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fied, but he isnt going to mortgage the
in General Chat Sun Aug 11, 2019 8:46 pmby yyys123 • | 1.470 Posts
TORONTO - Dwane Casey has cautioned all season that there would be a night when the Toronto Raptors sizzling offence wouldnt be enough to overcome its lagging defence.That night was Friday.LeBron James scored 24 points as the Cleveland Cavaliers exacted some revenge over a Raptors team missing DeMar DeRozan, beating Toronto 105-91.Tonight we couldnt buy a bucket. We couldnt hit the side of a barn with a bass fiddle, Casey said. Were better than that.Our bad offensive shooting night. . . made our defence even worse. It was a snowball effect. They whupped us, they spanked us.Amir Johnson had a season-high 27 points, and Kyle Lowry added 22 points and nine assists. But that wasnt enough to carry an East-leading Raptors team (15-5) that had only three players score in double figures — James Johnson finished with 11.Tristan Thompson of Brampton, Ont., finished with season highs for both points (21) and rebounds (14) for the Cavs (11-7), who stretched their winning streak to six games.The Raptors had topped the Cavaliers 110-93 on Nov. 22, battling back from a 19-point first-quarter deficit. The result worked as a wakeup call for Cleveland, who promptly went on a five-game winning streak.They made it six Friday night, leading from the opening whistle in front of a star-studded Air Canada Centre capacity crowd of 19,800 that included NBA legends Magic Johnson, Charles Barkley and Dikembe Mutombo, who gave his signature finger wag to the ACC crowd when shown on the Jumbotron.Just missing shots, Lowry said on the loss. I dont think it was anything we did differently, G (Greivis Vasquez) had a rough night (shooting 2-for-11), I had a rough night (7-for-18). Well come in to the gym on Sunday and get our shots up, and Im sure the shots we missed tonight will fall Monday (when the Raptors host Denver).Johnson, Barkley, Mutombo, and Tracy McGrady were in Toronto as part of the Raptors celebration of Nelson Mandela, who died a year ago to the day.It was a beautiful day, Casey said. To see (Johnson, Barkley and Mutombo), all the guys that were a big part of the NBAs history, and just the message that Nelson Mandela sent throughout the world was huge.Its bigger than basketball, and that was the theme of the night for our players. I lived it, I went through it, I understand it. And it meant a lot to our players and it was a magnificent night for our organization.On the court, however, the Raptors — now 2-2 without DeRozan, whos out with a torn groin tendon — were flat-footed all night. They trailed by as many as 14 points and went into the fourth down 76-64. The Raptors managed to pull within six points three times in the final 12 minutes, and a dunk by Amir Johnson pulled them to within 97-91 with 1:53 to play. But that was as close as they would get.I know this team tonight wasnt us, Casey said. First game back from a west-coast trip, the worst team you want to see is a team as talented as Cleveland.The Raptors missed DeRozans defence as well as his scoring.He takes the challenge of guarding the best player out there on the other side coming down to the fourth quarter, Lowry said.The Cavs shot 49 per cent on the night to Torontos 41, and outrebounded them 48-40.Thompson was a huge spark off the bench for Cleveland.Every night coach challenges us, the bench, to come and bring life, Thompson said. We dont want our stars to play so heavy minutes and drain themselves out so we have to be able to come in and keep the energy high, and thats what we did tonight.The two teams meet again Tuesday in Cleveland.The one positive on the night for the Raptors was the presence of Johnson, Barkley and Mutombo, who all received standing ovations when they were introduced.It was great, man, said Amir Johnson. It was kind of like the Staples Center, you see guys left and right. We need some more of that.Amazing. Amazing, Lowry added. I wish we couldve won for them but thats a humbling experience. I grew up watching all those guys. Just the fact that I got to be around those guys and see them and them watching our game, here for a good cause is amazing.McGrady was honoured with a video tribute during a first-quarter timeout as part of the Raptors 20th anniversary celebrations, and received a standing ovation from the ACC crowd.McGrady said pre-game that he was looking forward to the video.Cool to see what I used to do a little bit, I mean, its been what . . .16 . . . 