ASSOCIATED PRESS - The Toronto Raptors have yet to decide how they will replace injured leading scorer DeMar DeRozan in their li

ASSOCIATED PRESS - The Toronto Raptors have yet to decide how they will replace injured leading scorer DeMar DeRozan in their lineup. Nicolas Batum Jersey . His absence may not make too much of a difference in his first game out since they are facing the woeful Los Angeles Lakers. The Raptors have won three times in 17 road games in this series but figure to be favored Sunday night as they try to hand the Western Conferences worst team a fifth straight defeat. DeRozan, averaging 19.4 points, left in the third quarter of Fridays 106-102 home loss to Dallas. One day later, the team learned that he will be out an indefinite period with a torn tendon in his left groin. Coach Dwane Casey did not say how he will adjust his lineup, and the Raptors (13-3) know they need others to help fill the void left by DeRozan. The thing about our team is that we have guys that can step up and theyre definitely going to have to, forward Amir Johnson said. Johnson and DeRozan are both natives of the Los Angeles area who no doubt would be relishing this trip home to showcase why Toronto (13-3) is the Easts best team. Only one will be on the court. I feel sorry for the young man cause hes a helluva basketball player, Lakers coach Byron Scott said. I know hes an L.A. kid as well. Casey may have to give more playing time to reserve forward James Johnson, averaging 6.3 points and 18.3 minutes. James is going to have a tough task because hes learning the 3 and the 4 offensively so hes in a tough position in a sense because now were going to need that extra body at the 3 with DeMar out, Casey said. Scott doesnt see the Raptors as being too weakened. DeRozan is one of five players averaging at least 10 points for a club scoring an East-leading 107.6 points. Theyre still very athletic, very young, Scott said. They get after you pretty good. Terrence Ross is a good player, so itll probably put a little bit more on his plate and the same thing with Kyle Lowry and those guys. The coach was angry after Fridays 120-119 home defeat to Minnesota. Los Angeles (3-13) yielded 39 third-quarter points, and is allowing league worsts of 29.8 points in that period and 111.4 overall. Its really been our third quarters thats been killing us, Scott said. So obviously were not coming out of the locker room ready to play to start the third quarter and we gotta change that. The offense continues to revolve around Kobe Bryant, who easily leads the league by averaging 23.1 shots for the NBAs highest scoring average - 26.4. Bryants memorable career-best, 81-point performance came on a Sunday night at home against Toronto in a 122-104 win Jan. 22, 2006. He made 28 of 46 shots that night but is a far less efficient player now in the twilight of his career. Bryant is shooting a career-worst 38.8 percent. Ironically, one of the few other players in the top 50 in scoring below 40 percent is DeRozan (39.4). The Lakers superstars 27.6 scoring average against the Raptors is his best against any East foe. Custom Charlotte Hornets Jerseys . The Canadian Football Leagues all-time passing leader said he has not made a final decision, but he will discuss his future with Montreal Alouettes owner Bob Wetenhall on the weekend. Marvin Williams Jersey . A lovely summer day in England with abundant sunshine and minimal wind allowed him to attack Royal Liverpool. http://www.basketballhornetsauthority.com/kemba-walker-hornets-jersey-c-2/ . Erik Cole scored on a breakaway with 4:49 to play, and the Stars rallied to defeat the Minnesota Wild 4-3 on Saturday night.BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The Buffalo Sabres have narrowed their general manager search to four candidates, including Bruins assistant GM Jim Benning and Senators assistant GM Tim Murray, a person familiar with the process told The Associated Press on Tuesday. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the Sabres have not revealed their list of candidates to succeed Darcy Regier, who was fired in November. The search is led by newly hired team president Pat LaFontaine. The finalists are still being interviewed, and no timetable has yet been set for when the position will be filled, the person said. The two other finalists were not revealed. Candidates linked to the job include Pittsburgh Penguins assistant GM Jason Botterill and Toronto Maple Leafs assistant GM Claude Loiselle. Benning, a former NHL defenceman, spent 12 seasons as a Sabres scout, including eight as the teams director of amateur scouting before being hired by the Bruins in 2006. In Buffalo, Benning had a hand in the Sabres drafting the core of the team that lost the Eastern Conference finals in 2006 and 07. It was a group that included goalie Ryan Miller, forwards Thomas Vanek and Jason Pominville and defenceman Brian Campbell. Murray is in his seventh season as the Senators assistant general manager. He began his NHL scouting career with Detroit in 1993, and is the nephew of Senators general manager Bryan Murray. Murray has also spent time as a scoout with Florida, Anaheim and the New York Rangers. Larry Johnson Jersey. LaFontaine has been patient in conducting his search since taking over after the Sabres fired both Regier and coach Ron Rolston. The purge happened after the Sabres got off to a franchise-worst start and stuck at the bottom of the NHL standings with a 4-15-1 record. LaFontaine was initially offered the GMs post by Sabres owner Terry Pegula, but instead turned it down because he felt he didnt have enough experience. LaFontaines first move was bringing back former Sabres coach Ted Nolan to serve as interim coach with the chance to retain the job once a new general manager is in place. Under Nolan, the Sabres (12-26-4) have gone 8-11-3 and have won five straight at home entering their home game against Carolina on Tuesday night. Though still last in the standings, the Sabres general managers job is considered attractive because the team has stockpiled high draft picks as part of a youth movement that began under Regier last season. The Sabres could have as many as two first-round and three second-round selections in this years draft. The Sabres also have a solid group of prospects in their farm system. They include defencemen Rasmus Ristolainen and Nikita Zadorov, who were both drafted in the first round in June. The next Sabres general managers most immediate priority will be determining whether to re-sign Miller, who is in the final year of his contract. Cheap Jerseys Online Wholesale Authentic Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Online Cheap Jerseys 2020 Stitched Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Free Shipping Cheap Jerseys Wholesale ' ' '