In the midst of an eight-game losing streak, Leafs assistant GM Dave Poulin was adamant that the teams recent struggles have been an outlier and that a spell of inconsistency over the span of 13 days would not cause Toronto management to alter their course. “This is 13 days," Poulin said. "Its remarkable. Its eight games in 13 days, thats what all this has taken place in. Weve been working at this for four-plus years – youre not going to let 13 days change that. A lot of good things have happened as well and a lot of good things are going in the right direction. “Its not necessarily systematic breakdowns, its individual breakdowns,” Poulin said, noting the Leafs still have “a good hockey team and weve played really well at points” and just need “to win a hockey game and get a little momentum.” Asked whether the Torontos collapse could have been predicted due to their poor defensive play -- most notably with their issues related to shot differential and possession numbers -- Poulin remained skeptical, saying that despite playing better during the losing streak, they simply havent gotten any results. “I dont think it is,” Poulin said, backing up his comments by saying he thought teams were shooting more on the Leafs because they know the team gives up a high number of shots. In reference to whether he thought the teams leadership should be called into question considering veteran players like Tyler Bozak, Joffrey Lupul, Phil Kessel and Dion Phaneuf have been present for what could be the third straight year Toronto has finished the season on the heels of a disastrous collapse, Poulin said management, “may have to very well evaluate it,” but thought this season is an outlier. “I dont see a similarity between a seventh game and three-to-four minutes in the last stretch of the game to an eight game losing streak.” Poulin said when asked about the comparison between this years team and Torontos three-goal meltdown in the third period of Game 7 versus the Bruins. In terms of the criticism Dion Phaneuf has received, Poulin said the team needs to build around the Leaf captain. “We evaluate it, but we also try to build around him,” Poulin said, relating Phaneufs situation to his own career in Philadelphia. Fjallraven Kanken Outlet Store . -- Thirty years ago, the Detroit Pistons beat the Denver Nuggets 186-184 in triple overtime, a game that remains the highest scoring in NBA history. Fjallraven Kanken Classic Black . The 23-year-old Neustaedter will move at the end of the season when his contract with Moenchengladbach expires. He signed a four-year deal with Schalke. http://www.fjallravenkankencheap.com/. - Mike Zimmer has brought a demanding style to the Minnesota Vikings. Fjallraven Kanken Big Backpack Cheap . Trailing by a goal after 20 minutes of play, Joe Pavelski responded with three goals and an assist as the Sharks snapped a two-game losing skid with a 5-2 victory over the struggling Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday. Fjallraven Kanken Mini Sale . This game was inside. Adrian Peterson was missing. The stage was set for another step toward the playoffs.BOSTON -- San Antonio came into Boston missing three key players. Fortunately for the Spurs, Tim Duncan wasnt among them. Duncan scored 23 of his 25 points in the second half, powering the injury-depleted Spurs to a 104-92 win over the Celtics on Wednesday night. "More than anything, Tim led the way for us as he has for 16 or 17 years," coach Gregg Popovich said about his team pulling away in the final quarter. Marco Belinelli added 16 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists for the Spurs, who were without guards Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili and forward Tiago Splitter -- all sidelined with injuries. Coming off a first half when he went 1 for 4 from the floor, Duncan scored 11 points on 4-of-9 shooting in the third to help San Antonio open a 71-66 lead after three. "I started out the second half the exact same way and finally got some to fall," he said. "They kept coming to me and I just put it in the hole. There wasnt anything I changed, anything I saw." Boris Diaw added 18 points and Duncan grabbed nine rebounds to lead the Spurs to their fifth win in seven games. "Hes had that same demeanour since Day 1 when he arrived," Popovich said of Duncan. "He doesnt get excited about wins. He doesnt get down about losses. He just loves to compete and he keeps a real steady attitude, which everybody kind of feeds off in a way." First-year Boston coach Brad Stevens thought Duncan decided to take command more after halftime. "He changed," Stevens said. "I mean, he went back to being really aggressive on the blocks. I thought in the first half we did a really good job on a couple of catches that he did have down on the block, but he kind of put (them) on his shoulders. He wasnt going to be denied -- and we dont have great matchups for him. Theres not many great matchups for him in the NBA or in the world." Rajon Rondo led Boston with 16 points and Kris Humphries and rookie Kelly Olynyk had 15 apiece. The Celtics fell to 4-18 against Western Conference teams. Duncan scored 12 points and was 5 of 6 from the floor in the fourth. "He is arguably oone of the best power forwards of all time, and hes doing it at 38," Humphries said.dddddddddddd Boston was minus guard Avery Bradley, who was sidelined with a sprained right ankle. After the Celtics scored the first points of the fourth quarter on a jumper by Humphries, San Antonio went on a 12-4 run. The Spurs went 6 of 8 to start the period, keyed by Danny Greens 3 from the left corner that made it 79-70 with just under 10 minutes to play. After a foul-line jumper by Humphries, Duncan had consecutive baskets, the second a jumper that pushed the Spurs lead to 85-74 with 8:06 left. San Antonio broke it open with a 11-0 run midway into the quarter that was capped by Belinellis 3-pointer with 4 minutes left. The Spurs used a 9-2 run late in the third and opened their five-point lead heading into the fourth. Duncan didnt score his first points until a basket late in the first half. The Celtics went on a 12-0 run, bridging the end of the first quarter and the start of the second to pull to their first lead of the game, 26-25, on Phil Presseys 3-pointer. San Antonio led 48-44 at halftime. NOTES: Stevens said Bradley re-sprained the ankle that cost him five games at the end of January. Stevens said he could be out after the All-Star break. ... Before the game, Stevens praised the Spurs ability to overcome the loss of players due to injuries. "I think some of the most inspiring basketball Ive ever watched is when they dont have all their players," he said. ... The Spurs played their sixth game of a nine-game road trip that will carry over the break with the final three. Boston opens the post-break schedule with a four-game trip, starting against Phoenix next Wednesday. ... Hall of Famer Bill Russell turned 80 Wednesday. ... San Antonio beat Boston at home on Nov. 20, 104-93 in the only other meeting this season. ... Ginobili has a tight left hamstring and missed his eighth straight. Splitter was out for his third consecutive because of a bruised right shin and Parker was sidelined with lower back tightness. ... Stevens said Boston F Jared Sullinger played just 18 1/2 minutes because he was "sick." ' ' '