will open play at home against Houston following the break. LHP Carlos Q

Its the beginning of a new week and TSNs Jack Armstrong offers his thoughts on All-Star Weekend, the Toronto Raptors coming out of the break, Kyrie Irvings All-Star performance, a resurgent Marco Belinelli and Drakes potential impact. Billig Nmd Sko . 1. NBA ALL-STAR WEEKEND: Yes, I know there was next to no defence played last night in the All-Star Game, but I thoroughly enjoyed the amazing skill and athleticism on display from the best of the best. The bottom line is that its a celebration of the sport and our stars and, as long as no one gets hurt and the fans have fun, thats the key. I agree with the general consensus that the events on Friday and Saturday need to be improved and, with the All-Star Game coming to Toronto in 2016, Im hopeful that the weekend activities are upgraded. We need even more of the top stars to take part in the other events surrounding the Sunday main event in order for fans to really get excited. 2. RAPTORS BACK FROM ALL-STAR BREAK: Im here in Washington, DC already ahead of the Raptors (I had an NCAA TV game in the area over weekend) and, when you look at the first two games starting off the last 30 games of the regular season and see tough match-ups against the Wizards and the Chicago Bulls on a back-to-back, the challenge is right in front of you for positioning in the Eastern Conference playoff pecking order. A sense of urgency will surely be evident from their opponents with the Raptors currently occupying the third seed. Its going to take the teams best shot with good tests right off the jump to see if this group is ready to finish the season strong and make some noise come springtime. Usually the first few games after All-Star break are difficult to get players refocused on the task at hand and the ones who take advantage and show up ready to capitalize can earn victories that sometimes end up being the difference in crucial playoff seeding. Every game counts and really matters. Urgency and preparation are critical. 3. KYRIE IRVING, Cavaliers: Irving took a bunch of heat for being selected as an All-Star with his team underperforming so far, yet he produced. He was brilliant last night and showed his enormous potential and talent on a big stage. His Cleveland team started to play a whole lot better as they went into All-Star break and, if they can continue their improvemen,t they might be able to make a run at the eighth seed in the East. The Raptors see the Cavs twice in the next few weeks and I cant wait to see Kyle Lowry go head-to-head against Irving. Im sure hell be fired up to play against him and show him what hes got and beat his team since he was snubbed for the All-Star game. 4. MARCO BELINELLI, Spurs: The former Raptor won the Three-Point Contest on Saturday and its nice to see him come into his own over the past few seasons as a pro. Ioved his potential when he played for the Warriors before his Toronto stint and when I reflect on his lost season in Toronto, it was a shame it didnt work out. Hes a really talented scorer/shooter with tremendous court sense and is a tough competitor. Hes one of those guys I look back on that you wish could have hit his stride here. He was a good acquisition at the time and wasnt used effectively and his injuries, conditioning issues and inconsistent role in the rotation ended up making it a wasted season. Its a shame because a good one got away. 5. DRAKE: Whether youre a fan of his music or not is secondary because the more I reflect on his association with the Raptors, the more I see the impact that Drake can have for the organization in the next few years assisting in recruiting players to play in Toronto, as well as with retention efforts of players you want to keep here. Hes a passionate guy about his hometown and, as a former college coach who used to recruit for a living, you never know whats going to influence a player to commit to your team. I learned a long time ago that "what you think matters doesnt and what you think doesnt does." Its amazing when you look into the minds and thought process of talented athletes to see what their agenda is. Any way you can tip the scales in your favour, you do it. Hes got tremendous respect and cred with todays NBA player and if that helps even just a little bit, its a partnership thats well worth it. Obviously, money and playing time are always huge factors for players and agents, yet when you get past that, you never really know whats going to put you over the hump in the process. Every single edge you can gain on your competition, the better. The thing I like about him, too, is that his passion for the sport is legit. Nmd Norge Shop . The football club recently announced an increase in season ticket prices in five of the seven categories at Investors Group Field for 2014. While most increases are in the two to three per cent range, the clubs most affordable season tickets will jump from $199 to $250 — a 26 per cent leap. Adidas Tubular