This was supposed to be the easy time for the Toronto Raptors, a time to assert themselves as one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference, to build a nice cushion for a tough road ahead.

Well, that cushion may as well be a bed of nails for all the comfort the Raptors have created for themselves.

And now, instead of cruising into a difficult portion of the schedule that's coming, they are looking over their shoulders to see who's gaining on them.

"We have to have peripheral vision, front, back, side," said veteran swingman Dell Curry as the Raptors continue their free fall into the nether regions of the East.

Heading into last night's action, the Raptors had played themselves into a sixth place tie in the conference with the Philadelphia 76ers and Washington Wizards, each at a game over .500. The Charlotte Hornets, at .500, are in ninth place and charging fast; the Indiana Pacers are two games below .500 and not out of things by any stretch.