"I'm having fun once again," Davis said. "We have an opportunity of doing something special. At this time of the year, you want to control your own destiny and not be worried about who's won or who's lost."

Davis has been one of the main catalysts behind the Raptors' late-season push. He scored a career-high 31 points in Toronto's 108-100 win in Orlando last week.

Admittedly, Davis went into a funk when the Raptors traded good friend Mark Jackson to New York in February. Then came a stretch of games where the Raptors forgot to properly use Davis' ability in the frontcourt.

"We're in the playoffs and we have a shot to win a championship," Davis said. "That's all that matters. If we take that attitude into each game, there's nothing that could stop us except ourselves."

Personnel File

ROOKIE WOES: First-year small forward Morris Peterson is fighting through mental and physical fatigue. In basketball's parlance, Morris has run head-first into the rookie wall.

During Toronto's 100-88 win over the Chicago Bulls on Sunday, Peterson went scoreless from the field on 0-for-5 shooting and scored all five of his points from the foul line in 19 minutes of floor time.

Peterson won't come out and admit it, but it's quite apparent that the toll of a long season is beginning to be felt by the rookie.

"You have to learn to face adversity and handle it," Peterson said. "My scoring is down, but that doesn't mean I'm going to hesitate when my shot isn't dropping. If I get a look (at the basket), I'm going to take it.

"We're winning and whatever sacrifice I need to do for us to win, then I'm going to do it. I feel I'm helping out more on defense, I'm making some steals, getting some assists. I'm doing my best to contribute. As long as you're helping out and the team is winning, you get a good feeling."

PLAYOFF VET: Chris Childs has played in the NBA Finals and recognizes the importance of stepping up on defense when the games become more meaningful.

Since he joined the Raptors in a Feb. 22 trade with the New York Knicks, Childs has stressed defense and has tried to make an impression with his new team by playing it hard-nosed.

And, with the Raptors in the stretch drive for the playoffs, Childs likes the type of defensive intensity the team has embraced.

"You have to develop a mentality that every possession is important," Childs said. "You don't get many runs in the playoffs. That's why playing defense is so crucial."

In recent games, the Raptors have gone more to Childs in the fourth quarter because of his ability to shut down opponents. The Raptors have had a difficult time throughout the season defending the high pick and roll. Childs, however, has a knack for fighting through screens, a trait that hasn't been lost on Raptors coach Lenny Wilkens.

When the Raptors trailed the Magic in Orlando on April 6, Wilkens inserted Childs into the game. In one of his finest moments as a Raptor, Childs scored eight of his 10 points in the final period. He forced turnovers and imposed his will in helping the Raptors beat Orlando for the first time this season.

"It's just guarding your man," Childs said. "Lazy people can't play defense. You just have to go out and play hard and stop people."

Childs, considered the Raptors' best on-the-ball defender, often picks up his man the length of the court.

"(Childs) makes a lot of things easier," Vince Carter said. "He pressures the ball and all of a sudden teams have 16, 17 seconds left (on the shot clock) and they're still trying to set up their offense."

Wilkens also has been impressed with Childs' defense.

"He just knows how to get over screens," Wilkens said. "He can position himself very well and he can withstand the bump. That makes it easier for every one else."

With the Raptors assured of making their second straight appearance in the postseason, the team is relying on Childs' veteran presence in the backcourt and his willingness to sacrifice his body in leading them into the playoffs.

When he played for the Knicks last season, Childs saw New York sweep Toronto in the opening round. Each game was decided in the final two minutes when the Knicks stepped up their defensive pressure.

"You're not going to win if you can't stop people," Childs said. "Our team (Raptors) is getting more mentally tough and we're playing better defense."

And much of the credit goes to Childs.

Noteworthy

BOUNCING BACK: Starting point guard Alvin Williams scored four points, had three turnovers and no steals in a dismal first-half performance against the Bulls.

When the third quarter began, Williams elevated his game and showed why he's been entrusted with running the team's offense. In the second half, Williams produced 10 points, three assists, three steals and turned the ball over just once.

"My main goal is to be very aggressive on defense," Williams said. "When I'm able to play solid defense, you find that your points and offence come easier."

Williams and Childs provide the Raptors with two very good defensive point guards.

SWEET SWEEPS: With Sunday's 100-88 win over the Bulls, the Raptors swept their four-game series with Chicago and have now beaten the Bulls 10 straight times.

Earlier this season, Toronto swept its season series with the Indiana Pacers and Cleveland Cavaliers.

QUOTEWORTHY: "If the coach has confidence in you, it just lets you continue to play. You see that with a lot of players in the NBA. If you have the opportunity to play through mistakes, it helps you tremendously." -- Raptors PG Alvin Williams and his relationship with coach Lenny Wilkens.