Gallerie » its second loss in three games, both to C

LOS ANGELES - The Raptors will be at the edge of the NBA spotlight Sunday evening, whether they like it or not. Basketball fans around the globe will be watching as Kobe Bryant makes his season debut - 240 days after tearing his left Achilles - against Toronto, a team he has used as his own personal punching bag. Bryant announced his return in a video posted on his Facebook page Friday afternoon and the game, which airs at 9:30pm et on TSN2, will also be picked up by NBA TV in the US. All eyes will be locked on the Lakers future Hall-of-Famer, all except the Raptors coach, who would rather avoid becoming a sideshow in the Bryant circus that is sure to consume Staples Center on Sunday. "Everybodys going to be watching Kobe come back but Im totally concerned about the Toronto Raptors," said Dwane Casey, hoping to put an end to his teams five-game skid. "No disrespect to Kobe, hes one of our greats in the game, we need him in the game, but for us Im worried about the Toronto Raptors, our physical disposition, our approach, our toughness." Whether he cares to admit it, the Lakers did Casey and Torontos coaching staff a favour by making their announcement public Friday rather than keeping Bryants status under wraps until game day. As the home team - with an assist from the NBA - shamelessly builds the hype for Bryants return, the visitors are trying desperately to dodge it. "Weve got to go out there and play hard regardless, [even] if we werent on TV, if we were just playing in front of five people," said California-native DeMar DeRozan after practicing at the Clippers training center in LA Saturday afternoon. A match-up with the struggling Raptors is a fitting return for Bryant, who has torched Toronto throughout his 17-year career. Bryant is averaging 28.3 points in 29 games against the Raptors, his second highest average against any opponent, inflated by his infamous 81-point performance. Bryant has only lost to Toronto at Staples once, back in 2001, and the Raptors havent defeated the Lakers in LA since. Now the question is: How will the 35-year-old fare coming off major surgery, after an eight-month layoff? "Me, knowing him, he wouldnt come back if he didnt think he could play at a dominant level," DeRozan insisted. "I think its mixed emotion for everybody. Everybodys just eager to see how hell be. Everybody always tries to doubt him in some way and he always seems to prove people wrong. So its just another test for him, well see how he bounces back." Bryant should see limited playing time in his first game back, roughly 20-30 minutes of action per Lakers coach Mike DAntoni. Although working one of the all-time greats back into your lineup isnt a bad problem to have, DAntoni hopes it wont disrupt the chemistry thats been built over the teams first 19 games. "Theyve been moving the basketball well, [doing] a lot of things [DAntoni was] doing in New York with the same sets, same things he was doing in Phoenix," Casey said of the 10-9 Lakers. "A lot of pick-and-rolls, the ball was humming, moving and I assume theyre going to do the same thing with [Bryant] coming back. We just have to be prepared." With Bryant hurt, Steve Nash out of the lineup - hes already been ruled out for Sundays game - and Dwight Howard in Houston, these Lakers have looked more like a vintage DAntoni team than last seasons incarnation ever did. This team has played at the NBAs third quickest pace, making more three-point shots per game than any other in the league. Now how do they integrate Bryant? The Raptors - in full out "we need to worry about ourselves"-mode Saturday - are navigating through an identity crisis of their own. Opponents have shot over 45 per cent in each game during their losing streak and have exceeded 100 points in four of the five contests. Their latest defeat, a 106-97 loss in Phoenix Friday, exposed a lack of toughness on both ends of the floor. "Weve gotten away from that for whatever reason," Casey said after his team was out-rebounded 53-36 by the Suns, including an 18-11 disparity on the offensive glass. "Were not the hit first team that we were." To make matters worse, Toronto may be without its most physical player on Sunday after Tyler Hansbrough sprained