TL;DR – 23-9; Nurse fined for slamming no call refs; Raptors are tired and injured and not practicing; Lowry wants everyone to just be happy; Raptors back at it after 2 days off-host the Pacers.
Do the Raptors’ two losses to Portland and Denver without the services of Kyle Lowry prove that they ride or die on his shoulders? – Andrew R.
I don’t know if I’d go as far as ride or die, but coming off of his slump, I think it was a well-timed reminder of Lowry’s impact on winning games, even when his shooting isn’t there. Those two games saw the Raptors operating very shorthanded, so there are some grains of salt with all of this. Still, Lowry is the team’s on-court leader, both in spirit and in terms of organizing the offence, making sure guys are getting shots in their spots, distributing possessions, and so on. It makes some sense that even though Leonard is the superior player, a third of the way into the season it’s Lowry’s absence that hurts more — he’s the point guard, he’s the primary playmaker, and he’s the longest-established piece of Nick Nurse’s offence.
I’m going to write a bit more tomorrow about how the team has looked with Lowry and Leonard through a WOWY lens. There are some interesting trends that point to the offensive chemistry still being worked out.
Raptors trying to strike balance between practice and rest – Sportsnet.ca
Tuesday, Dec. 18th was a notable day in the Raptors’ season because it marked the club’s first practice in 10 days and just their third in a month.
Iverson would have loved it. For him, practices simply marked the inconsequential time between games in a long NBA season.
In the Raptors’ case there’s been little choice.
When the Raptors finished up their road trip in Denver on Sunday they led the NBA in games played and road games played. It’s been a smorgasbord for fans watching at home, with games coming in waves as the Raptors played 15 times in 27 days between Nov. 20th and Dec. 16th.
But sacrificed in all of that was practice time. It’s made the Raptors’ ability to keep grinding out wins – they went 10-5 overall and 7-3 on the road during their 15-game stretch while taking on some of the toughest teams in the league – all the more impressive. They get tested again Wednesday night when they host the 20-11 Indiana Pacers in their return to Scotiabank Arena.
“It’s not the easiest but you have to make your choice: are you taking some time to make sure they are conserving energy for the game or are you going to continue to grind and teach them?” said Raptors head coach Nick Nurse.
More often than not, the first-year NBA bench boss has chosen to have his players rested and alert rather than try to force-feed distracted minds and tired bodies.
“Right now we’re trying to keep things moving. We know it’s a long year, so we’re trying to teach as we go and go a little more slowly than we probably would like but it is what it is.”
Podcast: Locked on Raptors #438 – Running the Point w/ Simon Broder – Raptors HQ
In Episode 438 of Locked on Raptors, Sean Woodley chats with author and Raptors HQ contributor Simon Broder about his new middle-school aged novel “Running the Point,” which won the Story Shares Diversity Award for 2018. They also talk about Simon’s recent piece about Delon Wright, and contemplate Wright’s present and future with the team.
NBA Injury Update: Which Toronto Raptor Is Injured? – Raptors HQ
Kyle Lowry
The Situation:
Raptors fans wince every time Lowry hits the deck or takes a charge, because, well, he remains the most important member of the team. With Lowry at full strength and firing, Toronto can be confident their team is giving it their best shot. So far this season, he’s missed three games, including the last two due to back spasms.Is He Injured?
Yes! Lowry right now is listed as questionable due to a bruised left thigh. I suppose this is an improvement, given that it was likely his back spasms that contributed to his recent slump, during which Lowry looked tentative in both shooting and driving. Given the Raptors’ desire to play it safe with Lowry (which should override his competitive nature), we’ll err on the side of caution too.
Raptors’ Nick Nurse fined $15K for publicly criticizing officiating – Sportsnet.ca
Nurse expressed his frustration after forward Kawhi Leonard had only four free throws in the game despite playing over 38 minutes.
“They were the ones that were hitting, holding, cutting, grabbing, clutching, hitting,” Nurse told reporters after the game.
“You can’t tell me that one of the best players in the league takes 100 hits and shoots four free throws, and they handed him two for charity at the end. So he was going to have two free throws for the game with all the physical hits and holding and driving and chucking and doubling and slapping and reaching and all the stuff. It’s been going on all year. I do not understand why they are letting everyone play one of the best players in the league so physically. I do not understand it.”
