Vorschau » of Monday nights game in Philadelphia

The Atlantic Division champion Toronto Raptors are guaranteed home court advantage in the first round of the NBA playoffs and can finish with the either the third or fourth seed. The Raptors finish with the third seed with: - A win (at the New York Knicks) OR a Chicago Bulls loss (at the Charlotte Bobcats) The Raptors finish with the fourth seed with: - A loss (at the Knicks) AND a Bulls win (at the Bobcats) The Raptors will face the Washington Wizards IF: - They finish in third AND the Wizards win (at the Boston Celtics) AND the Brooklyn Nets win (at the Cleveland Cavaliers) - They finish in third AND the Wizards lose (at the Celtics) AND the Bobcats lose (at home to the Bulls) - They finish in fourth AND the Wizards win (at the Celtics) AND the Nets lose (at the Cavaliers) The Raptors will face the Brooklyn Nets IF: - They finish in fourth AND the Nets win (at the Cavaliers) - They finish in fourth AND the Wizards lose (at the Celtics) - They finish in third AND the Nets lose (at the Cavaliers) AND the Wizards win (at the Celtics) The Raptors face the Charlotte Bobcats IF: - They finish in third AND the Bobcats win (at home against the Bulls) AND the Wizards lose (at the Celtics) The Indiana Pacers have secured the top seed and will host the eighth-seeded Atlanta Hawks. The Miami Heat have wrapped up the second seed and will either host the Bobcats or Wizards. Games of interest: Wednesday: Chicago Bulls at Charlotte Bobcats (7pm et)Toronto Raptors at New York Knicks (8pm et)Washington Wizards at Boston Celtics (8pm et)Brooklyn Nets at Cleveland Cavaliers (8pm et) Nat Moore Youth Jersey .com) - The Oakland Athletics needed to rely on a lot of young pitchers to win an American League West title this season. Christian Wilkins Jersey . On the day the club activated Casey Janssen from the 15-day disabled list, his return from a strained oblique that cost him the first six weeks of the regular season, it announced Sergio Santos would be placed on the disabled list on Monday with discomfort in his right forearm. http://www.dolphinsrookiestore.com/Customized/ . Damyean Dotson, 19, Dominic Artis, 19 and Brandon Austin, 18, were suspended after the school received a police report concerning allegations made by a student who said she was assaulted by the players in early March. Christian Wilkins Womens Jersey . - Pittsburgh Steelers president Art Rooney II says the NFL has told the team it will not be docked a pick in this years draft for coach Mike Tomlins foray onto the field against Baltimore last November. Bob Griese Dolphins Jersey . The appointment of Boullier continues the behind-the-scenes restructuring at McLaren, who recently brought back former team principal Ron Dennis as its new chief executive.TORONTO – Shortly after 11 oclock on Saturday morning, Brett Lawrie wandered into manager John Gibbons office for a brief conversation. There were two topics: the status of Lawries injured right hamstring and where he would play when he returns to the lineup. Gibbons confirmed Lawrie will sometimes play second base. "Hes got no problem with it," said Gibbons. "He basically said, hey, whatever the boys need. I mean, hes here to win. Thats the name of the game and like I said, I think it makes us better." Lawrie was less enthused but reiterated what he has said before and what Gibbons offered on Saturday morning. "Just doing it for the team," said Lawrie. The differences between second base and third base are many. The footwork is different. The timing is different – third base is called the "hot corner" for a reason. Lawrie has history at second base, having played the position in Milwaukees minor league system. Part of his hesitation for making the switch is grounded in the pride he takes in how hard hes worked to become a gold glove calibre third baseman, doing so almost entirely at the major league level. "I worked my butt off to get where Im at," Lawrie told TSN.ca on Friday. "Im not saying its not going to help the team. Im here to do what it is to help the team but I worked my butt off to be that good at third base and continue to do what Im doing. I work every day over there. Still continuing to get my work in and second base, it is what it is, man, its not what Im here to do. I worked my butt off to do what I do out there." Lawrie has appeared in four games at second base this season. He started at second six times last yyear.dddddddddddd. His limited time there doesnt make him feel more comfortable. "Not necessarily," said Lawrie. "You got to have comfort to do it a bunch of times in a row and Ive only done it for a couple of games but you need a few games under your belt to make it comfortable." Out of action since leaving in the fourth inning of Monday nights game in Philadelphia, Lawrie is nearing a return. Its been a daily process, as each day Lawrie has been intensifying the demands on his hamstring. "He came out and ran and felt pretty good today," said Gibbons. "What were going to do is were going to make him do it one more day and if all is well hell be ready to go on Monday. So I would expect to see him on Monday." If Lawrie plays on Monday night in the series finale against the Angels, expect to see him at third. Los Angeles is scheduled to start left-hander C.J. Wilson. Juan Francisco is a left-handed batter. The realignment is aimed at keeping Francisco in the lineup against right-handers, against whom he has greater success. "Weve been watching him ever since he got here," said Gibbons. "Hes a pretty good player. Hes off to a great start. I dont think wed be doing our job if we just decided to sit him and not take advantage of what hes doing." Put together Reyes, Cabrera, Bautista, Encarnacion, Lind, Navarro, Francisco, Lawrie and Rasmus and its a potent, long lineup one through nine. If someone is struggling, the next guy can pick him up. If the Blue Jays can keep everyone healthy for a period of time, it would give Gibbons a bona fide American League East lineup. "A good whatever division lineup," said Gibbons. ' ' '