After yet another failed fourth quarter comeback, the Toronto Raptors must evaluate their objectives for this NBA season and the future. Is a playoff seed in reach? Or is the lottery all too realistic? While both cases are good, the Raptors will need to decide quickly before they risk falling into an unfruitful middle ground.
Meanwhile, the Dwayne Casey revenge tour is still going strong – even in the 2020-21 NBA season. Having confidently beat Toronto in the first three meetings between the Raptors and the Pistons, this former NBA Coach of the Year is looking to take the season series in Monday night’s showdown.
After Gary Trent Jr.’s rough showing versus his former team Sunday night, don’t be surprised if Nick Nurse decides to give Rodney Hood a chance in the starting lineup. With less-and-less on the line as the season goes on, lineup experimentation and 10-day contracts may become more and more commonplace down in Tampa.
Following a strong performance in last night’s game versus the NBA’s 9th best team, the Toronto Raptors completely collapsed on the second night of a back-to-back. The team from the get-go looked slow, lethargic, and out of sorts. After finally hitting their stride after COVID-19, the mid-season trade put another wrinkle in a team that has struggled to formulate an identity.
Besides winning the tanking battle, and losing the head-to-head versus the Pistons, the most striking result from tonight’s epic loss was Kyle Lowry’s performance. Since the trade deadline Kyle has visibly not been the same player, and rightfully so. After believing you had played your last game as a Toronto Raptor, it would be difficult to retool your mind to invest in a tanking team. And, unfortunately, that is what the Raptors are aiming to do. Lose games, earn a lottery pick, and maintain cap space for the upcoming summer. That is Masai’s plan. At least what it looks like from the outside. Hopefully, the Raptors can earn themselves a spot in what could be a very interesting draft class.
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