After having time to regroup following their defeat on opening night, the Tempo looked more comfortable in Game 2. The result was a well-deserved first win for the expansion franchise.

Ja’Kobe Walter answered the call, finishing with 24 points, five rebounds, three steals and a block while shooting 7-of-13 from the field and 4-of-9 from three in 43 minutes.

In an ugly game, Jamal Shead made an ugly play and got the Raptors an ugly win. But that's what it takes to win playoff basketball, and the sophomore guard was built for just that.

When the Raptors needed him the most, with their backs against the wall, Jamison Battle gave them everything.

As the NBA playoffs loom, the Western Conference has fractured into a clear hierarchy where the defending champion Thunder, a surging Spurs squad led by Victor Wembanyama, and a historically efficient Nuggets offence stand as the titans to beat.

Once a shoo-in for a top-six seed in the East, the Raptors are far from a sure thing with four games left in the regular season. The season could very well come down to two crucial games against the Heat, Kai Gammage writes.