Raptors getting by thanks to Bosh

So far, so good.

The only thing the Raptors have to worry about is the health of their young forward. Bosh missed 12 games in December with a bone bruise on his left knee, and the squad struggled without him.

Since then, Bosh has played in 14 games and is ripping up the competition, averaging 24.7 points and 9.2 rebounds with five double-doubles. The Georgia Tech product owns 20 double-doubles this season and is second in franchise history with 97. Antonio Davis is on top with 110 double-doubles.

Bosh, who had 26 points and 12 boards in a win over Indiana on January 27, was named a starter for the Eastern Conference in the upcoming All-Star game to be played on February 18 in Las Vegas. He currently leads the team in points (22.3), rebounds (10.9) and minutes (37.3).

Meanwhile, the Raptors need one more win this month for the second-best record in January. Toronto, which is 9-5 this month, posted an 11-5 mark in January of the 2001-02 season. Also, the Raptors are 14-7 at the Air Canada Centre this season after going 7-14 over the first 21 home tilts last year.

Bosh is averaging 23.9 points and 12.0 boards at home this season.

The Raptors will play four of their next five games at home, and host the Washington Wizards on Wednesday night. After an upcoming trip to Atlanta, Toronto returns home to welcome the Clippers, Magic and Lakers to Canada.

In injury news guard T.J. Ford has missed the last four games with a sore right ankle. Ford, in his first season with Toronto, is averaging 15.2 points, a team-high 7.7 assists and 3.7 rebounds per game. He is probable for Wednesday’s game versus Washington.