Thoughts + Votes, Nets @ Raptors

Nets 102, Raptors 100.

So, the Raptors played a horrible game (aside from sinking an absurd number of threes..), then randomly cut the Brooklyn Nets' fifteen-point lead to one in the space of ninety seconds.

Unfortunately, mastermind Coach Casey drew up a play that had Amir Johnson camped in the corner to shoot a game-winning three, and the Raptors' bizarre fightback was killed. 

POSITIVES- The backcourt Raptors brought it tonight, and this game would have been truly ugly without them. Demar DeRozan continues to score efficiently (27 points from 15 shots) and carry the Raptors consistently. Unfortunately, Demar only took two shots in the last quarter when he had every right to, and needed to, continue his top shooting and attempt to win the Raptors the game. Kyle Lowry (24 points and 6 assists), too, was instrumental to what success the Raptors were able to have tonight.

Importantly, it was Lowry's continued intensity on both ends late in the game that caused the Raptors' late charge. Lowry picked off two passes leading to buckets in the last 90 seconds, without which the Raptors would have faded away to a dismal loss. While it is always easy to criticize Toronto, the team has shown resilience this season with a number of late fightbacks. 

NEGATIVES- Andray Blatche dominated on the inside tonight, and we can put that down to the Raptors' bigs' defense. This is not a player that should be dropping 24 points, and, again, the Raptors overall defense lacked commitment. 

Toronto was extremely lucky in the first half to be anywhere near the Nets. The offense lacked the ball-movement and energy that had been apparent in the previous two wins, and while this may be put down to the 4 day break of the Raptors, the inconsistency on offense is becoming extremely frustrating. Without the eight first half threes, the Raps would have been blown out before the break.

I don't like the idea of calling for coaches to be fired in the wake of losses, because I find it extremely reactionary and not actually a solid way to fix a team's problems. Dwane Casey, however, is really starting to get to me. Firstly, do you not see Jonas Valanciunas' potential, Mr. Casey? Sure, Jonas is inconsistent and often invisible on both ends, but how do you expect him to grow when you park him on the bench for more than half the game? Nobody ever passes the ball to him, so I find it weird that Jonas is then benched for not doing enough.

And then, as if Raptor fans weren't already fed up enough with Casey, the attempted game-winning play had Amir shoot a three and Steve Novak crash the boards. See anything wrong with that, Coach? Yes, we were extremely lucky to be in the game anyway, but Toronto needs to start taking half-chances like tonight if we really do want to push into the playoffs this season.

PLAYER VOTES-

3 votes- DeRozan (27pts, 9/15FGs, 6rebs). Man, Demar is making efficient scoring look easy right now. When he pulls up mid-range, I genuinely know the ball is going to drop. Sure, he's hot right now and might be brought back down to earth in the next few games, but DeRozan is making this type of game very common right now. Pumped for Demar, hope he keeps rolling. Without him tonight, the Raptors lose by 30.

2 votes- Lowry (24pts, 8/15FGs, 6asts). I think Kyle is a real fighter. Never seems to quit on games, like other Raptors could be accused of. Pulled us back into the game when it was well and truly over. The sort of player fans should be proud of, for fighting until the end.

1 vote- Novak (12pts, 3/6FGs). Look, no other Raptor was very good tonight, so Steve sneaks in for his first vote of the season. It's quite fun having a sniper from distance who just gets to ping threes whenever he feels like it. I don't like that he played more minutes than Jonas, however. 

NEXT- 29 November vs Miami.