Raptors suffering rough patch

Outside of Atlanta, all the Eastern Conference contenders have gone through a serious dry spell this season.

Toronto is trying to pull out of a rough patch. After the all-star break, the Raptors lost nine of 10 games. Heading into Friday's contest at the United Center, they had won three of the last four.

"It's just one of those things," Toronto coach Dwane Casey said before the game. "Every team I think I've been associated with goes through a spell where you just think, 'Will we ever win another game? Will we ever get another stop? Or will we ever make another basket?'

"Somehow, some way, that adversity helps you. It makes you stronger. You should grow from it. These (Raptor players) have heard it so many times, I think we lost like seven games in a row in Dallas when we won the championship (in 2011)."

Toronto survived an injury to former all-star DeMar DeRozan relatively well. The Raptors went 12-9 while DeRozan was out with a torn abductor. They've gone 14-14 since he came back.

Pau sees playing time payoff:

Asked about players being given minutes restrictions, Pau Gasol suggested it will all work out for the best.

"Jimmy (Butler), who is a guy that's averaged the most minutes on the team, is getting this big (injury) break, so he should be fresh and ready to face the last part of the season at full strength," Gasol told reporters at Friday's shootaround.

"I think last year was a big deal because he didn't (have) a lot of energy down the stretch and in the playoffs he was a little bit out of gas, from what I've heard. I think this year it won't be the case, it won't be an issue."

Gasol also put in a plug for not worrying so much about coach Tom Thibodeau's playing-time decisions.

"You've got to let the coach a little bit do their job, do his job, and manage the team," Gasol said. "I think that's what Tom is trying to do to the best of his abilities."

Noah passing test of time:

Joakim Noah continues to perfect his role of point center while Derrick Rose is out with a knee injury. Noah had 9 assists in the first half alone on Friday against Toronto.

Heading into this game, Noah had 256 assists on the season, making him the third center in the last 20 years to have three straight seasons of at least 250 assists, joining Vlade Divac and Hakeem Olajuwon.

If Rose doesn't come back soon, Noah is likely to become the first center to lead his team in assists in consecutive seasons since Wilt Chamberlain from 1965-68, according to Stats, LLC.