The Raptors, trying to shake off a recent slide, could have picked a better opponent than the strong Clippers. No matter – DeRozan returned, and all was well.
A Los Angeles Clippers squad hungry for a win should have been able to handle the struggling and nicked-up Toronto Raptors. The outlook brightened for the home team when DeMar DeRozan was announced as the starting shooting guard, but turned gloomy as the visitors were leading 17-6 after 5 minutes. Worse, DeMar had missed every shot he put up, even a pair of free throws.
Oh ye of little faith. A pair of Kyle Lowry 3-balls started the comeback, and the tying bucket was scored by the remarkable Lucas Nogueira. After intercepting an Austin Rivers pass (the first of his three steals) on the perimeter, Bebe dribbled to the hoop for an emphatic throwdown. Our backup centre boasts excellent hands. Meanwhile, DeRozan found his stroke, and the Raptors rolled to a 35-point Q1.
They matched that number in Q2 when DeMarre Carroll’s second free throw rolled around the rim, then dropped in, just before the buzzer. Cory Joseph, freed from coach’s jail, scored 6. Everyone contributed, and the Raps were ahead by 10. [20-second timeout: The Raptors gave up 60 points in the first half, yet had a solid lead. Is this the NBA’s new normal? I can’t help but wonder how Defense First coaches like Dwane Casey make the mental adjustment to crazy scores.]
Feb 6, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors forward Lucas Nogueira (92) controls the ball as Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) defends in the first half at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Keep them out of reach
While each team’s shooting cooled slightly in the second half, the Clippers were never able to create a sustained run at the Raptors’ margin. The visitors got within single digits on a few occasions, but each time the Raps responded. Oddly enough, the Raps didn’t score in the game’s final 4:34, but their 18-point lead was more than enough to fend off the tired Clippers.
Dwane Casey’s roster decisions continue to confound. After several fine performances as DeRozan’s injury replacement, one would have thought Norman Powell would be granted meaningful playing time. Nope – he sat through 3 quarters, though he was allowed the entire fourth.
DeRozan’s 31 points included 6 on a pair of 3-pointers, usually his weakness.
Odds and ends
It’s a funny old world sometimes…Terrence Ross made one lonely basket, his secondary numbers (3 turnovers and no steals) were disappointing, yet was plus_23, by far the highest number on either team.
Jonas Valanciunas continued to demonstrate his unwillingness to surrender his starting centre job to the surging Nogueira. JV buried 9 of 13 shots on his way to 21 points, and pulled down 12 boards. He smothered DeAndre Jordan, who sat down early with 2 fouls and wasn’t much when he returned.
For the Clippers, Blake Griffin was highly efficient, and ended with a triple-double. A player with his strength and skill should be near-automatic for the points and rebounds, but I was most impressed with his passing, which led to 11 assists.
The Raptors are off to Minnesota to face the perpetually rebuilding Timberwolves tomorrow night.
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