« Raptors Report
Week 22
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Following their character-building win against the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Raptors had another tough match up against a Western Conference playoff team. The Denver Nuggets may have traded their superstar in Carmelo Anthony to the New York Knicks, but they have actually been better without Anthony. The Raptors lucked out a little because two key guards for the Nuggets missed the game. Raymond Felton and Aaron Afflalo were both out with injuries. With those two unable to go, Ty Lawson, the UNC product, started out scorching, hitting his first five shots. By the end of the first quarter of play, Denver led 36-23. This contest was never close and the Nuggets easily handled Canada’s team 123-90. Lawson finished with a game-high 23 points. Andrea Bargnani was Toronto’s main weapon, ending with 20.
After getting demolished in Denver, the Toronto Raptors would have to rebound against a couple of familiar faces in Phoenix. Steve Nash and Vince Carter are the most loved and hated visiting basketball players when they play in Toronto. This game marked the first time, Leandro Barbosa returned to Phoenix, and he received a warm welcome from the crowd when he checked in. The Raptors were the team in control for the majority of the game, and appeared poised to come out with the victory. Low and behold, the fourth quarter was horrible for the visitors, and the Suns took over, with the crowd getting behind them. Aaron Brooks was huge off the bench, pouring in 25 points. Andrea Bargnani countered for the Raps with 27, but it wasn’t enough as they fell 114-106. With the loss, the Raptors were mathematically eliminated from the playoffs.
The Raptors traveled to California for a contest against the Golden State Warriors. Steph Curry and Monta Ellis form the highest scoring backcourt duo in the NBA, and to make matters worse, Toronto was playing without Reggie Evans and Amir Johnson. The first quarter was insane. No other word can describe the offensive frenzy that occurred. By the end of the period, it was 45-36 in favour of the Warriors. At one stretch, the home team connected on 15 consecutive field goals. James Johnson led the Raptors with 10 points and 4 assists, but Monta Ellis did him one better with 15. The Warriors shot 81% in the quarter, with the Raptors shooting 73%. Golden State kept pouring on the points in the second, and by halftime, the game was more or less done with the home team up by 26. By the end of the third, Golden State had poured in 116 points and was cruising to the finish line. When it was all said and done, the Warriors won 138-100. Youngsters DeMar DeRozan and Ed Davis both had efficient games for the Raptors. DeRozan scored 19 and Davis put up a double-double of 18 and 11.
Jose Calderon and company rolled into the Staples Centre on Saturday evening. Luckily for the visitors, it was the lowly Los Angeles Clippers they would have to deal with, as opposed to the juggernauts who are the Los Angeles Lakers. Even though the Clippers have struggled for a long time, they have the brightest young star in the NBA today in Blake Griffin. The Raps would have to win without leading scorer Andrea Bargnani, who sat out with a sore ankle. With two struggling teams going head to head, it is no surprise the game was a tight one. The contest was up for grabs with seconds to play in the fourth quarter, but Griffin threw down a dunk, and Eric Gordon followed up with a three-pointer to seal the game for the Clippers. Toronto rookie Ed Davis established a career high in points with 21 to go along with 11 rebounds.
Next week is a tough one for Canada’s team. They will return home for a game on Wednesday night against the Milwaukee Bucks, and then hit the road to square off with a pair of elite teams in the Chicago Bulls and Orlando Magic.