Bündniss » a.m.): With?James Starks?sidelined

A week ago, Memphis Grizzlies coach David Fizdale had an important film session. The first-year coach showed Grizzlies footage of a 10-point loss in Milwaukee that dropped the Grizzlies to 4-5.The film session did not get rave reviews since it highlighted many of the defensive deficiencies on a team known for defending. Through the first nine games, the Grizzlies allowed over 100 points six times. But since the film meeting things have improved, especially defensively.Memphis takes a four-game winning streak into Monday night, when they visit the Charlotte Hornets.During this streak, the Grizzlies are allowing 84.5 points, but that figure is even better from a successful back-to-back against the Dallas Mavericks and Minnesota Timberwolves. Memphis allowed 64 and 71 points, respectively, in those two games and held its opponents to a combined 33.5 percent shooting (46-of-137).Thats what we do. Thats what weve been doing, Memphis forward Zach Randolph said of the defense. That aint no surprise.Just as notable is what Memphis has done to opposing scorers in the last four games.In Saturdays 93-71 win, the Grizzlies held Timberwolves star Andrew Wiggins to 2 of 11 shooting, and Friday in Dallas Harrison Barnes was 5 of 17. In the first two games of this streak, Memphis held Utahs Gordon Hayward to 4-of-14 shooting and Los Angeles Clippers star Chris Paul to 3-of-11.And while Memphis has been clamping down on defense, it has been getting enough offense from different sources. Marc Gasol scored 48 points in Utah and Los Angeles but was held to six points on 2-of-12 shooting Saturday.Offensively, our main guys didnt score a lot, Gasol said. But our defense was very consistent.Instead, JaMychal Green led Memphis with 19 points and grabbed eight rebounds. He has led the Grizzlies in scoring twice and is one of six players to lead the team in points this season.While Memphis rebounded with a good week, the Hornets will be looking to recover from their worst defensive night of the year.Charlotte is among the leagues top defensive rated teams but wound up with a 121-116 overtime loss at New Orleans Saturday. The Hornets blew a 14-point lead through the opening minute of the fourth quarter.In their fourth loss in 12 games, Charlotte gave up 23 fast break points, 14 3-pointers and committed 15 turnovers.Theres a difference between doing the right thing and losing and then not doing the right thing that allows the other team to get going, Hornets coach Steve Clifford said. So, thats whats disappointing is if were going to be the team I think we can be, you cant play like that.Kemba Walker scored 25 points on 10-of-25 shooting, marking the 11th straight game he reached 20 points. Reserve Marco Belinelli added 22 points and Frank Kaminsky had 15.Those totals were not enough since Charlotte was 8-of-27 from the floor after Kaminskys 3-pointer gave them a 14-point lead.They just made the right plays, Walker said. As a team, we just made so many mistakes and they capitalized on every mistake that we made. We paid for it. We played in spurts and thats something thats been hurting us.One player who might not be able to help the Hornets recover is Cody Zeller. Zeller sat out with a shoulder injury and is day-to-day.Last season, the Hornets swept the season series for the first time since 2009-10. Walker scored half of his 22 points in the fourth quarter in Charlottes 98-92 home win on Dec. 26 and finished with 33 in a 123-99 rout at Memphis on Dec. 11.China Shoes . -- Nate Robinson has played for seven teams, so beating one of them is no longer a rare occurrence. Jordan From China .Y. - Free agent outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury, fresh off winning the World Series with Boston, reached agreement with the rival New York Yankees on a seven-year contract worth about $153 million, a person familiar with the negotiations said Tuesday night. https://www.chinashoes.us/ . The news was first reported on Gonzalezs Twitter account and confirmed by the Rockies. Gonzalez has a six-week window before position players have their first workout at spring training in Arizona. China Shoes Online .35 million, one-year contract that avoided salary arbitration. Plouffe batted .254 with 14 home runs and 52 RBIs in 477 at-bats last season, his second as a regular in the lineup. Yeezy From China .Y. -- Sabres forward Drew Stafford has witnessed plenty of turmoil during his eight seasons in Buffalo.To help you set your lineups and avoid starting a player who wont take the field, we will post fantasy-relevant updates and analysis here as NFL teams release their Sunday inactive lists before kickoff. Any rankings cited in this column come from our ESPN Fantasy staff ranks.Refresh often for the latest information.Ruled out before SundayRB Darren Sproles (concussion), WR Marquess Wilson (groin), WR Allen Hurns (hamstring), TE C.J. Fiedorowicz (concussion), LB Derrick Johnson (Achilles), WR Donte Moncrief (hamstring), S Harrison Smith (ankle), DE Jason Pierre-Paul (core muscle), WR Julio Jones (toe), WR Danny Amendola (ankle), LB Brandon Marshall (hamstring), S Karl Joseph (toe), RB Melvin Gordon (hip), RB?James Starks?(concussion)Early games, 1 p.m. ET (eight scheduled)WR Dorial Green-Beckham (abdomen, questionable) -- active WR Jordan Matthews (ankle, questionable) -- active LB Zach Brown (ankle, questionable)?