Pivotal tilt for surprising Raptors as they eye winning homestand

Article content

The Raptors’ five-game homestand wraps up Monday night when the New York Knicks pay a visit to Scotiabank Arena.

Article content

Article content

Article content

This stretch of home cooking began with a win over the Miami Heat, which overcame a double-digit deficit and nearly tied the game when Tyler Herro’s open look from distance didn’t drop.

Toronto then played one of its most complete games in beating an Indiana Pacers team for the second time this season.

Two of the NBA’s heavyweights — both driven by star power — then came to town and the results were predictable, beginning with a loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder that was never challenged, followed by a Dallas Mavericks team that led by 24 points in the third quarter, but had to hang on for their seventh win in a row and 11th in the past 12.

There have been far more good stretches than bad from a Raptors team that saw the return of Gradey Dick against OKC on the same night Jakob Poeltl was unavailable.

Article content

Article content

On Saturday night against the Mavs, Kelly Olynyk made his season debut in a Toronto lineup that was as healthy as it has been this season.

The one missing piece — and it’s a big one given the role he embraces — remains starting point guard Immanuel Quickley, out with a wrist injury.

As expected, Olynyk’s return did have an impact on the rotation. The odd-man out to emerge was Chris Boucher, which was to be expected.

At 7-17, the Raptors, who have just one road win, are at a reasonable place given the limitations of their roster. For a team that was viewed in pre-season forecasts as bad, the Raptors have surprised. Which may not be good if the goal is to secure the best lottery odds in the 2025 NBA draft.

An overtime loss in Boston, when RJ Barrett recorded his first-career triple-double, stands out as one of those ideal outcomes, at least in terms of development while keeping the big picture in mind.

Article content

Competitive games against Denver also come to mind.

With the benefit of hindsight, perhaps too much was gleaned knowing the Nuggets aren’t that good and actually lost to the Washington Wizards, who had lost 16 in a row, but overcame Nikola Jokic’s career-high 56 points. The Joker recorded a triple-double against the Raptors, who were competitive in both of their games against the Nuggets.

Against Dallas, Luka Doncic posted his second straight triple-double. His six three-pointers were a season-high.
But one of Toronto’s highlights involved Gradey Dick and his team-high 27 points, the sixth time the second-year wing has posted 25 or more points this season. He accounted for one-third of Toronto’s 15 makes from distance and one-third of the team’s attempts from the foul line.

Article content

In contrast, Scottie Barnes made zero trips to the charity stripe in 37 minutes, though his career-high 14 assists can’t be dismissed.

As poised as rookie Ja’Kobe Walter looked, the one area that has plagued the Raptors is an ability to drain three-pointers. Walker missed all four of his attempts, though fellow rookie Jonathan Mogbo made both of his.
If there was one dominant theme that should provide optimism, it is the play of Walter and Mogbo. If anything, both deserve more playing time and opportunities to expand their offence.

At this stage in their evolution, it would be foolish to compare the Raptors to the likes of the Thunder or the Mavs. What those two losses exposed was the gulf the Raptors must navigate to return to a high level, while the Knicks are more than capable of providing further evidence of the path Toronto must travel.

Article content

Anyone suggesting Barnes, the Raptors’ franchise face, is in the same class of a Doncic, Kyrie Irving or Shai Gilgeous-Alexander simply does not know basketball.

Whether Barnes can reach such heights if better players surround him remains to be seen. Chances are the Raptors will have to acquire someone who is better than Barnes, a very big-picture question that carries with it multiple layers.

For now, it’s on to the Knicks and the return to Toronto of OG Anunoby and Precious Achiuwa.

New York had its four-game win streak snapped Saturday night when the visiting Detroit Pistons were led by Cade Cunningham’s triple-double. The Knicks played without Karl-Anthony Towns (knee).

Jalen Brunson had 31 points and 10 assists for the Knicks and it’ll be a tough matchup for the Raptors in trying to contain him.

Article content

New York has a .500 record on the road, while the Raptors sit at .500 at home.

Toronto’s five-game homestand will be viewed much differently if a win can be produced Monday night.

MOVIN’ ON UP

Doncic moved into sole possession of seventh place on the NBA’s career-list for most triple-doubles.
He also became the second-fastest player in NBA history in terms of both games (418) and age (25 years, 283 days) to reach 300 games of at least 20 points, five assists and five rebounds.

Only LeBron James was younger (25 years, 61 days) when he reached 300 such games and only Oscar Robertson reached 300 of those games faster than Doncic (342 games).

fzicarelli@postmedia.com

Article content