RealGM

Defending their home turf, admits star player Chris Bosh, was an area of concern.

"That was a topic of discussion in the first half of the season because we weren't really taking advantage of our home court,'' he said.

"We need to do that now. We have some home games lined up for us and we have to defend our home court because we are playing pretty good on the road."

If Calderon gets the all-star call, one that rests with the league's coaches, it will provide the ultimate endorsement for a player who entered the NBA three years ago and whose stock continues to soar with each game and each precise pass to an open teammate.

"It will be dream come true,'' Calderon said. "It's up to the coaches. There's unbelieveable talent in the Eastern Conference at the point guard position.

"Whatever happens, I will welcome it."

The sources suggest Stoudamire is leaning toward signing a contract with the NBA-leading Celtics even though the Raptors remain in the race for his services as a backup to point guard Jose Calderon.

They see 8.6 assists per game, 1.6 turnovers per game, 12.1 points per game and an increased workload as the reason he's going to get consideration from Eastern Conference coaches for a berth in next month's all-star game.

His best friend in the league sees the other ways Calderon has become such a factor in so many games.

"It's not just scoring, giving assists, he is giving to the team a lot more," said Jorge Garbajosa, Calderon's winter teammate in Toronto and his summer mate on the Spanish national team. "He's giving to the team confidence, he's giving the ball to everybody ... in the right place in the right moment.

"I think everybody feels really comfortable playing by his side."

NBA coaches are voting these days and the backups will be announced Thursday night.

Heat 98, Pacers 96

Dwyane Wade scored 35 points, Mark Blount added 10 of his 19 in the fourth quarter, and Miami snapped a 15-game skid