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Struggling Raptors open road trip at Thunder

Dec 19, 2008 - 2:11 PM Toronto (10-15) at Oklahoma City (2-24), 8:00 p.m. EST

OKLAHOMA CITY (Ticker) -- A coaching change has not helped turn around the Toronto Raptors' slow start. The Oklahoma City Thunder may not be able to saved their season, regardless of the coach.

A pair of struggling teams clash on Friday when Toronto visits Oklahoma City.

The Raptors have dropped three straight and six of eight since interim coach Jay Triano took over for the fired Sam Mitchell on December 3.

Toronto is coming off a 96-86 setback to Dallas on Wednesday. Jermaine O'Neal scored 19 points while leading scorer Chris Bosh had just 12 on 6-of-20 shooting for the Raptors.

Oklahoma City started 1-12 before firing P.J. Carlesimo, but the Thunder have compiled the same record under interim coach Scott Brooks. They have lost eight straight games.

Kevin Durant scored 25 points as Oklahoma City lost its franchise-record 11th straight home game, 98-88, to the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday.

The two teams have split the season series in each of the past three seasons.