National Sports

TORONTO — In the wild, unpredictable NBA Eastern Conference semifinal between the Toronto Raptors and Philadelphia 76ers, the team that seems to take control of the series in one game ends up getting humbled in the next.

TORONTO — The Toronto Raptors will play an advance-or-be-eliminated contest for the seventh time in franchise history on Sunday when they face the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 7 of their Eastern Conference semifinal at Scotiabank Arena.

Karen Paquin helped Canada hoist a trophy in Japan last month in her return from a long-term knee injury. Now the 31-year-old from Quebec City looks to do the same on home soil. Langford, B.C.

OTTAWA — The Ottawa Senators have signed Swedish defenceman Olle Alsing to a two-year, entry-level contract.

BEIJING — Canadian teams won seven of eight games on Friday at the Curling World Cup Grand Final, setting the country up nicely heading into the final two days of the competition.

PORTLAND, Ore. — The shots were finally falling for Damian Lillard.

Thursday's Games NHL Playoffs Conference Finals Boston 5 Carolina 2 (Bruins lead series 1-0) --- NBA Playoffs Second Round Philadelphia 112 Toronto 101 (Series tied 3-3) Portland 119 Denver 108 (Series tied 3-3) --- MLB American League Cleveland 5 Ch

PHILADELPHIA — The Raptors arrived in Philly on the heels of their biggest playoff victory in franchise history. A spot in the Eastern Conference finals was just 48 minutes away. It almost felt like a sure thing.

BOSTON — The door to the visiting team's penalty box had scarcely slammed shut before the official was opening it again for another Carolina Hurricanes player to serve his punishment. Penalty. Goal. Penalty. Goal.

When the Prince Albert Raiders return to Saskatchewan this weekend, they'll either be carrying a trophy or have a chance to win one in front of an adoring home crowd.