Raps Snap Skid By Crushing Grizzlies

The Raptors were one of the hottest teams in the NBA during the month of February, but when March rolled around a three-game losing streak was there waiting for them.

In fact it was a run of four losses in five games that had many in Raptors Nation more than a little concerned. But thanks to a 94-87 win over the lowly Memphis Grizzlies Wednesday night, those fears can be allayed, at least for now.

Despite playing on the second night of a dreaded back-to-back, the Raps made short work of the NBA’s worst team, quickly collapsing a 10-0 hole they found themselves in to start the game.

By the fourth quarter Toronto’s lead was 25, though the Grizzlies did finish the game on an 18-0 run while the Raps failed to score in the last six minutes.

Surprise, surprise, all-star Chris Bosh led the way for Toronto with 19 points and nine rebounds.

But on Spanish Night at the Air Canada Centre it was all about Toronto ‘s European contingent – actually led by Italian Andrea Bargnani with 18 points – who easily outshone Memphis ‘ star Spaniard Pau Gasol (pictured).

Toronto ‘s Spanish star – point guard Jose Calderon – also had another banner game, dropping 11 points to go with nine assists.

Meanwhile, newest Raptor Juan Dixon continued his strong play since joining Toronto , finishing with 17 while starting in place of injured guard Anthony Parker who missed his fifth straight game with a sprained right ankle.

But the best news is that the tired Raptors now get a much-needed break, and don’t see action again until the Seattle Sonics visit on Sunday.

And w ith the win, Toronto stretched their lead over the New Jersey Nets in the Atlantic Division to 4.5 games.

The Raps were one of the hottest teams in the league heading into last month’s all-star break, but started off March with their longest losing streak since December, with three ugly losses against Milwaukee , Cleveland and Washington .

Still, coach Sam Mitchell said before the game there was no panic on the club.

“We’ve been through this,” Mitchell said. “That’s the ebb and flow of the NBA.

“You have stretches where you play really well, you have stretches where you do certain things well and other things you don’t. You go back and draw on those experiences. You go back and remind your team, we’ve been here before, and we fought our way out of it.”