by Matthew Iaboni
--raptors.com
April 25, 2007

Wednesday's FAN590 Audio: Mitchell | Chris Bosh | Anthony Parker | TJ Ford | Mo Pete

(TORONTO) -- The longest-serving Raptor, Morris Peterson may have had an up-and-down season, but he never lost faith in himself and neither did coach Sam Mitchell.

“I just make sure I’m ready to play and go out there and help the team any way I can,” Peterson said. “Different times in the season, coach has called my name and I’ve tried to be ready.”

Morris Peterson played extended minutes in the Raptors win Tuesday. (Dave Abel/Getty Images)

After the Raptors struggled in Game 1 against the New Jersey Nets, the Atlantic Champs responded and pulled out the win in Game 2 to even the series.

“In Game 2 we settled down more - especially in the second half.”

Despite not playing as much as he had in the past, Mitchell always told his players that they determine how much they play in games.

“The people who are playing well are the ones who will be playing the most minutes,” Mitchell said. “I don’t determine that, they do and Mo played well for us.”

Peterson’s effort was always there this season and Tuesday he was very effective on the defensive end.

“I thought defensively he was very active, he got some key rebounds for us and he allowed us to not trap and I thought he played well overall,” Mitchell said.

Peterson has gone through a few losing seasons of late but he was more than happy to be part of the 2006-07 club.

“It’s been a fun year for me, winning and being a part of this has been great for me,” Peterson said Wednesday.

With the series tied at one, the Raptors know that they will need to play two very good games in New Jersey and that it will be a tough challenge.

“It won’t be easy but we have to take the mentality that is us against the world. That’s how we have to see it. We just have to play basketball, it’s not rocket science.”

The veteran swingman knows that, being a veteran, he will be counted on due to his past experience in the postseason.

“Coach expects a lot of me, he understands that I’ve been in the playoffs before and he expects me to play hard and do what I can to help us win.”

After his strong performance on Tuesday, expect to see more of Mo.

“If someone struggles then I have a little more confidence in him that I can bring him into the game knowing he can perform for us,” Mitchell said.

The rest of his teammates know what Peterson can bring in what they hope will be a long playoff run.

“He can be big because we can put him on Vince or Richard Jefferson,” Chris Bosh said. “He doesn’t have to have a big offensive game to impact the game.”

Peterson will look to continue his strong play Friday in New Jersey.