TORONTO - Although no one cared to admit it, on either side, at the outset of the evening, Mondays divisional grudge match in Brooklyn meant more to the Raptors than the game that preceded it or the one to follow. Michael Bennett Jersey . The stakes were higher, the competition more fierce and the atmosphere was that of a playoff game - something the young, upstart Raptors have five weeks to better prepare themselves for or the result will be eerily similar. If they looked out of place in that environment, its probably because they were. Torontos starting five features a fifth-year star that has yet to make a playoff appearance. Theyre the only team currently in a playoff position that starts two sophomores and its been five years since either their point guard or power forward has experienced postseason basketball. Combined that lineup accounts for 24 games of postseason experience. Staring them down in the final minute of a one-possession, high stakes game was a Nets unit that has collectively participated in 268 playoff contests. Paul Pierce alone is responsible for 136 of them while Kevin Garnett and Andrei Kirilenko - both out with injuries - would have added another 176. The Nets took a five-point advantage into the fourth quarter and, for all their hardships this season, they had only lost one of 30 games in which they held the lead after 36 minutes. Thats the difference experience makes. The Raptors, despite a valiant effort, showed up to a knife fight armed with plastic forks. "This team here in Brooklyn is a championship-caliber team," Dwane Casey said following his teams 101-97 loss. "They know the plays to make to win games. Weve still got to learn that. Were on our way but we still have some learning to do." Although the Raptors remain the NBAs best fourth-quarter team, outscoring opponents by 158 points in the final frame this season, their late-game execution continues to be a work in progress. When ahead or behind by five points or less in the final three minutes, Toronto shoots 37 per cent, the ninth-lowest mark in the league. Theyre 15-18 in games that come down to that scenario. On Monday, Pierce hit what may have been the biggest shot of the night - a cold-blooded three to break a tie with just over a minute left and the shot clock ticking down - while the Raptors wilted in the moment. Down one, 30 seconds later, Toronto got the stop it needed, leading to a five-on-four break the other way. In the midst of a brilliant second half, Kyle Lowry found DeMar DeRozan in transition, believing he would continue to go hard to the bucket. Met by Pierce in the lane, DeRozan lateraled back to Lowry, who wasnt expecting the pass and turned down the shot. John Salmons, receiving the ball from Lowry, also hesitated on an open look from the elbow, which ultimately led to Terrence Ross fumbling the ball as he looked to salvage the broken play. It was a possession mired in indecision and it sealed Torontos fate. The Nets - 10-for-14 from three-point range after the first quarter - hit big shots and made winning plays. They looked like the desperate team, and rightfully so. Had they won, the Raptors would be sitting pretty in the Atlantic Division, five games up on Brooklyn with the season-series tiebreaker in hand. Instead, Brooklyn has pulled within three games of the division lead. "[The atmosphere] was definitely a notch higher because of what was at stake," DeRozan admitted after the game. "Theyre chasing us and were leading in the division. It was just a big game overall. Theyve been playing well, trying to make a playoff push and were trying to sustain our position so it definitely was a big game." While the loss stings, the Raptors are still in the drivers seat, controlling their own destiny with 20 games to go. "It was a disappointing loss in the fact that theyre a team thats battling us for the division," Casey said. "Theres still a lot of basketball left to play. Weve got to stay positive. Its not the end of the world. We werent going to go undefeated the rest of the way. We knew that." Should Toronto and Brooklyn share the same record atop the Atlantic when its all said and done, with the season series now even, the tiebreaker would go to the team with the most wins within the division. The Raptors are currently 8-3 with five games left to be played against Atlantic opponents while the Nets are 7-5 with four remaining. Each of those games could be crucial - including two meetings with New York in the final week of the season - for the Raptors who are hoping to win their second division title in franchise history. Sink or swim, that will be determined by what theyre able to take out of Mondays squandered opportunity. "Its a learning experience," DeRozan said. "It was a heck of a game that we can learn from and possibly could be a team we could see in the playoffs." Shaun Alexander Jersey . "Its time that you look at it," chief prosecutor Gerrie Nel said, setting the stage for a rigorous first day of cross-examination of Pistorius, the double-amputee Olympian charged with premeditated murder for shooting Reeva Steenkamp three times through a toilet door at his home. Jermaine Kearse Jersey . The Predators announced that Rinne had been cleared for the next step of his recovery after meeting with doctors earlier Monday. Coach Barry