Raptors coach Casey says result against Cavaliers won’t “determine our season”

TORONTO – It’s No. 1 versus 2, and a potential Eastern Conference final preview.

But the Toronto Raptors are treating Friday’s battle against LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers as game No. 57 of their campaign.

Asked if it’s a gauge of where their season is at, they’ll tell you every game is.

“I think every game we look at as a test,” said forward James Johnson. “Yesterday (Wednesday’s win over Minnesota) was a test for us, those guys were young and competitive, and they’re really coming into their own. And this right here is another test for us, to see if we can play with the best.”

The Raptors (38-18) trail the Eastern Conference-leading Cavs by just three games, and are 17-3 in their last 20 games — the best 20-game stretch in franchise history. It’s also the best record in the conference over that stretch.

The Raptors beat the Cavs 103-99 on Nov. 25 in Toronto, but then were blown out 122-100 on Jan. 4 in Cleveland.

Raptors coach Dwane Casey said while Friday’s game will be “a challenge,” it won’t write the Raptors’ season story.

“It’s not going to determine our season. I’m just as concerned with the next game in Detroit (Sunday) as I am (Friday) night,” Casey said after practice at the team’s new BioSteel Centre. “You can’t look at one game and say, ‘Win or lose, that’s going to determine our season.’ Either way, it’s not going to determine how much we need to continue to improve, continue to be hungry, continue to fight and stay focused.

“It should be fun, it’s a challenge, but it’s not going to be something that defines your season or who we are.”

A victory Friday would be 10 in a row for the Raptors at Air Canada Centre, which would break a franchise record that goes back to 1999.

A big focus will be perimeter defence. The Cavaliers were strong from three-point range in their rout of Toronto, making 17 of 33 attempts (52 per cent). J.R. Smith made eight threes — equalling the Raptors’ team total.

“That’s huge,” Casey said. “We’ve got to get to our positions early. Where we got caught is we’re out there with three-point shooters, now we get in to help on penetration, now you’ve got to get back out, that’s called the accordion effect. You can’t do that against a good team like they are.

“You’ve got to get back in transition first, get to your positions and then build out, and we haven’t been doing a good job of that. We’ve got to do a better job.”

There was an aura of excitement around the squad Thursday. But Casey said it had more to do with the team’s surroundings than Friday’s much-anticipated Eastern Conference matchup.

Thursday marked the Raptors’ first formal practice in their new digs, the $38-million BioSteel Centre just west of BMO Field. The bright overhead lights bounced off the shiny hardcourt, and the smell of newness permeated the air.

“It’s like moving into a new house, you have pride in it, and guys are prideful in it, they’re bragging about it, they’re talking about it, they’re looking at all the high-tech pieces of equipment, the cameras and stuff,” said Casey, who joked he got lost in the building trying to find his office.

Before now, the Raptors had practised in a gym on the third floor of Air Canada Centre.

“Me and DeMar (DeRozan) took a sneak tour about 3 a.m. one morning, nobody knew we were in here,” said all-star guard Kyle Lowry. “It’s a great building, it’s a great place to get better, it’s a great place for us to get some camaraderie, it’s a great place to eat, it’s a great place for people to be able to say, ‘This is home.’

“You’re comfortable, don’t have to be rushed out, when we come in and the Leafs are playing, we don’t have to run into fans. This is our gym.”

Friday’s game is part of a stretch that sees the Raptors play nine of 10 at home.