The Raptors continue their season high six-game homestand by hosting Jrue Holiday, Evan Turner and the Philadelphia 76ers. The Raptors are winless in their own division this season, but they’ll have a good shot to change that tonight against a Sixers team that has lost four straight.
The Raptors came crashing back to earth at the hands of the Sacramento Kings. Toronto was never as bad as it appeared when they were 4-19 and they aren’t as good as their recent stretch – winning eight of nine – made them appear. Tonight was one of the uglier performances of the season, as the Raptors starters couldn’t find any rhythm at either end of the floor.
Here are some thoughts on the game:
Memories of Al Jefferson’s game-tying three-pointer resurfaced when Ryan Anderson bounced home a game-tying three pointer with 8 seconds left in regulation. However, Toronto showed great poise by not allowing that to affect their effort in OT. Learning how to win close games will be crucial for this team as they mature.
Let the good times roll! The Raptors have won three straight games in rather convincing fashion while using an undermanned rotation. The group that has played these last four games in no way resembles the team that played the first 22 games. This group plays like a team – they move the ball quickly on offence, they pass up good shots for great shots, they hustle back on defence, and they communicate and trust each other to make the proper rotations. It’s very cliched, but everyone who stepped on the floor tonight for Toronto was playing “team” basketball.
Here are some thoughts on the game:
In their best defensive effort of the season (perhaps the victory in Indiana was better), the Toronto Raptors put the clamps on the Dallas Mavericks for a 95-74 victory. A day after Andrea Bargnani said the Raptors were “the worst team in the NBA,” Toronto came out looking like an inspired group. Perhaps that was a result of Bargnani’s comments, or perhaps it was a result of Bargnani’s absence from the lineup…
Here are some thoughts on the game:
