LOS ANGELES -- Back in spring training, Joe Maddon cornered Jake Arrieta for a frank conversation about his workload during the upcoming season.Maddon knew Arrieta would be upset any time he got lifted early, especially after tossing 229 innings for the Chicago Cubs on his way to winning the NL Cy Young Award in 2015.But understand its going to pay off in the latter part of the season, Maddon counseled his ace. Our intention is to play deeply into October and possibly November this year.Maddon knew Arrieta might just feel invincible after shouldering the burden of huge innings while compiling a 1.77 ERA. He didnt want the right-hander thinking he could pitch that much every year.Arrieta bought into Maddons plan, and its gotten him to the NL Championship Series with 197 1/3 innings and a 3.10 ERA.Im in a much better place, Arrieta said Monday before the Cubs worked out. Going through that last year has prepared myself as well as the rest of the guys mentally for a longer run this year, and weve been able to handle the moments mentally a lot better as well as physically.With the series tied 1-1, Arrieta starts for the Cubs against Los Angeles Rich Hill on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium.Arrieta threw his first career no-hitter in the venerable ballpark on Aug. 30 last year in a game that began shortly after 5 p.m., the same starting time as Game 3. Shadows can creep between the mound and home plate at that hour, which Arrieta believes favors the pitchers.I really think it can be difficult to pick up spin, he said. From a pitching perspective, you want to be aggressive early because of the fact that it is a little more difficult to pick up some rotations and spin on pitches when the shadows kind of in between and then it starts to creep out to the mound.In his no-hitter last year, a 2-0 victory, Arrieta struck out 12 and allowed two baserunners -- one on an error and the other via walk.Its going to be a little different feel, but at the same time, for the most part, its just about the same lineup, he said. You try to tackle them accordingly. Use some knowledge that I have from the past to kind of help me tomorrow. But its just another game on a big stage.The mound is a place Arrieta feels comfortable. He complemented the Dodgers ground crew for creating a consistent surface that gives him confidence in his positioning and footing.When youve been in these situations before, it makes it a lot easier just to kind of take that deep breath, focus on your execution and go from there, he said.Hill follows Clayton Kershaw as the second straight left-hander to start for the Dodgers in the NLCS, and he draws inspiration from the three-time Cy Young Award winner.Hes got the stuff, right? You cant argue that, Hill said. But then theres another level of that competitiveness that comes out where if youre on the other side and youre down on one knee, hes going to put you away. Thats something that when I see that, you just never quit, you never give up, you continue to attack.Hill had a 2.12 ERA during the regular season allowed a combined five runs in seven innings starting Game 2 of the NL Division Series against Washington and returning on short rest in the decisive Game 5.Now, Hill returns on regular rest and manager Dave Roberts said the finger blisters that have bothered the left-hander this season are not an issue.With Richie, its an inning-by-inning thing, so well just keep our fingers crossed, Roberts said. Because all things being equal, the blister holds, I really, really like our chances.Hill hasnt thrown more than 93 pitches since being acquired from Oakland in August. The blisters have affected how often he starts and how long he pitches.The Dodgers will have to find a way to beat the Cubs without Kershaw, who has worked overtime in these playoffs and isnt expected to be available for the next three games in Los Angeles.Roberts confirmed rookie Julio Urias is set to start Game 4 on Wednesday, followed by Japanese rookie Kenta Maeda, who has allowed seven runs over seven innings in two postseason appearances.NHL Jerseys . -- Stanford squashed Oregons national championship hopes again, schooling the Ducks in power football. Authentic NHL Jerseys . He just needed to be his best twisting, turning acrobatic self. 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And spoken is defined as one calling the other to inquire, no more, no less.BOSTON -- A runaway start for the Boston Celtics turned into a tight finish.Al Horford led the Celtics early and late, with 26 points, eight rebounds and six blocked shots to lead Boston to a 97-92 win over the Sacramento Kings on Friday night.He just was aggressive. He knocked down his shots. He did what we needed him to do and he carried us tonight, said Isaiah Thomas, who scored 14 of his 20 points in the second half to help the Celtics hold off the Kings.Jae Crowder added 16 points and Avery Bradley had 15 points and nine assists for Boston, which needed a 10-0 run in the fourth quarter to pull away and finish off the Kings.Sacramento continued to scrap until the end. Horford helped seal it with six seconds left when he swatted away 3-point attempt by DeMarcus Cousins, then hit a pair of foul shots for Bostons final points.I know that he tried to draw something there. I just stayed solid and not let him get a shot off, Horford said. Im just trying to be active -- as active as I can be.Sacramento outrebounded Boston 51-44, but hurt itself in the final period with turnovers, missed shots and a technical foul called on Matt Barnes as Boston surged ahead.Cousins led Sacramento with 28 points and nine rebounds. Darren Collison and Rudy Gay scored 13 apiece for the Kings.Cousins is Cousins. Hes going to score, Boston coach Brad Stevens said. Hes to get 28 points or whatever he got, but you cant let those other guys have huge nights too.The Kings were playing for the first time since Monday. Sacramentos six-game road trip was interrupted when Wednesdays game at Philadelphia was postponed because of condensation on the floor.The layoff showed early as the Celtics went up by 13 points in the first period, but the Kings regrouped and rallied to tie it by the end of the quarter.Its almost like we have to get hit first for us to react. Its not good for us, Cousins said. Were in the situation where we have to come in and be aggressive every night. If we dont figure this out, were going to continue to have these kind of games and just another losing season.ddddddddddddBIG ALIt was Horfords best game since leaving Atlanta to sign with Boston over the summer. His previous high for scoring with the Celtics was 20 points and he hadnt blocked more for Boston since getting four against Brooklyn in his Celtics debut.Hes all over the place. He covers a lot of ground. He calls out calls. I think hes a competitive guy and thats proved in his winning track record, Stevens said. One thing about Al -- hes always in the stands. His arms are always long. He takes up a lot of space and he reacts quickly to what is going on.SLOW-DOWN OFFENSEThe Kings had their chances to win in Boston for the first time since 2007. They didnt help themselves down the stretch, making just 6 of 23 in the fourth quarter and going without a field goal from Gays layup with 8:33 remaining until Gay hit a 3-pointer with 4:51 left to play pulled Sacramento within 84-81.We got off to a really slow start, Gay said. Theyre a good team but we shot ourselves in the foot today.BIG BENCHSacramento reserves outscored Bostons 33-12. Barnes led the Kings reserves with 12 points and sparking Sacramentos rally in the first quarter after the dreadful start.Their bench crushed us when they came in, Stevens said. I didnt think we responded to attacking them well or defending them well with their energy in that group.TIP-INSKings: The Kings closed the first quarter on a 13-0 run to tie it at 29-all entering the second period. ... ... Sacramento entered the game having lost eight straight visits to Boston.Celtics:Horford scored 12 of Bostons 29 points in the first quarter. ... Thomas led the Celtics in scoring the previous 14 straight games.UP NEXT:Kings: Continue a long road trip Sunday at New York.Celtics: At Philadelphia on Saturday in the first of three straight on the road ' ' '