“It’s been like that all year but in this era with how the game is and the rules today I feel like I agree with [Nurse],” said Leonard. “It was very physical but I just go with the next play. It could only get me ready for what’s to come. I just pride myself on keeping moving and keeping going.”
After public criticism of the officials, Nurse showing his players he has their backs – Video – TSN
After ripping the officiating following Sunday’s loss to the Nuggets, it’s clear Nick Nurse doesn’t think Kawhi Leonard is getting the calls he deserves. As Josh Lewenberg explains, for the Raptors head coach, it wasn’t just about sending a long overdue message, he also wanted his players to know that he’s got their back.
Nurse fine buys cred with Raptors | The Star [paywall]
“Tonight was a very severe case of a guy who was playing great, taking it to the rim and just absolutely getting held, grabbed, poked, slapped, hit and everything,” Nurse told reporters in Denver, “and they refused to call any of it. It was unbelievable to me. You can’t tell me one of the best players in the league takes a hundred hits in that game and shoots four free throws (all made).
“It’s ridiculous,” Nurse continued. “The guy is one of the best players in the league. He doesn’t complain. They just turn their head and go the other way. It’s been going on all year.”
The Raptors coach was fined $15,000 U.S. on Tuesday for “public criticism of the officiating.” It wasn’t the first time Nurse had voiced his thoughts on the subject, but it was the most adamant he has been that Leonard deserves more time at the free-throw line.
The 27-year-old Leonard, in his first season as a Raptor, is shooting 85.9 per cent from the line and averaging 6.8 free-throw attempts per game — the second-most of his eight-year NBA career, after averaging 7.2 attempts two seasons ago with the San Antonio Spurs.
Leonard, twice voted the NBA’s defensive player of the year, was more reserved in his assessment on Sunday, saying he prides himself on getting on with the next play despite “very physical” opposition. Two days later, he added that it’s important to know Nurse has his back.
“He can see the game,” Leonard said. “We’re playing it and we might see it a certain way, and we always feel like we’re right on the floor, but when you have your coach watching it and see the same thing you’re feeling, then it’s great.”
Nurse was reluctant to revisit the subject on Tuesday, hours before the league fine was announced, but reiterated that he has seen non-calls as a persistent problem through 32 games.
Could Nurse sticking up for Kawhi help sway his thoughts on staying in Toronto? – Video – TSN
OverDrive hosts Bryan Hayes and Dave Fechuk discuss Raptors head coach Nick Nurse being fined by the league for his comments about Kawhi Leonard not getting as many calls from officials as he should be and the impact that Nurse sticking up for the player the team is hoping to convince to stay in Toronto could have.
Are Nurse’s claims of lack of foul calls for Kawhi legitimate? – Video – TSN
Following the Raptors loss to the Nuggets where Kawhi Leonard shot just four free throws despite his work in the paint, head coach Nick Nurse went off on the officiating. TSN Raptors reporter Josh Lewenberg weighs in on whether or not Nurse has a case when he claims his star player doesn’t get the treatment he deserves.
Clippers’ pursuit of Raptors’ Kawhi Leonard in headlines this week – Sportsnet.ca
On Monday, Leonard’s teammate, Kyle Lowry, was asked about whether or not he had any indication of what will happen next summer.
“There’s no read,” Lowry told Sam Amick of The Athletic. “We don’t have to read him, because he talks to us. He’s our teammate. He’s a guy we talk to every day. He’s awesome. He’s enjoying being back on the floor playing basketball at a high level. That’s what he’s really enjoying.
“I’ve dealt with this before with DeMar — the speculation — and I will be happy for Kawhi Leonard when he makes his decision,” Lowry continued. “Nothing else matters but his happiness, and that’s how I am, because our brotherhood is too small for us to say this, that and the other (about another player’s free agency decision) Our brotherhood in the NBA is really tiny, and we really all appreciate and support and want each other happy.”
