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LOS ANGELES - As practice wrapped up at the Lakers facility in L. [url=http://www.shoptheofficialbills.com/Elite-Tredavious-White-Bills-Jersey/]Tre Davious White Bills Jersey[/url] .A. on Thursday, Terrence Ross hung around to work on his aerial acrobatics with the assistance of teammate DeMar DeRozan. DeRozan threw the Raptors sophomore and reigning NBA Slam Dunk champion lobs off the side of the backboard, he tossed bounce passes and threw alley-oops. Ross experimented with a variation of finishes. As it turns out, they could both use the practice. The Raptors duo will take part in State Farm All-Star Saturday Night - taking place in New Orleans on Feb. 15 - as Ross returns to defend his title in the Sprite Slam Dunk competition and DeRozan will make an unexpected appearance in the Taco Bell Skills Challenge. After edging out Jeremy Evans to win last years contest in Houston, Ross will have his work cut out for him this time around. For the first time since 1988, three all-stars - Pacers forward Paul George, Wizards guard John Wall and Blazers guard Damian Lillard - will compete in the event. Rounding out the field is Warriors forward Harrison Barnes and Kings rookie guard Ben McLemore. "Everybodys kind of a threat," Ross said of this years competition. "Its going to be fun, everybody wants to win." What will Ross do for an encore? The 23-year-old says hes still searching for ideas, scouring YouTube, Twitter and even using video games to brainstorm. "Everybodys done everything," he continued. "I dont know, its like how many times can you do the same dunk before people get tired of it? So its hard to find new dunks but at the same time you always find something a little different." The one thing he could say with certainty is he will not be using props. While Ross has expected to defend his crown since last season, DeRozans debut in the Skills Challenge comes as a surprise, even to him. "I kind of got peer pressure into doing it," said the first-time all-star, who will also be assisting Ross in the dunk-off. DeRozan initially declined the invitation but his agent twisted his arm and eventually he came around. "I changed my mind. I said Ill try it, why not." "I thought it would be fun," he said of the event, which is usually exclusive for point guards but DeRozan hopes to start a new era of shooting guards entering and conquering the ball handling/passing obstacle course. "Everybody doesnt get a chance to be a part of All-Star Weekend and the big thing for me is to go out there and have fun. I think it will be cool to go out there and represent my team as much as I can and you never know, I might mess around and win it." Along with DeRozan, the participants will consists of Lillard, Goran Dragic, Reggie Jackson and rookies Giannis Antetokounmpo, Michael Carter-Williams, Victor Oladipo and Trey Burke. DeRozan, who has previously competed in the Slam Dunk contest on two separate occasions, will be the first Raptor to appear in the Skills Challenge. Although he wouldnt tip his hand, his strategy centres on speed over precision. "I look at it like, a lot of players go out there and try to do it cool," said the fifth-year guard. "I always used to say, you can go a little faster. So Ive got my whole mindset to try and win it." The format in both events will be tweaked this season. The Skills Challenge will feature four teams of two players each competing in a two-round timed relay-style course. The fastest team from each conference will advance to the second and final round, where the winning pair will be crowned. The Dunk Contest participants will also compete in teams, divided by conference. The competition will tip off with a "freestyle round" where the dunkers for each the East and the West will have 90 seconds to showcase as many dunks as they choose. At the conclusion of the opening round, the panel of judges will vote for a winning conference. The winning conference will decide whether its competitors will dunk first or second in the following round, a head-to-head "battle round". In the battle round dunkers from opposing conferences will face off against each other, with the judges choosing a winner in each battle. The first team to win three battles will win the competition. Fans will then vote on the "Dunker of the Night" from the winning team. Ross is the fifth Raptor to participate in the event, joining DeRozan, Vince Carter, Tracy McGrady and Jamario Moon. [url=http://www.shoptheofficialbills.com/Elite-Zay-Jones-Bills-Jersey/]Zay Jones Youth Jersey[/url] .com) - The Chicago Cubs reportedly signed recently-acquired outfielder Dexter Fowler to a one-year contract on Friday, avoiding arbitration. 