Immanuel Quickley scored a season-high 31 factors in lone brilliant spot
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Listless and downright ineffective, Friday evening at Scotiabank Arena represented the bottom of the lows for the Raptors, whose sudden begin to the NBA’s season has featured its share of excessive factors.
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One evening after the exhilaration of LeBron James’ go to with the L.A. Lakers — who escaped with a buzzer-beating three-pointer, — the Raptors have been embarrassed by a Hornets crew that received one highway sport heading into the evening and received simply 111-86
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It was the bottom Raptors offensive output of the season — by six factors.
Every week in the past, the host Hornets ended Toronto’s nine-game win streak in additional time. No OT was required within the rematch as soon as the guests started to take management within the second quarter.
When some type of jolt was required, nothing was summoned by anybody. There’s no different method to say it, however to state the plain, which is to say the Raptors have been pathetic in dropping to 15-9 general and 1-2 on this present five-game homestand.
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To add to the evening’s distress, Jamison Battle left the sport due to an ankle sprain.
The following are three takeaways on an evening when Immanuel Quickley scored a season-high 31 factors, whereas his counterpart, LaMelo Ball, performed solely 12 minutes for the Hornets earlier than leaving with an damage after he slipped on the ground.
LIGHTS, CAMERA, INACTION
Very, very early into the evening, the sport was delayed for roughly 12 minutes when the sector’s strobe lights couldn’t be turned off, making for an odd scene.
The sport itself had no buzz.
The Raptors confirmed little psychological toughness in permitting Charlotte to go on a 17-0 run within the second quarter, a stretch that noticed them go scoreless for 5 minutes.
The second half started with Jamal Shead within the beginning group for Ja’Kobe Walter, underscoring the damage absence to RJ Barrett (knee).
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Walter picked up three fouls within the opening half and missed all three of his photographs from the sector.
BIG PROBLEMS
Jakob Poeltl was again within the beginning lineup, one evening after he sat out because the Raptors hold an in depth tab on his decrease again points. Managing his workload is a should to protect Poeltl’s long-term well being.
When he’s not enjoying, or when he’s and selecting up early fouls, Toronto’s shortcomings turn out to be pronounced.
By this time, everybody ought to concentrate on what backup Sandro Mamukelashvili brings to the ground, whether or not it’s his power, capacity to make use of the dribble in attacking the rim or recognizing up and drilling photographs.
But at 6-foot-9, he lacks true centre measurement and isn’t about to realize some any time quickly.
Poeltl picked up his third foul with underneath three minutes to play within the opening half and wound up scoring 5 factors in 23 uneventful minutes for the evening. Mamu was no higher, with three factors in 16 minutes.
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In basketball, measurement does matter. And sooner or later, the Raptors must handle this apparent shortcoming.
Meanwhile, Ryan Kalkbrenner, whom the Hornets took within the second spherical (thirty fourth general), is a seven-footer. The Raptors couldn’t hold the child off the glass and because of this Kalkbrenner scored 12 factors with little resistance.
SEVEN-YEAR ITCH
Prior to opening tip, Darko Rajakovic was singing the praises for Scottie Barnes.
Since he was named head coach two years in the past, Rajakovic has this behavior of going means too far in lavishing reward on Barnes.
Recall his epic post-game rant in L.A. following a tricky loss to the Lakers in Rajakovic’s rookie season when he had the audacity to recommend Barnes would in the future turn out to be a face of the NBA.
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As if anybody believed it.
On Friday, Rajakovic projected Barnes to be within the working for defensive participant of the 12 months. So, it was odd, late in Thursday’s loss to the Lakers, when Barnes got here with a double-team on Austin Reaves.
Against the Hornets, Barnes scored the Raptors’ first seven factors throughout a three-minute stretch by which he didn’t power a single heave. He completed with 13.
When Barnes is at his offensive finest, he’s in assault mode. When defenders are enjoying off him, he must shoot the ball and extra usually he finds internet.
He didn’t try a single free throw the complete evening. Neither did Brandon Ingram, who has clearly hit a wall and was held to a meagre seven factors on for 3-for-13 capturing.
Late within the third quarter, Barnes grew to become the de facto centre when the Raptors went small to power a faster tempo.
UP NEXT
On Sunday, 3:30 p.m., the Raptors will get their first take a look at a revamped Celtics crew that continues on with out Jayson Tatum (season-ending Achilles surgical procedure) … Head coach Joe Mazzulla isn’t afraid to push the envelope on the subject of his rotation … Boston scored 69 factors within the first half Friday en path to its rout of the visiting Lakers, the Celtics’ ninth win of their previous 11 video games.
fzicarelli@postmedia.com
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