Raptors Report Week 21: Bucks Out of Reach, Heat as Well?

Well, they are playing better. With urgency? No, but better.

Chris Bosh has been playing with less urgency, he's been a lot less aggressive, and he hasn't been clutch when the team needs it.

Jay Triano's philosophy of "letting the team play through it" has to stop.

The Raptors beat the Timberwolves for their lone win of this week by six points. That was too close for my liking, since the T'Wolves made a huge push in the fourth quarter and almost came back.

Next game, against the Utah Jazz, it was a blowout. That's all you need to know.

In the game against the Nuggets, the Raptors actually played quite well. They led for most of the second half, but key screw-ups down the stretch led to yet another loss.

Their next game against the Heat, arguably the most important game of our season, was nearly identical. The Raptors were winning the whole game, and then a fourth quarter collapse screwed them over.

Now the question is: What's next? Is the season over?

No, but it could be in a hurry if they don't step it up, starting tomorrow with a huge game against the Bobcats.

The Raptors need some losses from the Bobcats and they have to start winning. The Bulls are only a half game back from the Raptors as well, so if they want to keep a playoff spot, there's only one remedy: winning.

They still have enough time left to claim the seventh seed, they just need a little help. It all starts with the leader, Chris Bosh.

Record: 1-3

Performance on a Scale of 1-10: 5.5

Positives

For the most part, the Raptors played some pretty good basketball this week, with the exception of the fourth quarter. But hey, who cares about that? Oh, and Andrea Bargnani has stopped being lazy.

Negatives

Late collapses, too much shooting, too little coaching. It all builds up as the Raptors are still in a freefall and need to go on a major winning streak to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Overall, this week could have been a whole lot better if Carmelo Anthony missed that shot, and if Chris Bosh came through down the stretch. The Raptors control their own fate, starting Monday night against the Bobcats.

GO RAPS!