If the Toronto Raptors are trying to find some solace in having played themselves right down among the dregs of the NBA's Eastern Conference playoff teams, it's not too hard.

All they have to do is realize there are a whole lot of other dregs around them.

Despite an uninspired stretch of play that has left them only 15-13 heading into a three-game western road trip, beginning tomorrow night at Los Angeles, the Raptors haven't really ruined the regular season. Yet.

Play began last night with Toronto only two games out of first place in the Central Division despite being seventh in the conference. And they are only half a game out of fourth, which comes with home-court advantage in the first round of playoffs, something the Toronto franchise has never enjoyed.

"I'm not saying playing bad is a good thing," Vince Carter said after the most team's 102-94 Christmas Day loss to the Knicks. "But it leaves us a little room to play bad (and) still be in contention. We just have to continue to play hard and, hopefully, things will happen for us."