trated time and again our ability to successfully host some of the largest and most visible sporting events and celebrations in the world, including the 2008 and 2014 NBA All-Star Games, Greater New Orlea

ORLANDO, Fla. -- After Atlantas offense exploded on them two nights earlier, the Toronto Raptors faced a similar situation in the first quarter Sunday night -- they were leaving Orlando players open, and the inferior Magic were knocking down shots.Only this time, Toronto turned things around. It got back to its defensive principles in the second quarter, and by the second half, Orlando couldnt find an open shot while the Raptors pulled away for a 109-79 victory.Toronto limited the Magic to 28 second-half points and 41 percent shooting, which was in stark contrast to Friday night when Atlanta shot nearly 54 percent from the floor while beating the Raptors 125-121.That was big for us after a lackluster defensive game against Atlanta, said Toronto coach Dwane Casey, whose team has eclipsed 100 points an NBA-best 15 straight times.Thats the way we have to play if we are going to be important, relevant in this league. We have to play with that defensive intensity every night.The Raptors stepped up defensively in the second half, turning a four-point halftime lead into an 84-64 edge by the end of third quarter. Orlando, which has struggled offensively throughout the season, managed just 13 points in the game-changing third quarter.The Magic were 3 for 21 from 3-point range. Evan Fournier led Orlando with 15 points but was plagued by foul trouble and turnovers.We didnt start the game following our game plan very well. We had a good first quarter, said Orlando coach Frank Vogel, whose team dropped to 5-10 at home this season. We didnt play team basketball and it got worse as the game went on. They made their runs and we gave in versus responding.Much of that was because the Magic had few answers for guard DeMar DeRozan and Jonas Valanciunas. Aaron Gordon and Jeff Green took turns getting beat off the dribble and on pullup jumpers by DeRozan, who finished with a game-high 31 points for his fourth-straight 30-point effort.Valanciunas dominated his old teammates Bismack Biyombo and Nikola Vucevic in the post, getting 16 points and 13 rebounds.Just trying to bounce back from a loss, it sucks coming off a loss, DeRozan said. You just want to do whatever you can to get a win and that was my whole mindset tonight.TEMPORARY PROMOTIONRookie Fred VanVleet benefited from extra playing time Sunday with Cory Joseph not dressed due to flu-like symptoms.VanVleet, who has been back-and-forth to the D-League this season, had four points, four assists and three steals in 22 minutes.He came in and there was no let up, Casey said with a smile. I told somebody Cory better hurry up and get well. Footsteps are behind him.UNHAPPY REUNIONBiyombo likely saw his first matchup with his former Raptors teammates going differently than it did Sunday night.He had eight points, three blocked shots and 12 rebounds, but the Magic center also had four turnovers and did little to slow Valanciunas.TIP-INSRaptors: Pascal Siakam had four blocked shots in the first half but also had four fouls before halftime.Magic: Guard Jodie Meeks got a flagrant-1 for a hard foul on Lowry with 6:28 play in the second quarter. ... Elfrid Payton scored 13 points on 6-of-8 shooting off the bench in the first half. ... Orlando has not won back-to-back home games since defeating New Orleans and Dallas on Nov. 16 and Nov. 19, respectively. The Magic beat Brooklyn at home on Friday night.UP NEXTRaptors: Toronto returns home to take on Brooklyn on Tuesday night.Magic: Orlando goes on the road to face Miami on Tuesday night. Keith Yandle Jersey . Thousands of Southern California fans enveloped the Trojans to celebrate an improbable win secured by an interim coach, an inconsistent kicker and a thin defence that wouldnt break. Fredrik Sjostrom Jersey .S. Open champion Justin Rose birdied the first hole with a blind shot he hit to a foot of the pin, and he stayed in front Tuesday until he completed a 4-under 67 for a two-shot lead over Jason Dufner in PGA Grand Slam of Golf. https://www.cheapcoyotes.com/458z-krys-kolanos-jersey-coyotes.html . -- Nathan Pancel scored twice as the Sudbury Wolves defeated the North Bay Battalion 4-2 on Saturday in Ontario Hockey League action. Mark Visentin Jersey .5 million, one-year contract on Friday. Hawkins, who turns 41 in December, will compete with Rex Brothers for the closers role at spring training. Phil Kessel Jersey . Artturi Lehkonen, Joni Nikko and Ville Leskinen had the other goals for Finland (1-0) while Juuse Saros stopped 28 shots. Tim Robin Johnsgard had the lone goal for Norway (0-2). The NBA is moving the 2017 All-Star Game out of Charlotte because of its objections to a North Carolina law that limits anti-discrimination protections for lesbian, gay and transgender people.The league had expressed its opposition to the law known as HB2 since it was enacted in March, and its decision Thursday came less than a month after state legislators revisited the law and chose to leave it largely unchanged.While we recognize that the NBA cannot choose the law in every city, state, and country in which we do business, we do not believe we can successfully