TORONTO -- DeMar DeRozan is playing the part of the all-star perfectly. Wholesale Shoes . In Torontos last game before the NBA all-star break this weekend, DeRozan, who was named a reserve on the Eastern Conference team, scored 31 points -- including 14 in the third quarter -- to lead the Raptors over the Atlanta Hawks 104-83 on Wednesday. Raptors coach Dwane Casey says hes been pleased with his all-stars constant improvements. "Hes done a great job every year of getting better," Casey said. "I know he wont (get complacent), because hes such a conscientious (guy). Hes a basketball junkie. I dont see him taking time off this summer just because he made the all-star team." Kyle Lowry delivered another solid performance, scoring 16 points and 13 assists. While he wont be heading to New Orleans for all-star festivities, Lowrys strong play this season has helped Toronto go into the break leading the Atlantic Division for just the second time in franchise history. "Kyles an all-star on and off the court in my opinion," DeRozan said. "My opinion, he should be in New Orleans as well. We wouldnt be where we are today if it wasnt for Kyle. I wouldnt be where I am now if it wasnt for Kyle, to be honest. We all understand that." Patrick Patterson started for the Raptors in place of Amir Johnson, who missed his second consecutive game to rest a sore right ankle, and scored 14 points in his second start of the season. While the Raptors got off to a slow start on Wednesday night, they found themselves trailing by only five after the first quarter, despite shooting just 29 per cent from the floor. They woke up in the second quarter and took a 45-44 lead into the half. Toronto had a strong start to the third quarter, opening on a 7-0 run to take an eight-point lead and force the Hawks into a timeout. The Raptors didnt look back from there. Thanks to a brilliant quarter from DeRozan, the Raptors stretched their lead to double figures midway through the third and outscored the Hawks 33-21 to take a 78-65 advantage into the fourth quarter. After scoring 11 points in the first half, DeRozan exploded for 14 in the quarter, on 5-for-6 shooting including two three-pointers and a three-point play. Toronto continued to dominate in the fourth quarter and easily rolled to the victory from there. "I commend our guys for coming out and focusing in the second half," Casey said. Point guard Greivis Vasquez says he saw the victory as part of an overall goal that extends beyond this regular season. "(Were) third in the East, leading our division," Vasquez said. "If thats not a motivation then youve got to get the heck out of here. You dont see these opportunities very often. Were committed to the team and we understand what were playing for. "We want to be third. We want to win our division. We want to make a run in the playoffs but weve got to finish the season strong and keep building confidence." The Hawks were led by Gustavo Ayons 18 points and 10 rebounds, with Paul Millsap adding 17 points. Torontos Jonas Valanciunas struggled from the floor, connecting on just 1-for-9 field goals, but grabbed a game-high 14 rebounds. Atlanta was without starter DeMarre Carroll after he strained his left hamstring in a 100-85 loss to the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday. Lou Williams started in his place. Kyle Korver extended his NBA record for most consecutive games with a made three-point field goal to 120 games, connecting on 2-of-4 attempts from beyond the arc against the Raptors. The Raptors will resume their season in Washington against the Wizards next Tuesday. Toronto will send three players to New Orleans for all-star festivities, headlined by DeRozan playing in Sundays all-star Game as well as in the skills competition on Saturday night. Terrence Ross will defend his Slam Dunk title and Jonas Valanciunas will represent the team in the Rising Stars game between the leagues best rookie and sophomore players. NOTE: Canadian snowboarder Mark McMorris was at the game, and the Regina native showed off the bronze medal he won at the Sochi Olympics. Yeezy 350 Sale . -- Dee Ford prefers to keep things simple: Play hard and fast, and let others worry about his NFL draft stock. Wholesale Shoes From China . Auld made 37 saves in a 5-3 loss to the Boston Bruins on Saturday. It was Ottawas first game without starter Anderson, who is out indefinitely after cutting his hand Wednesday night, and it was evident the team wasnt sure how to deal with the change in goal. https://www.wholesaleshoesforcheap.com/ . Cleveland has won the first two of this set and has won six straight games since losing back-to-back tilts to open the year. Seattle, on the other hand, has now lost six in a row following consecutive wins to kick off its campaign.For a long time there has been a large obstacle placed in front of some of Canada’s most talented young soccer players. How will they develop further if they can’t play games? The growth of professional clubs across our country in the last few years and their investment in development has been great to see, but now a missing piece of the puzzle has been added. On Friday, Vancouver Whitecaps launched Whitecaps FC 2, a new team playing in USL PRO, the third tier of North American soccer. That follows recent announcements by Montreal Impact and Toronto FC who will also be launching USL PRO teams starting next year. With all three of Canada’s Major League Soccer clubs committing to this step, it will provide massive benefit to some of our country’s top young players, giving them the opportunity to play regularly in competitive matches. In the past, players just haven’t had enough time out on the pitch playing at a standard that will help them to continue to develop in the best way possible, so this provides a much needed link between the club’s academy programs and their MLS teams. Whitecaps assistant coach Gordon Forrest led the club’s residency program before making the step to the first team and he is well aware just how significant the arrival of a USL PRO team will be. “It’s a fantastic day,” said Forrest after the announcement. “It is a massive piece of the player pathway that we have been looking for at the club. The USL team will service a number of needs for players within the whole club.” “This is so important to take that next step for players to try and progress to the first team. It will be a great challenge for them, there will be some great games and great environments and it is what we really need to make sure they are ready to play in the first team,,” added Forrest. Yeezy 700 Sale. The sentiment is the same in Toronto where former Canadian international Jason Bent was this week named as head coach for the club’s new USL PRO team. “I feel this pathway will help us bridge the gap between the academy and first team level and enable some talented young men, especially Canadian players, to really learn their trade and develop into legitimate first team players,” said Bent. When launching their new team FC Montreal, Impact President Joey Saputo acknowledged the ability for this new level of competition to change the landscape of player development for young Canadians. “It is a major change in our structure and the development of soccer in Quebec,” he said. “This new team will serve as the final step and transition for our young players before joining MLS. We believe it is the best way to prepare them for the top league in North American soccer.” With all three Canadian clubs basing their USL PRO teams in close proximity to their MLS teams, it will allow good integration between the squads. It will also be of benefit to senior players who are on the fringes of the first team or needing games to get match fitness after injury. There are now seven MLS clubs that have launched USL Pro franchises with the three Canadian clubs joined by LA Galaxy, Real Salt Lake, Seattle Sounders and Portland Timbers. While there is no doubt the addition of USL PRO teams will be benefit for the Impact, Whitecaps and Toronto FC, Canada’s national team program will also reap the rewards in the longer term. It is a big financial commitment from the clubs, but it will be well worth it in the long run. There are certainly exciting times ahead as we get the opportunity to see young Canadian talent compete and develop in USL PRO. ' ' '