The AltRaps Blog

globesports.com: Two reasons to be optimistic
If the Raptors intend to build some momentum, they need to take care of a struggling Cleveland team, then come home on Sunday and do the same thing with the Bulls. It’s a perfect opportunity to step on some Eastern Conference rivals when they’re down, a habit for winning teams.

There are two promising indicators that it might happen.

Suddenly, Bosh has returned to form. Through the first 10 games of the season, he was a watered-down version of his all-star self, and the Raptors’ attack reflected it. When Bosh is on the floor, the ball has to go through him. But when your primary option is hitting more iron than mesh, and making more turnovers than dunks, too many possessions are wasted, particularly against good teams.

But Bosh’s average line in his past two starts — 26.5 points and 16.5 rebounds on 55.6-per-cent shooting — suggests he’s found his legs. When fit and healthy, he’s capable of playing at that kind of level for weeks. If that’s the space he’s in, he can carry the Raptors over the hump, around the corner or wherever it is they need to go.

The second factor is Jamario Moon, who in a few weeks has transformed himself from a training-camp curiosity to the Raptors’ 15th man to a spot starter to an essential cog. He is averaging 35 minutes a game over his past three starts on the basis of his ability to play the passing lanes, grab defensive rebounds and match up with the endless train of big, gifted wings on opposing rosters.

He’ll get a chance to make a further impression when he faces off against the Cavaliers’ LeBron James tomorrow and the Bulls’ Luol Deng on Sunday.