Raptors come out flat after all-star break and lose big in Charlotte
Publishing date:
Feb 25, 2022 o 12 minutes ago o 4 minute read o Join the conversation
Scottie Barnes (right) was about the only Raptor who had it going during a blowout loss against Charlotte on Friday. Photo by Jared C. Tilton /Getty Images Article content Had the Raptors had even half their game come back in some semblance of form from the All-Star break they might have been able to make this one a game.
AdvertisementStory continues below
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article contentBut offensively, outside of a second quarter burst from Scottie Barnes, the Raptors' offence looked slow and disconnected from each other.
Defensively without a key defensive cog in OG Anunoby, the Raptors looked slow and disinterested.
But the Raptors were so flat on Friday night it was debatable whether a healthy Anunoby would have made any difference as Toronto opened the post All-Star portion of their schedule by laying an absolute egg in a 125-93 loss.
Anunoby was a surprise absence following an MRI late Thursday that revealed a minor fracture in his ring finger of his right hand.
How long the team will be without Anunoby will be determined following a visit with a second specialist.
The Hornets came out buzzing (pun intended) as one would expect from a team that went into the break have lost nine of 10.
AdvertisementStory continues below
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article contentCharlotte came out like a team determined to make amends for that pre-break slump taking a 23-point lead into the half and then a 36-point lead into the final quarter that even the most optimistic fan couldn't make sound hopeful.
And it wasn't. It just continued on in that same vein.
The night, from start to finish, belonged to the Hornets who were led by Terry Rozier's 23 points but got double-digit scoring contributions from five others as they shared the spotlight equally.
The only good news from a Toronto perspective was they won't have to sleep on this dud for long. Friday night was the first of six games over an eight-day span that the Raptors will have to play.
They are right back at it Saturday night in Atlanta to complete the first of three back-to-backs that will make up this early back-breaker of a schedule.
AdvertisementStory continues below
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article contentUNWELCOME NEWS
The Raptors were aware that Anunoby's finger was giving him some issues, but they weren't prepared for the news that an MRI revealed.
How long he remains out will be determined by a follow-up assessment by a bone specialist.
It was obvious from comments made by head coach Nick Nurse before the game that the Raptors just expected this would be an injury Anunoby was going to play through.
Nurse sounded as surprised as anyone that the Raptors were going to have to make do without Anunoby for at least the next little while.
"I mean I think it's been proven that he can probably play through it, but I think we need somebody to assure him or us of that to make sure that is the case or maybe someone can heal it fast so we can get back and go from there."
AdvertisementStory continues below
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article contentNurse spoke extensively about a conversation he had with Anunoby at practice on Thursday, a practice that was full contact that Anunoby participated in. Nurse described the talk as "positive, light-hearted and constructive" in which he acknowledged the discomfort Anunoby was feeling but reminded him that he needed to keep shooting and find a way "to will it in" or make whatever adjustment necessary to allow him to play through.
There remains a chance that perhaps with some assurance from the specialist that he can't do further damage to the finger that Anunoby's absence will be short lived.
It's clear the Raptors need him and, as Nurse pointed out, Anunoby needs the playing time in this pivotal time of his development.
AdvertisementStory continues below
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content"I'm disappointed for him mostly because he is an important piece for us of course, but he's in a growing phase of where he is in his development as a player and to me the sky is the limit," Nurse said. "There are not a whole lot of guys walking around that can do the things he can do on both sides of the ball. His skills are coming on offence. He's a great shooter. We are starting to put people in the rim. We are posting. We are finding more offence for him."
THE FALLOUT
Without Anunoby for the first game out of the break, the Raptors stayed with a more traditional centre in the starting five with Khem Birch.
But it was as obvious as that 70-point first half by the Hornets how much the Raptors missed OG Anunoby on the defensive end.
Anunoby is a difference maker on both ends of the court for the Raptors but his absence from a team perspective is felt more at the defensive end where he takes the opponent's best option and often nullifies that threat. He's a comfort for every Raptor on the defensive end and when he's suddenly not there, especially having been there consistently for a number of games, it can be a shot to the system.
Share this article in your social network AdvertisementStory continues below
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
By clicking on the sign up button you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. You may unsubscribe any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link at the bottom of our emails. Postmedia Network Inc. | 365 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3L4 | 416-383-2300 Thanks for signing up! Comments Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion and encourage all readers to share their views on our articles. Comments may take up to an hour for moderation before appearing on the site. We ask you to keep your comments relevant and respectful. We have enabled email notifications--you will now receive an email if you receive a reply to your comment, there is an update to a comment thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information and details on how to adjust your email settings.
Belum ada Komentar untuk "Raptors come out flat after all-star break and lose big in Charlotte"
Posting Komentar