TORONTO - With his teammates primed to go their separate ways after Wednesdays game, many of them playing like it in the first half, DeMar DeRozan took one final opportunity to validate his upcoming trip to New Orleans. Wholesale Rockies Jerseys . For the better part of the opening 24 minutes, the Raptors played like a team that was ready to start its long weekend one day early by succumbing to a popular pre All-Star break pitfall; the letdown game. "I think both teams were on vacation before the game started," Dwane Casey said of his teams flat start, hitting just one of 12 field goals at the outset of a crucial meeting with the Hawks and trailing by eight early, until DeRozan sparked the Raptors slumbering offence. Were the Raptors looking ahead to some much needed time off? "I wouldnt say that necessarily, we probably thought they (were)" replied DeRozan, who scored 14 of his game-high 31 points in the first seven minutes of the third quarter, spearheading a lopsided second half and leading Toronto to a 104-83 win over Atlanta. "We picked it up," he continued. "We understood they were going to come out play hard because we are neck-and-neck in the race in the conference. We understood how much this game meant." The Raptors overtook Atlanta for third place in the Eastern Conference standings last month and the Hawks have been knocking on the door ever since. With the victory, Toronto handed the Hawks - who now hold the fifth seed - their fifth straight loss and padded their own cushion over fourth-place Chicago going into this weekends All-Star festivities. At 28-24, the Raptors sit atop their division at the break for the second time in franchise history and first since they won the Atlantic in the 2006-07 season. "It means a lot to be where were at right now," DeRozan said, "but it really dont mean nothing unless we keep it up. Weve got to keep it growing, we cant be comfortable with it because teams in our division (are) definitely still coming." Leading by one at intermission, the Raptors outscored the struggling Hawks 59-39 in the second half, holding them to 30 per cent shooting and forcing eight turnovers while committing just one themselves. DeRozan made seven of his 10 field goal attempts, and all four of his free throws, in the half. Most importantly the Raptors executed their game plan defensively, rotating and closing out hard, limiting one of the better three-point shooting teams in the league to four treys on 20 attempts from beyond the arch. "We had to make sure we were there and the way the game started I (didnt) think we got the memo before the game," Casey said. "We continued to grind it, stuck with the game plan, guys stuck together and grinded it out." It wasnt their most ascetically pleasing victory but its one that fell right into the Raptors wheelhouse, one that played into the identity and personality Casey has urged his team to carry into the seasons unofficial second half. "Like I told our guys," he said, "the second half is going to be a grind. Its not going to be pretty (but) we dont want it to be pretty. Its going to be hard and everybody has to be committed in the locker room." The break comes at a perfect time for the Raptors. Although they go into it with confidence having won two straight, both at home - overall theyve won 10 of 12 at the Air Canada Centre - many of them could use the rest and relaxation time. For the second straight game Amir Johnson was a spectator - fashioning a personalized Raptors jersey on the back of his vest as he watched from the bench - still nursing a sore right ankle. Hell have over 10 days of rest before the team reconvenes in Washington for Tuesdays game against the Wizards. For the rest of the team this five-day layoff is an opportunity to heal various aches and pains that accumulate over a long season and refocus heading into the stretch run. "Me personally I need the rest," said Kyle Lowry, who had another double-double - 16 points and 13 assists - on Wednesday. "I know everybody needs the rest. You get to mentally relax and physically relax also and its always important to take care of your body at this time (of year). You rarely get a five-day stretch in the season so (we have to) take advantage of it."Neifi Perez Jersey . The defeat leaves the 41-year-old Nestor to concentrate on the mixed-doubles event after winning 12 straight matches and winning Australian titles in Brisbane and Sydney with two different partners. "This was a little bit of a let down, but all credit to them," said Nestor. Raimel Tapia Jersey . When the Dallas Mavericks needed to stop a Golden State rally in the fourth quarter, they looked for defensive help from the rookie point guard playing in just his sixth game.BALTIMORE -- The Baltimore Orioles addressed their lack of depth at catcher, acquiring Nick Hundley from the San Diego Padres on Saturday in a trade for left-handed reliever Troy Patton. The 30-year-old Hundley hit .271 with a home run and three RBIs in 33 games with the Padres this season. The Orioles are currently operating without starting catcher Matt Wieters, whos on the disabled list with a strained right elbow. Theres no assurance Wieters will be back anytime soon, and surgery remains an option. So Baltimore got some insurance at the position. "We still hope Matt doesnt need anything," manager Buck Showalter said. "Youve always got to prepare for what if." In seven seasons with San Diego, Hundley batted .238 with 47 homers and 195 RBIs in 510 games. He also has a .990 career fielding percentage and a 28 per cent success rate in throwing out would-be base stealers. "Hundley is a proven veteran catcher who handles pitchers well and has power," Orioles vice-president of baseball operationss Dan Duquette said in a text message to The Associated Press. Scott Oberg Jersey. Duquette said the trade helps "stabilize the team." Baltimore had been using Steve Clevenger and Caleb Joseph behind the plate in Wieters absence. Clevenger entered Saturdays game against Cleveland with a .246 batting average, no homers and eight RBIs. Joseph was 1 for 20 in seven games. Patton was 0-1 with an 8.10 ERA in nine appearances with Baltimore. He missed April while serving a 25-game suspension for testing positive for a banned amphetamine last year. Patton was one of four left-handers in the Baltimore bullpen. Opponents were batting .333 against him this year. The Orioles also received cash considerations from San Diego in the deal. With Patton off the roster and Hundley not yet with the team, Baltimore recalled infielder Steve Lombardozzi from Triple-A Norfolk before Saturdays game. Acquired in a March 24 trade with Detroit, Lombardozzi hit .292 in 19 games with the Orioles before being optioned to Norfolk on May 1. ' ' '
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