The Raptors have been trying desperately to find some comfort in these disturbing times.

Perhaps it's a sign of just how fragile the Raptors have become, but the team actually is looking forward to its three-game Western trip, which begins today with a late-night tip against the Shaq-less Los Angeles Lakers.

At 15-13, the Raptors are in danger of returning home next week with an overall losing record.

But as they boarded their flight yesterday after practice, the team was taking solace from a Western trip last month that saw the team go 4-2. Since that successful road swing, the Raptors have gone 8-9.