The Raptors have been on that hard-knock life this season. They've found miserable ways to lose over and over, succumbing in a wide variety of heartbreaking ways. But on Friday night vs. Phoenix, they hung on for a 101-97 victory thanks to ... smothering defense by Andrea Bargnani? And then some brilliant playmaking by Kyle Lowry and an incredible finish by Amir Johnson.
Later, with the lead cut to one, Bargnani detered Luis Scola in the post into a miss, and then finally secured a late key defensive rebound (!) before nailing the icing free throws. Bargnani has had a horrid year, but maybe this can be the kind of game he needs to pull himself out of it.
Meanwhile, the Suns have this to comfort themselves:
