TORONTO - For the second time in less than a month, Kyle Lowry heard MVP chants rain down at him as he stepped to the line nearing the conclusion of yet another remarkable performance. "Yeah, [I heard them]," he said. "They made me miss the free throw." A year ago, Lowrys post-game antics may not have been so well received but what was snide and snarky is now endearing quick wit. The sound he heard as he missed that free throw was less about his candidacy for an award nobody actually expects him to win - though he has been the Raptors MVP - than it was a sentiment of appreciation. Often misunderstood, Lowry has finally found something in Toronto that had eluded him for seven seasons prior. Lowry has found a team that fits him like a glove, a locker room filled with players who hang on his every word and a city that is ready to embrace him as their own. Lowry has found a home. "Im just playing," said the Raptors point guard, after eclipsing 30 points for the second straight game - the first time hes accomplished that feat as a pro - carrying his team to 98-83 wire-to-wire win over the Magic on Wednesday. "My team, they expect me to do a certain thing every night and when you go out there and play for these guys that give you everything they got in this locker room, you dont want to disappoint them." Lowry had scored 31 in Mondays thrilling victory over the Nets. Two days later, it was a near triple-double, a season-best 33 points to go along with 11 assists and seven rebounds. All of this without Torontos leading scorer. DeMar DeRozan continues to sit out, nursing a sprained left ankle that is steadily improving, according to the Raptors guard. On Wednesday, he watched from the locker room because, as he insisted, he couldnt bare to be a well-dressed spectator on the Raptors bench. What he saw was a team that has come together in his absence and a player, in Lowry, who has taken his game to a whole new level. By the end of the first quarter, Lowry had 17 points, perfect on all five of his three-point attempts. The Raptors, as a team, connected on their first nine treys, making 11 of 14 in the opening half. When his team made their way to the locker room at intermission, Lowry had scored or assisted on 12 of the Raptors 17 field goals in his 18 first-half minutes. The lead was 15. "Hes stepped it up," coach Dwane Casey said of his point guard. "He set the tone in the first half with his threes, just his aggressive play means a lot." He seemed to bring out the best in everybody. Amir Johnson had his best game in well over a month, scoring 22 points and adding 11 boards. Jonas Valanciunas, who was named to the Rising Stars game at All-Star Weekend earlier in the evening, recorded his 16th double-double of the season with 14 points and 15 rebounds. Lowrys fingerprints were all over the teams effort. "You cant say enough," Casey continued. "I just hope, I keep my fingers crossed that the coaches voted him in [to the All-Star game] because he deserves it. Hes one of the best point guards in the league right now." Lowry has made his case loud and clear - though both 30-point performances have come after the coaches ballots for All-Star reserves were collected on Sunday - and his fate will be revealed on Thursday. The 27-year-old leads the East in assists in January, averaging 8.3, hitting more threes (49) than any player in the league, shooting them at a 46 per cent clip and leading his team to their second consecutive winning month. On Monday, he became the first player this season to record at least 30 points, five rebounds, five assists and five steals in a game, a feat that was only accomplished by LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Kobe Bryant last year. You have to go deep into the franchises not-so-rich history to find a point guard that even comes close to the level that Lowry is playing at right now. Damon Stoudamire, perhaps? Its been a while. Casey has been pumping Lowrys tires around the league and hopes that will tip the scale in his favour when the All-Star subs are revealed. As it turns out, maybe they should have sent his backup on the campaign trail. "Kyle is an unbelievable player," said Greivis Vasquez, who started Wednesday in place of the injured DeRozan on Wednesday. "Hes doing great things, not just for the team but for the city and thats huge." "Ill tell you this, he should make it," he continued. "Its not because Im his teammate, the numbers dont lie. I mean, Im seeing it, watching it and Im enjoying it." As it happens, Lowrys not holding his breath. Although