, 182 poundsTeam and draft status: Erie (OHL) 2015 Draft eligibleAnalysis:

TORONTO -- The clock was ticking down and the Toronto Raptors were clutching a one-point lead. And Kyle Lowry, the player who has so often carried them down the stretch, was in the locker-room getting treatment for a sore and swollen knee. But with DeMar DeRozan leading the way, the Raptors showed the resiliency that has become part of their makeup this season en route to a 107-103 victory over the Houston Rockets on Wednesday. "Every win is great for us right now for what were trying to do, especially with Kyle out and Amir (Johnson) out," said Raptors coach Dwane Casey. "Hopefully it gives our guys some confidence. . . guys who stepped in, to go where we need to go." Johnson missed all but the first three minutes with an ankle injury. DeRozan poured in 29 points, and was key in the fourth quarter, doling out a couple of assists and uncharacteristically taking a charge. "Those are the winning plays that hes learning to make and hes making now, other than just scoring," Casey said. "Hes doing a great job of scoring but theres so many other things when he plays those kinds of minutes, especially now with Kyle out, hes got to do a lot more." When he somehow cut his finger with just over three minutes to go, he continued to play despite the blood that was smeared across his shorts. "I kind of split the middle of my hand, the webbing of my hand, I didnt even notice," said DeRozan, who estimated he had four or five stitches. "I looked down and my whole hand was soaked." Jonas Valanciunas and Greivis Vasquez added 15 points apiece, and Terrence Ross finished with 14 for the Raptors (43-32). James Harden scored 26 points to top the Rockets (49-25), who were missing Dwight Howard (ankle) for the third consecutive game. Chandler Parsons added 20. Lowry missed the game after a hard knee-on-knee collision with LeBron James in the Raptors 93-83 loss to Miami two nights earlier. His X-rays were negative, so there was no structural damage. Johnson played the first three minutes but headed to the locker-room with a sore right ankle. But despite the absence of not only two of the teams top contributors but arguably its two hardest workers, the Raptors werent going to let this game slip away. With seven games to go, every game is meaningful as the Raptors fight for a favourable opponent in the post-season and homecourt advantage. Vasquez, who started at point guard, said its no surprise that DeRozan and the Raptors stepped up so well in Lowrys absence. "Its not hidden that (DeRozan and Lowry) are our leaders. We go as they go. And everybody else understands that," said Vasquez. "This is why we have a healthy locker-room, were not fighting egos, we know whats going on. Those two guys are going to score, those two guys are going to make winning plays. And whenever one of those guys goes down, weve got their back. Thats what this team is all about. "This is not a fluke. We earn wins, and we earned a win tonight." Houston, which has now dropped seven straight decisions in Toronto, was coming off a 105-96 loss the previous night at Brooklyn, and arrived in Toronto at 3 a.m. Wednesday. The Raptors led by as much as 20 points in the third against the fourth-place team in the mighty Western Conference. But they allowed the Rockets to pull within 90-80 heading into the fourth and it was during a stretch in the final 12 minutes that the Raptors really felt the absence of Lowry and Johnson. The Rockets pulled within two points with 8:45 to play but that was as close as the visitors would get, and when a wide-open Ross drained a three-pointer with four minutes to play it brought the crowd to its feet and gave Toronto a six-point lead. There were some tense moments as Houston showed some life late. Jeremy Lin drained a three-pointer to cut Torontos lead to three points with nine seconds left, but a free throw by Vasquez sealed the Raptors victory. "We are a team that is desperate for a win right now," Lin said. "Weve dropped three in a row, definitely not a good feeling. We just have to regroup. The one thing I will say is that Im proud of how hard we played but we didnt play great in terms of