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TORONTO -- DeMar DeRozan had clearly been itching for the start of the regular season. Like so many other veterans, he had to grind his way through exhibition games in training camp, gradually moving from 11 points in his first preseason game, to 15, to 20 and finally to 34 in the final warm-up game last week.His patience was rewarded Wednesday night as the Olympic gold medalist had 40 points in the Toronto Raptors 109-91 season-opening victory over the Detroit Pistons, his third career 40-point outing and just two off his career high.Preseason (stunk), he said. But youve got to do it and now the real deal is here and youre just trying to catch a rhythm.DeRozan made a career-high 17 field goals on 27 shots and was a perfect 6 for 6 from the free throw line, while Jonas Valanciunas was 10 for 15 from the field to go along with 11 rebounds. Valanciunas previous career high was 31, also against the Pistons, on Jan. 12, 2015.According to Elias Sports Bureau, the duo became the first teammates in NBA history with a 40-point game and a 30-point game in a season opener. DeRozan also broke Vince Carters opening-night franchise record of 39 points, set against the-then New Jersey Nets in 2003.I never keep track, DeRozan said of his record-breaking exploits. Somebody always informs me after the game.Valanciunas also played down his accomplishment, despite registering his second career 30-point game, as the Raptors led from the 5:13 mark of the first quarter and never looked back.Eighty-one games to go, he said. We should not get too excited; this is just the start.Tobias Harris had 22 points and Marcus Morris had 17 points and nine rebounds for the Pistons, who lost for the eighth time in their last 11 games against Toronto.Coach Stan Van Gundy was particularly irked with his teams defensive play in losing their season opener for the fifth time in seven years, especially the fact that Detroit was outrebounded 51-40. It didnt help that center Andre Drummond left the court after getting elbowed in the jaw by Valanciunas early in the first quarter, though he later returned.The rebounding was a major concern, he said. (Giving up) 54 points in the paint was a major concern and 29 free throw attempts, so that just means the team took it right at you.TIP-INSPistons: Henry Ellenson, Detroits first-round draft pick last June (18th overall) went scoreless in 2:10 of play, while second-round selection Michael Gbinije (49th overall), had two points in 2:10.Raptors: C Lucas Nogueira (ankle) sat out. . DeRozan started his franchise-record eighth straight season opener, breaking a tie with Carter. . First-round draft pick Jakob Poeltl became the first Austrian to play in the NBA. He finished with two points in 12:47 of court time. . Oct. 26 is the earliest date that Toronto has ever had a home opener. . The Raptors are 13-9 on opening night and have won four straight.HE SAID ITIts one thing to watch somebody on TV and see what he does every single night and actually being there and seeing how effortless it was. It was amazing, he was just getting to his spots, shooting over people and its like, `How does he do that?Rookie Pascal Siakam, drafted 27th overall in June, on the play of DeRozan. Siakam became the first Toronto rookie to start a season opener since Valanciunas in 2012, and rose to the occasion, hauling in nine rebounds to go along with four points in 21 minutes.UNITED NATIONSWith the draft-day additions of Poeltl (Austria) and Siakam (Cameroon), Torontos roster has players representing five countries other than the United States. Valanciunas (Lithuania), Cory Joseph (Canada), Nogueira and Bruno Caboclo (Brazil) round out the group. In their 21 seasons, the Raptors have had players representing 16 countries.ANOTHER DIMENSIONEvery fan at the Air Canada Centre was given a pair of 3D glasses. As the Raptors opened their season some of the players were jumping out of the Jumbotron to highlight some of the more spectacular plays from last season.UP NEXTPistons: Host Orlando on Friday in their home opener. Van Gundy is 6-1 against his former team since taking charge in Detroit.Raptors: Host Cleveland on Friday in an early season rematch of last years Eastern Conference Finals, won by the Cavaliers in six games. Cheap Throwback Jerseys .875,000, avoiding arbitration. Clippards deal Monday means all eight Nationals players who filed for arbitration wound up settling before a hearing. Wholesale Jerseys Free