For one Magic moment, the Raptors had the look of a team capable of making stops down the stretch and knocking down key jumpers.
For one magical afternoon, the Raptors looked like a team that was mentally tough. In what is surely the team's biggest win of the season, the Raptors executed at both ends in crunch time, were sparked by Roko Ukic's energy and rode Anthony Parker's hot shooting hand en route to beating the Orlando Magic 108-102.
ENCOURAGING
It was a quality win against a quality opponent, an encouraging sign that perhaps the Raptors have turned an important corner.
"We have to bring the same intensity, the same focus on defence and keep moving the ball on the offensive end,'' Chris Bosh said.
"We have to have the belief in our hearts that we can play with the best in the NBA."
There's plenty of work ahead, but in winning back-to-back games against Houston and Orlando, Toronto showed a work ethic that has often gone missing.
Both Jose Calderon (hamstring) and Jermaine O'Neal (knee) were no-gos, but several players stepped up.
The win, while deserving, does little to scuttle the rumours that continue to circulate and percolate.
But as the league waits to see what move GM Bryan Colangelo makes, the team's two-game winning streak has at least raised the stock of some players.
Parker came through with a much-needed break-out game, scoring a season-high 26 points.
Joey Graham showed a toughness by banging with Dwight Howard, an assignment he wanted.
Without Calderon, Ukic and Will Solomon combined for 38 points and 11 assists.
On an afternoon of many big shots, none was bigger than Ukic's running one-hander in the lane that sealed the deal with 38.1 ticks remaining.
The Raptors have given up seven double-digit leads this season, second highest in the NBA, and seemed poised to blow their eighth.
But instead of wilt, the team willed their way in the game's final 12 minutes.
"It's a sign of us maturing a little bit,'' coach Jay Triano said.
"Maybe it was a little bit of a character builder. The last two games at home we've been playing with a lot of confidence and I think it all stems from the intensity."
Down the stretch, the Raptors were forcing misses, controlling the glass and showing flashes of being a good team.
