After a huge win Friday over Boston, Dwane Casey was clearly holding in a bit of pleasure at his team’s defensive intensity. He praised the intensity his new additions, Serge Ibaka and PJ Tucker, had brought to the team — but kept bringing it back to the need for continued effort from the entire team. Three games back of Boston for second place, there’s obviously no time for the Raptors to be pleased with themselves. There’s 24 games left and they have to make some hay.
That’s a feeling the Portland Trail Blazers know pretty well.