Technik » He is not the next youthful flash of success, qu

MIAMI - The Toronto Raptors have been the toast of the NBA over the last 10 days. Theyve won five straight and grabbed a four-game lead in the Atlantic Division. Tonight, they face one of their toughest challenges yet as they face former teammate Chris Bosh and the Heat in Miami. You can see all the action on TSN beginning at 6pm et/3pm pt. Raptors head coach Dwane Casey announced before the game that Tyler Hansbrough will not play due to a left ankle sprain. Toronto began a three-game road trip with a 101-88 drubbing of the Washington Wizards. Things dont get easier for the Raptors because after Sundays tilt with the two-time defending champions, they visit the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday. DeMar DeRozan scored 20 points and Kyle Lowry had 19 points and 11 assists against the Wiz on Friday. Patrick Patterson added 18 points, Amir Johnson scored 17 and Terrence Jones notched 14 for the Raptors, who got their third straight win over the Wizards, but only their second in their last seven trips to Washington. They are 9-2 with a new-look roster after trading Rudy Gay and 7-1 in their last eight road games. "Winning is contagious, and were making winning plays. Its not about making extra passes," Lowry said. "Its about winning and how you win is by making extra passes, so everyone is making extra passes, so everybody wants to win. Its not the fancy passes." The Heat have won 13 straight against the Raptors, including two this season, both in Toronto. Miami has taken seven in a row in South Beach. After a 123-114 loss at home the Golden State Warriors on Thursday, the Heat trounced the Orlando Magic, 110-94 on the road Saturday night. LeBron James only shot 5-for-13 en route to 15 points as it was someone elses turn for the Heat. Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade scored 20 points apiece for Miami, which has won three of four and nine of its last 11. Bosh shot 9-of-9 from the field as the Heat won their 22nd straight game against the Southeast Division. "CB is our rock," praised Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra. "Hes doing it on both ends. Hes a true two-way player. Hes dynamic, hes unique." Rashard Lewis made his second start of the season for an injured Shane Battier and donated 18 points. James 15-point output was a season low, but he chipped in eight rebounds and eight assists. "Tonight was one of those games where I didnt have to put too much pressure on scoring," said James. "I just tried to get my guys involved, tried to get some rebounds." The Heat host New Orleans on Tuesday, then hit the road for six straight. Air Max 90 The Starry Sky Black .6 seconds left to give the Toronto Raptors a 92-89 victory over the Boston Celtics in an exhibition game Wednesday night. Air Max 90 Outlet .com) - The Calgary Flames are spoilers once again. http://www.outletairmax90cheap.com/outlet-air-max-90-off-white-cheap.html . The Vancouver coach and an announced sellout crowd of 18,910 watched in dismay as the Canucks lost 7-4 to the New York Islanders on Monday night by squandering a 3-0 lead in the third period. Wholesale Air Max 90 .com) - Blake Griffin led five Clippers in double figures with 24 points and the LA Clippers got back on track with a 101-97 win over the Utah Jazz. Air Max 90 Gray Black . His stated reason for abruptly resigning as head coach of Canadas Olympic womens hockey team was he felt there were doubts about his ability to coach the team to Olympic gold in February.This is going to be a good team. I realize I tend to say that about almost every team in my CFL previews this year, but with Montreal it is easy to express analytical optimism for many reasons. First is quarterback Troy Smith. There is nothing really physically outstanding about Smith; he is 60, 224 pounds with a good arm and good mobility. I sum him up as thick and quick. But there is something about him, a genuine confidence expressed through experience in football at a high level. An articulation and intelligence that you "pick up on" when he is in front of a camera talking about himself and the league. And a unique level of humility that says in order to perform, I have to learn; not the other way around. I have always looked at humility as a strength and maturity; arrogance as a weakness and insecurity. When you consider the short amount of preparation time Smith experienced last year, his solid on field performance in yes, limited games, was very impressive. You have to feel good that as the teams starter from the outset, improvement is inevitable. I know of the other Alouettes QBs, but I would be immensely surprised if, outside of injury, Smith is not the No. 1 quarterback wearing No. 1. And with Anthony Calvillo retired, I am sure Smith looks at this training camp as a career opportunity, not a wait-and-see situation. On the defensive side of the ball, the Alouettes have an exceptional unit with just one unknown: who will play middle linebacker now that Shea Emry is an Argonaut? This issue is more a ratio adjustment problem than a personnel problem. It would be great if you could replace a Canadian with another good Canadian but if not, you will have a market of linebackers ready throughout the United States. The two positions of numeric wealth in NCAA football are running back and linebacker; simply said there are a lot of them. Last year Montreal was first in some significant defensive categories: fewest yards allowed at 314 per game, fewest rushing yards allowed at 88 per game; fewest 2nd down conversions allowed, most two and outs forced, most quarterback sacks with 59, and a key one, most takeaways with 56. All they need is to find or develop a new middle llinebacker.ddddddddddddThats a manageable situation. On offence, Brandon Whitaker will be back and with Jamel Richardson and SJ Green it is hard to argue that the two best slot receivers are anywhere but Montreal. The Chad Johnson experiment will be an interesting one. Hes closer to 40 than 30 but the bottom line is can he still move like he is 20? Answers will be given early but if he is competing for a roster spot with someone younger and equal in talent, the younger guy will get it. The single biggest mediating factor in athletic performance is age. You know it is coming but you cant stop it, you can only slow it down. Special teams will improve with Larry Taylor and Duron Carter as returners, but also a rededication to blocking effectively for the returners as a priority. And finally there is Tom Higgins, the new Alouettes head coach. More than a few years removed from coaching, Higgins is about as much a polar opposite from the previous full-time head coach as you can get. And that is a good thing. Higgins is pragmatic and calculated; hes an administrator and no one knows the rules better. Hes been named CFL coach of the year and is a Grey Cup-winning coach. He is not the next youthful flash of success, quite the opposite. This decision comes from the experience of decades being the front man of the organization. This one is logical and safe compared to last years decision, which was risky and a novelty. It does not happen very often but every now and then games are determined by experience or inexperience with CFL rules. This year, thats an advantage with Higgins in Montreal. In the East, Toronto has to keep Ricky Ray healthy for 18 games because assuming the next Zack Collaros is on the roster is unrealistic. Hamilton has to continue to improve and may be the team to beat early. Ottawa is brand new, if they make the playoffs it will be a successful season. So where does that leave Montreal? With a new coach, new quarterback, new receivers, and maybe more adversity than any CFL team last year, they still finished 8-10, only three games out from first place. Another 8-10 finish this year is very unlikely; expect Montreal to surprise come November in BC. ' ' '