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Raptors look to continue playoff push vs. struggling Kings

Jan 17, 2007 - 4:57 PM Sacramento (14-21) at Toronto (18-21) 7:00 pm EST

TORONTO (Ticker) -- For a team with a losing record, the Toronto Raptors certainly are in an enviable position.

Tied for first place in the Atlantic Division with the New Jersey Nets, the Raptors aim to keep pace Wednesday when they host the struggling Sacramento Kings.

Winners in three of its last four contests, Toronto is attempting fend off the Nets (17-20) in the awful Atlantic Division, the only division in the league with five losing teams.

The Raptors hope to carry some momentum from Monday's 104-86 rout of Philadelphia.

Chris Bosh finished with 27 points in the contest and has played well since missing 12 games with a left knee injury, scoring at least 20 points in seven of eight contests since returning to the lineup.

Since stumbling to a 2-8 start this season, Toronto has gone 16-13 to climb back into postseason contention.

Sacramento, on the other hand, is headed in the opposite direction, mired in a season-high six-game skid. It marks the Kings' longest losing streak since they dropped seven straight to close the 1997-98 campaign, the last time the franchise failed to make the postseason.

The Kings hope to bounce back from Monday's 102-97 road loss to the New York Knicks. at Madison Square Garden.

The Kings won their first meeting with the Raptors this season and hope to receive a boost Wednesday with the expected return of star center Brad Miller, who has missed the last two contests for personal reasons.