These are the facts: Toronto shot 24-39 from the line, lost the rebound battle 43-28, shot 4-16 from downtown, allowed Miami to shoot 50% and still only lost by five.
And at this point in the season, where the hype and hope for this team are (rightfully) as high as ever, it is easy to be frustrated with the loss. Scour the Internets and you’ll see a combination of these sentiments: “Make your free throws!” “Get a [expletive] rebound!” “Why are you biting on a Dwyane Wade pump-fake?!”
It is not wrong to feel that way, but try taking the long view. Toronto has a long way to go, but we remained competitive in a game without our best help defender – Amir Johnson (sore left ankle) – and got production even without some of our starters performing well. Lou Williams got going for a bit, James Johnson is a defensive Swiss army knife and DeMar DeRozan is playing even better than last year. In the third game of the season, seeing signs of development and growth are positives, even if they come in a losing effort.
The first half was a wash though, and those who hold overly negative opinions about the game may be relying on those memories a bit too much. Toronto clearly missed Amir, and the Heat had their way offensively. Nearly all of Miami’s makes came in the paint in the first quarter, and they stretched in out with a variety of looks in the second. Statistically, the Raptors looked dead in the water. Outscored 64-54, outrebounded 24-10, Patrick Patterson and Terrence Ross throwing up useless performances — Toronto seemed lost.
[Also Read: Quick Reaction and Grades – Raptors at Heat]
[Listen To: Raptors Weekly Podcast – 2-1 Week Soured by Missed FTs]
[Watch: DeMar DeRozan destroying Luol Deng (GIF)]
[Check the Papers: Monday Morning Coffee]
Dwane Casey essentially benched Patterson and Ross in the second half, and that steadied the defence. The foot speed for Patterson isn’t there, and against a swirling Miami offence, it showed. Ross was middling defensively, but Wade was magnificent. Personally, I’m souring on Ross as the poor decision-making on offence is inexcusable with so many weapons around him. If he is not hitting threes, it is worth seeing what Grievis Vasquez or Lou Williams can give you.
With Jonas continuing to give good rim protection and players keen to run around screens and challenge shots, the Raptors chipped away. DeRozan and Lowry seem intent on winning the “angriest backcourt in the NBA” award if they can’t win the “best backcourt” one, and turning on that switch vaulted them back into this.
Stealing this game would have been nice, and a three-game winning streak to kick off the season would feel good. But we had that in 2008-09 before finishing 33-49. Wins at any point in the season are important, but they are not indicators of future success. The major issues remain on the defensive end and just what the hell is going on with 2Pat. Those two are related problems even if Patterson is not supposed to be a defensive savant.
With a banged-up OKC team on Tuesday, there is an opportunity to blow the doors off and get the bench guys going. We have not seen a full 48 from the squad yet, but there have been signs. Hosting the Thunder — who are coming off a game in Brooklyn the night before — gives us a chance to play up to our capabilities and gain some confidence.
Stray Observations:
- How long does Ross have before Casey adjusts the starting role? He played 17 minutes tonight and was non-existent for stretches. I don’t know if Ross really has any competition, since Lou and Vasquez bring unique skillsets off the bench, but it’s something to keep an eye on.
- Jonas’s finishing around the rim is a problem. Justin Hamilton tops out as a league-average defender at best, yet Jonas continued to miss bunnies and putbacks. It is only second game in a row we’ve seen this issue, so take it with a grain of salt.
- Vasquez had a nice game. A bizarre technical was called on him for a foul on Wade in the second quarter, but it jumpstarted him a bit and his play really pushed the offence to a higher gear. Which leads to…
- Our offence probably finishes top-7 in the league by offensive rating. The combo of free throw opportunities and effective post options will bear fruit all season. We were tenth last year, and you’ve got to imagine Minnesota drops out while we naturally improve.
- McBob is amazing
