Alvin Xiong (10) | STAFF REPORTER
After a miraculous win against a stacked Phoenix Suns team, the Toronto Raptors dropped four very narrow games in a row, three of which were single-digit losses, and won one game before being blown out by the Atlanta Hawks, losing their fourth game in 6 games.
The first loss against the Knicks ended with a margin of 13 points in the Knicks’ favor. The Raptors shot terribly the entire game, connecting on an abysmal 19% from three compared to the Knicks’ 45%. Less than half the efficiency of their opponents earning them the title of being the league’s third worst three-point-shooting team. The Raptors also took 10 more shots than the Knicks during this game, rebounding better offensively and defensively, but still made 1 less shot.
In the next game, a 9-point loss to the Miami Heat, The Raptors continued their terrible shooting streak. Bringing the average field goal percentage over these two games to a pathetic 43% overall. They turned the ball over exactly twice as many times (14), compared to the Heat (7).
The Raptors would reach a new low in their third straight loss, against the now 25th place Hornets. They found themselves in a 13-point deficit after just the first quarter and a late push in the fourth quarter was just too little too late. They couldn’t climb out of the hole they had dug themselves in and lost by 3 points, a mistake the Raptors enjoys repeating. Scottie Barnes ended with a spectacular 30-point-triple-double but a loss to the fifth worst team in the league without their star point guard, Lamelo Ball, is just unacceptable. Once again, the Raptors shot horrible from three-point (20%) compared to the Hornets (52%).
The following 6-point loss to the Knicks, 4 of the starters scored approximately 20 points and once again, the Raptors got off 10 more shots. The defense continued to be missed though as the Knicks shot a baffling 60 percent from three-point, free throw, and overall field goal.
Thankfully, this horrific slide ended December 13th with a much-needed win over the Hawks. The Raptors made much of the same mistakes in previous games such as being down early in the first quarter and turning the ball over twice as often (14 TO : 7 TO) but stellar efforts from Siakam and Barnes willed the team forward. Improvements were made, especially in three-point shooting (53%) and every player’s contribution was felt.
Unfortunately, after this win the Raptors decided they would like to remember the feeling of being blown out and lost 125-104 to the Atlanta Hawks, the team they had just beaten. 56% from the free throw line, 13 fewer offensive rebounds, and 24 fewer shots overall contributed to an unwatchable 21 point loss.
The Raptors still have a bit of time to figure it out. We are just a quarter of the way into the regular season so a play-off position isn’t out of the picture yet. If the Raptors are to be serious about this future, things need to change. Scottie Barnes is the only one matching expectations every night. He has carried this team on his back and needs to maintain his current playing level. Everyone else needs to step up immediately. Siakam, Anunoby, Schroder, and Poeltl all need to show up consistently. Occasional high-light games aren’t enough. Others like Trent Jr. and Achiuwa haven’t shown up at all this season. The Raptors’ current poor-shooting, disjointed defense and lackluster games won’t be enough to push far, especially considering how strong the East is this year.