Leonard, for his part, seems to be uninterested — or unaware — of the ongoing rumours and L.A.’s apparent recruitment tactics. While the Raptors were in Los Angeles to face the Clippers last week, after the game Leonard walked right past Lawrence Frank in a Staples Center corridor with no acknowledgement.
Raptors’ Miles likes what he sees from former team, Indiana | Toronto Sun
Only Myles Turner and Thaddeus Young remain with the Pacers from Miles’ swan song, but instead of falling into the abyss of a rebuild, the team has been able to fight for a homecourt playoff spot, finishing fifth last year and sitting third in the East before Tuesday’s game against Cleveland.
“They’re playing well, man, they’re playing hard,” Miles said after Raptors practice on Tuesday.
“They have a good rotation, a lot of guys that can play, like us,” Miles said, speaking also to Toronto’s depth.
The Pacers do a lot of their work by committee. Seven players average at least 24.7 minutes per game, including Canadian Cory Joseph, who splits the point guard minutes nearly evenly with fellow veteran Darren Collison. Joseph is averaging career bests in three-point shooting percentage (41%), assists per game (3.9), rebounds (3.6) and steals (1.3).
“They got guys playing in roles, Oladipo’s had an injury, he’s back, Myles has been playing well, he’s leading the league in number of blocks now,” Miles said.
“Got guys making shots, but they just play basketball the right way in their style. They play well to (what they are suited to).”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yfEqRNW79s
Raptors’ Powell set to return Wednesday against Pacers – Sportsnet.ca
After missing the last month of action with a left shoulder injury, Norman Powell has been cleared to make his return to the Toronto Raptors lineup.
Powell’s injury was officially listed as a left shoulder subluxation, or partial dislocation of the shoulder. He sustained the injury during the second quarter of a Nov. 5 game against the Utah Jazz.
Throughout 11 games played so far this season he has averaged 5.0 points on 46 per cent shooting from the field as well as 2.0 rebounds per game.
Wednesday NBA preview: Indiana Pacers at Toronto Raptors | The Star [paywall]
KEY MATCHUP
Oladipo/Leonard
Oladipo, who returned from a knee injury on Dec. 12, scored 26 points in Sunday’s win over the Knicks — the all-star guard’s first 20-point game since Nov. 11. The Pacers went 7-4 in his absence. The East-leading Raptors, bitten by the injury bug, will once again lean on Leonard, who led a 10-man roster with 29 points and 14 rebounds against the Nuggets on Sunday.
Game Preview: Pacers at Raptors | Indiana Pacers
After a disappointing end to their seven-game win streak, the Pacers (20-11) will look to start a new streak on Wednesday night. It won’t be easy, though, as they head to Toronto to take on the Raptors (23-9), owners of the best record in the NBA.
The Blue & Gold led for much of Tuesday’s game against Cleveland at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, but never were able to create much separation from the lottery-bound Cavaliers. Indiana scored just three points over the final four minutes and missed four free throws over the span — three of those misses coming from All-Star guard Victor Oladipo in the final minute — opening the door for the Cavs to steal a 92-91 win on Larry Nance Jr.’s putback at the buzzer.
Replays showed Nance got away with shoving Oladipo to the ground on the final play, but the fact remains that the Pacers’ poor execution put them in position to lose in the first place.
“I didn’t think we came with the energy necessary to win this game and we weren’t connected out there,” Pacers coach Nate McMillan said after the loss. “I always believe there are basketball gods. You don’t play this game the right way and it will bite you.”
Toronto had the best record in the Eastern Conference a year ago, but made major changes after a disappointing second-round exit in the playoffs. They fired Coach of the Year Dwane Casey, replacing him with top assistant Nick Nurse, and traded away All-Star guard DeMar DeRozan for mercurial All-NBA forward Kawhi Leonard. The latter move was a calculated risk, as Leonard is set to hit the free agent market next summer.
The returns have been good so far, however, as the Raptors won 23 of their first 30 games. Leonard is an early frontrunner for MVP honors, averaging 26.3 points, 8.4 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.8 steals so far this season.
Toronto is coming off a difficult four-game road trip out West, where they won at the Clippers and Warriors before dropping games in Portland and Denver. The Raptors have had time to rest, though, having last played on Sunday night.
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