And now for something completely different: A schedule break for the Toronto Raptors.

Having traversed North America over this holiday season, what should be a group of rested Raptors gets to take on what should be a weary collection of Portland Trail Blazers at the Rose Garden tonight.

"I don't know how to act," joked Toronto coach Lenny Wilkens in assessing the advantage his team should have.

The Raptors had their third straight off day yesterday in Seattle, working out in the morning before making the short jaunt here yesterday afternoon.

The Blazers, meanwhile, had to travel to Los Angeles where they lost 112-97 to the Clippers last night before returning home for the second game of a back-to-back set.

"That doesn't happen," said Wilkens. "Even when we've gone home, we've had teams waiting on us."

This time, the Raptors are doing the resting.