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Alex Brandon/Associated Press

The 33-16 Toronto Raptors should be looking at their 11-game schedule in February with mixed emotions.

They'll be happy knowing they get some semblance of a break in the middle of the month for NBA All-Star weekend. For a team that's appeared fatigued and unenthused during stretches over the past several weeks, some time away from the hardwood should do wonders.

Then again, with nine of their 11 games being against teams above the .500 mark, it's easy to see the Raptors being worse for wear when it's all said and done.

They're 9-5 in their last 14 games, although just two of those wins came against winning teams (Milwaukee and Washington). They've proved they can handle the riffraff of the NBA, but with an 11-12 record against teams above .500, hanging with the best of the best on a consistent basis is something they're still trying to achieve.

A mere six games separate the No. 2 and No. 6 seeds in the Eastern Conference. Competition is heating up as teams jockey for position near the top of the standings with the playoffs not too far off in the distance.

It's going to be tough. As resourceful as the Raptors have proved to be over the course of the season, emerging from February with their heads still on their shoulders may be easier said then done.