Game Notes | NBA.com Preview | Last Game: Cavs 96, Raptors 100

TORONTO (CP) — The Toronto Raptors had every reason to blow Sunday’s game.

Short-handed and tired after travelling through the night following Friday’s crushing loss in Los Angeles, coach Dwane Casey told his team at halftime he wouldn’t accept any excuses.

The Raptors listened, with Amir Johnson leading the way with 17 points and a career-tying 16 rebounds, to rally from a 17-point deficit to top the Cleveland Cavaliers 100-96

“It was like day and night, and I expected it just because of the schedule,” Casey said of the Raptors’ horrible first ...

Amir Johnson sits down with me prior to Raptors vs. Cavaliers at ACC (7PM, SNET1, FAN590).

Game Notes | NBA.com Preview | Last Game: Raptors 116 Suns 118 (OT)

Remember, you can always send us questions for the next edition of ‘Ask Jack’ via twitter by including #RTZAsks.

LOS ANGELES (CP) — Kobe Bryant’s steely determination never wavers. It’s his 34-year-old body he sometimes wonders about.

He skipped pre-game shootaround because his shoulders were tight, and he was feeling weary in overtime.

But Bryant found enough energy to hit the tying 3-pointer with 5 seconds to play in regulation, then dunked for the go-ahead basket with 10 seconds left in the extra session, helping the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Toronto Raptors 118-116 on Friday night for their second straight come-from-behind win.

They rallied from 25 points down to beat ...

Game Notes | NBA.com Preview | Last Game: Raptors 98 Suns 71

Fresh off the Raptors’ win over the Suns in game three of their four-game road trip, the team held practice on the campus of UCLA on Thursday as they prepared for the Lakers on Friday in Staples Center.

Head coach Dwane Casey continued to laud his team’s defensive approach in Phoenix, but readily admitted that Friday’s meeting with a Lakers team battling for a playoff berth will be a completely different animal.

Sebastian Telfair had his first significant minutes as a Raptor against his former team in Phoenix and made the most ...

PHOENIX (CP) — Sebastian Telfair had some extra incentive in his return to Phoenix for the first time since the Suns traded him to Toronto last month.

Telfair, who had played in only one game with the Raptors, scored 13 points to help Toronto cruise to a 98-71 win over Phoenix on Wednesday night.

“I love playing in Phoenix,” Telfair said. “I love the city, the fans. I learned a lot here and grew as a person. But I had to leave my kids. My kids are back here in school ...

Game Notes | NBA.com Preview | Last Game: Raptors 118 Warriors 125