If the Raptors are going to get to where they want to go, their next outing will be a good, stern test. Despite a less than stellar record of 11-15, Toronto still considers itself right in there with the second tier of Eastern Conference teams behind Boston, Orlando, Cleveland and Atlanta. Going into Miami on Tuesday presents a perfect opportunity to make a statement not only to the Heat but to themselves.
Toronto's beaten Miami once already this season, a relatively easy win earlier this year, and if they can get any kind of defensive effort, they could very well get another.
The Raptors match up very well with the Heat; Chris Bosh seems to always play well against former teammate Jermaine O'Neal, Andrea Bargnani stretches defenses and if they can just limit Dwyane Wade's effectiveness, they could be okay.
But with the Raptors, the only thing you know is that you never know. Showing prolonged consistency is not one of their strong traits and until they do, their hopes of being legitimate contenders for the wide-open fifth seed will remain nothing but a pipe dream.
RAPTORS 101, ROCKETS 88: Toronto held Houston to 37 percent shooting from the field and 3-for-24 from three-point range. Chris Bosh was 11-for-19 from the field and Jarrett Jack flirted with a triple-double with 17 points, eight eight assists and eight rebounds, one off his career high as Toronto won for the fourth time in its last six games.
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