execution, in terms of coverage and a lot of those little things." As for Lowrys knee injury, Casey said sitting his starting guard wasnt a matter of getting him rest. Wednesdays game was one the coach really wanted to win, so if Lowry could have played, he would have. "Theres a pride factor, you want to win, you want to win a division, you want to win and try and get home court," Casey said. "Were in position, so theres no use of letting off the pedal now. Every game for me is desperate. "But its not live or die or anything like that, were not going to risk a kids health to try to do that." Lowry is averaging 17.4 points, 7.6 assists and 4.8 rebounds. Johnson, whos averaging 10.8 points and 6.8 boards, has long battled bad ankles, but the hardworking forward normally plays through the pain. The fact he left the game is worrisome. The Raptors are tied with Chicago for third in the Eastern Conference and two-and-a-half games ahead of Brooklyn. The good news is Wednesdays game was the Raptors last against a Western Conference opponent. And of the remaining games, Toronto plays last-place Milwaukee twice, and Philadelphia (second-last) once. The Raptors got off to a sloppy start, falling behind by 12 points midway through the first quarter. Toronto ended the quarter with a 12-2 run capped by a three-pointer by Vasquez and trailed 25-23 heading into the second. DeRozan led the way with 15 points in a second quarter that Toronto finish with a 13-4 run, and when the Raptors all-star drilled a 32-footer at the buzzer it sent Toronto into the dressing room with a 55-50 lead. A pair of free throws by Salmons gave the Raptors a 20-point lead -- their biggest of the game -- with just under four minutes to go in the third. But the Rockets finished with an 18-8 run to make it a 10-point game with a quarter to go. NOTES: The Raptors have another tough game Friday when they host the Indiana Pacers. The Raptors are in Milwaukee on Saturday before returning home to face the Sixers and New York Knicks. . . Toronto FC midfielder Dwayne DeRosario was at the game. Yodny Cajuste Jersey . That Ginette Reno can sing. Jarrett Stidham Jersey . Langer appeared to be in trouble when his second shot on the par-5 18th ended up in the rough short of the green. He hit a brilliant pitch to 5 feet and made the putt after Slumans birdie attempt rolled just wide. http://www.cheappatriotsjerseysauthentic.com/?tag=authentic-hjalte-froholdt-jersey .Y. - The New York Rangers have reached a one-year contract extension with goalie Cam Talbot, keeping Henrik Lundqvists backup away from unrestricted free agency. Cheap Patriots Jersey . The teams were scoreless for most of the first two periods before Canada scored three times in a span of less than four minutes. Sarah Potomak opened the scoring on the power play. John Hannah Jersey . Felton pleaded guilty to attempted criminal possession of a weapon and criminal possession of a firearm. He admitted he knowingly had a large-capacity ammunition magazine and a semi-automatic pistol without a license.MONTREAL — A quick look at the 22 players on Canadas team for the 2015 world junior championship:Eric ComriePosition: GoaltenderHometown: EdmontonAge: 19Size: Six foot one, 168 pounds. Team and draft status: Tri-City (WHL), Winnipeg 2013Analysis: Dual U.S.-Canadian citizen. Strengths are good positioning and a big body. Half brother of ex-NHL forward Mike Comrie.---Zachary FucalePosition: GoaltenderHometown: Rosemere, Que.Age: 19Size: Six foot one, 181 poundsTeam and draft status: Quebec (QMJHL), Montreal 2013Analysis: Starter at last years tournament is quick and confident. Habs draft pick playing in his hometown.---Joe HickettsPosition: DefenceHometown: Kamloops, B.C.Age: 18Size: Five foot eight, 186 poundsTeam and draft status: Victoria (WHL), Signed as undrafted free agent by DetroitAnalysis: Small but speedy, with a good shot. Likes to rush the puck. Leads WHL defencemen in scoring.---Dillon HeatheringtonPosition: DefenceHometown: CalgaryAge: 19Size: Six foot three, 196 poundsTeam and draft status: Swift Current (WHL), Columbus 2013Analysis: Defensive defenceman who uses his body. Good on the penalty kill.