While the Raptors were puzzling over how to stop Allen Iverson on Wednesday night at the First Union Center, about 100 miles up the New Jersey Turnpike, the Toronto Maple Leafs were being driven from the Stanley Cup playoffs by the New Jersey Devils.

The good news for the Raptors: After a brief period of mourning for the Leafs, Canada's largest city will have little choice but to invest its springtime hopes in its surprising, young NBA team. The Raptors play host to Games 3 and 4 against the Sixers this weekend at the Air Canada Centre.