Two teams separated by three games in the Eastern Conference standings clash tonight north of the border, as the Toronto Raptors play host to the Washington Wizards. Marques Colston Jersey . The Raptors are third in the East behind Indiana and Miami, while the Wizards are three games behind the Atlantic Division leaders in the fifth spot. Catch all the action live on TSN and TSN Radio 1050 at 7pm et/4pm pt. Toronto is five games ahead of Brooklyn in the Atlantic and will also host Golden State and Sacramento on the homestand. It has won three straight and six of seven games, including Tuesdays 99-93 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers. DeMar DeRozan poured in 33 points, Terrence Ross netted 19 and Kyle Lowry added 13 points with nine assists for the Raptors, who found a way to win despite shooting 44.3 percent and making 10-of-32 3-pointers. Lowry scored 14 or more points in eight straight games from Feb. 5-23, then was held to a point below that mark against the Cavs. "Youre not going to have great games all the time, youre not going to shoot 10-for-12 or 20-for-30. Youre always going to have some type of off-game," Lowry said. "You cant let that stop you from helping your team win a game. I wasnt making my shots, but I know I can still help the team." The Raptors are 11-3 at home since Jan. 1 and 16-11 at Air Canada Centre. They have also held their opponent under 100 points in a season high-tying six consecutive games. Toronto is 27-7 when doing that this season. Meanwhile, DeRozan is averaging 25.7 ppg in February for the Raptors, who are ensured of a winning record for a third month in a row. Toronto was 8-6 in December, 11-6 in January and currently has a 7-4 mark in February. Washington enters the great white north on a four-game winning streak. The Wizards, who will also visit Philadelphia on its quick quest, disposed of the Orlando Magic 115-106 on Tuesday thanks to four players with 20-plus points. John Wall led the Wizards with 27 points, Trevor Ariza had 22 and both Marcin Gortat and Bradley Beal netted 21. "I thought we came out really energized. We got great performances from everybody," said Wizards coach Randy Wittman. The Wizards, who made 52.5 percent from the field and hit 10-of-16 3-pointers, led by as many as 17 a day after learning forward Nene would miss around six weeks with a sprained MCL in his left knee. Washington is 11-6 in its last 17 road games and is averaging 99.8 ppg in that stretch. Wall has 18.6 points and 7.8 assists over that time. The Wizards are 14-14 overall away from D.C. this season. Toronto has defeated Washington three times already this season and is unbeaten in four straight and six of the last eight meetings between the teams. The Wizards havent succeeded much lately in Canada, losing seven of eight and 11 of the past 15 trips there. Mark Ingram Camo Jersey .C. -- Cam Newton wasnt flawless on Sunday.David Hawthorne Authentic Jersey . - Phil Macks penalty kick with no time remaining completed a remarkable comeback Sunday as Canada defeated Samoa 22-19 to finish third at the USA Sevens — its best ever finish at an IRB Sevens rugby event.CHICAGO -- The Chicago Bulls understand theyll be better off once Derrick Rose returns. No need to rush, though. They keep winning even with their star sidelined. Carlos Boozer and Luol Deng each scored 23 points, and Chicago escaped with an 89-80 victory over the Boston Celtics on Thursday night after blowing a 16-point lead. It was hardly an easy night for the Bulls, but they won again even though Rose, the reigning MVP, missed his fourth straight game because of lower back pain. "I think were all confident in our abilities, but we know that were not getting to where we want to get to without that guy," Joakim Noah said. For now, theyre getting by. It hasnt been easy the past few games, though. The Bulls struggled early before going on a big run that gave them a 16-point lead in the opening minutes of the third quarter. Boston came roaring back and was up 61-60 early in the fourth after Chris Wilcoxs alley-oop dunk, but a 12-point run broke a 69-69 tie and sent Chicago to its seventh win in eight games. Taj Gibsons layup four minutes into the quarter started the decisive rally. Deng sandwiched a three-pointer and layup around a free throw by Kyle Korver, and Boozer capped the rally with a pair of layups that made it 81-69, giving Chicago its league-leading 25th win. Deng had another big game, finishing with 10 assists after dishing out a career-high 11 and scoring 23 in Tuesdays win over Sacramento. Boozer hit 11 of 15 shots and grabbed 15 rebounds, and Noah added 15 points and 16 rebounds. The Bulls dominated on the boards 52-37 even though they got outrebounded 15-10 in the first quarter, and they avenged a loss at Boston on Sunday. "I thought we came out soft in the first quarter," coach Tom Thibodeau said. "They got us back on our heels. We were not taking it up strong and they are very good defensively." By the end of the game, the Bulls had a 16-6 edge in offensive rebounds and 12-6 advantage in second-chance points. "You play defence for 22, 23 seconds and you dont get the rebbound, it zaps the energy," Bostons Paul Pierce said. Pierre Thomas Camo Jersey. The Celtics lost for the fourth time in five games even though Kevin Garnett finished with 18 points and 10 rebounds after sitting out the previous night against Detroit with a hip flexor. Rajon Rondo had 17 points and eight assists, but had his difficulties with Mike James guarding him. Pierce scored 14, and Ray Allen finished with 12 points after a slow start, but the Celtics came up short. The Bulls appeared to be in good shape leading 51-35 early in the third after Boozer capped a 22-2 run with a dunk, but after blowing nearly all of a 19-point lead against Sacramento on Tuesday, they watched as the Celtics came storming back. Allen found his stroke, hitting three three-pointers as Boston pulled within one going into the fourth. And Wilcoxs alley-oop from Rondo in the opening seconds of the fourth gave Boston a short-lived a 61-60 lead. "Fourth quarters have been our quarters," Allen said. "We get to the fourth quarter and regardless of whats happened in the game we pull it out. We execute offensively. We know who were going to scoring wise. But right now its up in the air." This time, the Bulls seized it. They came out on top even though, at times, they looked like they missed their MVP. Rose took some free throws at the morning shootaround, but wasnt able to run. Thibodeau said he is "feeling a lot better" but remains day to day. He has missed nine games this season because of back and toe problems after sitting out a total of six in his first three years, but the Bulls were breathing a little easier this week after a back specialist confirmed there was no structural damage. "He wants to be out there so bad," Deng said. "I can see it. Everyone sees it. I keep telling him, Youve just got to be smart." Notes: Thibodeau said G Richard Hamilton is "making good progress." The veteran remains sidelined by an injured right thigh. ... This was the start of a five-game trip for Boston. ' ' '
