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ATLANTA - Coming off an opening night win at home, the Raptors take to the road, visiting the Atlanta Hawks in the first half of a weekend back-to-back set on Friday. The Raptors, who went 13-28 on the road a year ago, will play their first game away from the Air Canada Centre this season. Theyll play six of their next eight contests, and 19 of 33 outside of Toronto. "When you play on the road [for] so many games, you have a lot of adversity you have to fight through," said guard DeMar DeRozan, who struggled in the teams 93-87 win over Boston on Wednesday, scoring 13 points on 6-of-19 shooting. "That cant do anything but be beneficial for us, especially early on," he continued. "If we get through this little tough stretch, well be fine. Me personally, I think its a great test for us. Itll help us find our character early on." Toronto hopes to start the campaign on a winning streak, picking up where they left off when they closed last season with five consecutive victories. The Hawks return to Atlanta for their home opener after allowing the Mavericks to shoot 57 per cent in a 118-109 loss on Wednesday. "I think this team is a very offensive-minded team, a very good offensive team," Raptors head coach Dwane Casey said of the Hawks, who shot 49 per cent in Dallas opening night. "The biggest change is now you have [Paul] Millsap, whos a very consistent pick and pop guy. Youve got two bigs (Millsap and Al Horford) who are not youre traditional low-post guys. Its a very versatile offensive team from that perspective." "Theyre one of the teams thats going to be knocking on that door for those last couple spots in the playoffs." After losing Josh Smith to free agency during the summer, Atlanta is turning the page with Millsap - the former Jazz forward, signed to a two-year $19 million deal in the offseason - and new head coach Mike Budenholzer. A first-year head coach, Budenholzer comes to Atlanta after 19 seasons as an assistant under Gregg Popovich in San Antonio. "Hes running the same things they ran in San Antonio," Casey said of the Hawks new coach. "Hes going to do a good job because hes taken a lot of San Antonios system there to Atlanta." Trends and Tidbits Last season, the Raptors were one of four teams in the NBA - along with the Bulls, Grizzlies and Suns - to average more points and shoot a higher field goal percentage on the road than at home. However, they gave up 102.4 points per game as a visiting team, 7.4 points more than they allowed at home. Fridays game is the first half of a weekend back-to-back which concludes in Milwaukee on Saturday, the teams first of 18 back-to-backs this season. Last year, Toronto had a 6-12 record in the first game of a back-to-back and 8-10 in the second game. Kyle Korvers current streak of 74 consecutive games with at least one made three-pointer is the fourth longest in NBA history behind only Dana Barros (89), Michael Adams (79) and Dennis Scott (78). Korver is shooting 46 per cent from long distance during that run and ranks sixth among active players in career three-point field goal percentage (.419). Raptors forward Steve Novak ranks second (.433). What to Watch For Battle on the boards Finishing strong defensive possessions off with a rebound was a focus for Caseys club throughout camp. Not only did they control the defensive boards in Wednesdays home opener but they dominated the offensive glass, creating extra possessions that became crucial in grinding out an ugly win. Toronto outrebounded Boston 48-33, including a 19-7 advantage on the offensive boards. Although the Celtics were more efficient, shooting 49 per cent (another area of emphasis for Casey), the Raptors attempted 20 more shots and scored 28 second-chance points. Atlantas front line is a small one, with the undersized Millsap and Horford in the middle. The Hawks were bested on the boards 42-33 on Wednesday, grabbing just five offensive rebounds. Moving the ball The Raptors managed just 15 assists to 18 turnovers on 38 field goals on Wednesday, registering just two dimes in the final quarter when the team relied heavily on isolation sets. Casey said DeRozan, and the team in general, have to do a better job of adjusting to regular season defences and passing out of double teams. "I think a lot of it is getting used to the regular season basketball," Casey said. "I think everybody has to get used to that. Its a different mentality, a different toughness. We have to adapt to it." "Teams are more aggressive, theyre more fired up." Who to Watch For Kyle Lowry Lowry, playing with a splint on his injured left ring finger, struggled with his shot in the first game, shooting just 2-of-8 from the field and 7-for-12 at the line. The Raptors point guard chalked it up to an off-night and refused to blame the injury. Although he had eight assists in the opener, hell have to be more efficient offensively and will also be tasked with slowing down Hawks point guard Jeff Teague, one of the quicker players in the NBA. Paul Millsap Coming over from Utah, Millsap scored 20 points in his Hawks debut. As Casey alluded to, Millsap is a versatile big man who can play either forward position and stretch the floor with his mid-range shooting. "Hes a silent killer," Casey said of Millsap. "Hes just a solid, old-school, hardworking guy that were really going to have to be concerned about." Amir Johnson and Tyler Hansbrough will share the responsibility of keeping Millsap contained on the pick and pop. "Hes a hell of a player," Lowry said of Millsap, both members of the 2006 draft class. "Hes an all-star calibre player. Hes tough, Im a big fan of his, Ive always been a big fan of his since his rookie year. Hes going to be a beast in the East." Injury Report Guard Lou Williams (right knee) and centre Gustavo Ayon (right shoulder) are both out for the Hawks. Kemba Walker Jersey . The Calgary Stampeders running back received the West Division nomination for the CFLs top individual award Thursday in voting by the Football Reporters of Canada and leagues eight head coaches. Cody Zeller Jersey . Sources tell TSN that union executives travelled to select CFL cities Monday to open dialogue with players and answer questions. After the tentative deal was reached Saturday night, several players posted messages of frustration and disappointment on social media - and that carried over into Sunday on both the web and the field. https://www.hornetslockerroom.com/ . -- Peyton Manning is the only player in this Super Bowl who has won the big game. Terry Rozier Hornets Jersey . -- When Steve Blake checked in at the scorers table with 5:25 remaining in the third quarter, Stephen Curry shook his head and shouted across the court, asking Golden State Warriors coach Mark Jackson not to take him out. Glen Rice 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.Blacksburg, VA (SportsNetwork.com) - It wasnt pretty, but the second-ranked Virginia Cavaliers escaped Blacksburg with a 50-47 victory over the Virginia Tech Hokies on Sunday. Justin Anderson scored 12 points and Virginia overcame a 10-point deficit in the second half to remain onee of just two unbeatens left in the country, along with top-ranked Kentucky.dddddddddddd. The Cavaliers (19-0, 7-0 ACC), who shot just 34.7 percent from the field, are off to their best start since the 1980-81 team led by legendary center Ralph Sampson started 23-0. ' ' '