Pre-game news & notes: Carroll returns, Lowry progressing

It’s a big night in the Eastern Conference, and suddenly a big weekend. With Kyle Lowry on the shelf in Toronto, the Wizards are dealing with a banged-up John Wall, and Isaiah Thomas will miss both of Boston’s weekend games against dregs due to a bone bruise in his knee. Meanwhile, the Hawks and Cavaliers…

Despite Poor Health The Raptors Defense Is Improving

This shouldn’t come as a surprise, but the Raptors defense has been a question mark all season. When the Raptors started off the year, they were playing as one of the hottest offensive teams in the NBA, and the defense didn’t matter as much when you’re scoring 110+ points a night. Teams adapt, they study,…