Raptors’ mad scientist uncorks winning formula, for starters

The willingness of Toronto Raptors coach Nick Nurse to deviate from accepted NBA practice and mix and match his team’s starting lineup depending on what he sees as advantageous matchups is being noticed around the league.

And the coach and his players are being lauded for accepting it so well.

Jonas Valanciunas and Serge Ibaka have formed a two-headed monster at centre for the Raptors — a matchup nightmare for NBA opponents so far this season.“I tell you, it does say something about your team when you can do that, and it’s a positive statement,” Doc Rivers of the Los Angeles Clippers said this week. “If you have a group of guys, eight or nine even, that are willing to do that and there’s no…