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WASHINGTON -- It took the Toronto Raptors a little while to get going in their first game since the All-Star break. Guard Kyle Lowry eventually provided a jump start. Lowry had 24 points and 10 assists as the Raptors broke open a close game in the third quarter and held on for a 103-93 win over the Washington Wizards on Tuesday night. "He took the game over in the middle of the third quarter and willed us to a win," Raptors coach Dwane Casey said. Leading by six at halftime, the Atlantic Division leading Raptors pushed the lead to 17 as DeMar DeRozans driving layup started a 15-2 run midway through the third quarter. Lowry scored nine of the 15 points with a variety of shots, including a driving lay-up, a short fall-away jumper and a corner 3-pointer that made it 78-61 late in the period. He played the entire 12 minutes scored 14 points in the quarter. "I just was getting more looks, trying to attack a little more" said Lowry, who wasnt named an All-Star, but came in averaging 16.7 points 7.6 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game. "That first game out of the break is always tough and I didnt want to let that be an excuse for us to lose the game." Five Raptors joined Lowry in double figures, including Amir Johnson, who returned after missing two games with a sore right ankle. He scored 14 points. The Raptors, who have won three straight, also got 14 from Greivis Vasquez and DeRozan, who addressed the team before the game. "Just (told) everybody to be focused," DeRozan said. "Each and every single game matters from here on out especially if we want to do something special. We cant take any nights off. These thirty games are going to be big and we have to start tonight." The Raptors led by as many as 20 midway through the fourth quarter, before being held without a field goal for the final 7:36. The Wizards pulled to within 99-90 on a 3-pointer by Martell Webster with 2:04 left. Following a steal, Nenes layup made it 99-92. After John Wall collected a steal, Nene made one of two free throws with 1:32 left, but Lowry hit a pair of free throws, however, to make it 101-93 with 1:02 left. Toronto shot 57 per cent from the field (42-of-74) for the game, and finished with 60 points inside. "We had trouble guarding off the dribble tonight," Wizards coach Randy Wittman said. "We defended pretty much a lot of their sets and then it gets down to seven, eight seconds on the shot clock and they break you down off the dribble. Thats how they get 60 points in the paint." Wall led the Wizards with 22 points, but went 0-for-7 from the field in the second half, and Marcin Gortat added 18 points and 11 rebounds. Washington has lost three straight and five of six. The Wizards are 0-3 against Toronto, and fell to 13-14 at home this season. "They stayed with it," Wittman said of the fourth quarter rally. "We got the floor spread, made some shots. Uncharacteristically, (we) turned some shots down tonight. I thought we werent as aggressive from our perimeters with Brad (Beal), Trevor (Ariza) and Martell. Beal played nearly 37 minutes and went 2-of-10 from the field, finishing with nine points, while Webster finished with seven and Ariza six. "I was just taking what they were giving me. I found my teammates open," Beal said. "We just didnt make shots and thats all it was. Did I have a few? Maybe. But Im the one whos taking them and feeling comfortable and I didnt feel comfortable taking them." The post All-Star Break opener paired the teams currently in third place (Toronto) and sixth in the Eastern Conference when play began. The score was tied after one, but reserves Tyler Hansbrough and Vasquez (four points each) manufactured an 8-2 Toronto run early in the second quarter. The Raptors scored 38 of their 55 first-half points in the paint, on 19-of-26 shooting. Wall, coming off a win in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest and 12 points in his first All-Star Game, kept the Wizards close. After scoring 10 points in the opening quarter, he added nine more in the second, hitting 9-of-12 field goals in the half. NOTES: Wittman was ejected after picking up two second technical fouls with 4:39 remaining and Washington trailing 98-82. . Wizards F Al Harrington, who has missed the last 46 games (right knee), practiced for the first time Monday. . The teams final meeting is Feb. 27 in Toronto. Racer Pink Air Max Plus 97 . - Chelseas 1-0 win at the Etihad, spoiling Manchester Citys perfect home record continues to be the talking point of the week. Cheap Air Max 97 . Greece was on the wrong end of a 3-0 rout to Colombia in its first game of the tournament. They surrendered a goal in just the sixth minute of the contest, and despite some promising attacking play, failed to crawl back into the match. Japan, on the other hand, struck first in its match with Ivory Coast, with Keisuke Honda putting his side into the lead in the 16th minute. http://www.outletairmax97.com/air-max-97-mens-clearance.html. The team sent out a press release on Friday stating Poile was resting and recovering and that he will remain in hospital for further observation. The Predators were preparing for the game against the Wild when Poile was hit by a puck that flew off the ice at him where he was standing in a tunnel behind the bench. Air Max 97 Plus Black Shock Orange . - Hitting was supposed to be the Pittsburgh Pirates weakness coming into the season yet they lead the major leagues in home runs through the first 16 games of the season. Nike Vapormax 97 Metallic Gold . Team spokesman Donald Beauchamp said there was no new information on the 80-year-old Hall of Famers