Calderon sees the improved play and the way his teammates have bought into interim head coach Jay Triano's way of doing things at both ends of the court.

What the starting point guard hasn't seen is wins.

"Yes, we're getting closer, but we've got to start winning too,'' Calderon said in the wake of a brilliant game in which he recorded 16 assists and 21 points. "It's good that we're working together. It's good that we're getting closer (to winning). It's important for the team to start winning."

Heading into tonight's game against the visiting Denver Nuggets, the Raptors (12-19) have lost seven of their last nine games.

The Raptors began their December schedule with a game in Denver. That game turned into a rout, forcing general manager Bryan Colangelo to dismiss Sam Mitchell and appoint Triano for the balance of the season.

Given the difficulties of teams returning from a West Coast trip, the Raptors will have their hands full against a Nuggets, a team seething after losing to the Atlanta Hawks.

Colangelo isn't going to fire Triano, but there's all kinds of speculation that a trade is in the works.

Against the Warriors, Toronto's need for a backup to Calderon was punctuated as was the need for a bona fide starting shooting guard. Another area that was exposed was the Raptors' inability to stop dribble penetration and their lack of foot speed when closing out on shooters.

Jason Kapono, who was coming off an 0-for-five shooting night in Portland, went four-for-12. Anthony Parker went two-for-eight, while Joey Graham made four of his 10 attempts.

Triano has encouraged his shooters to keep shooting. What gives him cause for concern is the way players are so inclined to drop their heads when shots aren't falling.

"We have good shooters,'' he said. "This game is about missed shots and mistakes. You just have to move forward. The guys believe in the process. We have to get tougher and we have to overcome the mental lapses."