TORONTO - With the Raptors mired in their longest losing skid of the season, Dwane Casey is strongly considering shaking up his rotation going into Saturdays contest at home to the Boston Celtics. Custom Broncos Jerseys . Although Torontos coach remains tight-lipped regarding the details of a potential lineup change, insisting that no decision has been made - which should continue to be the case until just before game time - he suggested an alteration could be in the works. Well find out, well see, Casey said following an informal practice session Friday afternoon. Im not pointing fingers at anybody, at any one person. If we make an adjustment in the lineup its going to be to help solidify or give us something that were probably not getting in a certain situation or matchup. If we change it, its not saying, hey, that persons at fault for the four-game losing streak. Slow starts have plagued the team over their recent slide. In Thursdays disappointing loss to Charlotte, the Raptors allowed 31 points in the first quarter, trailing by eight (or more) after 12 minutes for the third straight contest. After the game, Casey questioned his first units energy out of the gate. Patrick Patterson, one of the teams top reserves, attributed it to a lack of focus and a lack of will. The second group contributed 49 points, more than half of Torontos overall scoring output on the night, shooting 45 per cent from the field, while the starters shot the ball at a 35 per cent clip. Kyle Lowry was 7-for-22 from the field and continues to battle the physical and mental fatigue that has been weighing him down since last weeks overtime loss in Portland, a product of overuse in the absence of DeMar DeRozan. During that stretch, the point guards minutes are up only slightly from last year, but without DeRozan theyre taxing minutes. Since DeRozan sustained his injury, Lowrys usage rate (the percentage of a teams offensive possessions that a player uses while on the court) is just under 30 per cent, up from 23 per cent earlier this season. Prior to DeRozans injury, he had attempted 21 or more field goals just five times in 521 career games, something hes done in eight of 20 games since. With DeRozan return pushed back to next week, at the earliest, the Raptors are forced to rely heavily on their point guard - theyre at a significant disadvantage whenever hes not on the floor. As a result, Casey and the coaching staff have gotten creative, hoping to lessen the demand on Lowry, while still riding him offensively. Its getting to that time where guys minutes are ramping up and its telling on them in certainly situations, mainly on the defensive end and with their shooting, shots being short, Casey said. But thats the NBA. Weve got to make adjustments as a staff and as players to get it back on track. And if it calls for getting other guys larger minutes off the bench, then thats fine too, to give guys rest. But weve just got to be creative as far as how we manage things until DeMar gets back. Among the challenges their facing is finding the right lineup combinations to put around Lowry. On Thursday he got little-to-no help from three of his fellow starters in Landry Fields, Terrence Ross and Amir Johnson - all three of whom should be under the microscope as Casey reevaluates his rotation. Fields, DeRozans understudy, would seem to be the most logical candidate for a return to the bench. The fifth-year swingman has started nine of the last 14 games, having missed the five in between with a concussion. A pleasant surprise after stepping into the starting lineup last month, Fields has tailed off since returning from his injury. Hes a smart player but has little offensive impact on account of his limited range, and although hes a solid individual defender, it hasnt exactly translated to team success on that end. The Raptors have been outscored by 58 points with him on the court this season. Production from Ross and Johnson has been sporadic this season but the intangibles they bring to that unit make their demotions unlikely. Ross shooting spaces the floor for Lowry and company, while Johnson - even an inconsistent and hobbled version - is still the teams best interior and help defender. Generally, his teammates all perform better with him on the court. That leaves James Johnson and Greivis Vasquez, who have both started games in DeRozans absence, as potential replacements, likely for Fields. Johnson started the five games Fields missed and has been one of the clubs most consistent contributors all year. He owns the second-best defensive rating on the team and has been an efficient offensive player buying into his new role. Caseys concern with extending Johnsons role, even temporarily, is rooted in the fear he may revert to the player he was, the player that would often go rogue and try to do too much on the offensive end. It would seem, as he often states himself, that the old Johnson is no more and the new version could be, and probably should be, in line for more playing time. Vasquez was Caseys initial replacement for DeRozan. While Johnson seems like the safer choice, theres something to be said for the relief Vasquez would give Lowry as a second ball handler in the backcourt. The two guards were Torontos most productive pairing last season and in the playoffs but havent had the same success together this year. Beyond that, the most pressing issue with the first unit has been their defensive energy, something Johnson is likely to address more than Vasquez would. FIGHTING THROUGH ADVERSITY The Raptors did not hold a full practice on Friday, instead players gathered at the Air Canada Centre for individual workouts and film sessions with the coaches. Casey pointed to the mental hurdles that can build up and derail a team during tough stretches like this, something he hopes to avoid by staying prepared and remaining level-headed. Adversity brings out the best or the worst in you, said Casey. Were going through an adverse time. Every team in the league that Ive ever been with goes through it. It gives you guys [in the media] something different to write about and talk about other than a winning streak, he joked. Were going through it now and its going to