NEW YORK - As the Knicks were on their way to an embarrassing 29-point Christmas Day defeat, the Madison Square Garden faithful chanted the name of their saviour, who just so happens to be the Raptors starting point guard. Their 9-19 record remains identical to the crosstown rivals in Brooklyn and trails both Toronto and Boston in the Atlantic Division. Raymond Felton, their declining point guard, is back on the sideline nursing his third injury of the season. Their owner James Dolan has reassured his team that no one is being traded or fired, at least for the time being. Still, some Knicks fans are holding out hope that help is on the way. "Thats very humbling," Kyle Lowry said, flattered by the thought of Knicks fans chanting his name. "Thats humbling, I appreciate it. Its kind of one of those things where you just dont know what to say, you just are like, wow thats pretty cool but at the end of the day, I play for the Raptors." Exactly two weeks ago, Lowry stood in front of the Toronto media and addressed multiple reports that had surfaced the day prior, connecting him to trade talks with the Knicks. The rumour mill has dried up since then, for the most part, but the Raptors guard found himself answering the same questions prior to Fridays game at MSG, the first in a home-and-home set with the Knicks. Catch both contests against the division-rival Knicks - Friday at 7:30pm et and Saturday at 7pm et - live on TSN2 and listen to Saturdays rematch on TSN 1050 Radio. "That wasnt in my mind," Lowry said, asked about the possibility of playing in New York. "My mind [said] to keep playing and be a competitor and play hard, try to win as many games for the Raptors. If something happens, then it happens, until that day Im a Raptor and I play hard for the Raptors." Reconvening in New York following a brief two-day break for the holidays, the Raptors are feeling good about their place in the putrid Atlantic Division. Despite the trade of Rudy Gay earlier in the month and ongoing speculation that Lowry and/or others could be moved next, no one is panicking. Quite the opposite in fact. The team is as harmonious as ever and thats a credit to their flood general, who hasnt been shaken by the off-court noise and is playing the best basketball of his career. Lowry is averaging 15.2 points and 7.0 assists this season, both career-highs. He has recorded six or more assists in a career-best 18 consecutive games, obliterating his previous high, which was eight straight contests. The Raptors sit atop the division, a half game ahead of the Celtics and three games in front of the Knicks and Nets. Although theyve won five of eight since the trade of Gay - including two of three during an exceptionally difficult Western Conference road trip - the Knicks are closing in. New York has won six of its last 12 and has Tyson Chandler, the heart of its defence, back in the lineup. With two straight games against the Knicks and four of the next 11 against Atlantic Division opponents, this stretch could go a long way in mapping out the Raptors next step, as well as the future of Lowry and his expiring contract. "We all want to win, we all want to make the playoffs, we all want to be a better team and continue to get better," said Lowry. "I think guys are just out here, were having fun, were taking advantage of every time we can step on the floor together and just trying to win games." "I just want to keep playing. No matter what, I want to try to win games. I made a commitment to the city of Toronto, to myself and to the fans to get the Raptors to the playoffs so thats what Im here to do." Much-needed rest for DeRozan For the second straight season, DeMar DeRozan is among the league-leaders in minutes played. The Raptors guard has logged 38.5 minutes per night through the teams first 26 games with only the Knicks Carmelo Anthony and Rockets guard James Harden averaging more playing time. The two-day break couldnt have come at a better time for Torontos best player. "I think we just needed that," he said following shootaround at Baruch College in New York Friday afternoon. "Just to have two days to relax, get your mind off things, I think it was definitely needed for us, especially with this push were trying to make to stay on top of the division and win the next couple games." Raptors coach Dwane Casey said he is planning to monitor DeRozans minutes closely and could deploy John Salmons or the sparingly used Landry Fields and Steve Novak to spell him more as the season goes on. Jonathan Jones Jersey . - Pete Rose didnt want it to be about him, not on a day when four new members were elected to baseballs most exclusive club. Justin Bethel Jersey . Gaborik was acquired in a trade with Columbus on Wednesday and skated on the top line with centre Anze