16 years, damn, McGrady said.McGrady was the Raptors ninth pick in the 1997 draft and played three seasons in Toronto.When I started playing at SkyDome, you do something exciting, its like crickets in the building, McGrady said. You just didnt get that great excitement, that warm reception that you need to get when youre playing in front of your home crowd. We built that my last year here when we made the playoffs, first team that made the playoffs in Raptors history.Its great to see the way it is today. I feel good knowing that what I went through and what I witnessed to what it is now. Im proud to say that I was a Raptor.The Cavaliers raced out to an early lead Friday, taking an eight-point advantage on a three-pointer by former Raptor Shawn Marion midway through the first quarter. The visitors took a 30-21 advantage into the second.Back-to-back threes from James Jones gave the Cavaliers a 14-point lead less than two minutes into the second quarter. The Raptors chipped away at the deficit, and went into the dressing room trailing 51-44.The Raptors carried their momentum into the third, and Lowrys three at midway through the quarter gave the Raptors a 58-57 lead. But the Cavs ended the quarter with a 19-6 run to go into the fourth quarter up by 12. Nike Air Force 1 Just Do It Alte . -- Henry Josey watched helplessly from the sideline last fall, rehabbing from a serious knee injury, while Missouri was getting pushed around in its first SEC season. Nike Epic React Flyknit 2 Saldi .Y. -- Mark Steenhuis scored four goals and added two assists to lead the Buffalo Bandits over the Toronto Rock 12-10 in National Lacrosse League action on Saturday. http://www.nikejustdoit.it/air-max-720-italia/air-max-720-uomo.html . Each day, TSN.ca provides the latest rumours, reports and speculation from around the NHL beat. Defensive Depth TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun is reporting the Toronto Maple Leafs have considerable interest in unrestricted free-agent defenceman Dan Boyle. Nike Air Vapormax Flyknit Scontate . McCutchen was cut before the series opener against Seattle on Monday night, when Lewis was set for his first start for Texas since July 18, 2012. Texas selected Lewis contract from Triple-A Round Rock. Air Max 270 Uomo Saldi . Serves hit by her surgically repaired shoulder often missed the mark, resulting in 12 double-faults. BALTIMORE -- The AL East-leading Baltimore Orioles are seeking to secure a few good arms before Thursdays non-waiver trade deadline. "Weve had conversations with a number of teams and weve been looking for some pitching depth," Dan Duquette, the Orioles vice-president of baseball operations, said Tuesday. "Thats primarily what were focused on." Baltimore currently has five dependable starters -- Chris Tillman, Miguel Gonzalez, Wei-Yin Chen, Bud Norris and Kevin Gausman. Not only that, but Ubaldo Jimenez (ankle sprain) is close to leaving the disabled list. So Duquette isnt necessarily looking for a front-line starter, primarily because the cost would be too high. He is more likely to shore up the bullpen. At this point, however, nothing is imminent. If nothing happened at all, Duquette would be fine with the team as it is currently constructed. "So far, so good," he said. "Every team has strengths and areas we could improve upon. Our team is like that. We have been able to get more consistent starting pitching, which will cover up a lot of areas of your team. Weve been able to execute defensively, which has helped us win the close games. TThis is a good ballclub.dddddddddddd" Baltimore started the day with a 2 1/2-game lead over Toronto and a 4 1/2-game advantage over New York. Duquette isnt satisfied, but he isnt going to mortgage the future for a quick fix. He would rather call upon his minor leaguers down the stretch than deal them away. "Wed like the star players to come up and make an impact on the team," Duquette said. "In 2012, we brought up Manny (Machado) and he made a difference in the pennant race. In 2014, weve got Kevin Gausman on our team, and we hope he will impact the race. So thats really the first choice, to have those really talented players play for us and prove themselves in the big leagues." If he cant get a pitcher, Duquette might be in the market for a second baseman or catcher. Rookie second baseman Jonathan Schoop is batting .216, and starting catcher Matt Wieters is out for the year after undergoing elbow ligament replacement surgery. "If you look at it, those are a couple areas where we could improve," Duquette said. "We have the defence. If we could add to our offensive team, that would probably be something we could take a look at." ' ' '
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