The franchise participant dominated one other robust loss.
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The primary takeaway from one other robust, shut Raptors loss, this one at Detroit on Monday, is that Scottie Barnes seems to be again in form. Barnes missed loads of time, however was principally operational. He had a quiet half in Cleveland on Sunday and performed like an all-star there and was one of the best participant on the sphere in opposition to Detroit, with apologies to Jaden Ivey.
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The Raptors want Barnes to play like he did in opposition to the Pistons. He was aggressive from the beginning. He attacked, discovered his teammates and even made three three-pointers, which does not occur usually. Barnes scored a career-high 31 factors, but in addition dominated the glass with 14, had seven assists and only one turnover and didn’t commit a foul.
The entire Raptors besides Jonathan Mogbo (2 of three) shot lower than 50 % from the sphere, however Barnes was only one mark away from making half of his 26 makes an attempt. Barnes has solely tried extra photographs as soon as in his profession, however with Immanuel Quickley and Gradey Dick out, he is the most suitable choice to get going early and infrequently, particularly if his outdoors makes an attempt fail.
That is the Barnes the Raptors want now and transferring ahead. When he imposes his will, it’s troublesome to cease him.
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NOT THE ROAD WARRIOR
RJ Barrett’s Jekyll and Hyde season continues to baffle. At house, Barrett performed at an All-NBA stage, averaging practically 30 factors per sport. On the highway it was changed. That features 7-of-19 capturing (1-of-6 from three-point vary) and extra fouls or turnovers than assists in opposition to Detroit. It is outstanding that the identical participant might be so outstanding in Toronto and wrestle a lot all over the place else.
There’s loads of blame available for Toronto’s 0-10 highway document, however Barrett’s play is as much as par, simply as he is one of many foremost causes the crew has been strong at house to date.
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Dick’s absence allowed the Raptors to undertake a extra conventional look, reinserting Davion Mitchell at level guard, taking some ball-handling obligations off the plates of Barnes and Barrett. Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic had already determined to return Mitchell to the beginning lineup (he has began 13 of 18 video games this season) to start out the third quarter in Cleveland, with Ochai Agbaji on the bench. With Dick out, Agbaji additionally began on Monday.
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The Raptors must be cautious with Dick, who’s having a strong sophomore season however is taking part in much more basketball than ever earlier than. There isn’t any must rush as they don’t want the harm to linger. And if it takes a short while, it will likely be simpler for Rajakovic to search out minutes for Bruce Brown and Ja’Kobe Walter on this journey and maintain Jamal Shead within the rotation as properly.
If the Raptors return to full well being, Rajakovic’s choices will change into much more troublesome. He stated he needs to present as many gamers as attainable alternatives, in contrast to most groups, since it is a developmental season, but it surely will not be simple.
SO MANY INJURIES
As The Rating’s Joseph Casciaro famous, with Dick becoming a member of Immanuel Quickley on the sidelines, Monday marked the twelfth time in 18 video games that Toronto discovered itself with out at the very least two of the gamers who would begin if head coach Darko Rajakovic may select amongst all these out there. Thus far, the crew has been with out at the very least considered one of these starters in each sport.
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The Raptors lead the NBA in complete video games and days missed by gamers this season. The crew proper behind them, the New Orleans Pelicans, obtained CJ McCollum again from Monday’s loss and also will have star guard DeJounte Murray again for the primary time since opening night time, simply in time to tackle the Raptors Wednesday. However Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, Herbert Jones and Jose Alvarado are all injured.
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MOGBO MAKES A MARK
Jonathan Mogbo was typically very current throughout his rookie season, with out having an influence on others. That is normally the way it goes for gamers chosen outdoors of the lottery, or in Mogbo’s case, to guide the second spherical. However he confirmed sufficient flashes that the Raptors had been fairly excited. Mogbo had a strong defensive play in Sunday’s loss at Cleveland and added an enormous offensive shift in that sport, scoring 11 factors on 3-of-4 capturing and 4-of-4 free throws within the second quarter. Mogbo even scored three factors, solely his second in 9 tries all season. Then Mogbo did it once more on Monday, scoring one other three-pointer in opposition to Detroit, whereas taking part in his normal good protection in restricted motion (together with no time within the third quarter and solely a quick stint within the fourth). Mogbo’s 13 factors in opposition to Cleveland had been his highest but and it is the third time he is managed double figures, but it surely’s the protection and rebounding that actually stand out when watching him. He is already wonderful on the offensive glass, a switchable, lanky defender and he additionally will get to the free throw line loads. It is nonetheless fairly uncooked, with loads of upside too.
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