Raptors zone in on playoff-ready defence

BOSTON—As the Toronto Raptors fine-tune themselves for the push to the NBA playoffs, they are finding a comfort level with — and a trust in — all the add-ons coach Nick Nurse likes to have in his defensive schemes.

Much of the first half of the season — which went swimmingly for the team with the best record in the NBA — was spent trying to get as consistent with their basic approach as is possible.

Raptors Serge Ibaka, left, and Danny Green gave Indiana’s Domantas Sabonis no room to work under the rim when the teams met in early January.The time is now to find that same comfort level with the extras the team is putting in. Whether it’s more zone defence or the odd double-team or some subtle…