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TORONTO - When Patrick Patterson learned he would be making his first start as a member of the Raptors just prior to Monday nights game he wasnt exactly caught off guard by the news. With the first unit struggling of late and Amir Johnson - one of the teams iron men - hobbling on an injured right ankle, Patterson knew he could get the nod in a challenging matchup against one of the leagues up and coming players at his position. Although it likely wasnt an easy sell, Dwane Casey and the coaching staff made the decision to rest Johnson, who had not missed a game due to injury in nearly two years, opening the door for his backup. "I started in Houston so its not new," said Patterson, downplaying his role in Torontos 108-101 home win over the Pelicans after scoring a season-best 22 points. "Its just all about making sure I have a positive role and I know my role on the team… making sure Im a significant part of our teams success." Since coming over in the seven-player trade from Sacramento in early December, Patterson has seen his role increase steadily, earning the trust of his coach and becoming the Raptors most reliable reserve. After Johnson was ruled out, Casey expressed concern about disrupting the chemistry of his second unit by removing a key cog in Patterson, however the forwards recent play made the decision an easy one. "I thought the matchup with (Anthony) Davis was a good one for him," Casey said of Patterson, who has scored in double figures 13 times over his last 20 games, averaging 12.0 points and 5.7 rebounds, shooting 53 per cent from the field in under 24 minutes per contest during that stretch. "(Patterson) was able to stretch the defence and give us some offensive punch." Patterson gave the Raptors a lift where they needed it most. Toronto had been outscored in the opening quarter of the last four games, all on the road, before returning home Monday and getting off to a rare but crucial quick start against Davis and the Pelicans. Patterson - along with Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan - was one of three Raptors to score seven points in the first frame, knocking down both of his shots and helping his team take a 31-20 lead into the second period. Thats where Pattersons presence was missed, as Torontos bench came in and squandered a 15-point advantage. Led by reserve guard Tyreke Evans, New Orleans ripped off a 26-11 run to end the half and would go into the break knotted up with Toronto at 49 points apiece. "For whatever reason we are losing leads with our second unit, what its doing is putting a lot of pressure on our starters and putting them in big minute situations," said Casey with both DeRozan and Lowry hovering around 40 minutes on Monday. "I think they just have to get their rhythm back. Taking (Patterson) off the second unit hurts them a bit, but still we have to get a rhythm with that second unit so we can rest our starters." Heavy mileage has taken its toll on Johnson. The Raptors forward turned his ankle in a win over the Magic late last month - the most recent in a series of ankle injuries - and, to character, had played and started in all five games since. He could have done the same Monday if necessary, Casey indicated before the game, but with the all-star break around the corner and his team poised to make a playoff run over the next couple months, Johnson finally got some much-needed rest. "Its tough to replace a guy like Amir," DeRozan said of Johnson, who had not missed a game to injury since Mar. 5, 2012 (he was suspended for one game last year and sat out the previous season finale). "Everybody has to step up and try to do a little more (without him). Everybody understands their role and once they [saw] Amir [was] out, [they had] to step up and hold down the fort until he gets back." "Were deep," said Lowry, coming off his best game since before the road trip, scoring 19 points to go along with 12 assists and seven boards, five of them offensive. "Thats how we play, thats how we roll. 15 deep." Patterson started six games with the Kings earlier this season and has made 54 starts during his four year career, most of them as a member of the Rockets. With Patterson stepping into the first unit, Tyler Hansbrough - who has fallen out of favour since returning from an ankle injury last month - took advantage of the opportunity