From deep in the heart of Texas to deeper into their own heart of darkness ride, the losing continues for the Toronto Raptors.

Their slide is now officially an avalanche, last night's 122-103 horror reel against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center their 13th defeat on the trot. That run of futility equals the second-worst in club history, set during the darkest days of the franchise in the spring of 1998.

Perhaps that was why Raptors players hastily called a post-game, players-only meeting to hash out their problems, or at least make the pretence of doing so, or merely point fingers at each other. One thing is for sure ? with the surging Miami Heat their opposition tonight in Florida, there is no relief in sight.