Trotz said a meeting was planned for later Monday to set a weekly plan for Rinne.ANAHEIM, Calif. - All three goals in the game were scored by a guy from Finland named Teemu. Fortunately, for the Edmonton Oilers, two of them came from Teemu Hartikainen. The 21-year-old left wing scored his first two goals of the season early in the opening period, Devan Dubnyk made 32 saves and the Oilers beat Anaheim 2-1 on Sunday night to spoil the Ducks home finale -- and what night have been the final home game for Teemu Selanne in the NHL. "He was the biggest hockey player when I was growing up," Hartikainen said. "He was kind of my idol. Being on the ice at the same time in the faceoffs tonight, it was a great opportunity." Selanne isnt expected to announce whether he will return for a 20th NHL season until sometime in July, when he and his family return to Southern California from a 10-week stay in Finland. If he returns, he would become the 54th non-goaltender to play at least part of 20 NHL campaigns. "Obviously, Im going to have another tough decision to make again, but I dont really know whats going to happen," Selanne said. "Im going to stick with my plan, take some time off and see how I feel." Selanne, who turns 42 on July 3, leads Anaheim with 65 points. Earlier in the week, he became the second-oldest player behind Gordie Howe to score 25 goals in a season. But despite his efforts, the Ducks wont be back in the playoffs this year. "Its pretty sad that were not making the post-season, but theres a reason for that," Selanne said. "The first half was just so bad that we couldnt climb back into the playoff race. We always did before, but this time we ran out of gas." Coach Bruce Boudreau bristled when asked what Selanne leading the team in points at age 41 says about himself -- and about the team. "What are you saying -- that the teams not that good because an older guy led us in scoring? It means that Teemus great. Thats what it means," Boudreau snapped. "It has nothing to say about the team. I mean, theres probably 21 teams in the league he would have led in scoring. When he has the puck, hes so smart with it he can hold onto it and wait for someone to get open. Off the ice he takes care of himself and he trains right. And when youve got the God-given ability that he has, you can last a long time." The standing-room-only crowd of 17,266 gave Selanne a standing ovation when he was shown on the video board with 5:02 left, and Boudreau immediately sent him onto the ice for his next shift. Moments later, he was serenaded with chants of "One more year! One more year!" "It was unbelievable. Its almost funny that they were chanting that for an old guy like me," Selanne said. Paul Richardson Seahawks Jersey. . "But its was great. Obviously, theres a lot of respect from our fans. Ive always had a very special relationship with them, and its just an honour to play for them. Its almost like having a seventh player behind you." Boudreau is as much in the dark as everyone else as to whether hell have Selanne on his roster in 2012-13. "I have no idea. I really dont have a gut feeling," Boudreau said. "He plays his cards close to the chest and he doesnt let on one way or another. I dont even want to speculate." Selanne put the Ducks on the board at 14:12 of the first with his 26th goal and 663rd of his career. Niklas Hagman skated the puck out from behind the net as he was being checked by Sam Gagner, then spun around and passed it between defenceman Ryan Whitneys legs to Selanne for an easy tap-in. Hagman earned his 300th NHL point on the play. "To give up one, Im glad it was him (Selanne), at least," Dubnyk said. "I dont think he has any reason to go anywhere unless he wants to. Hes certainly one of the most dangerous guys in the league -- that Ive seen, anyway." Jonas Hiller, who has set franchise records with 70 starts and 71 appearances, stopped 13 Edmonton shots and finished his home slate 19-16-2. The Oilers pounced on a sloppy turnover in the Ducks zone and scored just 15 seconds after the opening faceoff. Luca Sbisa misplayed a cross-ice pass from defence partner Sheldon Brookbank, and Jordan Eberle gained control of the puck before setting up Hartikainen in the shot for a 30-foot wrist shot that beat Hiller to the glove side. The 21-year-old left wing, playing in his 14th game this season and 26th in the NHL, scored again on a deflection of Whitneys wrist shot at 6:04. Edmonton centre Ryan Nugent-Hopkins earned his 51st point of the season with an assist on Hartikainens second goal and is tied with Colorados Gabriel Landeskog for NHL lead among rookies, one ahead of New Jerseys Adam Henrigue. No Oilers player has ever won the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year. Nugent-Hopkins has played in 59 games -- 21 fewer than Landeskog and 12 fewer than Henrigue. Notes: Anaheim concludes its schedule with a three-game trip through Vancouver, Edmonton and Calgary. ... The only team to shut out the Ducks in Anaheim this season was Buffalo, when Ryan Miller made 43 saves in the Sabres 2-1 win. ... The Ducks sold out nine of their 40 games in Anaheim and were 4-5 in those contests. ... Getzlaf has scored seven of his nine goals on home ice. ... Anaheim D Mat Clark made his NHL debut at age 21. cheap jerseyscheap jerseys from china ' ' '
