Raptors return home to face Hawks

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03/17/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Hoping to hold on to a playoff berth that's beginning to slip away, the Toronto Raptors return to the Air Canada Centre this evening for an important matchup with an Atlanta Hawks team that figures to be without its leading scorer for a second straight night.

Toronto heads home having lost five straight and nine of its last 10 contests and now holds a tenuous grasp on the eighth and final postseason seed in the Eastern Conference. The Raptors currently own a 1 1/2-game edge on the similarly-struggling Chicago Bulls for that spot.

The last four setbacks came during a West Coast road trip that ended with Sunday's 109-98 loss at Portland. The Raptors were able to cut an 11-point fourth-quarter deficit to two midway through the final period, but an 8-2 run gave the Trail Blazers a 101-93 lead with under 3 1/2 minutes to go.

"I thought we competed pretty hard," said Raptors head coach Jay Triano. "At halftime we talked to our guys about doing a good job. The shots that (the Blazers) were making, we had hands in their face, and they were still making shots."

Chris Bosh also kept Toronto in the game thanks to a 28-point, seven-rebound effort, with Hedo Turkoglu and Amir Johnson netting 14 and 13 points, respectively, in defeat.

The Raptors, who will also host surging Oklahoma City on this brief two-game residency, are a solid 22-10 at the Air Canada Centre this season but have dropped three of their last four outings as the host.

Atlanta enters tonight's tilt having won three in a row after Tuesday's 108-84 road rout of hapless New Jersey. The Hawks cruised despite All-Star swingman Joe Johnson sitting out due to Achilles' tendinitis that will force him to miss this game as well.

Jamal Crawford helped offset Johnson's absence by pouring in 25 points, with Al Horford adding 15 points and 11 rebounds on the evening.

"I thought we were pretty good defensively as well as our offense," said Hawks coach Mike Woodson. "I mean, we moved the basketball and the open man got it and we made shots."

Tuesday's triumph closed Atlanta within three games of Orlando for first place in the Southeast Division. The Hawks are one ahead of Atlantic Division leader Boston for the No. 3 seed in the conference race.

The Hawks will be shooting for their fifth straight victory over Toronto, with the last two of those wins having taken place this season. Atlanta handed the Raptors a 111-89 loss up north on December 11, with Johnson pacing six Hawks in double-figure scoring with 20 points.

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Problem with Bears?

Chicago, IL - New Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and star linebacker Brian Urlacher shot down reports of a rift, saying they're simply not true.

"There's nothing between us," Cutler said Thursday, when he reported to training camp. "I just want to put that to rest. There never has been anything between us."

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Urlacher added: "I never said what I was quoted as saying and that's it. I have a lot of respect for Jay. I think Jay knows that."
Former Bears receiver Bobby Wade caused a stir when he told Minneapolis radio station KFAN-AM that Urlacher used a profanity while questioning Cutler's manhood during a conversation in Las Vegas last weekend. Wade, who now plays for the Vikings, said Urlacher used a profane version of the word "wimp" during the interview that had to be edited out.
go radio station WSCR-AM also reported that Urlacher had to be restrained from confronting Cutler during organized team activities.
"I wouldn't go face-to-face with Brian, anyway," Cutler said. "No, that's never happened. I've hung out with Brian away from the facility numerous times and we've always gotten along."
Urlacher, noting he was limited by a groin injury, denied the reports in an interview with the Chicago Tribune and did it again when he reported to camp.
"I didn't practice this summer, so I don't know how I would fight the guy if I didn't practice," Urlacher said. "We have no problems. I'm excited about football starting. I'm excited to have him as our quarterback."
Why would Wade say that?
"I don't know," Urlacher said. "Maybe he's jealous because we have a good quarterback now."
Cutler said the first he heard of any friction was when he got a call from Urlacher to clear the air. Urlacher, however, said he had already taken several calls from teammates wondering if the reports were true when Cutler phoned.
"He called me and I said, What's up (expletive), what are you doing?'" a grinning Urlacher said, uttering the same word he allegedly used with Wade. "It's so dumb to me that this even got to this point, but it did and then here we are."
better place after going 9-7 and missing the playoffs for the second straight year. They have a franchise quarterback for the first time in decades after acquiring Cutler in an offseason trade with Denver. But there are questions about his attitude following a fallout with Broncos management and new coach Josh McDaniels.
His critics include former Bears coach Mike Ditka and former Indianapolis and Tampa Bay coach Tony Dungy, one of Smith's mentors. Smith, however, said Cutler has been a model teammate so far while denying any animosity with Urlacher.
"There's no issue with Jay and Brian, except Brian and Jay are both excited about being teammates for our club this year," coach Lovie Smith said. "No more than that. We can't spend a whole lot of time on something that isn't true. I have talked to the players. Whenever something comes out, you have to address it, but it's a non-issue."
In some ways, Cutler is getting a second chance in Chicago, an opportunity to repair his reputation.
Smith said another quarterback - Michael Vick - deserves one, although he doesn't see it happening with the Bears, who lack an experienced backup. The former Atlanta Falcons star, who served a 23-month sentence for running a dogfighting ring, said Thursday he is getting close to signing with a pro football team.
"A second chance, like everyone in society who has paid their debt to society," Smith said. "He deserves a second chance. As far as we're concerned, we like this team that we have right now."
Particularly the new quarterback.
"Me and Brian have been on a good relationship since I've been here, and I expect it to continue that way," Cutler said.

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El Duque expected to throw Tuesday

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- New York Mets pitcher Orlando Hernandez, sidelined at spring training because of arthritis in his neck, is expected to resume throwing on Tuesday.

Hernandez received a cortisone shot Thursday after leaving camp and returning to New York to have his neck examined. The 41-year-old right-hander is penciled in as the team's No. 2 starter behind Tom Glavine.

El Duque's health is a major issue for the Mets, who won the NL East in 2007 and came within one victory of the World Series. Their aging and unsettled rotation is a big question mark this year.

MySportsbook.com has the Mets as -110 favorites to repeat as NL East champions odds. 

Hernandez went 11-11 with a 4.66 ERA last season, including 9-7 with a 4.09 ERA in 20 starts after the Mets acquired him from Arizona in late May. But he missed the playoffs because of a torn calf muscle.

New York already is without Pedro Martinez, out until at least midseason following rotator cuff surgery. Among those competing for starting jobs are prospects Mike Pelfrey, Philip Humber and Jason Vargas, plus veterans Chan Ho Park, Jorge Sosa and Aaron Sele.

Notes: Mets manager Willie Randolph is excited about two new utility players he could have on his bench: Damion Easley and David Newhan. ''Their value is really all over the place,'' Randolph said. Easley can play anywhere in the infield and could be used as an emergency outfielder, though Randolph said he would prefer to keep the veteran in the infield. Newhan, meanwhile, can play second base, third or any outfield position for the Mets. ''I love versatility,'' Randolph said. ''I love guys that can give me options when I need them to step in.''

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