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. Johnathan Abram Jersey . 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. Cheap Raiders Jerseys . -- Sami Salo joked that as the shootout went on and on, one thing went through his mind: "Youve got to tie up your skates. Charles Woodson Jersey . The seventh-ranked Berdych wants to focus on the ATP Tour after helping the Czechs beat the Netherlands in the first round. Seeking their third straight Davis Cup title, the Czechs will rely again on veteran Radek Stepanek. http://www.cheapraidersjerseysauthentic.com/ . Chris Heisey connected for his first grand slam and Devin Mesoraco homered and drove in a career high-tying four runs as Cincinnati took advantage of Tampa Bays depleted pitching staff for a 12-4 victory on Sunday.Winnipeg Goldeyes manager Rick Forney announced today the signing of catcher Jordan Guida and right-handed pitcher Christian Garcia to contracts for the 2014 season. Guida, 25, saw limited action in 42 games with the Goldeyes last season. He hit .184 in 38 at-bats and registered an RBI. He didnt register enough at-bats to accumulate a year of service, so he remains a first-year rookie in the American Association. “Hes a really good rookie,” Forney said. “Unfortunately the way our roster evolved last year, we didnt get him nearly enough playing time as I would have liked. He has the ability to be a really good catcher. He has good hands, a really strong throwing arm, good feet behind the plate and really does a good job of calling games. Offensively, I think he has a lot of pop and some extra-base hit potential. We look forward to see him in camp again this year.” Guida was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Detroit Tigers in 2012 and played the second half of that season in their system. Garcia, 22, played most of lasst season in the Houston Astros organization at the Rookie level with Greeneville of the Appalachian League. John Matuszak Jersey. He went 2-1 with a 5.85 ERA in 16 appearances with Greeneville and had two scoreless appearances with Class A Short Season Tri-City of the New York/Penn League. “He came highly recommended from an agent,” Forney said. “He has a powerful arm, anywhere from 91-94 MPH. Were looking for some younger guys to help fill out our pitching staff. Were hopeful he can come in and solidify a spot on the team. He can start and relieve. Well get a good look at him in training camp and determine where he fits best on our roster.” A 29th round selection by the Astros in the 2012 MLB amateur draft, Garcia played the last two seasons in their system at the Rookie and Class A Short Season levels. Winnipeg has also released pitchers Mark Hardy and Patrick Keating, who have retired from professional baseball. The Goldeyes now have 20 players signed for the 2014 season, including nine pitchers and 11 position players. 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