he was given off the bench, scoring 12 points and grabbing six rebounds in 14 minutes. "Tyler and Patrick both carried us tonight," Casey said. "I thought they were huge in their minutes." "Tyler came in and was a pro. He brings physicality to the game that we need." Patterson and Hansbrough shared the assignment of neutralizing Davis, the Pelicans second-year forward, who has been a revelation in the Western Conference this season. Davis scored just two points, hitting one of his six shots in his first appearance at the Air Canada Centre exactly a year ago Monday but hes come a long way since then. The first-time all-star is one of five players averaging over 20 points and 10 rebounds and the only one doing so while shooting over 50 per cent from the field. Hes also on pace to become just the fifth player since 1973 to lead the NBA in blocks in his first or second season. "Anthony Davis is one of the most skilled big guys in the league," Casey said before the game, comparing him to a young Kevin Garnett. Davis was glued to the bench in foul trouble late in the third as the Raptors made their run and finished the game with 19 points and seven rebounds while Evans, 24 hours after being bench for disciplinary reasons, had 23 points and 10 assists off the bench for New Orleans. Donte Jackson Panthers Jersey .com) - Theres nothing better for a team than to send out the staff ace in the most important game of the season. Marquis Haynes Panthers Jersey . -- Michigan coach John Beilein is willing to give Nik Stauskas a little leeway when it comes to shot selection. http://www.thepanthersofficialstore.com/...anthers-jersey/. - Chicago Bears general manager Phil Emery was so busy in free agency he didnt mind having a few extra weeks to prepare for the draft. DaNorris Searcy Panthers Jersey . Toronto (11-12) gave up leads in 10-8 and 11-4 losses to the Baltimore Orioles this week. It was never close Friday as the Boston Red Sox got to Mark Buehrle early en route to an 8-1 win. Ian Thomas Jersey .Y. -- AJ Allmendingers journey is almost complete.Since their Super Bowl XLVIII victory in New Jersey last season, the Seahawks roster has remained largely unchained. The offensive line has just one new starter – rookie right tackle Justin Britt – and the linebackers, cornerbacks and safeties all have the same core players. The Seahawks are not entirely without change since last February, however, and enter Super Bowl XLIX with an overhauled defensive line and a receiving corps that took significant losses over the year. The wide receiver changes have been discussed and dissected throughout the year for the Seahawks, who let starter Golden Tate walk to the Detroit Lions in free agency and traded Percy Harvin during the season. These changes forced Doug Baldwin to become the feature wide receiver of the offence and promoted Jermain Kearse to a starter. Baldwin fell just of Tates 2013 numbers this season, while Kearse had a significant drop off from Baldwins production. Yet, where these changes are felt for the Seahawks, are on special teams. When healthy, Harvin represents one of the significant kick return threat, as evidenced by his 87-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in Super Bowl XLVIII. Against the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship, Baldwin averaged 19.3 yards per kickoff return with a fumble and punt returner Bryan Walters averaged just seven yards. Often overshadowed by the losses of Tate and Harvin, are changes Seattle made to create a smaller and more athletic defensive line. The Seahawks lost starting defensive ends Chris Clemons and Red Bryant in free agency to the Jacksonville Jaguars and placed defensive tackles Brandon Mebane and Jordan Hill on injured reserve during the season. Tony McDaniel then remained as the teams lone holdover from their Super Bowl-winning front four. The transition from Clemons to Michael Bennett was a relatively simple one; replacing one edge rusher with another. But replacing Bryant with Cliff Avril at defensive end represented a significant change in philosophy for the base defence of the Seahawks - trading a 323-pound run stuffer with a 260-pound pass rusher. Though the Seahawks already employed multiple fronts to feature pass rushers, the change in their base package clearly didnt hurt the unit, who once again ranked first in total defence and, surprisingly, improved