condition. The family has requested privacy.TSN football analyst Chris Schultz is back with his Week 1 selections in the NFL. The season starts off with the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks hosting the Green Bay Packers on Thursday and wraps up with a doubleheader on Monday night. Green Bay at Seattle (-6) I dont think the NFL could have picked a better game to kick off the season. Pass protection was a problem two years ago when Green Bay lost in Seattle on the controversial Golden Tate catch in the end zone. While it will still be an issue this year, I do think the Packers will be able to protect Aaron Rodgers better in this game. There has been a lot of attention paid to Marshawn Lynch and rightfully so, but do not underestimate the ability of Eddie Lacy. If, and it is a big if, he gets 100 yards, then I think the Packers win outright. The best wide receiver-defensive back matchup is Jordy Nelson and Richard Sherman. With both players now with excellent new contracts, the pressure is on to perform. The loss of BJ Raji is big for Green Bay and the depth must respond. I look for the Packers to play conservative on defence to keep Russell Wilson in the pocket and I look for Rodgers to use Lacy effectively. Seahawks win but I like the Packers on points. Green Bay New Orleans (-3) at Atlanta This is a tough one to pick because the vast majority of the time, one team wins or loses by three points. Did you know Sean Payton has a 13-3 record against the Falcons since becoming the Saints head coach in 2006? And this year, there is no Tony Gonzalez for Matt Ryan to depend on in critical red zone moments. This may be the most talented roster the Saints have had in the last eight years. With the addition of free agent Jairus Byrd and Kenny Vaccaro in his second year, the Saints defence is no longer a liability, it is an asset. As good as Payton is against Atlanta, Falcons head coach Mike Smith is 3-9 since 2008. The Falcons will be tougher as a personality priority this year but I will take the Saints defence over Matt Ryan in Week 1. New Orleans Minnesota at St. Louis (-3.5) The Vikings are coming off AN undefeated exhibition season but still it is Doubtful they will be a playoff team. I think Mike Zimmer will take pressure off quarterback Matt Cassel and run Adrian Peterson like never before. Minnesota must stay out of thirrd-and-long as the Rams have an exceptional pass rushing defensive front four. On the opposite side is Shaun Hill, who is not as good as Sam Bradford or he would have been the starter. Field goal game to me. Minnesota Cleveland at Pittsburgh (-6.5) Neither team has looked good over the exhibition season and history is not on the side of the Browns. The have won only one opening game since 1999 and Brian Hoyer is the seventh different opening day quarterback to start for Cleveland in the last eight years. The demise of the Steelers last year was the 0-4 start but the optimism was the 8-4 finish. Head coach Mike Tomlin will not experience an 0-4 start ever again. Cleveland will have to run the ball effectively and dominate time of possession to win but I cant see that happening. They were 4-12 last year and will probably be 4-12 this year. With Hoyer and Johnny Manziel up against the Steelers veteran defensive coodinator Dick Lebeau, I like Lebeau. This is the game that Cleveland really needed Josh Gordon and he wont be there. Pittsburgh Jacksonville at Philadelphia (-11.5) The Eagles should win but on opening week, 10 points is a lot. Jacksonvilles future is Blake Bortles at quarterback but Chad Henne should get the start. Henne has over 50 games of NFL experience so this weeks start is not too big for him. Gus Bradley is one of the new high energy coaches that can get his players to play better than their collective talent level. Theres no doubt the Eagles are more talented, but 10 extra talent points? Jacksonville Oakland at NY Jets (-5.5) I picked the Jets to finish last in the AFC East and now Im having second thoughts. They have a very good defensive front seven and it looks like Geno Smith is progressing at quarterback. You add the experience of Eric Decker and speed of Chris Johnson and the Jets do look formidable on paper. And they play a rookie starter at quarterback in Derek Carr. Exhibition is exhibition but once the regular season begins, inexperience matters. But, and this is significant, even if you add Carr and rookie Khalil Mack, believe it or not, the Raiders have the NFLs oldest roster. This is a risky pick but even though it is West coast to East coast and a rookie quarterback, I like the Raiders. Oakland Cincinnati at Baltimore (-1.5) Joe Flacco needs to have a great year. Andy Dalton also needs to have a great year. Both are being paid huge money and the pressure is on here in Week 1. The Ravens will miss Ray Rice but he only carried the ball five times in the exhibition season so they have had critical adjustment time. No offensive coordinator Jay Gruden in Cincinnati and no defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer with the Bengals either. They have moved to head coaching positions in Washington and Minnesota, respectively. Gary Kubiak runs a good offence and I think this year, Flacco will return to his Super Bowl form of two years ago. Baltimore Buffalo at Chicago (-7) I like the Bears by 10. The Bills offence has not looked good at all and if it did, then why did the organization sign Kyle Orton for big money? Chicago has three excellent, big receivers in Alshon Jeffery , Brandon Marshall as well as Martellus Bennett at tight end. And then they add Santonio Holmes, too? The third and fourth conerback or cover safety for the Bills