The set-up: The 44-29 Toronto Raptors have won five in a row, closing to within 3 1/2 games of first in the East and are now just one game behind the Wizards for the East's third seed. Saturday night's 94-86 win at Dallas clinched Toronto's fourth straight playoff appearance and now the Raptors look to improve their seeding. The 27-46 Orlando Magic come to town, having long ago given up on any realistic playoff aspirations. Howerer, they arrive in Toronto having won three of the last four, after a 115-87 home rout of the Pistons on Friday.

Orlando: "We're trying to build some momentum going into next season," Orlando point guard Elfrid Payton told the Orlando Sentinel after the team's last win. "We're just playing as hard as we can." Terrence Ross will return to the place where he started his NBA career Monday when the Magic visit the Air Canada Centre. Ross came to Orlando as part of the Ibaka deal and will face his former team for the first time. He's done a nice job for Orlando, averaging 12.3 points in 15 games. Center Nikola Vucevic (14.8 & 10.3) is averaging 18.5 points and 12.5 rebounds over the last four games while Payton (12.4 & 6.1 APG) has a triple-double and two double-doubles in the same span.

Toronto: The Raptors are surely happy with Ibaka, who has averaged 14.6 & 6.6 in his 15 games with the Raptors. PG Lowry (22.8-4.7-6.1) is beginning basketball activities and should be back for the playoffs. However, the Raptors have found a groove without him lately, winning five straight after going just 6-5 in their first 11 without the All Star PG. DeRozan (27.1 & 5.3) continues to lead the team, having a "career year!"

The pick: Toronto has been winning with defense, having allowed 91 points or less four times during its winning streak. Considering the Magic rank 28th in points scored (100.4 per), 29th in FG percentage (44.0%) and 30th in three-point percentage (32.4%), the Under is a 10* play.