Friday, March 5: Mark the date on your calendar, Raptors fans.

It will be the much-anticipated visit by former Toronto guard Tracy McGrady and the New York Knicks, whom the Raptors have beaten twice in as many meetings this season.

It's also the latest tentatively scheduled return of injured power forward Chris Bosh to the Toronto lineup.

Having sat the past three games with a sprained left ankle, Bosh didn't travel with the team for road games Sunday and Monday against Oklahoma City and Houston.

"We're going to … let him get some treatment over the next couple of days, get some work here [in the practice gym] and he'll be ready for Friday," Raptors head coach Jay Triano told reporters on Saturday, less than 24 hours after his team's 126-118 overtime loss to Cleveland.

Triano, like many Toronto fans, hope a healthy DeMar DeRozan is ready Sunday versus the Thunder, who will be seeking an 11th victory in 13 starts (CBC, 7 p.m. ET).

The rookie guard has been nearly invisible the last week, totalling eight points in three contests to drop his per-game average to 8.1.

"I ain't worried'

The 20-year-old rarely attacked the basket Friday, going 1-for-6 from the field against the Cavaliers.

"I couldn't make any shots," he said. "I ain't worried about [my recent struggles]. Just come out Sunday, play and try to get it going."

Triano, not surprised his first-year player is enduring a tough stretch, said DeRozan simply has to work through the hard times.

"He has to get used to playing 82 games and concentrating. He can't settle for shots all the time," said the coach, whose team is fifth in the NBA's Eastern Conference with a 31-26 record despite back-to-back losses.

Raptors point guard Jarrett Jack has worked closely with DeRozan this season and said the 2009 first-round pick has to find an answer for opponents who are becoming more familiar with him.

"He just has to understand that he has to really find ways to get himself involved," said Jack of DeRozan. "Running the court, pushing the ball, offensive rebounds."

An energetic Toronto squad knocked down shots and received contributions throughout the lineup versus LeBron James and the Cavaliers, with Andrea Bargnani and Jack scoring 24 points apiece and Hedo Turkoglu adding 18.

Evans in for Nesterovic?

Reggie Evans, who could supplant Rasho Nesterovic in Oklahoma City as Bosh's replacement, led a Raptors bench that outscored Cleveland 23-12 in the first half.

A repeat performance would be welcomed Sunday with Thunder shooting guard Kevin Durant and point guard Russell Westbrook determined to make it four consecutive wins over Toronto on home court.

Durant had scored 25 or more points in 29 straight games until that run was snapped in Wednesday's 95-87 loss to San Antonio. But he returned to form Friday with 21 points in a 109-92 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Westbrook, who has averaged 16.5 points a night and 7.8 assists, has four double-doubles in a row and posted his second career triple-double on Feb. 21 against Minnesota with 22 points, 14 assists and 10 rebounds.

"He's been like an MVP," Durant said. "I think he's been the best player on our team, the guy that's the catalyst for our offence and defence."

The 34-23 Thunder are sixth in the West and seeking their first playoff berth since 2004-05.