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The Toronto Raptors are having one of the best seasons in franchise history - in a year when nobody expected it. Many believed sneaking into the final playoff spot would be a success for the Raptors this season, but even that wasnt guaranteed. But with only 11 games remaining in the regular season, Toronto (40-31) sits in third place in the Eastern Conference, 2 1/2 games ahead of the Brooklyn Nets for tops in the Atlantic Division and a postseason spot all but official. This will be the first time since 2008 that the Raptors will play in the NBAs second season. With all of the good fortunes the Dinos have seen this year, who has been most integral to the teams success? DeMar DeRozan is the face of the franchise and is one of the longest tenured members of the Raptors. The 24-year-old made his first All-Star Game this season and is leading the team in points scoring 22.7 per game. This is DeRozans fifth year in the Association and he signed a four-year deal last season to stay north of the border for the foreseeable future. Will the team only go as far as DeMar will take them? Kyle Lowry has quickly become a fan favourite in only his second season in Raptors colours. The rugged point guard has shown bulldog-like toughness on a nightly basis, playing considerable minutes and being the man the team has looked to when they are in need of a spark. Analysts and fans alike thought the 28-year-old should have been in New Orleans for the All-Star Game. Averaging 17.6 PPG (scoring over 20 points in eight consecutive games) along with 7.7 assists per game makes a good case for that argument. His future is uncertain in Toronto with Lowry hitting the free agent market this summer, but the Raptors are glad to have him for the time being. Is he the one to thank? Then theres Amir Johnson. At only 26, he can be considered a veteran, already playing in his ninth NBA season and is an important part of the Raps front court. He averages 11.1 PPG, 6.9 rebounds per game and is a strong force on the defensive side of the ball. Maybe the key success is coming from the sidelines. Head coach Dwane Casey is in his second year in charge of the Raptors and seems to have finally gotten through to his players. Toronto has gotten much better defensively only allowing 97.6 PPG, good enough for fifth in the NBA. Is the coachs defence-first mindset the reason the Raptors are headed to the post-season? The success could be attributed to General Manager Masai Ujiri. The Nigerian hasnt brought in a lot of highly touted talent since he took the job last off-season. Instead hes used the method of addition by subtraction to improve on the court. First, he shipped the much-maligned Andrea Bargnani off to the New York Knicks followed by sending Rudy Gay to the Sacramento Kings during the season. Toronto is 34-19 since Gay was traded out west. With the offence no longer going through Gay, the Raptors have been able to score more efficiently. Not to mention the players coming back to Toronto - namely Patrick Patterson and Greivis Vasquez – have helped the Raptors to get where they are today. Do we have to look to the front office for the reason behind the sudden improvement? So, who do you think is the most integral to the Raptors success this season? As always, its Your! Call. Nike Air Max Uk Sale Outlet . Bjoerndalen, who had failed to win any major race for two years before Sochi, writes in a Facebook entry that he is "full of energy and inspiration" after winning the 10-kilometre sprint and mixed relay at last months Olympics. Cheap Air Max Uk Sale . The Kelowna, B.C. rink made the announcement on their facebook page on Thursday night. http://www.ukairmax.com/ . -- The Denver Broncos retired John Elways No. Nike Air Max Discount Uk . It was a day that saw England slump off a World Cup field once again battered and bruised. This time there was no red card to wonder about, no goalkeeping error or individual mistake. They were thoroughly beaten by something they have nothing of – genuine world class ability. Nike Air Max Cheap Uk . So they rushed to re-sign the first baseman who general manager Ben Cherington described Friday as "a unique player." The World Series champions finalized a $32 million, two-year agreement Thursday with the slugging former catcher who turned into a surprisingly good defender.George Thornes double leg break means he is an absentee for Derby as they prepare for the first leg of the Sky Bet Championship play-off semi-final against Hull. Thorne suffered the injury during the final game of the regular season at home to Ipswich last weekend and the midfielder is set to be out for around three months.He is the only player unavailable to Rams head coach Darren Wassall as Jeff Hendrick and Bradley Johnson are fit again after their respective thigh and knee injuries and either could take Thornes place in central midfield. Derbys George Thorne suffered a serious injury against Ipswich last weekend Goalkeeper Lee Grant, along with Hendrick and Johnson, played in a friendly match against Barnsley this week and he too is back in contention following his groin problem. Highlights of Derbys 1-0 home defeat by Ipswich last time out Tigers boss Steve Bruce is considering sending out the same XI that hammered Rotherham 5-1 last weekend.After rotating his squad since securing a play-off berth, Bruce picked what looked a full-strength side against the Millers and was happy with what he saw. Don Goodman looks ahead to the Championship play-offs as Hull, Derby, Brighton and Sheffield Wednesday fight it out for promotion Republic of Ireland international David Meyler has been out for four matches with a hamstring injury but is back in contention and could return to the bench.ddddddddddddThat leaves Nick Powell (thigh) as the only injury absentee. Highlights of Hulls 5-1 victory over Rotherham last weekend Watch Derby v Hull in the Championship play-offs live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 12pm on Saturday. Get a Sky Sports Day Pass Dont miss Derby v Hull. Watch live on NOW TV for ￡6.99. No contract ' ' '