he would welcome the honour with open arms, hes acknowledged that, of the two, DeRozan will likely be the one to get the call. One way or another, Lowry has 14 teammates, a coach, and the bulk of a city that believes hes an All-Star. Regardless of the result Thursday evening - as the Raptors land in Denver to begin a five-game road swing - that is not likely to change. Discount Nike Free . - Golden State Warriors coach Mark Jackson sat on the scorers table at Oracle Arena on Wednesday morning. Cheap Nike Free Online . In the days leading up to the draft, TSN.ca and TSN Radio basketball analyst Duane Watson looks at some of the names that will be headlining the event. Tonight, Michigans Nik Stauskas of Mississauga, Ontario. http://www.wholesalenikefree.com/ . According to a report from ESPN, sources said Manuels college coach Jimbo Fisher told teams he didnt think Manuel had the tools to be an NFL starter. Wholesale Nike Free . Philippe Desrosiers stopped 42 shots through overtime and three more in the shootout to pick up his third shutout of the season for Rimouski (31-15-7). Zachary Fucale made 28 saves for Halifax (34-17-3) in the loss. Cheap Nike Free China Wholesale . Felix Pie had an RBI double earlier in the inning, as Baltimore rallied for three runs to overcome a 3-2 deficit. J.J. Hardy had two hits and Matt Wieters chipped in with an RBI double for the Orioles, who pushed their winning streak to three games. BEREA, Ohio -- Browns cornerback Joe Haden hopes to deliver Rex Ryan a lump of coal on Sunday. Haden returned to practice Friday after missing two days with a bruised hip and said he may play in Sundays game against the New York Jets. On a conference call earlier this week, Ryan, the Jets loquacious coach, praised the talented Haden as a "rare guy" and joked that one of the items on his Christmas list was for the cornerback to miss this weeks game. "Man, Im Bad Santa," Haden cracked. Haden was limited to riding a stationary bike on Thursday, but he was back on the field Friday and looked to be himself while doing sprints and drills during the portion of practice open to reporters. Haden was injured last week against Chicago when he was hit in the hip by Chicago tackle Jermon Bushrods knee while trying to make a tackle on a running play. Haden, arguably Clevelands best defensive player, will likely be a game-time decision. Of course, he wants to play. "If it was up to me, Im always going to ball," he said. "Thats what I want to do. I want to play. Lets put it there. I want to play, for sure." Haden is having a Pro Bowl-worthy season for the Browns (4-10), who have dropped five straight and eight of nine. Although Haden has given up some big plays in Clevelands past three losses, Browns defensive co-ordinator Ray Horton believes the fourth-year cornerback, who has been assigned to cover the oppositions top receiver every week, has played at a consistent, elite level. "When you look at the body of his work, hes had a fantastic year," Horton saidd.dddddddddddd The Browns will be without starting tight end Jordan Cameron on Sunday as he remains sidelined with a concussion. Cameron, who leads the Browns with 75 receptions, was also injured at some point late in the loss to the Bears. Hes following the NFLs guidelines on head injuries and must be cleared by an independent neurologist before he can play. Also wide receiver Davone Bess missed his second straight day for personal reasons. Browns coach Rob Chudzinski said he should know on Saturday whether Bess will travel with the team. As the Browns went through final preparations for Sundays game, a voice from their past was still making noise. Jets tight end Kellen Winslow, who began his pro career with the Browns, got some attention in Clevelands locker room when he said his former team doesnt have anyone who can cover him. The remarks are typical Winslow -- brash and boastful. "Hes thought that for years," said Chudzinski, who coached Winslow in Cleveland. "Thats the confidence that you want football players to have." Haden wasnt surprised by Winslows claim. "I saw it. Its funny," Haden said. "What would you all expect him to say? You want him to say, Yeah, man, those dudes up there are going to cover me?" I dont really know him that well, but just hearing of his personality, that sounds like the kind of guy that thats what hell say. It is what it is. On Sunday after the game, then well be able to figure out if we were able to guard him, if we werent able to guard him. "So no matter what we say now, it wont matter." ' ' '