host our All-Star festivities in Charlotte in the climate created by HB2, the league said in a statement.The league added that it hoped to announce a new location for next Februarys events shortly. It hopes to reschedule the 2019 game for Charlotte if there is a resolution to the matter.We understand the NBAs decision and the challenges around holding the NBA All-Star Game in Charlotte this season. There was an exhaustive effort from all parties to keep the event in Charlotte, and we are disappointed we were unable to do so, Hornets chairman and Hall of Famer Michael Jordan said. With that said, we are pleased that the NBA opened the door for Charlotte to host All-Star weekend again as soon as an opportunity was available in 2019.The leagues decision was first reported by the Vertical.Commissioner Adam Silver wanted to wait as long as possible to make one, believing positive dialogue could lead to changes it felt the law needed. But he also said a decision would need to be made this summer, and the league was disappointed when the General Assembly restored the ability of workers to use state law to sue over employment discrimination on the basis of race, religion and other factors -- but left gender identity and sexual orientation unprotected.There was no appetite among Republican lawmakers to change the provision requiring transgender people to use restrooms corresponding to the sex on their birth certificates in many public buildings -- a measure at the heart of two legal challenges in federal court.The law passed in a March special session also excludes sexual orientation and gender identity from antidiscrimination protections related to the workplace, hotels and restaurants; and overrules local antidiscrimination ordinances. Republican leaders have said the law was passed in response to a Charlotte ordinance that would have allowed transgender people to use restrooms consistent with their gender identity.Governor Pat McCrory lashed out at the sports and entertainment industry and the media in response to the NBAs announcement.The sports and entertainment elite, Attorney General Roy Cooper and the liberal media have for months misrepresented our laws and maligned the people of North Carolina simply because most people believe boys and girls should be able to use school bathrooms, locker rooms and showers without the opposite sex present, McCrory said in a statement isssued by his office.ddddddddddddThe law has drawn opposition from a number of entertainers who have canceled performances in North Carolina. Duke recently had to replace one of its games scheduled for next season when Albany was prevented from traveling to Raleigh by New York Governor Andrew Cuomos travel ban.So our states lost a lot, Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said Thursday.The fate of the state law is likely to be decided in federal courts where dueling lawsuits are being heard, with a judge saying he wants to start trial in four of the five cases by early November. Hes also set an Aug. 1 hearing on a motion for a preliminary injunction to block the laws bathroom access provision.Charlotte officials have said they expected the event to have an economic impact of around $100 million, based on data from recent All-Star Games in the comparable New Orleans and Orlando markets. The game could rival the $164 million economic impact of the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, the largest financial bump of any event for the city.Charlotte Mayor Jennifer Roberts expressed disappointment that the laws discriminatory actions led to the NBAs decision and hoped the city will get another shot at the showcase in 2019.All-Star weekend would have provided an excellent opportunity to further showcase our great and welcoming city. Charlotte has shown its commitment to equal rights and inclusion and will continue to promote those values, Roberts said in a statement. I appreciate the NBA and our Charlotte Hornets being such strong champions of equality.Several NBA cities could be in line to host the game, including New Orleans -- which has hosted the leagues midseason showcase twice. The Pelicans are owned by Tom Benson.New Orleans has demonstrated time and again our ability to successfully host some of the largest and most visible sporting events and celebrations in the world, including the 2008 and 2014 NBA All-Star Games, Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation President and CEO Jay Cicero said Thursday after the leagues announcement. We will do everything possible to assist the NBA, Mr. and Mrs. Benson and the New Orleans Pelicans in their efforts, if called upon.Silver has said having Jordan, one of the NBAs most recognized figures, in Charlotte was one of reasons to have the game there. He also praised Charlotte plans that had been made for renovations, which included upgrading the infrastructure, suites and scoreboard -- all of which have been completed or are close to being completed.On Thursday, Jordan thanked city leaders for their support.We want to thank the City of Charlotte and the business community for their backing throughout this entire process, starting with the initial bid, Jordan said. We are confident that they will be just as supportive and enthusiastic for the 2019 NBA All-Star Game. ' ' '