dd to Ireland six days ago to show some venom agains

TORONTO - Although no one cared to admit it, on either side, at the outset of the evening, Mondays divisional grudge match in Brooklyn meant more to the Raptors than the game that preceded it or the one to follow. The stakes were higher, the competition more fierce and the atmosphere was that of a playoff game - something the young, upstart Raptors have five weeks to better prepare themselves for or the result will be eerily similar. If they looked out of place in that environment, its probably because they were. Torontos starting five features a fifth-year star that has yet to make a playoff appearance. Theyre the only team currently in a playoff position that starts two sophomores and its been five years since either their point guard or power forward has experienced postseason basketball. Combined that lineup accounts for 24 games of postseason experience. Staring them down in the final minute of a one-possession, high stakes game was a Nets unit that has collectively participated in 268 playoff contests. Paul Pierce alone is responsible for 136 of them while Kevin Garnett and Andrei Kirilenko - both out with injuries - would have added another 176. The Nets took a five-point advantage into the fourth quarter and, for all their hardships this season, they had only lost one of 30 games in which they held the lead after 36 minutes. Thats the difference experience makes. The Raptors, despite a valiant effort, showed up to a knife fight armed with plastic forks. "This team here in Brooklyn is a championship-caliber team," Dwane Casey said following his teams 101-97 loss. "They know the plays to make to win games. Weve still got to learn that. Were on our way but we still have some learning to do." Although the Raptors remain the NBAs best fourth-quarter team, outscoring opponents by 158 points in the final frame this season, their late-game execution continues to be a work in progress. When ahead or behind by five points or less in the final three minutes, Toronto shoots 37 per cent, the ninth-lowest mark in the league. Theyre 15-18 in games that come down to that scenario. On Monday, Pierce hit what may have been the biggest shot of the night - a cold-blooded three to break a tie with just over a minute left and the shot clock ticking down - while the Raptors wilted in the moment. Down one, 30 seconds later, Toronto got the stop it needed, leading to a five-on-four break the other way. In the midst of a brilliant second half, Kyle Lowry found DeMar DeRozan in transition, believing he would continue to go hard to the bucket. Met by Pierce in the lane, DeRozan lateraled back to Lowry, who wasnt expecting the pass and turned down the shot. John Salmons, receiving the ball from Lowry, also hesitated on an open look from the elbow, which ultimately led to Terrence Ross fumbling the ball as he looked to salvage the broken play. It was a possession mired in indecision and it sealed Torontos fate. The Nets - 10-for-14 from three-point range after the first quarter - hit big shots and made winning plays. They looked like the desperate team, and rightfully so. Had they won, the Raptors would be sitting pretty in the Atlantic Division, five games up on Brooklyn with the season-series tiebreaker in hand. Instead, Brooklyn has pulled within three games of the division lead. "[The atmosphere] was definitely a notch higher because of what was at stake," DeRozan admitted after the game. "Theyre chasing us and were leading in the division. It was just a big game overall. Theyve been playing well, trying to make a playoff push and were trying to sustain our position so it definitely was a big game." While the loss stings, the Raptors are still in the drivers seat, controlling their own destiny with 20 games to go. "It was a disappointing loss in the fact that theyre a team thats battling us for the division," Casey said. "Theres still a lot of basketball left to play. Weve got to stay positive. Its not the end of the world. We werent going to go undefeated the rest of the way. We knew that." Should Toronto and Brooklyn share the same record atop the Atlantic when its all said and done, with the season series now even, the tiebreaker would go to the team with the most wins within the division. The Raptors are currently 8-3 with five games left to be played against Atlantic opponents while the Nets are 7-5 with four remaining. Each of those games could be crucial - including two meetings with New York in the final week of the season - for the Raptors who are hoping to win their second division title in franchise history. Sink or swim, that will be determined by what theyre able to take out of Mondays squandered opportunity. "Its a learning experience," DeRozan said. "It was a heck of a game that we can learn from and possibly could be a team we could see in the playoffs." John Randle Jersey . Forward Iker Muniain scored the winner in the 70th minute after Bilbaos incessant pressure recovered the ball and sparked a counterattack inside Barcelonas half. Neymar