has a challenge this week. And I forgot to mention running back Matt Forte.dddddddddddd Thats too much talent for the Bills to handle for four quarters. Chicago Washington (-3) at Houston In what may be the most bizarre statistic of truth in Week 1, the combined record of the Washington Redskins and the Houston Texans last year was 5-27. And the year before, both teams made the playoffs. With his new contract, JJ Watt will make an impact and defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel has a very good team. But this Redskin team is not about RG3 or DeSean Jackson or Pierre Garcon, it is about Alfred Morris at running back. Also watch out for Lache Seastrunk, a sixth round pick out of Baylor. In the mold of Darren Sproles, he could be a surprise performer. There is a ton of pressure on Robert Griffin but he has been through this before, he can thrive. Ryan Fitzpatrick will start unless Ryan Mallett can assimilate a playbook in one week. Brilliant move by Bill OBrien to get a 65" quarterback with downfield arm power. Too much offence and too much Alfred Morris. Washington Tennessee at Kansas City (-4) Logic says KC rolls. Quarterback Alex Smith is monetarily happy and the best overall running back is Jamaal Charles but I like the key pass blocking advantage of Micheal Roos and Michael 0her against the Chiefs two excellent pass rushers in Tamba Hali and Justin Houston. Titans head coach Ken Whisenhunt will have a plan together for noise control and any other challenges. Big, big year for Jake Locker no doubt about it. He has to stay healthy and has to stay confident and I think he will. KC in a field goal but that is all. Tennessee New England (-5.5) at Miami With an extra weekend to prepare, I like the Patriots by 7. Head coach Bill Belichick will always know something we dont in trading Logan Mankins to Tampa Bay. The Bucs get one of the tough guys in football and the Patriots get depth at tight end. Odd but I am sure it was a football decision. With Rob Gronkowski, Vince Wilfork and Jerod Mayo all back and up-and-coming linebacker Jamie Collins, this could be a really good Patriots defence, and dont forget Darrelle Revis at cornerback. Who will have a bigger game? Revis or Mike Wallace? I say Patriots cover. New England Carolina (-2.5) at Tampa Bay A lot of people are optimistic the Bucs will have a good year and I think it is good and real optimism. First, broken ribs is always an issue for any player and no different for Panthers quarterback Cam Newton. And although #1 pick Kelvin Benjamin looks great at 65" and 245lbs, the Bus have three of those types in Vincent Jackson, Mike Evans and tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins. Defensively, Buccaneers head coach Lovie Smith will simply will let his athletes on defence play with speed. Upset of the week. Tampa Bay San Francisco (-5) at Dallas The Dallas Cowboys have major problems opn defence. If they didnt, why would they add defensive end Micheal Sam and why are they even interested in reinstating Josh Brent? Last year, they allowed 415 yards per game and are missing three starters from that defence. And here come the 49ers with the leagues best power running game in both complexity and commitment. The 49ers may be able to win this one on time of possession alone. On offence, Dallas has an improved line, a good running back in DeMarco Murray and a game-changer in Dez Bryant. But where Tony Romo wants to keep it close going into the fourth quarter, Colin Kaepernick will try to win it early by himself or with Anquan Boldin, Michael Crabtree, Vernon Davis, Stevie Johnson, Frank Gore or rookie power runner Carlos Hyde. No Sean Lee, no DeMarcus Ware, no Jason Hatcher, no Orlando Scandrick; I say no way. San Francisco Indianapolis at Denver (-7.5) I remember Thursday Night Football last year when the defending Super Bowl champion Baltimore Ravens came into Sports Authority Field at Mile High and Denver beat them 49-27. This year, it will be Sunday Night Football and it is the Colts at the same Sports Authority Field at Mile High and I anticipate the same result. The Colts will not have their best pass rusher in Robert Mathis available and dont think Peyton Manning, in his 17th year, doesnt realize more than ever the time is now. Denver spent money in free agency knowing time is not on the side of the Broncos. It truly is a now or never football year. Denver NY Giants at Detroit (-5.5) The Giants, and especially quarterback Eli Manning, looked terrible all preseason long. And as everything has stayed the same under Tom Coughlin, the Lions made a bold move in hiring Jim Caldwell. Players respond to Caldwell and his head coaching presence will make a difference. Where in a moments notice Matthew Stafford to Calvin Johnson will produce success, I am not sure Manning to Victor Cruz can do the same. The Giants could win by dominating in time of possession and that is possible as running back Rashad Jennings is proven, draftee Andre Williams is going to surprise and the offensive line is totally rebuilt with a new offensive coordinator. But I like the Lions to cover the spread. Detroit San Diego at Arizona (-3) The Chargers are one of my darkhorse teams of the year, and even though they are playing a top Cardinals defence, Philip Rivers is coming off a career year. The three running backs, Donald Brown, Ryan Matthews and Danny Woodhead are all interchangeable and a distinct rushing advantage for San Diego. In Year 2 of Rivers and head coach Mike McCoy, there is no reason not to think success will start early and continue through the season. I see more points for the Chargers over Cardinals by the end of the night. San Diego ' ' '