---Madison BoweyPosition: DefenceHometown: WinnipegAge: 19Size: Six foot one, 195 poundsTeam and draft status: Kelowna (WHL), Washington 2013Analysis: Physical player who can skate and rush the puck.---Samuel MorinPosition: DefenceHometown: St-Henri, Que.Age: 19Size: Six foot seven, 224 poundsTeam and draft status: Rimouski (QMJHL) Philadelphia 2013Analysis: Towering defensive rearguard can play big minutes. On comeback from broken jaw in October.---Shea TheodorePosition: DefenceHometown: Aldergrove, B.C.Age: 19Size: Six foot two, 182 poundsTeam and draft status: Seattle (WHL), Anaheim 2013Analysis: Attacking defenceman who can rush the puck and play the point.---Josh MorrisseyPosition: DefenceHometown: CalgaryAge: 19Size: Six feet, 194 poundsTeam and draft status: Kelowna (WHL), Winnipeg 2013Analysis: Solid two-way player is back for second world junior championship. Did well in 20 AHL playoff games last spring.---Darnell NursePosition: DefenceHometown: HamiltonAge: 19Size: Six foot four, 189 poundsTeam and draft status: Sault Ste. Marie (OHL), Edmonton 2013Analysis: Big, shutdown D who can also contribute on attack. Nephew of ex-NFL QB Donovan McNabb.---Brayden PointPosition: ForwardHometown: CalgaryAge: 18Size: Five foot eight, 160 poundsTeam and draft status: Moose Jaw (WHL), Tampa Bay 2014Analysis: Playmaker who led Warriors in scoring last season. Strong on faceoffs.---Anthony DuclairPosition: ForwardHometown: Laval, Que.Age: 19Size: Five foot 11, 184 poundsTeam and draft status: N.Y. Rangers, NYR 2013Analysis: On looan from Rangers.dddddddddddd Slick, speedy winger whose first instinct is to shoot.---Max DomiPosition: ForwardHometown: TorontoAge: 19Size: Five foot nine, 194 poundsTeam and draft status: London (OHL), Arizona 2013Analysis: Stocky stickhandler and playmaker known for thrilling solo efforts.---Connor McDavidPosition: ForwardHometown: Newmarket, Ont.Age: 17Size: Six feet, 182 poundsTeam and draft status: Erie (OHL) 2015 Draft eligibleAnalysis: Probably the best NHL prospect since Sidney Crosby. Can do everything at top speed. Played 2014 world juniors at 16.---Jake VirtanenPosition: ForwardHometown: Abbotsford, B.C.Age: 18Size: Six foot one, 208 poundsTeam and draft status: Calgary (WHL), Vancouver 2014Analysis: Power right-winger who can skate, bang and score.---Nic PetanPosition: ForwardHometown: Delta, B.C.Age: 19Size: Five foot nine, 170 poundsTeam and draft status: Portland (WHL), Winnipeg 2013Analysis: Returning from last years team. Quick, small centre who can pass and score.---Nick PaulPosition: ForwardHometown: Mississauga, Ont.Age: 19Size: Six foot three, 198 poundsTeam and draft status: North Bay (OHL), Dallas 2013Analysis: Big winger with a scoring touch. Strength is consistency.---Nick RitchiePosition: ForwardHometown: Orangeville, Ont.Age: 19Size: Six foot two, 226 poundsTeam and draft status: Peterborough (OHL), Anaheim 2014 Analysis: Power left winger who can play physical and contribute on attack.---Frederik GauthierPosition: ForwardHometown: St-Lin, Que.Age: 19Size: Six foot four, 215 poundsTeam and draft status: Rimouski (QMJHL) Toronto 2013Analysis: Good on faceoffs and penalty killing. Uses his big body to make plays around the net. Returning from last years team.---Sam ReinhartPosition: ForwardHometown: West VancouverAge:19Size: Six foot one, 185 poundsTeam and draft status: Kootenay (WHL), Buffalo 2014Analysis: Was one of Canadas best last year. Can skate, pass, shoot and play with intelligence.---Curtis LazarPosition: ForwardHometown: Vernon, B.C.Age: 19Size: Six feet, 198 poundsTeam and draft status: Ottawa (NHL), Ottawa 2013Analysis: Another returning player, loaned last week from Ottawa. Strong all-around skills.---Lawson CrousePosition: ForwardHometown: Mount Brydges, Ont.Age: 17Size: Six foot four, 211 poundsTeam and draft status: Kingston (OHL), 2015 Draft eligibleAnalysis: Only 17, but big and can play physical, two-way game. Projected top-10 draft pick.---Robby FabbriPosition: ForwardHometown: Mississauga, Ont.Age: 18Size: Five foot 10, 170 poundsTeam and draft status: Guelph (OHL), St. Louis 2014Analysis: Helped Guelph to 2014 Memorial Cup final. Top offensive player and leader. 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