Join us » Berniers left pad and the post to put the

Winning hasnt always come easy for the Toronto Raptors during the best start in team history, but the obstacles theyre overcoming are testing their mettle for the remainder of a long season. The Chicago Bulls are getting along just as well despite the day-to-day uncertain status of their star point guard. Toronto looks to start 6-0 at home for the first time Thursday night as it faces Chicago, which is likely to have Derrick Rose in the lineup for a second consecutive contest. The Raptors (7-1) have won five straight since falling at Miami on Nov. 2, though two of those required impressive comebacks. They beat Oklahoma City, Washington and Philadelphia by double digits, but came from 16 down in a three-point win over Boston on Nov. 5 and had to rally from 11 points down in the fourth quarter to beat Orlando 104-100 on Tuesday. All five starters were on the bench when Toronto began the fourth on an 11-0 run. Coach Dwane Casey wasnt impressed with the overall performance despite the Raptors improving to 5-0 at home for the first time since 2003-04. Where we want to go as a team, we cant be playing like that, Casey said. Orlando outplayed us for three quarters. The Raptors bench outscored Orlandos 36-14. It was a test of our character and we got the win, reserve guard Greivis Vasquez said. It wasnt pretty, stars didnt play the way we wanted them to play, but we got the second unit playing the right way. The Bulls supporting cast has had to step up at times as well with Rose being bothered by two sprained ankles that have limited him to half of the clubs eight games. Chicago (6-2) has gone 3-1 without Rose, but he was in the lineup Monday and scored 24 points in a season-high 32 minutes of a 102-91 win over Detroit. Rose said in an interview this week that his decision to sit out games has to do with thinking of his future and not just this season. Hes been a game-time decision since suffering his ankle injuries against Cleveland on Oct. 31. Derricks a (heck) of a player, said Joakim Noah, who had 13 points, 14 rebounds and six assists. To have your best player on the court, floor general, means a lot. When hes out on the court, he demands so much attention it opens up a lot of easy opportunities for everyone else. Coach Tom Thibodeau for the first time this season was able to use his preferred starting lineup of Rose, Noah, Jimmy Butler, Pau Gasol and Mike Dunleavy. It was great to have everyone, a full roster on the floor, available and healthy, Gasol said. Now weve just got to keep it that way. Its great to have (Rose) on the floor. (Hes a) difference maker, gets to the hole. Hes a key player for us. Rose hasnt played in any of the Bulls last nine meetings with Toronto. The Raptors had won four of the previous five before Chicago won 94-92 on the road Feb. 19 while overcoming 32 from DeMar DeRozan. DeRozan had 69 points in Torontos two losses to the Bulls last season and just 26 in two wins. Lawrence Taylor Cheap Jersey . "This doesnt end anything," he said. "Weve got 10-1 in our last 11 games, and were going home in first place. We just have to keep playing the way we are right now. Phil Simms Cheap Jersey . -- Michigan coach John Beilein is willing to give Nik Stauskas a little leeway when it comes to shot selection. http://www.giantsonlineteamshop.com/. The two-time Olympic halfpipe gold medallist informed ESPN on Monday he plans to compete in Apsen, Colo. Michael Strahan Youth Jersey . Beckham says "nothing has been confirmed yet, but its something I am very excited about." He adds that "Miami is something that really excites me because there is a great energy down there. Julian Love Youth Jersey . They are back to a game above .500 on the year and back to .500 on the road. It was their 10th extra time game of the year, and only the second one that did not got to a shootout.BOSTON -- Three straight goals and Jonathan Bernier in net was enough for Toronto to hold a third-period lead in Boston this time. Bernier stopped 38 shots, including 15 in the final period as the Maple Leafs held off the Bruins 4-3 on Tuesday night. "Its fun. Its why we play hockey -- that little pressure, that extra pressure. I thought we reacted in a good way," Bernier said. Bernier wasnt part of the Toronto club that blew a late 4-2 lead and lost 5-4 in overtime to the Bruins in Game 7 of their first-round playoff series last spring. But he knew plenty of his teammates hadnt forgotten, which made Tuesday night a bit of a special regular-season victory. "I thought the atmosphere was awesome. I think both teams played hard, and lots of hitting in that game," Bernier said. "When we get skating and we hit a lot, I think we get a lot of energy from our bench and we play very well." Tyler Bozak scored twice, Phil Kessel had three assists and James van Riemsdyk had a goal and an assist for Toronto. Jake Gardiner also scored for the Maple Leafs, who were 0-2 against the defending Eastern Conference champions this season. "Hopefully, it bleeds some of the demons out of us," Toronto coach Randy Carlyle said. Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron each had a goal and an assist for Boston. Gregory Campbell pulled the Bruins to 4-3 with 10:25 left in the third period, but Bernier stopped a late flurry of shots after Boston pulled goalie Tuukka Rask for the extra skater. Toronto scored twice on the power play, while the Bruins were 0 for 3. "We had a lot of good looks. Weve obviously got to do a better job and bear down," Bergeron said. "On the power play they did that and we didnt do it, so the games right there." Bozak answered each of Bostons first two goals, then Toronto scored two straight and Bernier continued stopping shots.dddddddddddd "Whenever you come to Boston you know its going to be tough and you know theres going to be times in the game where theyre going to be all over you," Bozak said. "Youve just got to stay composed and block some shots and need the goalie to make some saves, and Berny did a great job for us tonight to keep us in it." Rask made 22 saves for Boston, which lost for the third time in four games. He was booed after van Riemsdyks wrist shot got past him early in the third, but came up with two big saves later in the period that kept the Bruins in it. Rask made a sliding pad save on Nazem Kadri as he was being taken down by Zdeno Chara with a hook, then stopped a big shot early in the ensuing power play to keep it 4-3. Bernier withstood a flurry of shots by the Bruins early in the second, then stopped Boston on a power play to preserve a 2-all tie until Gardiner gave Toronto its first lead with 12:51 left in the period. The Maple Leafs were on a power play when Gardiner drifted in from the point to the right circle, where he took a cross-ice pass from Kessel and wristed a shot through Rask. Bergeron tucked a backhand between Berniers left pad and the post to put the Bruins up 2-1 with 9:12 left in the first period. The goal stood after a review to make sure the puck didnt slip under the side of the net. NOTES: Chara played in his 1,100th career game. ... Rask entered with 22 wins, tying his career high set in 2009-10. ... Toronto had not beaten the Bruins since a 2-1 victory in Game 6 of their playoff series last year. After playing three times so far this season, the Original Six rivals have one meeting left. ... Dion Phaneufs assist in the second period for Toronto snapped a five-game scoreless streak. ' ' '