It wasn’t pretty, but proved entertaining. The Raptors head into the All-Star break on a three-game winning streak.
 | Amir Johnson, PF 33 MIN | 1-2 FG | 4-7 FT | 4 REB | 2 AST | 1 STL | 1 BLK | 0 TO | 6 PTS | +6 +/-Coming into tonight, AJ had two straight games in double-figures and 7 straight shooting 70% or better. He may average just 26 minutes, and own a lack of touch, but every second of that clock is full of grit. However, that version decided to pack its bags for the All-Star break before this tilt even started. Ineffective on the pick and roll and a non-factor on the boards. It’s been a back and forth first-half for Johnson, which brings up the topic of his starting spot. More on that in a bit. |  |
 | James Johnson, PF 19 MIN | 3-4 FG | 0-0 FT | 3 REB | 2 AST | 0 STL | 1 BLK | 1 TO | 6 PTS | -5 +/-A second consecutive start! The public spoke, and the higher-ups listened!…Well, I can dare to dream. But there hasn’t been a decision made of this magnitude in quite some time. Not only for the impact it makes on the court, but also the effect it has on this fan base. How did JJ respond?…..The basketball gods have a cruel sense of humour. Foul trouble spoiled the celebration, and JJ never got into a consistent rhythm. On a side note: Many have referred to all the JJ love as overkill, but just look at what has transpired. T-Ross may help space the floor, but JJ brings so many more positives overall. The fact that he can be left alone on D with minimal help throughout the game is invaluable. This is not the time to abandon the experiment. Overkill? How about #JJ4PrimeMinister … |  |
 | Jonas Valanciunas, C 16 MIN | 3-5 FG | 0-0 FT | 5 REB | 0 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 3 TO | 6 PTS | -2 +/-An angry Jonas is an effective Jonas. Then the Spurs game happened, and showed that an infuriated JV brings out the beast we all know is in him. Wednesday was a chance for an encore presentation. Well, let’s just say Marcin Gortat took over the starring role in the sequel. 16 total minutes, and Casey had nothing to do with it this time. |  |
 | Kyle Lowry, PG 32 MIN | 5-12 FG | 0-0 FT | 4 REB | 6 AST | 1 STL | 1 BLK | 3 TO | 13 PTS | 0 +/-Perhaps we all should have thought the situation through a little more carefully. Do we really want our leader exerting so much added energy down in NYC this weekend. To say that K-Low has look fatigued recently wouldn’t do the complaint justice. Once again tonight there was disengaged defence, ill-advised passes, and a gambler mentality. Hey, if you can’t call out the captain, what are we truly after here, another first round exit? A little 4th-quarter clutch salvaged his evening. | |
 | DeMar DeRozan, SG 35 MIN | 6-18 FG | 10-10 FT | 3 REB | 2 AST | 3 STL | 0 BLK | 3 TO | 23 PTS | +4 +/-Over his previous five, DeRozan’s shooting had sunk to a new low of 33 percent. Averaging 9 trips to the charity stripe over that same span has been his saving grace. Add another 10 trips tonight. But now that you can chalk up another dreadful 6-18, considering how much this offense rolls through DD, it’s time to become a little concerned that opposing defenses won’t front him as often. The clutch ending nets him a B. |  |
 | Patrick Patterson, PF 30 MIN | 1-8 FG | 0-0 FT | 8 REB | 2 AST | 2 STL | 1 BLK | 0 TO | 2 PTS | -1 +/-That starting spot i previously mentioned: It might not be long before Patman’s name is penciled in. A back and forth switch at the 3 and 4 for JJ and PP depending on the matchup? I would not vote against that notion. The scoresheet says minimal impact, but the intangibles were present. Timely production across the board. | |
 | Tyler Hansbrough, PF 8 MIN | 0-2 FG | 1-2 FT | 2 REB | 0 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 1 TO | 1 PTS | 0 +/-The Rodney Dangerfield of the Raps. But deserved only 8 minutes. | |
 | Terrence Ross, SF 13 MIN | 0-2 FG | 0-0 FT | 0 REB | 1 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 0 TO | 0 PTS | -4 +/-Hey T-Ross: Watch out for that speeding bullet. My bad, that’s just 38-year-old Andre Miller who just blew by you dude! The recent Brooklyn game reminds us all of the promise T-Ross holds. But the NOW three-in-a-row duds displayed are what also remind us of why there is so much frustration with Ross. I’m just going to say it, Masai might just be floating Ross’ name during the break. | |
 | Greivis Vasquez, PG 19 MIN | 4-7 FG | 0-0 FT | 4 REB | 1 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 2 TO | 11 PTS | +7 +/-The downward trend in court time continues for GV. Counting down his minutes from his last five games: 33, 21, 23, 16, 19. Along with a grand total of 2 free-throws over the course of his last 8 contests! He hit timely buckets but overall average. |  |
 | Louis Williams, SG 34 MIN | 8-16 FG | 7-7 FT | 4 REB | 1 AST | 2 STL | 1 BLK | 0 TO | 27 PTS | +5 +/-Quickly becoming the wildcard of this squad. Capable of coming up lame, but also owns the ability to flat-out explode!!! 8 points off the bench in the first quarter and 14 by the half were a godsend considering how bad the Raps were in transition defense. Finishing up with a monster 27 points and 4-trey effort. |  |
 | Dwane Casey Kudos are deserved for sticking with James Johnson in the starting unit. The test now comes if he actually sticks with it. One still has to think of the mentality being implemented by Casey. Preaches team defense in his press conferences, but that is nowhere to be seen. But hey , this is the best record this team has ever had going into the break. so he gets a B+! |  |
Three Things We Saw
- EASY BUCKETS. They may have been up by 2 at halftime (thanks goodness for the free-throw line), but the Wizards had a decisive 32-14 edge in the paint. Along with a 12-8 margin on the fast break. When it was all said and done, that lazy trend continued with a total of 42-24 and 16-14 respectively.
- I will bang the drum once again. Mo Pete!…That is all.
- This is not Raptors related, but it just wouldn’t feel right if I didn’t give it a mention. RIP to legendary college basketball coach, Jerry Tarkanian. Some of my greatest basketball memories are from the early 90’s and that powerhouse UNLV team. The sport lost an icon today. He not only won at every level he coached, but he’s one of the few to actually fight the NCAA, and win!
