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TORONTO - DeMar DeRozan has become a student of the game in his absence with a groin injury, soaking in lessons from the sidelines that he says will make him a better player. The Toronto Raptors, however, will have to wait a little while longer to see the fruits of his labour. The Raptors are playing it safe with DeRozan, who originally had hoped to play Thursday versus the visiting Charlotte Hornets, but said he is now targeting some time next week for his return. Just coming and practising the last couple of days, just getting back involved, letting my teammates know Im back out there, I owe that to them not to just jump back in a game, I want to get a couple more practices in over these next couple of days, then come back, DeRozan said Wednesday. DeRozan has been out of the lineup since he tore his groin tendon Nov. 28 against the Dallas Mavericks. He underwent more diagnostic tests on Tuesday and was cleared by doctors. He said he is pain free. It hasnt been an easy six weeks for the Raptors all-star, who had missed just 11 games total over his previous five seasons in the NBA. But the 25-year-old is always looking at ways to improve his game — including writing out his ABCs with his left hand last summer in an effort to improve his weaker hand. Its definitely been tough, but its a new challenge for me, DeRozan said. Ive grown more mentally, when it comes to basketball, (than) if I hadnt been hurt. . . Just watching the game and really understanding the game from a different level, understanding the things that I could do out there on the court that could affect the game, other ways I could figure out how to be better on the court. The Raptors (24-10) are third in the NBAs Eastern Conference behind first-place Atlanta and Chicago. In DeRozans absence, theyve plummetted from ninth place in the league defensively to 28th. Coach Dwane Casey said he had hoped to see DeRozan back Thursday — fingers crossed, toes crossed — but agrees with the decision to play it safe. He looks good in practice, but just for his safety and his future health, and his career, were going to be prudent as far as making sure we go at the right pace, bring him back at the right time, and its the right thing to do, Casey said. I know it kills him because hes champing at the bit, but Ive seen so many players have this same injury in their career, and you think youre back, but if those fibres have not grown back and matured in the right way, the least little torque could pull it out and hes out the rest of the year. So we want to be smart. DeRozan, who is averaging 19.4 points and 4.2 rebounds a game, rejoined practice last week, but said he would like about seven under his belt before stepping into a game. I think its bigger than me, he said. And, besides the last couple games the team lost, theyve been playing well. They have their rhythm and like I said, I dont just want to hop back out there. Theres a lot of new plays they put in that Ive still got to get down pat — plays for (Terrence Ross), plays for Kyle (Lowry) . . . So I want to make sure I get all that down pat before I come back. DeRozan had kind words for Lowry, who was named the Eastern Conference player of the month for December. Hes been amazing, man, honestly, DeRozan said. I cant even say words that can explain how hes been playing. He definitely took the team on his back. DeRozan said its been funny to watch Lowry running plays that would normally be his. Hes playing my position, so next game, every play he runs is my play. . . Just tell him, stop running my plays, DeRozan said. It kind of (makes) me happy though. . . but I tell them One thing yall cant do is get to the free throw line. The Raptors are averaging about seven fewer free throw attempts per game without DeRozan. His value in getting to the free throw line is one of those lessons that he said has really sunk in, watching his team from the sidelines. Especially in late-game situations with the game going too fast, I understand youve got to get to the free throw line, slow down the momentum, try to switch the momentum to our end, DeRozan said. DeRozan will rejoin the Raptors right before the balloting for the NBA all-star game concludes. He believes he and Lowry would have both been all-stars if not for his injury, but is certain Lowry will be named to the East team. Lowry was fourth among Eastern Conference guards on the most recent balloting. Hes in there. If he dont get in there with votes, hell get in there no matter what, DeRozan said, in reference to the fact coaches vote in the reserves. Hes been snubbed a couple of times in his career. I know hes in there so I dont need to send a vote or nothing. I know hes going to be in there. 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Durant finished with 24 points and 13 rebounds, Jackson matched his career high with 23 points on 10-of-14 shooting and Lamb scored 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting, lifting the Thunder to a 94-88 win over San Antonio and snapping the Spurs 11-game winning streak.SUNDERLAND, England -- Premier League team Sunderland says it has signed goalkeeper Costel Pantillimon for four years on a free transfer. The 27-year-old Pantillimon, who has played 18 times for Romania, will officially join Sunderland on July 1 after his contract expires at English champion Manchester City. Pantillimon says that "when I left Manchester City, it was important that I chose a club with good ambition .dddddddddddd... after speaking with the boss (Gus Poyet), I knew this was the right place." He made 29 appearances for City in three years and replaced Joe Hart for two months in the 2013-14 season when Englands first-choice goalkeeper had a loss of form. Sunderland announced the move on its website. ' ' '