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FIVE QUICK HOOPS THOUGHTS 1. RAPTORS OFFENCE: Spoke on Monday about the need for better ball and player movement. Entering Wednesdays game here in Memphis the Raptors are last (30th) in the NBA in assists. On top of that the types of shots theyre getting has to improve. They sit 26th in the League in field goal percentage and 21st in three-point percentage so the efficiency is an issue. Dwane Casey and his staff are constantly hammering the points home that need to be made yet progress has been slow so far. Somehow and someway this component of their team needs growth/development. Really curious to see how this team responds to the challenge Coach Casey has put to them. After the game in Memphis, six of the next seven games are at home. They will have a better schedule and more practice time. By the end of that stretch, theyll have had more than ample time to fix the issues. Then well know what true level this team can play at. 2. COLLEGE HOOPS: Caught a little of Julian Randle (Kentucky) and a good chunk of the Duke (Jabari Parker) vs. Kansas (Andrew Wiggins) game. Great energy in these early season games. All three guys showed me flashes of significant ability and potential. In NBA cities where the possibility exists for a high draft pick in 2014, something tells me that TV ratings for games this wonderful draft class plays in will be higher than normal. Should be a fun season to watch and see the progression of an exciting group. 3. ED DAVIS (Grizzlies): Entering Wednesdays game in Memphis, hes been limited in his role (11.6 minutes per game) and his numbers (3 ppg + 3 rpg) reflect that. Considering they didnt lock him up contractually long term its pretty evident that his current employer is in a wait and see mode with him. He plays behind some talented bigs and the opportunities arent as plentiful as in other situations. Stay with it. As frustrated as Im sure he is he has to be ready every night and sooner or later will get his break. That break could potentially be with another team down the road. Jury is still out on his true ceiling as a player. 4. TREVOR ARIZA (Wizards): When I think about the development of young guards John Wall and Bradley Beal its important to have an older player who is efficient and steady. He shoots threes and plays hard. His ability to be pretty consistent and keeping the floor spread will allow his younger teammates time to develop. 5. TYLER HANSBROUGH (Raptors): Hes been exactly what I expected as the Raps third big man. He plays all out all the time and is someone you can count on every night to give you all the effort plays. Hes a terror on the offensive glass and smartly only takes shots (56 per cent) he can make. Does a terrific job drawing fouls and for a big man hes an exceptional free throw shooter (84 per cent) which is rare. He is what he is, yet I like that - you always know what youre getting vs. the roller-coaster ride that you get with other players. Dante Exum Jersey . The Canadians led for much of the game before Argentina forced overtime in the dying seconds of the fourth quarter. Canada weathered the storm after squandering a lead with a series of made shots. "Its a fantastic win for our country with 11 first-time Canadian national team members," said head coach Roy Rana. Donovan Mitchell Jersey . Pressley missed all of last season with Cincinnati because of a knee injury, but the 5-foot-10, 249-pounder had been expected to fill a need on Clevelands roster. http://www.jazzauthentic.com/kids-adrian-dantley-jazz-jersey/ . He was 90. The team announced Monday that Adams had died, saying he "passed away peacefully from natural causes." The son of a prominent oil executive, Adams built his own energy fortune and founded the Houston Oilers. Donovan Mitchell Jazz Jersey .com) - The New York Islanders will try to solve their issues against Central Division opponents when they visit the Minnesota Wild for Tuesdays battle at Xcel Energy Center. Karl Malone Jazz Jersey . Viewers in the Jets region can watch the game on TSN Jets at 6:30pm ct/7:30pm et. The game is also avialable on TSN Radio 1290 in Winnipeg at 7pm ct.OAKLAND, Calif. -- A warm day helped Brandon Moss reach another milestone and it helped Jeff Samardzija enjoy even more run support. Moss hit a grand slam and the Oakland Athletics gave Samardzija more run support than he has had all season in a 13-1 victory over the Houston Astros on Thursday. "I didnt realize it went over the fence," Moss said. "I thought it was going to be a sacrifice fly. Then I saw it bounce around and was shocked. Thats not a home run at night. Being a day game, the ball carries better." Jed Lowrie had three hits and drove in a run for the As, who have the best record (63-38) in baseball and are a season-best 25 games over .500. Chris Carter hit a home run for the Astros, who fell to 2-4 since the All-Star break. Samardzija (2-1) gave up a leadoff single to Jose Altuve and then retired 10 straight before Carters 20th home run put Houston on the board. He did not walk a batter and struck out six. He retired 12 of 13 following Carters blast. Carter was the lone Astro to get past second base against Samardzija, who received a combined 13 runs of support over his final six starts with the Cubs. "I was just trying to get quick innings and not keep the defence out there very long," Samardzija said. "I wanted to keep them in hitting rhythm. When you get a lead like that, you just take a deep breath." Samardzija was 2-7 with the Cubs despite a 2.83 ERA. He entered with the third-lowest run support in the majors at 3.05 runs per outing. "Im having a lot of fun playing here," Samardzija said. "I just attacked the zone and threw a lot of fastballs." Scott Feldman (4-8) lost his straight start, lasting 5 1-3 innings. He allowed six runs and nine hits, walking five and striking out four. "He battled but at the same time they did a tremendous job of hitting with runners in scoriing position," Astros manager Bo Porter said.dddddddddddd. "Thats pretty much what was the difference in the ballgame." Feldman allowed at least six runs for just the third time this season but for the second time in three starts. He has allowed 16 runs and 27 hits over his last 17 2-3 innings. "It was a battle for him all day," Porter said. "Early in the game he really had his breaking ball working, and they started laying off and made him come back into the zone." The As were ahead 4-1 entering the sixth inning when Moss hit his third grand slam of the season. "You want to cash them in with runners on base," Moss said. "It was a situation where the guy had to make a good pitch and I hit it. I had the bases loaded in the at-bat before and ended up hitting a weak grounder to first." Stephen Vogt added a three-run double in the eighth. Josh Reddick, who had two doubles, added a sacrifice fly. Donaldson and Derek Norris, who had three hits, each drove in runs in the third. Sogard scored on a wild pitch. Crisps sacrifice fly in the fourth put the As ahead, 4-1. NOTES: RHP Jim Johnson was designated for assignment before the game, ending a short, tumultuous relationship with the As fans, who have booed him since opening day. ... As OF Yoenis Cespedes (sprained right thumb) could return to the starting lineup on Friday. ... As INF Alberto Callaspo (right hamstring strain) is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment on Saturday. .. RHP Jason Hammel (0-2, 9.00) is scheduled to make his third start for the As against the Rangers in Texas on Friday. ... LHP Dallas Keuchel (9-6, 3.29) starts for the Astros at home against Miami, which begins a 10-day, 10-game homestand, the longest of the season. ... Samardzija improved to 21-3 lifetime when receiving at least three runs of support. ' ' '