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(SportsNetwork.com) - Chemistry studies the composition and properties of substances and other forms of matter. The interaction of one personality with another measures the success, or lack thereof, within a team or business. Toronto Raptors president and general manager of basketball operations Masai Ujiri has been at the Bunsen burner since taking the job almost two years ago and the Raptors ended a five-year playoff drought in 2013-14. The Raptors are currently the top team in the Eastern Conference, and now the skys the limit north of the border. Ujiri inherited a Raptors team that last tasted postseason action in 2008, and pulled a few strings to a team-record 48 wins, an Atlantic Division title and the third seed in the East. DeMar DeRozan spearheaded the Canadian revival with a career-high 22.7 points in 79 games and earned himself an All-Star nod. The Brooklyn Nets, however, ended Torontos hopes of moving forward by eliminating DeRozan and the Raptors in seven games in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals. DeRozan and the Raptors were left with a bitter taste in their mouth, which is why the 2014-15 season is expected to be even better. So far that has been the case, but Torontos fearless leader has been lost the past 16 games with a serious groin injury. The Raptors and their fans held their collective breath when DeRozan went down with the injury Nov. 28 in a 106-102 loss to the Dallas Mavericks. Hopefully hes not out long, Raptors coach Dwane Casey said at the time. Caseys wish was not granted and DeRozan has been out since with a torn left adductor longus tendon. There were big shoes to fill and Casey added, The next guy has to be ready to step up. Who would be the one to take over? Kyle Lowry has been the adhesive that holds the Raptors together as evidenced by an 11-5 mark without DeRozan scoring off screens and burying wing shots. Lowry took over the team lead in points with 20.7 ppg, with DeRozan still second at a 19.4 ppg clip, and is averaging team highs of 22.8 points and 8.9 assists over the past few weeks. Lowry has scored 20-plus points in five straight games (27.2 ppg) and is shooting .515 in that time. The Raptors are fourth in the NBA scoring (108.6) and shooting .469 from the field with DeRozan sidelined. Sprinkle in some much-needed contributions from reserve guard Lou Williams and big man Jonas Valanciunas, and the Raptors are right where they want to be. Another Atlantic Division title appears to be in the cards for Toronto, one of only seven teams in the league with single-digit losses (24-8). Things are about to get even better for the Raptors. Or are they? DeRozan was back at practice Thursday and is nearing a return to the floor. He will most likely wait until a six-game homestand next week, but is eager to join his teammates. It may seem like Im patient, but I go crazy watching the games or being at home and not able to do my normal routine that Id be doing if I was playing, DeRozan said after his first full practice since the setback. So its tough. Its not an easy thing at all. DeRozan is taking it day-by-day and isnt trying to rush his body. He is not looking too far ahead and has admitted its been tough watching instead of playing because hes never been hurt this serious in his career. DeRozan feels right at home on the court and understands patience is key with such a competitive mindset. Hes frustrated, but has been pleased with the teams success. I always knew we were a resilient team, we can fight through anything, overcome anything, DeRozan said. Its great to see my teammates come in after the game and tell me We cant wait until you get back. To me it looks like theyre just holding it down like theyve been doing. The Raptors did not fold without DeRozan, whos been working with the training staff to get back as soon as possible. If it was DeRozans choice, he would have been back last week. Casey isnt expecting any immediate wonders when DeRozan returns. He cant come in expecting to be a 19-, 20-point scorer, first game, second game, Casey said. Its going to take a while to get his rhythm back. Weve got to be patient with that. It wont be as hard scheme-wise or offensively, because the offense is kind of built around him anyway. Nothing has changed from that standpoint. Toronto will face another test Friday in Golden State against the NBA-best Warriors and could use DeRozan. The Warriors are first in the NBA in field goal percentage (48.2) and tied for second with Toronto in points (108.1). Theyre also first in opponents field goal percentage (42.0) and second in blocks (6.38) and defensive rebounds (35.2). Golden State has not lost to an Eastern Conference opponent (9-0) and is unbeaten in the last nine games at home versus the Raptors. After