Five factors that could put the Raptors back in first before the season is done

The Star | February 18, 2019

Everyone calmed down and rested up?

The NBA trade deadline has come and gone, the all-star break is about half over and the sprint to the playoffs begins in earnest later this week.

Raptors guard Jeremy Lin, left, and centre Marc Gasol, the latest additions to the Toronto rotation, will need every minute they can get to familiarize themselves with their new teammates before the playoffs.

For the Raptors, there are 23 games left before things start to get really real and there are some things they have to tidy up.

The 43-16 record is the best the team has ever at this point in a season and the franchise record of 59 wins, set just last season, is definitely in peril.