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By late afternoon, he had teammates and fans cheering his debut and went home with the game ball.Thats the kind of season it has been for the Golden State Warriors — everythings working, and everybodys contributing.All 13 players on the active roster scored, and the NBA-leading Warriors matched a franchise record with their 16th consecutive home win, whipping the Denver Nuggets 122-79 on Monday.I told the guys after the game, Im not taking this for granted, Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. This is so unique to have a group pull for each other that exhibits the selflessness where, from one night to the next, somebody isnt going to get a lot of points or a lot of shots. And it doesnt seem to bother them.Which is what made Mondays matinee so special.The Warriors (33-6) dominated Denver in such impressive fashion that everybody got a chance to shine. Klay Thompson (22 points) and Stephen Curry (20 points and eight assists) led the way, as usual, and the reserves never relented in the fourth quarter.That included McAdoo, a call-up from the Warriors D-League affiliate in Santa Cruz, who kept the crowd entertained and energized. He threw down a dunk and received a standing ovation after blocking Randy Foyes floater.It felt amazing, said McAdoo, who finished with 11 points and five rebounds in 13 minutes.The Warriors out did Denver (18-23) in nearly every major category, including shooting percentage (54.3 per cent to 34.5 per cent), rebounds (53 to 39), assists (30 to 17), blocks (six to three) and steals (10 to nine). The victory topped Golden States 126-86 win over Philadelphia on Dec. 30 for the largest margin this season.Denver offered little resistance. Ty Lawson finished with 19 points and six assists, and Jameer Nelson had 14 points and five assists for the Nuggets, who have lost three in a row.We didnt compete. We looked like we wwere scared, said Nuggets coach Brian Shaw. [url=http://www.shoptheofficialbills.com/Elite-Zay-Jones-Bills-Jersey/]Zay Jones Jersey[/url]. Im trying to be guarded in what Im saying because I dont want to throw anybody under the bus, but I just dont understand how as a team we cant come out and compete when youre playing the best team in the league.Golden State was playing its fifth game in seven days — or 6 1/2 days, as Kerr called it — including three of the previous four on the road. In a rare early afternoon start on the holiday honouring Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., the Warriors showed no signs of wearing down.The combination of Golden States smothering defence and offensive efficiency with Denvers poor shooting created the perfect conditions for a blowout — one that set all kinds of benchmarks.The Warriors outscored Denver 25-15 in the first quarter, which tied the fewest points the Nuggets had scored in the opening period all season. They began the second quarter on a 22-5 run and carried a 55-28 lead into halftime.It was the fewest points the Nuggets have scored in a first half since March 2004 and matched the fewest points the Warriors have allowed in any half this season. The Warriors went ahead 85-49 late in the third quarter before Kerr sat most of his starters.TIP-INSNuggets: The fewest points Denver had scored previously in a half this season was 32 against Indiana on Dec. 20, when the Nuggets scored a season-low 76 points. ... Forward Danilo Gallinari sat out for the 14th straight game because of a torn meniscus in his right knee. He could return later this week.Warriors: Tied the franchise record last accomplished in 1959 — when the team still played in Philadelphia — for the most consecutive home wins. They are 18-1 at Oracle Arena this season. ... David Lee scored six points. He needs nine more to reach 10,000 for his career.STAT OF THE DAYIt was the first time in franchise history the Warriors had 13 players play at least 10 minutes.UP NEXTNuggets: host San Antonio on Tuesday.Warriors: host Houston on Wednesday. [url=https://www.wholesalejerseysfreest.com/]Cheap NFL Jerseys[/url] [url=http://www.cheapjerseyspro.us.com/]Wholesale Jerseys[/url] [url=http://www.cheapjerseyswholesalenfl.us/]Wholesale NFL Jerseys[/url] [url=http://www.nflcheapjerseyssupply.com/]Jerseys From China[/url] [url=http://www.cheapjerseysoff.org/]Wholesale NFL Jerseys[/url] [url=http://www.cheapfootballchinajerseys.com/]Cheap NFL Jerseys[/url] [url=http://www.cheapjerseysreal.com/]Cheap Jerseys[/url] ' ' '