PROFILES » ednesday afternoon when Cincinnatis Homer Baile

TORONTO -- The schedule does not get any easier for the Toronto Raptors after they took a hard-fought 121-117 loss to the NBA champion Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday.The Raptors, who dropped the Eastern Conference final to the Cavaliers last season, returned home Wednesday to face the Golden State Warriors at Air Canada Centre.The Warriors were NBA finalists last season, losing a seven-game series to Cleveland after winning the championship the season before.The computer that spit out the schedule, Im going to find it and break it, Raptors coach Dwane Casey said.The Raptors (7-3) also lost to the Cavaliers 94-91 at the ACC in their second game of the season, Oct. 28.Casey feels the games are too early in the season to draw conclusions.Its good for us; its not a measuring stick, Casey said. I think were still trying to get our rotations down as far as what we want to do in certain situations, who we want to guard, who can do what in certain situations. (We are) still trying to figure those things out a little bit. Its that part of the year. Id rather go ahead and get these (games against) two of the best teams in the league in now and go from there.The Warriors arrived in Toronto on a four-game winning streak in which they outscored the other teams by a total of 68 points.Golden State (8-2) faces a test of its own on a four-game trip that opens in Toronto and is followed with visits to the Boston Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks and Indiana Pacers in a six-day span. The four Eastern Conference teams have a combined record of 22-18.The challenge gets bigger now, Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. Were playing playoff teams on the road, East Coast and all of that. Its not going to be easy, but its coming at a good time, and were going to embrace it.Stephen Curry said, Obviously on the road, itll expose us to different challenges and well see where we are. I think were ready for it.Curry remains the catalyst for the Warriors even with the addition this season of Kevin Durant.(Curry) kind of gets us started almost every game, Durant said, when we need an extra surge of energy, coming down to make shots. But also making the right play, scramble for guys. Hes just doing it all to be a complete player.Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry, who had 28 points and nine assists Tuesday, said he took no solace in being a tough opponent for the Cavaliers.Im not encouraged by any loss, Lowry said. We want to win every single game.Raptors shooting guard DeMar DeRozan failed to score 30 points for only the second time this season when he was held to 26 on Tuesday. DeRozan has been the main story on the Raptors this season.He is mature, Casey said. Hes a man now, as opposed to a kid getting beat up in those situations, and the officials respect him now; whereas, three or four years ago they probably would let the veterans get away with a lot of stuff. The game has slowed down for him, and I see that as being the biggest change for him.Toronto forward DeMarre Carroll did not play for the second game in a row Tuesday as he continues to come back from right knee surgery. Adidas Alphabounce Beyond Mens . U.S. District Judge Lorna G. Schofield in Manhattan agreed that lawyers on both sides could make their formal requests by Nov. 8. A hearing is scheduled for a day earlier. Jordan Siev, a lawyer for Rodriguez, wrote in a joint letter to the judge from lawyers on both sides that MLB lawyers planned to ask that the lawsuit be dismissed. Ultra Boost 4.0 Triple White Ireland . The Nashville Predators were glad their captain was still on their side. Weber had a goal and two assists, and Roman Josi scored the shootout winner to lift the Predators to a 4-3 win over the Flyers on Thursday night. http://www.swiftrunireland.com/nmd-human-race-trail.html .ca look back at each of the Top 10 stories of 2013. Today, we look back at Boston Strong - a citys recovery from tragedy. NMD C2 Suede Black . Brett Kulak and Jackson Houck of the Vancouver Giants were each charged with assault causing bodily harm on Aug. 18, according to the B.C. court services. Adidas Dame 4 Bape Green Camo . Dusautoir, the former World Player of the Year, sustained a torn bicep playing for Toulouse in the Heineken Cup on Saturday. The flanker, who has played 65 times for France, is expected to be out for up to