Shadow Norge . The 28-year-old from Rochester, Alta., was selected by the Redblacks from the Saskatchewan Roughriders roster in the 2013 CFL Expansion Draft. http://www.nmdnorgesalg.com/ultra-boost-sko-norge.html . The 21-year-old Canadian earned a spot in his third career ATP final on Saturday thanks to his first Top 10 victory of the new tennis season, a 6-4, 6-4 win over world no. 10 Nicolas Almagro of Spain. CLEVELAND -- Yan Gomes made sure the Indians went into the All-Star break on a positive note. Gomes drove in all three runs, including a go-ahead two-run homer in the eighth inning, and Cleveland rallied for a 3-2 win over the Chicago White Sox on Sunday. Gomes blast to right off Javy Guerra (0-2) came after the White Sox scored two runs in top of the inning to take a 2-1 lead. Nick Swisher led off with a single before Gomes, who also had an RBI single in the second, hit a 1-1 pitch into Chicagos bullpen. Gomes, who threw his arms in the air as he rounded first base after his 12th homer of the season, wasnt trying to do anything dramatic. "I was just trying to do the same thing Swish did, and just get a hit," he said. "I definitely wasnt thinking about doing hitting a home run." "Im thrilled for him, because he was a little under the weather today, but he didnt want to come out of the game," Indians manager Terry Francona said. Guerra admitted he didnt make a good pitch. "A slider, came out, wasnt a very good one," he said. "(Gomes) did what he was supposed to. Broken-bat base hit to left, next guy hits a homer. Its just bad luck. Bad inning." Bryan Shaw (4-1) allowed two runs in the top of the eighth. Cody Allen pitched the ninth for his 12th save, striking out the final two hitters. Trevor Bauer struck out a career-high 10 in 6 2-3 scoreless innings for Cleveland. Gordon Beckhams RBI single tied the game before Leury Garcias hit to centre put Chicago ahead, but the White Sox couldnt hold the lead for their fourth loss in five games. The Indians head into the All-Star break with a 47-47 record. "I wish our record was better, but in the next two months, if we play good baseball its going to be very exciting," Francona said. "Its in front of us now and if we can play well, we can climb back into it and play relevant games at the end." John Danks allowed one run in seven innings. The White Sox threatened throughout the game, but didnt score until the eighth. Conor Gillaspie singled with one out, took second on a wild pitch and scored on Beckhams single up the middle. After a groundout, Garcia sent a roller to the right side. Second baseman Jason Kipnis tried to make a backhand stop near the bag, but the ball went under his glove and rollled into centre field. Nmd_r1 Sko Hvit. Bauer allowed eight hits and had at least one base runner in every inning, but pitched out of trouble each time. The right-hander was pulled after All-Star Jose Abreus two-out single in the seventh, but Marc Rzepczynski retired Adam Dunn. White Sox All-Star shortstop Alexei Ramirez was out due to a stiff back, but is expected to play in Tuesdays All-Star game in Minneapolis. The loss sent Chicago into the break with a 45-51 record. "Weve had spurts where we play well, weve had spurts where we didnt play that well, but weve had a lot of games that we could have won that we didnt win," White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. "You wish you were in a better spot, but you come back and try and clean that stuff up." Bauers first career outing against Chicago last season didnt work out well. He allowed five runs while recording only two outs, but the Indians rallied for a 19-10 victory. Bauer more than made up for that Sunday. His biggest jam came in the sixth. Dayan Viciedo singled and Gillaspie walked to start the inning, but Gordon Beckham struck out. Gomes quickly fielded Tyler Flowers tapper in front of the plate and his throw to third forced Vicideo. Bauer ended the inning by striking out Garcia. Chicago had three hits in the second, but didnt score. Gillaspie led off with a single, but was doubled off first when Mike Aviles made a strong throw from left field after catching Beckhams foul fly ball. Garcia followed with a single, but Alejandro De Aza flied out. Abreu, who made the All-Star team in his rookie season, was 3 for 5. He goes into the break with a major league-leading 29 homers and is hitting .292. NOTES: Indians general manager Chris Antonetti expects RHP Justin Masterson (right knee inflammation) to return shortly after the All-Star break. ... Indians OF Chris Dickerson (tight left hamstring) missed his second straight game. ... White Sox OF Adam Eaton (jammed left wrist) was out for the second straight day. ... Bauer will start the Indians first game after the break at Detroit on Friday. ... Chicago SS Carlos Sanchez made his major debut, replacing Ramirez. He was 0 for 5 with an error. ... The White Sox will open play at home against Houston following the break. LHP Carlos Quintana (5-7) will start the first game. ' ' '