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CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The Charlotte Bobcats are trying to bolster their 3-point shooting for the playoff stretch run. The Bobcats acquired guards Luke Ridnour and Gary Neal from the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for guard Ramon Sessions and forward Jeff Adrien just hours before the NBA trade deadline Thursday, both teams announced. The trade is expected to give Charlottes outside shooting a boost as the Bobcats make a push for the playoffs. Neal, a career 43 per cent 3-point shooter, should help a team that lacks a true shooting guard. Session was a valuable backup point guard for Charlotte but Ridnour should help to fill that void. Neal spent three seasons with the San Antonio Spurs before signing this past off-season with the Bucks as a free agent. He is averaging 10 points and shooting 39 per cent from 3-point range. Ridnour, in his 11th NBA season, can play both guard spots. Hes played in 36 games this season and is averaging 5.7 points and 3.4 assists in 21.2 minutes. Hes averaging 9.8 points per game for his career. "We are excited to add a pair of quality players to our backcourt," Bobcats president of basketball operations Rod Higgins said in a press release Thursday. "Gary is an exceptional shooter and Luke is a veteran point guard who can help us off the bench. They both have significant post-season experience so they know how to get where were trying to go. We look forward to adding them to our rotation." Bucks coach Larry Drew said Neal was in a tough situation playing behind younger players after being with a successful team in San Antonio. He said Charlotte will be a good fit, as centre Al Jefferson will require double teams and help free up Neal for open 3-pointers. "That, I think, is a great situation for the both of them," Drew said. "You look at what they have in Jefferson, a guy that certainly can command a double-team, it opens it up. He can stretch the defence." Higgins called Sessions a true professional and thanked him for his effort in Charlotte. Sessions was having a successful second season with the Bobcats, averaging 10.5 points and 3.7 assists per game. He started seven games with point guard Kemba Walker out with a sprained ankle and filled in well. Sessions, who likes to drive to the hole and draw contact, has averaged at least 10 points per game in each of his last five seasons. Adrien has seen limited action for the Bobcats and hasnt been in their rotation much in recent weeks. He has played in 25 games and averaged 2.3 points and 3.5 rebounds per game. The Bucks acquire two expiring contracts in the deal and will avoid paying Neal $3.5 million next season. Charlotte was eighth in the Eastern Conference playoff race, 2 1/2 games ahead of Detroit, after Wednesdays games. The Bucks have the worst record in the NBA. Cheap Islanders Jerseys China . 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Listen to the Rangers vs. Kings live on TSN Radio starting at 7pm et/4pm pt. You can also stream the post-game press conferences live on TSN.SAN DIEGO -- The Chargers stunned the Denver Broncos five weeks ago, making Peyton Manning look average and claiming a road victory that was part of a late-season surge that helped sweep San Diego into the playoffs. Theyll have to do it again Sunday in a divisional-round game against the top-seeded Broncos in Denver to keep their January joyride going. "Were going to come in there with a vengeance and see if we can shock the world again," Pro Bowl safety Eric Weddle said Thursday. As much as the Chargers offence contributed to the 27-20 victory at Denver on Dec. 12, defensive co-ordinator John Pagano came up with a game plan that helped frustrate Manning and the high-powered Broncos. The Bolts held the Broncos to season lows in points and total offensive yards (295). The Broncos had only 18 yards rushing. The Broncos were forced to punt on four straight possessions in the second and third quarters, a streak that started with three straight three-and-outs. "Its always a challenge for us as a staff for putting those things together when you see an opponent for the third time," Pagano said. "Theres so many things that they know about us and we know about them. It really comes down to between the lines, players going out and executing. Sometimes you cant worry about, Oh, theyve seen this before, or done this before. Youve just got to go out and execute. If players go at a high level no matter what the call is and we got execute, youre always going to have that success. "We know each other so well that youve got to disguise a little bit and change it up a little bit." Pagano said the Chargers communicated well, didnt give up big plays and tackled well. "When you do those three things defensively, it always gives you an opportunity to win." While Manning is 3-1 against San Diego since coming to the Broncos, the Chargers eliminated the Manning-led Indianapolis Colts from the playoffs following the 2007 and 2008 seasons. Pagano said every game is different and can change on one play. He mentioned a big play in Sundays 27-10 wild-card victory at Cincinnati. With the Bengals driving for the go-ahead score in the second quarter, inside linebacker Donald Butler forced Giovani Bernard to fumble after a reception just before halftime Sunday, with San Diegos Richard Marshall recovering in the end zone. "When Donald made that caused fumble down there in the red zone, the football universe rotateed and it switched," Pagano said.dddddddddddd "Those are the things that change for you. Each games different. Weve got to go out and weve got to execute. All the success of the past staffs and past players have had, you hope to play at a high level like they did before." Nonetheless, theres something special about playing Manning. "Hes the best. Hes one of the greatest to ever play our game," Pagano said. "Its how we are every Sunday, though. Its the No. 1 offence. Its the greatest offence to ever play in the National Football League, yards-wise, production-wise. Its a big-time challenge, in a hostile environment, that our guys are getting their minds right and getting focused on." The December victory at Denver was special in a lot of ways for Pagano. When rookie coach Mike McCoy awarded game balls in the locker room, the first one went to Pagano. His father, Sam, watched from the sideline. Pagano and his older brother, Chuck, coach of the Colts, played for their father at Fairview High in Boulder. Sam Pagano will be on the sideline again Sunday. "Hell be right down there, guarding the heaters, like always," John Pagano said. "Hes always right there. Anytime you can get him down on the field, its exciting." Also Thursday, Ken Whisenhunt, whos in his first season as San Diegos offensive co-ordinator, refused to confirm reports that hell be interviewed this week by Detroit, Tennessee and Cleveland for their head coaching vacancies. "I understand the process and I appreciate the interest, but I just want to make sure everyone understands were focused on the game Sunday," Whisenhunt said. How can he focus with three interviews in as many days? "Its not hard," he said. "Its a playoff game. Thats where the focus has been. Anything outside of that has been secondary." Asked if he bought a house here or is renting, he said: "Ive enjoyed living here." Whisenhunt was offensive co-ordinator with Pittsburgh when the Steelers won the Super Bowl after the 2005 season. He coached Arizona into the Super Bowl after the 2008 season, losing to the Steelers. McCoy doesnt think Whisenhunts busy interview schedule will be a distraction or keep him from preparing for the game. "I have complete confidence in our entire staff that theres one goal in mind. Thats to find a way to win this game. Thats been our mindset and were not changing that," McCoy said. ' ' '