Let’s try a new thing. Let’s walk through some memorable moments in tonight’s Raptors game using all sorts of voices, as well as some quotes here and there. Let’s call it a curated post game experience? I’m workshopping that.
Raptors with a sloooooow start here.
— Joshua Howe (@Howevolution) March 11, 2019
Can we just skip ahead to the 5 minute stretch of this game where the Raptors actually try and win the game easily?
— Anthony Doyle (@Anthonysmdoyle) March 11, 2019
But then the bench – buoyed by Pascal Siakam – got the game back in hand, at least for a short time.
The bench’s try level is a bit jarring after that stretch by the starters.
— Raptors HQ (@RaptorsHQ) March 11, 2019
Raptors treat the ball like radioactive waste, down 25-24 after a quarter on a Lin 3 at the buzzer.
— Doug Smith: Raptors (@SmithRaps) March 11, 2019
“You might need a little whiskey watching the Cavaliers this year,” said Jack Armstrong at the top of the second. Yup, Jack. Yup.
Meanwhile, the Cleveland offence shot itself in the foot as much as it was ‘stopped’ by brilliant defence from the Raptors.
The Cavs really have to have a better option than Marquese Chriss, right?
— Anthony Doyle (@Anthonysmdoyle) March 11, 2019
But turnovers put Toronto back in the hole. They compiled nine only a few minutes into the second quarter.
Powell going through it right now.
— Blake Murphy (@BlakeMurphyODC) March 11, 2019
More turnovers, more Cleveland baskets. Things got dark for a minute.
no matter what happens tonight at least we know bron won’t hit a heartbreaking game-winner at the buzzer
— Yahoo Sports Canada (@YahooCASports) March 11, 2019
Gasol had trouble defending the rim or scoring in the post.
TOR needs to get used to the fact that Gasol isn’t a particularly lethal post-up threat. He’s been better from there since the trade (54th percentile compared to 34th with MEM), but spending time having him do that takes away from possessions he could be utilizing his playmaking.
— Joshua Howe (@Howevolution) March 11, 2019
There were potential injuries.
Green and Ibaka both down and … both are up. But they’re cringing a little. Ouch. That was scary.
— Joshua Howe (@Howevolution) March 12, 2019
The third quarter didn’t start any better, as Colin Sexton started to rain jumpers.
Collin Sexton is pretty good. Also, I’m a bit tired so only noticed now that Cavs gameops play Ante Up by MOP whenenver Ante Zizic does something.
— Ryan Wolstat (@WolstatSun) March 12, 2019
Want another example of the Raptors’ lack of focus? “The Raptors have been abysmal at the free throw line tonight,” moaned Matt midway through the second. “Just four-for-ten. Ouch.”
The Raptors are getting killed by Brandon Knight and Collin Sexton dropping threes. So, it’s going as expected.
— Anthony Doyle (@Anthonysmdoyle) March 12, 2019
Kevin Love got in on the fun.
It was Kevin Love who beat all those Raptors teams, not LeBron
— Samson Folk (@samfolkk) March 12, 2019
“The Cavs are the more deserving team right now,” said Jack. “They have been better.”
A few fouls were called on Toronto, and Siakam earned his fourth. It wouldn’t be a Raptors game without some griping about the refs.
Tony? Oh, brothers.
— Sean Woodley (@WoodleySean) March 12, 2019
So then, obviously, because what else, Ibaka got into an actual fist fight with Chriss. Jokes were made.
Ibaka is done with this regular season lmao
— Vivek Jacob (@VivekMJacob) March 12, 2019
Serge Ibaka getting suspended for load management.
— Chris Walder (@WalderSports) March 12, 2019
Serge the ultimate team player. https://t.co/jC2RIQZ1wh
— Daniel Hackett (@dhackett1565) March 12, 2019
How Hungry Are You — For My Fists?
— Sean Woodley (@WoodleySean) March 12, 2019
Nurse, asked if Ibaka throwing a punch, again, is concerning: “I mean, listen, it’s always going to be concerning. We certainly don’t want that in the game. It’s going to cost him a game, probably. We don’t want that. We don’t want to lose 1 of our guys for incidents like that.”
— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) March 12, 2019
Ibaka refused to say what specifically set him off. He just blamed the general chirping.
Then, as soon as play resumed
Holy crap. Now Lowry’s limping after a collision. Let’s just end the game here, yeah? Before someone breaks something.
— Joshua Howe (@Howevolution) March 12, 2019
Just let this game end.
I’m tired of watching it.
— Anthony Doyle (@Anthonysmdoyle) March 12, 2019
And so let’s end it there. Lowry has a twisted ankle, and that’s probably worse than any other part of the game. Weird game, possibly weird format for a piece, but let’s find out.
