered when Sterling met Suarezs cross but blazed over with the goal seemingly at his mercy. Suarez was denied a penalty late on when Joleon Lescott tugged on his shirt. "Im disappointed to lose," Rodgers said, "but the over-riding feeling is pride in my players." ' ' '