Shipping . Brett Kulak and Jackson Houck of the Vancouver Giants were each charged with assault causing bodily harm on Aug. 18, according to the B.C. court services. http://www.cheapjerseysdiscount.com/ . The 18th player to shoot 60 on the tour, Jamieson settled for par on the final hole when his 15-foot birdie chip grazed the edge of the hole and stayed out. After opening with rounds of 66 and 73 to make the cut by a stroke, he had 11 birdies in the bogey-free round. Cheap Jerseys .com) - The women will also have a new champion at the Australian Open. Jerseys Outlet . John Tavares, Thomas Vanek and Kyle Okposo were also being counted on to slow down sizzling Rangers forward Rick Nash. That plan didnt go so well early.VANCOUVER -- The Vancouver Whitecaps will be without their top central defender Saturday when they host the New England Revolution. Whitecaps coach Martin Rennie said Tuesday he does not expect Andy OBrien to play. OBrien suffered a hamstring injury in a weekend loss at Seattle, and remains out indefinitely. His absence leaves the Whitecaps with a shortage at central defender due to injuries. Captain Jay DeMerit (ruptured Achilles) is out indefinitely while Brad Rusin (calf) is at least two weeks away from returning, and Carlyle Mitchell, recalled from lower-tier Edmonton, is recuperating from an ankle injury. "Its just the timing," Rennie of the impact of the injuries. "Its unfortunate that theyre all hurt at the same time. Ive never really seen that. In recent times, there was one or two players in similar positions. "But to lose four is tough. Its hard to deal with." OBriens injury resulted two days after the Whitecaps traded versatile veteran Alain Rochat, who has experience playing central defender, to D.C. United for a pair of draft picks. Rennie said an MRI showed that OBriens injury "doesnt seem too major," but there is no timeline for his return. Mitchell, who described himself as 75- to 80-per-cent fit, is the most likely candidate to replace OBrien. "His ankle seems to be getting stronger, so thats an encouraging thing for us," said Rennie. "Obviously, weve got a lot of players out at that particular position. So there could be an opportunity for him. Hopefully, hell come through this week well, and hell be ready to go." Mitchell, a 25-year-old Trinidad and Tobago native who has represented his country internationally, played at total of five games for Vancouver in 2011 and 2012, but was loaned to Edmonton at the start of the season in order to get more playing time. He expressed a willingness to play hurt, if necessary. The Whitecaps (4-5-4) sit seventh inn the Western Conference while the Revolution, 5-4-5 before Wednesdays home game against New York, are also below the playoff bar in the East.dddddddddddd "Its a big challenge stepping in this weekend," Mitchell said. "But its all about three points (for a win), and Ill do anything to get three points, so the injury doesnt matter now." But the Whitecaps will be hard-pressed to replace OBriens experience, leadership and calm, steady play. He has quarterbacked the back line, barking out instructions to teammates to get in the proper position while playing every game this season and starting all but one. Mitchell is expected to play alongside an unfamiliar partner in fellow central defender Johnny Leveron, a Honduran international who has recently established a place in the lineup as a result of Rusins injuries. Rusin suffered a concussion before hurting his calf. Rennie said Mitchell, whom Edmonton coach Colin Miller has described as his best player, can also be vocal if called upon. But, Rennie added, it will be necessary for players in all positions to communicate effectively without OBrien directing the play. The Whitecaps were leading the Sounders 2-1 in the second half before more than 53,000 fans at CenturyLink Field when OBriens injury turned the tables in favour of the home side. His replacement, Greg Klazura, committed a foul as a result of sloppy tackling in the Vancouver box, enabling Seattle to tie the game 2-2 on a penalty-kick. And another defensive breakdown by Leveron and Klazura led to Seattles winning goal from short range. Vancouver striker Kenny Miller said OBriens injury spells a "huge loss," because he has been a "real presence" thanks to his experience and defensive qualities. Somebody will have to step up to fill the void, and Mitchell has a chance to claim a permanent position. "Its about somebody coming in with a charge," said Miller. ' ' '