DeMar DeRozan has been on an impressive run for the Toronto Raptors. The 27-year-old guard out of USC has averaged 33.7 points on 52 percent shooting to kick off the season.Even more impressive is that DeRozan is averaging more than nine free throw attempts a game, which is putting opposing defenses in trouble.DeMar DeRozan? Hes mine. Hes ours. He belongs to the Raptors, Toronto coach Dwayne Casey told NBA.com. Hes been great, hes been a great leader, his approach has been very professional. But hes been superb, and we just gotta make sure we continue with a defensive focus.When Toronto travels to Oklahoma City on Wednesday to take on the surging Thunder, DeRozan will be the responsibility of guard Andre Roberson.At 6-foot-7, 210 pounds, Roberson has the height and length to bother DeRozans shot and the athletic ability to keep in front of him and out of the lane.Hes hot, Roberson said of DeRozan. Hes come out with a lot of confidence this year. We are just going to do our best to come out there and shut him down a little bit, get in our coverages, get back in transition, stick a hand in his face. I think well be ready.The Raptors head into the game coming off a loss to Sacramento on Sunday night. It was a game in which the Kings DeMarcus Cousins pummeled Torontos interior defense to the tune of 22 points, 14 rebounds and three blocked shots.Toronto was without Jonas Valanciunas, who had a left knee contusion. He has not been ruled out against Oklahoma City.If Valanciunas is unable to go, that leaves rookies Jakob Poeltl and Pascal Siakam to deal with the Thunder frontline of Steven Adams, Enes Kanter and Domantas Sabonis. The trio combined for 45 points and 26 points Monday in a win over Miami. But it was their ability to protect the rim that impressed Thunder coach Billy Donovan the most.We had great length at the basket. I thought Stevens length at the basket, Jeramis (Grant) length at the basket, Domantas at times, Donovan said. We had length at the basket, which really helped alter some shots. Numbers wise, it looks like a great defensive night. Overall, I think our defense continues to get better.Oklahoma City is fourth in the NBA in defensive efficiency at 94.6 points allowed per 100 possessions. The starting five is even better at 92.3.Its one of the reasons Oklahoma City has been able to rest its starters in back-to-back games.Great, man, great. If I could do that all year, that would be great with me, Russell Westbrook said. Rest is always good, but its always good to see that were doing a good job putting teams away early. Were doing a good job of coming out and being defense-minded.The Raptors will need more than DeRozan to break through the stifling Oklahoma City defense.Weve got to shoot the ball better, Raptors guard Kyle Lowry told Raptors.com. Thats not a concern, I just think we have to find a way to make the shots. Weve got to shoot more and get in the gym and shoot even more, get even more extra shots up. But well see what happens. I think our confidence is there. Fake Flames Jerseys . LOUIS -- Cardinals cleanup hitter Allen Craig says hes recovered from a foot injury and ready to be put on St. Cheap Flames Jerseys . On Mar. 16, coming off a "fight of the year" performance at UFC 154 the previous November, St-Pierre faced Nick Diaz at UFC 158 in what would be his eighth defence of the welterweight title. Using his superior athleticism, St-Pierre cruised to a five round, unanimous decision victory setting up a much-anticipated title defence against number one contender Johny Hendricks. https://www.cheapflames.com/ . -- The Missouri Tigers might not have a roster full of superstars. Stitched Flames Jerseys . -- In one brief spurt, Brazil turned a close game into a rout and proved again it will be a strong World Cup favourite. Flames Jerseys China . Just not the game. Kyle Palmieri scored two straight goals in the third period to rally the Anaheim Ducks past the Philadelphia Flyers 3-2 on Tuesday night. NEW YORK -- NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell disagrees with Colin Kaepernicks choice to kneel during the national anthem, but recognizes the quarterbacks right to protest.Asked by The Associated Press about Kaepernicks decision not to stand before games when the national anthem is played, Goodell said in an email Wednesday: I dont necessarily agree with what he is doing.I support our players when they want to see change in society, and we dont live in a perfect society, Goodell added. On the other hand, we believe very strongly in patriotism in the NFL. I personally believe very strongly in that.Goodell added that NFL players have a visible platform for their viewpoints. With that comes responsibility to use those platforms properly.We have to choose respectful ways of doing that so that we can achieve the outcomes we ultimately want and do it with the values and ideals that make our country great, said Goodell, whose late father, Charles, was a U.S. senator.I think its important to have respect for our country, for our flag, for the people who make our country better; for law enforcement; and for our military who are out fighting for our freedoms and our ideals.Kaepernick wouldnt stand for the anthem at his teams preseason games, with San Francisco 49ers teammate Eric Reid and Seattles Jeremy Lane doing the same. Kaepernick has cited racial injustice and police brutality among the many reasons for his actions and said he plans to continue to not stand for the anthem during the regular season.Kaepernick said Wednesday on his Instagram account that he will donate all the money he receives from his jersey sales to charity to thank fans for their support. He said hes pleased his 49ers jersey has become the top seller in the NFL since his protest became public.The 49ers open their season at home against the Los Angeles Rams on Monday night.Also in reaction to Kaepernicks actions:- U.S. hockey coach John Tortorella said hed bench any player who stays seated during the national anthem. Tortorella, who will coach the United States at the upcoming World Cup of Hockey, told ESPN : If any of my players sit on the bench for the national anthem, they will sit there the rest of the game.Tortorella, who also coaches the Columbus Blue Jackets, talked a bit more about his view Wednesday.I feel very str