losing to Chicago to open the trek, the Raptors are 2-1 on the western portion of the jaunt and suffered a 102-97 overtime loss in Portland on Tuesday. They will close this trip (2-2) Sunday against the Phoenix Suns and lead the NBA in scoring on the road with 111.1 points per game. The upcoming stay at Air Canada Centre next week should be nice with the likely presence of DeRozan. His patience has paid off and now its time to lead again instead of sitting anxiously behind the scenes. Dont expect a dropoff in production for the Raptors with one of the top guards in the NBA returning to what has been a prosperous season. Troy Apke Redskins Jersey . -- The Toronto Maple Leafs are tightening the race for second place in the Atlantic Division. Alex Smith Redskins Jersey . PETERSBURG, Fla. http://www.redskinsfansproshop.com/Redsk...y.html?cat=1351. "Hes over there," the first baseman said. "You dont need to talk to anybody else." Indeed, Peralta did it all as the majors top team won again. DaRon Payne Jersey . The Cavaliers first-year forward will miss at least three weeks with a strained left knee, the latest setback for the No. Pernell McPhee Jersey . To be fair, the celebrations are already anything but tame. Nerf ball tricks shots are just the tip of the iceberg for a group that has performed in zero gravity, faced pro-skateboarder Rob Dyrdek and an assembled team on the MTV series "Fantasy Factory", and even hit a basketball trick shot from a passing blimp.NEW YORK -- Deron Williams confidence is sky high and hes taking the Brooklyn Nets along for the ride. With the Nets winning streak in jeopardy, Williams scored 23 points, 11 in the final six minutes, to lead Brooklyn to a 104-99 victory over the Charlotte Bobcats on Wednesday night. The Nets were trailing 85-82 midway through the fourth quarter following Josh McRoberts dunk and free throw. Thats when Williams took over. He hit a driving layup with 6:00 left, then a 3-pointer on the next possession. He followed that with a steal and two free throws to give the Nets an 89-85 lead with 5:22 remaining. The home team never trailed again in registering its 10th straight win at the Barclays Center. "My confidence is getting back. Thats a good thing for me," said Williams, who also had eight assists. "I tend to play well when my confidence is high. I just have to keep it there." Joe Johnson had 20 points for the Nets. Shaun Livingston finished with 17 and Andray Blatche had 13. Thornton and Mason Plumlee each had 11. "He (Williams) has been clutch the last month or so," Plumlee said. "Hes made a lot of big plays in some of these wins. He has more bounce to his step." Al Jefferson led Charlotte with 18 points and 12 rebounds, and Gary Neal added 17 points. After Williams streak put the Nets ahead, the Bobcats managed to pull within 97-95 on Neals 3-pointer with 1:33 left. After Paul Pierce hit a free throw with 1:18 remaining, Kemba Walker missed on a 3-point attempt and Williams followed with a foul line jumper with 37 seconds left to give the Nets a 100-95 lead. "Deron took control of the game and made plays on both ends," coach Jason ;Kidd said.dddddddddddd"Hes making all the right basketball plays and not settling." After Shaun Livingston hit a free throw with 21 seconds, Neal hit another 3-pointer to bring the Bobcats to within 101-98 with 17 seconds left. Then Williams hit two more free throws with 16 seconds remaining to help clinch the win. "I took what the defence game me," Williams said. "They made their run and we needed to make one back. I just happened to be a big part of that, but it could have been any of us." The Nets took their biggest lead of the game at 38-25 on Marcus Thorntons 3-pointer with 8:19 left in the first half. The Bobcats began the game on a 6-0 run, their largest lead of the night. The Nets finished the game with only seven turnovers, tied for their lowest this season. The Bobcats committed 15, five in the fourth quarter. "Turnovers were the biggest difference in the game," Charlotte coach Steve Clifford said. "We had a couple of unforced ones late that were at key times." Chris Douglas-Roberts and Gerald Henderson scored 13 points each for the Bobcats. Cody Zeller had 10. "Thats the Deron were used to seeing," Blatche said. "His confidence is high. Hes playing great and carrying this team." NOTES: The Nets havent lost at home since Jan. 31 against Oklahoma City . Brooklyns home winning streak is longest current streak in the NBA and is the franchises longest since the New Jersey Nets won 12 straight Dec. 16, 2005-Feb. 8, 2006 . Brooklyn has beaten Charlotte nine of the last 10 meetings, with the Bobcats only victory during that span coming on Nov. 20, 2013. Before that, Charlotte hadnt won in the series since April 11, 2011. 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