was once again tagged to pick up Messis goal-scoring duties, but when he wasnt frustrated by slippery footing Bilbaos defence got the better of him. Chuck Foreman Jersey . Englands only win in the four most recent trips north had been tight, and Scotland was expected after losing 28-6 to Ireland six days ago to show some venom against its archrival. http://www.vikingssale.com/Vikings-Dalvin-Cook-Draft-Jersey/. -- Houston Rockets coach Kevin McHale searched more than three quarters for five guys who would play well together. Cris Carter Jersey .com) - The NBA will be on display overseas Thursday with the New York Knicks taking on the Milwaukee Bucks at O2 Arena in London. Fran Tarkenton Jersey . The 29-year-old Mills started three games for Oakland this season, posting a 1-1 record with a 4.41 earned-run average. He opened the season appearing in 14 games and making 12 starts for the Milwaukee Brewers triple-A affiliate in Nashville, posting a 4-2 record with a 1.PHILADELPHIA -- All Ryan Braun needed to shake his slump was a trip to Philadelphia. Braun hit three home runs and tied a franchise record with seven RBIs to lead the Milwaukee Brewers to a 10-4 victory Tuesday, spoiling the Phillies home opener. Braun connected twice off Kyle Kendrick (0-1), snapping the longest homerless drought of his career. The 2011 NL MVP came in with only three singles in 20 at-bats this season. But Braun, who is bothered by a right thumb injury, felt just fine -- as usual -- in Philadelphia. He has 10 homers and 21 RBIs in 20 career games at Citizens Bank Park. "Its a good ballpark to hit in," Braun said. "And, I enjoy competing against Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley and Ryan Howard." Coming off a three-game sweep of the World Series champion Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park, the Brewers won their fourth straight game and improved to 5-2. Kyle Lohse (1-1) allowed three runs and seven hits in five innings, walking five. Braun was booed in his first game in Philly since serving a 65-game suspension for violations of Major League Baseballs drug agreement and labour contract. He also got an earful last week in Boston. It didnt bother him. "Its very motivating," Braun said. "Its nothing new for me." He hit a three-run shot to left in the third to put the Brewers up 4-1, ending his streak of 98 plate appearances without a homer. He hadnt hit one since May 22, 2013, against the Dodgers. Brauns solo homer in the fourth made it 6-1. He then launched a three-run drive off Brad Lincoln in the eighth. "Hes a special player," Brewers manager Ron Roenicke said. "Theres no better way to silence the crowd." Braun also turned in a defensive gem. He saved two runs with a diving catch on Carlos Ruizs sinking liner to right to end the second inning. "That was a big play," Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg said. "It changed the momentum." The game was scheduled for Monday afternoon, but was postponed Sunday because of a rainy foreecast.dddddddddddd It was sunny and 62 degrees at first pitch, but windy enough to cancel the Navy parachuters who deliver ceremonial baseballs. Former Phillies pitcher Jamie Moyer, now a broadcaster, threw out the first pitch. It was brought to him by his boyhood idol, Hall of Famer pitcher Steve Carlton. The Phillies couldve used them on the mound against the Brewers. "We didnt have an answer for Braun," Sandberg said. Kendrick allowed six runs -- four earned -- and nine hits in five innings. Jimmy Rollins had an RBI double in the fourth and an RBI single in the sixth to get the Phillies to 6-4. Five-time All-Star second baseman Chase Utley wasnt at the ballpark because of the flu. He was replaced in Philadelphias lineup by rookie Cesar Hernandez. A sellout crowd of 45,061 enjoyed the pregame festivities that included the traditional mini-parade that leads players into the ballpark from the street behind the stands in left-centre field. Players and coaches walked in, mingled with the crowd and high-fived fans lined up along the red carpet in the outfield. NOTES: Brauns other three-homer game was against San Diego on April 30, 2012. ... Eight Brewers have had seven RBIs in a game. Jonathan Lucroy was the last to do it on Aug. 30, 2012. ... Phillies LHP Cole Hamels said he could be ready to join the rotation after two more rehab starts in the minors. Hamels, the 2008 World Series MVP, was slowed by shoulder discomfort in spring training. Hes scheduled to pitch Friday night for Class-A Clearwater. ... Braun passed Geoff Jenkins for third place on the Brewers career list with 214 homers. He has 17 home runs and 37 RBIs in 44 career games vs. the Phillies. ... Rollins already has eight RBIs, one more than he had last April. ... RHP Matt Garza (0-1, 1.13 ERA) takes the mound for the Brewers on Wednesday night. Roberto Hernandez (1-0, 3.38) goes for Philadelphia. Garza is 2-1 with a 1.30 ERA in five career starts against the Phillies. Hernandez will make his first start vs. Milwaukee. 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