Review the Coming week for Toronto with the Weekly Rap: December 14th-20th

Following last night's sleepy win over the 76ers, the Raps sit at 16-9 after a 4-0 week at home which included the surprising and thrilling victory over the Spurs.

The Raps have the most wins in the conference and sit in 2nd place in the conference behind the Cavs, who only have seven losses on their record so far. With games against Pacers, Hornets and the Heat this week, the Raps have a chance to prove themselves as a legit contender and create some separation between themselves and the teams on their heels for a top three seed.

Although the team comes into this week riding high off their four game win streak, they have historically struggled in both Charlotte and Miami, and playing the Pacers on a back to back tonight, it will be a challenging week of games.

December 14th @ Pacers - Rated PG-13

The Raps will be in Naptown tonight taking on the Pacers who has returned to his all-star form averaging 27 points and 8 rebounds per game. Unfortunately Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan couldn't manage to get extended rest last night against the Sixers as the bench was unable to put the game out of reach. With a much tougher matchup tonight, the Raps might be too gassed to pull out a dub.

December 17th @ Hornets - This team is legit

On Thursday night the Raps will roll into Buzz City and take on a Charlotte team that has been the pleasant surprise of the league this season, as they are 5th in offensive efficiency and 6th in defensive efficiency. Nicolas Batum is playing some of the best basketball of his career, and even with Al Jefferson out the team is having no problems scoring. The Raps have struggled in Charlotte the past few years, but this game has potential to be the most fun of the week.

December 18th @ Heat - A chance at redemption

The only blowout loss this season for the Raptors came at the hands of the Heat early in the year, on the second night of a back-to-back the team will have a chance to redeem themselves in South Beach. The Heat have been one of the weirdest and most inconsistent teams in the league this year as over the past two weeks they boast wins over the Cavs and Thunder, while also suffering blowout losses to the Hornets and Wizards. The Raptor bigs will have to step up to keep Chris Bosh in check, as he has all the tools to expose the defensive shortcomings of Luis Scola and Patrick Patterson.

December 20th vs. Kings - Boogie Night

Returning home Sunday night the Raptors will take on the Sacramento Kings, led by a rejuvenated Rajon Rondo and DeMarcus Cousins. The Raps did have a disappointing loss in their trip to Sacramento on their west coast swing, but should be in good position to even the season series at home. For those of you that like to gamble, the over-under for DeRozan and Rudy Gay mid-range jumpers will be set at 32.5.

So let's hear it: How do you think the Raptors will do this week?

Leave your prediction in the comments.