-- active TE Charles Clay (knee, questionable)?-- active WR Sammy Watkins (foot, questionable)?-- active DT Kyle Williams (back, questionable)?-- active QB Aaron Rodgers (calf, questionable) -- active WR Randall Cobb (ankle, questionable) -- active RB Christine Michael (illness, questionable) -- active LB Justin Houston (illness, questionable) -- active TE Dwayne Allen (hip, questionable) -- active RB Matt Asiata (ankle, questionable) -- active RB Theo Riddick (wrist, doubtful) -- inactive TE Eric Ebron (knee, questionable) -- active RB Zach Zenner (concussion, questionable) -- active RB Shane Vereen (concussion, questionable) -- active WR A.J. Green (hamstring, doubtful) -- inactiveLate games, 4:05 and 4:25 p.m. ET (four scheduled)LB Craig Robertson (shoulder, questionable) -- active WR John Brown (illness, questionable) -- active TE Jermaine Gresham (knee, questionable) -- active TE Martellus Bennett (ankle, questionable) -- active LB Donta Hightower (knee, questionable) -- active WR Amari Cooper (shoulder, questionable) -- active WR Michael Crabtree (finger, questionable) -- activeSunday night game, 8:30 ETS Chris Conte (chest, questionable) -- active LB Lavonte David (hamstring, questionable) -- active S Barry Church (forearm, questionable) -- active WR Dez Bryant (back, questionable) -- active LB Sean Lee (knee, questionable) -- activeUpdates/analysis (most recent first)Kalif Raymond (3:05 p.m.): Raymond, who has averaged 10.2 yards per punt return over the last two games, is a surprise inactive today for the Broncos. Jordan Norwood, whose three fumbles on punts this season were a large reason why Raymond was activated in the first place, will likely get a chance at special teams redemption.San Francisco 49ers (2:40 p.m.): Colin Kaepernick is still the No. 1 quarterback for the 49ers, but the identity of his backup has changed. For the first time this season, Christian Ponder will be active for the team, with Blaine Gabbert sitting Week 15 out.?DeAngelo Williams (11:58 a.m.): There had been a lot of talk about Williams returning from his knee injury this week, but he will miss his sixth straight game, despite not having been listed on the Pittsburgh injury report headed into the weekend.dddddddddddd LeVeon Bell owners who might have had some butterflies about some of his workload getting stolen by Williams need not fear.Indianapolis Colts (11:55 a.m.): With both Denzelle Good (concussion) and Joe Reitz (back) being inactive for todays game, the Colts will have to start three rookies on the offensive line: Joe Haeg, Ryan Kelly and LeRaven Clark. As a result, Andrew Luck may not have as much time to throw the ball downfield as usual.?Adrian Peterson (11:50 a.m.): As previously reported by ESPNs Adam Schefter, the Vikings running back has been activated for todays game, and will start for the Minnesota Vikings. Matt Asiata, who had been questionable to play with an ankle injury, is also active, and should split time in the backfield with both Peterson and Jerick McKinnon.Chicago Bears (11:45 a.m.): NT Eddie Goldman (ankle) reinjured an ankle that had previously caused him to miss six weeks of action this season, and will not play in Week 15. The defense will also be without CB Bryce Callahan (knee).Theo Riddick (11:40 a.m.): A wrist injury will indeed keep the Detroit running back out of action today. Dwayne Washington is likely to get (pardon the pun) the lions share of carries in the backfield, though Zach Zenner (concussion) is active.A.J. Green (7:45 a.m.): Officially, we probably wont get word that Green will miss todays game until the inactives list is released. That said, all signs point to the Bengals waiting until Week 16 to get their star wide receiver back on the field. Upgrade Tyler Boyd in your fantasy rankings.?Aaron Rodgers (7:35 a.m.): Call it just in case, but it shouldnt be ignored that the Packers promoted QB Joe Callahan from their practice squad on Saturday. That gives them a backup to Brett Hundley, should Rodgers calf force him to miss any or all of Sundays game. It doesnt mean Rodgers wont start, but it certainly indicates Green Bays fear he might not be able to finish the game.Ty Montgomery (7:30 a.m.): With?James Starks?sidelined because of a concussion, NFL Networks Ian Rapoport reports that Montgomery will start at running back for the Packers. Christine Michael is also expected to get some backfield work.Michael Floyd (7:25 a.m.): According to ESPNs Adam Schefter, the wide receiver will not be active today as the Patriots take on the Broncos. Floyd signed with New England on Thursday after being released by Arizona because of a DUI arrest last week. He was, however, expected to travel with the team to Colorado.Oakland Raiders (7:20 a.m.): While theres still a questionable tag on both starting wide receivers, Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree are both expected to play on Sunday, despite being listed as limited throughout the week of practice. That could be very good news for QB Derek Carrs chances for a solid fantasy outing.Official Sunday inactives should begin coming in at approximately 11:30 a.m. ET for the early games, 2:30 p.m. ET for the late games and 7 p.m. ET for the Sunday night game. ' ' '