TORONTO - DeMar DeRozan has become a student of the game in his absence with a groin injury, soaking in lessons from the sidelines that he says will make him a better player. Nike Air Max Outlet Nederland . The Toronto Raptors, however, will have to wait a little while longer to see the fruits of his labour. The Raptors are playing it safe with DeRozan, who originally had hoped to play Thursday versus the visiting Charlotte Hornets, but said he is now targeting some time next week for his return. Just coming and practising the last couple of days, just getting back involved, letting my teammates know Im back out there, I owe that to them not to just jump back in a game, I want to get a couple more practices in over these next couple of days, then come back, DeRozan said Wednesday. DeRozan has been out of the lineup since he tore his groin tendon Nov. 28 against the Dallas Mavericks. He underwent more diagnostic tests on Tuesday and was cleared by doctors. He said he is pain free. It hasnt been an easy six weeks for the Raptors all-star, who had missed just 11 games total over his previous five seasons in the NBA. But the 25-year-old is always looking at ways to improve his game — including writing out his ABCs with his left hand last summer in an effort to improve his weaker hand. Its definitely been tough, but its a new challenge for me, DeRozan said. Ive grown more mentally, when it comes to basketball, (than) if I hadnt been hurt. . . Just watching the game and really understanding the game from a different level, understanding the things that I could do out there on the court that could affect the game, other ways I could figure out how to be better on the court. The Raptors (24-10) are third in the NBAs Eastern Conference behind first-place Atlanta and Chicago. In DeRozans absence, theyve plummetted from ninth place in the league defensively to 28th. Coach Dwane Casey said he had hoped to see DeRozan back Thursday — fingers crossed, toes crossed — but agrees with the decision to play it safe. He looks good in practice, but just for his safety and his future health, and his career, were going to be prudent as far as making sure we go at the right pace, bring him back at the right time, and its the right thing to do, Casey said. I know it kills him because hes champing at the bit, but Ive seen so many players have this same injury in their career, and you think youre back, but if those fibres have not grown back and matured in the right way, the least little torque could pull it out and hes out the rest of the year. So we want to be smart. DeRozan, who is averaging 19.4 points and 4.2 rebounds a game, rejoined practice last week, but said he would like about seven under his belt before stepping into a game. I think its bigger than me, he said. And, besides the last couple games the team lost, theyve been playing well. They have their rhythm and like I said, I dont just want to hop back out there. Theres a lot of new plays they put in that Ive still got to get down pat — plays for (Terrence Ross), plays for Kyle (Lowry) . . . So I want to make sure I get all that down pat before I come back. DeRozan had kind words for Lowry, who was named the Eastern Conference player of the month for December. Hes been amazing, man, honestly, DeRozan said. I cant even say words that can explain how hes been playing. He definitely took the team on his back. DeRozan said its been funny to watch Lowry running plays that would normally be his. Hes playing my position, so next game, every play he runs is my play. . . Just tell him, stop running my plays, DeRozan said. It kind of (makes) me happy though. . . but I tell them One thing yall cant do is get to the free throw line. The Raptors are averaging about seven fewer free throw attempts per game without DeRozan. His value in getting to the free throw line is one of those lessons that he said has really sunk in, watching his team from the sidelines. Especially in late-game situations with the game going too fast, I understand youve got to get to the free throw line, slow down the momentum, try to switch the momentum to our end, DeRozan said. DeRozan will rejoin the Raptors right before the balloting for the NBA all-star game concludes. He believes he and Lowry would have both been all-stars if not for his injury, but is certain Lowry will be named to the East team. Lowry was fourth among Eastern Conference guards on the most recent balloting. Hes in there. If he dont get in there with votes, hell get in there no matter what, DeRozan said, in reference to the fact coaches vote in the reserves. Hes been snubbed a couple of times in his career. I know hes in there so I dont