Overall, the Raptors are a team that seems a bit too married to the rigidity of those roles. It is why DeRozan is averaging 16.2 field-goal attempts per game, with 46.3 per cent of those on pull-ups in the midrange, despite shooting a poor 34 per cent on those shots. It is why Jonas Valanciunas took one shot in 24 minutes on Friday night in Chicago — unless he has an obvious mismatch, there are not many efforts to get him looks that he does not get for himself via offensive rebounds. It is why Williams so often ends quarters with the ball in isolation. Having roles defined can be wonderful. It is great for players, especially young players, to know what is expected of them on a game-to-game basis. However, the Raptors have been mediocre since Christmas. On a team with more urgency, that could have led to structural changes with the roster or style of play. The Raptors, though, are trusting that the first two months of the season are out there waiting to be re-discovered. That is a considerable leap of faith.
There is a unique feeling about the final game of any professional season, and this one had it despot the fact there are still 12 games remaining. It’s something along the lines of ‘This couldn’t mean less’ and for all intents and purposes it didn’t mean that much for either team. The Raptors certainly needed the court time to work on their defence and short of anything else, they got that. “I felt like tonight was an overall great team effort,” Patterson said. “I believe no one got hit with a backdoor. Everyone was communicating, talking, I heard that a lot tonight. Focussed on rebounding. I thought we did great sharing and moving the ball, so overall offensively and defensively it was a great night. Defensively I thought we did a great job communicating and talking and carrying out the coaches game plan.”
“We know what we want to get right before we get to the playoffs and try to have some momentum going there,” said Hansbrough in the locker room after the game. He added that the presence of Williams, who scored nine points in the fourth quarter, helped draw defenders away from the paint to open up passing lanes for some easy threes. “Lou’s such a focal point, and just knowing where to go so he can find you,” he said. Ahead of the game, Casey was once again emphatic the Raptors need to find their defensive gumption, especially as the post-season creeps closer. Toronto has allowed more than 101 points per game on average this season, putting their ability to stop baskets in the bottom quarter of NBA teams. To change that, Casey said Toronto should work on recapturing the mindset that each game matters, instead of laying off to wait for the playoffs. “I’ve sensed somewhat of a complacent approach a little bit,” said the coach. “For a young team still trying to get their rhythm, trying to get our defensive focus, we can’t do that.” Echoing Casey, DeRozan said the team “stayed disciplined for the most part” Sunday, adding they can’t get too comfortable with their solid grip on the Atlantic Division. “Day by day. Game by game. We can’t look no further than after the next game,” he said. “We have to be playing our best basketball going into the playoffs.”
The real hero of the afternoon was Tyler Hansbrough as he dropped a season-high 18 points in 17 minutes off the bench. For someone who’s ridiculed on a regular basis for failing to hit shots around the rim, Psycho-T was sound and efficient in creating contact and banking in his shots under the basket.
Toronto 106, New York 89: Ledo giveth and Ledo taketh away | Posting and Toasting
Andrea Bargnani came in to the game pistole fumanti. The up-faking mad man flung together a magical first quarter scoring nearly half his points, ripping down all three of his rebounds and rejecting an unsuspecting short fry. He stopped contributing some short time thereafter.
New York Knicks Recap: Lose to Raptors 106-89 | Daily Knicks
Although the score may tell a different tale, the Knicks never gave up in this game and did not lose due to a lack of trying. Lance Thomas surprised everyone at the Air Canada Centre by leading his team with 24 points. Andrea Bargnani was the only other Knick to reach double-digit numbers in points with 16. I was hoping for a big game from Bargnani against his former team; not all wishes come true. Especially if you are a Knicks fan. The Knicks were playing catchup with Raptors the entire game, and could never quite get there. They truly did the best they possibly could with the players they had available, and that is all we can ask from them at this point.
Raptors take care of business in win over NBA’s worst team | TSN
Coming off a disheartening defeat in Chicago on Friday, and an embarrassing loss to these same Knicks last month, this was a game they absolutely needed to get, one way or another. Encouragingly, they actually looked like a playoff team should going up against a 14-win opponent. With the exception of a brief drought to begin the third quarter, Toronto was in control from start to finish. In accordance with a vow they made following the loss in Chicago, they were locked in on the task at hand rather than looking past a comically bad team that – to their credit – has taken them by surprise before. “We’ve just got to stay focused and understand that every game still matters,” said DeMar DeRozan, who led the team with 23 points, seven rebounds and five assists. “We’ve got to take something from every game even though we’re still going to the playoffs. We can’t relax. We’ve still got to keep focus and get better every time we step on the floor.”
Toronto Raptors: Chance to Earn a Long Win Streak? | Raptors Rapture
It has been over a month since the Toronto Raptors have won more than two games in a row. The team has struggled to establish any sort of momentum down the stretch, allowing the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Chicago Bulls to climb back into the race for second-place in the Eastern Conference. Now, with an impressive blowout in New York (106-89), the Raps have a great chance to finally get back on the proverbial horse of success and earn a solid win-streak. The Raptors truly need every win they can muster if they plan to catch the Cavs. They are now a full three-games back, sitting in third ahead of the Bulls. While third wouldn’t be horrendous, second would be preferable. Considering the Raptors only have two more games left against teams above .500, earning a solid record with their remaining contests and catching up to the Cavs should be doable. It will require adequate contributions from the team’s many important players, as well as a much more consistent and dedicated effort than they have been demonstrating recently.
Toronto Raptors withstand Andrea Bargnani, defeat Knicks | Raptors Cage
Again, it’s the Knicks. This shouldn’t mark a defensive turnaround for the Raps, but they did enough to contain the threats. Lance Thomas (who?) finished with 24 points, and fan favorite Andrea Bargnani dropped 16 however that was about it for the Knicks. On an unrelated note, just how amazing would it be if the Knicks re-signed Bargnani to a long-term deal this offseason after the late surge he’s been on?
Game Rap: Raptors 106 Knicks 89 | Toronto Raptors
DeMar DeRozan put in another strong game for the Raptors, leading the way with 23 points on 8-for-15 shooting from the field (including 6-for-6 free throws) to go with seven rebounds and a team-high five assists. DeRozan also had multiple dunks against the Knicks, including a highlight-reel worthy putback slam in the first quarter.
I can haz yo linkz??! rapsfan@raptorsrepublic.com
