 | Amir Johnson, PF 17 MIN | 2-4 FG | 1-2 FT | 0 REB | 1 AST | 0 STL | 1 BLK | 1 TO | 5 PTS | -12Following a play on the defensive end where neither Lowry or Valanciunas could get the whistle he made a huge block on Markieff Morris which ended in a transition 3-pointer by Ross. When he returned late 2Q the Raps went on a run. Coincidence? I don’t think so, his defense makes that much of a difference and he still sets the best screens on the team.Fortunately Casey limited his minutes (letting him rest those ankles) when he saw what direction the game was headed. |  | |||||||
 | Terrence Ross, SF 27 MIN | 5-10 FG | 0-0 FT | 6 REB | 0 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 2 TO | 12 PTS | -16He still looks like a colt learning to stand when he tries to drive the paint. Whether it’s fear of being hit or simply the awkwardness he feels doing it. The point is he’s attempting to do it. Go back to the first 15 games and I bet he drove the paint once a game, tonight he had 3 drives in his first 9 minutes.To that end, I was impressed with his strong move to the bucket and score 3Q (8:12) followed by drawing back to back fouls on Dragic and Tucker for aggressive drives. He’s learning people. |  | |||||||
 | Jonas Valanciunas, C 33 MIN | 9-14 FG | 3-4 FT | 10 REB | 1 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 3 TO | 21 PTS | -12Got out to another good start with 6 points and 3 rebounds in 10 minutes. Wasn’t very successful at stopping his opponent: Alex Len who had 6 points and 4 rebounds in the same time frame.He got his minutes this game, but showed where he needs to grow (on defense) as he let trailers easily pass by and often was either late or didn’t even bother to rotate. Still, he’s also learning and improving. |  | |||||||
 | Kyle Lowry, PG 34 MIN | 6-17 FG | 4-4 FT | 3 REB | 7 AST | 2 STL | 0 BLK | 3 TO | 19 PTS | -5Thankfully DeRozan is slated to be back (reports are Thursday/next game) and Lowry needs him back the most. The wear and tear of leading and having to carry the Raptors is taking a toll. That bump on his arm is nasty and of late the zebras aren’t giving him any calls (not sure why).Once again he tried to put the team on his back but just didn’t have enough in the tank to do it by himself. |  | |||||||
 | Landry Fields, SG 16 MIN | 1-4 FG | 0-0 FT | 4 REB | 2 AST | 3 STL | 0 BLK | 2 TO | 2 PTS | -6In his first 3 minutes of play he had an offensive rebound, 3 steals, 2 turnovers and 2 points. Talk about someone making an impact (good and bad). The turnovers came on entry passes to Valanciunas.One thing I note when Fields is in the starting line-up is Ross moves more on the offensive end imitating Fields movement. | | |||||||
 | Tyler Hansbrough, PF 9 MIN | 1-2 FG | 2-4 FT | 4 REB | 1 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 1 TO | 4 PTS | -2Though he had lapses defensively in a game where fatigue is a factor (like in Denver) his energy is important. Despite him giving up some buckets in the paint to Suns he still grabbed 4 rebounds (2 offensive) and scored 2 points in first half.Fact he can’t be a volume shooter kept him off the floor second half when Raps were trying to mount a come back. |  | |||||||
 | James Johnson, PF 26 MIN | 7-9 FG | 3-4 FT | 7 REB | 2 AST | 2 STL | 1 BLK | 2 TO | 17 PTS | +5Played just 4 minutes in the first match-up against the Suns. This time Phoenix learned early how much he brings to the court. He backed down Markieff Morris like a paper doll and when Raps fell behind by 16 he had a huge dunk to try to spur them on.Made a bullet pass to JV who missed the chippy then alertly darted in to grab the rebound and made a difficult put back. Immediately after he was the first guy down the court to steal the Suns long court pass. Best player on court first half with 9 points, 3 rebounds and 2 steals. Took up where he left off in second half with energy, great defense and was given a tech for making a motion with the ball. Still, best player on court besides Lowry tonight |  | |||||||
 | Patrick Patterson, PF 22 MIN | 2-6 FG | 0-0 FT | 1 REB | 0 AST | 0 STL | 2 BLK | 2 TO | 6 PTS | -14Kept hearing how he wasn’t scoring but he hasn’t been getting any touches the last 3 games. This game they finally found him and he connected on 2 of his first 3 attempts. Second half they stopped going to him again (go figure).Decent defense on guys bigger than him. I think he needs to talk to JV and figure out a way for them to communicate as he has fewer problems with Amir and Tyler which feels like it’s a matter of communication and trust. | | |||||||
 | Lucas Nogueira, C 6 MIN | 1-1 FG | 2-2 FT | 3 REB | 1 AST | 1 STL | 0 BLK | 0 TO | 4 PTS | +4Nice to see him get some run. I like his height and motor. Hope the next time we see him it’s because we’re blowing someone out! |  | |||||||
 | Greivis Vasquez, PG 22 MIN | 0-6 FG | 2-2 FT | 2 REB | 4 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 3 TO | 2 PTS | -15Led the team with a minus -17 by the half and had a stat line that featured 1 rebound, 2 assists and 2 turnovers. Up until he came into the game it was the front court who the Raptors were having trouble containing. When he and Williams came in the back court caught on fire.Lowry, James Johnson and Lou Williams all looked to be trying to ignite a comeback and on three different occasions a bad shot, bad pass or failed defensive coverage by him led to shutting down any momentum the other 3 had gained. Is there a score lower than F? |  | |||||||
 | Louis Williams, SG 28 MIN | 4-10 FG | 7-7 FT | 3 REB | 3 AST | 1 STL | 0 BLK | 1 TO | 17 PTS | -7Teams have adjusted for him and now they are all shutting down his movement to the left (his preference)Second half he got called for a tech for TALKING to a ref. Seemed to put a spark under him as he starting scoring right after. | | |||||||
 | Dwane Casey Looked visibly frustrated trying to spur on his team. Not sure exactly what he is suppose to do to elicit more energy from a team who is obviously fatigued. As much as you hate to lose especially heart breakers like Portland, the loss in Golden State and today will help him to refocus the team.Only time I questioned his rotations is I felt James Johnson could have had more minutes earlier in the second half. And I wasn’t sure why he kept Lowry on the floor with them down 20, but knowing Lowry he probably refused to leave as he was still trying to mount a comeback with less than 4 minutes remaining. | | |||||||
Five Things We Saw
- Raptors looked tired from the onset as they seemingly tried to play faster than their bodies could move. Suns scored 70 points in the first half and led by 17. Raptors fatigue was most noticeable in the paint where they repeatedly didn’t block out which resulted in lay-up after lay-up.
- Despite losing the Raptors have the most wins versus the West with a 9-5 record
- Prior to the trip most of us thought we’d be lucky to come back 2-4 which is what we did. Personally, I felt we were robbed in Portland which could have been the third win. Now we return home to play 6 in a row at the ACC and get back DeMar DeRozan and 3 very much needed days of rest prior to their next game.
- This trip resulted in two records falling that had stood since the trade: it’s the first time they’ve lost a game by 20 points (14 was the previous high) and also the first time they’ve lost three games in a row.As much as I hate seeing those records fall I think it will help Casey refocus the team into committing on the defensive end again.
- I’m known for handing out high scores, and granted the team is tired but when you lose back to back games by double digits no one deserves an A or A+.