make us better. I dont care what team you are, until you go through something it doesnt make you better. We all are happy and full of joy and peanuts and candy when were winning, but then you turn around and you find out who the real people are when you hit adversity and thats what were going through right now. And well figure it out. While their frustration has been evident, primarily after their latest loss to Charlotte, it has been directed inward and at the situation more than at each other, which is a promising sign going forward. This Raptors team has been a notably tight knit group since they came together following last seasons trade. Although their chemistry has not been tested through adversity like this before, that togetherness should pay off now more than ever. Nobodys blaming nobody and thats a great sign, James Johnson said. Everybodys sticking together. I think this is making us closer and later down in the season togetherness is big. You learn who the leaders are on your team and whos on board, whos in the boat, Casey added. Everybodys in the boat in the locker room, theres no splintering against each other and we understand its us against everybody else. I think theyre mature enough not to [point fingers]. Its about winning. Its about figuring out a way to win. Its not about whos right, whos wrong. its about coming together as a team collectively on both ends of the floor and getting it right. Thats our job as a team, as an organization, is not pointing fingers and staying together. Sua Cravens Broncos Jersey . Canada was placed in one of the easiest groups during Saturdays live televised draw in Montreal. Marquette King Jersey . “The shootout, theres nothing wrong with it, I think its an exciting part of the game but its just one small aspect,” said Chicago Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman. “Its a skill exhibition. If you can get it back closer to regular hockey and have it decided that way; that would be my preference.” “I dont think its a knock on the shootout, I think more of the managers would like to see it end in overtime,” added Washington Capitals GM George McPhee. http://www.authoritybroncosshop.com/tramaine-brock-broncos-jersey-c-74/ . Carreno Busta broke his opponent five times in the match, but also lost his serve three times in the second set before prevailing in the tiebreaker. Both players struggled with their first serve, as Carreno Busta landed just 51 per cent of his to 47 per cent for Kukushkin.PHILADELPHIA -- The Philadelphia Phillies winning streak against the Miami Marlins was bound to end eventually. Ed Lucas homered in the 10th to give the Marlins a 4-3 lead Wednesday night. The Phillies loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the inning to put Miami closer Steve Cisheks major league-best saves streak in danger. They could not score, however, as Roger Bernadina struck out and Freddy Galvis grounded out to seal the Marlins victory that snapped a seven-game losing streak to their divisional rival. "It was frustrating at the end -- second and third and no outs but we couldnt execute," Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg said. The homer was the fourth of the season for Lucas. Miamis Giancarlo Stanton tied the game 3-3 in the sixth inning with a two-run, homer to centre field that was measured at 460 feet. "It was a slider slightly down and in," Sandberg said of Lucas homer. "A pitch youd want back, but it wasnt a hanging pitch." Brad Hand (1-1) was credited with the victory for pitching a scoreless ninth. Cishek was shaky in the 10th but picked up his 31st save overall and 26th in a row, the longest active streak in the major leagues and one shy of the Marlins franchise record set by Todd Jones in 2005. Cesar Jimenez (1-1) took the loss for Philadelphia, which is 7-2 in its last nine home games. "Everybody is playing as a team, rooting for each other and playing good baseball," Sandberg said. A couple of Phillies miscues in the fifth inning set up the Marlins first run. Following Adeiny Hechavarrias single, Nathan Eovaldi reached first base on an error when catcher Carlos Ruiz fielded his sacrifice bunt attempt and threw too high to second. Luis Garrcias wild pitch moved the runners to second and third with one out, and Hechavarria scored on Donovan Solanos groundout. Tramaine Brock Jersey. The Phillies loaded the bases in the bottom of the inning on two walks and a single and tied it on a passed ball. Chase Utley drove in two runs with a single to right. The Phillies blew an opportunity to take the lead in the eighth. Domonic Brown led off with a double and moved to third on a groundout. After Cody Asche struck out, Bernadina hit a liner toward shortstop but Hechavarria made a diving stop to preserve the tie. "The shortstop made an unbelievable play," Sandberg said. "We had it in the outfield. Hes some athlete." Utley finished the series against the Marlins with six hits and 10 RBIs. "Hes swinging a good bat, showing power and showing his leadership," Sandberg said. "Hes a real steady force and will be a big piece for next year." Eovaldi struggled with his control through five innings, allowing three runs, four hits, four walks and a hit batter while striking out five. In his first major league start since August 2009, Zach Miner tossed three scoreless innings for the Phillies and allowed two hits, walked two and struck out two. NOTES: The Phillies are 11-5 against the Marlins this season. The clubs have one series left, a three-game set next week in Miami. ... An MRI on RHP Kyle Kendrick, Philadelphias original Wednesday night starter, revealed nothing more than shoulder tendinitis. He will get a second opinion Thursday but could pitch again as soon as next Tuesday. ... After a day off Thursday, Philadelphia will host the Mets for three games starting Friday with Cole Hamels (8-13, 3.48) on the hill. Cheap Heat Jerseys Cheap Bucks Jerseys Cheap Timberwolves Jerseys Cheap Pelicans Jerseys Cheap Knicks Jerseys Cheap Thunder Jerseys Cheap Magic Jerseys Cheap 76ers Jerseys Cheap Suns Jerseys Cheap Blazers Jerseys Cheap Sacramento Kings Jerseys Cheap Spurs Jerseys Cheap Raptors Jerseys Cheap Jazz Jerseys Cheap Wizards Jerseys ' ' '