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Quietly, the Toronto Raptors are closing in on the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference

They do things differently in Toronto.

When it’s time for NBA public-address announcers to introduce the starting lineup before games, the Raptors don’t wait to hear their names called. The starters simply huddle up for a quick chat while their backups gather a few feet away and use a basketball to play volleyball — bumping and setting it to each other before someone spikes a dunk.

They’re laughing. They’re loose. And they don’t mind if few are noticing.

These are happy times for the Toronto Raptors, who kept their stars and coach together even after a string of playoff flameouts and are seeing that continuity rewarded.