There was always a question with the Raptors of where Andrea Bargnani fit into the equation and the grand scheme of things.

But they might be finding out, and it could complicate things for coach Jay Triano and general manager Bryan Colangelo if things continue as they have been.

Bargnani has taken to a starting center's role like he was born to it, averaging more than 23 points a game since replacing the injured Jermaine O'Neal. With the Raptors seriously contemplating some significant trade in the next month, Bargnani's emergence might allow Colangelo to aggressively shop O'Neal around.

But if he can't move him—and with a contract that will pay him $23 million next season that's a distinct possibility—it will be up to Triano to find the minutes,...

Charlie Villanueva thought any win the Milwaukee Bucks could get without Andrew Bogut would be big. This one was Villanueva's first. Michael Redd scored a season-high 35 points and Villanueva added 13 of his 25 in the fourth quarter Monday night, leading Milwaukee to its first victory without Bogut in 21 months, 107-97 over the Toronto Raptors.

It's hard to imagine anything lacking in a 39-point performance by Dwight Howard, but Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy wasn't too happy about his star center's seven missed free throws. Especially considering the Magic lost by six. Anthony Parker scored a season-high 26 points, Chris Bosh added 23 points and 10 rebounds and the Toronto Raptors overcame Howard's big game to beat the Magic 108-102 on...

The Houston Rockets didn't feel much like winners after grinding out a four-point home victory on Wednesday. They were surefire losers in Toronto on Friday night. Chris Bosh and Andrea Bargnani each scored 19 points and the Raptors snapped a three-game losing streak with an emphatic 94-73 victory over the Rockets, handing Houston its fourth defeat in six games.

Clutching two paper cups of cola, Denver coach George Karl planned to celebrate New Year's Eve, and his 900th career victory, with something stronger but not bubblier. "I'm not a champagne guy," Karl said. "I'm a beer guy and some red wine, but I think it's Coors Light tonight. Beer after a win tastes like champagne." Nene scored 21 points, Carmelo Anthony added 20 and the Nuggets beat the Toronto...

Marco Belinelli, C.J. Watson and the Golden State Warriors returned home just long enough to pick up a change of clothes, a victory over Toronto and two new nicknames. Stephen Jackson scored 30 points, Belinelli added 23 and the Warriors held off the road-weary Raptors on Monday night. Their 117-111 victory wasn't safe until the whisper-thin Watson floated into the lane and hit a clutch jumper over...

This time, Brandon Roy and the Portland Trail Blazers didn't need any late-game heroics to beat the Toronto Raptors. Roy had 14 of his 32 points in the fourth quarter, LaMarcus Aldridge added 19 points and nine rebounds, and Portland beat the Raptors 102-89 Saturday night, sweeping the season series for the first time since 2002-03.

Jermaine O'Neal got off to a slow start to his career in Toronto, taking time to recover from a knee injury that sidelined him for half of last season. He is starting to find his groove of late, once again looking like the five-time All-Star he was in Indiana before being traded to the Raptors this summer.