Miami Heat hit hard by injuries in Toronto

Gone is the hint of arrogance that did them in when things were going south last winter, that “our record is good, so we’ll be fine” swagger, a swagger they now understand has to be earned. The Raptors play the fourth game of seven in a row at home Sunday against the Los Angeles Clippers…. It was the third time in as many games that DeRozan has topped 30 points.

That was not to be expected on Wednesday against the Raptors who were allowing opposing benches to score a league-low 30.2 points per game. Everybody understands that we need whoever we can get out there.

Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry paid tribute to the fans Friday for a late voting surge that earned him a second straight start in the National Basketball Association all-star game.

As for the game itself, the 65th NBA All-Star Game will tip-off on Sunday, February 14 at the Air Canada Centre. His pull-up jumper helped close out the Celtics, who dropped their second straight game, 115-109.

The NBA is a ruthless place with no room for sentimentality or pity, and if you’ve got a weakened opponent the only recourse, really, is to stomp it and show it no mercy.

The Toronto Raptors are reportedly one of the teams said to have interest in trading for Lee but his $15.4 million salary this year would make a trade between the two teams hard.

“He wasn’t an all-star when he first got here but he’s made himself into an all-star”, Casey said. He’s got the opportunity to get to the point.

They’ve now won four of seven games on a season-long homestand and are creating some separation between themselves and a handful of Eastern Conference rivals. Lowry runs the pick and roll really well. “There’s just a multitude of things”.

Boston’s backups had 31 points at the half, a major factor in the Celtics leading 62-56 after the first two quarters of play. Scola led all first-half scorers with 15 points.

There were five lead changes and six ties in the quarter before Valanciunas gave Toronto a five-point lead on a cutting lay-up with 1:24 left in the third.

The Raptors regained the lead, 70-68, on a 3-pointer by Lowry with 7:59 to play in the third quarter.

But Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas, being pushed by his team for a spot on the Eastern Conference All-Star team, scored on two tough drives around a layup by Jared Sullinger as Chicago went silent at the other end. The Celtics were able to regain possession but Avery Bradley’s missed 3-pointer with 14.8 seconds left, sealing the Raptors win. “[DeMar] DeRozan was terrific last night (34 points) and [Luis] Scola was knocking down threes”. Ross played 22 minutes and scored 13 points on 4-for-4 field goals, including 2-for-2 from beyond the arc and 3-for-4 from the free throw line.

With a minute left, the Boston Celtics once again found themselves at the mercy of DeMar DeRozan.

“We’re just out there playing with confidence”, Lowry said. If these lineups can maintain their effectiveness while seeing more floor time, the Raptors could not only rest their key players more, but they could actually improve their overall Net Rating as a whole.