Raptors lose fifth straight recreation regardless of large recreation from bench gamers Categorical Instances

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At a time when precise wins are scarce, successful the sport inside the recreation can present some cause for optimism, the traditional situation of discovering some solace in defeat.

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On the similar time, there has by no means been any room within the standings for ethical victories nor will an additional class ever be featured accompanying the received and misplaced totals.

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Down three starters however removed from out Sunday evening in Atlanta, it was Toronto’s second unit that performed its hearts out, the first cause why the guests had been capable of hold round for so long as they did and even take the lead within the recreation’s remaining minute, ultimately making an attempt to carry onto a lead on the ultimate possession. The tip consequence was a 126-125 loss to the Hawks, who gave the sport away following a turnover solely to win the sport following a second-chance alternative.

Scottie Barnes wasn’t at his greatest on offence, however his total recreation was fairly good, particularly when studying performs and discovering teammates or just attacking the basket. He didn’t try a single three-pointer. Barnes didn’t power his shot, both.

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In crunch time, he was the first ball handler and facilitator. He missed his first go-ahead bucket when matched up in opposition to an Atlanta large in Clint Capella. Barnes then made amends when Toronto compelled a turnover to take the lead with 7.4 seconds remaining.

When the Raptors failed to regulate a defensive rebound, the Hawks seized on the second to flee with the win on a dunk with 1.1 seconds left. A determined heave wouldn’t drop because the Raptors dropped to 16-30 on the season.

There’s completely no comfort in defeat, however some optimistic developments would play out: Head coach Darko Rajakovic might have found a bench. It’s one evening in any case, however when successful turns into this elusive any silver lining should be embraced.

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IT’S A START

Not even the famous Nostradamus may have envisioned a Raptors beginning group that includes Barnes, Dennis Schroder, Gary Trent Jr., Bruce Brown and Thad Younger.

Because the expression goes, one’s misfortune is a chance for an additional.

Bluntly said, accidents are starting to take a toll on the Raptors lineup they usually had been in full show because the crew started its six-game journey figuring out three starters in RJ Barrett (knee), Immanuel Quickley (thigh) and Jakob Poeltl (ankle) had been unavailable.

Poeltl turned his ankle in San Francisco throughout the Raptors’ most up-to-date six-game journey that started properly, solely to finish on a three-game dropping streak with the crew returning dwelling with a 2-4 document throughout the journey.

Sooner or later throughout this present stretch, the crew expects to have Poeltl again within the center.

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In concept, Schroder fills the void at level guard left by Quickley, whereas Trent fills the opening on the perimeter Barrett occupied when he was acquired from the New York Knicks.

In basketball, you may’t educate dimension, an space the Raptors have sorely lacked in Poeltl’s absence. With out their one and solely reputable large, the Raptors have been hopeless when defending the rim.

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The Hawks didn’t waste a lot time in exposing the Raptors by scoring 12 of their first 14 factors on the basket.

Toronto’s beginning group didn’t look nice on both facet of the ground, resulting in the Hawks constructing a 12-point benefit. Credit score the bench for bringing a defensive edge and a bodily presence, a five-player lineup that includes Schroder, Chris Boucher, Gradey Dick, Jontay Porter and Jordan Nwora, one other group Nostradamus couldn’t have foreseen.

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This unlikely group did assist the Raptors take the lead early within the second quarter following a Nwora three-pointer.

The most effective a part of Porter’s recreation is his potential to stretch the ground. Dick’s aggressiveness was encouraging. The Dick-Porter-Nwora trio accounted for 27 factors at one level throughout the opening half, roughly one half of the crew’s output.

On the break, the Raptors led 61-57 as a result of their bench supplied a much-needed raise following such a listless effort from the starters. The crew’s four-player second unit accounted for 30 of Toronto’s factors at intermission. In gorgeous distinction, Atlanta’s reserves produced six factors.

Nwora had a ranking of plus-20. His strong play would proceed within the third quarter, rising as Toronto’s greatest participant.

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Heading into the fourth interval, the hometown Hawks had been main 97-95 following a 40-point third quarter. Had it not been for Toronto’s bench brigade, the deficit would have been a lot better given the massive disparity from the respective beginning teams.

FOUR THE RECORD

If distress does certainly love firm, then a Raptors-Hawks assembly represented the very definition of hoops heaven. Take into account each groups entered their matchup having every misplaced 4 in a row.

The Hawks had been coming off a setback Friday evening when Mavs famous person Luka Doncic went off for 73 factors, probably the most in membership historical past, in a Dallas win to cap off an NBA week that noticed some elegant feats of particular person scoring.

Toronto entered the evening having been blown out at dwelling Friday evening by the L.A. Clippers.

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All of the mounting losses apart, the Raptors and Hawks did placed on a extremely aggressive and at instances very entertaining evening of basketball at State Farm Enviornment.

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Again in mid-December, the Raptors performed host to the Hawks in a mini two-game set over a stretch of three nights, the house facet successful the primary assembly 135-128, the guests prevailing within the second 125-104.

Trae Younger scored a mixed 73 factors, dished off a complete of 28 assists and turned the ball over 13 instances within the Hawks’ Toronto two-step. Within the third assembly, Younger was held to 6 first-half factors and had as many turnovers (two) as made area objectives in 19 minutes. However Younger completed the evening by scoring a game-high 30 factors and recording a game-high 12 assists.

Though, his fifth turnover very late within the recreation virtually price Atlanta.

The groups will wrap up their four-game season sequence on Feb. 23, when the Raptors return to Dixie.

fzicarelli@postmedia.com

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