his left shoulder against the Suns. The Raptors forward underwent an MRI in LA Saturday morning and the team is awaiting the results before determining his status. Playing on the big stage, with the focus surrounding the other team and its best player, the Raptors have an opportunity to spoil the party and prove themselves in front of a large audience. "Weve got to get out of this slump," DeRozan said. "We understand it doesnt feel good, its a bad feeling and weve got to turn it around." Jody Davis Cubs Jersey . Jamies number grades given are out of five, with five being the best mark. Tuukka Rask, Boston Bruins (5) – He had a brilliant game; it was a huge response for his average games before. Jonathan Lucroy Cubs Jersey . Last year, Islanders forward Colin Mcdonald released a "Do It For Colin" campaign to promote his teammate and friend John Tavares for the EA sports honour:The most popular sports voting video ever has to go to Chris Bosh who showcased his comedic abilities in his effort to get fans to vote him into the 2008 All Star Game:You can vote for TJ and other star players for the NHL 15 cover vote here. https://www.cheapcubs.com/380t-joe-maddon-jersey-cubs.html . Neither side would publicly confirm or deny any discussions were taking place, until the near unexpected happened. On Saturday night sources confirmed to TSN, the league and players agreed to terms on a new, tentative CBA, pending ratification by the unions players. A league source confirmed the CFLs board of governors must also ratify any potential agreement. Jerome Walton Cubs Jersey . With just under five seconds remaining - the Raptors having clawed back from a 19-point deficit and pulled within one - DeRozan took the handoff from Chuck Hayes. Greg Maddux Jersey . Pace had a career-high 10 sacks for Rex Ryans defence-- second only to Muhammad Wilkersons 10 1/2 -- in his sixth season with the Jets. The 33-year-old outside linebacker was an unrestricted free agent.Uniondale, NY (SportsNetwork.com) - New month, same New York Islanders. Thomas Hickey scored off an opponents skate 3:06 into overtime on Tuesday to lift the red-hot Islanders to a 3-2 win over the Ottawa Senators in the first game of a home-and-home. Hickeys wrap-around on the left side crossed the crease and deflected off Ottawa defenseman Cody Cecis left skate before going in. The goal gave the Islanders a win in their first game this month after they went 11-3 in November. They improved to 8-0 in overtime and shootout games this season and pushed their home winning streak to seven games. New York also kept pace with the Penguins for a tie atop the Metropolitan Divisions after Pittsburgh beat the Devils at home, 1-0. Jaroslav Halak made 16 saves and extended his personal winning streak to 10 games to tie the franchise record set by Billy Smith in the 1981-82 season. Brock Nelson and Ryan Strome also scored in the win. Mike Hoffman and Clarke MacArthur scored for the Senators, who fell to 1-4-1 in their last six games. Craig Anderson gave up three goals on 28 shots. Ottawa went 1-3-1 on a five-game road trip, so Senators coach Paul MacLean was happy with the point. Final Score: Pittsburgh 1, New Jersey 0 Pittsburgh, PA (SportsNetwork.com) - Evgeni Malkins early third-period marker was the lone offense of the contest as Pittsburgh topped New Jersey, 1-0, at CONSOL Energy Center. Marc-Andre Fleury stopped 29 shots to record his league-best fifth shutout of the season for the Penguins, who have won two in a row and four of their last five. Cory Schneider made 22 saves for the Devils, who have lost a season-high five straight games. Final Score: Vancouver 4, Washington 3 Washington, DC (SportsNetwork.com) - Daniel Sedin scored twice, including the winner halfway through the third, to lead the Vancouver Canucks in a 4-3 win over the Washington Capitals. Radim Vrbata had a goal and an assist and Derek Dorsett also scored for the Canucks, who have won four of their last five. Ryan Miller allowed three goals on 26 shots in the win. John Carlson had two goals and an assist and Brooks Laich also scored for the Capitals, who have lost four of five. Braden Holtby stopped 28 shots in the loss. Final Score: Carolina 2, Nashville 1 Raleigh, NC (SportsNetwork.com) - Jeff Skinner had a goal and