TORONTO -- The Toronto Raptors gave all-stars DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry another day off Thursday.
While the Raptors returned from the eight-day NBA all-star break with a practice Wednesday night, coach Dwane Casey permitted DeRozan and Lowry to miss both that practice and Thursday's.
Casey said DeRozan was delayed from rejoining the team because of a funeral, and Lowry because of travel issues.
Their absence comes while the Raptors were working a new player -- forward Serge Ibaka -- into the team.
Ibaka was acquired last week in the trade that sent Terrence Ross to Orlando.
DeRozan, who is averaging 35.5 minutes a game this season, and Lowry, who is logging 37.7 minutes a night, made their third all-star appearances last week in New Orleans.
The Raptors host the Boston Celtics on Friday.
