LOS ANGELES It is certainly not wise to discount the strategic decisions made in Raptors games, because exploiting matchups and changing defences and knocking down the odd shot to keep opponents honest are without a doubt vital aspects.
But if there is one lesson that’s become even clearer in a somewhat stunning and equally impressive sweep of games in Denver and Phoenix, it is this: The Raptors win big games because they play hard, they roll with the ups and downs within each game, and they believe in themselves and the abilities of everyone up and down the roster.