Die Macht » arney vs Suljovic Raymond van Barneveld d

TORONTO -- DeMar DeRozan and the Toronto Raptors showed last spring that they have what it takes to win in the NBA playoffs.Now all the Raptors need to do is figure out a way past LeBron James.Nothing to it, right?Back in May, the deepest postseason run in Raptors history ended with a six-game loss to James and the eventual champion Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals. Between Cleveland and Miami, James has represented the East in six straight NBA Finals.All-Star guard DeRozan, who signed a $139 million, five-year deal to remain a Raptor, believes having a healthy DeMarre Carroll will be big help in trying to control James.Knee surgery in January derailed Carrolls first year with the Raptors, limiting him to 26 games. He returned in April and appeared in every playoff game, despite not being completely recovered. After Toronto was eliminated, Carroll took a month off to let swelling subside. With the new season set to start, hes finally back at full strength.It was tough for us last year to figure out ways to play without him, DeRozan said. Even when he came back he wasnt his full self and we still managed to make history. To have him back at the start of the season fully healthy is going to give us everything weve been searching for.Toronto wont have to wait long to see how it measures up against James and the Cavs -- the teams meet twice in the first 10 games, then dont face off again until the final night of the regular season next April.DeRozan said theres no shortage of motivation when it comes to trying to close the gap on Cleveland as a new season starts with every team on level termsIts the motivation of knowing what it felt like being two games away from having an opportunity to compete for a championship, DeRozan said. Were at the bottom of the hill now. Weve got to work our way up and take on every challenge that were going to face.Here are some other things to know about the Raptors this season.LAST CHANCE WITH LOWRY?Like DeRozan did this year, All-Star guard Kyle Lowry is expected to opt out of the final year of his contract next summer, joining a potentially star-studded group of free agents. Until then, however, Lowry isnt interested in talking about his future. Im really focused on helping my team be the best team they can be, getting to the point where we can take the next step, he said.THE NEW GUYTorontos only newcomer with NBA experience, Jared Sullinger, left Boston to a sign a one-year deal with the Raptors. Hes expected to start in the front court alongside Jonas Valanciunas. Coach Dwane Casey envisions Sullinger as a rebounding asset who can also spread the floor and connect from long range. I trust his 3-point shooting, Casey said. We want him to take it, we encourage him to take it.TWO MORE YEARSTwo years after being drafted, Brazilian prospect Bruno Caboclo isnt close to making regular contributions to the Raptors. Caboclo spent the bulk of last season with Torontos D-League team, averaging 14.7 points and 6.5 rebounds in 37 games. Famously described by commentator Fran Franschilla as being two years away from being two years away when he was drafted in 2014, Caboclo figures to be back in the D-League this season, honing his game with help from new coach Jerry Stackhouse.PASSPORT CONTROLWith a roster that already featured two Brazilians (Caboclo and Lucas Nogueira), a Lithuanian (Valanciunas), and a Canadian (Cory Joseph), the Raptors added more international assets on draft night. Torontos two first round picks were seven-foot center Jakob Poeltl, the first Austrian in NBA history, and forward Pascal Siakam, one of three NBA players from Cameroon.CALMER TIMESLast season was a whirlwind for the Raptors. Besides their deep playoff run, they launched a D-League team, moved into a new practice facility, travelled to London for a January game against Orlando, and hosted the All-Star game for the first time in February. Incredible year, it was go, go, go, go, go, said Masai Ujiri, the teams president. You name it, we did it. Its tough on our players and everybody. Having a little less on the agenda this season could be a blessing for Toronto. Adidas NMD R2 Heren . Shot outdoors against the stunning backdrop of Banff, Alta., the networks 30-minute original production airs tonight at 8pm et/5pm pt on TSN2. The four All-Star teams will play for $100,000 in prize money during TSNs annual skins game, airing live this weekend on TSN from The Fenlands Banff Recreation Centre. Adidas Stan Smith Dames Sale . Vancouver Whitecaps and Toronto FC failed to make the postseason while Montreal Impact fell at the first hurdle losing heavily to Houston Dynamo in the Eastern Conference Knockout Round. http://www.nmdtekoop.com/ultra-boost-sneakers/ultra-boost-4-0.html . The Oilers come in having lost five in a row (0-4-1) and 16 of their last 20 games, dropping a 2-1 decision to the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday. Adidas NMD Nederland . - Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie never doubted he would bring back coach Dennis Allen for a third year despite back-to-back 4-12 records. Adidas Falcon Schoenen . - Levi Browns tenure at left tackle for the Pittsburgh Steelers is over before it even began.Robert Thornton came through a nine-dart shoot-out against Dmitri van den Bergh to remain in the Grand Slam of Darts, after almost falling foul of awful luck. Confusion reigned after Thorntons earlier match over a mis-count by the referee that allowed Gerwyn Price to check out on the wrong score, sealing both a 5-3 victory and a place in the knock-out stages.Price wanted 95 - hes hit a 25, left 70, explained Sky Sports Wayne Mardle. Hit treble one, left 67. Gone for a treble nine to leave tops, missed, hit treble 12 and left 31. Wayne Mardle explains the mis-count in Thornton v Price [The referee] unfortunately called the wrong score - he said 54 scored, instead of 64 (64 scored off 95 leaves 31).Hes gone for the score on the chalk-board, which was right, which was 41. Robert could have said you want 31 not 41. If you like tops, you cant take that out with 31. Highlights of Thornton vs Price There was confusion at the end. No-one was at fault, it was human error, no-ones a cheat.Thornton, as a result, was forced into a nine-dart shoot-out against Van den Bergh, who earlier beat Scott Waites 5-4, and he survived by whittling his score down to 65. Highlights of Barney vs Suljovic Raymond van Barneveld did his compatriot Danny Noppert a favour, allowing both Dutchmen to qualify from their group at the expense of Mensur Suljovic and Nathan Aspinall, respectively.ddddddddddddBDO No 3 Noppert had beaten Aspinall 5-2 to give himself a fighting chance, but was left biting his fingernails in anticipation of the other result. Suljovic could have forced a nine-dart shoot-out with Noppert if he restricted Van Barneveld to three legs but was unable to do so, and Barney will top the group with his 5-3 victory. Highlights of Wade vs Chisnall James Wades qualification from Group G was guaranteed even before a 5-3 defeat to Dave Chisnall, whose elimination was likewise assured after he lost his opening two matches.But Wade had to settle for the runner-up spot, as Jamie Hughes recovered from a 4-1 deficit to remarkably beat James Wilson, and top the group as a result. Highlights of Wright vs Evetts Peter Wright topped Group C after thrashing Ted Evetts 5-3, and will be joined in the knock-out stages by the BDOs Jeff Smith who hit two bullseye check-outs in a 5-4 win over Simon Whitlock. Highlights of Smith vs Whitlock Also See: Sky Bets darts odds On Sky TV Schedule/Results Features Get Sky Sports ' ' '