an assist, Cam Ward made 32 saves and the Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Nashville Predators 2-1 on Tuesday. Wards best work came in the third period when he turned away 14 of Nashvilles 15 shots. Skinners first-period goal gave the Hurricanes a 1-0 lead, and he assisted on Victor Rasks goal in the third period that proved to be the game-winner. Mike Ribeiro scored Nashvilles only goal in the third period. Pekka Rinne made 23 saves in the loss, ending Nashvilles four game winning streak. Final Score: Buffalo 2, Tampa Bay 1 (SO) Buffalo, NY (SportsNetwork.com) - Jhonas Enroth stopped 26 shots in regulation and overtime plus both shootout chances as Buffalo claimed a 2-1 decision over Tampa Bay on Tuesday in the opener of a home-and-home series. Zemgus Girgensons tallied in regulation for the Sabres, who have won three in a row and six of their last seven. Cody Hodgson and Tyler Ennis hit the net in the games final segment..dddddddddddd. Ondrej Palat lit the lamp and Evgeni Nabokov made 21 saves for the Lightning, who couldnt maintain momentum from a 6-3 road win in Manhattan on Monday. Final Score: Toronto 5, Dallas 3 Toronto, ON (SportsNetwork.com) - Joffrey Lupul scored twice to lead the Toronto Maple Leafs to a 5-3 victory over the Dallas Stars on Tuesday. Nazem Kadri finished with a goal and two assists, Tyler Bozak and Phil Kessel also scored and Mike Santorelli tallied three assists for the Maple Leafs, who have won two straight games and four of five. Jonathan Bernier stopped 35-of-38 shots in the win. Jason Spezza, Ryan Garbutt and Ales Hemsky each lit the lamp and Kari Lehtonen made 35 stops for the Stars, who dropped their third consecutive game. Final Score: Florida 4, Detroit 3 Detroit, MI (SportsNetwork.com) - Vincent Trocheck had a goal and two assists to guide the Florida Panthers to a 4-3 victory over the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday. Jimmy Hayes posted a goal and an assist while Aaron Ekbald and Sean Bergenheim also scored for the Panthers, who have won three of their last four. Roberto Luongo turned away 38 shots in the win. Pavel Datsyuk posted a goal and an assist while Gustav Nyquist and Tomas Tatar also scored for the Red Wings, who had a four-game winning streak snapped. Jimmy Howard allowed four goals on 31 shots in the loss. Final Score: Calgary 5, Arizona 2 Calgary, AB (SportsNetwork.com) - Josh Jooris picked up his first career hat trick in Calgarys 5-2 win over Arizona Tuesday. His second goal at the 7:13 mark of the second period proved to be the game-winner, and his empty-net goal in the final minute sealed the win. Karri Ramo made 27 saves on 29 shots for the Flames, who won their third straight game. Calgarys Dennis Wideman, Johnny Gaudreau, Curtis Glencross and Jiri Hudler all had two assists. Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Sam Gagner potted Arizonas goals in its second loss in three games, both to Calgary. Mike Smith allowed four goals on 23 shots. Final Score: San Jose 2, Philadelphia 1 San Jose, CA (SportsNetwork.com) - Matt Nieto scored with 11.5 seconds to play as the San Jose Sharks stole a 2-1 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday. In the waning moments of the contest, Patrick Marleau came charging down the middle and got a shot off that Steve Mason was able to turn aside. However, Mason came out of the crease to try and play the rebound and was crashed into by Tommy Wingels, allowing Nieto to snap the disc into the open net for the winning goal. Marc-Edouard Vlasic had the other goal and Antti Niemi turned away 28 shots for the Sharks, who have won their past two. Sean Couturier scored the only goal of the game for the Flyers, who have lost their past five games. Mason stopped 25 shots in defeat. Final Score: Los Angeles 2, Boston 0 Los Angeles, CA (SportsNetwork.com) - Jonathan Quick stopped all 31 shots fired his way to post his third shutout, lifting the Los Angeles Kings to a 2-0 victory over the Boston Bruins on Tuesday. Tanner Pearson and Tyler Toffoli scored and Anze Kopitar supplied two assists for the Kings, who bounced back from a tough 4-1 loss to Chicago on Saturday. Niklas Svedberg allowed just one goal on 34 shots in Bostons second straight loss on the West Coast. ' ' '