Kopitar and right-winger Justin Williams. "We created some things," said Gaborik, who logged 16:38 of ice time. https://www.patriotsjerseysale.com/261p-...y-patriots.html. Viewers in the Canadiens region can watch the game on TSN at 7:30pm et/4:30pm pt and listen on TSN 690. The Canadiens have won three in a row and four of their last five games and recently put the finishing touches on a 3-1-0 road trip. Custom New England Patriots Jerseys . Harris has played in six games since joining the Argos in 2012, completing 17-of-35 passes for 256 yards and one touchdown. Stephon Gilmore Jersey .75 million contract for the 2014 season and avoided arbitration. The team announced the agreement on Tuesday.Mark Woods ongoing ankle issues have left a host of county seamers hoping for a call-up to the England Test squad to face Sri Lanka. Steve Finn would be the most logical choice to slot into the XI, with only injury preventing him playing a larger role in his countrys winter programme, but who else could England be looking at?Here are five players perhaps in contention for a pace place, either in the team or as 12th man… Steve Finn (Middlesex) Finns winter was affected by injury The Middlesex man is the obvious front runner, having impressed on recall during last summers Ashes triumph (12 wickets at 22.50) and again in South Africa (11 wickets at 26.09) as England secured a notable away win. Finns injury record of late has not been stellar, the pacer missing his countrys autumn tour of the UAE (foot) and the recent ICC World T20 (calf), but 113 wickets in 29 Tests at an average of 28.34, coupled with some encouraging early-season form for his county, means it would be a huge surprise if the 27-year-old was overlooked for Headingley.Liam Plunkett (Yorkshire) Liam Plunkett has a good record against Sri Lanka Plunketts main role for England in recent times has been chief drinks carrier but he forced his way into their XI at the World T20 and must be a contender for the first Test at a ground he now calls home, having moved from Durham in 2013. Plunketts greatest success in the Test arena has come against Sri Lanka, too, the seamer claiming 22 of his 41 wickets against the subcontinental outfit, including nine at Headingley two years ago. Plunketts batting could also give him the nod - he has three first-class tons to his name, including one this season from just 82 balls.Keith Barker (Warwickshire) Keith Barker would give England a left-arm threat Warwickshires left-armer would be a left-field selection but he has been a steady campaigner for a while, averaging just shy of 50 Championship wickets over the last four years. Barker, godson to Sir Clive Lloyd and eligible to play forr West Indies due to Caribbean parentage, has begun 2016 in fine fettle, snaffling five Hampshire wickets before lunch on the opening morning and grabbing 19 from his four matches to date.dddddddddddd The seamer would also be pretty tasty in Englands pre-game kick-about, having once been on Blackburns books and played for Rochdale in League Two.Jake Ball (Nottinghamshire) Jake Ball impressed live on Sky Sports for Nottinghamshire Stuart Broad has been getting valuable overs under his belt for Nottinghamshire in recent weeks but the England star has played second fiddle in terms of wickets to team-mate Ball, the latter collecting 19 thus far. A winter spent bowling for England Lions seems to have helped the 25-year-old, with Nottinghamshire skipper Chris Read noting how his charge now looks lively and fitter. Ball snared a five-for against Surrey in April - Kumar Sangakkara among his victims - and a four-wicket haul versus Lancashire, while he also impressed live on Sky Sports against Yorkshire, nipping out Joe Root and Adam Lyth for first-ball ducks.Tom Curran (Surrey) Is Surreys Tom Curran in the England reckoning? Former West Indies bowler Ravi Rampaul has been Surreys primary source of wickets this term but team-mate Curran has been a quality accomplice off the back of an eye-catching 2015 season in which he took 76 Championship scalps at 23.07, albeit in Division Two. The South Africa-born seamer, son of late Zimbabwe and Northamptonshire all-rounder Kevin Curran, has a best of 4-58 against Nottinghamshire in Surreys opener but was made to toil by a rampant Root and Jonny Bairstow when the London-based side ran into Yorkshire this week at Headingley. Which seamers do you think England should select to face Sri Lanka at Headingley? Let us know by commenting below or tweet us @SkyCricket...Then head to Sky Sports News HQ and Sky Sports digital platforms on Thursday morning for first news of Englands Test squad to play Sri Lanka. Also See: Englands options: Openers Englands options: Middle order Pundits pick England squad WATCH: Skys summer of cricket ' ' '