Right now, though, they seem to have things going their way and it's given them a little swagger, which is just what they need in the season's final seven weeks.

"There's a difference between losing a game and making a team go beat you," coach Sam Mitchell said. "What you want to do in professional sports is make someone beat you. Losing you can beat yourself; you want to make someone, 'hey, they have to play one of their best games to beat you,' and that's the kind of attitude you want to have."

That's the kind of attitude the Raptors have lacked. And in the last two games, while they haven't played particularly well, they've been able to escape with wins.

RAPTORS 107, TIMBERWOLVES 85: Despite a so-so defensive effort, Toronto rattled off another win last night, pulling away for their fifth victory in the last six outings.

And with games coming up against the struggling Indiana Pacers on Friday and Charlotte Bobcats on Sunday, there's a sense that this is the time for the Raptors to make their move.

Knowing a three-game road trip looms beginning with the date in Charlotte and a five-gamer out West awaits in early March, there is a sense of urgency around the team.

While they didn't show it much Wednesday night -- they allowed Minnesota far too many easy baskets -- the end result was what they needed.

Chris Bosh had 14 of his 28 points in what turned out to be the decisive third quarter, when the Raptors outscored Minnesota 33-22 to take command. Toss in 12 points from Andrea Bargnani and once again the Raptors' frontcourt widely outplayed the opposition as Minnesota's Al Jefferson and Ryan Gomes combined for 28 points but couldn't stop the Raptors.