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The Raptors’ 5 dwelling video games conclude Monday evening when the New York Knicks go to Scotiabank Enviornment.
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This home-cooking streak started with a victory towards the Miami Warmth, who overcame a double-digit deficit and practically tied the sport when Tyler Herro’s open stare from distance did not drop.
Toronto then performed one among its most full video games, beating an Indiana Pacers group for the second time this season.
Two of the NBA’s heavyweights – each pushed by star energy – then got here to city and the outcomes had been predictable, beginning with a loss to the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder that was by no means contested, adopted by a Dallas Mavericks group that led by 24 factors within the third. quarter, however needed to dangle on for his or her seventh straight victory and their eleventh within the final 12.
There have been way more good stretches than dangerous from a Raptors group that noticed the return of Gradey Dick towards OKC on the identical evening that Jakob Poeltl was unavailable.
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Saturday evening towards the Mavs, Kelly Olynyk made his season debut in a Toronto lineup that was as wholesome as this season.
The one lacking piece – and it’s important given the position he assumes – stays the place to begin guard Immanuel Quickley, injured within the wrist.
As anticipated, Olynyk’s return had an influence on the rotation. The intruder who emerged was Chris Boucher, which was regular.
At 7-17, the Raptors, who’ve only one street win, are in an inexpensive place given their roster limitations. For a group that was thought-about dangerous in preseason predictions, the Raptors stunned. Which will not be good if the objective is to get the most effective lottery odds within the 2025 NBA Draft.
An time beyond regulation loss in Boston, when RJ Barrett recorded his first profession triple-double, stands out as a type of superb outcomes, no less than when it comes to creating whereas protecting the larger image in thoughts .
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I additionally take into consideration the aggressive video games towards Denver.
Trying again, maybe an excessive amount of was realized realizing that the Nuggets weren’t that good and truly misplaced to the Washington Wizards, who had misplaced 16 in a row however overcame Nikola’s profession excessive Jokic by 56 factors. The Joker recorded a triple-double towards the Raptors, who had been aggressive of their two video games towards the Nuggets.
Towards Dallas, Luka Doncic signed his second consecutive triple-double. His six three-pointers are a season excessive.
However one among Toronto’s highlights was Gradey Dick and his group’s 27 factors, the sixth time the second-year winger has posted 25 or extra factors this season. He accounted for a 3rd of Toronto’s 15 makes an attempt from distance and a 3rd of the group’s makes an attempt from the foul line.
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In distinction, Scottie Barnes made no strikes on the charity pitch in 37 minutes, though his career-high 14 assists can’t be discounted.
As calm as rookie Ja’Kobe Walter seemed, the one space that has plagued the Raptors is their potential to empty three-pointers. Walker missed all 4 of his makes an attempt, though compatriot Jonathan Mogbo managed each.
If there may be one overarching theme that ought to encourage optimism, it’s Walter and Mogbo’s play. If something, each deserve extra taking part in time and alternatives to broaden their offense.
At this level of their improvement, it could be loopy to match the Raptors to the Thunder or Mavs. What these two losses revealed is the chasm the Raptors should navigate to return to a excessive degree, whereas the Knicks are greater than able to offering additional proof of how far Toronto should go.
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Anybody who means that Barnes, the face of the Raptors franchise, is in the identical class as a Doncic, Kyrie Irving or Shai Gilgeous-Alexander merely would not know basketball.
It stays to be seen whether or not Barnes can attain such heights if higher gamers encompass him. There is a good likelihood the Raptors might want to purchase somebody who is healthier than Barnes, a really broad query that has a number of layers.
For now, it is time for the Knicks and the return to Toronto of OG Anunoby and Valuable Achiuwa.
New York had its four-game profitable streak snapped Saturday evening when the visiting Detroit Pistons had been led by Cade Cunningham’s triple-double. The Knicks performed with out Karl-Anthony Cities (knee).
Jalen Brunson had 31 factors and 10 assists for the Knicks and will probably be a tricky sport for the Raptors as they attempt to include him.
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New York has a .500 document on the street, whereas the Raptors have a .500 document at dwelling.
Toronto’s five-game homestand will likely be considered very in a different way if a victory may be produced on Monday evening.
MOVIN’ ON UP
Doncic turned the one participant to carry seventh place on the NBA’s profession record for many triple doubles.
He additionally turned the second-fastest participant in NBA historical past by video games (418) and age (25 years, 283 days) to achieve 300 video games of no less than 20 factors, 5 assists and 5 rebounds.
Solely LeBron James was youthful (25 years, 61 days) when he reached 300 such video games and solely Oscar Robertson reached 300 such video games quicker than Doncic (342 video games).
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