The Raptors have shown at times this year a penchant for playing well one night and wretchedly the next. They give up far too many points -- 265 in a two-game trip to Texas -- but turned in passable efforts in wins over Cleveland, Detroit and New Orleans. The trouble is that when they break down, they really break down. And until they get some consistency of effort, the problems are going to exist and the rollercoaster right will continue.
Against Orlando over a week ago, Toronto's inability to close out on shooters allowed the Magic to shoot at will and uncontested from beyond the three-point arc. They were hammered on the boards by San Antonio this week and will face a difficult rebounding task against the big Clippers in their next game Friday. Los Angeles has its issues, but it does compete on the boards and that plays directly into a Toronto weakness.
"It's got to be five guys on the defensive glass. If you're a small, you've got to go take out a wing," is how coach Jay Triano puts it.
RAPTORS 99, BULLS 89: Toronto held Chicago to just 29 second-half points with some stifling defense to pull away for the win. The Bulls shot just 3-for-21 from the field in the fourth quarter and Toronto held them without a field goal for a nearly nine-minute stretch. Chris Bosh tallied 28 points and added 11 rebounds and Jose Calderon added 18 points and six assists in the victory.
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