01-15-2020, 09:10 AM
TORONTO - Toronto Raptors head coach Dwane Casey used words like growing, adjusting and learning frequently throughout a 30-minute conference call with reporters Monday. Air Force 1 Soldes .His young team is soaking up the NBA playoff experience and showing the Brooklyn Nets that they wont be pushovers at the same time.What Caseys squad lacks in experience, it makes up for in effort. That was on full display a day earlier as Toronto showed its mettle in an 87-79 road victory that tied the best-of-seven first-round series at two games apiece.The Raptors are focused on results this spring but theyre also trying to build a foundation they hope will lead to long-term success.Were a young team, nobody expected us to be here, Casey said. Every experience is a new experience for us. Guys are growing in every situation.After a jittery start, Toronto has held its own against a tough Brooklyn lineup that features veteran players Kevin Garnett, Joe Johnson, Paul Pierce and Deron Williams.The Raptors are banged up and have had to go deep into their bench over the first four games. But they have responded well as a team in a series that will be a key building block for the future.Going through the playoffs is nothing but a plus for our franchise, Casey said. As I said, you dont want it to be a one-time (appearance) in the playoffs and never be seen again for six more years. You want it to be a growing experience. With our core guys being so young, that should be their goal going forward.Now that youve been in the playoffs once, you know what it tastes like, you know what it feels like. You know going through the season when the coach is preaching physicality, how hard youve got to play, how youve got to take care of the ball, why hes saying that. Because all that comes into play in playoff basketball.Several Toronto players are nursing injuries but most are expected to be available for Wednesdays Game 5 at Air Canada Centre.Among the starters, Kyle Lowry has been hobbled by a sore knee and Amir Johnson has had ankle problems. Patrick Patterson was a little gimpy last night, according to Casey, who added that Landry Fields (back) was feeling much better.Were nicked up, banged up a little bit but nothing that we know of thats major right now, Casey said.The series will return to Barclays Center on Friday for Game 6. If a seventh game is necessary, it will be played on Sunday in Toronto.This whole series for us is a learning experience because we are such a young team, Casey said. Its the first time in the playoffs for a lot of our key guys. So Im learning that they are growing from it. They are getting better in certain situations and theyre still making mistakes in certain situations.But the adjustment part is something thats big for us. To be able to change things on a days notice or even in game situations, thats good to know and good to see.DeMar DeRozan scored 24 points in the Game 4 win and Lowry added 22. The Raptors came through with key defensive stops late in the game and showed they wont be intimidated by the Nets.I think as the series has gone on our guys have gotten more comfortable, Casey said. But again we know were going against a very veteran, experienced team that has seen everything and experienced everything.Theyre going to make some adjustments, were going to have to continue to make adjustments as the series goes on.The Raptors have managed to split the first four games despite the struggles of starter Terrence Ross, who was held off the scoresheet in 16 minutes of play on Sunday.Casey plans to stick with the youngster, noting its important to keep an eye on long-term development as the post-season continues.The only thing that will help him next year is to go through this, he said. He is a talented young man. This says nothing about his potential and where hes going to be this time next year. This is still a learning experience for him. Is he going to stub his toe? Yes. But hes still got to go through it.I thought his defence was superb in the first quarter last night against Deron Williams. I thought he did a good job. Hes just got to get a feel and a rhythm and a style of play with his offence.The Raptors should get a boost from the boisterous Air Canada Centre crowd. Casey wants his players to feed off that energy and build on what they have accomplished so far.I think our guys are growing as we go, he said. Thats the hard thing about being a young team in the playoffs. A team like Brooklyn has seen everything, theyve experienced everything, theyve had every atmosphere you can have in the playoffs and some of them have won championships.Thats the advantage you have as an experienced team and the disadvantage you have as a young team. But our guys are growing and learning as we go.Notes: Game 4 was a ratings hit for TSN. Overnight data from BBM Canada indicated an average audience of 885,000 viewers watched the game. It was the second most-watched Raptors game ever, just behind the teams Game 7 second-round loss to Philadelphia in 2001, the network said in a release. Sports TV ratings have skyrocketed in recent years following the introduction of a new ratings system.Follow @GregoryStrongCP on Twitter. Nike Air Force 1 Just Do It Orange Pas Cher . 15-23, the Ottawa Senators will by hoping to avoid going five straight games without a victory for the first time since a 0-3-2 drought from Oct. Air Force 1 Basse Homme . The weekend at Oriole Park has been less kind, with three players suffering varying degrees of injury. The worst ailment of the three, at least optically, is the deep bone bruise suffered by Adam Lind when he fouled a pitch off the top of his right foot in the sixth inning of Saturdays game. http://www.siteairforce1pascher.fr/air-f...oldes.html . The appointment of Boullier continues the behind-the-scenes restructuring at McLaren, who recently brought back former team principal Ron Dennis as its new chief executive. PORTO ALEGRE, Brazil -- First half strikes by Islam Slimani and Rafik Halliche helped Algeria to beat South Korea 4-2 on Sunday and become the first African team to score four goals in a World Cup match. Algeria led 3-0 at halftime, but withstood a stronger South Korean second half performance to claim its first World Cup win since 1982 and move into second place in Group H with one match left to play. Defeat for South Korea means it must now beat already-qualified Belgium to stand a chance of progressing to the knockout stages. Belgium leads with six points, Algeria now has three, while Russia and the South Koreans have one apiece. Slimani, one of three Algeria scorers who didnt start in the opening 2-1 loss to Belgium, broke the deadlock in the 26th minute with a fine solo goal, running onto a through ball between two defenders and then touching it past Jung Sung-ryong. Twoo minutes after the restart, defender Rafik Halliche powerfully headed in a corner after Jung came off his line but failed to make contact with the ball. Air Force 1 Basse Pas Cher. Algeria added a third goal in the 38th when Abdelmoumene Djabou side-footed home from close to the penalty spot after Slimani pulled the ball back for him. South Korea didnt manage a shot on target all half, and struggled to break down Algerias attacks. However, it was far more positive after the break and pulled a goal back in the 48th minute when Son Heung-min shot through the legs of Rais Mbolhi. Hopes of a remarkable comeback were soon extinguished, though, when swift passing by Slimani put Yacini Brahimi through on a counter attack to make it 4-1. South Korea captain Koo Ja-cheol bundled the ball home on 72 minutes from close range, but Algerias defence held on to secure a historic victory. ' ' '