from seventh against the run to third. The defence did, however, drop from 43 sacks in 2013 to 36 this year. In more minor changes for the Seahawks, K.J. Wright will start in this years Super Bowl over last years MVP Malcolm Smith. Smith started the NFC Championship game and Super Bowl last year in place of Wright, who was battling a foot injury. On the offensive line, Britt has taken over at right tackle for Breno Giacomini, who joined the New York Jets in free agency. The Seahawks once again kept 10 offensive lineman on the active roster this season, but focused on keeping more interior linemen after keeping six offensive tackles last year (of those, only Paul McQuistan was listed a guard/tackle). Alvin Bailey started for Britt against the Packers in the Conference Championship, but the rookie is expected to start against the Patriots despite a knee injury. An injury to Zach Miller allowed Luke Willson to take over at starting tight end this season. Willson had four catches on four targets against the Carolina Panthers in the Divisional Round and has become a significant contributor in the offence. Finally, with Michael Robinson retiring after the 2014 Super Bowl win and Derek Coleman injured, the SSeahawks will start former defensive lineman Will Tukuafu at fullback on Sunday.dddddddddddd Tukuafu - 6-4, 293-pounds - is a punishing run blocker head-on, but struggles with lateral movement. The Seahawks strongest unit from 2013, the secondary or Legion of Boom, remains unchanged at the starting positions, though Earl Thomas (shoulder) and Richard Sherman (elbow) are battling injuries this year. See the full roster comparison from Super Bowl XLVIII to XLIX below. Roster Comparison Super Bowl XLVIII Seahawks Position Super Bowl XLIX Seahawks Russell Wilson QB Russell Wilson Tavaris Jackson QB Tavaris Jackson QB B.J. Daniels Marshawn Lynch RB Marshawn Lynch Robert Turbin RB Robert Turbin Christine Michael RB Christine Michael Derek Coleman RB Michael Robinson FB Will Tukuafu Zach Miller TE Luke Willson Kellen Davis TE Cooper Helfet Luke Willson TE Tony Moeaki Golden Tate WR Doug Baldwin Doug Baldwin WR Jermaine Kearse Percy Harvin WR Kevin Norwood Jermaine Kearse WR Ricardo Lockette Ricardo Lockette WR Chris Matthews Bryan Walters WR Bryan Walters Russell Okung OT Russell Okung Breno Giacomini OT Justin Britt Paul McQuistan OT Alvin Bailey Alvin Bailey OT Garry Gilliam Michael Bowie OT Caylin Hauptmann OT James Carpenter G James Carpenter J.R. Sweezy G J.R. Sweezy Lemuel Jeanpierre G Keavon Milton Max Unger C Max Unger C Lemuel Jeanpierre C Patrick Lewis Chris Clemons DE Michael Bennett Red Bryant DE Cliff Avril Michael Bennett DE OBrien Schofield Cliff Avril DE Demarcus Dobbs OBrien Schofield DE David King Benson Mayowa DE Brandon Mebane DT Tony McDaniel Tony McDaniel DT Kevin Williams Jordan Hill DT Landon Cohen Clinton McDonald DT Bruce Irvin LB Bruce Irvin Bobby Wagner LB Bobby Wagner Malcolm Smith LB K.J. Wright K.J. Wright LB Malcolm Smith Heath Fawell LB Brock Coyle Mike Morgan LB Mike Morgan Richard Sherman CB Richard Sherman Byron Maxwell CB Byron Maxwell Jeremy Lane CB Jeremy Lane Walter Thurmond CB Tharold Simon CB Marcus Burley Kam Chancellor S Kam Chancellor Earl Thomas S Earl Thomas Chris Maragos S Jeron Johnson DeShawn Shead S DeShawn Shead S Steven Terrell Steven Hauschka K Steven Hauschka Jon Ryan P Jon Ryan Clint Gresham LS Clint Gresham Cheap Warriors Jerseys Authentic Cavaliers Jerseys Cheap Spurs Store Celtics Jerseys Online Cheap Bulls Jerseys Cheap Nets Jerseys Cheap Thunder Jerseys Cheap 76ers Jerseys Cheap Knicks Jerseys Wholesale Raptors Jerseys Cyber Monday Pistons Jerseys Wholesale Team USA Basketball Jerseys Cheap Celtics Jerseys Cheap Nets Jerseys Cheap Knicks Jerseys Cheap 76ers Jerseys Raptors Jerseys From China Cheap Bulls Jerseys Cavaliers Jerseys From China Wholesale Pistons Jerseys Bucks Jerseys From China Pacers Jerseys Outlet Authentic Hawks Jerseys Cheap Hornets Jerseys Cheap Heat Jerseys Cheap Magic Jerseys Authentic Wizards Jerseys Cheap Nuggets Jerseys Timberwolves Jerseys Outlet Wholesale Thunder Jerseys Cheap Blazers Jerseys Cheap Jazz Jerseys Discount Warriors Jerseys Wholesale Clippers Jerseys Wholesale Lakers Jerseys Cheap Suns Jerseys Cheap Kings Jerseys Discount Mavericks Jerseys Authentic Rockets Jerseys Discount Grizzlies Jerseys Cheap Pelicans Jerseys Spurs Jerseys From China ' ' '