need to send a vote or nothing. I know hes going to be in there. Nike Air Max Goedkoop . The win puts the final playoff berth in Group A in question. If the Czechs beat Slovakia on Tuesday, they will go through. If they lose, Germany will get the last quarter-final berth. Nike Air Max Nederland . Smiths former Atlanta teammates were glad to hang on for an ugly win. http://www.airmaxnederland.nl/ . Assistant coach Glen Gulutzan said Thursday that Edler, who played Tuesday in Nashville, is out indefinitely. DENVER -- Jorge De La Rosa sweated almost as much watching the Colorado bullpen preserve the win as he did earning it. These days, nothing comes easy for the Rockies. De La Rosa pitched six strong innings before giving way to a shaky bullpen and the Rockies snapped a five-game skid by holding off the NL West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers 8-7 on Saturday. "We won and thats all that matters," De La Rosa said. The Rockies are 3-16 since June 16 -- with De La Rosa (9-6) accounting for every win. The lefty allowed two runs and three hits, all in the first inning. He then watched the bullpen almost completely unravel. What looked like a blowout -- Colorado led 8-2 -- suddenly turned into a game when the Dodgers scored five runs in the seventh. But Adam Ottavino put the brakes on the rally, with De La Rosa nervously watching on a television in the clubhouse. "It was a tough situation, but we got out of there," said De La Rosa, who tied Jeff Francis for the second-most wins (64) in Rockies history. Dan Haren (8-5) gave up a season-high eight runs in 5 1-3 innings while striking out eight. He had a hard act to follow after teammate Clayton Kershaws masterful performance the night before, when he allowed two hits in eight innings. "I did my best, just didnt work out," Haren said. Drew Stubbs hit a two-run homer, Corey Dickerson added a solo shot and Wilin Rosario contributed two RBI singles as the Rockies ended a six-game slide against the Dodgers. The team was without NL hitting leader Troy Tulowitzki, who rested a tight groin for a second straight game. Los Angeles took advantage of three hits and two errors in a two-run first. But De La Rosa was tricky to solve after that. "Hes just effectively wild," Dodgers manager Don Mattingly explained. "He makes you swing out of the strike zone because hes always kind of around it." De La Rosa was taken out for a pinch hitter in the sixth inning after throwing 100 pitches. The Dodgers immediately pounced on reliever Nick Masset, who gave up four runs and recorded no outs before departingg with a tweaked left knee. Nike Air Max Nederland Bestellen. A rusty Boone Logan, who was activated from the 15-day disabled list Saturday, didnt fare much better, loading the bases without getting an out. The booing began from the Coors Field crowd, which Rockies manager Walt Weiss fully understood. "We have an 8-2 lead and looked like we had the game in hand," Weiss said. "It looked like it was slipping away in that seventh." Enter Ottavino, who got Juan Uribe to hit into a double play. After an intentional walk, Ottavino worked the Rockies out of the jam by striking out A.J. Ellis. In the eighth, Ottavino escaped another sticky situation by striking out Yasiel Puig and getting Hanley Ramirez to ground out with Dee Gordon on second. "Tried to bring everything I had," Ottavino said. "It worked out today." Colorado had a chance to cushion its lead in the eighth, but Puig made a highlight catch in right. He came in on a ball before realizing it was over his head. He dived backward to make the grab, quickly got up and rifled a throw to the infield, doubling up Rosario at third after the Rockies catcher tried to tag up. LaTroy Hawkins pitched a perfect ninth for his 15th save in 16 chances. "Luckily for us, we were able to hang on there," Stubbs said. "Regardless if its 8-7 or 8-2, a wins a win." NOTES: Dodgers OF Carl Crawford (left ankle sprain) was scheduled to begin his rehab assignment Saturday night and play six innings in left field for Triple-A Albuquerque. ... Dodgers LHP Scott Elbert (left elbow surgery) had his rehab assignment halted because of soreness in his left big toe. ... Rockies OF Carlos Gonzalez (left index finger) participated in a simulated game with RHP Eddie Butler (inflamed rotator cuff). Gonzalez could soon be headed for a rehab assignment. ... Butler threw 35 pitches in the simulated game with "no pain at all," but finished with a blister on his middle finger. ... Rockies RHP Jair Jurrjens checked out fine after going to the hospital with tightness in his chest following Fridays start. 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