Can't the Raptors and the team's fans have nice things?

Or does doom and gloom always win out with this franchise?

As the best regular season in team history winds down, some have been tempted to proclaim that the sky is falling. It's not, but that doesn't mean there aren't worries.

The chief one, of course, is the health of Kyle Lowry. Lowry hurt his elbow against Orlando when the teams were in London, but it wasn't too bad – he had a great game and followed it up after a few days of rest with another – he then went on a weird run, mixing a bunch of torrid shooting games (well above 50% shooting) with some wretched ones, but mostly, he was great and the elbow seemed OK.

Lowry was still rolling until he landed on the elbow in a March 20 game against Orlando. He was way off in that one, got rested for the game in Boston and has shot 11-for-36 in the three games since, including 5-for-26 from three. He's been made at himself for missing free throws and though he at first denied the elbow had anything to do with it, it's clear it has had an impact. Lowry shot around 85% from the line over the first few months of the season, 78% in February, but has hit at just a 70% clip in March, including just 50% over the past three games since he hurt his elbow again.

Lowry got the elbow drained after Monday's loss to Oklahoma City, but isn't sure rest will help it. The hope is draining it will mostly solve the problem.

Lowry is the engine to everything Toronto does. He needs to be healthy for the playoffs, or as close to it as possible, or else the Raptors will fall in the opening round.

The elephant in the room, where the Raptors are concerned, is the status of DeMarre Carroll.

The prized free agent signing, who is also the team's highest-paid player, appeared close to a return a few weeks ago when he was driving to the hoop against assistant coaches and launching three-pointers. The next step was clearance for contact. But then all went dark. Carroll's been in Atlanta tending to some personal matters (he is due back this week), the team has kept tight-lipped, but every indication from talking to various people is there has been some sort of set-back and his return this season is very much in doubt. Quietly, the team has taken the belief that he will need more time, and only a deep playoff run would let him return this season.

One thing that appears to be clear is that the plantar fasciitis Carroll had earlier this year made him compensate a bit and that led to the knee trouble that required surgery.

GOOD NEWS

On the good news front, Norman Powell, who has basically become Carroll's replacement, has been excellent lately. He's become consistent from three – at least two makes in each of the past three games, 40% shooting from deep over the past five, 41% in March – is aggressive at both ends and you can see the confidence growing each time he is out there.

Powell also plays hard defensively and the Raptors need as many players like that as possible.

Nobody knows if he is ready for the playoff spotlight, but it appears we are going to find out. It will be an adjustment, for sure, but Powell is not like most rookies. He played four years of college, is strong enough to compete against the NBA's grown men (even if he's a bit undersized) and has competed against the very best in summer-time basketball (Powell said Russell Westbrook plays exactly the same way in summer games at UCLA and guarding him has been a big help).