rter gave the Trail Blazers a 58-38 lead.George made back-t

WIMBLEDON -- There came a point Monday when you wondered whether Steve Johnson might have thought, OK, now I get it.Johnson denied any intimidation going into his match against Roger Federer, whom the former two-time NCAA champion idolized growing up. But not until facing the lethally precise and efficient manner in which Federer can take apart an opponent did the 26-year-old appreciate how overwhelming the task of playing him can be.You realize when he hits these shots and finds his way out of tricky situations with such ease, thats just what he does and why hes arguably the best ever, said Johnson, who fell to Federer 6-2, 6-3, 7-5 in 1 hour, 37 minutes.With hopes that he would join his close friend and part-time doubles partner Sam Querrey in the quarterfinals -- which would have marked the first time more than one American man has gone that far here since 2011 -- Johnson never threatened the seven-time Wimbledon champ.I feel like his level is as high as ever, Johnson said.The prevailing theory going in was that Johnson, ranked 29th, might have had a chance if he used his power to neutralize Federer with his forehand and serve, while taking advantage of his athletic ability to at least stay in the match.Instead, Federer dictated points, hitting 35 winners and only 13 unforced errors. He converted five of 10 break-point opportunities and 33-of-40 net points.Federer broke Johnson twice in the first set and answered Johnsons sole break in the third -- only the second time Federer has lost serve in the tournament. Federer then broke again to go up 6-5 and spoil any notion the American would somehow rally back.I think it was by far my best match, said Federer, showing no effects of the back injury that kept him out of the French Open.With the victory, Federer, 34, accumulated a few more records, most notably tying Martina Navratilova for the most Grand Slam singles wins by a man or woman at 306 against just 50 losses.He also equals Jimmy Connors Wimbledon Open era record with his 14th quarterfinal appearance.With Novak Djokovic out of the tournament, Federers chances of becoming the first man to win an eighth Wimbledon title is increasing steadily, according to Ladbrokes. As of Monday, Federers odds were 7/2, second to only Andy Murray (10/11).Federer, the highest-ranked player in the top section of a draw, has yet to drop a set in four matches. But Wednesday, he should face his strongest challenge yet in No. 9 Marin Cilic, who also expended little effort in getting past No. 5 Kei Nishikori, 6-1, 5-1 (ret.) in just 45 minutes.Federer practiced with Cilic when he arrived at Wimbledon and said it was a good indication of what he can expect next.He was playing great, Federer said. [It was] 1-2, 1-2, 1-2, serving, boom, forehand, serving, boom, backhand. Hes very aggressive. He blew me off the court at the [2014] US Open. I know what Im getting into.Hes really tough to play. Hes really improved his serve in the last few years, especially since US Open. Ive never seen him serve that consistently well. He can clearly do it here at Wimbledon, too. Kevin Faulk Jersey . 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The 31-year-old Spain midfielder hasnt played since Madrid lost in the Copa del Rey final to Atletico Madrid in May due to back and foot injuries. Andre Tippett Youth Jersey . If ever they start actually putting pictures beside words in the dictionary, the Blue Jays left-handers mug will appear beside “Consistency. INDIANAPOLIS -- Paul George did what the three-time All-Star does best.He scored a season-high 37 points, including 13 straight in the fourth quarter, to lead the Indiana Pacers over the Portland Trail Blazers 118-111 on Saturday night.Thats the Paul George we are accustomed to, forward Myles Turner said. It was good to see him find that groove.George missed the game at Portland on Nov. 30 when the Pacers lost 131-109, and because of injuries and a five-game trip out West, he hadnt even played at home in more than two weeks.George made up for lost time, putting on a show with five 3-pointers and the fourth-quarter rally in his first game back at Bankers Life Fieldhouse since Nov. 23. Thaddeus Young hit a career-high six 3s while getting 24 points and nine rebounds, and Turner added 14 points for the Pacers, who had lost five straight regular season games to Portland.I thought Thaddeus was the biggest player of us all tonight, George said. I was the one who was there late in the game, but he was the one who kept us in the game.C.J. McCollum made a career-high seven 3-pointers and had a season-best 34 points for the Trail Blazers. Damian Lillard had 33 points behind five 3s.George scored 13 straight points in the fourth quarter for Indiana. He was fouled on the go-ahead basket with 4:36 remaining and completed the three-point play to give the Pacers a 108-105 lead.Indiana didnt even take its first lead until Al Jefferson was fouled on a basket and made the bonus free throw to put the Pacers ahead for the first time 99-98 with 8:34 left in the fourth quarter. Then McCollum scored seven straight points to give the Trail Blazers the lead again before George took over.The Pacers trailed by 20 points after Portland didnt waste much tiime taking a lead right from the start.ddddddddddddLillard, who scored 28 points in Portlands win over Indiana on Nov. 30, had a big first quarter with 19 points and five 3-pointers.Its the same thing, Lillard said. We start off the game well and we build a lead, but we know the other team is going to make a run. Were just not getting it done.He made back-to-back 3s to put the Trail Blazers ahead 26-11 with 5:59 remaining in the first, and McCollums 3-pointer with 8:09 left in the second quarter gave the Trail Blazers a 58-38 lead.George made back-to-back 3-pointers with under a minute to go in the first half. His 3 with 25.3 second remaining put the Pacers within seven to trail 71-64 at the half.3-POINT SHOOTOUTPortland finished with 16 3-pointers -- just one shy of tying their season best. It became a 3-point shootout during different stretches throughout the game. McCollum made one in the third quarter to put Portland ahead 82-73, but George answered with a 3 before McCollum made another. Young scored three 3s during a stretch in the third to cut the deficit to six.TIP-INSTrail Blazers: Their 44 points in the first quarter were the most Portland has scored in a quarter this season and the 13 points in the fourth was the fewest scored in a quarter. ... Lillard had nine assists. ... Mason Plumlee had eight points and nine rebounds.Pacers: Jefferson finished with 10 points off the bench. ... Monta Ellis had 10 points and five assists.UP NEXTTrail Blazers: Monday they travel to Los Angeles to play the Clippers.Pacers: Monday they host Charlotte and try to snap a four-game losing streak to the Hornets. ' ' '