four months. SAN DIEGO -- The San Diego Padres got another clutch, late-inning hit and now can sweep a three-game series from the Cincinnati Reds. Nick Hundley hit a two-run double with two outs in the eighth inning and the Padres beat Cincinnati 4-2 Tuesday night, extending the Reds losing streak to five straight. The Padres have won four straight. On Monday night, Chris Denorfias pinch-hit, two-run homer off Aroldis Chapman in the ninth inning gave the Padres a 2-1 win. "We talk about it all the time -- good pitching and timely hitting, and today our pitchers did a nice job all the way throughout the game," manager Bud Black said. "We got a couple of big swings early and then the real big one late from Nick. Thats what it comes down to, a very clutch hit late in the game." Will Venable, who scored the go-ahead run on Hundleys hit, went 3 for 3 with a walk, a run scored and an RBI. Venable singled to right with one out in the eighth against left-hander Manny Parra (1-2). Sam LeCure came on and allowed a single to rookie Jedd Gyorko before striking out pinch-hitter Denorfia. Hundley then doubled down the left-field line. Hundley hit a curveball up in the zone. "I was looking for something up in the zone I could handle. Whether it was the first pitch or the last pitch, that was where my focus was," Hundley said. LeCure wasnt going to let Denorfia beat him. "For sure you take a lot from that at-bat," Hundley said. "For me, I took lot from Jedds at-bat. You try to hone in and watch how theyre pitching the right-handed guys. You try to take things from every at-bat, thats for sure." Parra hadnt allowed a run since June 7, a streak of 19 games and 15 1-3 innings. The Reds scored three or fewer runs for the 10th time in 11 games. "We get runners on and we cant push them over or across," manager Dusty Baker said. "We get runners on late, but cant move them. "Its just another tough one to lose," Baker said. "We didnt play really good. We made some mistakes. Not much to say. The club is down. We need a victory." Dale Thayer (1-3) pitched 1 1-3 innings for the win. Huston Street pitched the ninth for his 20th save in 21 chances. Cincinnatis Mat Latos and San Diegos Edinson Volquez were matched up foor the second time since being part of a five-player trade between the clubs on Dec.dddddddddddd 17, 2011. Neither got a decision. Latos went six innings, allowing two runs and two six hits, striking out six and walking two. Volquez went 6 1-3, allowing two runs and four hits, walking five and striking out three. The Reds scored single runs in the second and sixth innings, and the Padres matched them each time. In the second, Devin Mesoracos high chopper to third scored Jay Bruce, who was aboard on a leadoff single. San Diego tied it when Logan Forsythes groundout brought in Yonder Alonso, who hit a leadoff single and advanced on Venables double. The Reds took advantage of Volquezs wildness to go ahead 2-1 in the sixth. Joey Votto and Brandon Phillips drew consecutive walks and Votto scored on Bruces single to right. "Its awesome pitching against former teammates," Volquez said. "Ive got a good idea facing those guys. I know what theyre looking for, what theyre trying to do." San Diego came back and tied it when Jesus Guzman beat out an infield single and scored on Venables one-out double to centre. NOTES: Reds OF Shin-Soo Choo returned to the starting lineup after missing Mondays game with a sore left ankle. Choo started in LF instead of CF to cut down running and possibly re-injuring his ankle. "This is Yellowstone National Park out here," manager Dusty Baker said, referring to roomy confines of Petco Park. "You need some good fresh legs." ... OF Ryan Ludwick remains "a ways off" from returning, Baker said. Ludwick, 2 for 12 with one RBI in five rehab appearances in the minors, needs at least 50 at-bats before returning to Cincinnati, Baker said. ... Padres CF Cameron Maybin began a rehab assignment with Tucson on Tuesday night. He was placed on the 15-day disabled list on June 12, retroactive to June 10, with a strained left knee. Earlier this year, he spent time on the DL with a right wrist impingement. Manager Bud Black said the rehab assignment will be significantly longer than a week to 10 days. ... The series concludes Wednesday afternoon when Cincinnatis Homer Bailey (5-10, 3.77 ERA) faces lefty Eric Stults (8-9, 3.65). ... Padres LF Carlos Quentin left the game after tweaking his right knee. ' ' '