Effort.

The system they're playing -- shrinking the court, protecting the paint and trying to contest jump shots -- isn't rocket science, and until the players want to work consistently, they will remained mired near the bottom of any measuring system. It's a fact not lost on coach Jay Triano.

"There's nothing wrong with the system," he said. "It's about being in stance, it's about committing to a solid effort every single possession, and I think we're a fair-weather team. When things are going well offensively, we really buy in at the defensive end."

That fair-weather assessment is dead on. While good teams often thrive off their defense, the Raptors seem to be exactly the opposite. If they're making shots, they're more engaged in the game. Their minds tend to wander if they aren't scoring.

And, luckily for them, they are one of the highest-scoring teams in the league, which has allowed them to stay in touch with the middle echelon of the NBA's Eastern Conference.

RAPTORS 120, HEAT 113: Jarrett Jack made two huge 3-pointers in the final two minutes as Toronto avoided blowing a 23-point lead. Chris Bosh added 29 points and Andrea Bargnani 24 for Toronto, which won despite committing 20 turnovers.